JP2017084095A - vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vending machine which can improve cooling efficiency of an internal space.SOLUTION: A vending machine 1 includes: a housing 2 having an internal space 4A communicating with an opening 10 and an exhaust port 70 that are formed on its external surface; a storage part 40 disposed in the internal space 4A; an exhaust part 71 for discharging air inside the internal space 4A to the outside of the housing 2 via the exhaust port 70; and a flow rate restricting member 72. The storage part 40 has a storage space 48 for storing articles S and a dispensing part 65 for dispensing an article S from the storage space 48 and partitions the internal space 4A into at least a first section 51 and a second section 52. The flow rate restricting member 72 restricts the flow rate of air flowing from the opening 10 to the exhaust port 70 by way of the second section 52.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine.

  The vending machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 below includes a box-shaped vending machine main body whose front surface is open, and a door body that is attached to the front surface of the vending machine body so as to be openable and closable. In the vending machine body, a product storage and dispensing device having a product column for accumulating and storing products such as cigarettes and a dispensing unit for dispensing the lowest product in the product column forward is provided in a plurality of rows and stages. Is arranged in. The door body has a front door and a middle door on the back side of the front door. The front door is provided with a product sample display section including a selection button, an advertisement display section, a product outlet, and the like. On the back facing the inside of the vending machine main body at the inner door, a product chute that accepts the product thrown out from the product storage and dispensing device and guides it downward, and the product guided by the product chute is guided to the product outlet A downward chute is arranged.

JP-A-9-147215

  In the vending machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, the heat generated inside the vending machine is forced out of the vending machine on the air flow generated inside the vending machine by an exhaust fan or the like. Is expected to be discharged. However, inside the vending machine, the air flow tends to concentrate in a relatively large space such as a product chute or downward chute, so if heat is generated away from this space, this heat is It is difficult to discharge smoothly on air flow. This makes it difficult to improve the cooling efficiency inside the vending machine.

  The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a vending machine capable of improving the cooling efficiency of the internal space.

  The present invention relates to a housing having an outer surface on which an opening and an exhaust port are formed, an internal space communicating with the opening and the exhaust port, a storage space for storing a product, and a product from the storage space. A storage portion that is disposed in the internal space and partitions the internal space into at least a first region and a second region, and air in the internal space from the exhaust port. The vending machine includes a discharge unit that discharges the outside of the housing, and a flow rate limiting unit that limits a flow rate of air flowing from the opening to the exhaust port via the second region.

  In addition, the present invention is characterized by including a heat generating portion that is disposed in the first region and generates heat.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the flow restriction means has a flow restriction member disposed in a flow path that connects the opening and the exhaust port through the second region.

  In the present invention, the opening includes at least a product outlet, and the second region includes a transport path that transports the product thrown out of the storage space by the outlet toward the outlet. The flow rate limiting member is constituted by a part of the partition member.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the flow rate restricting member is provided so as to protrude into the second area from a side wall of the casing that defines the second area in the casing.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the flow rate restricting means includes a blower unit provided in the first region and for sending air in the first region to the exhaust port.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the air blowing section is disposed adjacent to the heat generating section.

  Further, in the present invention, the flow rate restricting means has a vent hole formed on a support member that fixes the storage portion to the housing and allows the air in the first region to pass toward the exhaust port. Features.

  Further, in the present invention, the flow restriction means has a vent hole formed in a partition wall that partitions the storage space in the storage portion, and allows the air in the first region to pass toward the exhaust port. Features.

  In addition, the present invention is characterized by including a lid member that is movable to open and close the opening.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the heat generating unit has a display operation unit for displaying and / or selecting a product.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the discharge portion is arranged to face the exhaust port.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the first area and the second area are arranged with the storage portion interposed therebetween.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the exhaust port is disposed in an upper part of the casing.

  According to the present invention, in the casing of the vending machine, the internal space is at least the first region and the second region by the storage portion disposed in the internal space communicating with the opening formed on the outer surface and the exhaust port. It is divided into areas. In the vending machine, the discharge part discharges the air in the internal space from the exhaust port to the outside of the housing, so that the air flows toward the exhaust port in the internal space. The flow rate limiting means limits the flow rate of air flowing from the opening to the exhaust port via the second region. Thereby, it can suppress that the flow of the air in internal space concentrates on a 2nd area | region. Therefore, the flow rate of air flowing from the opening to the exhaust port via the second region is substantially the same as the flow rate of air flowing from the opening to the exhaust port via the first region, so that the entire internal space is By flowing air uniformly, the entire internal space can be efficiently cooled. Therefore, the cooling efficiency of the internal space can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vending machine with the door open. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an essential part of the internal configuration of the vending machine. FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of the vending machine. FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of a vending machine according to a modification.

  Hereinafter, a vending machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. The vending machine 1 is a device that pays out a product S stored therein in response to the input of a price. The product S in this embodiment is a cigarette, but the vending machine 1 may be a ticket vending machine that uses a food ticket or the like as the product S.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine 1 that sells tobacco. The left-right direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the left-right direction X of the vending machine 1, the direction orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 1 is referred to as the front-rear direction Y of the vending machine 1, and the up-down direction in FIG. It is called Z. The left-right direction X includes a left side X1 corresponding to the left side in FIG. 1 and a right side X2 corresponding to the right side in FIG. The front-rear direction Y includes a front side Y1 corresponding to the near side on the paper surface of FIG. 1 and a rear side Y2 corresponding to the back side of the paper surface of FIG. The vertical direction Z includes an upper side Z1 corresponding to the upper side of FIG. 1 and a lower side Z2 corresponding to the lower side of FIG. The left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y are included in the horizontal direction, and the up-down direction Z is the same as the vertical direction.

