JP2010165062A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vending machine for saving energy, while flexibly responding to illumination for a product storage box. <P>SOLUTION: The vending machine includes in the product storage box 11 having heat insulating structure: product racks 20 each including a plurality of product storage columns 21 arranged adjacent to each other along a lateral direction; a bucket 40 arranged movably in front areas of the product racks 20, and transferring the product with respect to the product storage column 21, when arranged facing an optional product storage column 21; and a bucket driving means 30 for arranging the bucket 40 to face the corresponding product storage column 21, by driving the bucket 40, when the product storage column 21 for transfer is assigned. The inside of each product storage box 11 can be seen from the outside. In the product storage device, the product storage boxes 11 are arranged adjacent to each other at predetermined intervals along a vertical direction in front end parts of a pair of left and right side plates, and includes a plurality of light sources 14 for illuminating the insides of the product storage boxes 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine, and more specifically, a product storage column for storing products and a bucket for transporting products are provided in a product storage box having a heat insulating structure and stored in the product storage column. This relates to vending machines that sell products.

  Some vending machines include a product storage column for storing products and a bucket for transporting products in a product storage having a heat insulating structure. The product storage column stores a plurality of products in an aligned state, and when the bend mech is driven, the products are discharged one by one from the front end. In a general vending machine, a plurality of product storage columns are juxtaposed along the left-right direction on the product rack, and a plurality of product racks are provided along the vertical direction between a pair of left and right rack support side plates. . The bucket delivers goods to and from the product storage column, and is arranged to be movable in the front area of the product rack. If it demonstrates in detail, the bucket will be arrange | positioned by the bucket drive means so that the front area of a goods rack can be moved up and down, right and left.

  The bucket driving means includes an X-axis transport mechanism that can move the bucket along the left-right direction, and a Y-axis transport mechanism that moves the bucket including the X-axis transport mechanism along the vertical direction. Has been. And this Y-axis conveyance mechanism is provided in the opposite side to the mutually opposing surface of a pair of rack support side plate which supports a goods rack.

  In such a vending machine, a translucent panel is provided on the outer door that constitutes the front surface, and the inside of the product storage can be visually recognized from the front side through the translucent panel (for example, patents). Reference 1).

JP-A-10-302140

  By the way, although not described clearly in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, in such a vending machine, a fluorescent lamp for illuminating the inside of the product storage is provided on the outer door of the vending machine. Are known. Such a fluorescent lamp can illuminate the entire interior of the commodity storage. However, in recent years, there has been a strong demand for energy saving, and depending on the installation location of the vending machine, it is not necessary to illuminate the interior of the product storage more than necessary, and a flexible response to the lighting of the product storage is required.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine capable of saving energy while flexibly responding to illumination of a commodity storage.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vending machine according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a plurality of product storage columns arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and a vertical direction between a pair of left and right rack support side plates. A product rack provided in a plurality of stages along the front and a front region of the product rack is movably disposed, and when the product rack is disposed to face an arbitrary product storage column, the product is transferred to and from the product storage column. Product having a heat insulating structure and a bucket drive means for arranging the bucket to face the corresponding product storage column by driving the bucket when a product storage column for delivery is designated. In the vending machine provided in the storage and enabling the inside of the product storage to be visually recognized through the translucent panel of the door body constituting the front surface, the product storage includes a pair of left and right The front end portion of the plate along the vertical direction are juxtaposed at predetermined intervals, and characterized by comprising a plurality of illumination means for illuminating the inside of the product housing chamber.

  According to the present invention, the commodity storage is provided with a plurality of illumination means that are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals along the vertical direction at the front ends of the pair of left and right side plates and that illuminate the interior of the commodity storage. This makes it possible to illuminate only the necessary portions, and achieves an effect of saving energy while flexibly responding to the illumination of the commodity storage.

  Exemplary embodiments of a vending machine according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 and 2 each show a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure. The vending machine illustrated here sells products such as canned beverages, plastic bottled beverages, and paper-packed beverages in a cooled or heated state, and includes a main body cabinet 10.

