Vending Machines

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic vending machine, comprising a cabinet with a delivery port at the front lower part, a multi-layer storage shelf arranged in the cabinet, and a pickup mechanism arranged in the cabinet and located at the front side of the multi-layer storage shelf, wherein a plurality of cargo aisles for supporting goods are arranged side by side on each layer of the storage shelf, the pickup mechanism comprises a multi-layer shelf and a mechanical linkage mechanism for transmission connection of the multi-layer shelves, the multi-layer shelf is arranged at least on the front lower side of the storage shelf from the top layer to the second to last layer for receiving goods dropped from the cargo aisles of the storage shelf on the corresponding layer, and the mechanical linkage mechanism is configured to meet the following conditions: when goods fall on a layer of the shelves, at least the layer and all the shelves below the layer can fall to the delivery port only under the gravity of the goods, and if there are multiple layers of the dropped shelves, the multi-layer shelves fall at the delivery port in a stacked state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of automatic vending machines, and in particular relates to an automatic vending machine which delivers goods through a mechanical structure. Background Art

[0002] There are three delivery methods for traditional vending machines: Method 1, through a spiral delivery channel, directly transporting the goods from the shelf to the delivery port at the bottom of the vending machine; Method 2, straight-drop type, through the delivery mechanism, the goods are pushed to the channel in front of the shelf and dropped to the delivery port at the bottom of the vending machine; Method 3, hopper type, through a hopper that can move up and down, left and right, to receive the goods in front of the goods to be shipped, and deliver the goods to the delivery port, such as CN110992589A. However, in method 1, the spiral delivery channel is hidden behind the door, consumers cannot see the goods, and the number of spiral delivery channels is limited, and the types of goods are single; in method 2, the straight-drop vending machine is prone to cause severe impact and shaking of the goods by external forces, and the delivery sound is loud, which may damage the goods themselves; Method 3, the delivery is stable, but the speed is slow, and it is necessary to set up a horizontal reciprocating mechanism and a vertical reciprocating mechanism to carry the goods, and the mechanism structure is complex. Each of these delivery methods has related problems. In order to solve the above problems, a new vending machine is provided that can deliver goods through the mechanical structure itself. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problems related to the shipment of goods in the prior art, such as the possible shaking or damage of the goods and the problem that consumers cannot see the goods when shipped. In order to solve the above problems, a vending machine is provided that can ship goods through its own mechanical structure.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a vending machine, including a cabinet with a delivery port at the front lower part, a multi-layer storage shelf arranged in the cabinet, and a picking mechanism arranged in the cabinet and located at the front side of the multi-layer storage shelf, a plurality of cargo aisles for supporting goods are arranged side by side on each layer of the storage shelf, the picking mechanism includes a multi-layer shelf and a mechanical linkage mechanism for transmission connection of the multi-layer shelves, the multi-layer shelves are arranged at least on the front lower side of the storage shelves from the top layer to the second to last layer for receiving the goods falling from the cargo aisles of the storage shelves on the corresponding layer, and the mechanical linkage mechanism is configured to meet the following conditions: when there is goods falling on one layer of the shelves, at least the shelves on that layer and all the shelves below that layer can fall to the delivery port only under the gravity of the goods, and if there are multiple layers of the shelves falling, the multiple layers of the shelves fall at the delivery port in a stacked state.

[0005] In the above technical solution, preferably, the number of layers of the shelves is 1 less than the number of layers of the storage racks, and the front side of the bottom storage rack is set to be empty so that the goods falling from the cargo aisle of the bottom storage rack can directly fall to the delivery port.

[0006] In the above technical solution, preferably, when goods fall on the shelves of a layer, all the shelves above this layer are lowered at the same time and the vertical distance between each shelf above this layer and the shelf of this layer where goods fall remains unchanged.

[0007] In the above technical scheme, preferably, the mechanical linkage mechanism includes two pairs of upper and lower brackets whose two ends are respectively arranged on the inner wall of the cabinet, and the upper and lower pairs of brackets are respectively fixedly connected by an optical axis, and a pair of left and right sprockets are rotatably connected at both ends of the optical axis, and a pair of traction members are bypassed around the upper and lower groups of left and right sprockets, and a plurality of shelves opposite to the multi-layer storage rack are arranged on one side of the traction member on the front side of the multi-layer storage rack, and a pair of counterweights are fixedly arranged on the other side of the traction member.

