Drink vending machine

Abstract

The present invention discloses a beverage vending machine, which belongs to the technical field of automatic vending machines, and comprises: a cabinet, and a cup material rack, a cup turning mechanism, a cup conveying device and a filling device all arranged inside the cabinet; the cup material rack has at least one layer, and each layer is provided with a cup support plate for supporting beverage cups; the cup support plate is tilted, and the lower end is the cup end, and a plurality of beverage cups in an inverted state are arranged on the cup support plate; the cup turning mechanism is used to turn the beverage cup at the cup end to a vertical state and send it to the cup conveying device; the filling device is used to fill beverages into the beverage cups in the vertical state. It is not necessary to bring your own beverage cups, and it is suitable for the automatic vending of various liquid beverages, especially for the automatic vending of alcoholic beverages.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of automatic vending machines, and in particular relates to an automatic beverage vending machine. Background Art

[0002] With the development of society, vending machines are increasingly widely used, such as beverage vending machines, red wine vending machines, etc. However, most of the vending machines sell whole bottles and cannot meet the demand for bulk beverages. At present, there are some vending machines that sell bulk beverages on the market, such as the Chinese invention patent with publication number CN206672244U, entitled Automatic Bulk Wine Vending Machine, and the Chinese invention patent application with publication number CN104821045A, entitled Bulk Beverage Vending Machine and Method of Using the Same. However, the above-mentioned vending machines that sell bulk beverages all require users to provide their own beverage cups for the beverages, which is still inconvenient. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a beverage vending machine to solve the technical problem that users are required to provide beverage cups for holding beverages.

[0004] In order to achieve the purpose of the present invention, the technical scheme adopted is: a beverage vending machine, comprising: a cabinet, and a cup material rack, a cup turning mechanism, a cup conveying device and a filling device all arranged inside the cabinet; the cup material rack has at least one layer, and each layer is provided with a cup supporting plate for supporting beverage cups; the cup supporting plate is inclined, and the lower end is the cup discharging end, and a plurality of beverage cups in an inverted state are arranged on the cup supporting plate; the cup turning mechanism is used to turn the beverage cup at the cup discharging end to a vertical state and send it to the cup conveying device; the filling device is used to fill beverages into the beverage cups in the vertical state.

[0005] As a further optional solution, a material blocking mechanism is provided at the cup outlet end of each cup carrying plate.

[0006] As a further optional solution, the material blocking mechanism includes: a propeller and a motor driving the propeller to rotate, the propeller having at least three blades evenly distributed circumferentially; the material blocking mechanism is located above or below the cup outlet end of the cup carrier plate, and a beverage cup positioning space is formed between two adjacent blades and the cup carrier plate.

[0007] As a further optional solution, the cup flipping mechanism includes: a lifting body, a flipping driving component, a first cup holder rotatably connected to the lifting body, and a first lifting driving mechanism that drives the lifting body to lift and lower; the first cup holder has a cavity for placing a beverage cup, and a side wall of the cavity has an opening for the beverage cup to enter and exit; the flipping driving component is located below the first cup holder, and the flipping driving component is eccentrically arranged relative to the rotation center of the first cup holder.

[0008] As a further optional solution, a torsion spring is arranged between the lifting body and the first cup holder, and two arms of the torsion spring respectively abut against the lifting body and the first cup holder, and the torsion spring is used to drive the first cup holder to be in a tilted state.

[0009] As a further optional solution, one of the lifting body and the first cup holder is provided with an incomplete annular groove along the circumferential direction, and the other is integrally formed with a protrusion extending into the incomplete annular groove.

[0010] As a further optional solution, a cup pushing hole is formed on the side wall of the cavity opposite to the opening; the cup flipping mechanism also includes a cup pushing mechanism corresponding to the cup pushing hole, and the cup pushing mechanism is used to push the beverage cup in the first cup holder to the cup delivery device.

[0011] As a further optional scheme, the cup flipping mechanism includes: a second cup holder, a guide component, and a second lifting drive mechanism that drives the second cup holder to rise and fall; the guide component includes two tracks that are spaced side by side; the two tracks are both arc-shaped, and the two tracks correspond to the two sides of the neck of the drinking cup and slide with the neck of the drinking cup; the second cup holder is an open structure at the top, and the second cup holder is used to carry an inverted drinking cup; the diameter of the mouth of the drinking cup is larger than the diameter of the neck of the drinking cup, and the neck and the mouth of the drinking cup are both located outside the second cup holder; the second cup holder passes through the guide component from top to bottom, and the drinking cup flips from an inverted state to a vertical state.

[0012] As a further optional solution, the guide component has a first state and a second state, and is connected to a driving device for driving it to switch between the first state and the second state; when the guide component is in the first state, the upper ends of the two tracks are docked with the second cup holder; when the guide component is in the second state, the beverage cup is separated from the track.

