JPH11154267A - vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] In a vending machine having columns for storing products arranged in the front-rear direction, a long pusher stroke is obtained by using a plurality of pulleys for a product feeding mechanism in each column, and column space is effectively used. Try to use it. SOLUTION: In a column 22 for storing products arranged in the front-rear direction, the column 22 is provided with a pusher 50 arranged to be able to run in the front-rear direction and pushing a rearmost product forward, and a spring 54 for urging the pusher 50 forward, The spring 54 is fixed at the rear end 54b to the rear end of the column 22 and is attached to the moving pulley 58 at the front end 54a, and the wire 64 hung on the moving pulley 58 is pushed through a constant pulley 62 disposed at the front end of the column 22. Connect to 50.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a vending machine for selling goods such as beverage containers, a plurality of columns for storing goods arranged in the front-rear direction are arranged in a cabinet, and arranged in front of these columns. Some of the products arranged in each column are sequentially conveyed to the product outlet from the top by the product conveying means.

[0003] In such a vending machine, a product feeding structure for sending the products arranged in a column forward is shown in FIG.
There are the following. As shown in FIG. 17 (a), this product feeding structure has a spring 10 at the rear end of the column 100.
2 has one end 102a fixed and the other end 102b connected to a wire 104, which is connected to the column 1
00 is connected to a pusher 108 via a fixed pulley 106 fixed to the front end of the motor. Then, as shown in FIG. 17B, the pusher 108 is moved backward against the urging force of the spring 102, and when the products are arranged in this state, the pusher 108 is moved to the rear end of the column 100 by the urging force of the spring 102. Will be pushed forward.

In such a conventional product feeding structure, FIG.
As shown in (b), the stroke L1 of the pusher 108
2 is equal to the stroke L13 of the spring 102. Therefore, even if the spring 102 extends over the entire length of the column 100, the space corresponding to the natural length L11 of the spring 102 becomes a dead space in which products cannot be stored. There is.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention firstly achieves a long pusher stroke by using a plurality of pulleys in a column product feed structure for storing products arranged in the front-rear direction, thereby effectively utilizing the column space. The purpose is to:

On the other hand, in a vending machine having a column for storing products arranged in the front-rear direction as described above, the applicant of the present application has made it possible to move a product conveying means such as a manipulator for grasping products up, down, left and right in front of the column. At the time of selling goods, a vending machine is proposed in which the goods transport means is moved to the front of one column so that the goods in the front row of the column can be grasped, and then moved to the goods outlet to carry out the goods. (Japanese Patent Application No. 9-320754).

When a product is grasped by such a manipulator, the product cannot be grasped accurately unless it is located near the center in the width direction of the manipulator. As shown in FIG. 18, when the product diameter D is smaller than the column width W, the width center CL of the column 120 and the width center CLs of the front row product 122 may be shifted by an unacceptable dimension β. is there. At this time, when the manipulator goes to the center CL of the column 120 in the width direction to grasp the product 122, it is difficult to accurately grasp the product, and therefore, there is a problem that the product cannot be reliably carried out.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a vending machine for grasping and conveying goods in the front row of a column for storing goods arranged in the front-rear direction and capable of reliably grasping and conveying the goods. The purpose is to provide.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine in which a plurality of columns for storing articles arranged in a front-rear direction are arranged in a cabinet of the vending machine. In a vending machine which sequentially conveys the products arranged in each column to the product take-out port from the top by the product conveying means arranged in the vending machine, the column includes a product sending means for sending the arranged products forward, The product feeding means includes a pusher arranged to be movable in the front-rear direction in the column and pushing the last product forward, and biasing means for biasing the pusher forward, the biasing means being provided at one end thereof. Fixed to the column and attached to the moving pulley at the other end,
A wire suspended on the moving pulley is connected to the pusher via a fixed pulley disposed at a front end of the column.

[0010] In this vending machine, when the product in the front row is discharged from the column, the pusher pushes the last product forward by the urging force of the urging means, so that the remaining products are sent forward. Here, a moving pulley is attached to the biasing means, and the wire suspended on the moving pulley is connected to the pusher via the constant pulley. Compared to transmitting the urging force of the urging means to the pusher, a longer pusher stroke can be obtained in the same space. Therefore, the column space can be effectively used.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the first aspect, the column is detachably mounted on a product storage shelf provided in the cabinet, and the pusher is locked to a rear end of the column. A lock member is provided, and a lock release member for releasing the lock of the pusher by the lock member when the column is installed on the product storage shelf is provided on the product storage shelf. I do.