[0008] In the above technical solution, preferably, a plurality of pairs of lifting buckles are fixedly connected to the traction member, a plurality of groups of support parts are erected above the plurality of pairs of lifting buckles, the plurality of groups of support parts are fixedly connected to the plurality of layers of the shelves, and when the shelves are lowered to the shipping port, the support parts located below can be stored inside the adjacent support parts above.

[0009] In the above technical solution, preferably, the shelf has an upper surface with a middle portion concave downward.

[0010] In the above technical solution, preferably, each of the cargo lanes is provided with a corresponding shipping mechanism.

[0011] In the above technical solution, preferably, the shipping mechanism includes multiple first motors located at the rear of the cargo channel, multiple push plates are driven by the multiple first motors in the cargo channel, the first motor has an eccentric shaft, and a transmission rod is provided under the cargo channel, the eccentric shaft is rotatably connected to the transmission rod, the transmission rod is fixedly connected with a tension spring paired therewith, the front part of the transmission rod is rotatably connected with a group of limit blocks, and a dumping block is arranged in front of the limit block.

[0012] In the above technical solution, preferably, the cabinet includes a cabinet body with a front opening and a cabinet door rotatably connected to the front of the cabinet body, and a display window for displaying goods is provided above the delivery port, and the display window, the delivery port and the picking mechanism are arranged in the cabinet door.

[0013] In the above technical solution, preferably, the storage rack includes multiple aisles, baffles on both sides of the multiple aisles, brackets located below the multiple aisles, aisle fixing plates located above the multiple aisles, and a motor bracket that can hold the multiple first motors.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: the pickup structure arranged in this way saves a transmission motor on the pickup mechanism side compared with other vending machines, and the mechanical linkage mechanism arranged in this way can quickly transport the goods to the delivery port when picking up the goods, and will not cause impact or damage to the goods during the transportation process, which makes it convenient for consumers to pick up the goods and saves the manufacturer's costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Attached Figure 1 is a side sectional view of the present invention;

[0016] Attached Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the storage rack and the shipping mechanism of the present invention;

[0017] Attached Figure 3 It is a side view of the storage rack and the shipping mechanism of the present invention;

[0018] Attached Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the storage rack and the shipping mechanism of the present invention loaded with goods;

[0019] Attached Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the upward movement of the transmission pull rod of the present invention when it is pushed and pulled backward;

[0020] Attached Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the movement of the transmission pull rod of the present invention when it is pushed backwards from a top view;

[0021] Attached Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the upward movement of the transmission pull rod of the present invention when it is restored forward;

[0022] Attached Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the top view of the movement of the transmission pull rod of the present invention when it returns forward;

[0023] Attached Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the pickup mechanism of the present invention;

[0024] Attached Fig.10 It is a side view of the pickup mechanism of the present invention;

[0025] Attached Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram of the state when goods fall on the top layer of the picking mechanism of the present invention;

[0026] Attached Fig.12 This is a schematic diagram of the state in which the top cargo of the cargo pickup mechanism of the present invention is transported to the delivery port;

[0027] Attached Fig.13 It is a schematic diagram of the state when goods fall on the middle layer of the picking mechanism of the present invention;

[0028] Attached Fig.14 This is a schematic diagram of the state in which the middle-layer goods of the pickup mechanism of the present invention are transported to the delivery port;

[0029] Among them: 1. cabinet; 11. cabinet body; 12. cabinet door; 121. display window; 122. delivery port; 120. pickup mechanism; 1200. mechanical linkage mechanism; 1201. bracket; 1202. optical axis; 1203. sprocket; 1204. traction member; 12041. lifting buckle; 12042. support part; 1205. shelf; 12051. upper surface; 1206. counterweight; 1207 , bearing; 2, storage shelf; 21, cargo aisle; 2100, bracket; 2101, baffle; 2102, cargo aisle fixing plate; 2103, motor bracket; 3, shipping mechanism; 30, push plate; 31, first motor; 32, eccentric shaft; 33, tension spring; 34, transmission rod; 35, rotating shaft; 3601, front limit block; 3602, rear limit block; 37, dumping block; 38, arc surface; 4, cargo. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to explain the technical content, structural features, objectives and effects of the present invention in detail, the following will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings. Figure 2 The various positional relationships shown in correspondence one to one.

