JPS6158876B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a product discharging device for a vending machine.
To be more specific, a plurality of product holders are attached at equal intervals to an endless movable connecting band arranged in the vertical direction, and each time a sales signal is generated, the moving connecting band is moved in a fixed direction intermittently by the interval of the holders. This invention relates to a vending machine that is configured to rotate and drop products sequentially starting from the bottom.

Conventionally, when selling frozen products such as ice cream with this type of vending machine, the products would freeze and adhere to the product storage shelves and would not be able to fall under their own weight from the product storage shelves that reached the bottom, resulting in sales failure. There is a risk of causing defects. For this reason, a device is known that is equipped with a device for forcibly dispensing the products in the product storage shelf that have reached the product delivery position, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-2759. In other words, a cam plate with a plurality of pawls formed on its circumferential surface and a conveyor drive plate for driving the conveyor which is synchronized with the cam plate by a number of drive shafts equal to the number of pawls are provided, and products placed in the order of delivery on the conveyor are provided. A configuration is known in which a delivery plate that operates to push out products is positioned on a shelf, and the delivery plate is operated by a delivery arm that moves the delivery plate by temporary engagement with a moving roller using a claw of a cam plate. In addition, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 45-5451, a chain is passed around a sprocket gear of a rotating shaft that rotates by a certain angle each time a coin is inserted, and products are placed on each ring of the chain. A configuration is also known in which a plate is formed, and a product on the plate is pushed out by extending onto the plate from the rear of the plate at a product dispensing point.

However, in the case of the former configuration, the number of pawls equal to the number of drive axes provided on the conveyor drive plate is formed on the circumferential surface of the cam plate, and the spacing between the drive axes and the spacing between the pawls are determined by the product shelf spacing. Therefore, the cam plate is formed large, requiring a large space for the cam plate installation part, and the device tends to become large.

In addition, in the case of the latter configuration, the teeth of the sprocket gear are made to protrude above the plate to slightly push out the product on the plate, so there is a risk that the product may not be pushed out completely. Ta.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a device that reliably dispenses products from a product storage shelf without increasing the size of the device.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
First, 1 is a product storage column with a U-shaped cross section installed vertically inside the vending machine, and the side walls 1A, 1 of the column 1 are
Support shafts 2 and 3 are supported vertically in parallel between B, sprockets 4 and 5 are attached to the shafts, and endless chain belts 6 such as chains are stretched between the vertically opposing sprockets 4 and 5, respectively. However, product storage shelves 7 each having a U-shaped cross section are attached to the belt at predetermined intervals. A drive disk 9 is provided above the support shaft 3 and is fixed to an output shaft 8A of a drive motor 8 which is capable of forward and reverse rotation. Approximately triangular engaging portions 10 and 11 are protruded from opposing peripheral edges of the disk 9, respectively. Reference numeral 12 designates a pin protruding from the engaging portion 11 that is shorter than the one engaging portion 10 . 13 is a Geneva gear fixed to the support shaft 3, which has a radial groove 14 dividing the circumference into six equal parts and into which the pin 12 can be fitted;
Arc circumferential surfaces 15 are formed between the grooves 14, respectively. The radius of this Geneva gear 13 is equal to the distance between the output shaft 8A of the motor 8 and the pin 12, and the radius of the disk 9 and the radius of the circular arc circumferential surface 15 are also approximately the same. Therefore, when the disk 9 rotates once by the drive motor 8, the Geneva gear rotates 1/6, and the storage shelf 7 rotates one pitch via the sprocket 4, and the products M are discharged one by one. . 16
1 is the actuating member A that operates the full cycle switch 17 so that it is located at the B contact during sale, and the upper end is supported pivotably and is urged to rotate clockwise by a spring A18, as shown in Fig. 1. In such a sales standby state, the full cycle switch 17 is in contact with the a contact point because it is in contact with the engaging portion 10. Therefore, the full cycle switch 17 is opened and closed by engaging and disengaging from the engaging portion 10. 19 is a rotating member whose upper end is supported by a shaft; 20 is an operating member B whose one end is fixed to a rotatable support shaft 20A and can actuate the shelf position switch 21;
It is rotatably connected to 2. and spring B23
The actuating member B20 is urged counterclockwise by the stopper B24, but the rotating member 1
Since the counterclockwise rotation of 9 is restricted,
Normally, the operating member B20 presses the shelf position switch 21 so that it is closed. Reference numeral 25 denotes a dispensing lever, which is fixed to the spindle 20A and is generally horizontal when in a standby state for sales, and when rotated at the time of sale, works to dislodge the product M from above through a notch (not shown) in the storage shelf 7. Have a lucky day. Reference numeral 26 denotes an operating member C capable of operating the sell-out switch 27, which is fixed to a rotatable support shaft 28 at the right end and urged by a spring C29 to rotate clockwise. Reference numeral 30 designates a product support member which is also fixed to the support shaft 28, and when the product M is in the standby position P, it comes into contact with the product M and thus supports the product M, so that its rotation is restricted. Therefore, when the product M is present, the sell-out switch 27 is opened, and when there is no product M, the support member 30 rotates together with the operating member C26 to close it.