[0013] As a further optional scheme, the filling device includes: a beverage can, a pipeline switching unit, a heating module, a cold storage tank with built-in coolant, a refrigeration module for cooling the coolant, and a liquid outlet main pipe; the heating module is provided with a first heat exchanger, and the cold storage tank is provided with a second heat exchanger immersed in the coolant; the inlet and outlet of the first heat exchanger are respectively connected to the first liquid inlet pipe and the first liquid outlet pipe, and the inlet and outlet of the second heat exchanger are respectively connected to the second liquid inlet pipe and the second liquid outlet pipe; the outlet of the beverage can is connected to the main pipe, and the main pipe is connected to the first liquid inlet pipe and the second liquid inlet pipe through the pipeline switching unit, and the pipeline switching unit is used to connect the main pipe with the first liquid inlet pipe and / or the second liquid inlet pipe; the beverage in the first liquid outlet pipe and the second liquid outlet pipe converges to the liquid outlet main pipe; the liquid outlet main pipe is located above the cup conveying device and is used to convey beverages to the beverage cup in a vertical state.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0015] The cup discharging rack stores beverage cups containing beverages, and the cup carrying plate is tilted. The gravity of the beverage cup is used to roll the beverage cups for discharging. The cup flipping mechanism then flips the beverage cups at the discharging end to a vertical state, and sends the vertical beverage cups to the cup conveying device. The beverage cups are vertical, which makes it easy for the filling device to add beverages to the beverage cups. Users can directly take beverages from the cup conveying device without bringing their own beverage cups, which is very convenient. The beverage vending machine is suitable for the automatic vending of various liquid beverages, especially for the automatic vending of alcoholic beverages. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the accompanying drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other accompanying drawings can be obtained based on these accompanying drawings without paying any creative work.

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a beverage vending machine provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of area A in the figure;

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the structure of the cup material dispensing rack in the beverage vending machine shown;

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial front view of a cup material dispensing rack in a beverage vending machine is shown, wherein a door panel of one layer is not shown;

[0021] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the structure of one layer of the cup material dispensing rack in the beverage vending machine shown, wherein the beverage cup at the cup dispensing end is not shown to clearly show the material blocking mechanism at the cup end;

[0022] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of a material blocking mechanism in a beverage vending machine shown;

[0023] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a filling device in a beverage vending machine is shown;

[0024] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of a filling device in a beverage vending machine is shown;

[0025] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1A schematic diagram of the cup flipping mechanism and the cup delivery conveying device docking in one embodiment of the beverage vending machine is shown, with the second lifting drive mechanism omitted;

[0026] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 The complete structural diagram of the cup flipping mechanism shown;

[0027] Fig.11 yes Fig. 9 A schematic structural diagram of a cup flipping mechanism in which a guide component is in a first state;

[0028] Fig.12 yes Fig. 9 A schematic structural diagram of the cup flipping mechanism in which the guide component is in the second state;

[0029] Fig.13 yes Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of the second cup holder in the cup flipping mechanism shown;

[0030] Fig.14 yes Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a cup flipping mechanism in another embodiment of a beverage vending machine is shown (the first cup holder is in a tilted state);

[0031] Fig.15 yes Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the cup flipping mechanism from another perspective (the first cup holder is in a vertical state);

[0032] Fig.16 yes Fig.14 A schematic diagram of a flip driving component in the cup flip mechanism shown;

[0033] Fig.17 yes Fig.14 A schematic diagram showing a first cup holder in a cup flipping mechanism in a tilted state;

[0034] Fig.18 yes Fig.14 A schematic diagram showing a cup flipping mechanism in which the first cup holder is in a vertical state;

[0035] Fig.19 yes Fig.14 A schematic diagram of a lifting body in a cup flipping mechanism shown;

[0036] Fig. 20 yes Fig.14 Schematic diagram of the connecting parts in the cup flipping mechanism shown.

[0037] Reference numerals: 100-cabinet; 101-cover plate; 102-opening and closing device; 200-cup material discharging rack; 201-cup carrying plate; 202-material blocking mechanism; 203-propeller; 204-blade; 205-motor; 206-avoidance groove; 207-baffle plate; 208-door plate; 209-magnet; 300-cup turning mechanism; 301-lifting body; 302-turning driving component; 303-first cup holder; 304-first lifting drive mechanism; 305-cavity; 306-opening; 307-push cup hole; 308-support structure; 309-push cup body; 310-linear drive unit; 311-blocking structure; 312-accommodating groove; 313-mounting hole; 314-bump; 315-incomplete annular groove; 316-bearing; 317-rotating shaft; 318-long hole; 319-waist hole; 320-roller ; 321- inclined plane; 322- vertical plane; 323- connecting piece; 324- second cup holder; 325- track; 326- bracket; 327- torsion spring; 328- driving block; 329- second lifting driving mechanism; 330- U-shaped frame; 331- cup block; 332- limiting strip; 333- inclined plane; 400- cup delivery device; 500- beverage cup; 501- cup mouth; 502- neck; 600-filling device; 601-beverage can; 602-three-way valve; 603-valve; 604-heating module; 605-cold storage tank; 606-refrigeration module; 607-first heat exchanger; 608-second heat exchanger; 609-first liquid inlet pipe; 610-first liquid outlet pipe; 611-second liquid inlet pipe; 612-second liquid outlet pipe; 613-main line; 614-beverage pump; 615-liquid outlet main line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work belong to the protection scope of the present invention. It is understood that the drawings are only provided for reference and illustration, and are not used to limit the present invention. The connection relationship shown in the drawings is only for the convenience of clear description and does not limit the connection method.