In this case, at the time of refilling the product, the column is removed from the product storage shelf, and the pusher is moved to the rear end of the column against the urging force of the urging means and locked by the locking member. Then, when the column is placed on the product storage shelf after the column is replenished with the products, the locking member is released by the locking release member and the pusher pushes the product, that is, a sales standby state. By providing such locking means and unlocking means, it is not necessary to hold the pusher urged forward by the urging means with one hand at the time of product supply, and the product can be supplied with one hand, Forgetting release after replenishment can also be prevented.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the first aspect, the column is detachable from a product storage shelf provided in the cabinet, and the column is installed at a regular position of the product storage shelf. Normal position detecting means for detecting whether or not the column is installed at a normal position, a warning means for warning the outside that the column is not installed at the normal position, and the normal position detecting means if the column is not installed at the normal position. When the door on the front surface of the cabinet is closed in a detected state, the warning means is provided with control means for warning to the outside that the column is not at a proper position.

[0014] In a vending machine for replenishing commodities by removing such a column from a product storage shelf, after replenishing commodities,
When the column is returned to the product storage shelf, it may not be possible to reliably sell the product due to the column not being installed at the correct position. According to the vending machine of the third aspect, when the door is closed in a state where the column is not installed at the regular position, a warning is issued, so that a defective sale caused by being installed at the irregular position is reliably prevented. can do. In this case, the control means may further control so that the commodity transport means is not operated when the column is not installed at the regular position.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine according to the first aspect, wherein a guide opening extending in a front-rear direction is provided on a product mounting surface of the column to guide the pusher, and both right and left edges of the guide opening are provided. Are bent downward to form left and right flanges, and the pusher is inserted into the guide opening from above and is connected to the wire and moves in the opening. Consists of a push portion for pushing the product that is erected, and controls the rotation of the pusher by abutting against the outer surfaces of the left and right flanges of the guide opening, and on the lower surface of the product mounting surface of the column. Left and right regulating members for regulating the upward movement of the base by abutting are provided on the base of the pusher.

In the case where the pusher is composed of the base portion that runs through the guide opening and the push portion erected on the base portion, if the center of the push portion is displaced from the center of the last product, the pusher is removed. A rotating (twisting) force acts to increase the frictional force between the base and the edge of the guide opening, causing abnormal wear of the base. In the vending machine according to the fourth aspect, since the restricting member is provided on such a base portion, the pusher is prevented from floating upward and coming out of the guide opening and abnormal wear of the base portion is prevented. can do.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the first aspect, the column stores a product having a substantially circular cross section such as a beverage container in an upright state, and the column pushes the product with the pusher. The pressing portion is formed in a curved surface shape along the cross-sectional shape of the product.

By forming the push portion of the pusher into a curved surface along the cross-sectional shape of the product, the last product can always be received near the center of the push portion, so that the pusher can travel. In addition to smoothing, the rotational force of the pusher as described above can be suppressed to reduce abnormal wear.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the fifth aspect, the radius of curvature of the curved shape of the pushing portion of the pusher is substantially equal to the radius of the sales product having the largest diameter.

In this case, for products of all diameters, the last product can be received near the center of the push portion while eliminating dead space between the push portion and the last product.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine in which a plurality of columns for accommodating products such as beverage containers are arranged in a front-rear direction and arranged in a cabinet of the vending machine, and arranged in front of the plurality of columns. A vending machine in which the goods conveying means grabs the goods arranged in the front row of the column and conveys the goods to the goods outlet, wherein the column comprises goods feeding means for sending the arranged goods forward, and a front end of the column. And a guide portion for guiding the front row of products sent forward by the product feed means to be located substantially at the center of the column in the width direction.