[0031] Attached Figure 1 As shown, the vending machine of the present invention comprises: a cabinet 1, a storage shelf 2, a delivery mechanism 3, and a pickup mechanism 120. The cabinet 1 comprises: a cabinet body 11 with an open front and a cabinet door 12 located at the front side of the cabinet body 11 and rotatably connected to the cabinet body 11. The cabinet body 11 is provided with a storage shelf 2 for storing goods 4 and a delivery mechanism 3 for conveying the goods 4 forward, and the cabinet door 12 is provided with a display window 121 for displaying the goods 4, and a delivery port 122 that can be opened to take out the goods is provided below the display window 121, and a pickup mechanism 120 located in the cabinet door 12 can convey the goods 4 from top to bottom to the delivery port 122.

[0032] Attached Figure 2-3 As shown, a layer of storage rack 2 of the present invention and a delivery mechanism 3 located at the layer of storage rack 2. The storage rack 2 includes a plurality of cargo aisles 21 arranged side by side, a bracket 2100 located below the plurality of cargo aisles, baffles 2101 provided on both sides of the cargo aisles 21, and a cargo aisle fixing plates 2102 located above the plurality of cargo aisles 21 and fixing and connecting all the baffles 2101, and a motor bracket 2103 provided behind the plurality of cargo aisles 21.

[0033] The delivery mechanism 3 includes: a push plate 30, a first motor 31, a transmission pull rod 34, a tension spring 33, a rotating shaft 35, a limit block and a dumping block 37. A plurality of first motors 31 are arranged on the motor bracket 2103 located behind the plurality of cargo lanes 21, and the first motors 31 drive the push plates 30 arranged in the corresponding cargo lanes 21 to move forward, and push the cargo 4 (not shown in the figure) forward. The first motor 31 has an eccentric shaft 32, which is transmission-connected to a transmission rod 34 under the bracket 2100. The transmission rod 34 is also connected to a tension spring 33 also located under the bracket 2100. A group of rotating shafts 35 are rotatably connected to the front of the transmission rod 34. The rotating shaft 35 is connected to a group of limit blocks. The group of limit blocks are located on the baffles 2101 on the left and right sides of the aisle 21, and the group of limit blocks includes a front limit block 3601 located in the front and a rear limit block 3602 located in the rear. The bracket 2103 is also fixedly connected to a tipping block 37 on the front end portion of each aisle 21. The tipping block 37 has an arc surface 38. The arc surface 38 has different arc directions according to the height of the starting and ending points of the arc. The arc surface 38 has different arc directions according to the different positions of the aisle 21 in the vending machine. If the aisle 21 is located on the left side of the vending machine, the left side aisle 21 is connected to the left side dumping block 37 in front of it; if the aisle 21 is located on the right side of the vending machine, the right side aisle 21 is connected to the right side dumping block 37 in front of it. The left and right aisles 21 are connected to the dumping blocks 37 in different directions, so that when the goods 4 (not shown in the figure) are output from the storage shelf 2, the goods 4 (not shown in the figure) can accurately fall onto the front picking mechanism 120 (not shown in the figure).

[0034] Attached Figure 4-8 As shown, when goods 4 are placed on the storage shelf 2, the vending machine starts to vend goods automatically, and the first motor 31 operates to output the first piece of goods 4 from the storage shelf 2 to the picking mechanism 120 (not shown in the figure), and transports the second piece of goods 42 to the original position of the first piece of goods 41.

[0035] Attached Figure 5-6 As shown, when the eccentric shaft 32 moves with the first motor 31 within its pushing angle, it drives the transmission rod 34 to move backward a distance as shown in the direction of the arrow, and at this time the tension spring 33 is driven by the transmission rod 34, the tension spring 33 becomes a stretched state, and the rotating shaft 35 on the transmission rod 34 drives the front limit block 3601 and the rear limit block 3602 to rotate together as shown in the direction of the arrow, and the front limit block 3601 rotates to make way for the first cargo 4, allowing the blocked first cargo 4 to leave the storage shelf 2, and the rear limit block 3602 rotates backward from the original position, limiting the second cargo 4 pushed forward from the rear.

[0036] Attached Figure 7-8As shown, when the eccentric shaft 32 rotates past its push angle and comes within the return angle, the eccentric shaft 32 continues to rotate but does not generate force on the transmission rod 34. At this time, the transmission rod 34 is acted upon by the tension spring 33 to move forward in the direction of the arrow in the figure, so that the transmission rod 34 performs a reset motion. The rotating shaft 35 on the transmission rod 34 drives the front limit block 3601 and the rear limit block 3602 to rotate together in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the front limit block 3601 rotates again to block the second cargo 4 pushed from the rear at the rear side of the front limit block 3601, while the rear limit block 3602 rotates to a normal state. At this time, the original second cargo 4 is pushed to the position of the original first cargo 4, and the original first cargo 4 falls into the front pickup mechanism 120 (not shown in the figure).

