JPS5855556B2 - Vending machine product delivery control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a product delivery control device for a vending machine that is equipped with a plurality of product storage columns that store the same product.

Generally, in a vending machine, in order to increase the types and quantities of stored products, a storage compartment is divided into a plurality of product storage columns by partition plates such as server racks.

However, in order to store different types of products in the lever column and make it possible to sell a wide variety of products, a product delivery mechanism is provided for each column.
:1, a product selection switch is provided, and by operating each product selection switch, the product delivery mechanism of the corresponding column is operated, and the selected product is delivered.

In such a vending machine having a plurality of product storage columns, the same product may be stored in the plurality of columns.

In such a case, there will inevitably be a difference in the number of products carried out from the valley columns due to uneven operation of the product selection switches corresponding to these columns, so products will be carried out equally from each column containing the same product. In order to ensure that
The following things are being done:

In other words, a stepping relay is provided that performs a step-by-step operation in response to the tilting operation of a plurality of product selection switches corresponding to a plurality of columns containing the same product.
This relay was used to sequentially select and drive the delivery mechanisms of columns containing the same product.

As a result, the products can be unloaded evenly from each column containing the same product even if the selection switch is operated unevenly.

However, for example, the product storage column of a serpentine vending machine is constructed by stacking multiple serpentine racks that meander in the vertical direction one on top of the other in order to improve the space utilization inside the product storage of the vending machine. Then, lower the position of the product exit of each column one by one, starting with the column in front of you.
The structure is such that products such as canned drinks carried out from each column roll out to the same product carrying out port.

Therefore, since the heights of the product exit ports of the valley columns are different, the lengths of the columns are different, and the number of products accommodated in each column is different.

For this reason, if the stepping relay is used to carry out one product one by one from each column containing the same product as described above, the number of products remaining in the column with a large number of products will be large, so the number of products remaining in the column will be The stacking height increases, and the stacking heights of the remaining products in each column become uneven.

In this way, if the stacking heights of the products stored in the valley column are uneven, the products are heated or cooled before being sold. When heating or cooling only a portion, so-called zone heating or zone cooling, the range of heating or cooling must be expanded, and therefore the heating or cooling capacity must be increased.

In addition, in the case of double serpentine racks and triple serpentine racks, it is difficult to visually check the storage status of products in the back column, and when replenishing products, it is difficult to grasp the number of products to be replenished.This drawback has been eliminated. In order to do this, it is required to carry out the products so that the height of the remaining products in each column is equal, but the conventional sequential delivery control method in which the remaining products are carried out one by one from each column in turn is required. cannot meet such requirements.

Furthermore, even if the entire product storage is heated or cooled without performing zone heating or zone cooling, in a vending machine that has multiple product storage columns in the depth direction, such as a serpentine vending machine, each valley column is heated or cooled. Since the number of products stored in the columns differs, if one item is taken out evenly from each column in order, the rotation of products will be faster in the column with fewer items stored, and therefore the number of items stored in the column with fewer items will increase. Because products in columns with a large number of columns are less likely to cool down or heat up, products are not necessarily carried out in order of cooling or warming, but rather products in the bottom row of each column are carried out in order, regardless of this. There are some drawbacks as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine in which the same product is distributed and stored in a plurality of product storage columns, and when the product removal from each column is sequentially controlled, the number of products that are repeatedly carried out from each column is Can be specified in advance or not,
Therefore, we provide a vending machine in which the number of products remaining in each column is equal during sequential feeding, or products are always evenly stored in the range suitable for zone heating or zone cooling of each column. It's about doing.

That is, in a vending machine having a plurality of product storage columns that store the same product, the product delivery control device of the present invention provides product delivery control that is applied from a plurality of product selection switches provided corresponding to each of the product storage columns. A switching means for sequentially switching and giving commands to each of the product storage columns, and a number of times of product delivery commands given to each of the product storage columns match the number of products to be continuously transported out, which is set in advance for each of the product storage columns. means for giving a switching command to the switching means for each of the plurality of product storage columns, and when a product stored in the plurality of product storage columns is selected, the product is sequentially carried out from each of the columns. .

The invention will be explained below with reference to embodiments with reference to the drawings.

The drawing shows an example of the product delivery control device of the vending machine of the present invention, where Fl is the same as the sales command signal (bend signal) Sgl from the coin mechanism (not shown), which is given via the AND gate G1. Product selection signals Sg from a plurality of product selection push button switches P1 to P3 configured to select products in a plurality of columns containing products.
2 is a flip-flop set by a coincidence signal, TM is a timer, and the flip-flop F
It is activated at the rising edge of the signal Sg3 generated at the Q output terminal of 1, and generates a timing output signal after a set time, for example, 1 second,
The voltage is applied to the reset terminal R of the flip-flop F1 to reset the flip-flop F1.

Therefore, the output signal Sg3 generated at the Q output terminal of the flip-flop F1 becomes a pulse signal that continues for the time set by the timer TM.