  The main body cabinet 10 has a rectangular shape with an open front surface. The main body cabinet 10 is divided into two parts. The upper part is a commodity storage 11 and the lower part is a machine room 12. The product storage 11 is a chamber that holds the interior of the product storage 11 in a preset temperature state, and the wall members that configure the product storage 11 are each formed of a heat insulating material. Although not shown in the figure, there are provided cooling means for cooling the internal atmosphere, such as an evaporator constituting the refrigeration cycle, and heating means for heating the internal atmosphere, such as an electric heater. On the other hand, the machine room 12 is provided with a refrigerator (compressor and condenser) 13 that constitutes a refrigeration cycle together with the evaporator, various control devices, and the like.

  A plurality of light sources 14 are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals along the vertical direction at the front end portions of the pair of left and right side plates of the commodity storage 11. These light sources 14 incorporate light emitting elements such as LEDs, and are illumination means for illuminating the surroundings of the light sources 14.

  An outer door 1 and an inner door 2 are provided on the front surface of the main body cabinet 10. The inner door 2 is a door body formed by fitting a transparent plate material 3 such as heat insulating glass, and has a size sufficient to cover the front surface of the commodity storage 11. The inner door 2 is a heat insulating member that constitutes the front surface of the commodity storage 11 when the inner door 2 is closed to close the front of the commodity storage 11.

  A rectangular product outlet 4 is formed in the lower area of the central portion of the transparent plate 3 of the inner door 2, and a carry-out flapper 5 for opening and closing the product outlet 4 is provided. The carry-out flapper 5 is pivotally supported so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction in such a manner that the lower end is a free end, and normally closes the product carry-out port 4 by its own weight.

  Further, a protruding member 6 protrudes directly above the commodity outlet 4 of the inner door 2. The protruding member 6 is made of a metallic material, and is provided in a manner protruding from the rear surface of the inner door 2. More specifically, the protruding member 6 is rearward when the inner door 2 closes the front surface of the commodity storage 11. It is provided in such a manner that it protrudes toward.

  The outer door 1 is for opening and closing the front opening of the main body cabinet 10 and is configured using a heat insulating material as necessary, and has a window 7 in which a transparent plate material such as heat insulating glass is fitted. ing. Therefore, the vending machine is of a so-called view type in which the inside can be visually recognized through the window 7 of the outer door 1. Further, on the front surface of the outer door 1, a configuration necessary for automatically selling products, such as a selection switch 8 for selecting a product for sale and a deposit port 9 for inserting money, is disposed. . Hereinafter, in this specification, the left direction refers to the left direction when the vending machine is viewed from the front, and the right direction refers to the right direction when the vending machine is viewed from the front. explain.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the internal structure of the commodity storage 11. In the following, the commodity storage 11 will be described using FIG. 3 as appropriate. The product storage 11 is provided with a product rack 20 and a bucket driving means 30. The product rack 20 is configured by arranging a plurality of product storage columns 21 side by side in the left-right direction, and aligns a plurality of products in the product storage passage 22 defined in each product storage column 21 in the front-rear direction. It is possible to store it in the state that has been done. Such merchandise racks 20 are provided in a plurality of stages along the vertical direction in such a manner that the merchandise racks 20 are spanned between the rack support side plates 23 mounted in a pair of left and right in the merchandise storage case 11.

  The rack support side plate 23 that supports the product rack 20 is a long plate-like body configured by appropriately processing sheet metal or the like, for example, and is provided in such a manner that one surface (inner surface) faces each other. Specifically, it is provided by being attached to a top plate, a bottom plate or the like constituting the commodity storage 11 via an attachment member such as a screw.

  Each product storage column 21 of the product rack 20 supported by the rack support side plate 23 includes a transport mechanism in which an endless belt is wound around rollers arranged in parallel in the front and rear directions, although not clearly shown in the drawing. Products are placed and stored on the top surface. A bend mech for controlling the delivery of the product is provided at the front end of each product storage column 21. The bendmec does not have a drive unit separated from a power source such as a drive motor or a solenoid, and is an electric type incorporated in the bucket 40 when a bucket 40 described later is disposed to face a designated product storage column 21. The power from the drive mechanism 411 (see FIG. 7) is transmitted and driven.

