JP4128069B2 - Product detection device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a product detection device that detects the presence or absence of a product in a product passage.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for example, in vending machines that sell products such as beverage cans and plastic bottles, products are stacked in the product channel of the column in the vertical direction, and the product installed at the bottom of the column is discharged when the product is sold. The device discharges one by one from the lowest product.
[0003]
The product discharge device is provided with a product detection device that detects the sale of the product. The product detection device includes a detection lever that is rotatably provided on one side of the product passage and is biased in a direction protruding into the product passage, and a detection switch that is turned on and off by the detection lever. The detection switch is turned off when the detection lever is pushed by the product, and the detection switch is turned on when there is no product in the product passage and the detection lever protrudes greatly into the product passage, and the presence of the product is detected. . The detection lever is made of resin and is arranged at the center in the width direction on one side of the product passage so as to be able to come into contact with the center region in the longitudinal direction of the product in the product passage.
[0004]
By the way, there are many types of products with different dimensions and shapes, such as small-diameter cans, large-diameter cans and PET bottles, which are sold by vending machines. In other words, the interval of the product passage is narrowed for a small-diameter can, and the interval of the product passage is increased for a large-diameter can. However, there are many columns in the vending machine, and it takes a lot of labor to adjust the product passages according to the size and shape of the products for all these columns, and it is easy to make mistakes in the adjustment. There is a risk that defects and sold-out detection defects may occur.
[0005]
Therefore, in recent years, vending machines have been developed that can handle a product passage from a small-diameter can to a large-diameter can without any adjustment. In this vending machine, the interval of the product passage is set so that the product with the largest diameter, for example, a plastic bottle containing 500 ml of beverage can pass through, and the product discharge device and product detection device can be used from a small-diameter can to a large-diameter can. It can be handled. In the product detection device, the length of the detection lever in the vertical direction is lengthened, and the detection lever is designed so that it protrudes greatly into the product passage so that it can detect a small diameter can to a large diameter can ( For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-197523 A (2nd to 4th pages, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As mentioned above, since there are many types of products with different dimensions and shapes, such as small-diameter cans, large-diameter cans and PET bottles, the products that are sold by vending machines can be reliably detected by the product detection device. May not be detected. For example, for a product such as a plastic bottle with a small product tilted in the product passage or a hollow in the central area of the peripheral surface, the detection lever that contacts the central area in the longitudinal direction of the product cannot reliably detect the product. There is a case.
[0008]
If the size of the detection lever is increased to ensure that the product can be detected reliably, the detection lever is made of resin, so deformation such as warpage is likely to occur, and variations in detection are likely to occur. Moreover, if the strength of the detection lever is increased, the thickness of the detection lever increases, resulting in a problem of narrowing the width of the product passage. In addition, if only the tip of the detection lever is widened, there will be a step at the tip and the base end of the detection lever, and a small product will be caught at the step, causing a problem of product clogging. To do.
[0009]
This invention is made in view of such a point, and it aims at providing the goods detection apparatus which can detect the presence or absence of goods reliably without variation irrespective of the dimension shape of goods.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Product detection apparatus 請 Motomeko 1 described, a side plate disposed on one side of the commodity passage, a detection lever that is biased in a direction inwardly projecting the commodity passage with provided rotatably to the side plates A detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of a product according to the rotation position of the detection lever, and a metal plate having a width wider than the vertical width and wider than the width of the detection lever, and overlaps the product passage side of the detection lever. And a detection plate that is rotatably supported by the side plate with the upper end side as a fulcrum in the state, and is biased in a direction in which the detection lever comes into contact and protrudes inward of the product passage. .
[0011]
In this configuration, the detection lever is rotatably provided on the side plate on one side of the product passage and is urged in a direction protruding inward of the product passage. In addition to the structure for detecting the presence or absence of a product, a detection plate that is a metal plate that is wider than the vertical width and wider than the detection lever in a state where it overlaps the product passage side of the detection lever is rotated to the side plate using its upper end as a fulcrum. Since it is supported so as to be movable, the product passage is not narrowed, and the wide detection plate reliably contacts the product regardless of the size and shape of the product, and the presence or absence of the product can be reliably detected without variation. Further, the products can be aligned by pressing them in parallel to the other side of the product passage in the entire width region of the wide detection plate. In addition, since the detection plate is a metal plate, it can secure strength even if it is thin, and even if it is large, there is little deformation such as warping, and it can reliably detect the presence or absence of products, and it can narrow the product passage. It becomes possible to prevent.