  The vending machine 1 includes a housing 2 that constitutes an outer shell thereof. The housing 2 has a door 3 and a main body portion 4. With reference to the posture in FIG. 1, the door 3 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is long in the vertical direction Z. The left end portion of the door 3 is connected to the main body portion 4 via a rotation shaft 5 that extends in the vertical direction Z. The door 3 can be opened and closed by pivoting about the pivot shaft 5, and the door 3 in FIG. 1 is in a closed state, and the main body portion 4 has a portion on the upper side Z1 above the lower end portion on the front side Y1. Covering from. A surface 3 </ b> A that forms the front surface of the door 3 in the posture of FIG. 1 is an outer surface of the front side Y <b> 1 in the housing 2. On the front surface 3A, a display operation unit 6, a bill insertion slot 7, a coin insertion slot 8, a return lever 9, an opening 10, a lid member 11, and a keyhole 12 are provided.

  The display operation unit 6 is disposed in a region biased to the upper side Z <b> 1 on the surface 3 </ b> A of the door 3. The display operation unit 6 is a touch panel monitor having a thickness in the front-rear direction Y. The front surface of the display operation unit 6 in FIG. 1 is a display area 6 </ b> A configured by a liquid crystal display with a touch panel, and is arranged so as to be substantially flush with the surface 3 </ b> A of the door 3. The display area 6A is formed in a rectangular shape that occupies substantially the upper half of the surface 3A of the door 3, but the shape and size of the display area 6A can be arbitrarily set.

  The product S handled by the vending machine 1 can be displayed in the display area 6A, or the product S that the customer wants to purchase can be selected in the display area 6A. Specifically, in the display area 6 </ b> A, an image D showing a sample J, a price tag K, and a selection button L of the product S is displayed for each type of the product S handled by the vending machine 1. The image D for each type of product S is displayed in the display area 6A, for example, in a matrix layout. The selection button L is a touch key, and the customer can select the product S to be purchased by touching the selection button L in the image D displaying the sample J of the product S to be purchased. In the display operation unit 6, it is not necessary to display and select the product S in the display area 6A, and it is sufficient that at least one of display and selection can be performed. In the case where only the product S can be displayed in the display area 6A, the selection button L is arranged in an area other than the display area 6A on the surface 3A of the door 3, and the selection button L in this case may not be a touch key. Good. When the product S can only be selected by the selection button L in the display area 6A, the sample J and price tag K are arranged in an area other than the display area 6A on the surface 3A of the door 3, and the sample J and price tag K in this case May be the actual product, not an image.

  The bill insertion slot 7, the coin insertion slot 8, and the return lever 9 are arranged on the surface 3 </ b> A of the door 3, for example, in a region Z2 below the display operation unit 6. A bill as a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 7. A coin as a price is inserted into the coin insertion slot 8. When a customer who has put money into the bill insertion slot 7 or the coin insertion slot 8 wants to return the money, the return lever 9 is operated.

  The opening 10 has a substantially rectangular outlet 10A and a return port 10B. The take-out port 10A and the return port 10B are formed side by side in the left-right direction X in the region Z2 below the display operation unit 6 on the surface 3A of the door 3, specifically, the lower end of the surface 3A. 3 is penetrated along the thickness direction (the front-rear direction Y in FIG. 1). In FIG. 1, the outlet 10A is arranged on the left side X1 from the return port 10B, but the outlet 10A may be arranged on the right side X2 from the return port 10B, and the outlet 10A is each of the return port 10B. The size and shape of can be arbitrarily set. The customer can take out the purchased product S from the outlet 10A. The customer can take out the change from the return opening 10B. When a customer who puts money into the bill insertion slot 7 or the coin insertion slot 8 operates the return lever 9, the coin is returned to the return slot 10 </ b> B, and the bill is returned from the banknote insertion slot 7.

  The lid member 11 is a so-called flapper. The lid member 11 includes a lid member 11A that opens and closes the outlet 10A and a lid member 11B that opens and closes the return port 10B. The lid member 11A is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape having a size capable of closing the outlet 10A. 11 A of lid members are supported by the door 3 via the support shaft 13 which protruded from the upper end part to the both outer sides in the left-right direction X, and can be rotated in the front-back direction Y around the support shaft 13. The lid member 11A closes the outlet 10A in the state along the vertical direction Z, and opens the outlet 10A by rotating away from the outlet 10A toward the rear side Y2. The lid member 11B is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape having a size capable of closing the return port 10B. The lid member 11 </ b> B is supported by the door 3 via a support shaft 14 that protrudes from the upper end of the lid member 11 </ b> B to the outer sides in the left-right direction X, and is rotatable in the front-rear direction Y about the support shaft 14. The lid member 11B closes the return port 10B in a state along the vertical direction Z, and opens the return port 10B by rotating away from the return port 10B to the rear side Y2. These lid members 11 are urged so as to return to a position where the corresponding opening 10 is closed by an urging member (not shown) such as its own weight or a spring.