[0039] It should be noted that when a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to the other component, or there may be an intermediate component at the same time. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used in the specification of the present invention herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0040] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0041] Figures 1 to 20 The beverage vending machine provided by the present invention is shown, comprising: a cabinet 100, and a cup material rack 200, a cup turning mechanism 300, a cup conveying device 400 and a filling device 600, all of which are arranged inside the cabinet 100; the cup material rack 200 has at least one layer, and each layer is provided with a cup supporting plate 201 for supporting beverage cups 500; the cup supporting plate 201 is inclined, and the lower end is the cup discharge end, and a plurality of beverage cups 500 in an inverted state are arranged on the cup supporting plate 201; the cup turning mechanism 300 is used to turn the beverage cups 500 at the cup discharge end to a vertical state and send them to the cup conveying device 400; the filling device 600 is used to fill beverages into the beverage cups 500 in a vertical state.

[0042] The cup material discharging rack 200 can be placed in the cabinet 100, or fixed to the cabinet 100 by welding, screw connection, etc. The cup holding plate 201 can be fixed to the cup material discharging rack 200 by a connecting member 323 such as a screw, and the beverage cup 500 is placed on the cup holding plate 201 in an inverted state, that is, the cup is not in an upright state. The drawings of this embodiment take horizontal placement as an example, and it can also be in an inverted state at other angles.

[0043] A sealing plate may be provided on the cup flipping mechanism 300. After the cup flipping mechanism 300 takes out the beverage cup 500 from the cup outlet end, the sealing plate moves in conjunction with the flipping mechanism to seal the cup outlet end, thereby preventing other beverage cups 500 on the cup supporting plate 201 from leaving the cup supporting plate 201. The cup flipping mechanism 300 may also directly flip the beverage cup 500 at the cup outlet end, thereby utilizing the cup flipping mechanism 300 and the beverage cup 500 itself to prevent other beverage cups 500 on the cup supporting plate 201 from leaving the cup supporting plate 201, and then the beverage cup 500 flipped to a vertical state is transferred to the cup conveying device by a robot.

[0044] like Figures 3 to 5As shown, a material blocking mechanism 202 may be provided at the cup outlet end of each cup carrying plate 201 to prevent other beverage cups 500 except the beverage cups 500 at the cup outlet end from leaving the cup carrying plate 201 . The material blocking mechanism 202 can be a telescopic plate. Specifically, the telescopic plate is arranged at the cup outlet end. After the beverage cup 500 at the cup outlet end rolls to the cup flipping mechanism 300, the telescopic plate extends to block the next beverage cup 500; when the cup needs to be discharged, the telescopic plate retracts, and the beverage cup 500 automatically rolls to the flipping mechanism; the material blocking mechanism 202 can also be a telescopic cylinder. The telescopic cylinder is arranged at the cup outlet end. After the beverage cup 500 at the cup outlet end rolls to the cup flipping mechanism 300, the telescopic cylinder extends to press the next beverage cup 500 against the cup supporting plate 201. During the process of the cup flipping mechanism 300 transferring the beverage cup 500, static friction is used to prevent other beverage cups 500 on the cup supporting plate 201 from rolling; when the cup needs to be discharged, the telescopic cylinder retracts, and the next beverage cup 500 rolls to the cup flipping mechanism 300.

[0045] Several specific structures of the blocking mechanism 202 are listed above. It is understandable that the blocking mechanism 202 of the present invention is not limited to the above specific structures, as long as it can block other beverage cups 500 except those rolled to the cup flipping mechanism 300. In a preferred embodiment, Figure 6 As shown, the material blocking mechanism 202 includes: a propeller 203 and a motor 205 for driving the propeller 203 to rotate, the propeller 203 has at least three blades 204 evenly distributed circumferentially; the material blocking mechanism 202 is located above or below the cup outlet end of the cup carrier plate 201, and a beverage cup 500 positioning space is formed between two adjacent blades 204 and the cup carrier plate 201.

[0046] One of the two adjacent blades 204 forming the positioning space for the drink cup 500 faces outward from the cup discharging rack 200, and the other blade 204 is located between the two adjacent drink cups 500 at the end, blocking the next drink cup 500 while discharging the cup, and allowing the next drink cup 500 to enter between the next two adjacent blades 204 as the cup is rotated, so that the next drink cup 500 flows to the cup discharging end and waits for discharging.

[0047] In one embodiment, if Figure 4 and 5As shown, the material blocking mechanism 202 is located below the cup-carrying plate 201, and the cup-carrying plate 201 is provided with an avoidance groove 206 for the propeller 203 to extend out. The beverage cup 500 is supported on the cup-carrying plate 201, and two adjacent blades 204 extend from below the beverage cup 500 to both sides of the cup wall of the beverage cup 500 to position the beverage cup 500 at the cup end. The avoidance groove 206 provides a space for the propeller 203 to extend and rotate, so that it passes through the cup-carrying plate 201 to position the beverage cup 500. The avoidance groove 206 can be in the shape of a strip. The material blocking mechanism 202 can also be arranged above the cup-carrying plate 201, that is, the two adjacent blades 204 extend from above the beverage cup 500 to both sides of the cup wall of the beverage cup 500 to position the beverage cup 500. The output shaft of the motor 205 is fixedly connected to the center of the propeller 203. The angles between each two adjacent blades 204 in the propeller 203 are equal, so that the angle and time required to rotate to the corresponding beverage cup 500 between each two adjacent blades 204 are equal, which is also convenient for driving and controlling the motor 205.

