The present application is based on, and claims priority from Japanese Application No. JP2015-236895 filed Dec. 3, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
The present invention relates to a product discharge device for a vending machine capable of aligning long-size products into a line and accommodating half-size products into two rows, and capable of individually carry out the long-size products and the half-size product by the product discharge or carry-out device placed in the vicinity of an outlet of a produce accommodation passage.
An automatic dispenser or vending machine which sells products, such as canned beverages, PET bottle beverages is configured such that the products are divided into cold products and hot products in a product accommodating storage of body cabinet as a heat insulating casing, a plurality of product samples is laterally arranged and displayed in an outer door display chamber, and a product selected based on operation of project-selection buttons provided corresponding to the project samples. This kind of automatic dispenser will be described using
As shown in
As shown in
Each of the product carry-out devices 200 includes a first stopper member 220 which moves toward a projecting position which projects to the product accommodating passage 183 in a state where a number one-sales product (sales product) is held, and the first stopper member 220 can move to a retreating position retreating from the product accommodating passage 183 in a state where the holding state of the sales product is released. The product carry-out device 200 also includes a second stopper member 230 which moves toward a projecting position projecting into the product accommodating passage 183 in a state where the second stopper member 230 holds a number two-sales product (sales product) which follows after the number one-sales product, and which moves to a retreating position retreating from the product accommodating passage 183 in a state where the holding state of the sales product is released. The first stopper member 220 and the second stopper member 230 are made to come into and out from the product accommodating passage 183 by alternately exciting and demagnetizing solenoid as driving means, thereby carrying out the sales product while holding the next sales product by the second stopper member 230.
In this automatic dispenser, to handle products having different sizes (e.g., canned beverages of 170 ml, PET bottle beverages of 500 ml), different kinds of product accommodating racks 180 are prepared in accordance with lateral width corresponding to length of products (lateral width in direction of product accommodating passages) (usually two kinds of product accommodating racks having relatively short products and relatively long products). In this case, to arrange the short products on the side of the pair of left and right rack side plates 181, 181, a passage width adjusting plate (not shown) which brings one of the rack side plate 181 toward and away from the other rack side plate 181 is placed, the passage width adjusting plate is moved and adjusted in accordance with a length of a product, thereby determining the product accommodating passages width. Further, due to diversification of products, short products (half-size product, hereinafter) less than half of long products (long-size produce) hereinafter appear. When the long-size products are replaced by the half-size products for sale, if the a passage width of the product accommodating passage 183 in which the long-size products are arranged in one row is determined to a width of the half-size products by moving and adjusting the passage width adjusting plate, two rows of product accommodating passages capable of accommodating half-size products are formed on left and right sides based on the passage width adjusting plate as a border. Therefore, it is known that the product accommodating rack 180 which can accommodate the long-size products by arranging and accommodating the half-size products in two rows can also be used as product accommodating rack 180 for the half-size products. In this case, corresponding to the half-size products accommodated in two row, two product carry-out devices 200 are placed in the vicinity of the outlet of the product accommodating passage 183, and when the long-size products are to be sold, two product carry-out devices 200 are controlled in synchronization to carry out the long-size products, and when the half-size products are to be sold, two product carry-out devices 200 are individually controlled, and the half-size products are individually carried out (e.g., see Patent Literature 1).
Patent Literature: JP 3198813 B2
The invention described in Patent Literature 1 is excellent in that a product accommodating rack of a long-size produce can also be used as a product accommodating rack of a half-size products. The invention described in Patent Literature 1 is configured such that two product carry-out devices 200 are arranged side by side in correspondence to half-size products which are arranged and accommodated in two rows, and when the long-size products are to be sold, the two product carry-out devices 200 are controlled in synchronization to carry out the long-size products, and when a half-size products are to be sold, the two product carry-out devices 200 are individually controlled to carry out the product. As described above, since the long-size products are to be sold, the two product carry-out devices 200 are controlled in synchronization, when solenoid as driving means of any one of the product carry-out devices has failure, the long-size products cannot be sold. That is, a malfunction ratio increases for the number of the driving means increased, and there is a problem that even if the products are accommodated in the product accommodating rack, a selling chance may be missed.
The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above point, and it is an object of the invention to solve the above problem, and to provide a product carry-out device of an automatic dispenser capable of reducing, as small as possible, the missing of selling chance caused by failure of driving means.