  The bucket drive means 30 is configured as an assembly of an X-axis transport mechanism 31 and a Y-axis transport mechanism 32. The X-axis transport mechanism 31 includes a rail member 311 that extends in the left-right direction inside the main body cabinet 10 and in the front region of the product rack 20, and is driven by an X-axis motor 312 (see FIG. 7). The bucket 40 mounted along the extending direction (left-right direction) 311 is moved.

  The X-axis motor 312 is driven by, for example, PWM (Pulse Width Modulation). Here, the PWM drive is to intermittently turn on / off the drive voltage of the motor, and the motor rotates at a higher speed as the ON duty is larger, and the motor rotates at a lower speed as the OFF duty is larger. Such a structure of the X-axis transport mechanism 31 itself is well known, and a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bucket 40 includes a pair of left and right side portions 41, a support member 42, and a placement member 43. 4 and 5 show the bucket 40, respectively. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the case seen from the front side, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the case seen from the rear side.

  The side portions 41 are provided in such a manner that their inner surfaces face each other. These side portions 41 accommodate various devices in a resin casing, and, for example, accommodate an electric drive mechanism 411. When the bucket 40 is disposed opposite to the designated product storage column 21, the electric drive mechanism 411 transmits the drive force to the bend mech at the front end of the product storage column 21 to give the drive force. Further, the area sandwiched between the side portions 41 becomes a receiving area 44 for receiving a product, and thus the side section 41 defines the receiving area 44.

  The support member 42 is formed from a metallic material and is disposed between the pair of side portions 41. The support member 42 includes a flat plate-like base portion 421 and a rear extension portion 422 that extends rearward from both ends of the base portion 421. As a result of the end portions of the rear extension portions 422, that is, the rear end portions being pivotally supported by the side portions 41, the support member 42 is disposed so as to be swingable with respect to the side portions 41.

  The mounting member 43 is disposed so as to be swingable between the pair of side portions 41. The placement member 43 includes a front surface portion 431, a side wall portion 432, and a placement portion 433. The front portion 431 has a rectangular opening. Through this opening, the pin member 424 disposed on the support member 42 projects forward.

  Here, the pin member 424 is disposed in such a manner that it can swing around the axis of a shaft portion 425 provided in the left-right direction on the support member 42, and is urged by a spring member (biasing means) 426. By this, as shown to Fig.6 (a), it protrudes toward the front area, ie, toward the inner door 2 side. As shown in FIG. 6B, such a pin member 424 swings downward against the urging force of the spring member 426 when the tip portion is pressed from above, as shown in FIG. As shown in (c), it is configured to retreat from the front area.

  The side wall portions 432 extend rearward from both ends of the front surface portion 431 in such a manner that the inner surfaces face each other. Although not clearly shown in the drawing, these side wall portions 432 are each supported on the side portion 41 so as to be swingable by being coaxially supported by the rear extension 422 of the support member 42. The mounting portion 433 is swingably disposed between the rear end lower portions of the left and right side wall portions 432 via a shaft-like portion (not shown), and the front end (free end) side is a bucket. It is supported by 40 housings and is used for placing products. The mounting portion 433 is configured to tilt forward while being pushed forward in conjunction with the swinging of the side wall portion 432.

  The Y-axis transport mechanism 32 is provided on a pair of left and right transport support frames (not shown). A pulley 321 is disposed in the vicinity of the upper end of these transport support frames in a manner that allows rotation. A belt 322, which is a long cord-like body, is wound around the pulley 321. A waiter 323 is connected to one end of the belt 322, and a holding for holding the rail member 311 is held at the other end. Members (not shown) are connected. The Y-axis transport mechanism 32 rotates the pulley 321 by driving the Y-axis motor 324, thereby moving the rail member 311 held by the holding member and the mounted bucket 40 along the vertical direction. . Here, the Y-axis motor 324 is PWM-driven in the same manner as the X-axis motor 312 described above.

  Such bucket drive means 30 includes an X-axis stop position detection plate 331, an X-axis position confirmation plate 332, a Y-axis stop position detection plate 341, a Y-axis position confirmation plate 342, an X-axis stop position sensor 351, and an X-axis position confirmation. A sensor 352, an X-axis position correction sensor 353, a Y-axis stop position sensor 361, a Y-axis position confirmation sensor 362, and a Y-axis position correction sensor 363 are provided.

