JP5729568B2 - Product selection switch for vending machines - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a product selection switch used in a vending machine.

  As an example of a conventional vending machine product selection switch, a product selection switch unit applied to a vending machine that sells various beverages has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The conventional product selection switch unit described in Patent Document 1 has connector terminals mounted on a circuit board corresponding to each of a plurality of product samples, and switch elements on both the left and right sides of the terminals. Yes. The switch elements are arranged at equal positions from the center of the push button, and have a configuration corresponding to a one-press operation of the push button.

JP 2001-52242 A

  The conventional product selection switch described in Patent Document 1 requires a plurality of switch elements for each push button, and thus has a problem that the manufacturing cost increases due to an increase in the number of components.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a product selection switch for a vending machine which aims to reduce the manufacturing cost by reducing the number of components.

[1] The present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a base over scan, is mounted on the front side of the base, a circuit board on which the switch element is mounted on a surface of the front side, the front side of the base attached to a case having a push Botan'ana, a push button is the push button hole to press operably housed in said casing, opposite the switching element at a position offset from the center of the push button in a predetermined direction is provided An elastic cover disposed on the opposite side of the front side of the push button, and a push stroke caused by the push operation at a peripheral portion of the push button opposite to the predetermined direction. The vending machine product selection switch is provided with an operation restricting portion that is larger than the pushing stroke by the pushing operation at the peripheral edge in the predetermined direction .

[2] The operation restricting portion according to [1] is characterized in that a force applied when the switch actuating portion turns on the switch element is restricted by a pressing operation on the push button .

[3] [1] or [2] wherein operation restricting portions of the description, a push stroke area before Symbol push button, characterized by comprising provided a push stroke region of the second operating surface.

[4] The operation restricting portion according to any one of the above [1] to [3] is protruded outward from an outer peripheral edge of the push button, and is supported by a collar portion that is detachably supported on a peripheral portion of the push button hole. The bottom surface of the collar portion is formed as a tapered surface that is inclined from the side eccentric from the center toward the front side toward the side opposite to the eccentric side .

[5] The switch element according to [1], the push button, and the elastic cover , and a plurality of sets are arranged in a space formed between the base and the case. And

[6] The switch element according to [1] is a tact switch.

  According to the product selection switch for a vending machine of the present invention, the number of components can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

It is a front view showing typically a vending machine provided with a goods selection switch concerning a typical embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a front view of the goods selection switch which concerns on embodiment, (b) is a top view. It is the III-III arrow directional cross-sectional enlarged view of Fig.2 (a). (A) is a front view of the pushbutton which concerns on embodiment, (b) is a top view. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the following description, the front side of the product selection switch is referred to as a front portion, the back side is referred to as a back portion, and the product selection switch is referred to as up and down and left and right when viewed from the front. In addition, the shape, structure, operation, and the like of each of the plurality of product selection switches are the same. Therefore, only one product selection switch will be described, and description of other product selection switches will be omitted.

(Overall configuration of vending machine)
In FIG. 1, the code | symbol 1 which shows the whole has illustrated an example of the vending machine which sells various drinks. The vending machine 1 includes a vending machine main body 2 formed of a rectangular casing that is long in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine main body 2 is composed of a box body 2a that opens forward and a door body 2b that opens and closes the front opening of the box body 2a. The upper front portion of the door body 2b includes a front panel 3. The material of the front panel 3 is made of a resin material such as a transparent acrylic plate.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a bill inlet / outlet 4 for inserting / discharging banknotes, a coin slot 5 for inserting coins, and a return lever 6 for returning banknotes or coins are provided at the lower front portion of the door 2 b. It is arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an amount indicator 7 for displaying a change of money, an inserted bill or an amount of inserted coins, and a change return port for returning the change are further provided at the lower front portion of the door 2b. 8, a product take-out port 9 for taking out a product, and a door lock 10 for locking the opening and closing of the door body 2b. Reference numeral 11 denotes an advertising space.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a back panel 12 made of a metal plate material is disposed on the back surface of the front panel 3. A space formed between the back surface portion of the front panel 3 and the back panel 12 is a product sample display room. In the product sample display room, product sample display stands having display casings opened downward and forward are arranged in three rows of upper, interrupted, and lower columns.