Since this pulse signal Sg3 serves as an unloading command signal to the article unloading mechanism of each article storage column, its time width is determined according to the time required for the unloading mechanism to reliably unload the articles.

PC1 to PCB are brisset counters each having a clock input terminal CK, a clear input terminal CL, and an output terminal OUT, and count the pulse signal Sg3 supplied from the flip-flop F1 to the clock input terminal CK, and calculate the count. When the numerical value reaches the value preset by each of the continuous sales quantity setting devices DSI to DS3, which are made of digital switches, for example, a counting output signal is generated from the output terminal OUT.

The SRI has a clock input terminal CK, a data input terminal 0, a reset sound input terminal R, and three output terminals Q1. Q
This is a shift register having a 2° Q3, which is reset by a reset signal applied from the power supply reset circuit DR to the reset input terminal R when the power is turned on, and in the reset state, only the output terminal Q1 becomes a high logic level ■1.
The other output terminals Q2 and Q3 are at a low logic level XXO''.

These Ql. Q2 and Q3 outputs are respectively inverter II.

I2. After being inverted by I3, the respective clear terminals C of preset counters PCI, PC2, and PC3 are
I, is applied to.

Therefore, when the unloading control circuit starts operating, the preset counters PC2 and PC3 do not operate because the signals of high logic level XX1 are applied to their respective clear terminals CL and are cleared, and only the preset counters PC1 and PC3 do not operate. Since a signal of low logic level)>SS Q // is applied to CL and the clearing operation is canceled, the clearing operation is activated.

In this state, when a pulse signal Sg3 corresponding to the sales command signal from the flip-flop F1 is supplied to each clock input terminal CK of the preset counters PC1 to PC3, only the preset counter PCI counts the number of input pulses.

As described above, when the counted value reaches the preset value set by the number setter DS1, the preset counter P
A count output is generated from CI, and this count output is applied to the clock input terminal CK of the shift register SR1 via the OR gate G2, so the shift register SRi increments by one step, and the output terminal Q2 becomes the high logic level SS. 1 //
, and the output terminal Q1 and the output terminal Q3 go to a low logic level tk □ //.

As a result, the second preset counter PC2 performs a counting operation instead of the preset counter PCI, and when the count value of this counter PC2 reaches the preset value, the third preset counter PC3 starts counting operation. do.

When the output terminal Q3 of the shift register SR1 reaches the high logic level XX1, the high logic level % 1 // is applied to the data input terminal, so the next time a pulse signal is applied to the clock input terminal CK, the high logic level % 1 // is applied to the data input terminal. Output terminal Q1
becomes the high logic level (■1), and the steps are repeated in the same manner, thereby performing a circulation operation for controlling the sequential delivery.

Next, Trl is one of the preset counters PCI
- This is a transistor that drives a stepping relay Xs for selecting an unloading column according to a count output signal supplied from PC3 via OR gate G2.

The stepping relay Xs has contacts XSI lX521XS that are sequentially selectively switched and closed by its activation
It has 3.

Furthermore, it is a transistor that receives the Q output Sg3 of the Tr2 huff 1J block flop F1 and energizes the carry-out permission relay X.

Sl. S2 and S3 are solenoids for driving the product delivery mechanism provided for each product storage truck.

When relay Solenoid S1.~XSa for driving the product delivery mechanism provided in each column (not shown) in which the same product is stored by the closed contact (X5I in the figure) of XSa. S2. S
One solenoid S1 among the three contacts X8□ is selectively energized.

The operation of the sequential product delivery control device of the present invention, which is comprised of the above-mentioned circuit elements, is as follows.

When a predetermined amount of coins is inserted and one of the product selection switches P1 to P3 corresponding to each column containing the same product is pressed, the AND output from the AND gate G1 is applied to the set input terminal and the flip-flop F1 is activated. is set, and a pulse Sg3 is generated at its output terminal Q. This signal Sg3 energizes the carry-out permission relay X via the transistor Tr2, closes the relay contact A clock pulse is applied to the clock input terminal CK.

Here, the number setters DS 1 , DS2 and DS3 are set to 3, 2 and l, respectively, the stepping relay Xs is at the first step, and its relay contacts Xs,
is closed and the shift register SRI is connected to the output terminal Q1.
Assume that the high logic level is 1.

In such a state, the output terminal Q2. of the shift register SRI. Q3 is at a low logic level XXO〃, and therefore each clear terminal CL of preset counters PC2 and PC3 is at a high logic level ``1'', so both preset counters PC2 and PC3 are cleared. Even if a clock pulse is applied to each clock input terminal CK, no counting operation is performed and the clear terminal C
Only the preset counter PCI which is at the low logic level SS □ // of L performs one counting operation.

Since the number setter DSI of this preset counter PCI is set to three, no count output pulse is generated until the clock pulse is counted three times, and the stepping relay Xs maintains that state. .

