An automatic vending machine with a dispensing buffer device

Abstract

This invention discloses an automatic vending machine with a dispensing buffer device, comprising: a housing having a dispensing channel; a buffer plate disposed within the dispensing channel, having a first position for receiving goods and a second position for flipping and unloading goods; two moving block assemblies symmetrically connected to both ends of the buffer plate along its length; each moving block assembly includes a first moving block and a second moving block, the first and second moving blocks being respectively connected to two corner positions at one end of the buffer plate; the first moving block is slidably mounted on a horizontal slide bar, the second moving block is mounted on a vertical slide plate, the vertical slide plate is connected to a return spring for maintaining the buffer plate in the first position, and a driving device for driving the vertical slide plate upward to switch the buffer plate from the first position to the second position. The automatic vending machine with a dispensing buffer device according to this invention has a simple structure, low manufacturing cost, and is easy to retrofit from existing vending machines; it can buffer falling goods, reducing damage caused by goods and noise generated by collisions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vending machine technology, and in particular to a vending machine with a dispensing buffer device. Background Technology

[0002] A vending machine is a machine that automatically dispenses goods based on the amount of money inserted. Vending machines are commonly used equipment in commercial automation; they are not limited by time or location, save manpower, and facilitate transactions. They represent a new form of retail and are often referred to as 24-hour mini-supermarkets.

[0003] When vending machines dispense goods, the items often fall from a height to the dispensing slot. Some items, especially beverages and water, which are relatively heavy, are subjected to significant impact when falling. This not only affects the taste of carbonated drinks, but some items may even be deformed or damaged. In addition, the impact of falling items generates a lot of noise and can also affect the lifespan of the vending machine. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention proposes an automatic vending machine with a dispensing buffer device, which can buffer the falling goods, effectively reduce the damage caused by the goods, and significantly reduce the noise generated by the collision.

[0005] An automatic vending machine with a dispensing buffer device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a housing having a dispensing channel, wherein a horizontal slide bar and a vertical slide bar are provided in the dispensing channel; a buffer plate, disposed in the dispensing channel and made of multiple layers of buffer material, for buffering fallen goods; the buffer plate having a first position for receiving goods and a second position for flipping and unloading goods; two moving block groups symmetrically connected to both ends of the buffer plate along its length; the moving block groups include a first moving block and a second moving block, the first moving block and the second moving block being respectively connected to two corner positions at one end of the buffer plate along its length; the first moving block is slidably mounted on the horizontal slide bar, the second moving block is mounted on the vertical slide bar, and the vertical slide bar is connected to a driving device for driving its lifting and lowering; the rising of the vertical slide bar can drive the second moving block to rise synchronously, thereby driving the second moving block to slide horizontally, so as to realize the switching of the buffer plate from the first position to the second position; and a return spring, with both ends connected to the vertical slide bar and the housing respectively, for maintaining the buffer plate in the first position.

[0006] The vending machine with a dispensing buffer device according to an embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0007] By setting up a buffer plate to cushion items falling during dispensing, it can effectively prevent goods from making hard contact with the machine, thereby reducing damage to the goods and noise from collisions. The buffer plate has a primary position for receiving goods and a secondary position for tipping over and unloading, which can prevent some people from putting their hands into the vending machine too early and being injured by falling goods. The overall structure is simple, the manufacturing cost is low, and it is easy to modify existing vending machines.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vertical slide plate is provided with transmission teeth, and the output end of the drive device is provided with a gear that meshes with the transmission teeth.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the second moving block is disposed on the upper part of the vertical slide plate, the transmission gear is disposed on the lower part of the vertical slide plate, and the return spring is connected to the bottom of the vertical slide plate.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the surface of the buffer plate is provided with a plurality of protruding buffer steps.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the device further includes a pusher brush rod and a follower rope, with both ends of the pusher brush rod being mounted on the follower rope; during the switching process of the buffer plate from the first position to the second position, the follower rope will move, thereby driving the pusher brush rod to move, so as to push the product off the surface of the buffer plate.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first moving block is provided with a first pulley, and the vertical sliding plate is provided with a second pulley; one end of the follower rope is wound around the output end of the driving device, the other end is connected to a plumb bob, and the middle part is wound around the first pulley and the second pulley.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the second pulley is disposed above the second moving block.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the outer peripheral surface of the pusher brush rod is provided with bristles.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a first panel and a second panel are respectively provided on both sides of the delivery channel, the two ends of the horizontal slide bar are respectively connected to the first panel and the second panel, and the vertical slide is movably lifted and installed on the second panel.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the side of the first panel facing the second panel is provided with sound-absorbing cotton.