  The X-axis stop position detection plate 331 and the X-axis position confirmation plate 332 are disposed adjacent to the rail member 311. The X-axis stop position detection plate 331 and the X-axis position confirmation plate 332 are each a long plate-like member, and are provided in such a manner that the left-right direction is the longitudinal direction. The X-axis stop position detection plate 331 is formed with slit-shaped notch grooves (hereinafter also referred to as stop notch grooves) 331a as stop marks at the same pitch as the interval in the left-right direction of the product storage column 21. On the X-axis position confirmation plate 332, slit-shaped notches (hereinafter also referred to as confirmation notches) 332a as confirmation marks are formed at the same pitch as the interval in the left-right direction of the product storage column 21. Here, the stop notch groove 331a is formed slightly in front of the confirmation notch groove 332a, that is, slightly to the right.

  The Y-axis stop position detection plate 341 and the Y-axis position confirmation plate 342 are arranged in a manner adjacent to the transport support frame. Each of the Y-axis stop position detection plate 341 and the Y-axis position confirmation plate 342 is a long plate-like member, and is provided in such a manner that the vertical direction is the longitudinal direction. The Y-axis stop position detection plate 341 is formed with slit-shaped notches (hereinafter also referred to as stop notches) 341 a as stop marks at the same pitch as the vertical interval of the product storage column 21. On the Y-axis position confirmation plate 342, slit-shaped notches (hereinafter also referred to as confirmation notches) 342a as confirmation marks are formed at the same pitch as the vertical interval of the product storage column 21. Here, the stop notch groove 341a is formed slightly in front of the confirmation notch groove 342a, that is, slightly below.

  The X-axis stop position sensor 351, the X-axis position confirmation sensor 352, and the X-axis position correction sensor 353 are disposed below the right side portion 41 of the bucket 40, respectively. The X-axis stop position sensor 351 is a photo interrupter that combines a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element in a manner that sandwiches the X-axis stop position detection plate 331, that is, a proximity sensor. In the X-axis stop position sensor 351, light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked by the X-axis stop position detecting plate 331 at positions other than the stop notch groove 331a, and is emitted from the light emitting element at the position of the stop notch groove 331a. The received light is received by the light receiving element, and a signal to that effect is given to the control unit described later.

  The X-axis position confirmation sensor 352 is a photointerrupter that combines a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element with an X-axis position confirmation plate 332 interposed therebetween, that is, a proximity sensor. In the X-axis position confirmation sensor 352, light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked by the X-axis position confirmation plate 332 at positions other than the confirmation notch groove 332a, and emitted from the light emitting element at the position of the confirmation notch groove 332a. The light is received by the light receiving element, and a signal to that effect is given to the control unit.

  The X-axis position correction sensor 353 is a photointerrupter that combines a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element with an X-axis stop position detection plate 331 interposed therebetween, that is, a proximity sensor. The X-axis position correction sensor 353 is configured such that light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked by the X-axis stop position detecting plate 331 at positions other than the stop notch groove 331a, and is emitted from the light emitting element at the position of the stop notch groove 331a. The received light is received by the light receiving element, and a signal to that effect is given to the control unit. Such an X-axis position correction sensor 353 is disposed on the right side of the X-axis stop position sensor 351, and detects the stop notch groove 331a with a delay from the X-axis stop position sensor 351.

  The Y-axis stop position sensor 361, the Y-axis position confirmation sensor 362, and the Y-axis position correction sensor 363 are respectively disposed on the side portions of the rail member 311. The Y-axis stop position sensor 361 is a photo interrupter that combines a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element with a Y-axis stop position detection plate 341 interposed therebetween, that is, a proximity sensor. In the Y-axis stop position sensor 361, light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked by the Y-axis stop position detecting plate 341 at positions other than the stop notch groove 341a, and is emitted from the light emitting element at the position of the stop notch groove 341a. The received light is received by the light receiving element, and a signal to that effect is given to the control unit.