According to the vending machine of the present invention, the product in the front row is positioned substantially at the center in the width direction of the column by the guide provided at the front end of the column. Therefore, when the goods transporting means goes to the center of the column in the width direction to grasp the goods in the front row, the goods can be grasped accurately.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the seventh aspect, the column includes a front wall for locking a front surface of the product, and the front wall is provided with the guide portion, and the front end of the column is provided by the guide portion. The width of the column in the portion is narrowed.

[0024] By narrowing the column width at the front end of the column in this manner, products of various sizes can be used.
The product in the front row can be positioned substantially at the center in the width direction of the column.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the eighth aspect, the product is a product having a substantially circular cross section, and the guide portion of the front wall of the column is configured so that the front wall has a radius corresponding to the radius of the sales product having the maximum diameter. It is characterized by being formed in a curved surface shape having substantially the same radius of curvature.

As described above, by forming the front wall of the column into a curved surface having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of the sales product having the largest diameter, the front wall and the front row of the front wall can be provided for products of all diameters. The product in the front row can be positioned substantially at the center in the width direction of the column while eliminating dead space between the product and the product.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the eighth or ninth aspect, the column is provided with a width switching member for switching a column width.

If the diameter of the product is smaller than a certain value, the product having the guide portion for reducing the width of the front end of the column as described above may not move the product to the front end of the column. In such a case, by narrowing the width of the column by the width switching member, the products in the front row can be guided to the front end of the column.

[0029] In the vending machine according to the eleventh aspect, the commodity transport means takes out the commodity from the column by grasping and pulling up the commodity in the front row of the column,
The column includes a front wall that locks a front surface of the product, and a frictional resistance of a contact surface of the front wall with the product in the front row is set to be smaller than a frictional resistance of a column wall that contacts the second product. It is characterized by the following.

In the case where such a product transport means pulls out the product in the front row of the column, it takes 2
The first product may be lifted together. Claim 11
In the vending machine, since the frictional resistance of the front wall is smaller than the frictional resistance of the column wall where the second product comes in contact, it is possible to prevent the second product from lifting together. it can.

[0031]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a column 22 of a vending machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vending machine 10.

The vending machine 10 is a vending machine for selling beverage containers (hereinafter, referred to as commodities) such as cans, PET bottles, and paper packs. A transparent plate having heat insulating properties is provided on the front of the cabinet. This is a so-called see-through type vending machine configured so that products inside the cabinet can be seen from the outside through the transparent plate.

That is, the vending machine 10 is provided with a cabinet comprising a main body 12 opening forward and a front door 14 opening and closing the front surface thereof. The front door 14 is provided with a transparent glass 16 incorporated therein. The product S inside the cabinet is configured to be seen from the outside via the glass 16.
A display storage room 18 for displaying and storing products to be sold in the main body 12 is provided, and the transparent area of the front door 14 in which the glass 16 is incorporated is substantially the entire front surface of the display storage room 18. Over the region.

In the display storage room 18, storage shelves 20 for storing products are arranged vertically in multiple stages. Each storage shelf 20
, A plurality of columns 22 are arranged in the left-right direction (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the x-axis direction) for storing the products S arranged in the front-rear direction (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the z-axis direction). Thereby, the column 22 is stored in the display storage room 18.
Are arranged in a plurality of rows in the left-right direction and a plurality of stages in the up-down direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the y-axis direction). Each column 22
Are removably attached to the storage shelves 20. When refilling the products S, the columns 22 are removed from the storage shelves 20 so that the products S can be arranged.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front door 14
In the non-transparent area, there is provided an operation panel 24 on which a product selection button for selecting a product, an amount display section, a coin slot, a change payout exit, and the like are arranged. Is provided.

On the front surface of the glass 16 of the front door 14, a position facing each column 22 of the exhibition storage room 18 is provided.
A product selection switch 28 made of a transparent member such as a transparent film switch is provided. By pressing this switch 28, a corresponding product can be selected.

The vending machine 10 has a manipulator 3 as a product transporting means for transporting the product S to the product outlet 26.
0 is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the manipulator 30 is arranged so as to be able to move vertically and horizontally in a space between the plurality of columns 22 and the front door 14.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a pair of y-axis rails 32 extending in the y-axis direction
An x-axis rail 34 extending in the x-axis direction is bridged between the pair of y-axis rails 32, 32.
The manipulator 30 is arranged on the shaft rail 34 so as to run.