[0012]
The product detection device according to claim 2 is the product detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the fulcrum of the detection plate is located above the fulcrum of the detection lever, and the lower end of the detection plate protrudes longer than the lower end of the detection lever. Is.
[0013]
In this configuration, since the fulcrum of the detection plate is positioned above the fulcrum of the detection lever and the lower end of the detection plate protrudes longer than the lower end of the detection lever, the amount of protrusion into the product passage can be increased, and the dimensions and shapes are different. A variety of products can be reliably detected.
[0014]
Product detection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, in the product detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a groove in which the upper end of the sensing plate to the side plate is to be inserted is formed, on the upper end side of the sensing plate, the groove of the side plate An engaging portion that is pivotably engaged is formed.
[0015]
In this configuration, a groove portion that allows the upper end of the detection plate to be inserted is formed in the side plate, and an engagement portion that engages with the groove portion of the side plate in a rotatable manner is formed on the upper end side of the detection plate. Thus, the detection plate can be rotatably supported on the side plate.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the commodity detection apparatus according to the third aspect , wherein the commodity detection apparatus includes a mounting member that is attached to the side plate by providing a detection lever and a detection portion. A holding portion is provided that holds the state of being rotatably engaged with the groove portion of the side plate.
[0017]
In this configuration, the attachment member that is provided with the detection lever and the detection portion and is attached to the side plate is provided with the holding portion that holds the state in which the engagement portion of the detection plate is rotatably engaged with the groove portion of the side plate. The member is used both for mounting the detection lever and detection unit and holding the detection plate, and the structure is simplified.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, for example, in a vending machine that sells products 11 such as beverage cans and plastic bottles, for example, a plurality of serpentine-shaped columns 12 are provided. A product discharge device 14 is provided for locking the products 11 stored in a line in the vertical direction in the product passage 13 of the column 12 and discharging the products 11 one by one from the lowest product 11 when selling the products. ing. Each product discharge device 14 is integrally provided with a product detection device 15 that detects whether or not the product 11 is sold by detecting the presence of the product 11. In the example shown in the figure, a plastic bottle containing, for example, 500 ml of beverage is shown as the product 11, and the product 11 is stored in the product passage 13 with the vertical direction, that is, the longitudinal direction of the product 11 in a horizontal orientation.
[0020]
The product discharge device 14 has a product passage frame 20 in which a product passage 13 is formed that opens in the vertical direction and is continuously led to the column 12 and into which the product 11 is guided. Side plates 21 and 22 for guiding both sides of the product 11 are disposed, and end plates 23 and 24 for guiding both ends of the product 11 are disposed at both ends of the product passage 13. This product discharge device 14 is configured to handle a wide variety of products 11 having different dimensions and shapes, such as small-diameter cans, large-diameter cans and PET bottles, without adjusting the interval of the product passage 13, The interval 22 and the interval between the two end plates 23 and 24 are set so that the largest product 11 among the products 11 to be handled, for example, a 500 ml beverage bottle can be passed.
[0021]
An opening 27 in which the mechanism of the product discharge device 14 is disposed is formed on the lower side of the side plate 21 on one side, and flange portions 28 are bent toward the outside of the side plate 21 at both ends of the opening 27. The lower shaft 29 and the upper shaft 30 are attached between the flange portions 28 in parallel in the vertical direction. A lower latch 31 for locking the lowest product 11 is pivotally supported on the lower shaft 29, and an upper latch 32 for locking the second product 11 is rotatable on the upper shaft 30. It is pivotally supported. The upper latch 32 is formed to have a width close to the lateral width of the side plate 21.
[0022]
Between one flange portion 28 and a guide member 33 attached to the outer surface of the side plate 21, a lower operation shaft 34 that engages with the lower latch 31 and an upper operation shaft 35 that engages with the upper latch 32 are vertically moved. It is slidably supported in the direction. The lower operating shaft 34 and the upper operating shaft 35 are integrally connected by a connecting body 36, and the upper end of the connecting body 36 is connected to a plunger 38 of a solenoid 37 attached to the upper outer surface of the side plate 21. The lower end of the body 36 is connected to a spring 39 that urges the connecting body 36 downward.