  On this product sample display stand, as shown in FIG. 1, ten product samples 13, ..., 13 which are articles for display are displayed in a line. The material of the product sample display stand is made of a resin material such as a transparent acrylic plate. Corresponding to the product sample 13, product selection switches 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as “switches 20”) are arranged in three rows of upper, interrupted, and lower rows.

  The overall configuration of the vending machine 1 configured as described above shows one configuration example of the vending machine having the same specifications as those of the conventional vending machine body 2 in which the switch 20 is incorporated in the front portion of the front panel 3. ing. Accordingly, the shape and structure thereof are not particularly limited to the illustrated example.

(Appearance structure of product selection switch)
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the external appearance of the switch 20 constituting the characteristic part according to this embodiment is as follows: a flat rectangular base 21 that is long to the left and right; and a flat rectangular attached to the base 21. It is mainly composed of three members: a case 22 having a shape and a push button 23 supported so as to be able to be pushed through an elliptical push button hole 22a formed through the front surface of the case 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the switch 20 is configured as a switch unit in which a plurality of push buttons 23,... The case 22 is provided with a plurality of push button holes 22a,.

  The base 21 and the case 22 are formed of a colored resin such as an acrylic resin or a polycarbonate resin. On the other hand, the push button 23 is formed of a translucent resin material such as an acrylic resin or a polycarbonate resin in which the operation surface 24 is formed in a lens shape.

  The base 21 is detachably attached to the back panel 12 of the vending machine body 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 3, a cylindrical mounting boss 21 a for tightening and fixing to the front panel 3 of the vending machine body 2 is provided between the adjacent push buttons 23 on the back surface of the base 21. Correspondingly projecting. The mounting boss 21a is inserted into a fixing hole (not shown) drilled in the rear panel 12, and is fastened and fixed by a screw (not shown).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3, a cylindrical connector mounting boss 21 b opened to the back surface side is provided on the back surface of the base 21 so as to protrude on the same straight line as the center of the mounting boss 21 a. ing. A connector 25 having an input / output pin terminal 25 a is attached to the connector mounting boss 21 b in association with each push button 23. The connector 25 is electrically connected to an external connector connected to a central control unit (not shown) of the vending machine body 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3, the case 22 is fixedly integrated with the base 21. The case 22 may be bonded to the base 21 as long as the case 22 is fixed in a liquid-tight and air-tight manner, and a bonding method using an adhesive or welding is employed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B, the push button 23 has an upper plate portion 23a having an elliptical curved surface shape and an annular shape extending from the outer peripheral edge of the upper plate portion 23a to the back side. It has a side plate portion 23b and an annular flange portion 23c that projects horizontally from the outer peripheral edge of the side plate portion 23b, and is formed in a cap shape that opens to the back side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the push button 23 is disposed in a state in which the flange portion 23 c is in contact with and separated from the peripheral portion 22 b that is the opening side edge portion of the push button hole 22 a of the case 22. 24 is exposed so that it can be operated.

(Internal configuration of product selection switch)
In an internal space formed by assembling the base 21 and the case 22 together, a circuit board 26 mounted on the front portion of the base 21 is accommodated as shown in FIG. A tact switch 27 that is a switch element that is activated by a push operation of the push button 23 is mounted on the front surface of the circuit board 26, and a light emission that is a light source that illuminates a display unit that indicates an operating state of the vending machine body 2. Mounting components such as a diode (chip LED) 28 and a chip resistor (not shown) are mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, pin terminals 25 a of the connectors 25 fitted into the connector mounting bosses 21 b of the base 21 are mounted on the back surface of the circuit board 26. In the illustrated example, a top-type connector that is a vertically mounted connector in which a mating connector is coupled from a direction in which the pin terminal 25a is orthogonal to the mounting surface of the circuit board 26 is employed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the push button 23 is elastically supported in the push button hole 22 a of the case 22 by an elastic cover 29 that covers the circuit board 26 in a liquid-tight manner. The elastic cover 29 is formed of an elastically deformable cylindrical member such as silicone rubber.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the elastic cover 29 includes a peripheral surface portion 29a to be assembled to the inner peripheral surface of the push button 23 as a push button operating body, and an annular skirt portion 29b projecting obliquely outward from the peripheral edge portion of the peripheral surface portion 29a. , And an annular seat 29c extending horizontally from the peripheral edge of the tip of the skirt 29b.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the elastic cover 29 is provided with a columnar switch actuating portion 29 d so as to face the tact switch 27. The tact switch 27 is turned on by depressing the switch operating portion 29d in accordance with the elastic deformation of the skirt portion 29b of the elastic cover 29 according to the pressing operation stroke of the push button 23. On the other hand, when the push operation of the push button 23 is released, the tact switch 27 is turned off by pushing up the switch operating portion 29d with the elastic restoring force of the skirt portion 29b of the elastic cover 29.