  The keyhole 12 is formed on the surface 3A of the door 3, for example, at the right end of the surface 3A. The normal door 3 is locked in a closed state, but when a person in charge of maintenance of the vending machine 1 inserts a key (not shown) into the keyhole 12 and twists it, the door 3 is unlocked. be able to. By pulling the unlocked door 3 to the front side Y1, as shown in FIG. 2, the door 3 can be rotated and opened to the front side Y1.

  In FIG. 2, in the door 3, the back surface 3B located on the opposite side to the surface 3A in the plate | board thickness direction is large visible. In the upper region of the back surface 3B, the back side portion 6B opposite to the display region 6A in the display operation unit 6 is exposed. A display control unit 20 that controls display contents in the display area 6A and a main control unit 21 that controls the operation of the entire vending machine 1 are mounted on the back side portion 6B. Each of the display control unit 20 and the main control unit 21 is configured by a microcomputer. The display control unit 20 and the main control unit 21 are electrically connected.

  A banknote processing unit 22, a coin processing unit 23, and a duct 24 are provided in a region on the back side 3 </ b> B of the door 3 below the back side portion 6 </ b> B of the display operation unit 6. The banknote processing unit 22 is an electrical component disposed at a position overlapping the banknote insertion slot 7 (see FIG. 1) when viewed from the thickness direction of the door 3. The banknote processing unit 22 collects the banknotes inserted into the banknote insertion slot 7 or returns the banknotes to the banknote insertion slot 7 according to an instruction from the main control unit 21 according to the operation of the return lever 9.

  The coin processing unit 23 is an electrical component that is disposed at a position overlapping the coin slot 8 (see FIG. 1) when viewed from the thickness direction of the door 3. The coin processing unit 23 includes a storage box 25 that stores coins that have been inserted into the coin slot 8, and a tubular return path 26 that extends from the storage box 25 to the return port 10B in the lower Z2. The coin processing unit 23 collects the coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 8 in the storage box 25, or returns coins according to instructions from the main control unit 21 according to the operation of the return lever 9 or the settlement of the product S. The change is discharged through the return path 26 to the return port 10B. The duct 24 is a hollow body that continuously extends from the outlet 10 </ b> A in a direction away from the door 3. A communication port 24A that exposes the inside of the duct 24 is formed at the end of the duct 24 opposite to the outlet 10A.

  The main body 4 is formed in a box shape that is long in the vertical direction Z, and an opening 4B that exposes the internal space 4A of the main body 4 to the front side Y1 is formed on the front surface of the main body 4. The internal space 4A is also an internal space of the housing 2. The main body 4 integrally includes a left wall 30, a right wall 31, a top wall 32, a bottom wall 33, and a rear wall 34 as an example of a housing side wall.

  The left wall 30 and the right wall 31 are formed in a rectangular plate shape that is thin in the left-right direction X and long in the up-down direction Z, and is disposed to face each other with an interval in the left-right direction X. The rotating shaft 5 (see FIG. 1) described above is fixed to the front end portion of the left wall 30. The top wall 32 and the bottom wall 33 are formed in a substantially square plate shape that is thin in the vertical direction Z. The top wall 32 is constructed between the upper ends of the left wall 30 and the right wall 31, and the bottom wall 33 is the left wall 30. And between the lower ends of the right wall 31. At the four corners of the bottom surface of the bottom wall 33, one leg portion 35 that contacts the floor surface on which the vending machine 1 is placed is provided. A rectangular parallelepiped space elongated in the up-down direction Z surrounded by the left wall 30, the right wall 31, the top wall 32, and the bottom wall 33 is the internal space 4A, and the opening 4B includes the left wall 30, the right wall 31, The front wall of the top wall 32 and the bottom wall 33 are partitioned into a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction Z. The rear wall 34 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape that is thin in the front-rear direction Y, and each of the four sides of the rear wall 34 is the rear end of one of the left wall 30, the right wall 31, the top wall 32, and the bottom wall 33. It is connected to the. As a result, the rear wall 34 closes the internal space 4A from the rear side Y2.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an essential part of the internal configuration of the vending machine 1. In FIG. 3, the outlines of the door 3 and the main body 4 constituting the housing 2 are indicated by broken lines. With reference to FIG. 3, the vending machine 1 includes a storage unit 40 and a partition member 41 arranged in the internal space 4 </ b> A of the housing 2. The storage unit 40 integrally includes a left plate 42, a right plate 43, a top plate 44 as an example of a partition wall, a bottom plate 45, a horizontal partition plate 46, and a vertical partition plate 47.

  The left plate 42 and the right plate 43 are formed in a rectangular plate shape that is thin in the left-right direction X and long in the up-down direction Z, and is disposed to face each other with an interval in the left-right direction X. The top plate 44 and the bottom plate 45 are formed in a rectangular plate shape that is thin in the up-down direction Z and long in the left-right direction X. The top plate 44 is installed between the upper ends of the left plate 42 and the right plate 43, and the bottom plate 45 is It spans between the lower ends of the plate 42 and the right plate 43. A space surrounded by the left plate 42, the right plate 43, the top plate 44, and the bottom plate 45 is an internal space of the storage unit 40. The horizontal partition plate 46 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is thin in the up-down direction Z and long in the left-right direction X, and there are two in this embodiment. The two horizontal partition plates 46 are arranged in the vertical direction Z between the top plate 44 and the bottom plate 45, and are installed between the left plate 42 and the right plate 43. As a result, the internal space of the storage unit 40 is divided into an upper space 40A, a middle space 40B located on the lower side Z2 of the upper space 40A, and a lower space 40C located on the lower side Z2 of the middle space 40B. Yes.