Note that 31 is a stopper that limits the clockwise rotation of the operating member A16. 32 has one end rotatably connected to the rotating member 19 via a support shaft 33, but its rotation in the clockwise direction about the support shaft 33 is restricted by a bent stopper portion 32A. A spring D34 is stretched between the connecting member 32 and the connecting member 22, and overlaps in parallel with the rotating member 19.

Next, electrical control according to the present invention will be explained based on FIG. 8.

35 and 36 are AC power lines, and 37 is a coin mechanism connected between the lines 35 and 36. When a predetermined coin is received, a sales enable signal is output from terminal 3, and a sales start signal, which will be described later, is input to terminal 6. Then, the output of the sales enable signal is stopped. 38 is an instant return type product selection switch whose one end is connected to the line 36 and for selecting a product;
When the selection switch 38 is closed while the coin mechanism 37 is emitting a sales enable signal, it is energized via the a contact of the full cycle switch 17 and the b contact of a switch 40A, which will be described later, and also activates its own switch 39A. This is a self-maintaining selection relay. The selection relay 39 is a switch 39
A, 39B, and 39C, and when excited, sends a sales start signal to the coin mechanism 37 via a switch 39C. 40 is a sold-out relay, which has switches 40A, 40B, and 40C.
When a switch 42C, which will be described later, is closed, the sell-out switch 27 connected to the line 35 closes when it detects that the product is "absent," so that it is energized. Reference numeral 41 denotes a loading switch that is operated when loading the product, and when the drive motor 8 is rotated in reverse, it is set to the a side, and when it is rotated forward, it is set to the b side.
Normally, it is kept neutral during sales.
When the shelf position switch 21 connected to the line 36 is closed, the loading switch 41
When turned to the reverse side, that is, to the a side, the reverse relay 42 is energized. One end of the reverse relay 42 is connected to the a side contact of the loading switch 41, the other end is connected to the shelf position switch 21,
It has A, 42B, 42C, and 42D. The shelf position switch 21 is a switch that operates depending on the product M1 in the storage shelf 7 that was loaded last when the motor 8 is reversed. 43 is a DC power supply that supplies power to the drive motor 8. The positive terminal of the power source 43 is connected to the switch 42D of the reversing relay 42, the switch 39B of the selection relay 39, and the b side contact of the loading switch 41, and the other end of the switch 41 is connected to the switch 40B of the sell-out relay 40. and switch 42A, and switch 42D and switch 39B.
A parallel circuit is also connected to switch 42A.
In addition, the negative terminal of the power supply 43 is connected to the reverse relay 42.
It is connected to the switch 42B. The switches 42A and 42B of the reversing relay 42 are both connected to both ends of the drive motor 8. 44 is a sold-out lamp that lights up when the product is sold out.

The operation of the above configuration will be explained below.
First, when the customer inserts a predetermined coin, a sellable signal is issued from the No. 3 terminal of the coin mechanism 37. At this time, the full cycle switch 17 is in the a contact point because the actuating member A16 is pressed against the engaging part 10 of the driving disk 9 as shown in FIG. Since it is demagnetized, the switch 40A is at the b contact. When the customer closes the product selection switch 38 in this state, the selection relay 39 connects the power line 35 - coin mechanism 37 - full cycle switch 17.
- Switch 40A - Selection relay 39 - Energizes when the power line 36 is closed, and the switch 40A
It is self-retained through the a contact of the Also switch 4
Since 0B is also closed, the positive terminal of the power supply 43 -
Switch 40B - B contact of switch 42A - Drive motor 8 - B contact of switch 42B - Power supply 43
An energizing circuit for the drive motor 8 is formed for the negative terminal of the . Therefore, the driving disk 9 fixed to the output shaft 8A of the motor 8 rotates, and the pin 12 of the engaging portion 11 fits into the radial groove 14 of the Geneva gear 13, causing the Geneva gear 13 to move clockwise. It will have to be rotated. When the disc 9 rotates, the full cycle switch 17 changes to a B contact, so the selection relay 39 is energized and a sales start signal is sent to the No. 6 terminal of the coin mechanism 37 via the switch 39C, thereby generating a sales enable signal. Even if the selection relay 39 is deenergized, the selection relay 39 continues to hold itself through the full cycle switch 17.
remains energized. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the dispensing lever 25 enters into the storage shelf 7, and as shown in FIG. Even if the engagement with the support member 30 is released, it will not fall. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the pin 12 eventually comes into contact with the abutting member 32 and rotates the rotating member 19 clockwise, so it operates against the spring B23 via the connecting member 22. Member B20 also rotates. At this time, the payout lever 2
5 also rotates clockwise and performs an action of forcibly brushing off the product M. Further, the rotation of the actuating member B20 does not affect the electric circuit in which the shelf position switch 21 operates. When the engagement between the pin 12 and the abutting member 32 is released, the spring B23 causes the actuating member B2 to
0 etc. returns, and eventually the driving disk 9 rotates approximately one rotation, and the Geneva gear 13 rotates 1/6 of the rotation.
The engaging portion 10 rotates the actuating member A16 counterclockwise to turn the full cycle switch 17 a.
Return to contact. Then, the self-holding circuit of the selection relay 39 is released, the energizing circuit of the drive motor 8 is also released, and the motor 8 is also stopped, resulting in the state shown in FIG.