To achieve the object, in the invention, a product carry-out device of an automatic dispenser is placed near an outlet of a product accommodating passage which arranges and accommodates long-size products in one row in a sideways attitude, and which arranges and accommodates half-size products in two rows in a longitudinal direction in a sideways attitude. The product carry-out device includes two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members which are provided in correspondence with half-size products arranged and accommodated in two rows. The first stopper members and the second stopper members appear in a product accommodating passage, and hold and open the products. When the long-size products are to be sold, the two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members are driven synchronously to carry out the long-size products accommodated in the product accommodating passage, and when the half-size products are to be sold, the two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members are individually driven to carry out the half-size products accommodated in the product accommodating passage. The product carry-out device includes a single driving means for driving the two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members, a link mechanism having two sets of link members provided in correspondence with the two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members and supporting lower link pins and upper link pins for moving the two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members to a projecting positions and a retreating position, a connection mechanism for connecting the single driving means and the link mechanisms to each other, and switching means for selectively connecting and disconnecting the connection mechanism and the link mechanism to and from each other. The two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members are driven synchronously by connecting the connection mechanism and the two sets of link members of the link mechanisms to each other by the switching means, the connection mechanism and one or the other of the two sets of link members of the link mechanisms are connected to each other by the switching means, the connection mechanism and the one or the other of the two sets of link members of the link mechanisms are separated from each other, thereby individually driving one or the other of the two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members.
In the product carry-out device of the automatic dispenser according to the first aspect, in the invention of the second aspect, the switching means includes two sets of solenoids.
The product carry-out device of an automatic dispenser according to the first aspect is placed near an outlet of a product accommodating passage which arranges and accommodates long-size products in one row in a sideways attitude, and arranges and accommodates half-size products in two rows in a longitudinal direction sideways, in which the product carry-out device includes two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members which are provided in correspondence with half-size products arranged and accommodated in two rows. The first stopper members and the second stopper members appear in a product accommodating passage and hold and open the products, and when the long-size products are to be sold, the two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members are driven synchronously to carry out the long-size products accommodated in the product accommodating passage, and when the half-size products are to be sold, the two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members are individually driven to carry out the half-size products accommodated in the product accommodating passage. The product carry-out device includes a single driving means for driving the two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members, a link mechanism having two sets of link members provided in correspondence with the two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members and supporting lower link pins and upper link pins for moving the two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members to a projecting positions and a retreating position, a connection mechanism for connecting the single driving means and the link mechanisms to each other, and switching means for selectively connecting and disconnecting the connection mechanism and the link mechanism to and from each other. The two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members are driven synchronously by connecting the connection mechanism and the two sets of link members of the link mechanisms to each other by the switching means, the connection mechanism and one or the other of the two sets of link members of the link mechanisms are connected to each other by the switching means, the connection mechanism and the one or the other one of the two sets of link members of the link mechanisms are separated from each other, thereby individually driving one of or the other of the two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members. According to this, two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members which are provided in correspondence with half-size products arranged and accommodated in two rows and which appears in the product accommodating passage to hold and open the products can be driven by the single driving means. When driving means which individually drives the two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members are provided as in the conventional device, a failure rate becomes high, and if the driving means fails to operate properly, products, especially long-size products cannot be sold, but the present invention has an effect that it is possible to reduce the failure rate of the driving means, and to miss the product sales chance.
According to the product carry-out device of an automatic dispenser according to the second aspect, in the product carry-out device of an automatic dispenser according to the first aspect, the switching means includes two sets of solenoids. By selecting the two sets of solenoids, it is possible to individually drive one or the other of the two sets of first and second stopper members.
A product carry-out device of an automatic dispenser of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the attached drawings.
As shown in
Engaging portions 1aa, 1bb which engage with pin members P, P (see
As shown in
The bearing portions 12 (12A) support ends of the lower link pins 4, 4A and the upper link pins 5, 5A supported by the link mechanisms 6, 6A. The bearing portions 12 (12A) also support a central region of a common turning shaft 20 (later described) related to the first stopper members 2, 2A and the second stopper member 3. The other ends of the lower link pins 4, 4A and the upper link pins 5, 5A project toward left and right edges of the openings 11 (11A) of the substrate 1 on the side of the back surface of the substrate 1, and the other ends are supported by flanges 14 (14A). Both ends of the turning shaft 20 are supported by flanges 13 (13A) formed such that they project from the left edge of the openings 11 on the side of the back surface of the substrate 1, and are also supported by the flange 14A formed such that it projects from a right edge of the opening 11A on the side of the back surface of the substrate 1. Configurations which support the lower link pins 4, 4A and the upper link pins 5, 5A in the bearing portions 12 (12A) and the flanges 13, 14 are substantially symmetric. Therefore, in the following description, after the bearing portions 12 (12A) are described, configurations concerning the flanges 13, 14 will be described.
