JP4501323B2 - Product attitude control device for vending machines - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a product attitude control device for a vending machine , and more specifically, it is possible to realize deceleration and orientation control of an input product with a simple and thin configuration at a position opposite to the product attitude control device, and prevent product jamming and the like. The present invention relates to a product attitude control device for a vending machine .
[0002]
[Prior art]
A serpentine-type product storage rack that stores canned drinks and plastic bottle drinks in a product storage box in a vertical position and stores them vertically and forms a pair of left and right rack side plates and a product path that meanders in the height direction. A product unloading device for unloading the products one by one based on the sales command is disposed at the lower end of the product passage.
[0003]
This product carry-out device includes an upper pedal that receives the lowest product and a lower pedal that is positioned above and receives the second product from the bottom when the product is carried out. A device that controls the carry-out of a product by moving and projecting is known.
[0004]
In such a product storage rack, when the service person puts the first product into the product passage, the product is guided to the segment and falls while meandering in the product passage, thereby being decelerated and controlled in posture. Finally, it is held by the lower pedal of the product carry-out device. In addition, the products that are input after the second are decelerated in the same manner as described above, and are sequentially stacked on the products that are initially input.
[0005]
When products with different outer diameters are introduced, the interval between the opposing segments is changed to change the width of the product passage so that proper meandering deceleration is performed, and the product passage is located at a position facing the product carry-out device. An outlet adjuster that changes and adjusts the width is provided to ensure that the product is held by the pedal.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional product storage racks, the deceleration and posture control of the input product is performed by meandering and dropping by the segment, so in recent products with various dimensions and materials, the deceleration and posture control of the product is performed in the segment. Therefore, it is difficult to perform the operation sufficiently, and there is a problem that the product is not arranged at an appropriate position on the pedal and the product is clogged.
[0007]
Also, for example, a low-bottle product containing a nutritional drink may stand on the lower pedal when the first product is introduced and the lower pedal is reached, and the upper pedal does not completely close. There was a problem of causing product clogging.
[0008]
On the other hand, in recent years, there has been a demand for miniaturization of vending machine depth dimensions, and at a position opposite to the product carry-out device, it is possible to realize deceleration and posture control of the input product with a simple and thin configuration, and prevent product clogging and the like. It has been desired to provide a product attitude control device.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and a product attitude control device capable of realizing deceleration and posture control of an input product and preventing product jamming at a position opposite to the product carry-out device with a simple and thin configuration. The purpose is to provide.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, a product attitude control device for a vending machine according to claim 1 of the present invention is disposed opposite to a product carry-out device disposed at a lower end portion of a product passage of a product storage rack, and the product passage And a base plate provided on the base plate for biasing the lower end portion of the last stage segment, which is pivotally supported on the upper end portion and disposed above the base plate, toward the product passage side. A biasing means, and a flapper pivotally supported at the upper end portion of the substrate and biased toward the product passage.
[0011]
When the product is first put into the product passage when storing the product, the product falls in the product passage while being decelerated by a number of segments, and when it comes into contact with the last stage segment, a shock at the time of dropping is caused by the damper effect by the biasing means. Absorbed and further decelerated.
[0012]
Since the product contacts the flapper and falls while closing the flapper against the urging force, the shock at the time of dropping is absorbed and further decelerated by the damper effect of the flapper. Moreover, since this product falls while being brought close to the pedal side of the product carry-out device by the flapper, the product is securely held by the pedal.
[0013]
Conventionally, for example, a bottle product with a low height containing a nutritional drink, for example, when the first product is introduced and reaches the lower pedal of the product carrying device, it stands on the lower pedal and the product is jammed. Although this was the cause, in the present invention, the flapper gets in the way and this product standing is surely prevented.
[0014]
As described above, the present invention uses the final stage segment at the position opposite to the product carry-out device, and is composed of a plate-shaped substrate, a flapper, an urging means, etc. Speed reduction and attitude control can be realized, and product clogging can be prevented.
[0015]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the product attitude control device for a vending machine uses a leaf spring as a biasing means for biasing the lower end of the last segment toward the product passage. Thereby, a product attitude control device can be configured easily and inexpensively.
[0016]
Also, product attitude control device for an automatic vending machine according to claim 3 of the present invention, flapper, a torsion coil spring provided at the shaft support of the flapper or plate spring provided on the substrate behind the flapper, It is intended to be energized by at least one of the above.
[0017]
Thus, the invention can be configured easily and inexpensively. In particular, if both a torsion coil spring and a leaf spring are used, the damper effect of the flapper can be further enhanced.