At both ends of the x-axis rail 34, a pair of left and right sprockets 35, 35 are arranged.
5, a forward / reverse drive motor 36 is connected, and a running belt 37 is stretched between the two sprockets 35, 35.
Further, the manipulator 30 is connected to the traveling belt 37 so that the manipulator 30 is guided by the x-axis rail 34 and travels left and right.

A pair of upper and lower sprockets 38 are disposed at both ends of the y-axis rail 32. The sprockets 38 are mounted on horizontal shafts 39, 39 so as to interlock between the pair of y-axis rails 32. Are linked. A forward / reverse rotation motor 40 is connected to the lower shaft 39, and a traveling belt 41 is stretched between a pair of upper and lower sprockets 38, 38.
1, both ends of the x-axis rail 34 are connected, so that the x-axis rail 34 is guided by the y-axis rails 32, 32 and runs up and down.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the manipulator 3
0 is an arm 42 composed of a pair of left and right holding plates for gripping the product S.
Having. The arm 42 is configured to grip the product S and release the product S by the action of a spring 43 for urging the holding plate to a closed state and an opening / closing cam 45 connected to a motor 44. .

The arm 42 is guided by a z-axis rail 46 provided on the base 31 of the manipulator 30 and can be moved back and forth by a motor 47, as shown in FIG.
6A, and move backward as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the product S1 in the front row of the column 22 is grasped and moved forward in that state as shown in FIGS. 5C and 6B so that the product S1 is taken out from the column 22. Has become. At that time, the manipulator 30
Go to the center CL in the width direction of the column 22 to grasp the product S1 as shown in FIG.

The manipulator 30 is waiting at a predetermined standby position W in the sales standby state, as shown in FIG. When selling the product, the manipulator 30 is moved from the standby position W to the front of the column 22 in which the product is stored by the operation of the motors 36 and 40, and the arm 42 takes out the product S1 in the front row of the column 22. Then, the user moves to the product outlet 26 while holding the product S1 and returns to the standby position W after releasing the product S1 there.

Here, the column 2 provided on the storage shelf 20
The configuration of No. 2 will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 1, the column 22 has an elongated column body in the front-rear direction, and this column body is divided into two upper and lower sections by a product mounting plate 22a.

A pusher 50 for pushing the last product forward is provided on the product placing plate 22a. Pusher 50
Is guided by an elongated guide opening 52 provided in the product mounting plate 22a and extending in the front-rear direction, so that it can run in the column 22 in the front-rear direction. The pusher 50 includes a base 50a that is inserted into the guide opening 52 from above and travels through the opening 52, and a plate-like push portion 50b that is erected on the base 50a and pushes a product. The front surface of the portion 50b is a pressing surface of the product.

A spring 54 for urging the pusher 50 forward has a rear end 54b fixed to the lower surface of the product placing plate 22a at the rear end of the column 22, and a front end 54b.
a is attached to the moving pulley 58 via the fixture 56. The moving pulley 58 is rotatably fixed to the fixing tool 56 via a shaft 60.

A fixed pulley 62 is fixed to the front end of the column 22, specifically, in front of the guide opening 52 on the lower surface of the product placing plate 22a. Then, the spring 54
A wire 64 for transmitting the urging force to the pusher 50 is fixed at one end 64a thereof to the lower surface of the commodity placing plate 22a at the front end of the column 22, extends rearward therefrom, is hung by the moving pulley 58, and is folded forward. The pusher 50 is further folded back to be hung on the constant pulley 62, and the other end 64 b is attached to the lower surface of the base 50 a of the pusher 50.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the pusher 50 is located at the front end of the column 22 when the spring 54 has the natural length L1. Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, by moving the pusher 50 to the rear end of the column 22, the spring 54 extends forward and stores the biasing force, whereby the pusher 50 is pulled by the spring 54. To push the product forward. When the pusher 50 is located at the rear end of the column 22, the expansion of the spring 54 is maximized to exert the maximum pushing force, and the urging force of the spring 54 is gradually reduced toward the front. As a result, the pressing force gradually decreases.
That is, the pusher 50 pushes the product with a greater pressing force as the number of products placed on the column 22 increases.