The bearing portions 12 (12A) are integrally connected to upper edges and lower edges of the openings 11 (11A) formed in the substrate 1, and float up from the back surface side by the flat plate surface of the substrate 1. The bearing portions 12 (12A) laterally bisect the openings 11 (11A). When the openings 11 (11A) in the substrate 1 are formed, the bearing portions 12 (12A) are integrally formed on the substrate 1 while leaving a portion of the plate surface of the substrate 1 to divide the openings 11 (11A) laterally. A bent portion toward the back surface is superposed to enhance the mechanical strength. The bearing portions 12 (12A) are provided with a pair of vertically extending upper and lower long holes 121, 122 (121A, 122A). Arc recesses (reference sign is omitted) are formed in a front surface and a back surface of the pair of upper and lower long holes 121, 122 (121A, 122A) of the bearing portions 12 (12A) at substantially central positions. In the recesses, the front surface side recess is for avoiding interference with the turning shaft 20. The back surface side recess is for avoiding interference between the turning shaft 20 and the (later-described) other product carry-out device (see
The flanges 14 (14A) formed on right edges of the openings 11 (11A) are provided with long holes 141, 142 (141A, 142A) corresponding to the pair of upper and lower long holes 121, 122 (121A, 122A) of the bearing portions 12 (12A). Spindle holes 16 (16A) are provided in substantially intermediate positions of the pair of upper and lower long holes 141, 142 (141A, 142A) in the flanges 14 (14A). The flanges 13 (13A) formed on the left edges off the openings 11 (11A) are provided with spindle hole 15 (15A) on the same line as the spindle holes 16 (16A) provided in the flanges 14 (14A).
The spindle hole 15 (15A) provided in the flanges 13 (13A) and the spindle holes 16 (16A) provided in the flanges 14 (14A) support the turning shaft 20 which is common to the first stopper members 2, 2A and the second stopper members 3, 3A. The long holes 122 (122A) provided in the bearing portions 12 (12A) and the long holes 142 provided in the flanges 14 (14A) formed on the right edges of the openings 11 (11A) support the lower link pins 4, 4A supported by the link mechanism. 6 such that the lower link pins 4, 4A can slide in the vertical direction. The long holes 121 (121A) provided in the bearing portions 12 (12A) and the long holes 141 (141A) provided in the flanges 14 (14A) support the upper link pins 5, 5A supported by the link mechanism 6 such that the upper link pins 5, 5A can slide in the vertical direction. Hole peripheries of the spindle holes 16 (16A) and the long holes 141, 142 (141A, 142A) are subjected to Hemming process or Burring process to reduce friction with the lower link pins 4, 4A and the upper link pins 5, 5A.
Four guide portions 17 are formed, in the lateral direction, in intermediate positions of the substrate 1 in the vertical direction. The guide portions 17 are formed by cutting the substrate 1 and raising the same, and vertically extending guide grooves 171 are provided. The guide portions 17 guide slide pins 83 of a later-described connection mechanism 8.
As shown in
As shown in
The two bearing portions 22 (22A) are deviated to one side in two sides in the lateral direction of the flat plate-shaped holding portions 21 (21A). Widths of the two bearing portions 22 (22A) in the lateral direction are smaller than widths of openings (spaces) bisected by the bearing portions 12 (12A) in the openings 11 (11A) of the substrate 1, and the widths are determined such that the bearing portions 22 (22A) can pass through the spaces. The bearing portions 22 (22A) are deviated from the centers of the holding portion 21 (21A) toward one of lateral sides (in
Tip ends of the locking projections 23 (23A) in the bearing portions 22 (22A) of the first stopper members 2, 2A abut against the lower link pins 4, 4A which move down, and lock the first stopper members 2, 2A at the projecting position of the product accommodating passages 183 (183A). If the lower link pins 4, 4A rise, the locked state is released, and permit the turning motion toward the retreating position of the first stopper members 2, 2A. When the first stopper member 2, 2A moves to the retreating position, the lower link pins 4, 4A slide along the grooves 240 (240A).
As shown in
As shown in
The turning shaft 20 is inserted into the shaft-insertion holes 310 (310A) of the spindle portions 31 (31A). The two spindle portions 31 (31A) having the shaft-insertion holes 310 (310A) are provided such that positions of the two bearing portions 22 (22A) in the first stopper members 2, 2A are deviated from each other.