[0017] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the buffer plate in the first position according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the buffer plate in the second position according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a gear according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Icon labels:

[0025] Box body 100, horizontal slide bar 110, vertical slide plate 120, transmission gear 121, second pulley 122, drive device 130, gear 131, first panel 140, sound-absorbing cotton 141, second panel 150;

[0026] Buffer plate 200, first moving block 210, first pulley 211, second moving block 220, buffer step 230;

[0027] Return spring 300;

[0028] 400mm pusher brush rod;

[0029] Follow-up rope 500, plumb bob 510. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0031] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0032] In the description of this invention, "multiple" refers to two or more. The use of "first" and "second" is for distinguishing technical features only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features or their sequential relationship.

[0033] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "set up," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0034] Reference Figures 1 to 5 An embodiment of the present invention provides an automatic vending machine with a dispensing buffer device, comprising a housing 100, wherein a dispensing channel for dispensing is provided within the housing 100. The dispensing channel generally has a rectangular cross-section, and a first panel 140 and a second panel 150 are respectively provided on opposite sides of the dispensing channel. A sound-absorbing cotton 141 is provided on the side of the first panel 140 facing the second panel 150. The first panel 140 refers to the panel with the dispensing slot, and the sound-absorbing cotton 141 is located above the dispensing slot.

[0035] In some embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the shipping channel is equipped with a horizontal slide bar 110, a vertical slide plate 120, and a buffer plate 200. The buffer plate 200 is made of multiple layers of cushioning material, including structures such as sponge and springs. There are two horizontal slide bars 110 and two vertical slide plates 120. The two horizontal slide bars 110 are symmetrically arranged about the buffer plate 200, and their two ends are respectively installed on the first panel 140 and the second panel 150. Similarly, the two vertical slide plates 120 are symmetrically arranged about the buffer plate 200, and the vertical slide plates 120 are movably and vertically mounted on the second panel 150.

[0036] In some embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to... Figure 3 As shown, two moving block groups are symmetrically connected to both ends of the buffer plate 200 along its length. The moving block groups include a first moving block 210 and a second moving block 220, which are respectively connected to two corner positions at one end of the buffer plate 200 along its length. The first moving block 210 is slidably mounted on a horizontal slide bar 110, and the second moving block 220 is mounted on a vertical slide plate 120. The vertical slide plate 120 is connected to a drive device 130 that drives its lifting and lowering.

[0037] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the buffer plate 200 has a first position for receiving goods and a second position for flipping and unloading goods; the driving device 130 drives the vertical slide plate 120 to rise, which can drive the second moving block 220 to rise synchronously, and the rise of the second moving block 220 can drive the second moving block 220 to slide horizontally in the direction of the vertical slide plate 120, so as to realize the switching of the buffer plate 200 from the first position to the second position; the return spring 300, with its two ends connected to the vertical slide plate 120 and the box body 100 respectively, is used to maintain the buffer plate 200 in the first position.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to... Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the vertical slide plate 120 is provided with a transmission gear 121, and the output end of the drive device 130 is provided with a gear 131 that meshes with the transmission gear 121. Specifically, the drive device 130 can be a motor or other drive device 130, and the output end of the motor is fitted with a gear 131 that meshes with the transmission gear 121.

[0039] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the second moving block 220 is disposed on the upper part of the vertical slide plate 120, the transmission gear 121 is disposed on the lower part of the vertical slide plate 120, and the return spring 300 is connected to the bottom of the vertical slide plate 120. The second moving block 220 is detachably mounted on the vertical slide plate 120, and the transmission gear 121 may be fixedly disposed on the vertical slide plate 120 or detachably connected to the vertical slide plate 120.

[0040] In some embodiments of the present invention, the surface of the buffer plate 200 is provided with a plurality of protruding buffer steps 230. The buffer steps 230 are provided to increase the contact area between the beverage and the buffer plate 200, and at the same time, to better cushion the product and reduce the impact between the product and the first panel 140. However, the buffer steps 230 should not be too high to avoid obstructing the product from falling off the buffer plate 200.