  The vertical partition plate 47 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is thin in the left-right direction X and long in the up-down direction Z. A plurality of (5 in this embodiment) vertical partition plates 47 are provided in each of the upper space 40A, the middle space 40B, and the lower space 40C, and are arranged side by side in the left-right direction X. In the upper space 40A, five vertical partition plates 47 are installed between the top plate 44 and the horizontal partition plate 46 on the upper side Z1, and the upper space 40A is divided into six storage spaces 48 arranged in the left-right direction X. ing. In the middle space 40B, five vertical partition plates 47 are installed between the upper side Z1 horizontal partition plate 46 and the lower side Z2 horizontal partition plate 46, and the middle space 40B is arranged in six storages arranged in the left-right direction X. The space 48 is divided. In the lower space 40C, five vertical partition plates 47 are installed between the lower Z2 horizontal partition plate 46 and the bottom plate 45, and the lower space 40C is divided into six storage spaces 48 arranged in the left-right direction X. ing. Each storage space 48 is exposed from the storage portion 40 to the front side Y1 and the rear side Y2. Each vertical partition plate 47 is connected to the top plate 44, the horizontal partition plate 46, and the bottom plate 45, so that bending of the vertical partition plate 47 is suppressed.

  The vending machine 1 also includes a support member 50 that fixes the storage unit 40 to the housing 2. The support member 50 includes a first horizontal member 50A and a second horizontal member 50B that are formed in a rectangular plate shape that is thin in the vertical direction Z and long in the left-right direction X, and a rectangular plate shape that is thin in the front-rear direction Y and long in the left-right direction X. And a vertical member 50C formed integrally with each other. The first horizontal member 50A is fixed to the top plate 44 of the storage unit 40 from the upper side Z1, and the second horizontal member 50B is fixed to the top wall 32 of the main body unit 4 from the lower side Z2. The vertical member 50C extends between the front end edge of the first horizontal member 50A and the rear end edge of the second horizontal member 50B and extends in the vertical direction Z. Thereby, the storage unit 40 is fixed to the housing 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the door 3 is opened, the opening 4B of the main body portion 4 is exposed to the front side Y1, and all the storage spaces 48 in the storage portion 40 are exposed from the opening 4B to the front side Y1. Thereby, the clerk can replenish the goods S from the front side Y1 with respect to each storage space 48. In each storage space 48, the replenished product S is stored in a stacked state along the vertical direction Z. When the clerk finishes replenishing the product S, the clerk closes the door 3. Below, it demonstrates on the assumption that the door 3 is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the door 3 is closed, the door 3 closes the internal space 4A and the opening 4B (see also FIG. 2) of the main body 4 from the front side Y1. Further, in this state, the back side portion 6B of the display operation unit 6 enters the internal space 4A of the main body unit 4 from the front side Y1, and faces the rear wall 34 and the storage unit 40 of the main body unit 4 from the front side Y1. ing. In the internal space 4 </ b> A, an area where the back side portion 6 </ b> B of the display operation unit 6 is arranged is referred to as a first area 51, and an area located on the opposite side of the first area 51 with respect to the storage unit 40 is referred to as a second area 52. That is, in the internal space 4 </ b> A, the first region 51 is a region on the front side Y <b> 1 from the storage unit 40, and the second region 52 is a region on the rear side Y <b> 2 from the storage unit 40. Thus, the storage unit 40 partitions the internal space 4A into at least a first region 51 and a second region 52, and the first region 51 and the second region 52 are arranged in the front-rear direction Y with the storage unit 40 interposed therebetween. Is arranged.

  In the internal space 4A, a region on the lower side Z2 from the storage unit 40 is referred to as a third region 53, and in the internal space 4A, a region on the upper side Z1 from the storage unit 40 is referred to as a fourth region 54. In the third region 53, the front side Y1 portion is connected to the first region 51 from the lower side Z2, and the rear side Y2 portion is connected to the second region 52 from the lower side Z2. In the fourth region 54, the front Y1 portion is connected to the first region 51 from the upper side Z1, and the rear Y2 portion is connected to the second region 52 from the upper side Z1. Thus, the storage unit 40 partitions the internal space 4A into the first region 51 and the second region 52, and further partitions the remaining part of the internal space 4A into the third region 53 and the fourth region 54. In the fourth region 54, the support member 50 described above is disposed in the middle in the front-rear direction Y.