By the way, the center O _{2 of the} push button 23 is disposed so as to face the mounting region of the pin terminal 25a of the circuit board 26, as shown in FIGS. For this reason, the arrangement positions of the tact switch 27 and the switch operating portion 29d are limited by the pin terminal 25a.

Accordingly, the switch 20 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (a), the vertical direction line on the tact switch 27 and the switch operating portion 29d in the upper position of passing through the center O ₂ of the pushbutton 23 The center O ₁ is arranged, and the push button hole 22 a of the case 22 extends from the center O ₁ of the tact switch 27 in the eccentric direction.

On the other hand, the center O ₂ of the push button hole 22a coincides with the center O _{2 of the} push button 23 in accordance with the mounting area of the pin terminal 25a, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A. The push button 23, the distance between the operation surface 24a distance L ₁ is shorter first from the center O ₁ of the tact switch 27 to the upper end portion of the eccentric direction, from the center O ₁ of the tact switch 27 to the lower end of the opposite L ₂ has a long second operation surface 24b.

(Configuration of operation control unit)
According to the switch 20 configured as described above, based on the lever principle, the upper end portion of the first operation surface 24a or the lower end portion of the second operation surface 24b serves as a fulcrum, and the second operation surface 24b or first The operating surface 24a is a power point, and the switch operating portion 29d that is pushed in while the operating surface 24 is tilted with respect to the circuit board 26 is the operating point.

First the operation surface 24a, the working distance of the second operating surface tact switch 27 than 24b arranged from the center O ₁ of the tact switch 27 at a position far disposed at a position close to the center O ₁ of the tact switch 27 Therefore, a large pressing force is easily applied to the tact switch 27. It is difficult to push the first operation surface 24a by the working distance of the tact switch 27, and the tact switch 27 may be damaged by an overstroke larger than the stroke range.

On the other hand, the tact switch 27 in the second operating surface 24b located farther from the center O _1, first located closer from the center O ₁ of the tact switch 27 of the operation surface 24a of the tact switch 27 than Since the working distance becomes long, the pushing stroke with respect to the tact switch 27 tends to be insufficient. Before the tact switch 27 is pushed by the switch actuating portion 29d, the flange portion 23c on the second operation surface 24b side comes into contact with the opposing surface of the elastic cover 29 and may not move, and the switching action may not occur.

Accordingly, while securing the stroke S ₁ press so as not to exceed the pressing stroke range by depression of the first operating surface 24a, the stroke S press as press stroke range by depression of the second operating surface 24b is not insufficient It is important to secure ₂ .

The most important feature of the switch 20 according to this embodiment, FIG. 3 and, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the first operation plane distance L ₁ direction of eccentricity from the center O ₁ is shorter tact switch 27 An operation restricting portion is provided in the push stroke region of 24 a and the push stroke region of the second operation surface 24 b having a long distance in the eccentric direction from the center O ₁ of the tact switch 27.

  In the push stroke region of the first operation surface 24 a and the push stroke region of the second operation surface 24 b, the position where the switch operating portion 29 d elastically deforms the elastic cover 29, and the switch operating portion 29 d is the elastic force of the elastic cover 29. In contrast, the push stroke of the push button 23 between the position where the tact switch 27 is turned on is restricted.