[0037] Attached Figure 9-10As shown, the picking mechanism 120 of the present invention is installed in front of the storage shelf 2 and in the cabinet door 12. The picking mechanism 120 includes a multi-layer shelf 1205 located at the front lower side of the multi-layer storage shelf 2 and a mechanical linkage mechanism 1200 for transmission connection with the multi-layer shelf 1205. The mechanical linkage mechanism 1200 includes a bracket 1201, an optical axis 1202, a sprocket 1203, a traction member 1204, a lifting buckle 12041, a support part 12042, a counterweight 1206 and a bearing 1207. It is fixedly installed on two pairs of upper and lower brackets 1201 in the cabinet door 12, and the upper and lower pairs of brackets 1201 are respectively fixedly connected by an optical axis 1202. On the left and right ends of the optical axis 1202, a pair of left and right sprockets 1203 are rotatably connected through a pair of bearings 1207. A pair of traction members 1204 bypasses the upper and lower groups of sprockets 1203 on the left and right sides. A plurality of pairs of lifting buckles 12041 are fixedly arranged on one side of the traction member 1204 on the front side of the multi-layer storage shelf 2, and a plurality of groups of supporting parts 12042 are arranged above the plurality of pairs of lifting buckles 12041. The plurality of groups of supporting parts 12042 are fixedly connected to the multi-layer shelf 1205 on the front lower side of the multi-layer storage shelf 2, and a pair of counterweights 1206 are also fixedly arranged on the other side of the traction member 1204. The multi-layer shelves 1205 are arranged at least on the front lower side of the topmost and penultimate storage racks 2, and are used to receive the goods 4 dropped from the cargo aisle 21 of the corresponding storage rack 2, and the shelf 1205 has an upper surface 12051 which is concave downward in the middle portion, and the upper surface 12051 allows the goods 4 to fall on the shelf 1205, and ensures that the goods 4 do not fall from the shelf 1205 when the shelf 1205 moves downward. The mechanical linkage mechanism 1200 arranged in this way can meet the following requirements: when goods 4 are placed on a layer of shelves 1205, all the shelves 1205 on this layer and below this layer can be dropped to the delivery port 122 under the action of the gravity of the goods 4, and if there are multiple shelves 1205 that are dropped, the multiple shelves 1205 are dropped at the delivery port 122 in a stacked state, and several adjacent support parts 12042, among which the support part 12042 located on the lower side is stored in the adjacent support part 12042 above it, and the counterweight 1206 on the other side will move upward with the dropped shelf 1205, and at the same time, the lifting buckle 12041 fixed on the traction part 1204 located on the lower side of the dropped goods moves with the counterweight 1206.

[0038] Attached Figure 11-12As shown, when the top storage shelf 2 of the vending machine of the present invention is delivering goods, the goods 41 fall on the top shelf 1205 of the picking mechanism 120. When the top shelf 1205 with the goods 4 falls downward to the delivery port 122, the support part 12042 connected to the top shelf 1205 stores the support part 12042 below and adjacent thereto, and the lifting buckle 12041 is driven together with the counterweight 1206, and the goods 4 can be taken by opening the delivery port 122 (not shown in the figure) provided on the cabinet door 12 (not shown in the figure). After the goods 4 are taken away, the shelf 1205 automatically returns to the original waiting state due to the weight of the counterweight 1206, and the support part 12042 is still erected above the lifting buckle 12041.

[0039] Attached Figure 13-14 The figure shows the situation that the goods 41 fall on the middle shelf 1205 of the picking mechanism 120 when the middle shelf 2 of the vending machine of the present invention is delivering goods. When the middle shelf 1205 with the goods 4 falls downward to the delivery port 122 (not shown in the figure), the goods 4 are taken out by opening the delivery port 122 (not shown in the figure) on the cabinet door 12 (not shown in the figure). After the goods 4 are taken out, the shelf 1205 automatically returns to the original waiting state due to the weight of the counterweight 1206.

[0040] If the bottom storage shelf 2 needs to be shipped, the goods 4 are directly dropped from the cargo channel 21 into the cabinet door 12, and the shipping opening 122 can be directly opened to take out the goods.