The two stopper walls 32 (32A) of the second stopper members 3, 3A are deviated toward lateral sides (left side in
The two stopper walls 32 (32A) include recessed sliding grooves 321 (321A) and stopper surfaces 322 (322A) formed along the groove walls of the recessed sliding grooves 321 (321A). In a state where the upper link pins 5, 5A can slide and the second stopper members 3, 3A are retreated to the retreating position, the recessed sliding grooves 321 (321A) receive the upper link pins 5, 5A. When the upper link pins 5, 5A rise and abut against the recessed sliding grooves 321 (321A), and the second stopper members 3, 3A project into the product accommodating passage 183 (when upper link pins 5, 5A pull out from the sliding grooves 321 (321A)), the stopper surfaces 322 (322A) of the stopper walls 32 (32A) abut against the upper link pins 5, 5A, and are locked at the projecting positions of the second stopper members 3, 3A.
The turning shaft 20 pivotally supports the first stopper members 2, 2A and the second stopper members 3, 3A. In the assembling of the turning shaft 20 into the substrate 1, the first stopper members 2, 2A and the second stopper members 3, 3A are placed at predetermined positions of the opening 11 of the substrate 1. Next, a tip end of the turning shaft 20 is inserted into a round hole 1b1 formed in the right flange 1b from outside of the right flange 1b of the substrate 1. Then, the tip end of the turning shaft 20 is inserted into spindle hole 16A formed in the flange 14A of the opening 11A, the spindle hole 15A formed in the flange 13 of the opening 11, the spindle hole 16 formed in the flange 14 of the opening 11, and the spindle hole 15 formed in the flange 13A of the opening 11A in the named order. In this case, the shaft-insertion holes 250 (250A) of the pair of left and right spindle portions 25 (25A) provided on the holding portions 21 (21A) of the first stopper members 2, 2A; the shaft-insertion holes 220 (220A) provided in the bearing portions 22 (22A) of the first stopper members 2, 2A; and the shaft-insertion holes 310 (310A) of the second stopper members 3, 3A are placed at predetermined positions such that they are located on one straight line together with the spindle hole 15, 16, (15A), (16A) formed in the flanges 13, 14, (13A), (14A). Therefore, the first stopper members 2, 2A and the second stopper members 3, 3A are pivotally supported by the turning shaft 20. A head of the turning shaft 20 is provided with a stopper, which projects radially outward, and the turning shaft 20 is inserted until the stopper abuts against the flange 14A. A wiring cover WC (see
The link mechanisms 6, 6A are driven by the motor driving unit 7 through the connection mechanism 8. The lower link pins 4, 4A of the first carry-out mechanism and the second carry-out mechanism are provided in correspondence with the first stopper members 2, 2A of the first carry-out mechanism and the second carry-out mechanism. The first carry-out mechanism and the second carry-out mechanism move the first stopper members 2, 2A to the projecting position projecting to the product accommodating passage 183 and the retreating position retreating from the product accommodating passage 183. The upper link pins 5, 5A of the first carry-out mechanism and the second carry-out mechanism are provided in correspondence with the second stopper members 3, 3A and move the second stopper members 3, 3A to the projecting position projecting to the product accommodating passage 183 and to the retreating position retreating from the product accommodating passage 183. The link mechanisms 6, 6A are assembled into the substrate 1 such that the link mechanisms 6, 6A support the lower link pins 4, 4A and the upper link pins 5, 5A.
As shown in
The upper link pins 5, 5A and the lower link pins 4, 4A are assembled into the substrate 1 in such a manner that the link members 60 (60A) are placed at predetermined positions of the openings 11 (11A), i.e., at opening (space) positions of the bearing portions 12 (12A) of the openings 11 (11A) of the substrate 1 and the flanges 14 (14A) of the openings 11 (11A) shown in
The connection mechanism 8 connects the link mechanisms 6, 6A and the motor driving unit 7 to each other. The link mechanism 6A and the motor driving unit 7 are selectively connected to and disconnected from each other by the switching means 9 such that the link mechanisms 6, 6A are driven in synchronization or one or the other of the link mechanisms 6, 6A is individually driven.
As shown in
The slide pins 83 (83A) are rod bodies made of magnetic body, and form movable iron cores of later-described solenoids 90 (90A). The slide pins 83, (83A) are formed with ring-shaped positioning projections 830 (830A) which are slightly larger than the pin diameters. The slide pins 83, (83A) penetrate an insertion hole 610 formed in the locking portion 61 of the upper end of the link member 60, and the slide pins 83, (83A) are connected to the link member 60. The slide pins 83, (83A) are guided by left and right two guide grooves 171 of four guide portions 17 formed on the substrate 1, and can slide in the lateral direction.
