JP2924545B2 - Powder dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is mainly incorporated in a vending machine, and discharges a powdered beverage material such as coffee or cocoa by a predetermined amount, and in particular, quantifies a powder whose discharge amount is accurate. The present invention relates to a discharge device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional example, there is a method called a so-called rotating disk. The device of this type is incorporated in a vending machine for beverages and discharges a fixed amount of coffee or koa based on a sales order. In the configuration, a frame as a powder transfer body is formed by radially partitioning an annular space formed by coaxial inner and outer cylindrical surfaces and rotating about a common axis. The lower surface of the frame is closed with a substrate, and the substrate is provided with an opening for discharging powder. At one point, the powder is supplied to the frame from above, and the frame is rotated by an angle corresponding to the amount to be discharged, and discharged from the discharge opening of the substrate at the other point.

[0003]

The rotating disk system as a conventional example is a practical system which is relatively simple in structure and has few failures, but has the following disadvantages. The boundary of the powder remaining on the discharged powder forms a slope inclined at the angle of repose at the edge of the discharge opening. This angle of repose is
The amount of discharge changes due to the change in the angle of repose because the change slightly depends on the specifications of the powder and the surrounding environment such as humidity and vibration. Even if you set the fixed amount,
If the actual discharge volume varies, the quality of the provided product will be reduced for the user, and for the supplier, the timing of replenishing the beverage ingredients to each vending machine will be In other words, efficient operation will be hindered.
Further, the powder on the remaining side collapses and falls due to vibration and impact, and the surroundings may be contaminated by the dropped powder.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems of the prior art and to discharge a powdered beverage material such as coffee or cocoa by a predetermined amount, and in particular to a powder whose discharge value is accurate. To provide a quantitative discharge device.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for quantitatively discharging powder according to the present invention, wherein inner and outer cylindrical surfaces which are coaxial and have the same length in the axial direction, and an annular shape formed by the respective cylindrical surfaces. A partition plate for radially partitioning the space, and a powder transfer frame in which at least the partition plate is rotatable around a common axis of each cylindrical surface; and a lower surface of the frame is slidable. A substrate which is installed in a closed form and has an opening for discharging powder formed as a fan-shaped region by a circumference corresponding to each cylindrical surface and two radii sandwiching a central angle; and forming the opening. Fan-shaped, rotatable around the edge on the better side in the direction of rotation of the frame,
A gate that opens and closes a part of the fan-shaped area including the upper side edge by this rotation and is urged in the closing direction, and moves up and down so that it can pass near the upper side edge of the opening, An elevating plate that separates the powder and contacts the gate to open and close it; and an elevating plate that is initially positioned at the lowest position to partition the powder inside the frame, and to stand by with the gate depressed. After raising the top to the top based on the discharge command, and then stopping the frame after rotating the angle according to the fixed amount, lowering the lifting plate to the lowest position, pushing down and opening the gate, and opening the fixed amount of powder. While discharging the body,
A control unit for partitioning the powder in the frame.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for quantitatively discharging powder, wherein inner and outer cylindrical surfaces which are coaxial and have the same length in the axial direction and an annular space formed by the cylindrical surfaces are radially partitioned. Around the common axis of each cylindrical surface,
A frame for powder transfer in which at least a partition plate is rotatable; installed in a form that slidably closes a lower surface of the frame, and an opening for powder discharge has a circumference corresponding to each cylindrical surface; A substrate formed as a fan-shaped region by two radii sandwiching the central angle; a fan-shaped region forming an opening thereof, which is rotatable around an edge on the upper side in the direction of rotation of the frame body; A gate that opens and closes a part of the fan-shaped area including the upper side edge by rotation and is urged in the closing direction; a lifting frame that moves up and down so as to be able to pass near the upper side edge of the opening; By the lifting frame, while maintaining the interval exceeding the thickness of the partition plate of the frame, each is guided to be able to go straight in the vertical direction and urged in the downward direction, while separating the powder in the frame body, and the gate and A pair of parallel movable plates for abutting and opening and closing this; , While lowering the powder inside the frame via the movable plate located at the lowest position, raising the elevating frame, which stands by with the gate pressed down, to the highest position based on the discharge command, and then quantifying the frame After stopping the rotation after the rotation according to the angle, the lifting frame is lowered to the lowest position, the gate is pushed down and opened via the movable plate, and a fixed amount of powder is discharged to separate the powder in the frame. A control unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus for discharging a constant amount of powder, the horizontal distance between the lower edge of the gate in the rotating direction of the frame and the vertical trajectory of the lifting plate is different from that of the first aspect. Exceeds the value obtained by multiplying the axial length of the frame by the cot of the powder angle of repose. The powder quantitative discharge device according to claim 4,
In the apparatus according to claim 2, the horizontal distance between the lower edge of the gate in the direction of rotation of the frame and the elevating trajectory of the elevating frame is determined by dividing the powder angle of repose by the axial length of the frame ( cot).