  The Y-axis position confirmation sensor 362 is a photointerrupter that combines a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element with a Y-axis position confirmation plate 342 interposed therebetween, that is, a proximity sensor. In the Y-axis position confirmation sensor 362, light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked by the Y-axis position confirmation plate 342 at positions other than the confirmation notch groove 342a, and emitted from the light emitting element at the position of the confirmation notch groove 342a. The light is received by the light receiving element, and a signal to that effect is given to the control unit.

  The Y-axis position correction sensor 363 is a photo interrupter that combines a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element with a Y-axis stop position detection plate 341 interposed therebetween, that is, a proximity sensor. In the Y-axis position correction sensor 363, light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked by the Y-axis stop position detecting plate 341 at positions other than the stop notch groove 341a, and is emitted from the light emitting element at the position of the stop notch groove 341a. The received light is received by the light receiving element, and a signal to that effect is given to the control unit. Such a Y-axis position correction sensor 363 is disposed below the Y-axis stop position sensor 361 and detects the stop notch groove 341a with a delay from the Y-axis stop position sensor 361.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control system of the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, only the characteristic features of the present invention are shown. As shown in FIG. 7, the vending machine includes the above-described X-axis motor 312, Y-axis motor 324, electric drive mechanism 411, X-axis stop position sensor 351, X-axis position confirmation sensor 352, and X-axis position correction sensor 353. In addition to the Y-axis stop position sensor 361, the Y-axis position confirmation sensor 362, and the Y-axis position correction sensor 363, an input unit 50, a micro switch 51, and a control unit 60 are provided.

  The input unit 50 is, for example, a remote controller, and is an input unit 50 that can give various commands to the control unit 60. The input means 50 is provided with a display unit, and can display information given from the control unit 60.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the micro switch 51 is provided on the front side of the inner door 2. The micro switch 51 is an opening degree detecting means for detecting the opening degree of the carry-out flapper 5, and gives a detection signal to the control unit 60. Although the details of the carry-out flapper 5 will be described later, as a result of the pin member 424 of the bucket 40 coming into contact with the protruding member 6 when the bucket 40 is moved downward, the mounting member 43 constituting the bucket 40 is arranged. Is in a tilted posture and is brought into contact with the mounting member 43 in such a tilted posture and swings forward.

  The control part 60 is memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 70 regarding the movement of the bucket 40, and lighting of the light source 14, and performs control comprehensively based on a program and data. Note that the control unit 60 here is separate from the control means for controlling the sales operation of the vending machine, that is, the operation of merchandise selection, money processing and the like.

  The storage unit 70 stores various programs and data. In more detail, as shown in FIG. 9, by storing the information on the position and number of each product storage column 21 by a known cleaning operation performed at the start of operation of the vending machine (at power-on), A predetermined relay position (a), standby position (b), and via position (c) are stored.

  The relay position a is determined in advance in the region directly above the protruding member 6. The position detection of the relay position (a) is performed by detecting dedicated cutout grooves (80, 81) that serve as marks indicating the relay position (a) shown in FIG. As a result, the projecting member 6 projecting from the inner door 2 is positioned directly below the relay position (the position of the projecting member 6 is indicated by reference sign D in FIG. 9).

  The stand-by position b is determined in advance at a position on the lower right side, that is, a position facing the product storage column 21 of column number 49 in the example of FIG. For example, two via positions C are determined, one is determined in advance on the right side of the relay position A, and the other is determined in advance on the left side of the relay position A. Here, the route position C on the right side is routed when the bucket 40 located in the D zone in FIG. 9 divided into four with reference to the standby position B moves to the A zone, and the left side The route position C is routed when the bucket 40 located in the C zone moves to the B zone.

  The code | symbol 15 in FIG. 9 is a heat insulation partition plate, and let the upper area of the heat insulation partition plate 15 be a heating area, for example, and the lower area of the heat insulation partition plate 15 is a cooling area. In this case, it is stored in the storage unit 70 that the product storage columns 21 with the column numbers 1 to 14 are located in the heating area, and the product storage columns 21 with the column numbers 15 to 49 are located in the cooling area. In addition, since the upper area of the heat insulating partition plate 15 is set as a heating area and the lower area is set as a cooling area in this manner, the storage unit 70 stores that the Y-axis motor 324 is located in a high temperature environment. In the storage unit 70, each motor 312 is detected after the stop position sensors 351 and 361 detect the stop notch grooves 331a and 341a according to the temperature in the installation environment of the Y-axis motor 324 and the X-axis motor 312. , 324, a set time until a drive stop command is given is stored. Specifically, if the installation environment of each motor is in a high temperature atmosphere, the set time is set to 0.01 seconds, for example. If the installation environment of each motor is in a low temperature atmosphere, the set time is set to 0.1 seconds, for example. Yes.