[0041] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the buffer plate 200 in the first position. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the buffer plate 200 in the second position. It can be understood that when the drive device 130 is not activated, the vertical slide plate 120 will be maintained at its lowest point, i.e., the first position of the buffer plate 200, under the action of the return spring 300. When the buffer plate 200 is in the first position, the first moving block 210 is at the end of the horizontal slide bar 110 near the first panel 140, but the second moving block 220 is still slightly higher than the first moving block 210, thus making the buffer plate 200 slightly tilted in the first position, effectively preventing the product from always landing on the side closer to the first panel 140 when it falls.

[0042] When the buffer plate 200 switches from the first position to the second position, the drive device 130 rotates, causing the gear 131 to rotate clockwise, which in turn causes the vertical slide plate 120 to rise, and then causes the second moving block 220 to rise synchronously. The first moving block 210 will slide in the direction of the vertical slide plate 120, thereby creating a gap between the first moving block 210 and the first panel 140, causing the goods to fall from the gap between the buffer plate 200 and the first panel 140.

[0043] Understandably, from Figure 1 , Figure 2 The diagram shows that gear 131 rotates clockwise to drive the vertical slide plate 120 to rise, but it can also be set to rotate counterclockwise to drive the vertical slide plate 120 to rise, depending on the actual situation.

[0044] Furthermore, Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, gear 131 rotates clockwise, causing the vertical slide plate 120 to rise, and rotates counterclockwise, causing the vertical slide plate 120 to fall; in Figure 5 In another embodiment, the gear 131 may have only a certain number of teeth, so that the gear 131 is only used to drive the vertical slide plate 120 to rise, while the buffer plate 200 is pulled back to the first position by the return spring 300. The advantage of driving the vertical slide plate 120 to rise or fall simultaneously by the gear 131 is that the switching of the buffer plate 200 between the first position and the second position is more stable. The method of using the return spring 300 to reset the buffer plate 200 from the second position to the first position is more efficient. At the same time, the motor does not need to reverse, so the drive device 130 does not need to use a forward and reverse motor, which can reduce costs.

[0045] In some embodiments of the present invention, a pusher brush 400 and a follower rope 500 are also included, with both ends of the pusher brush 400 mounted on the follower rope 500. During the switching process of the buffer plate 200 from the first position to the second position, the follower rope 500 moves, thereby causing the pusher brush 400 to move, pushing the product off the surface of the buffer plate 200. Specifically, refer to... Figure 4 As shown, both ends of the pusher brush 400 are bound to the follower rope 500, and it moves with the follower rope 500. That is, the pusher brush 400 cannot move relative to the follower rope 500. Since the function of the pusher brush 400 is only to push the goods off the buffer plate 200, the pusher brush 400 is preferably made of a lightweight material to reduce the load on the follower rope 500.

[0046] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first moving block 210 is provided with a first pulley 211, and the vertical sliding plate 120 is provided with a second pulley 122; one end of the following rope 500 is wound around the output end of the driving device 130, the other end is connected to a plumb bob 510, and the middle is wound around the first pulley 211 and the second pulley 122. Specifically, refer to Figure 4 As shown, the second pulley 122 is positioned above the second moving block 220. The second pulley 122 is rotatable on the vertical slide plate 120 around its own axis. The lifting and lowering of the vertical slide plate 120 will cause the second pulley 122 to lift and lower synchronously. When the buffer plate 200 switches from the first position to the second position, the drive device 130 rotates clockwise, causing part of the follower rope 500 to be wound around the drive device 130, thereby driving the plumb bob 510 to rise. At the same time, the pusher brush 400 moves towards the second moving block 220, reducing the gap between the pusher brush 400 and the surface of the buffer plate 200, thereby pushing the goods.

[0047] It should be noted that one end of the follower rope 500 is not wound around the gear 131, but rather around the output shaft of the drive device 130. This can be achieved by fitting a winding structure onto the output shaft of the drive device 130, with the winding structure being connected to the output shaft of the drive device 130 via a drive mechanism, such as a key connection. When one end of the follower rope 500 is fixed to the winding structure, the rotation of the drive device 130 will cause part of the follower rope 500 to be wound around the winding structure.

[0048] In some embodiments of the present invention, the outer peripheral surface of the pusher brush 400 is provided with bristles. Specifically, the purpose of providing bristles on the outer peripheral surface of the pusher brush 400 is to better push the goods off the buffer plate 200, while also cleaning the surface of the buffer plate 200 at the same time.