As described above, one end 54a of the spring 54 is attached to the moving pulley 58, and the wire 6
4 is connected to the pusher 50 via the fixed pulley 62, so that the stroke L2 of the pusher 50 is
Is twice as long as the stroke L3. Therefore, even if the natural length L1 of the spring 54 is substantially half of the entire length of the column 22, the stroke L2 of the pusher 50 can be secured by substantially the entire length of the column 22, and a dead space is eliminated. Effective use can be achieved.

Although only one moving pulley is provided here, the column space can be further effectively used by providing a plurality of moving pulleys.

When the product is pushed by such a pusher 50, if the diameter of the product is smaller than the width of the column 22, as shown in FIG. 9B, the pusher 50 disposed at the center CL in the width direction of the column 22 as shown in FIG. A shift α may occur between the center and the center of the last product S3. When such a deviation α occurs, the pusher 50 applies a force at a position deviated from the product S3.
The force to rotate on a works. Therefore, the guide opening 52
The frictional force between the edge of the pusher 50 and the base 50a of the pusher 50 increases, which also causes abnormal wear of the pusher 50.

In order to prevent such abnormal wear, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, in order to prevent the pusher 50 from floating and coming off, the side surface of the roller 66 attached to the base 50a is connected to both sides of the guide opening 52. It is configured to slide on the edge.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, two pairs of right and left rollers 66 are provided on the base 50a of the pusher 50 via a horizontal roller shaft 67 so as to be rotatable back and forth. As shown in FIG. 8, the left and right rollers 66 are disposed so as to sandwich, from the outside, left and right flanges 52a provided on both left and right edges of the guide opening 52 of the product placing plate 22a. Then, the product placing plate 22
By contacting the lower surface of the pusher 50, the pusher 50 is prevented from floating above and coming off. Further, the inner side surface of the roller 66 slides with the outer side surface of the flange 52a, thereby suppressing the left and right inclination of the pusher 50, preventing the pusher 50 from being abnormally worn, and preventing the pusher 50 from being abnormally worn. Enables smooth operation.

As means for preventing such abnormal wear, a pusher 5 as shown in FIG.
There is a means for forming the front surface of the 0 push portion 50b into a curved surface along the sectional shape of the product S having a circular sectional shape. By forming the front surface of the pushing portion 50b into a curved surface in this manner, the product S3 is always received in the vicinity of the center of the pusher 50, so that the abnormal wear can be suppressed and the movement of the pusher 50 can be made smooth. it can. It is preferable to combine this configuration with the configuration of the roller 66 in order to enhance these effects.

When the front surface of the push portion 50b of the pusher 50 is formed in a curved surface as described above, as shown in FIG. 10A, the radius of curvature of the curved shape is the sales product S having the maximum diameter.
It is preferable to form it approximately equal to the radius of m. Thereby, the product S and the pusher 50b as shown in FIG.
To prevent the occurrence of dead space DS between the front surface of the pusher and the pusher 5 without dead space for products of all diameters.
Product S can be received at the center of 0.

FIG. 11 shows the pusher 5 in the column 22.
0 shows a lock mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 11A, a lock member 68 for locking the pusher 50 is provided at the rear end of the column 22. As shown in FIG. 1, the lock member 68 has a horizontal shaft 68a at the rear end rotatably attached to the left and right side walls at the rear end of the column 22.
A claw portion 68b for locking the pusher 50 extends forward from a, and a protrusion 68c is provided at the left end of the claw portion 68b so as to protrude downward.

[0060] Behind the pushing portion 50b of the pusher 50,
A claw 50c is provided which is locked to the claw 68b of the lock member 68. A recess 69 is provided at the rear end of the column 22 for accommodating the projection 68c of the lock member 68. The projection 68c is inserted into the product mounting plate 22a of the column 22 corresponding to the recess 69. Hole 70 is provided. Further, as shown in FIG.
At the position where the rear end of the column 22 is located at 0, a lock release member 72 for releasing the lock of the pusher 50 by the lock member 68 is provided.