  The partition member 41 is formed in a belt shape that is long in the up-down direction Z and has a width in the left-right direction X, and integrally includes a vertical guide portion 55, an inclined guide portion 56, and a retaining portion 57. The vertical guide portion 55 extends linearly along the vertical direction Z in the second region 52, and is disposed to face the storage portion 40 from the rear side Y <b> 2. The upper end portion of the vertical guide portion 55 is located on the upper side Z1 with respect to the lower end portion of the upper space 40A of the storage portion 40. The lower end portion of the vertical guide portion 55 is substantially in the same position as the lower end portion of the storage portion 40 in the up-down direction Z. A vertical space 59 extending in the vertical direction Z is defined between the storage unit 40 and the vertical guide unit 55. The vertical space 59 is a part of the second region 52 and communicates with all the storage spaces 48 in the storage unit 40 from the rear side Y2. In the upper space 40A, in order to prevent the commodity S in the storage space 48 from dropping off from the portion Z1 above the upper end portion of the vertical guide portion 55 to the rear side Y2, the portion is, for example, a plate-shaped closing member. It is preferable that the rear side Y2 is blocked by (not shown).

  The inclined guide portion 56 is disposed across the lower end portion of the second region 52 and the third region 53. The inclined guide portion 56 is continuous from the lower end of the vertical guide portion 55 and extends so as to be inclined toward the front side Y1 toward the lower side Z2. The holding portion 57 is provided at the lower end of the inclined guide portion 56 and is disposed in the third region 53 on the lower side Z <b> 2 than the storage portion 40. In the retaining portion 57, both end portions 57A in the left-right direction X are bent toward the upper side Z1, and the retaining space 60 that is recessed in the lower side Z2 is defined by the inclined guide portion 56 and the retaining portion 57. The reserved space 60 communicates with the lower end of the vertical space 59, and the vertical space 59 and the reserved space 60 constitute a conveyance path 61. The storage space 60 is exposed to the front side Y1, and when the door 3 is closed, the communication port 24A (see FIG. 2) of the duct 24 on the back surface 3B of the door 3 communicates with the storage space 60 from the front side Y1. doing.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of the vending machine 1. In the state where the door 3 is closed as shown in FIG. 4, the outlet 10 </ b> A of the door 3 communicates with the third region 53 of the internal space 4 </ b> A from the front side Y <b> 1 via the inside of the duct 24 and the connection port 24 </ b> A. ing. The duct 24 may be omitted, and in that case, the outlet 10A communicates directly with the third region 53 from the front side Y1. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the return port 10B (see FIG. 1) of the door 3 communicates directly with the third region 53 of the internal space 4A from the front side Y1. Incidentally, the vending machine 1 does not need to seal the internal space 4A for heat insulation, unlike a vending machine that handles beverages and the like that need to be kept cold or warm, so that the outlet 10A and the return port 10B are It always communicates with the internal space 4A.

  The storage unit 40 includes a dispensing unit 65 built in each of the bottom plate 45 and the horizontal partition plate 46. The throwing-out unit 65 includes a rotating body 66 arranged one by one directly below each storage space 48 and an actuator (not shown) such as a motor that individually rotates each rotating body 66. The rotating body 66 rotates clockwise as viewed from the right side X2, as indicated by a thin dotted arrow in FIG. The rotating body 66 has a claw 67 protruding from the rotating body 66. In the throwing unit 65 built in the bottom plate 45, each time the rotating body 66 makes one rotation, the claw 67 temporarily protrudes from the bottom plate 45 to the upper side Z1 and enters the storage space 48 from the lower side Z2. In the throwing-out part 65 built in the horizontal partition plate 46, each time the rotating body 66 makes one rotation, the claw 67 temporarily protrudes from the horizontal partition plate 46 to the upper side Z1 and enters the storage space 48 from the lower side Z2. enter in. The claw 67 that has entered the storage space 48 from the lower side Z2 proceeds to the rear side Y2 in the storage space 48. Note that when the stationary rotating body 66 rotatably supports the claw 67 and the actuator is operated, only the claw 67 rotates around the rotating body 66, and the claw 67 in the middle of the rotation is in the storage space 48. May enter from the lower side Z2 and proceed to the rear side Y2 in the storage space 48.

  As described above, when the customer touches the selection button L to select the product S to be purchased and inserts the money into the bill slot 7 or the coin slot 8, the main control unit 21 (see FIG. 2) An actuator (not shown) of the outlet portion 65 is operated to rotate the rotating body 66 located immediately below the storage space 48 in which the product S is stored. Then, the claw 67 of the rotating body 66 advances to the rear side Y2 in the storage space 48, and at that time, the lowest product S in the storage space 48 is moved to the rear side Y2. As a result, the selected product S is thrown from the storage space 48 to the transport path 61 on the rear side Y2, and falls in the transport path 61 to the holding space 60. As described above, since the communication port 24A of the duct 24 continuous from the outlet 10A communicates with the holding space 60 from the front side Y1, the conveyance path 61 allows the product S discharged from the storage space 48 to be It is transported toward the outlet 10A by being dropped to the holding space 60. In addition, since the conveyance path 61 is blocked from the left-right direction X by the left wall 30 and the right wall 31 of the main body portion 4, the product S that is falling in the conveyance path 61 unexpectedly jumps out of the conveyance path 61. It is prevented. The customer rotates the lid member 11A of the outlet 10A to the rear side Y2, puts the hand into the duct 24 from the outlet 10A, grasps the product S in the holding space 60, and takes it out from the outlet 10A. Thereby, since the settlement for the product S is completed, the transaction between the customer and the vending machine 1 is completed.