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the lifting plate is initially positioned at the lowest position to partition the powder in the frame, and waits in a state where the gate is pushed down. next,
After ascending to the highest position based on the ejection command, the frame is rotated by an angle corresponding to the fixed amount and stopped. Next, the elevating plate descends again to the lowest position, depresses and opens the gate to discharge a fixed amount of powder, partitions the powder in the frame, and returns to the initial standby state.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for discharging a fixed amount of powder.
Initially, the lifting frame is positioned at the lowest position, partitions the powder in the frame via the movable plate, and waits with the gate pushed down. Next, after ascending to the highest position based on the ejection command, the frame is rotated by an angle corresponding to the fixed amount and stopped. Next, the elevating frame descends again to the lowest position, pushes down and opens the gate via the movable plate to discharge a fixed amount of powder, partitions the powder in the frame, and returns to the initial standby state.

The horizontal distance between the lower edge of the gate in the direction of rotation of the frame and the vertical trajectory of the lift plate is defined by the axial length of the frame. Since the value exceeds the value obtained by multiplying the repose (cot) of the powder angle of repose, the portion where the powder in the frame is partitioned by the elevating plate is a horizontal surface portion off the inclined surface based on the angle of repose of the powder. In particular, in the powder quantitative discharge device according to the fourth aspect, the horizontal distance between the lower edge of the gate in the rotation direction of the frame and the lifting trajectory of the lifting frame is such that the length of the powder rests in the axial length of the frame. Corner divisor (co
Since the value multiplied by t) is exceeded, the portion where the powder in the frame is partitioned by the movable plate is a horizontal surface portion off the inclined surface based on the angle of repose of the powder.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the apparatus for quantitatively discharging powder according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same frame,
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the substrate related portion. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a casing, which forms a raw material storage space 2 and stores and supports mechanical members described later. Reference numeral 3 denotes a frame for transferring powder, which is mainly described with reference to FIG. 2, and is mainly composed of a shaft 4, a cylindrical central portion 5 formed coaxially and integrally therewith, and a cylindrical outer peripheral portion 6 coaxial therewith. , An outer gear part 7 and a partition plate 8. The partition plate 8 radially protrudes from the central portion 5 and reaches the outer peripheral portion 6 so as to reach the outer cylindrical surface of the central portion 5 and the outer peripheral portion 6.
The annular space formed by the inner circumferential surface of the ring is divided into eight equal parts. Reference numeral 9 denotes a stirring blade, which is attached to the upper end of the shaft 4 to stir the raw material powder.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a substrate which is installed so as to slidably close the lower surface of the frame 3 and has a gate.
A fan-shaped powder discharge port 12 (see FIG. 3) is opened at a location 13. The powder discharge port 12 corresponds to a part of the annular space of the frame 3 shown by a dashed line in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the gate 13 has a fan shape, and the discharge port 12 has a frame.
3 is rotatably supported by the edge on the upper side in the rotation direction (counterclockwise direction), and is normally urged by a spring to partially close the discharge port 12.

Returning to FIG. 1, reference numeral 16 denotes a linear actuator, for example, a solenoid, and a lifting plate 17 is fixed to an output shaft of the actuator. The elevating plate 17 is driven up and down by an actuator 16 as will be described in detail later, and the distal end thereof is
To enter the interior of the device to partition the powder, or to descend further to push down the gate 13 to discharge the powder. Reference numeral 10 denotes a gear unit, which is supported by a bearing portion of the casing 1 and meshes with a gear portion 7 of the frame body 3 via a lower unlabeled gear.
Rotational force is transmitted to the frame 3 from an external power source via the upper unlabeled gear.

The operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the side views showing the respective steps of FIGS. FIG. 4 shows the standby state of the apparatus, that is, the first stage of dispensing a fixed amount of powder. In this state, the lifting plate 17 is
The powder 13 is positioned at the lowest position through the hole of the casing 1 to block the powder 20 so as not to be discharged, and at the same time, pushes down the gate 13 near the fulcrum to open it. As shown here, the outlet 12
Is configured such that a part thereof is always open and the other part is opened and closed by the gate 13. FIG. 5 shows the second stage of the constant-rate discharge, in which the lift plate 17 is driven upward to be positioned at the highest position, the gate 13 is leveled by the bias, and a part of the discharge port 12 is closed. During the ascending process of the gate 13, its tip is always in contact with the upper surface of the gate 13,
Discharge of the powder 20 is prevented.