[0048] In one embodiment, if Figures 3 to 5 As shown, a baffle 207 and a door panel 208 are respectively provided on both sides of the cup supporting plate 201. The baffle 207 is fixedly connected to the cup supporting plate 201, and the door panel 208 is hinged to the cup supporting plate 201, that is, the baffle 207 and the door panel 208 can correspond to the bottom of the cup and the two ends of the cup mouth 501 of the beverage cup 500 respectively, limit the position of the beverage cup 500 on the cup supporting plate 201, and also play a guiding and limiting role when the beverage cup 500 rolls. The lower end of the door panel 208 is hinged to the cup supporting plate 201, which is convenient for opening the material rack to put in the beverage cup 500. A magnet 209 corresponding to the door panel 208 can be provided on the cup supporting plate 201. After the door panel 208 is closed, it adsorbs the door panel 208 to fix it. The heights of the door panel 208 and the baffle 207 can be lower than the height of the beverage cup 500 in the tilted state, that is, the two do not block the beverage cup 500, which is convenient for observation. The propeller 203 is a sheet body and can be an integrated structure. The motor 205 can be fixed to the cup-carrying plate 201 .

[0049] The cup turning mechanism 300 can be realized by a robot, but the cost is high and the required cabinet 100 space is also large. Therefore, two ingenious cup turning mechanisms 300 are proposed and described in detail below.

[0050] In one embodiment, if Figures 14 to 20 As shown, the cup flipping mechanism 300 may include: a lifting body 301, a flipping driving member 302, a first cup holder 303 rotatably connected to the lifting body 301, and a first lifting driving mechanism 304 driving the lifting body 301 to lift and lower; the first cup holder 303 has a cavity 305 for placing the beverage cup 500, and the side wall of the cavity 305 is provided with an opening 306 for the beverage cup 500 to enter and exit; the flipping driving member 302 is located below the first cup holder 303, and the flipping driving member 302 is eccentrically arranged relative to the rotation center of the first cup holder 303.

[0051] The first lifting drive mechanism 304 is detachably connected to the cabinet 100 by screws or the like.

[0052] The first cup holder 303 can be connected to the lifting body 301 with damped rotation, that is, there is a rotation resistance between the first cup holder 303 and the lifting body 301, and they can rotate relative to each other only with the support of external force. The first cup holder 303 is in a tilted state before passing through the flip driving member 302, and then the first lifting driving mechanism 304 drives the first cup holder 303 to descend, and the reaction force applied to the first cup holder 303 by the flip driving member 302 is used to flip the first cup holder 303 to a vertical state and keep it; a torsion spring can also be arranged between the lifting body 301 and the first cup holder 303, and the two arms of the torsion spring are respectively against the lifting body 301 and the first cup holder 303, so as to use the torsion spring to drive the first cup holder 303 to a tilted state. The opposite surfaces of the lifting body 301 and the first cup holder 303 can be provided with a receiving groove 312 for receiving the torsion spring, and the bottoms of the two receiving grooves 312 can be provided with mounting holes 313, and the ends of the two legs of the torsion spring are provided with hook feet, and the two hook feet are respectively inserted into the two mounting holes 313.

[0053] The flip driving member 302 may be a vertical plate. As the first cup holder 303 descends, the flip driving member 302 always abuts against the cup holder, thereby maintaining the vertical state of the cup holder.

[0054] A blocking component, such as a pin, may be provided on the rotation path of the outer contour of the first cup holder 303. Under the elastic force of the torsion spring, the first cup holder 303 rotates. When the outer contour of the first cup holder 303 rotates to the position of the pin, the first cup holder 303 cannot continue to rotate due to the blocking of the pin. By arranging the pin at a suitable position, the first cup holder 303 can be in a tilted state. The following method may also be used for limiting the position: one of the lifting body 301 and the first cup holder 303 is provided with an incomplete annular groove 315 along the circumferential direction, and the other is integrally formed with a protrusion 314 extending into the incomplete annular groove 315; thus, when the protrusion 314 abuts against one end of the incomplete annular groove 315 under the action of the torsion spring, the beverage cup 500 is in a tilted state; when the protrusion 314 abuts against the other end of the incomplete annular groove 315, the beverage cup 500 is in a vertical state. The incomplete annular groove 315 means that the protrusion 314 cannot rotate 360° in the incomplete annular groove 315, that is, the groove end wall of the incomplete annular groove 315 is used to limit the rotation angle of the first cup holder 303. The incomplete annular groove 315 and the protrusion 314 are used to limit the first cup holder 303 to maintain a tilted state, and to limit the first cup holder 303 to maintain a vertical state. For example, when the drinking cup 500 is placed horizontally, the protrusion 314 can only rotate 90° in the incomplete annular groove 315, so that the consistency of the first cup holder 303 in the vertical state is better. Obviously, when the drinking cup 500 is placed at other angles, it is only necessary to change the position of the protrusion 314 or change the center angle of the incomplete annular groove 315.

[0055] The first lifting drive mechanism 304 can be implemented using existing technologies such as pneumatic slides, servo slides, etc., such as the RSB series single-axis robot sold by MISUMI. The lifting body 301 can be installed on the output end of the first lifting drive mechanism 304, for example, the lifting body 301 can be installed on the slider of the aforementioned single-axis robot.