  In such a vending machine 1, the display operation unit 6, the display control unit 20, and the main control unit 21 (see also FIG. 2) arranged in the first area 51 of the internal space 4A of the housing 2 generate heat. It is a heat generating part. Therefore, it is necessary to efficiently cool the inside of the vending machine 1 by forcibly discharging the heat generated by these heat generating portions to the outside of the vending machine 1. Therefore, the vending machine 1 includes an exhaust port 70 formed in the housing 2, a discharge part 71, a flow restriction member 72 as a flow restriction means, a blower part 73, and a vent hole 74.

  The exhaust port 70 is formed in the upper portion 2 </ b> A of the housing 2, specifically, the upper end portion of the rear surface 34 </ b> A of the rear wall 34 of the main body portion 4. A rear surface 34 </ b> A of the rear wall 34 is an outer surface of the rear side Y <b> 2 in the housing 2. The exhaust port 70 penetrates the rear wall 34 in the front-rear direction Y and communicates with the fourth region 54 in the internal space 4A of the housing 2 from the rear side Y2.

  The discharge part 71 is a fan having a rotating blade 71A, is disposed in the internal space 4A of the housing 2, and is disposed to face the exhaust port 70A from the front side Y1. The discharge unit 71 is electrically connected to the main control unit 21, and the drive of the discharge unit 71 is controlled by the main control unit 21. In a state where the vending machine 1 is in operation, the discharge unit 71 is driven and the rotary blade 71A is always rotating. The discharge part 71 sucks the air in the internal space 4 </ b> A by rotating the rotary blade 71 </ b> A and discharges it to the exhaust port 70, thereby discharging the air from the exhaust port 70 to the outside of the housing 2. Therefore, the internal space 4A has a negative pressure, and in the internal space 4A, an air flow that is taken in from the outlet 10A and the return port 10B toward the exhaust port 70 is generated. Since the discharge part 71 is disposed to face the exhaust port 70 as described above, the air in the internal space 4A can be efficiently discharged from the exhaust port 70 to the outside of the housing 2.

  As described above, when the first region 51 and the second region 52 are disposed with the storage unit 40 interposed therebetween and the heat generating unit such as the display operation unit 6 is disposed in the first region 51, the second region 52 is There is more space than the first region 51. In particular, since the second area 52 is provided with a conveyance path 61 for conveying the product S thrown out from the storage unit 40, the second area 52 is somewhat wide in the internal space 4A of the housing 2. Space.

  In this way, the air flow tends to concentrate in the second region 52 having a sufficient space. When the air flow concentrates on the second region 52, the air flow in the second region 52 becomes relatively strong, and the air flow in the first region 51 becomes relatively weak. In this case, it is difficult to exhaust the heat generated by the heat generating unit such as the display operation unit 6 arranged in the first area 51 to the outside of the housing 2, and the opening 10 passes through the third area 53. Thus, the lid member 11 may be pulled to the rear side Y2 by the strong flow of air reaching the second region 52. If the lid member 11 is rotated unexpectedly by being pulled toward the rear side Y2, the appearance of the vending machine 1 may be impaired, or there may be a flapping noise. In addition, when the vending machine 1 is installed outdoors, the lid member 11 unexpectedly opens the opening 10 so that rainwater, dust, or the like enters the opening 10 or the thrown coins are returned. There is also a risk of jumping out of the mouth 10B.

  The flow restricting member 72, the air blowing part 73, and the vent hole 74 are air (thick broken lines) flowing from the outlet 10A and the return port 10B to the exhaust port 70 through the third region 53 and the second region 52 of the internal space 4A in this order. Limit the flow rate (see arrow).

  Specifically, the flow restricting member 72 is disposed in a flow path 75 that connects each of the outlet 10 </ b> A and the return port 10 </ b> B to the exhaust port 70 through the third region 53 and the second region 52. Since the flow restricting member 72 only needs to be provided at any position in the flow path 75, it may be provided in the third region 53 instead of the second region 52. The flow restriction member 72 in FIG. 4 includes a flow restriction member 72A that is bent at a substantially right angle to the front side Y1 over the entire region in the left-right direction X as the upper end portion of the vertical guide portion 55 of the partition member 41. That is, the flow restricting member 72 </ b> A is configured by a part of the partition member 41. Since a part of the partition member 41 also serves as the flow restricting member 72A, the number of parts can be reduced. The flow restricting member 72A is formed in a plate shape that is thin in the vertical direction Z and long in the left-right direction X (see also FIG. 3). The flow restriction member 72A restricts the flow rate of air flowing from the opening 10 to the exhaust port 70 via the conveyance path 61 by blocking the air flow in the conveyance path 61 that is a part of the flow path 75 from the upper side Z1. can do.

  Further, in the second region 52, there is a rear region 52A extending in the vertical direction Z on the rear side Y2 with respect to the vertical guide portion 55, and the rear region 52A is partitioned from the rear side Y2 by the rear wall 34 of the main body portion 4. Has been. The flow restriction member 72 in FIG. 4 also has a flow restriction member 72B provided so as to protrude from the rear wall 34 into the rear region 52A. The flow restricting member 72B is formed in a plate shape that is thin in the vertical direction Z and long in the left-right direction X (see also FIG. 3). The flow restricting member 72B blocks the air flow in the rear region 52A, so that the flow rate of air flowing from the opening 10 to the exhaust port 70 via the rear region 52A can be restricted.