As a result, the column 22 is removed from the storage shelf 20 at the time of replenishment, and the pusher 50 is pushed against the urging force of the spring 54 as shown in FIG.
11B, the lock member 68 is automatically locked at that position as shown in FIG. When the column 22 is placed on the storage shelf 20 after the product S is supplied to the column 22, the lock releasing member 72 is moved to the concave portion 6 at the rear end of the column 22 as shown in FIG.
9 and pushes up the protrusion 68c of the lock member 68, so that the lock member 68 is automatically disengaged and the pusher 50 is pushed.
Is in a state of pushing a product, that is, a sale standby state.

By providing such a lock mechanism, there is no need to insert the product with the other hand while holding the pusher 50 with one hand when supplying the product.
Products can be replenished with only one hand. In addition, forgetting to cancel after product supply can be prevented.

As shown in FIG. 11C, each column 22
Column 2 is provided on the rear surface 18a of the display storage room 18 corresponding to
A micro switch 74 is provided for detecting whether or not 2 is installed at a regular position on the storage shelf 20. The microswitch 74 is connected to a control unit (not shown), and emits a warning sound when the front door 14 is closed in a state where it is detected that the column 22 is not installed at the proper position. In this state, the manipulator 30 does not operate. Thereby, the column 22
Can be reliably prevented from being defective due to being installed at an irregular position. Note that a warning display may be displayed on the money amount display unit or the like of the operation panel 24 instead of generating a warning sound.

Next, a description will be given of a configuration in which the frontmost product sent forward by the pusher 50 is positioned substantially at the center of the column 22 in the width direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, the front wall 23 of the column 22, which locks the front surface of the commodity S1 in the front row, is formed in a curved surface along the sectional shape of the commodity S having a circular cross section. . Specifically, it is formed in a curved surface shape having a radius of curvature slightly larger than the radius of the sales product having the largest diameter.

By forming the front wall 23 of the column 22 in a curved surface in this manner, the frontmost product S1 sent forward can be positioned at the center CL of the column 22 in the width direction. As described above, the manipulator 30 aims at the center CL in the width direction of the column 22 and the product S in the front row
When it comes to grasping the product 1, the product S1 can be grasped accurately.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12A, when the diameter D of the product S is somewhat smaller than the width W of the column 22, when the last product is pushed by the pusher 50, Are lined up in a meandering state. When the product in the front row is taken out in this state, the product is sent forward as shown in FIG. At this time, the force F pressed by the pusher 50 acts on the product S1 in the front row from a subsequent product S2 on a straight line passing through the centers of the products S1. This force F acts on the front wall 23 of the column 22 from the commodity S1 in the front row. At this time, the product S in the front row
1 is larger than the force Ff that tries to move the product S1 in the Fh direction by friction because the force Fh that tries to move in the normal direction is larger than the force Fh that tries to move the product S1 along the curved surface of the front wall 23. It is guided to the center CL in the width direction of the column 22.

When the diameter of the product is smaller than a certain value, the product may not move to the frontmost portion of the column 22 in some cases. That is, when the commodity is taken out from the state shown in FIG. 13A and the commodity S1 in the front row comes into contact with the front wall 23 of the column 22 as shown in FIG. The force Fh that tries to move in the linear direction is the force F that tries to prevent the product S1 from moving in the Fh direction due to friction.
f and may not move from there toward the center CL in the width direction of the column 22.

In order to prevent such a problem, a width switching member 76 for switching the column width may be provided in the column 22 as shown in FIG. This width switching member 76
A rod-shaped member extending rightward in the column 22 over the entire length thereof, a rear end 76b is attached to a rear wall of the column 22, and a front end 76a is formed in a U-shaped switching hole 78 provided in the front wall 23 of the column 22. It has been inserted. And FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 (a), by locking the front end 76a to the locking portion outside the switching hole 78, a normal product storage state in which almost the entire width of the column 22 is used is obtained.
As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the front end 76b is hooked on the hooking portion inside the switching hole 78, so that the column width is reduced, and a small diameter product is stored.

By providing the width switching member 76 in the column 22 to reduce the column width in this way, even in the case of storing a small-diameter product as described above, FIGS.
As shown in (c), the force Fh of the frontmost product S1 to move in the normal direction is made larger than the force Ff of the product S1 to prevent the product S1 from moving in the Fh direction by friction. The products S1 in the front row can be moved to the forefront of the column 22.