  The operation of the vending machine having the above configuration will be described. In the sales standby state, when the product selection information through the selection switch 8 and the money deposit information inserted through the deposit slot 9 satisfy predetermined sales conditions, a sales command is given to the control unit 60. Here, the description will be made assuming that the product stored in the product storage column 21 of column number 1 is selected.

  The control unit 60 gives drive commands to the X-axis motor 312 and the Y-axis motor 324 to drive them. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, since the bucket 40 located in the D zone is moved to the A zone, the control unit 60 moves the bucket 40 via the right side via position c, It is arranged so as to face the commodity storage column 21 of number 1. At this time, the control unit 60 may turn on only the light source 14 in the vicinity of the product storage column 21 with column number 1.

  This will be described in more detail. The controller 60 drives the motor with a predetermined output when moving the bucket 40 located at the standby position B to the commodity storage column 21 with column number 1. For example, until the Y-axis stop position sensor 361 gives a signal indicating that a position one step higher than the standby position B has been detected, the duty of driving the Y-axis motor 324 is set to 70%, for example, and the Y-axis position sensor sets two steps. When a signal indicating that the upper position is detected is given, the motor is rotated at full speed with the duty for driving the motor as 100%. When a signal indicating that the position one step below the commodity storage column 21 with column number 1 is detected is given, PWM control is performed to set the duty for driving the motor to 30%, for example. Although the driving of the Y-axis motor 324 has been described here, the PWM control is similarly performed for the driving of the X-axis motor 312.

  When the bucket 40 is stopped at the target product storage column 21 (the product storage column 21 with the column number 1), it is performed as follows. Here, for convenience of explanation, driving of the Y-axis motor 324 will be described. As a premise, the fact that the Y-axis motor 324 is installed in a high temperature atmosphere is stored in the storage unit 70.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the Y-axis motor 324 is driven to move the bucket 40 upward, the Y-axis stop position sensor 361 detects the stop notch groove 341a, and the Y-axis position confirmation sensor 362 confirms. The notch groove 342a is detected. The Y-axis position correction sensor 363 detects the same stop notch groove 341a after the Y-axis stop position sensor 361 detects it. Then, the control unit 60 to which the signal indicating that the stop notch groove y3 (341a) corresponding to the target product storage column 21 (the product storage column 21 of the column number 1) is detected is given from the Y-axis stop position sensor 361 is as follows. Then, it waits for a predetermined set time ΔT (the Y-axis motor 324 is set in a high temperature atmosphere, so the set time is, for example, 0.01 seconds), and after the set time ΔT has elapsed, a drive stop command is sent to the Y-axis motor 324. To stop the upward movement of the bucket 40. At that time, when the signal indicating that the Y-axis position confirmation sensor 362 has detected the confirmation cutout groove Y3 (342a) corresponding to the commodity storage column 21 of the column number 1 is given, the control unit 60 sets the bucket 40 as a target. It can be recognized that the product storage column 21 is arranged oppositely.

  Here, when the signal indicating that the Y-axis position confirmation sensor 362 has detected the confirmation notch groove Y3 (342a) is not given, the control unit 60 detects the stop notch groove y3 (341a) from the Y-axis position correction sensor 363. It is confirmed whether or not a signal indicating that it has been given is given. If the signal is given, the stop position of the bucket 40 has moved too far above the target product storage column 21. Can be recognized. In this case, the Y-axis motor 324 is reversely rotated for a predetermined time to move the bucket 40 downward. When a signal indicating that the confirmation cutout groove Y3 (342a) is detected is provided from the Y-axis position confirmation sensor 362, it can be recognized that the bucket 40 is disposed to face the target product storage column 21. At this time, the control unit 60 subtracts the reversely rotated time from the set time ΔT, and stores the calculated time in the storage unit 70 as a new set time.