In this way, they will be sold one after another,
The case where the product M is low and the product is loaded will be explained below.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the product M is loaded when only three products remain. First, the front door of the vending machine is opened, and the loading switch 41 provided on the back side of the door is turned to the reverse side, that is, to the a side. Then, the reversing relay 42 is energized, and the switch 4
2A and 42B are changed to a-contacts, switch 42D is closed, and switch 42C is opened. Therefore, the positive terminal of the power supply 43 - the switch 42D - the a contact of the switch 42A - the drive motor 8 - the switch 42
An energization circuit for reverse rotation of the motor 8 is formed between the a contact of B and the negative terminal of the power source 43, and the drive motor 8 begins to rotate in reverse. Then, the pin 12 of the engaging portion 11 comes into contact with the abutting member 32, and the support shaft 3 resists the spring D34.
6 while rotating counterclockwise around 3.
As shown in the figure, the driving disk 9 rotates clockwise,
Eventually, the pin 12 enters the radial groove 14 of the Geneva gear 13.
Then, the gear 13 is rotated clockwise, the endless chain belt 6 is reversed through the sprocket 5, and the storage shelf 7 is moved.
9, the sell-out switch 27 is operated by entering the storage space of the storage shelf 7. In this way, the drive motor 8 rotates several times and the last stored product M1 rotates the payout lever 25 clockwise around the spindle 20A, so that the shelf position switch 21 is not pressed by the actuating member B20. It is unraveled and opened as shown in FIG. Then, the reversing relay 42 is demagnetized and its switches 42A, 42B
is changed to a b contact and the switch 42D is opened, so that the energizing circuit for reverse rotation of the drive motor 8 is released and the motor 8 is stopped. After that, when the loading switch 41 is switched from the reverse rotation side to the forward rotation side, that is, the contact b, the sold-out relay 40 is already energized, so the switch 40B is closed, and the power supply 43
Positive terminal of - Loading switch 41 b
Contact - Switch 40B - B contact of switch 42A - Motor 8 - Switch 42B B contact - Power supply 4
An energization circuit for normal rotation of the drive motor 8 of the negative side terminal of No. 3 is formed, and the normal rotation starts this time. Then, the engagement between the product M1 and the delivery lever 25 is released, and the lever 25 becomes approximately horizontal. Then, along with this normal rotation, the product may be loaded while moving the shelf to the storage shelf 7 where there is no product. Then, the lowest product M1 in FIG. 6 before loading comes into contact with the product support member 30 and rotates the member 30, so the sell-out switch 27 is activated by the operating member C26.
is in the product “available” state. Therefore, the sold-out relay 40
is demagnetized, the switch 40B is opened, the normal rotation energizing circuit of the motor 8 is released, the motor 8 is stopped, and the state shown in FIG. , all you have to do is close the front door.

As described above, the present invention is configured such that the driving disk rotates the endless chain belt one pitch in the first half of one rotation, and rotates the delivery lever in the second half of the rotation to dispense the product. Therefore, the dispensing lever that enters the product storage shelf can enter a predetermined position within the product storage shelf without being rotated during the entering operation, and cannot enter the product storage shelf by hitting the product in the product storage shelf. In addition to being able to prevent defects such as items running out, products can be reliably dispensed, and the device can be made more compact than conventional devices.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a vertical side view, FIGS. 3 to 7 are side views for explaining the operation, and FIG. 8 is an electrical control circuit diagram of the present invention. It is. 1...Product storage column, 6...Endless chain belt,
7... Product storage shelf, 9... Drive disk, 10... Engaging portion, 12... Pin, 13... Geneva gear, 14
... Radial groove, 15 ... Circular arc surface, 17 ... Full cycle switch, 25 ... Payout lever.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of product storage shelves are attached at equal intervals to an endless chain belt arranged vertically, and for each sale, the endless chain belt is rotated one pitch corresponding to the product storage shelf spacing, and the product storage that reaches the bottom is A vending machine that drops and sends out products from a shelf includes: a driving disk connected to a drive motor and rotating once for each sale; the endless chain belt rotating one pitch by the rotational movement of the driving disk; and a bottom part. a dispensing lever that is rotatably movable so that the end enters the product storage shelf that reaches the product storage shelf and dispenses the product in the product storage shelf;
The driving disk is characterized in that the endless chain belt is rotated one pitch in the first half of one rotation, and the delivery lever is rotated in the second half of the rotation to dispense the product. Vending machine product ejection device.