In this manner, the product in the front row is placed in column 2
2 is located at the center in the width direction of FIG.
As shown in (a), a tapered inclined surface may be provided on both left and right sides of the front wall 23 so that the column width at the front end of the column 22 may be reduced. However,
In this case, when storing a product having a large diameter substantially equal to the column width, a dead space DS is formed between the front wall 23 and the product S1 in the front row as shown in FIG. . Therefore, by forming the front wall 23 into a curved surface as described above, the products S1 in the front row can be removed from the columns 22 while eliminating such dead space for products of various diameters.
In the width direction center CL.

By the way, as described above, the manipulator 3
When the product in the front row is extracted from the column 22 at 0 (see FIG. 5B), not only the product S1 in the front row but also the second product S2 may be lifted together. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Is formed of a member having lower frictional resistance than the other wall surface of the column 22. Thereby, the resistance when the second product S2 is lifted is made larger than that of the product S1 in the front row, and it is possible to prevent the second product S2 from lifting when the product S1 in the front row is pulled out. it can.

As described above, the frictional resistance of the front wall 23 at the contact surface with the product S1 in the front row is made smaller than the frictional resistance at the column wall contacting the second product S2 as described above. In addition to forming the part 23a of the front wall 23 with a slippery material, it is also possible to adopt a structure in which the column wall surface with which the second product S2 comes into contact is roughened (slippery).

In the above-described vending machine 10 of the present embodiment, the manipulator 30 is used as the commodity transport means. However, the commodity transport means is not limited to this. For example, the commodity is pushed out from each column and dropped. It may be a mechanism for carrying out. In addition, an elevator-type product conveying unit that receives and conveys the product sent from the column 22 can be used.

[0075]

According to the vending machine of the first aspect of the present invention, a longer pusher stroke can be obtained despite the same column space as the conventional one, so that the column space can be effectively used.

According to the vending machine of the second aspect, further,
Excellent workability when removing the column from the product storage shelf and refilling the product.

Further, according to the vending machine of the third aspect, it is possible to prevent a defective sale due to the column not being set at the regular position of the product storage shelf after the product is supplied.

Further, according to the vending machine of the fourth to sixth aspects, abnormal wear of the pusher for pushing the product can be prevented.

According to the vending machine of claims 7 to 10 of the present invention, when the goods conveying means goes to the center of the column in the width direction to grasp the goods in the front row, the goods can be grasped accurately. be able to.

In the vending machine according to the eleventh aspect, it is possible to prevent the second product from being lifted together when the product in the front row of the column is pulled out by the product conveying means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded bottom perspective view of a column of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the vending machine.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the vending machine.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an xy rail in the vending machine.

5A and 5B are side views of a manipulator in the vending machine, wherein FIG. 5A is a state in which a product is being grabbed, and FIG.
Indicates a state in which the product is being picked up, and (c) indicates a state in which the product is taken out of the column.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a manipulator in the vending machine, wherein (a) is a state in which a product is being grabbed, and (b) is
Indicates a state where the product is taken out of the column.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are bottom views of a column showing a commodity feeding mechanism of the column in the vending machine, wherein FIG. 7A is a state in which a pusher is located at a front end of the column, and FIG. Each state is shown.

FIG. 8A is a front view of a pusher in the column,
(B) is the same top view.

FIG. 9A is a plan view of a rear end portion of a column showing another example of the pusher, and FIG. 9B is a plan view of a rear end portion of the column showing displacement between the pusher and a product.

FIG. 10A is a plan view showing a relationship between a pusher and a product according to the other example, and FIG. 10B is a plan view showing a dead space formed between the pusher and the product.

11A and 11B are longitudinal sectional views at the rear end of the column, wherein FIG. 11A shows a state before the pusher is locked to the lock member, FIG. 11B shows a state where the pusher is locked, and FIG. The state in which the locking is released in the product storage shelf is shown.

FIGS. 12A to 12C are plan views of the front end of the column.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are plan views of a column front end in a state where small-diameter products are stored.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are perspective views of a column including a width switching member.

FIGS. 15A to 15C are plan views of a front end portion of a column including a width switching member.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are plan views showing another example of the front wall of the column.