  On the other hand, when the signal indicating that the stop notch groove y3 (341a) is detected is not given from the Y-axis position correction sensor 363, the stop position of the bucket 40 is lower than the target product storage column 21. It can be recognized that there is a lack of movement. In this case, the Y-axis motor 324 is additionally rotated in the same direction for a predetermined time to move the bucket 40 upward. When a signal indicating that the confirmation cutout groove Y3 (342a) is detected is provided from the Y-axis position confirmation sensor 362, it can be recognized that the bucket 40 is disposed to face the target product storage column 21. At this time, the control unit 60 adds the additional rotation time to the set time ΔT, and stores the calculated time in the storage unit 70 as a new set time.

  Although the driving of the Y-axis motor 324 has been described here, the setting time for the driving of the X-axis motor 312 is similarly determined according to the temperature environment of the X-axis motor 312, and the control unit 60 after the elapse of the setting time. Gives a drive stop command.

  When the bucket 40 is disposed to face the target product storage column 21, the control unit 60 gives a drive command to the electric drive mechanism 411. Thereby, the electric drive mechanism 411 drives the bend mech of the corresponding product storage column 21. As a result, only one product moves to the bucket 40 and is received in the receiving area 44 in a manner of being placed on the placement portion 433. When the bucket 40 receives the merchandise, the control unit 60 gives drive commands to the X-axis motor 312 and the Y-axis motor 324 and moves them toward the relay position a. Also at this time, the control unit 60 performs PWM control performed with a predetermined output for driving the motor.

  When it is detected that the bucket 40 is located at the relay position A, the control unit 60 drives only the Y-axis motor 324 to move it out. Then, the control unit 60 stops driving the Y-axis motor 324 for a preset time (for example, 1 second) during the payout movement. Thereby, the bucket 40 is paid out and moved downward by inertia. After such time has elapsed, the control unit 60 drives the Y-axis motor 324 to move the bucket 40 downward. Even during such payout movement, the control unit 60 performs PWM control with a predetermined output for driving the motor.

  Here, the payout movement will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, when the bucket 40 located at the relay position a is moved out, the pin member 424 of the bucket 40 comes into contact with the protruding member 6 as shown in FIG. 12. When the pin member 424 contacts the protruding member 6 in this way, the support member 42 swings upward, and the mounting member 43 that contacts the pin member 424 swings upward. As the mounting member 43 swings, the mounting portion 433 also moves forward as shown in FIG. Thereby, the bottom surface of the mounting member 43 is greatly opened and the commodity placed on the placement portion 433 is tilted, so that the commodity is paid out from the bucket 40. The product delivered from the bucket 40 contacts the carry-out flapper 5 and pushes and opens the carry-out flapper 5 and then reaches a predetermined product take-out chamber through the opened product carry-out port 4. Thereafter, once the drive of the Y-axis motor 324 is stopped, the bucket 40 moves downward due to inertia. Then, the tip of the pin member 424 comes into contact with the top surface (vertical plane (horizontal plane)) of the protrusion member 6 and maintains the tilting posture of the support member 42 and the front surface portion 431 and the side wall portion 432 of the mounting member 43. As a result, it is ensured that the commodity is reliably paid out from the bucket 40.

  In such a vending machine, during the cleaning operation described above, the opening degree of the carry-out flapper 5 is detected through the micro switch 51, and the opening degree detected through the micro switch 51 is set to a preset reference value (threshold value). If it falls below, the control unit 60 determines that the opening degree is insufficient, gives that effect to the input means 50, and displays a notification that the opening degree is insufficient on a predetermined display part of the input means 50. You may let them. Thereby, an operator can recognize the contact failure of the pin member 424 and the projection member 6, and can correct the position of these both and can maintain a favorable positional relationship.

  In the vending machine as described above, when the control unit 60 stores the selected product in the preset product storage column 21, that is, the product storage column 21 that stores the selected product. When located in a predetermined zone, the bucket 40 located at the standby position b is opposed to the target product storage column 21 after passing through a virtual via position c set on the right side of the relay position b. Since they are arranged, there is no possibility that the pin member 424 of the bucket 40 contacts the protruding member 6 during such movement. Therefore, the bucket 40 can be moved to the desired product storage column 21 without the pin member 424 of the bucket 40 interfering with the protruding member 6 of the inner door 2.