[0041] In this embodiment, considering that the height of the bottom storage shelf 2 is not high, no relative shelf 1205 is set in front of the bottom storage shelf 2. If the height of the bottom storage shelf 2 of other vending machines is relatively high, an additional shelf 1205 can be set on the lower front side of the bottom storage shelf 2 to transfer the bottom goods 4 to the delivery port 122 to avoid damage to the goods 4 due to the goods 4 directly falling to the delivery port 122.

[0042] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention, and their purpose is to enable people familiar with the technology to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly, and they cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic vending machine, comprising a cabinet (1) having a delivery port (122) at a lower front portion, a multi-layer storage shelf (2) arranged in the cabinet (1), and a picking mechanism (120) arranged in the cabinet (1) and located in front of the multi-layer storage shelf (2), wherein a plurality of cargo aisles (21) for supporting cargo (4) are arranged side by side on each layer of the storage shelf (2), characterized in that: The picking mechanism (120) comprises a plurality of shelves (1205) and a mechanical linkage mechanism (1200) for transmission connection of the plurality of shelves (1205), wherein the plurality of shelves (1205) are arranged at least on the front lower side of the storage shelves (2) from the topmost layer to the second to last layer to receive the goods (4) dropped from the cargo aisle (21) of the storage shelves (2) at the corresponding layer, and the mechanical linkage mechanism (1200) is configured to meet the following conditions: 5) When goods (4) are placed on or below the shelf (1205), at least the shelf (1205) on or below the shelf (1205) can be dropped to the delivery port (122) only under the gravity of the goods (4), and at least the shelf (1205) on or below the shelf (1205) are dropped to the delivery port (122) in an up-and-down stacked state. The mechanical linkage mechanism (1200) includes two pairs of upper and lower brackets (1201) at both ends of which are respectively arranged on the inner wall of the cabinet (1). The two pairs of upper and lower brackets (1201) are each fixedly connected via an optical axis (1202), a pair of left and right sprockets (1203) are rotatably connected at both ends of the optical axis (1202), and a pair of traction members (1204) are bypassed around the upper and lower groups of left and right sprockets (1203), a plurality of shelves (1205) opposite to the multi-layer storage shelves (2) are arranged on one side of the traction member (1204) on the front side of the multi-layer storage shelf (2), and a pair of counterweight members (1205) are fixedly arranged on the other side of the traction member (1204) 06), a plurality of pairs of lifting buckles (12041) are fixedly connected to the traction member (1204), a plurality of groups of support parts (12042) are mounted above the plurality of pairs of lifting buckles (12041), the plurality of groups of support parts (12042) are fixedly connected to the plurality of layers of the shelves (1205), when the shelves (1205) are lowered to the delivery port (122), the support parts (12042) located at the bottom can be stored inside the adjacent support parts (12042) above.

2. The vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of layers of the shelf (1205) is one less than the number of layers of the storage rack (2), and the front side of the lowest storage rack (2) is set to be empty so that the goods (4) dropped from the cargo aisle (21) of the lowest storage rack (2) can fall directly to the delivery port (122).

3. The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: When goods (4) are placed on a shelf (1205) of a layer, all the shelves (1205) above the layer are lowered at the same time and the vertical distance between each shelf (1205) above the layer and the shelf of the layer on which the goods (4) are placed remains unchanged.

4. The vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shelf (1205) has an upper surface (12051) with a downwardly concave middle portion.

5. The vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the cargo channels (21) is provided with a corresponding delivery mechanism (3).

6. The vending machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The delivery mechanism (3) comprises a plurality of first motors (31) located behind the cargo channel (21), and a plurality of push plates (30) are driven in the cargo channel (21) by the plurality of first motors (31). The first motor (31) has an eccentric shaft (32), and a transmission rod (34) is provided below the cargo channel (21). The eccentric shaft (32) is rotatably connected to the transmission rod (34), and the transmission rod (34) is fixedly connected to a tension spring (33) paired therewith. The front part of the transmission rod (34) is rotatably connected to a group of limit blocks, and a dumping block (37) is provided in front of the limit block.

7. The vending machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The storage rack (2) comprises a plurality of aisles (21), baffles (2101) on both sides of the aisles (21), brackets (2100) located below the aisles (21), aisle fixing plates (2102) located above the aisles (21), and a motor bracket (2103) capable of accommodating the plurality of first motors (31).

8. The vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cabinet (1) comprises a cabinet body (11) with an opening at the front and a cabinet door (12) rotatably connected to the front of the cabinet body (11); a display window (121) capable of displaying goods is provided above the delivery port (122); and the display window (121), the delivery port (122) and the pickup mechanism (120) are arranged in the cabinet door (12).

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