[0056] The rotation connection between the first cup holder 303 and the lifting body 301 can also be achieved by using existing technologies, for example, a hole is directly opened on the side of the lifting body 301 facing the first cup holder 303, a rotating shaft 317 is rotatably fitted in the hole, and one end of the rotating shaft 317 is connected to the first cup holder 303. Further, a bearing 316 can be arranged between the hole and the rotating shaft 317 to reduce the rotation resistance of the first cup holder 303. Specifically, the outer ring of the bearing 316 is transitionally fitted with the hole, and the inner ring of the bearing 316 is sleeved outside the rotating shaft 317 and has an interference fit with the rotating shaft 317.

[0057] The flip mechanism 300 of the drink cup 500 may also include a cup pusher 309, which is connected to a linear drive unit 310 that drives it to reciprocate in the horizontal direction; the linear drive unit 310 may be connected to the cup material discharging rack 200 by means of screws or the like; a cup pusher hole 307 is provided on the side wall of the cavity 305 corresponding to the opening 306, and when the drink cup 500 is in a vertical state, the linear drive unit 310 is used to drive the cup pusher 309 to push the drink cup 500 out of the first cup holder 303 through the cup pusher hole 307. On this basis, the cup pusher hole 307 is connected to the opening 306 along the circumference of the drink cup 500. Thus, a guide can be arranged during the entire movement of the cup pusher 309, so as to avoid the cup pusher 309 from being suspended for a long time, and to make the pushing of the drink cup 500 smoother and more stable. The linear drive unit 310 may be implemented by using existing technologies such as an air cylinder, an oil cylinder, a crank slider mechanism, and a ball screw structure of a servo motor 205.

[0058] A blocking structure 311 for blocking the drink cup 500 may be disposed at the cavity 305 corresponding to the cup mouth 501 of the drink cup 500, thereby reducing the risk of the drink cup 500 flying out of the first cup holder 303 due to inertia during the up-and-down movement and flipping movement of the first cup holder 303. The blocking structure 311 may be a blocking plate 207, and the end of the opening 306 close to the cup mouth 501 of the drink cup 500 extends to the blocking plate 207.

[0059] The outer wall of the first cup holder 303 may be provided with a roller 320, which is eccentrically arranged relative to the rotation center of the first cup holder 303, and the rotation axis 317 of the roller 320 is perpendicular to the height direction of the beverage cup 500; the flip driving component 302 is provided with an inclined surface 321 corresponding to the roller 320, and when the roller 320 passes through the inclined surface 321 from top to bottom, the beverage cup 500 is flipped from the tilted state to the vertical state. The friction force of the roller 320 and the inclined surface 321 is smaller, thereby reducing wear and tear, and avoiding the risk of jamming caused by the flip driving component 302 directly contacting the first cup holder 303. On this basis, the lower end of the inclined surface 321 is connected with a vertical surface 322, and the vertical surface 322 is tangent to the outer circumferential surface of the roller 320, so as to ensure that after the roller 320 passes through the inclined surface 321, the first cup holder 303 continues to descend, and the vertical surface 322 always abuts against the roller 320, so that the vertical state of the first cup holder 303 can be maintained, which is convenient for docking with the cup delivery device 400.

[0060] The roller 320 is adjustable and arranged on the first cup holder 303 along the height direction perpendicular to the beverage cup 500, so that the contact timing between the roller 320 and the inclined surface 321 can be adjusted, thereby adjusting when the first cup holder 303 is turned over and when it is turned into place. The existing technology can be used to achieve the adjustment of the roller 320, for example, the roller 320 can be connected to a mounting plate, and a long hole 318 is opened on the mounting plate along the height direction perpendicular to the beverage cup 500, and a threaded hole is opened on the first cup holder 303 corresponding to the long hole 318, and the mounting plate is fixed to the first cup holder 303 by screws, and the screws are loosened to move the mounting plate, thereby adjusting the position of the roller 320, and then the screws are tightened.

[0061] The first cup holder 303 is adjustable along the height direction of the beverage cup 500 and is arranged on the lifting body 301. When the first cup holder 303 is in a tilted state, the first cup holder 303 is adjusted along the height direction of the beverage cup 500 to ensure that the first cup holder 303 is accurately aligned with the beverage cup 500 at the cup outlet end, so that the beverage cup 500 can smoothly roll into the first cup holder 303. The adjustment of the first cup holder 303 can be achieved by using existing technologies. For example, a connecting member 323 is provided between the first cup holder 303 and the lifting body 301. The connecting member 323 is fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 317. The first cup holder 303 is provided with a waist-shaped hole 319 along the height direction of the beverage cup 500. The connecting member 323 is provided with a screw hole corresponding to the waist-shaped hole 319, so that the position of the first cup holder 303 can be adjusted by the same method as the adjustment method of the above-mentioned roller 320. Obviously, the above-mentioned connecting member 323 may not be provided, but the rotating shaft 317 may be provided with a screw hole relative to the waist-shaped hole 319, so that the position of the first cup holder 303 can also be adjusted.

[0062] It should be noted that the height direction of the drinking cup 500 refers to a direction parallel to the bottom of the drinking cup 500 and pointing toward the mouth 501 of the drinking cup 500 .