[0049] The vending machine with a dispensing buffer device according to an embodiment of the present invention effectively prevents items from making hard contact with the cabinet 100 by setting a buffer plate 200 to cushion items falling during dispensing, thereby reducing damage to the items and noise from collisions. The buffer plate 200 has a first position for receiving items and a second position for flipping and unloading. When the buffer plate 200 is in the first position when the item falls, it not only reduces the height of the fall and the impact force, but also prevents items from directly hitting a child's hand if the child puts their hand into the dispensing slot. In addition, when not in use, the buffer plate 200 separates the dispensing slot from the goods being sold, effectively preventing people from putting tools or hands into the sales area. The dispensing buffer device of the present invention has a simple overall structure, low manufacturing cost, and is easy to modify into existing vending machines, making it highly practical.

[0050] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic vending machine with a dispensing buffer device, characterized in that, The utility model relates to a kind of goods delivery device, including: Box (100) with delivery channel, the opposite side of the delivery channel is respectively provided with first panel (140) and second panel (150);The delivery channel is equipped with horizontal slide bar (110) and vertical slide plate (120), the both ends of the horizontal slide bar (110) are connected to first panel (140) and second panel (150) respectively, and the vertical slide plate (120) is movably installed on second panel (150); Buffer plate (200) is arranged in the delivery channel, is made of multiple layers of buffer material, and is used for buffering falling goods;The buffer plate (200) has a first position for receiving goods and a second position for overturning unloading; Two movable block groups are symmetrically connected to the length direction of the buffer plate (200) two ends;The movable block group includes first movable block (210) and second movable block (220), and the first movable block (210) and the second movable block (220) are connected to the two corner positions of the length direction of the buffer plate (200) one end respectively;The first movable block (210) is slidably installed on the horizontal slide bar (110), and the second movable block (220) is installed on the vertical slide plate (120), and the vertical slide plate (120) is connected with driving device (130) for driving the vertical slide plate (120) to rise;The vertical slide plate (120) can drive the second movable block (220) to rise synchronously, and then drive the second movable block (220) to slide horizontally, to realize the switching of the buffer plate (200) from the first position to the second position; Reset spring (300) is connected to the vertical slide plate (120) and the box (100) at both ends, for maintaining the buffer plate (200) in the first position; When the buffer plate (200) is in the first position, the first movable block (210) is at one end of the horizontal slide bar (110) close to the first panel (140), and the second movable block (220) is higher than the first movable block (210), so that the buffer plate (200) is in an inclined state; When the buffer plate (200) switches from the first position to the second position, the driving device (130) drives the vertical slide plate (120) to rise, and then drives the second movable block (220) to rise synchronously, and the first movable block (210) slides towards the vertical slide plate (120), so that a gap appears between the first movable block (210) and the first panel (140), and the goods fall from the gap between the buffer plate (200) and the first panel (140).

2. The machine of claim 1 wherein: The vertical slide plate (120) is provided with a transmission gear (121), and the output end of the driving device (130) is provided with a gear (131) engaged with the transmission gear (121).

3. A machine according to claim 2, wherein: The second movable block (220) is arranged on the upper part of the vertical slide plate (120), the transmission gear (121) is arranged on the lower part of the vertical slide plate (120), and the reset spring (300) is connected to the bottom of the vertical slide plate (120).

4. The vending machine having a delivery buffer device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the buffer plate (200) is provided with a plurality of protruding buffer steps (230).

5. The vending machine having a delivery buffer device according to claim 1, wherein: Further comprising a pushing brush rod (400) and a follow-up rope (500), both ends of the pushing brush rod (400) are installed on the follow-up rope (500); during the switching of the buffer plate (200) from the first position to the second position, the follow-up rope (500) is driven to move, and then the pushing brush rod (400) is driven to act, so as to push the goods on the surface of the buffer plate (200) down.

6. A machine according to claim 5, wherein: The first moving block (210) is provided with a first pulley (211), and the vertical sliding plate (120) is provided with a second pulley (122); one end of the follow-up rope (500) is wound on the output end of the driving device (130), the other end is connected with a drop line hammer (510), and the middle part is wound on the first pulley (211) and the second pulley (122).

7. A machine according to claim 6, wherein: The second pulley (122) is arranged above the second moving block (220).

8. The vending machine having a delivery buffer device according to claim 5, wherein: The outer circumferential surface of the pushing brush rod (400) is provided with brush hairs.

9. The vending machine having a delivery buffer device according to claim 1, wherein: The first panel (140) is provided with a mute cotton (141) on the side facing the second panel (150). The outer circumferential surface of the pushing brush rod (400) is provided with brush hairs.

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