[0018]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product attitude control device for a vending machine in which a low friction portion is provided on a surface of a substrate on the product passage side. As a result, when the final product is dropped by opening the lower pedal of the product carry-out device, there is no product stacked on the product, so the final product will fall under its own weight, but the product comes into contact with the low friction part. Dynamic friction is reduced, a smooth drop operation is ensured, and product clogging can be prevented.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of a product attitude control device for a vending machine according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement state of a product attitude control device of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view showing a substrate of the product attitude control device, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the substrate of the product attitude control device, FIG. 5 is a front view showing the reinforcement plate of the product attitude control device, and FIG. 6 is the product attitude control device reinforcement plate. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a reinforcing plate of the product attitude control device, FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state where the reinforcing plate is assembled to the substrate, and FIG. 9 is a state where the reinforcing plate is assembled to the substrate. FIG. 10 is a front view showing the flapper, FIG. 11 is a side view showing the flapper, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 10, and FIG. FIG. 14 is a front view showing the product attitude control device.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, the commodity storage rack 1 includes a pair of left and right rack side plates 2 and a curved segment 4 for forming a commodity passage 3 meandering in the height direction. At the lower end portion of the merchandise passage 3, a merchandise carry-out device 5 is arranged for carrying out the merchandise one by one based on the sales command. The product carry-out device 5 includes an upper pedal 6 that receives the lowest product and a lower pedal 7 that is positioned above and receives the second product from the bottom when carried out. The carry-out of the product is controlled by alternately rotating and projecting toward the passage 3 side.
[0022]
The product attitude control device 10 according to the present embodiment is disposed opposite to the product carry-out device 5 and adjusts the product attitude by reducing the falling speed of the product falling from above at the time of selling the product, and also pedals the product. The product attitude is controlled so as to be held stably toward the 6th and 7th sides. Hereinafter, the configuration of the product attitude control device 10 will be described in detail.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a leaf spring for urging the lowermost segment 4 (see FIG. 1) from the back side to the product passage 3 side is provided on the surface of the upper part of the substrate 11 on the product carry-out device 5 side. 12 is fixed by caulking, for example. The shaft support claw 13 having the hole 13a is for rotatably supporting a flapper 21 described later by a shaft 22. The claw 13b is formed to prevent the shaft 22 from coming off.
[0024]
The opening 14 is provided to insert the leaf spring 17 protruding from the reinforcing plate 16 when the reinforcing plate 16 is fixed to the substrate 11. The locking claw 15 is for locking the product attitude control device 10 in a locking hole (not shown) of the rack side plate 2. The hole 18 is for inserting a locking claw 24a of a lubricating steel plate 24, which will be described later, and the locking claw 24a inserted through the hole 18 is bent so that the lubricating steel plate 24 is fixed to the substrate 11. (See FIG. 14).
[0025]
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the reinforcing plate 16 is fixed to the substrate 11 by welding, for example, in order to ensure the rigidity of the substrate 11. A plate spring 17 is provided on the surface of the upper portion of the reinforcing plate 16 on the side of the product carry-out device 5. The leaf spring 17 is in contact with the back surface of the flapper 21 when it is closed by a product, and is used to further bias the flapper 21 toward the product passage 3 in combination with a biasing force of a spring 23 described later. The sensor attachment member 20 is for attaching a temperature sensor 19 (see FIG. 14) for measuring the temperature in the product passage 3.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, the flapper 21 has a shaft 22 inserted through a curled portion 21 a, and the shaft 22 is pivotally supported by a pivotal support claw 13 of the substrate 11. A spring 23 (torsion coil spring) mounted on the shaft 22 is for urging the flapper 21 toward the product passage 3 side. The lubricating steel plate 24 provided in the lower half of the substrate 11 is provided to reduce friction between the product and the substrate 11 when the final product is dropped due to the opening of the lower pedal 7, and to ensure a smooth dropping operation. It is.
[0027]
Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. The product first put in the product passage 3 when the product is stored falls in the product passage 3 while being decelerated by the many segments 4, and falls due to a damper effect by the leaf spring 12 when coming into contact with the last segment 4. The shock of time is absorbed and further slowed down.
[0028]
Since the product comes into contact with the flapper 21 and falls while closing the flapper 21 against the urging force of the spring 23, the shock at the time of dropping is absorbed by the damper effect by the leaf spring 17 and further decelerated. In addition, since the product falls while being moved toward the pedals 6 and 7 by the flapper 21, the product is securely held by the pedals 6 and 7.
[0029]
Conventionally, for example, a bottle product with a low height containing a nutritional drink may stand on the lower pedal 7 when the first product is introduced and the lower pedal 7 is reached. Although this was the cause, in the present embodiment, the flapper 21 is in the way, and this product standing is reliably prevented.