FIGS. 17 (a) and (b) are bottom views of a column showing a commodity feeding mechanism of the column in a conventional vending machine.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a column front end showing a state in which a product in the front row of the column is not located at the center in the width direction of the column.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Vending machine 14 Front door 20 Storage shelf 22 Column 22 a Product placement plate 23 Column front wall 23 a Contact portion with the front row product on the column front wall 26 Product Take-out port 30 Manipulator 50 Pusher 50a Base 50b Pushing part 52 Guide opening 52a Flange 54 Spring 58 Spring pulley 62 Fixed pulley 64 Wire 66 Roller 68 … Lock member 72… Lock release member 74… Micro switch 76… Width switching member S… Product S1… Front row product S3… Last product

Claims (11)

[Claims] A plurality of columns for storing products arranged in the front-rear direction are arranged in a cabinet of a vending machine, and the products arranged in each column are arranged at the top by a product conveying means arranged in front of the plurality of columns. A vending machine that sequentially conveys the arranged products to the product outlet, wherein the column includes product feeding means for sending the arranged products forward, and the product feeding means is arranged so as to be movable in the front-rear direction in the column, and A pusher for pushing the tail product forward, and biasing means for biasing the pusher forward, the biasing means being fixed to the column at one end and attached to the moving pulley at the other end, and attached to the moving pulley. A vending machine characterized in that a suspended wire is connected to the pusher via a fixed pulley arranged at a front end of a column. 2. The product according to claim 1, wherein the column is removably mounted on a product storage shelf provided in the cabinet, and a locking member for locking the pusher is provided at a rear end of the column. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein an unlocking member for unlocking the pusher by the locking member when installed on the storage shelf is provided on the product storage shelf. 3. A regular position detecting means for detecting whether or not the column is installed at a regular position of the product storage shelf, wherein the column is detachable from a product storage shelf provided in the cabinet, A warning unit that warns the outside that the column is not installed at the proper position, and a door at the front of the cabinet is closed in a state where the normal position detection unit detects that the column is not installed at the proper position. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising control means for causing the warning means to warn the outside that the column is not at the correct position when the warning is issued. 4. A guide opening extending in the front-rear direction on the product mounting surface of the column and guiding the pusher is provided, and both right and left edges of the guide opening are bent downward to form left and right flanges. The pusher is inserted into the guide opening from above and connected to the wire to move in the opening, and a pusher for pushing a product erected on the base. By contacting the outer surfaces of the left and right flanges of the guide opening, the rotation of the pusher is restricted, and the upward movement of the base is brought into contact with the lower surface of the product placing surface of the column. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein left and right regulating members for regulating are provided at a base of the pusher. 5. The column for storing a product having a substantially circular cross section such as a beverage container in an upright state, wherein a pushing portion for pressing the product in the pusher has a curved surface along the cross-sectional shape of the product. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine is formed in a shape. 6. The vending machine according to claim 5, wherein the radius of curvature of the curved shape of the pusher of the pusher is substantially equal to the radius of the sales product having the largest diameter. 7. A plurality of columns for storing products such as beverage containers arranged vertically in a front-rear direction are arranged in a cabinet of a vending machine, and a product conveying means disposed in front of the plurality of columns is a column. In a vending machine for picking up products arranged in the front row and transferring the products to a product outlet, the column includes product feeding means for sending the arranged products forward, and the product feeding means is provided at a front end of the column. A vending machine provided with a guide portion for guiding the front row of products sent forward by the vehicle to be positioned substantially at the center of the column in the width direction. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the column includes a front wall for locking a front surface of the product, and the guide portion is provided on the front wall, and the width of the column at the front end of the column is reduced by the guide portion. The vending machine according to claim 7, wherein 9. The product is a product having a substantially circular cross section, and the guide portion of the front wall of the column forms the front wall into a curved surface having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of the sales product having the largest diameter. 9. The vending machine according to claim 8, wherein the vending machine comprises: 10. A vending machine according to claim 8, wherein said column is provided with a width switching member for switching a column width. 11. The product conveying means for taking out a product from the column by grasping and pulling up a product in a front row of the column, wherein the column has a front wall for locking a front surface of the product. 8. The vending machine according to claim 7, wherein a frictional resistance of a contact surface of the front wall with a commodity in the front row is set to be smaller than a frictional resistance of a column wall surface which comes into contact with a second commodity.