The slide pins 83 (83A) are assembled into the substrate 1 such that the link members 60 (60A) are placed at predetermined positions of the openings 11 (11A) of the substrate 1, and the slide pins 83 (83A) are mounted on the substrate 1. That is, a barrel of the slide pin 83 is fitted into a notch 1a1 formed in the flange 1a of the substrate 1 in a state where a tip end (right end in
The switching means 9 grasped by the grip 82 of the connection member 80 connects and disconnects a connection member 81 of the connection mechanism 8 and the pair of slide pins 83 (83A) to and from each other. The switching means 9 connects the connection mechanism 8 and the link mechanisms 6, 6A to each other by connecting the connection member 81 of the connection mechanism 8 and the pair of slide pins 83 (83A) to each other, and the switching means 9 connects the connection mechanism 8 and one of or the other one of the link mechanisms 6, 6A by selectively connecting and disconnecting the connection member 81 and the pair of slide pins 83 (83A).
As shown in
The switching means 9 is assembled and fitted into the grip 82 of the connection member 80 in a state where a U-shaped bottom surface of the frame 91 abuts against a plate surface of the grip 82. When the switching means 9 is fitted into the grip 82, left and right edges of the U-shaped bottom surface of the frame 91 abut against the hook-shaped locking claws 821, 822, but the frame 91 is further fitted, the hook-shaped locking claws 821, 822 bend outward to permit the U-shaped bottom surface of the frame 91 to enter, and if the left and right edges of the U-shaped bottom surface of the frame 91 pass through the hooks of the locking claws 821, 822, the locking claws 821, 822 restore and the left and right edges of the U-shaped bottom surface of the frame 91 are locked to each other by the hooks. According to this, the switching means 9 is integrally assembled into the grip 82 of the connection member 80.
In a state where the connection member 80 and the slide pins 83 (83A) into which the switching means 9 is integrally assembled at the predetermined position of the substrate 1 (standby state), axes of the slide pins 83 (83A) and center lines of the movable iron cores of the solenoids 90 (90A) match with each other. The slide pins 83 (83A) are separated from the movable iron cores of the solenoids 90 (90A). The slide pins 83 (83A) of the connection mechanism 8 form the movable iron cores of the solenoids 90 (90A), and are made of magnetic body. Therefore, if the coils of the solenoids 90 (90A) are energized and excited, the slide pins 83 (83A) as movable iron cores are attracted by the fixed iron cores of the solenoids 90 (90A), and enter the cylindrical portions (accommodating spaces), and the solenoids 90 (90A) and the slide pins 83 (83A) are integrally coupled to each other. In this case, the return springs 92 (92A) are pressed by the slide pins 83 (83A) and restoring forces are stored. If energizing of the coils of the solenoids 90 (90A) is cut and the coils are brought into non-excited state (release), the slide pins 83 (83A) are pushed out from the cylindrical portions of the fixed iron cores of the solenoids 90 (90A) by the restoring forces stored in the return springs 92 (92A) and are separated from the solenoids 90 (90A). By attracting the slide pins 83 (83A) by excitation of the solenoids 90 (90A) to connect the connection mechanism 8 and the link members 60 (60A) to each other, a driving force from the motor driving unit 7 is simultaneously transmitted into the link members 60 (60A), it becomes possible to drive the two sets of first stopper members 2, 2A and second stopper members 3, 3A in synchronization, one or the other one of the slide pins 83 (83A) is attracted by the solenoids 90 (90A) to connect one or the other one of the slide pins 83 (83A), one of or the other one of the slide pins 83 (83A) is separated by releasing the solenoids 90 (90A) and by releasing the connection of the other one of or one of the slide pins 83 (83A), the driving force from the motor driving unit 7 is separately transmitted to one or the other one of the link members 60 (60A), and it is possible to separately drive one or the other one of the two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members.
The motor driving unit 7 includes a motor 71 (see
The motor 71 incorporated in the unit case 70 of the motor driving unit 7 is a normally and reversely rotatable DC motor which can normally and reversely rotate in accordance with a sales command. The motor 71 is held in a base member of the unit case 70.
The gear transmission mechanism 72 includes an intermediate gear 722 and a worm gear 721 which is composed of a worm 721a and a worm wheel 721b. The worm 721a of the worm gear 721 is mounted on an output shaft of the motor 71. The worm wheel 721b is composed of a first wheel meshing with the worm 721a and second wheel meshing with the intermediate gear 722. These first and second wheels are different from each other in level in the vertical direction. The intermediate gear 722 is provided with a first intermediate gear meshing with the second wheel of the worm wheel 721b, and a second intermediate gear meshing with the output gear 73. These first and second intermediate gears are different from each other in level in the vertical direction. The worm gear 721 and the intermediate gear 722 are rotatably placed by bearing portions of the base member and the cover member of the unit case 70.