[0030]
In addition, when the final product is dropped due to the opening of the lower pedal 7, there is no stacked product, so the final product falls due to its own weight, but the product comes into contact with the lubricating steel plate 24 to reduce dynamic friction. As a result, a smooth drop operation is ensured, and product clogging can be prevented. It has been confirmed that this is particularly effective for a plastic bottle beverage product having a large diameter (for example, a product having a diameter of about 69 mm).
[0031]
As described above, according to the product attitude control device of this embodiment, it is possible to realize the deceleration and orientation control of the input product with a simple and thin configuration at the position opposite to the product carry-out device, and to prevent product jamming and the like. .
[0032]
In the above embodiment, the flapper 21 has been described as being biased by the spring 23 and the leaf spring 17, but is not limited thereto, and may be biased by either one.
[0033]
Further, the reinforcing plate 16 may be provided according to the required rigidity. In the above embodiment, the leaf spring 17 is provided via the reinforcing plate 16, but when the reinforcing plate 16 is not provided, the substrate 11 may be provided with a leaf spring 17 directly.
[0034]
In addition, although the description has been made assuming that the lubricating steel plate 24 is provided on a part of the substrate 11, the present invention is not limited to this, and the entire substrate 11, that is, the substrate 11 itself may be formed of the lubricating steel plate.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the product attitude control device for a vending machine according to the present invention (Claim 1), the product passage is arranged opposite to the product carry-out device arranged at the lower end of the product passage of the product storage rack, and And a base plate provided on the base plate for biasing the lower end portion of the last stage segment, which is pivotally supported on the upper end portion and disposed above the base plate, toward the product passage side. Urging means and a flapper pivotally supported at the upper end of the substrate and urged toward the product passage side, so that the product can be decelerated and controlled in posture with a simple and thin configuration. This can be realized and product clogging can be prevented.
[0036]
Further, according to the product attitude control device for a vending machine according to the present invention (Claim 2), since the urging means for urging the lower end portion of the final stage segment toward the product passage is a leaf spring, Can be configured at low cost.
[0037]
According to the product attitude control device for a vending machine according to the present invention (Claim 3), the flapper is provided on the torsion coil spring provided on the shaft support portion of the flapper or on the substrate behind the flapper. Since it is biased by at least one of the plate springs, it can be configured simply and inexpensively. In particular, if both a torsion coil spring and a leaf spring are used, the damper effect of the flapper can be further enhanced.
[0038]
In addition, according to the product attitude control device of the vending machine according to the present invention (Claim 4), since the low friction portion is provided on the product path side surface of the substrate, the final product of the final product is released by releasing the lower pedal of the product carry-out device. At the time of sales drop, there is no stacked product, so the final product will fall by its own weight, but when the product comes into contact with the low friction part, dynamic friction is reduced, and a smooth drop operation is ensured. Clogging can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement state of a product attitude control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a substrate of the product attitude control device.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a substrate of the product attitude control device.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a substrate of the product attitude control device.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a reinforcing plate of the product attitude control device.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing a reinforcing plate of the product attitude control device.
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a reinforcing plate of the product attitude control device.
FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state in which a reinforcing plate is assembled to a substrate.
FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state in which a reinforcing plate is assembled to a substrate.
FIG. 10 is a front view showing a flapper.
FIG. 11 is a side view showing a flapper.
12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the flapper shown in FIG.
FIG. 13 is a side view showing the product attitude control device.
FIG. 14 is a front view showing the product attitude control device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Commodity storage rack 2 Rack side plate 3 Commodity passage 4 Segment 5 Commodity carry-out device 6 Upper pedal 7 Lower pedal 10 Product attitude control device 11 Substrate 12 Leaf spring 13 Shaft support claw 13a Hole 13b Claw 14 Opening 15 Locking claw 16 Reinforcement plate 17 Leaf spring 18 Hole 19 Temperature sensor 20 Sensor mounting member 21 Flapper 21a Curl portion 22 Shaft 23 Spring 24 Lubricated steel plate 24a Locking claw

Claims (4)

A substrate which is disposed opposite to a product carry-out device arranged at the lower end of the product passage of the product storage rack and forms one inner wall of the product passage;
An urging means provided on the substrate for urging the lower end of the last stage segment, which is pivotally supported at the upper end and disposed above the substrate, toward the product passage;
A flapper pivotally supported at the upper end of the substrate and urged toward the product passage;
A product attitude control device for a vending machine . 2. The product attitude control device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the urging means for urging the lower end portion of the last segment toward the product passage is a leaf spring. The flapper is urged by at least one of a torsion coil spring provided on a shaft support portion of the flapper or a leaf spring provided on a substrate behind the flapper. 2. A product attitude control device for a vending machine according to 2. The product attitude control device for a vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a low friction portion is provided on a surface of the substrate on the product passage side.

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