  As a typical example of the operation restricting portion, the operation restricting portion is configured by the collar portion 23 c of the push button 23. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 5, the bottom surface of the flange portion 23c is a tapered surface 23d that is inclined forward from the first operation surface 24a side to the second operation surface 24b side. It is said that.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the flange portion 23 c on the second operation surface 24 b side via the tapered surface 23 d is more than the flange portion 23 c on the first operation surface 24 a side with respect to the seat portion 29 c of the elastic cover 29. It is set to a high position. This height difference is not particularly specified, but is set to about 0.5 mm.

The flange 23c on the first operation surface 24a side of the push button 23 is set to have a higher height with respect to the seat 29c of the elastic cover 29 than the collar of a conventional push button in which the bottom of the flange is formed on the same horizontal plane. doing. Are reserved pushes stroke S ₁ to a predetermined distance not exceeding the press stroke range by depression of the first operating surface 24a, force applied is restricted when the switch actuating part 29d has to turn on the tact switch 27 ing.

On the other hand, the flange 23c on the second operation surface 24b side of the push button 23 sets the height of the elastic cover 29 with respect to the seat 29c higher than the flange 23c on the first operation surface 24a side. Are reserved push stroke S ₂ the push stroke range becomes a predetermined distance without missing due to depression of the second operating surface 24b, applied force is restricted when the switch actuating part 29d has to turn on the tact switch 27 ing.

  A predetermined distance is secured between the position where the switch operating portion 29d elastically deforms the elastic cover 29 and the position where the switch operating portion 29d turns on the tact switch 27 against the elastic force of the elastic cover 29. For this reason, it is possible to restrict a large push operation force from being applied to the tact switch 27 even if the operation surface 24 in any direction of the push button 23 is pushed.

  As the operation restricting portion, characteristics such as operation force and operation stroke of the tact switch 27, characteristics of the elastic cover 29, characteristics such as shape and size, and installation sites of the tact switch 27 and the elastic cover 29 are appropriately set. Therefore, the optimum stroke regulation function can be obtained.

[Other configuration of operation control unit]
The arrangement position of the operation restricting portion is not limited as long as it is provided in the push stroke region between the first operation surface 24a and the second operation surface 24b of the push button 23. As another example of the operation restricting portion, for example, an operation restricting portion can be set in the peripheral portion 22b of the push button hole 22a of the case 22.

  The peripheral portion 22b side of the push button hole 22a that abuts the collar portion 23c corresponding to the first operation surface 24a of the push button 23 is the peripheral portion 22b side of the push button hole 22a that abuts the collar portion 23c corresponding to the second operation surface 24b. A configuration may be adopted in which a tapered surface that is inclined forward is formed.

The front surfaces of the flange portion 23c of the first operation surface 24a and the flange portion 23c of the second operation surface 24b are formed in a tapered shape that matches the taper surface of the peripheral portion 22b of the push button hole 22a. Thus, it is possible to have a difference in press stroke S _1, S ₂ by depression of the first operating surface 24a and the second operating surface 24b.

(Effect of embodiment)
In addition to the above effects, the switch 20 according to the embodiment configured as described above can obtain the following effects.

(1) An operation restricting function can be effectively obtained with a simple configuration without using a special member other than existing switch components.
(2) Since a special operation restricting member other than existing switch components is not required, an increase in the physique for providing the operation restricting member can be suppressed, and the structure and form of the switch 20 are obstructed. It is never done.
(3) The arrangement positions of the tact switch 27 and the switch operating portion 29d are not limited by the mounting area of the pin terminal 25a of the circuit board 26.
(4) Since the arrangement positions of the tact switch 27 and the switch operating portion 29d are not limited by the mounting region of the pin terminal 25a of the circuit board 26, the degree of freedom in designing the switch 20 can be improved.

[Other variations]
As described above, the typical configuration example of the switch 20 according to the present invention has been described with the embodiment, the modification, and the illustrated example. However, the embodiment, the modified example, and the illustrated example are within the scope of the claims. It does not limit the invention concerned. Various configurations are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, other modifications as shown below are also possible.