The output gear 73 is formed as a wheel which meshes with the second intermediate gear of the intermediate gear 722, a cam and a projection 731 are formed on one of plate surfaces (upper surface) of the output gear 73, and pressing piece (not shown in
The carrier switch 74 is a so-called push-button, and includes a contract (not shown). The carrier switch 74 is placed slightly higher than the output gear 73 in a state where the carrier switch 74 is held by the base member of the unit case 70. If the contact of the carrier switch 74 is pressed by the pressing piece of the output gear 73, the carrier switch 74 is turned ON, and if the pressing piece of the output gear 73 is not pressed, the carrier switch 74 is turned OFF. The carrier switch 74 controls the motor 71 driven by the sales command such that the output gear 73 makes one rotation.
The link levers 75 (75A) are resin-molded articles, and are rotatably pivotally supported by lever shafts 700 (700A) provided in the cover member of the unit case 70 which penetrates base portions 751 (751A). Tip ends 752 (752A) of the link levers 75 (75A) are formed into hook shapes which curve upward in such a manner that the tip ends 752 (752A) project outward from openings (not shown) formed by notching the base member and the cover member of the unit case 70. Locking pieces 753 (753A) provided on the base portions 751 (751A) of the link levers 75 (75A) are plate-shaped resilient members which can resiliently deform. The locking pieces 753 (753A) extend rearward from rear sides of the base portions 751 (751A). Free ends of the locking pieces 753 (753A) abut against the projecting piece (not shown) provided on the cover member, thereby determining standby attitudes of the link levers 75 (75A) in the normal state at a position shown in
The product carry-out device having the motor driving unit 7 of the above-described configuration is filed by the present application as Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-236105 (JP 2015-95235 A).
Sold-out detecting switches 18 (18A) are composed of microswitches which are locked and fixed to the wiring cover WC (see
The wiring cover WC is made of synthetic resin, the wiring cover WC locks the sold-out detecting switches 18 (18A), the wiring cover WC is deviated toward one of sides in the lateral direction (left side in
Operation of the product carry-out device 10 of an automatic dispenser having the above-described configuration will be described based on
As shown in
In such a standby state, a first loaded product drops onto the first stopper members 2 (2A) which open to the maximum opening degree and located at the projecting position. By the drop of the product, the first stopper members 2 (2A) slightly turn toward the retreating position. If the tip ends of the locking projections 23 (23A) of the first stopper members 2 (2A) abut against the lower link pins 4 (4A) by this turning motion, the first stopper members 2 (2A) hold the product and are locked in a state projecting toward the product accommodating passage 183 at an opening degree smaller than the maximum opening degree, and the product held by the first stopper members 2, 2A becomes a first sales-order product (sales product G1). If the first stopper members 2, 2A are locked in the state projecting toward the product accommodating passages 183 (183A) at the opening degree smaller than the maximum opening degree in this manner, the sold-out detecting pieces 26 (26A) provided on the first stopper members 2, 2A separate from the contacts of the microswitches of the sold-out detecting switches 18 (18A), and the sold-out detecting switches 18 (18A) are brought into the OFF state. A product, which is loaded next, is stacked on the sales product G1 held by the first stopper members 2, 2A, and becomes a next sales product G2. Products (G3) loaded subsequently are stacked on the next sales product G2 sequentially (see
When a sales command based on operation of the product-selection button is given, the motor 71 incorporated in the motor driving unit 7 is normally driven, and the output gear 73 rotates in a clockwise direction in
As the link members 60 (60A) rise, the lower link pins 4, 4A coupled to the link members 60 (60A) also rise, and a locked state of the first stopper members 2, 2A which are locked at the projecting position toward the product accommodating passage 183 is released by the lower link pins 4, 4A. According to this, the first stopper members 2, 2A receive a load of the product and start moving toward the retreating position from the product accommodating passage 183. If the first stopper members 2, 2A move to the retreating position retreating from the product accommodating passage 183, the sales product G1 passes through the first stopper members 2, 2A and is carried out downward. If the sales product G1 passes through the first stopper members 2, 2A, the first stopper members 2, 2A start moving toward the projecting position by the biasing forces of the torsion coil springs 30 (30A) and then, the first stopper members 2, 2A return to the projecting position which projects toward the product accommodating passage 183 in a state where the first stopper members 2, 2A open at the maximum opening degree.
As the link members 60 (60A) rise, the upper link pins 5, 5A received in the recessed sliding groove 321 (321A) in the second stopper members 3, 3A also rise at the same time with the lower link pins 4, 4A. According to this, the second stopper members 3, 3A are pushed out toward the projecting position, which projects toward the product accommodating passage 183 from the standby position. If the upper link pins 5, 5A rise to a position opposed to the stopper surfaces 322 (322A) formed on the stopper walls 32 (32A) of the second stopper members 3, 3A, the upper link pins 5, 5A abut against the stopper surfaces 322 (322A), and the upper link pins 5, 5A are restrained from moving to the retreating position retreating from the product accommodating passage 183 of the second stopper members 3, 3A. The second stopper members 3, 3A which move to the projecting positions projecting toward the product accommodating passage 183 abut against a lower portion of the next sales product G2 which moves downward by carrying out the sales product G1 and hold the next sales product G2, and restrain the next sales product G2 from moving downward.