[0063] In another embodiment, Figures 9 to 13 As shown, the cup flipping mechanism 300 may include: a second cup holder 324, a guide component, and a second lifting drive mechanism 329 for driving the second cup holder 324 to rise and fall; the guide component includes two rails 325 arranged side by side and spaced apart; the two rails 325 are both arc-shaped, and the two rails 325 correspond to the two sides of the neck 502 of the drinking cup 500, and slide with the neck 502 of the drinking cup 500; the second cup holder 324 is an upper open structure, and the second cup holder 324 is used to carry the tilted drinking cup 500; the diameter of the cup mouth 501 of the drinking cup 500 is larger than the diameter of the neck 502 of the drinking cup 500, and the neck 502 of the drinking cup 500 and the cup mouth 501 of the drinking cup 500 are both located outside the second cup holder 324; the second cup holder 324 passes through the guide component from top to bottom, and the drinking cup 500 is flipped from the tilted state to the vertical state.

[0064] The guide component and the second lifting drive mechanism 329 can be connected to the cabinet 100 by means of screws or the like.

[0065] The distance between the two tracks 325 is not less than the diameter of the neck 502 of the drinking cup 500, but less than the diameter of the mouth 501 of the drinking cup 500, so that when the second cup holder 324 is descending, the drinking cup 500 can be hung on the track 325, so that the drinking cup 500 can slide along the two tracks 325, and guide the drinking cup 500 to gradually turn over to a vertical state.

[0066] The guide component may have a first state and a second state, and the guide component may be connected to a driving device for driving it to switch between the first state and the second state; when the guide component is in the first state, the upper ends of the two tracks 325 are docked with the second cup holder 324; when the guide component is in the second state, the beverage cup 500 is separated from the track 325.

[0067] The guiding component is in the first state, the upper ends of the two tracks 325 are docked with the second cup holder 324, when the second cup holder 324 descends to the upper ends of the two tracks 325, the drinking cup 500 placed on the second cup holder 324 enters between the two tracks 325, the second cup holder 324 continues to descend, the neck 502 of the drinking cup 500 slides along the arc-shaped track 325, and gradually turns over, when the drinking cup 500 moves to the lower ends of the two tracks 325, the drinking cup 500 is in a vertical state, and then the driving device drives the guiding component to translate or rotate, switching the guiding component to the second state, the two tracks 325 are separated from the drinking cup 500, and the two tracks 325 do not interfere with the drinking cup 500, so that the cup delivery device 400 can transport the drinking cup 500 in the vertical state away.

[0068] When the two rails 325 are not connected together, the driving device may include two sub-driving units, and the two sub-driving units are respectively used to drive the two rails 325 to translate or rotate.

[0069] The driving device may include: a bracket 326 rotatably connected to the guide component, and a driving structure driving the guide component to rotate; the bracket 326 has an escape space for escaping the second cup holder 324; the arc center connecting line of the two tracks 325 is parallel to the rotation center of the guide component, and the arc centers of the two tracks 325 are away from the second lifting driving mechanism 329. The bracket 326 can be connected to the cup delivery device 400 by screws.

[0070] When the second cup holder 324 moves from top to bottom, the avoidance space is used to avoid the second cup holder 324 , so as to prevent the bracket 326 from interfering with the second cup holder 324 and affecting the smooth entry of the beverage cup 500 into between the two tracks 325 .

[0071] When the two rails 325 are connected together, only one of the rails 325 can be rotatably connected to the bracket 326; when the two rails 325 are not connected together, both rails 325 are rotatably connected to the bracket 326, and the two rails 325 can be respectively connected to a rotating drive member, such as a motor 205.

[0072] The driving structure may include a torsion spring 327 and a driving block 328; an arc-shaped center-line torsion spring 327 is provided between the bracket 326 and the guide component to keep the guide component in the second state; the two arms of the torsion spring 327 are respectively against the track 325 and the bracket 326; the driving block 328 may be driven alone by a linear driving member; the linear driving member may also not be provided, and the driving block 328 may be directly connected to the second lifting driving mechanism 329 to reduce the driving elements; the second cup holder 324 and the driving block 328 may both be fixed to the output end of the second lifting driving mechanism 329; the second cup holder 324 may also be fixed to the output end of the second lifting driving mechanism 329, and the driving block 328 may be fixed to the second cup holder 324; the driving block 328 may also be fixed to the output end of the second lifting driving mechanism 329, and the second cup holder 324 may be fixed to the driving block 328. At least one of the facing surfaces of the driving block 328 and the guide component is provided with an inclined surface 333 ; when the driving block 328 passes through the guide component from top to bottom, the guide component switches from the second state to the first state.

[0073] A limiting component may be provided, and the guiding component is more stably maintained in the second state through the combined action of the limiting component and the torsion spring 327. The limiting component may be a limiting bar 332, one end of which is fixed to the bracket 326, and the other end of which extends to a side of the track 325 away from the arc center.

[0074] When the two rails 325 are connected together, a torsion spring 327 may be set between only one rail 325 and the bracket 326, and the driving block 328 may only drive one of the rails 325; when the two rails 325 are not connected together, a torsion spring 327 is set between both rails 325 and the bracket 326, and the driving block 328 drives both rails 325 at the same time.