In the embodiment and the illustrated example, the configuration in which the center O _{2 of the} push button 23 is disposed at the lower position on the straight line in the vertical direction passing through the center O ₁ of the tact switch 27 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. Configuration center O ₂ of the push button 23 is disposed in an upper position on the vertical straight line passing through the center O ₁ of the tact switch 27, and the center O ₂ of the push button 23 is left-right direction on a straight line passing through the center O ₁ of the tact switch 27 Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration arranged at the left position or the right position.

  Instead of the elastic cover 29 according to the embodiment and the illustrated example, for example, a coil spring may be disposed between the back surface portion of the push button 23 and the circuit board 26.

  In the above embodiment and the illustrated example, the switch actuating portion 29d that is formed to protrude from the elastic cover 29 is illustrated, but a configuration in which the tact switch 27 is actuated by the switch actuating portion that is formed to project from the back surface of the push button 23 is employed. You can also.

  Of course, the present invention can be effectively applied to various types of vending machines such as packaged products such as tobacco, beverage products filled in cans or PET bottles, and the like.

  As is clear from the above description, typical embodiments, modifications, and illustrations according to the present invention have been illustrated. However, the above-described embodiments, modifications, and illustrations show the invention according to the claims. It is not limited. Therefore, it should be noted that not all the combinations of features described in the above-described embodiments, modifications, and illustrated examples are essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vending machine, 2 ... Vending machine main body, 2a ... Box body, 2b ... Door body, 3 ... Front panel, 4 ... Banknote inlet / outlet, 5 ... Coin slot, 6 ... Return lever, 7 ... Amount indicator, 8 ... Change return port, 9 ... Product outlet, 10 ... Door lock, 11 ... Advertising space, 12 ... Back panel, 13 ... Product sample, 20 ... Product selection switch, 21 ... Base, 21a ... Mounting boss, 21b ... Connector Mounting boss 22 ... Case 22a ... Push button hole 22b ... Peripheral part 23 ... Push button 23a ... Upper plate part 23b ... Side plate part 23c ... Ring part 23d ... Tapered surface 24 ... Operating surface 24a ... No. 1 operation surface, 24b ... 2nd operation surface, 25 ... connector, 25a ... pin terminal, 26 ... circuit board, 27 ... tact switch, 28 ... light emitting diode, 29 ... elastic cover, 29a ... peripheral surface part, 29b ... skirt Part, 29c ... seat part, 2 d ... switch operating unit, _{L 1, L} 2 _... distance, _{O 1, O} 2 _... center, _{S 1, S} 2 _... press stroke

Claims (6)

And the base over vinegar,
A circuit board mounted on the front side of the base and a switch element mounted on the front side surface ;
Mounted on the front side of the base, the case having a push Botan'ana,
A push button that is accommodated in the push button hole of the case so as to be freely operated;
An elastic cover disposed on the side opposite to the front side of the push button, having a switch operating portion provided facing the switch element at a location eccentric from the center of the push button in a predetermined direction;
An operation restricting portion in which a pushing stroke by the pushing operation at a peripheral portion opposite to the predetermined direction of the push button is made larger than a pushing stroke by the pushing operation at a peripheral portion of the push button in the predetermined direction ;
A product selection switch for a vending machine, comprising: The vending machine product selection switch according to claim 1, wherein the operation restricting portion restricts a force applied when the switch actuating portion turns on the switch element by a pressing operation on the push button . The operation restricting unit, according to claim 1 or 2 item selection switch vending machine according to characterized in that provided on the push stroke region before Symbol pushbutton. The operation restricting portion protrudes outward from an outer peripheral edge of the push button, and is configured by a collar portion that is supported so as to be able to contact and separate from a peripheral portion of the push button hole.
The bottom surface of the flange portion is formed as a tapered surface that is inclined from the side eccentric from the center toward the front side toward the side opposite to the eccentric side . Product selection switch for vending machines as described in 1. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sets of the switch element, the push button, and the elastic cover are arranged in a space formed between the base and the case. Product selection switch.   The vending machine product selection switch according to claim 1, wherein the switch element is a tact switch.

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