The locked states of the first stopper members 2, 2A by the lower link pins 4, 4A are released by rising the link members 60 (60A), thereby permitting the first stopper members 2, 2A to move to the retreating position and carrying out the sales product G1, and the second stopper members 3, 3A are moved to the projecting positions from the retreating position to hold the next sales product G2. This operation is executed during predetermined time during which the cam projection 731 of the output gear 73 is in slide contact with the base end 751 of the link lever 75.
If the abutment between the cam projection 731 and the base end 751 of the link lever 75 is released by rotation of the output gear 73, the link members 60 (60A) come down by the biasing forces of the return springs 64 (64A). As the link members 60 (60A) come down, the upper link pins 5, 5A and the lower link pins 4, 4A supported by the link members 60 (60A) come down. If the upper link pins 5, 5A which abut against the stopper surfaces 322 (322A) in the second stopper members 3, 3A come down, the second stopper members 3, 3A are pressed by the next sales product G2 and move toward the retreating position retreating from the product accommodating passage 183. By the movement of the second stopper members 3, 3A toward the retreating position, the next sales product G2 held by the second stopper members 3, 3A starts moving downward. The lower link pins 4, 4A come down to a position intersecting with the turning loci of the tip ends of the locking projections 23 (23A) of the first stopper members 2, 2A which return to the projecting positions, and stand by. Thereafter, if the next sales product G2 drops onto the first stopper members 2, 2A which open at the maximum opening degree, the first stopper members 2, 2A move toward the retreating position, and if the arc locking projections 23 (23A) of the first stopper members 2, 2A abut against the lowered lower link pins 4, 4A, the first stopper members 2, 2A are locked at the projecting positions in a state where the next sales product G2 is held as a sales product. Thereafter, if the cam projection 731 returns to the position of the standby state by the rotation of the output gear 73, the contact of the carrier switch 74 is pressed by the pressing piece, and the carrier switch 74 is brought into ON state. According to this, the driving operation of the motor 71 is stopped, and the motor 71 returns to the standby state.
After the abutment between the cam projection 731 and the base end 751 of the link lever 75 is released by the clockwise rotation of the output gear 73, and before the cam projection 731 of the output gear 73 returns to the standby state position, the cam projection 731 abuts against the base end 751A of the link lever 75A, but the locking piece 753A made of resilient member resiliently deforms to permit the link lever 75A to turn, and the cam projection 731 returns to the returning position such that the movement of the cam projection 731 is not hindered. The cam projection 731 passes through, and the link lever 75A returns to the standby attitude shown in
The operation of the product carry-out device 10 when the long-size products are to be sold is described above, but when half-size products are to be sold, the two solenoids 90 (90A) in the switching means 9 are selectively excited and demagnetized. When the first carry-out mechanism in the product carry-out device 10 (carry-out mechanism composed of sets of first stopper member 2, second stopper member 3, and link mechanism 6 supporting lower link pin 4 and upper link pin 5) is driven to sell half-size products, the solenoid (solenoid 90) corresponding to the first carry-out mechanism of the two solenoids 90 (90A) in the switching means 9 is excited, and the other solenoid (solenoid 90A) corresponding the second carry-out mechanism (carry-out mechanism composed of sets of first stopper member 2A, second stopper member 3A, and link mechanism 6A supporting lower link pin 4A and upper link pin 5A) is brought into the demagnetized state. If the solenoid 90 corresponding to the first carry-out mechanism is excited, the slide pin 83 is attracted, and the solenoid 90 and the slide pin 83 are pulled in and integrally coupled to each other in the accommodating space of the fixed iron cores of the solenoid 90 while compressing the return spring 92. According to this, the connection member 80 of the connection mechanism 8 and the slide pin 83 are connected to each other, the link mechanism 6 of the first carry-out mechanism and the connection member 80 are connected to each other, and a driving force of the motor driving unit 7 is transmitted. On the other hand, since the solenoid 9A corresponding to the second carry-out mechanism is in the demagnetized state, the slide pin 83A separates from the fixed iron core of the solenoid 9A, and is separated from the connection member 80. According to this, the link mechanism 6A of the second carry-out mechanism is separated from the connection member 80, and a driving force from the motor driving unit 7 is not transmitted. Hence, if the motor driving unit 7 is driven, the first carry-out mechanism is drive in the similar manner to the above-described sales operation, and half-size products are carried out. Thereafter, if the cam projection 731 returns to the standby state position by rotation of the output gear 73 of the motor driving unit 7, the contact of the carrier switch 74 is pressed by the pressing piece, and when the carrier switch 74 is turned ON, energizing to the switching means 9 is cut off and the carrier switch 74 is demagnetized. According to this, the slide pin 83A which is pulled into the accommodating space of the fixed iron cores of the switching means 9 slides such that the slide pin 83A is pushed out by the return spring 92A, the slide pin 83A is separated from the connection member 80 and returns to the standby state. When the second carry-out mechanism is driven to carryout half-size products, the solenoid 9A corresponding to the second carry-out mechanism is excited, and the solenoid 9 corresponding to the first carry-out mechanism is demagnetized.