[0023]
A locking cover 40 is arranged on the lower latch 31 so as to overlap. The locking cover 40 is made of a metal plate and is formed to have a width close to the lateral width of the side plate 21, and the lower latch 31 with respect to the lower shaft 29. And are pivotally supported so as to be integrally rotatable.
[0024]
Over the upper part of the lower latch 31 and the upper latch 32, a lower guide cover 41 and an upper guide cover 42 that overlap the product 11 with the lower latch 31 and the upper latch 32 when the product 11 is discharged are overlapped with each other. Are arranged. The lower guide cover 41 and the upper guide cover 42 are made of a metal plate and are formed to have a width close to the lateral width of the side plate 21, and the lower guide cover 41 is rotatably supported with respect to the upper shaft 30. The guide cover 42 is pivotally supported with respect to the side plate 21 so as to be rotatable. A substantially U-shaped engaging portion 43 is bent at the upper end side of the upper guide cover 42, and the engaging portion 43 can be rotated to the lower edge portion of the groove portion 44 formed wide in the width direction of the side plate 21. Is engaged.
[0025]
Further, the other side plate 22 is formed with a protruding portion 45 protruding into the product passage 13 at a position facing the upper latch 32.
[0026]
Next, an opening 51 in which a part of the product detection device 15 is disposed is formed at the upper center of the side plate 21 on one side, and the attachment member 52 of the product detection device 15 is attached to the opening 51. ing. A hole 53 is formed in the center of the mounting member 52, and the upper end of the detection lever 54 is rotatably attached to the upper portion of the hole 53, and a detection switch 55 as a detection unit is provided on one side of the hole 53. Are attached to each.
[0027]
The detection lever 54 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and is formed in a lever shape that is long in the vertical direction. The detection lever 54 is pivotally supported with respect to the mounting member 52 by a support shaft 56 provided on the upper portion. The lower portion of the detection lever 54 is urged in a direction protruding into the product passage 13 by a spring 57 as an urging means attached to the. A pusher 58 that turns on the detection switch 55 in a state in which the detection lever 54 protrudes most into the product passage 13 because there is no product 11 in the product passage 13 is formed to protrude above the detection lever 54.
[0028]
The detection switch 55 has a switch main body 59 attached to the attachment member 52, and a switch operating portion 60 protrudes from the surface of the switch main body 59, and a pushing portion 58 of the detection lever 54 in front of the switch operating portion 60. The actuating plate 61 pushed by is disposed so as to be able to swing. Then, the detection switch 55 is switched to a switch switching state corresponding to the absence of a product when the switch operation portion 60 is pushed into the switch switching state corresponding to the presence of the product in the protruding state of the switch operation portion 60 via the operation plate 61. .
[0029]
A wide slit-like groove 62 in the width direction of the side plate 21 is formed above the opening 51 of the side plate 21, and a detection plate 63 is rotatably attached to the groove 62. This detection plate 63 is made of a rectangular metal plate whose width is wider than the vertical width and wider than the width of the detection lever 54, and is substantially U that is pivotally engaged with the lower edge of the groove 62 in the entire width region on the upper end side. An engagement portion 64 that is bent in a letter shape is formed, and is disposed in a state of overlapping the inside of the product passage 13 of the detection lever 54.
[0030]
A holding portion 65 that rotatably holds the engaging portion 64 of the detection plate 63 engaged with the groove portion 62 of the side plate 21 is formed on the upper portion of the mounting member 52. A holding portion 66 that rotatably holds the engaging portion 43 of the upper guide cover 42 engaged with the groove portion 44 of the side plate 21 is formed at the lower portion of the mounting member 52.
[0031]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when waiting for product discharge, the solenoid 37 is turned off, and the lower operating shaft 34 and the upper operating shaft 35 are in the lower position via the coupling body 36 by the bias of the spring 39. The lower latch 31 protrudes substantially horizontally into the product passage 13 by the side operation shaft 34, and the upper latch 32 protrudes from the product passage 13 by the upper operation shaft 35. Therefore, the lowest product 11 is placed on the lower latch 31, and the product 11 in the product passage 13 is placed on the lowest product 11.