FIG. 6 shows the third stage of the constant-rate discharge,
17 is kept at the highest position, the frame 3 is rotated by an angle corresponding to the fixed amount, and here, the partition plate 8 representing the frame 3 is moved from the broken line position indicating the position in the second stage,
Move by the distance S corresponding to the fixed amount. During this movement,
A part of the powder 20 to be discharged at a constant rate is discharged from a part of the discharge port 12 which is always open (opening part on the left side in the figure),
The remaining powder is held between the left edge of the gate 13 and the partition plate 8 on the right side while forming a slope having a repose angle θ.
In other words, the remaining powder is ejected and the amount is determined only. Here, the axial length of the frame 3 is H, and the gate is
Assuming that the horizontal distance between the left end of the lift 13 and the lift trajectory of the lift plate 17 is L, the gate 13 must be separated from the slope of the repose angle θ of the powder 20 in order to accurately output the discharge amount. θ
> H, that is, L> Hcot θ.

FIG. 7 shows the fourth stage of the constant-rate discharge,
17 is driven downward from the highest position, and is again positioned at the lowest position. In the process, the gate 13 is pushed down while the remaining powder to be discharged and the powder connected thereto are separated, and the remaining powder is discharged. Looking only at this figure, it seems that a small portion of the remaining powder to be discharged remains and causes an error. However, since a similar portion remains in the previous time, it can be seen continuously. In this case, the error becomes zero. This fourth
The phase has returned to the first phase (see Figure 4).

Although not mentioned in the description of FIGS. 4 to 7, when the lifting plate 17 is lowered, if the partition plate 8 rotated at an angle corresponding to the fixed amount is positioned at the passing point, a collision occurs. It can happen. As in the first embodiment, if the annular space of the frame 3 is not divided by the eight partition plates 8 and the number thereof is further reduced, the chance of collision can be reduced. There is.
In order to reliably avoid collision, the stop position of the partition plate 18 of the frame 13 is detected, and when it matches the passing position of the elevating plate 17, the actual stop position of the frame 13 is slightly corrected so as not to collide. There is also a way to do it. However, since the correction requires position detection, there is a disadvantage that the operation control becomes more complicated.

According to the second embodiment, this disadvantage can be eliminated and collision can be easily and reliably avoided. FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the lifting unit according to the second embodiment. In the figure, a lifting frame 21, a pair of movable plates 22, and a pair of
The unit consisting of the lifting plate 17 and the lifting plate 17 in the first embodiment
Is equivalent to The elevating frame 21 is fixed to the output shaft of the actuator 16 at the upper end, guides the pair of movable plates 22 so as to be able to go straight in the elevating direction inside the lower side, and a spring is attached to the movable plate 22.
Apply a downward bias by 23. The distance G between the movable plates 22 exceeds the thickness W of the partition plate 8. FIG. 8 shows a third stage of operation corresponding to FIG. 6 of the first embodiment. The frame 3 is rotated by an angle corresponding to the fixed amount while the lifting frame 21 remains positioned at the uppermost position, and the powder remaining on the left edge of the gate 13 forms a slope at the angle of repose θ. After this,
The lifting frame 21 descends to separate the powder 20 via the movable plate 22. At this time, as the lifting frame 21 descends, the movable plate
On the other hand, the right side of the movable plate 22 in this case collides with the partition plate 8, so that the movable plate 22 on the right side is kept in contact with the partition plate 8 and inside the lift frame 21 against the bias of the corresponding spring 23. It is pushed in, and the other left movable plate 22 descends to partition the powder. Since the distance G between the movable plates 22 exceeds the thickness W of the partition plate 8, even if the partition plate 8 stops at any position, one of the movable plates 22 must avoid the partition plate 8 without fail. Can be. Note that, as in the first embodiment,
A condition regarding the horizontal distance L between the left end of the gate 13 and the vertical path of the movable plate 22 (which may be representatively the vertical frame 21) is required.

[0019]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the lift plate is initially positioned at the lowest position to partition the powder in the frame, and waits while the gate is pushed down. Next, after ascending to the top based on the discharge command,
The frame is rotated by an angle corresponding to the fixed amount and stopped. Next, the elevating plate descends again to the lowest position, depresses and opens the gate to discharge a fixed amount of powder, partitions the powder in the frame, and returns to the initial standby state. In the powder quantitative discharge device according to the second aspect, the lifting frame is initially positioned at the lowest position, partitions the powder in the frame via the movable plate, and stands by with the gate depressed. . Next, after ascending to the highest position based on the ejection command, the frame is rotated by an angle corresponding to the fixed amount and stopped. Next, the lifting frame descends again to the lowest position, pushes down the gate via the movable plate, opens it, and discharges a certain amount of powder.
The powder in the frame is partitioned to return to the initial standby state. Therefore, the effects of the powder inclined surface based on the unstable angle of repose can be avoided in common in each of claims 1 and 2, and the accurate and stable powder discharge amount can be obtained for the set quantitative amount.
When this device is incorporated into vending machines such as coffee and cocoa, low-variation and high-quality products are provided to users, and
The timing of powder supply to each vending machine will be as planned, and efficient operation without waste and shortage will be possible. In addition, since the gate is partitioned by the gate after the discharge, there is no fear that a part of the remaining powder may be broken by vibration or impact and stain the surrounding area.