[0075] The guide component may further include a U-shaped frame 330; two arms of the U-shaped frame 330 are respectively connected to the two rails 325, thereby connecting the two rails 325 together, so that the two rails 325 can move simultaneously.

[0076] A cup-stopping block 331 may be provided at the lower end of the guiding component, and the cup-stopping block 331 may be fixed to the cup-discharging conveying device 400 . By providing the cup-stopping block 331 , the risk of the beverage cup 500 being thrown out is reduced.

[0077] like Figure 7 and 8As shown, the filling device 600 may include: a beverage tank 601, a pipeline switching unit, a heating module 604, a cold storage tank 605 with a built-in coolant, a refrigeration module 606 for cooling the coolant, and a liquid outlet pipe 615; the heating module 604 is provided with a first heat exchanger 607, and the cold storage tank 605 is provided with a second heat exchanger 608 immersed in the coolant; the inlet and outlet of the first heat exchanger 607 are respectively connected to a first liquid inlet pipe 609 and a first liquid outlet pipe 610, and the inlet and outlet of the second heat exchanger 608 are respectively connected to a first liquid inlet pipe 609 and a first liquid outlet pipe 610. Two liquid inlet pipes 611 and a second liquid outlet pipe 612; the outlet of the beverage can 601 is connected to a main line 613, and the main line 613 is connected to the first liquid inlet pipe 609 and the second liquid inlet pipe 611 through a line switching unit, and the line switching unit is used to connect the main line 613 with the first liquid inlet pipe 609 and / or the second liquid inlet pipe 611; the beverage in the first liquid outlet pipe 610 and the second liquid outlet pipe 612 converges to the liquid outlet main line 615; the liquid outlet main line 615 is located above the cup conveying device, and is used to convey beverages to the beverage cup 500 in a vertical state.

[0078] When the heating module 604 is working, the beverage flowing out through the first heat exchanger 607 is the heated beverage; when the heating module 604 is not working, the beverage flowing out through the first heat exchanger 607 is the normal temperature beverage; the coolant is cooled by the refrigeration module 606, and the beverage flowing out through the second heat exchanger 608 is the refrigerated beverage. The beverage is distributed to the heating module 604 and / or the cold storage tank 605 through the pipeline switching unit, and the pipeline switching unit realizes the conversion of the two states: the beverage flows to the first heat exchanger 607 and the beverage flows to the second heat exchanger 608. Of course, the third state conversion can also be realized by setting the pipeline switching unit, that is, the beverage flows to the first heat exchanger 607 and the second heat exchanger 608 at the same time.

[0079] like Figure 7 As shown, the pipeline switching unit can be a three-way valve 602, and the three ports of the three-way valve 602 are respectively connected to the main pipeline 613, the first liquid inlet pipe 609, and the second liquid inlet pipe 611. At this time, the pipeline switching unit makes the main pipeline 613 connected to the first liquid inlet pipe 609 or the second liquid inlet pipe 611, that is, when the main pipeline 613 is connected to the first liquid inlet pipe 609, the normal temperature beverage or the heated beverage flows out through the first heat exchanger 607, and when the main pipeline 613 is connected to the second liquid inlet pipe 611, the refrigerated beverage flows out through the second heat exchanger 608. These two states are performed successively, and the beverage of the required specified temperature is mixed by mixing beverages of different temperatures in different proportions.

[0080] like Figure 8As shown, the pipeline switching unit may include two valves 603, which are respectively arranged on the first liquid inlet pipe 609 and the second liquid inlet pipe 611. At this time, the pipeline switching unit can make the main pipeline 613 communicate with the first liquid inlet pipe 609, or communicate with the second liquid inlet pipe 611, or communicate with the first liquid inlet pipe 609 and the second liquid inlet pipe 611, that is, the communication between the first liquid inlet pipe 609 and the second liquid inlet pipe 611 and the main pipeline 613 is separately controlled by the two valves 603. At this time, in addition to the two states mentioned above, a third state can also be realized, that is, the beverage flows to the first heat exchanger 607 and the second heat exchanger 608 at the same time, and finally the beverage of the required specified temperature is mixed by mixing the beverages of different temperatures in different proportions.

[0081] like Figure 7 and 8 As shown, a plurality of beverage cans 601 are provided, and the outlets of the plurality of beverage cans 601 are connected in parallel to the main line 613. Taking two beverage cans 601 as an example, the two beverage cans 601 serve as backups for each other. When the remaining beverage in one of the beverage cans 601 is very little and insufficient for use, the other beverage can 601 will make up for it and continue to supply. Seamless switching can be achieved during use, thereby avoiding waste of beverages and improving user experience.

[0082] A beverage pump 614 is provided between the outlet of the beverage tank 601 and the main pipe 613. The heating module 604 may be a ceramic plate heating plate, and the beverage flowing through the first heat exchanger 607 is heated. The first heat exchanger 607 may be a thin plate heat exchanger or a coil. The refrigeration module 606 may be a semiconductor refrigeration module 606. When the beverage flows through the second heat exchanger 608, the temperature is rapidly reduced. The second heat exchanger 608 may be a coil or a thin plate heat exchanger, and the coil may be made of stainless steel.