[0033]
During this product discharge standby, the detection plate 63 urged toward the product passage 13 by the detection lever 54 contacts the second product 11, and the pushing portion 58 of the detection lever 54 operates the detection switch 55. Since it is away from the plate 61 and the switch actuating unit 60 is not pushed, the detection switch 55 is in a detection state with a product.
[0034]
At this time, since the detection plate 63 is a rectangle whose width is wider than the vertical width and wider than the width of the detection lever 54, regardless of the size and shape of the product 11, it securely contacts the product 11 and the presence or absence of the product 11 varies. It can be detected reliably. In addition, the product 11 can be pressed and aligned in parallel with the side plate 22 on the other side of the product passage 13 in the entire width region of the wide detection plate 63, and the discharge operation of the product 11 by the product discharge device 14 below can be ensured. . Furthermore, since the detection plate 63 is a metal plate, the strength can be ensured even if it is thin, the presence or absence of the product 11 can be reliably detected without variation, and the product passage 13 is not greatly narrowed. Further, since the fulcrum of the detection plate 63 is positioned above the fulcrum of the detection lever 54 and the lower end of the detection plate 63 protrudes longer than the lower end of the detection lever 54, the amount of protrusion of the detection plate 63 into the product passage 13 can be increased. For example, even a product 11 such as a small-diameter can can be reliably detected.
[0035]
Then, when the product is discharged, the solenoid 37 is turned on, the lower operating shaft 34 and the upper operating shaft 35 are raised via the coupling body 36, and the lower latch 31 is rotated downward by the lower operating shaft 34. The lower product 11 is discharged, and the upper operation shaft 35 causes the upper latch 32 to protrude into the product passage 13 to lock the second product 11. When the lowest product 11 falls, the lower latch 31 is rotated upward by a biasing force of a spring (not shown) to return to a substantially horizontal state. The solenoid 37 is turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed since it was turned on, the lower operating shaft 34 and the upper operating shaft 35 are lowered via the coupling body 36, and the lower operating shaft 34 moves the lower latch 31 into the product passage 13. The upper latch 32 is withdrawn from the commodity passage 13 by the upper operation shaft 35. The product 11 locked by the retraction of the upper latch 32 descends and is placed on the lower latch 31 as shown in FIG. 2, and waits for the next product 11 to be discharged.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 4, when there is only one remaining product 11 in the product passage 13, the detection plate 63 urged toward the product passage 13 by the detection lever 54 is placed in the product passage 13. The switch actuating portion 58 of the detecting lever 54 pushes the switch actuating portion 60 through the actuating plate 61 of the detecting switch 55, so that the detecting switch 55 is switched to a no-product detection state.
[0037]
As described above, according to the product detection device 15, the detection lever 54 is rotatably provided on the side plate 21 on one side of the product passage 13, and is urged in a direction protruding inward of the product passage 13, and this detection is performed. In addition to the structure in which the detection switch 55 detects the presence / absence of the product 11 in accordance with the rotation position of the lever 54, the width of the detection lever 54 is larger than the vertical width and the width of the detection lever 54 is greater than the width of the detection lever 54. The wide detection plate 63, which is a wide rectangular metal plate, is rotatably supported on the side plate 21 with its upper end as a fulcrum, so that the wide detection plate 63 reliably contacts the product 11 regardless of the dimensions of the product 11. In addition, the presence or absence of the product 11 can be reliably detected without any variation, and the product 11 can be pressed and aligned in parallel with the other side of the product passage 13 in the entire width region of the wide detection plate 63.
[0038]
Furthermore, since the detection plate 63 is a metal plate, it can secure strength even if it is thin, there is little deformation such as warping even if it is large, it can reliably detect the presence or absence of the product 11, and the product passage 13 is greatly narrowed. There is nothing.
[0039]
Further, the fulcrum of the detection plate 63 is positioned above the fulcrum of the detection lever 54, and the lower end of the detection plate 63 protrudes longer than the lower end of the detection lever 54. Different types of products 11 can be reliably detected.