  The air blower 73 is a fan having a rotary blade 73A. While the discharge part 71 is a main fan, the ventilation part 73 is an auxiliary fan. The air blowing unit 73 is provided in the first region 51 in the internal space 4 </ b> A, and is disposed adjacent to the back side portion 6 </ b> B of the display operation unit 6 from the upper side Z <b> 1. The air blowing unit 73 is electrically connected to the main control unit 21, and the driving of the air blowing unit 73 is controlled by the main control unit 21. When the vending machine 1 is in operation, the blower 73 is driven, and the rotary blade 73A is always rotating.

  The air blower 73 sucks the air in the first region 51 and rotates it obliquely upward to the rear upper side by rotating the rotary blade 73A. As a result, the air in the first region 51 is mainly sent through the fourth region 54 to the exhaust port 70 on the rear side Y2. Therefore, while relatively increasing the flow rate of the air (see the thick solid line arrow) flowing from the opening 10 to the exhaust port 70 via the third region 53 and the first region 51, the third region 53 extends from the opening 10. And the flow volume of the air (refer to the thick broken line arrow) which flows into exhaust port 70 via the 2nd field 52 can be decreased relatively. Therefore, the flow rate of air flowing from the opening 10 to the exhaust port 70 via the third region 53 and the second region 52 can be limited. In particular, since the air blowing unit 73 is disposed adjacent to the display operation unit 6, the heat generated by the display operation unit 6 is exhausted from the opening 10 through the third region 53 and the first region 51 to the exhaust port 70. Can be quickly put on the air flowing to the exhaust port 70 and smoothly discharged.

  A plurality of ventilation holes 74 are formed side by side at equal intervals in the left-right direction X in the vertical member 50C of the support member 50 described above. These vent holes 74 penetrate the vertical member 50C in the front-rear direction Y (see also FIG. 3). Portions of the fourth region 54 that sandwich the vertical member 50C from both sides in the front-rear direction Y communicate with each other through these vent holes 74. These vent holes 74A are located at the tip of the flow of air that is obliquely discharged from the blower 73 to the rear upper side. Therefore, when the air in the first region 51 is sent to the rear upper side by the blower 73 and flows into the fourth region 54, these vent holes 74 direct the air toward the exhaust port 70 on the rear side Y2. Let it pass. The vent hole 74 relatively increases the flow rate of air flowing from the opening 10 to the exhaust port 70 via the third region 53 and the first region 51, while the third region 53 and the second region from the opening 10. The flow rate of the air flowing to the exhaust port 70 via the region 52 can be relatively reduced. Thereby, the flow rate of the air flowing from the opening 10 to the exhaust port 70 via the third region 53 and the second region 52 can be limited.

  The vent hole 74 may be formed at a position other than the support member 50 as long as the air in the first region 51 can pass toward the exhaust port 70. Specifically, as shown by a dotted line, the vent hole 74 is located at the same position in the left-right direction X as each storage space 48 in the top plate 44 that partitions the storage space 48 of the upper space 40A of the storage unit 40 from the upper side Z1. Are formed one by one (see also FIG. 3). Therefore, the same number of the vent holes 74 as the six storage spaces 48 arranged in the left-right direction X in the upper space 40A, that is, six vent holes 74 are formed side by side in the left-right direction X. Each vent hole 74 penetrates the top plate 44 in the vertical direction Z and communicates with the storage space 48 of the upper space 40A from the upper side Z1. Since the first horizontal member 50A of the support member 50 is fixed to the top plate 44 from the upper side Z1, not only the top plate 44 but also the first horizontal member 50A penetrates in the vertical direction Z. Alternatively, the first lateral member 50A may be fixed to the top plate 44 so as not to block the ventilation holes 74 of the top plate 44.

  When the air in the first region 51 is sent to the rear side Y2 by the blower 73 and enters the storage space 48 of the upper space 40A, the air holes 74 formed in the top plate 44 allow this air to be Escape to the fourth region 54 (see thick dashed-dotted arrow). As a result, the air that has passed through the vent hole 74 from the storage space 48 and escaped to the fourth region 54 flows directly from the first region 51 into the fourth region 54 and merges with the air toward the exhaust port 70, and the exhaust port 70. Head to. When the ventilation hole 74 is formed in the storage part 40, the ventilation hole 74 is formed in a part other than the top plate 44 in the storage part 40, for example, the upper end part of the left plate 42 or the right plate 43 (see FIG. 3). May be. Further, the air holes 74 may be formed in both the support member 50 and the top plate 44 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or may be formed only in one of the support member 50 and the top plate 44.

  As described above, the concentration of the air flow in the internal space 4 </ b> A in the second region 52 can be suppressed by the flow restricting member 72, the blower 73, and the vent hole 74. Therefore, the flow rate of air flowing from the opening 10 to the exhaust port 70 via the third region 53 and the second region 52, and to the exhaust port 70 from the opening 10 via the third region 53 and the first region 51. The flow rate of the flowing air can be made substantially the same so that the air can flow uniformly in the entire internal space 4A. Thereby, the whole internal space 4A can be cooled efficiently. Therefore, the cooling efficiency of the internal space 4A can be improved. In the internal space 4A, a power source 76 that supplies power to the electrical components in the vending machine 1 is disposed at the rear end portion of the third region 53. However, heat generated by the power source 76 is also generated in the internal space. It is discharged on the air flowing uniformly through 4A.