[0083] The beverages from the first liquid outlet pipe 610 and the second liquid outlet pipe 612 are merged into the liquid outlet main pipe 615, and the hot and cold beverages are finally injected into the beverage cup 500 through the liquid outlet main pipe 615. The different ratios of the hot and cold beverages can be calculated in combination with the predetermined temperatures of heating and cooling, and finally a cup of beverage at a specified temperature is obtained.

[0084] The cup delivery device 400 can be a belt conveyor, etc., so that a single cup of beverage can be delivered to the user, or multiple cups of beverage can be delivered to the user at the same time. The cup delivery device 400 can directly deliver the beverage cup 500 filled with beverage to the outside of the cabinet 100, so that the user can take it. In this case, the cabinet 100 only needs to have an escape opening to avoid the cup delivery device 400; a window can also be provided in the cabinet 100, and the cup delivery device 400 corresponds to the window. The window can be in a long strip shape, and a cover plate 101 can be sealed in the window. At the same time, an opening and closing device 102 that drives the cover plate 101 to open and close is connected in the cabinet 100, for example, the cover plate 101 can slide up and down, and the opening and closing device 102 is a lifting mechanism.

[0085] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned optional implementation modes. Anyone can derive other various forms of products under the inspiration of the present invention. However, no matter what changes are made in the shape or structure, all technical solutions that fall within the scope defined by the claims of the present invention fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A beverage vending machine, characterized in that: include: A cabinet, and a cup material rack, a cup turning mechanism, a cup conveying device and a filling device all arranged inside the cabinet; the cup material rack has at least one layer, and each layer is provided with a cup supporting plate for supporting a beverage cup; the cup supporting plate is tilted, and the lower end is the cup outlet end, and a plurality of beverage cups in an inverted state are arranged on the cup supporting plate; the cup turning mechanism is used to turn the beverage cup at the cup outlet end to a vertical state and send it to the cup conveying device; the filling device is used to fill beverages into the beverage cups in the vertical state; The cup flipping mechanism comprises: a lifting body, a flipping driving component, a first cup holder rotatably connected to the lifting body, and a first lifting driving mechanism driving the lifting body to lift; the first cup holder has a cavity for placing a beverage cup, and the side wall of the cavity is provided with an opening for the beverage cup to enter and exit; the flipping driving component is located below the first cup holder, and the flipping driving component is eccentrically arranged relative to the rotation center of the first cup holder; a torsion spring is arranged between the lifting body and the first cup holder, and the two arms of the torsion spring respectively abut against the lifting body and the first cup holder, and the torsion spring is used to drive the first cup holder to be in a tilted state; one of the lifting body and the first cup holder is provided with an incomplete annular groove along the circumferential direction, and the other is integrally formed with a protrusion extending into the incomplete annular groove; the side wall of the cavity is provided with a cup pushing hole opposite to the opening; The cup flipping mechanism further comprises a cup pushing mechanism corresponding to the cup pushing hole, and the cup pushing mechanism is used to push the beverage cup in the first cup holder to the cup discharging conveying device; or, the cup flipping mechanism comprises: a second cup holder, a guide component, and a second lifting drive mechanism for driving the second cup holder to lift and lower; the guide component comprises two tracks arranged side by side and spaced apart; both tracks are arc-shaped, and the two tracks correspond to the two sides of the neck of the beverage cup and slide with the neck of the beverage cup; the second cup holder is an upper open structure, and the second cup holder is used to carry the tilted beverage cup; the diameter of the mouth of the beverage cup is larger than the diameter of the neck of the beverage cup, and the neck and the mouth of the beverage cup are both located outside the second cup holder; the second cup holder passes through the guide component from top to bottom, and the beverage cup flips from the tilted state to the vertical state; The filling device comprises: a beverage can, a pipeline switching unit, a heating module, a cold storage tank with built-in coolant, a refrigeration module for cooling the coolant, and a liquid outlet main pipe; the heating module is provided with a first heat exchanger, and the cold storage tank is provided with a second heat exchanger immersed in the coolant; the inlet and outlet of the first heat exchanger are respectively connected to the first liquid inlet pipe and the first liquid outlet pipe, and the inlet and outlet of the second heat exchanger are respectively connected to the second liquid inlet pipe and the second liquid outlet pipe; the outlet of the beverage can is connected to the main pipe, which is connected to the first liquid inlet pipe and the second liquid inlet pipe through the pipeline switching unit, and the pipeline switching unit is used to connect the main pipe with the first liquid inlet pipe and / or the second liquid inlet pipe; the beverage in the first liquid outlet pipe and the second liquid outlet pipe converges to the liquid outlet main pipe; the liquid outlet main pipe is located above the cup conveying device and is used to convey beverages to the beverage cup in a vertical state.

2. The beverage vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A material blocking mechanism is provided at the cup outlet end of each cup carrying plate.

3. The beverage vending machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The material blocking mechanism comprises: a propeller and a motor driving the propeller to rotate, wherein the propeller has at least three blades evenly distributed circumferentially; the material blocking mechanism is located above or below the cup outlet end of the cup carrier plate, and a beverage cup positioning space is formed between two adjacent blades and the cup carrier plate.

4. The beverage vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide component has a first state and a second state, and is connected to a driving device for driving it to switch between the first state and the second state; when the guide component is in the first state, the upper ends of the two tracks are docked with the second cup holder; when the guide component is in the second state, the beverage cup is separated from the track.

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