[0040]
Further, the side plate 21 is formed with a groove 62 that allows the upper end of the detection plate 63 to be inserted, and the engaging portion 64 that is rotatably engaged with the groove 62 of the side plate 21 is formed on the upper end side of the detection plate 63. The detection plate 63 can be rotatably supported on the side plate 21 with a simple structure.
[0041]
A mounting member 52 that is provided with a detection lever 54 and a detection switch 55 and is attached to the side plate 21 is provided with a holding portion 65 that holds the engagement portion 64 of the detection plate 63 rotatably engaged with the groove portion 62 of the side plate 21. Therefore, the attachment member 52 can be used for both the attachment of the detection lever 54 and the detection switch 55 and the holding of the detection plate 63, and the structure can be simplified .
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
According to the product detection device 請 Motomeko 1, and biased in a direction inwardly projecting the commodity passage with a detection lever provided rotatably on one side of the side plate of the commodity passage, rotation of the detection lever In addition to a structure that detects the presence or absence of a product by the detection unit according to the position, a detection plate that is a metal plate that is wider than the vertical width and wider than the detection lever in a state where it overlaps the product passage side of the detection lever Since the side plate is pivotally supported with the side as a fulcrum, the product passage is not narrowed, the wide sensing plate reliably contacts the product, and the presence or absence of the product can be reliably detected. The product can be aligned by pressing it parallel to the other side of the product path in the full width region of the plate. Moreover, since the detection plate is a metal plate, the strength can be secured even if it is thin, and even if it is large, there is little deformation such as warping, and it is possible to reliably detect the presence or absence of products and to prevent narrowing of the product passage. .
[0043]
According to the product detection device of claim 2 , in addition to the effect of the product detection device of claim 1 , the fulcrum of the detection plate is positioned above the fulcrum of the detection lever, and the lower end of the detection plate is the lower end of the detection lever. Since it protrudes longer, the amount of protrusion into the product passage can be increased, and various types of products with different dimensions can be reliably detected.
[0044]
According to the product detection device of the third aspect , in addition to the effect of the product detection device of the first or second aspect , the groove portion that allows the upper end of the detection plate to be inserted is formed in the side plate, and the groove portion of the side plate is rotated. Since the engaging portion that is movably engaged is formed on the upper end side of the detection plate, the detection plate can be rotatably supported on the side plate with a simple structure.
[0045]
According to the product detection device of the fourth aspect , in addition to the effect of the product detection device of the third aspect , the detection lever and the detection portion are provided on the attachment member attached to the side plate, and the engagement portion of the detection plate is provided on the side plate. Since the holding portion that holds the state in which the groove portion is pivotably engaged is provided, the attachment member can be used for both the attachment of the detection lever and the detection portion and the holding of the detection plate, and the structure can be simplified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a commodity detection apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a product presence detection state by the product detection device.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the commodity detection device.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where no product is detected by the product detection device.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 products
13 Product passage
15 Product detection device
21 Side plate
52 Mounting member
54 Detection lever
55 Detection switch as detector
62 Groove
63 Detector
64 Engagement part
65 Holding part

Claims (4)

A side plate disposed on one side of the product passage;
A detection lever that is rotatably provided on the side plate and is biased in a direction protruding inward of the product passage;
A detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a product according to the rotation position of the detection lever;
A metal plate having a width wider than the vertical width and wider than the width of the detection lever, and is supported rotatably on the side plate with the upper end side as a fulcrum in a state of being overlapped with the product passage side of the detection lever. A product detection device, comprising: a detection plate that is abutted and biased in a direction protruding inward of the product passage . Fulcrum of the detection plate is positioned above the fulcrum of the detection lever, product detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of the detection plate is projected longer than the lower end of the detection lever. A groove is formed on the side plate to allow the upper end of the detection plate to be inserted,
Wherein the upper end of the sensing plate, product detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engaging portion rotatably engaged with the groove of the side plate is formed. There is an attachment member that is attached to the side plate by providing a detection lever and a detection portion, and this attachment member is provided with a holding portion that holds a state in which the engagement portion of the detection plate is rotatably engaged with the groove portion of the side plate. The product detection device according to claim 3, wherein:

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