The horizontal distance between the lower edge of the gate in the rotation direction of the frame and the vertical path of the lift plate is defined by the axial length of the frame. Since the value exceeds the value obtained by multiplying the repose (cot) of the powder angle of repose, the portion where the powder in the frame is partitioned by the elevating plate is a horizontal surface portion off the inclined surface based on the angle of repose of the powder. Therefore, the accuracy of the powder discharge amount is further improved.

In particular, in the powder quantitative discharge apparatus according to claim 4, the horizontal distance between the lower edge of the gate in the rotating direction of the frame and the vertical path of the vertical frame is equal to the axial length of the frame. Since the value exceeds the value obtained by multiplying the remainder (cot) of the powder repose angle, the portion where the powder in the frame is partitioned by the movable plate is a horizontal surface portion off the inclined surface based on the repose angle of the powder. Therefore, the accuracy of the powder discharge amount is further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a frame in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a board related part in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a first stage of the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a second stage of the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a third stage of the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a fourth stage of the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of a lifting unit according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Casing 2 Raw material storage space 3 Frame 4 Shaft 5 Center part 6 Outer part 7 Gear part 8 Partition plate 9 Stirrer blade 10 Gear unit 11 Substrate 12 Discharge port 13 Gate 16 Actuator 17 Elevating plate 20 Powder 21 Elevating frame 22 Movable plate 23 spring

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G07F 13/02 103 B65D 83/06

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] An inner and outer cylindrical surface which is coaxial and has the same length in the axial direction, and a partition plate which radially divides an annular space formed by the cylindrical surfaces. A powder transfer frame in which at least a partition plate is rotatable around a common axis; and a lower surface of the frame is slidably closed, and an opening for powder discharge is provided in each cylinder. A substrate formed as a fan-shaped region by a circumference corresponding to the surface and two radii sandwiching the central angle; and a fan-shaped edge forming an opening thereof, the edge on the upper side in the rotation direction of the frame body. Can rotate around,
A gate that opens and closes a part of the fan-shaped area including the upper side edge by this rotation and is urged in the closing direction, and moves up and down so that it can pass near the upper side edge of the opening, An elevating plate that separates the powder and contacts the gate to open and close it; and an elevating plate that is initially positioned at the lowest position to partition the powder inside the frame, and to stand by with the gate depressed. After raising the top to the top based on the discharge command, and then stopping the frame after rotating the angle according to the fixed amount, lowering the lifting plate to the lowest position, pushing down and opening the gate, and opening the fixed amount of powder. While discharging the body,
A control unit for partitioning the powder in the frame; 2. Each cylindrical surface has inner and outer cylindrical surfaces which are coaxial and have the same length in the axial direction, and partition plates which radially divide an annular space formed by the cylindrical surfaces. A frame for transferring powder, at least a partition plate of which is rotatable around a common axis of the cylinder; and a lower surface of the frame is slidably closed, and an opening for discharging powder is provided in each cylinder. A substrate formed as a fan-shaped region by a circumference corresponding to the surface and two radii sandwiching the central angle; and a fan-shaped edge forming an opening thereof, the edge on the upper side in the rotation direction of the frame body. Can rotate around,
A gate that opens and closes a part of the fan-shaped area including the upper edge and is urged in the closing direction by this rotation; an elevating frame that moves up and down so as to be able to pass near the upper edge of the opening; With this lifting frame, while maintaining an interval exceeding the thickness of the partition plate of the frame body, the powder in the frame body is guided while being guided in a straight line in the vertical direction and urged in the downward direction. A pair of parallel movable plates for abutting and opening and closing the same; initially, the lowermost portion is located at the lowest position, partitions the powder in the frame via the movable plate, and rises and falls in a state where the gate is pushed down The frame is raised to the highest position based on the discharge command, and then the frame is stopped after rotating at an angle according to the fixed amount.Then, the lifting frame is lowered to the lowest position, and the gate is pushed down via the movable plate. , Open and discharge a certain amount of powder Thereby together, and a control unit divides the powder of the frame body; dispensing device of the powder, characterized in that it comprises a. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal distance between the lower edge of the frame in the direction of rotation of the frame and the lift trajectory of the lift plate is equal to the axial length of the frame. Corner cutoff
A powder quantitative discharge device characterized by exceeding a value multiplied by (cot). 4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the horizontal distance between the lower edge of the frame in the direction of rotation of the frame and the vertical path of the lifting frame is equal to the length of the powder rest in the axial length of the frame. Corner cutoff
A powder quantitative discharge device characterized by exceeding a value multiplied by (cot).