  Further, when the pin member 424 is pressed from above, the pin member 424 swings around its own axis against the urging force of the spring member 426 and retreats from the protruding front area. As for the movement of the bucket 40 when the position information of the bucket 40 is not yet obtained, the bucket 40 can be moved from the lower side to the upper side. At this time, the pin member 424 is moved by the protruding member 6. There is no risk of contact and damage.

  According to the vending machine described above, the stop position sensors 351 and 361 have a set time from the detection of the stop notch grooves 331a and 341a according to the installation environment of the drive motor (X-axis motor 312 and Y-axis motor 324). Since the stop timing of the motors 312 and 324 is made variable, the bucket 40 can be reliably stopped at a desired position even with a simple combination of the proximity sensor and the detection plate as described above, thereby reducing the cost. In addition, the parts can be shared.

  Further, according to the vending machine, the control unit 60 performs PWM control for driving the X-axis motor 312 and the Y-axis motor 324 with a predetermined output, so that the load on the belt 322 and the like is reduced. The service life of the motors 312 and 324 can be extended.

  Furthermore, according to the vending machine, the plurality of light sources 14 are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals along the vertical direction at the front end portions of the pair of left and right side plates of the commodity storage 11, so that the bucket 40 is targeted. When the product storage column 21 is moved, only the light source 14 in the vicinity of the product storage column 21 can be turned on. Therefore, energy saving can be achieved while flexibly responding to the illumination of the commodity storage 11.

  Further, according to the vending machine, the payout movement of the bucket 40 is stopped for a preset time, so that the bucket 40 moves downward due to inertia, and the tilting posture time of the bucket 40 is lengthened. Can be paid out with certainty.

It is a front view which shows the vending machine which is embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the vending machine which is embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view showing typically the internal structure of a goods storage. It is a perspective view which shows the case where a bucket is seen from the front side. It is a perspective view which shows the case where a bucket is seen from the back side. It is explanatory drawing explaining the retraction movement of the pin member which comprises a bucket. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of a vending machine. It is a cross-sectional side view which expands and shows the principal part of an inner door. It is explanatory drawing which shows a goods storage schematically. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the stop operation | movement of a bucket. It is a side view which shows typically paying-out movement of a bucket. It is a side view which shows typically paying-out movement of a bucket. It is a side view which shows typically paying-out movement of a bucket.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 Commodity exit 5 Unloading flapper 6 Protruding member 10 Main body cabinet 11 Commodity storage 14 Light source 20 Commodity rack 21 Commodity storage column 22 Commodity storage passage 30 Bucket drive means 31 X-axis transport mechanism 311 Rail member 312 X-axis motor 32 Y-axis transport Mechanism 324 Y-axis motor 331 X-axis stop position detection plate 332 X-axis position check plate 341 Y-axis stop position detection plate 342 Y-axis position check plate 351 X-axis stop position sensor 352 X-axis position check sensor 353 X-axis position correction sensor 361 Y-axis stop position sensor 362 Y-axis position confirmation sensor 363 Y-axis position correction sensor 40 Bucket 424 Pin member 51 Micro switch 60 Control unit 70 Storage unit

Claims (1)

Each of the product racks is formed by arranging a plurality of product storage columns side by side in the left-right direction, and a plurality of product racks provided in the vertical direction between a pair of left and right rack support side plates;
A bucket in which a front area of the product rack is movably disposed, and when the product rack is disposed to face an arbitrary product storage column, the bucket can exchange products with the product storage column;
When a product storage column to be delivered is specified, the product storage cabinet having a heat insulating structure includes bucket driving means for driving the bucket to place the bucket opposite to the corresponding product storage column, and the front surface is provided with In the vending machine that enables the inside of the commodity storage to be visually confirmed through the translucent panel of the door to be configured,
The product storage is provided with a plurality of illumination means that are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals along the vertical direction at the front ends of the pair of left and right side plates, and that illuminates the interior of the product storage. Vending machine.

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