Therefore, the product selection switches PI, P2. Preset counter PCI by 3 product selection operations by P3,
Three products are continuously carried out only from the first product storage column corresponding to relay contact XS1 and solenoid S1.

That is, in this state, the stepping relay Xs is in the first step and the contact Xs1 is closed, so the stepping relay
The products stored in the columns are carried out.

As described above, the product selection switches P1 to
When product selection by P3 is performed three times, pulse signal Sg3 is sent from flip-flop F1 three times, solenoid S1 is activated three times, and three products are carried out from the first column, the preset counter PCI is A clock pulse is applied to the clock input terminal CK three times and the count reaches the preset value of 3, so the preset counter PC
A counting output is sent from 1 and passed through OR gate G2 to stepper relay Xs by transistor Tri.
is activated.

As a result, the stepping relay Xs performs a step operation by one stage, opening the relay contact Xs□ and closing the next relay contact XS2.

At the same time, the shift register SRI is also stepped one step, bringing its output terminal Q1 to a low logic level υO and the next output terminal Q2 to a high logic level SS 1 //.

Therefore, clear terminal C of preset counter PCI
The signal applied to the clear terminal CL of the next preset counter PC2 becomes low logic level Sk □ // and clears this preset counter PC1 as the signal applied to the clear terminal CL becomes a high logic level 1 PC2 becomes operational.

Therefore, selection switches Pi and P2 that select the same product
．． The fourth selection operation by one of P3 is performed,
When the relay X is activated, the contact XS2 of the stepping relay Xs that selects the second column is closed in this state, so the solenoid S2 is activated and the product is carried out from the second column.

At the same time, the preset counter PC2 sets the count value to 1, but since the preset value is set to 2, no count output is generated.

Therefore, stepping relay Xs also does not step and remains at the second step.

When the fifth selection operation is performed using either selection switch PI, P2 or P3 and relay X is activated, solenoid S2 in the second column is activated again this time, and the product is carried out from the second column. .

With this selection operation, the count value of counter PC2 reaches the preset value of 2, so it generates a count output, and in response, stepping relay Xs and shift register SR
I advances one step each.

Therefore, the contact of the stepping relay XS that closes is
Instead of s, the output terminal which becomes the high logic level SS 1 // in the shift register SRI moves to Q3.

Therefore, the next selection switch Pi, P2 . In the sixth selection operation by any one of P3, the solenoid S3 of the third column is activated, and the product is carried out from this third column.

By this operation, the preset counter PC3 generates a count output because the count value reaches the preset value of 1.
Stepping relay Xs and shift register SRI step forward one stage at a time, but since stepping relay XS and shift register SRI have been selected to have three stages, they return to the initial state.

Therefore, contact XSt of stepping relay Xs again
is closed, and the output terminal Q1 of the shift register SRI becomes a high logic level XX1.

Thereafter, the above operation is repeated. As above,
Due to the circular operation of the shift register SRI, the three preset counters PC1 to PC3 are repeatedly activated in sequence, and the number of products preset by the respective quantity setters DS1 to DS3 is continued from each corresponding column. Then, sequential feeding control is performed for each column a desired number of times.

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, even if the number of products accommodated in each of a plurality of product storage columns storing the same type of products is different, the number of products continuously carried out from each column is By changing the number of products according to the number of stored products, the number of products stored in columns with a large number of products to be carried out can be made greater than the number of products stored in columns with a small number of products, thereby reducing the number of products remaining in the valley column. Since the products can be sold while keeping them even, the stacking height of the remaining products in each column is the same, and the range for zone cooling and zone heating can be narrowed.

Therefore, the capacity of the cooling device and heating device can be reduced.

In addition, when replenishing products to each storage column, the number of remaining products in the storage column at the back, which is difficult to see visually, is almost equal to the number of remaining products in the storage column at the front. The remaining number of columns can be easily estimated, and product replenishment work becomes easy.

Note that even if the number of products to be stored in each column is different, the number of products to be continuously carried out can be appropriately set in proportion to the number of products stored in each column using each number setting switch.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawing is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the product delivery control device of the present invention. Fl...Flip-flop, TM...
Timer, PC1 to PC3...Preset counter, SR1...Shift register, Trl, Tr
2...Transistor, X...Export permission relay, Xs...Stepping relay, DS1
~DS3...Number setting device, S1~S3...
... Solenoid, G1 ... And gate, G2
...OR gate, ■1 to ■3... Inverter, Xl, Xs1 to XSa... Relay contact, DR... Power supply reset circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a vending machine having a plurality of product storage columns containing the same product, a product delivery command given from a plurality of product selection switches provided corresponding to each of the product storage columns is sequentially switched to each of the product columns. and means for giving a switching command to the switching means every time the number of product unloading commands given to each of the product storage columns matches the number of products to be continuously transported out, which is set in advance for each of the product storage columns. A product carry-out control device for a vending machine, characterized in that when a product stored in the plurality of product storage columns is selected, the product is sequentially carried out from each of the columns.