  Furthermore, the air flow in the internal space 4 </ b> A is weaker than the case where the air flows in the second region 52 by flowing air uniformly throughout the internal space 4 </ b> A. Therefore, the lid member 11 can be prevented from rotating unexpectedly by being pulled by the air flow in the internal space 4A. Further, in this case, since the discharge amount of air in each of the discharge unit 71 and the blower unit 73 can be suppressed small, a fan with a small discharge amount set value is used as the discharge unit 71 and the blower unit 73 to reduce power consumption. Reduction can be achieved, and the operation sounds of the discharge unit 71 and the blower unit 73 can be reduced.

  Further, by restricting the flow rate of air flowing from the opening 10 to the exhaust port 70 via the third region 53 and the second region 52, the opening 10 passes through the third region 53 and the first region 51. The flow rate of the air flowing to the exhaust port 70 can be relatively increased. Thereby, the heat generated by the heat generating unit such as the display operation unit 6 disposed in the first region 51 is put on the air flowing from the opening 10 to the exhaust port 70 via the third region 53 and the first region 51. Can be discharged smoothly. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the heat generated by the heat generating part from being trapped in the first region 51, and thus the cooling efficiency of the internal space 4A can be improved.

  Further, the exhaust port 70 arranged in the upper part 2A of the housing 2 is in a position where it can easily accept the heat generated and raised from the heat generating part such as the display operation part 6, so that this heat can be efficiently discharged. it can. In this embodiment, the exhaust port 70 is formed at the upper end portion of the rear wall 34 of the main body portion 4, but is formed at other portions of the main body portion 4, for example, the upper end portion of the left wall 30 or the top wall 32. Also good.

  The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  For example, in the above-described flow restricting means, the effect of the flow restricting member 72 is the largest, so the vending machine 1 only needs to include at least the flow restricting member 72 as the flow restricting means.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of the vending machine 1 according to the modification. In FIG. 5, the same parts as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. Like the vending machine 1 according to the modification, the above-described vertical guide portion 55 of the partition member 41 may be omitted. In this case, the rear wall 34 functions as the vertical guide portion 55 by connecting the upper end of the inclined guide portion 56 of the partition member 41 to the rear wall 34 of the main body portion 4. Therefore, the space sandwiched from the front-rear direction Y by the storage portion 40 and the rear wall 34 in the second region 52 is the vertical space 59 of the transport path 61. Since the vertical guide portion 55 of the partition member 41 is omitted, the above-described flow restricting member 72A is also omitted. The flow restricting member 72 </ b> B provided on the rear wall 34 is provided so as to protrude to the front of the storage unit 40 in the second region 52.

  Further, in the internal space 4A, a fan (not shown) similar to the discharge unit 71 and the air blowing unit 73 may be provided in the vicinity of the power source 76. Since the heat generated by the power source 76 is sent to the exhaust port 70 by this fan, the cooling efficiency in the internal space 4A can be further improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vending machine 2 Case 2A Upper part 3A Surface 4A Internal space 6 Display operation part 10 Opening part 10A Outlet 11 Lid member 20 Display control part 21 Main control part 34 Rear wall 34A Rear surface 40 Storage part 41 Partition member 44 Top plate 48 Storage space 50 Support member
51 1st area | region 52 2nd area | region 61 Conveyance path 65 Throwing part 70 Exhaust port 71 Discharge part 72 Flow restriction member 72A Flow restriction member 72B Flow restriction member 73 Blower part 74 Ventilation hole 75 Flow path S Goods

Claims (14)

A housing having an outer surface formed with an opening and an exhaust port, and an internal space communicating with the opening and the exhaust port;
A storage having a storage space for storing the product and a dispensing unit for discharging the product from the storage space, and is disposed in the internal space and partitions the internal space into at least a first region and a second region. And
A discharge part for discharging the air in the internal space from the exhaust port to the outside of the housing;
A vending machine including flow restriction means for restricting a flow rate of air flowing from the opening to the exhaust port via the second region.   The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a heat generating portion that is disposed in the first region and generates heat.   3. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the flow restriction means has a flow restriction member disposed in a flow path that connects the opening and the exhaust port through the second region. The opening has at least a product outlet,
A partition member that divides, in the second region, a conveyance path that conveys the product dispensed from the storage space by the dispensing unit toward the outlet;
The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the flow restriction member is constituted by a part of the partition member.   5. The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the flow restriction member is provided so as to project into the second region from a side wall of the housing that divides the second region in the housing.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the flow restriction means includes a blower unit that is provided in the first region and feeds air in the first region to the exhaust port.   The vending machine according to claim 6, wherein the air blowing unit is disposed adjacent to the heat generating unit.   The flow rate limiting means is formed on a support member that fixes the storage portion to the housing, and has a vent hole that allows the air in the first region to pass toward the exhaust port. A vending machine according to claim 1.   The flow rate limiting means is formed in a partition wall that partitions the storage space in the storage portion, and has a vent hole that allows the air in the first region to pass toward the exhaust port. A vending machine according to claim 1.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 2 to 9, further comprising a lid member movable to open and close the opening.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the heat generating unit includes a display operation unit for displaying and / or selecting a product.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the discharge unit is disposed to face the exhaust port.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the first area and the second area are arranged with the storage portion interposed therebetween.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein the exhaust port is disposed at an upper portion of the casing.

Images