In
As described above, the product carry-out device of an automatic dispenser according to the embodiment of the present invention is placed near an outlet of a product accommodating passage 183 which accommodates long-size products in one row in a sideways attitude, and accommodates half-size products in two rows in a longitudinal direction in sideways, in which the product carry-out device includes two sets of first stopper members 2, 2A and second stopper members 3, 3A which are provided in correspondence with half-size products arranged and accommodated in two rows, the first stopper members 2, 2A and the second stopper members 3, 3A appear in a product accommodating passage 183 and hold and open the products, and when the long-size products are to be sold, the two sets of first stopper members 2, 2A and second stopper members 3, 3A are driven in synchronization to carry out the long-size products accommodated in the product accommodating passage 183, and when the half-size products are to be sold, the two sets of first stopper members 2, 2A and second stopper members 3, 3A are individually driven to carry out the half-size products accommodated in the product accommodating passage 183, wherein the product carry-out device 10 includes a single driving means (motor driving unit 7) for driving the two sets of first stopper members 2, 2A and second stopper members 3, 3A, a link mechanism 6, 6A having two sets of link members 60 (60A) provided in correspondence with the two sets of first stopper members 2, 2A and second stopper members 3, 3A and supporting lower link pins 4, 4A and upper link pins 5, 5A for moving the two sets of first stopper members 2, 2A and second stopper members 3, 3A to a projecting position and a retreating position, a connection mechanism 8 for connecting the single driving means (motor driving unit 7) and the link mechanisms 6, 6A to each other, and switching means 9 for selectively connecting and disconnecting the connection mechanism 8 and the link mechanism 6, 6A to and from each other, the two sets of first stopper members 2, 2A and second stopper members 3, 3A are driven in synchronization by connecting the connection mechanism 8 and the two sets of link members 60 (60A) of the link mechanisms 6, 6A to each other by the switching means 9, the connection mechanism 8 and one or the other of the two sets of link members 60 (60A) of the link mechanisms 6, 6A are connected to each other by the switching means 9, the connection mechanism 8 and the one or the other one of the two sets of link members 60 (60A) of the link mechanisms 6, 6A are separated from each other, thereby individually driving one or the other of the two sets of first stopper members 2, 2A and second stopper members 3, 3A. According to this, two sets of first stopper members 2, 2A and second stopper members 3, 3A which are provided in correspondence with half-size products arranged and accommodated in two rows and which appear in the product accommodating passage 183 to hold and open the products can be driven by the single driving means (motor driving unit 7). When driving means which individually drives the two sets of first stopper members and second stopper members are provided as in the conventional device, a failure rate becomes high, and if the driving means fails to operate properly, products, especially long-size products cannot be sold, but the present invention has an effect that it is possible to reduce the failure rate of the driving means, and to miss the product sales chance.
In the product carry-out device 10 of the embodiment, the connection member 80 grasps the switching means 9 and they are integrally provided on the connection mechanism 8, but the switching means 9 may be placed on the side of the other end (on the side of flanges 1a, 1b of substrate 1) of the slide pins 83 (83A) of a later-described connection mechanism 8. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.
1 . . . substrate, 2, 2A . . . first stopper member, 3, 3A . . . second stopper member, 4, 4A . . . lower link pin, 5, 5A . . . upper link pin, 6, 6A . . . link mechanism, 7 . . . motor driving unit (driving means), 8 . . . connection mechanism, 9 . . . switching means, 10, 10A . . . product carry-out device, 20 . . . turning shaft, 60, 60A . . . link member, 71 . . . motor, 80, 80A . . . connection member, 83, 83A . . . slide pin, 90, 90A . . . solenoid
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2015-236895 | Dec 2015 | JP | national |
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3198813 | Aug 2001 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20170161982 A1 | Jun 2017 | US |