A hopper and a vending machine

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of cargo bucket and vending machine, it is related to vending equipment field;Vending machine includes cabinet and the goods shelf and cargo bucket being set in cabinet;Cargo bucket includes frame, kick goods component and goods inlet door;Frame includes the containing cavity with goods inlet;Kick goods component is movably connected with frame, including the kick goods roller that can move to extend or retract containing cavity relative to frame;Goods inlet door is movably connected with frame, can slide to open or close goods inlet relative to frame;When goods inlet door closes goods inlet, kick goods roller is retracted containing cavity, when goods inlet door opens goods inlet, at least part of kick goods roller extends containing cavity by passing through goods inlet.This embodiment of the application since kick goods roller can extend containing cavity and then approach goods shelf, can better drive the goods output by goods shelf to enter containing cavity, reduce the risk of goods falling, improve vending efficiency;And kick goods roller can retract containing cavity, avoid kick goods roller and other structures collision when cargo bucket moves, guarantee the safety of kick goods roller.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vending equipment, and more specifically, to a vending machine and a vending machine. Background Technology

[0002] An automated vending machine includes a cabinet, shelves inside the cabinet, and a hopper. The cabinet has a dispensing slot, the shelves store and dispense goods, and the hopper delivers goods from the shelves to the dispensing slot. The hopper has a receiving cavity with an inlet and an outlet connected to it. When the hopper is opposite the shelves, goods dispensed from the shelves fall into the receiving cavity through the inlet. When the hopper is opposite the dispensing slot, the outlet is opposite the dispensing slot, allowing users to retrieve goods from the receiving cavity. To ensure smooth entry of goods from the shelves into the receiving cavity, a kick roller is installed at the inlet. When the hopper is opposite the shelves, goods from the shelves move to the inlet, and the kick roller rotates, driving the goods into the receiving cavity.

[0003] However, in related technologies, the hopper cannot reliably receive goods output from the shelf. When the hopper moves toward the dispensing slot, the goods fall outside the hopper, causing the vending machine to fail to sell. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cargo bin that can reliably receive goods output from a shelf, reducing the risk of goods falling off.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic vending machine that includes the aforementioned vending bin. Therefore, it has the advantages of high vending efficiency and high quality.

[0006] The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as follows:

[0007] In a first aspect, the hopper provided by the present invention includes a frame, a kicking assembly, and an inlet door; the frame includes a receiving cavity having an inlet; the kicking assembly is movably connected to the frame and includes a kicking roller that can move relative to the frame to extend or retract from the receiving cavity; the inlet door is movably connected to the frame and can slide relative to the frame to open or close the inlet; wherein, when the inlet door closes the inlet, the kicking roller retracts into the receiving cavity, and when the inlet door opens the inlet, at least a portion of the kicking roller extends through the inlet into the receiving cavity to drive goods at the inlet into the receiving cavity.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the kicking assembly further includes a support shaft and a support member. The support shaft is supported by a frame, and the first end of the support member is sleeved with the support shaft. The support member can rotate around the support shaft, and the second end of the support member supports the kicking roller, so that the kicking roller can extend or retract into the receiving cavity when the support member rotates around the support shaft. An intermediate transmission wheel is provided on the support shaft, and the intermediate transmission wheel is connected to the kicking roller for driving the kicking roller to rotate, so as to drive the goods at the inlet into the receiving cavity.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, the frame includes two opposing and spaced-apart sidewalls, with the inlet located between the two sidewalls; the kicking assembly includes a support member and a support shaft, with both ends of the support shaft supported by the two sidewalls respectively; or, the kicking assembly includes two support members and a support shaft, with both ends of the support shaft supported by the two sidewalls respectively, the first end of each of the two support members sleeved with the support shaft, and both ends of the kicking roller supported by the second ends of the two support members respectively; or, the kicking assembly includes two support members and two support shafts, with the two support shafts supported by the two sidewalls respectively, the two support members and the two support shafts being arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, the first end of each support member sleeved with the corresponding support shaft, and both ends of the kicking roller supported by the second ends of the two support members respectively.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the cargo bin further includes a kicking drive assembly, which includes a kicking motor, a first transmission assembly, and a second transmission assembly. The kicking motor is mounted on the frame and is connected to an intermediate transmission wheel via the first transmission assembly. The intermediate transmission wheel is connected to the kicking roller via the second transmission assembly.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the frame includes two opposing and spaced-apart sidewalls, with an inlet located between the two sidewalls; a support member is disposed adjacent to one of the two sidewalls, the support member being a box with an opening that is blocked by the adjacent sidewall, and an intermediate drive wheel and a second drive assembly are both located within the box.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the hopper further includes a resilient reset member connected to the kicking assembly. The resilient reset member is configured to cause the kicking roller to extend out of the receiving cavity when the inlet door is opened, and to drive the kicking roller back into the receiving cavity when the inlet door is closed.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the frame includes a support wall and two side walls disposed opposite to each other on both sides of the support wall. The support wall and the two side walls together form a receiving cavity. The inlet is located between the two side walls and above the support wall. Inlet slides are symmetrically arranged on the two side walls. The inlet door is inserted into the inlet slides on the two side walls and can slide along the inlet slides to open or close the inlet. When the inlet door opens the inlet, at least a portion of the kick roller can extend out of the receiving cavity through the inlet slide.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the kicking roller includes a mandrel and a kicking part fixedly sleeved on the mandrel; when the kicking roller rotates, the kicking part is used to drive the goods at the inlet into the receiving cavity; the kicking assembly also includes a clearance wheel sleeved on the mandrel and rotatable around the mandrel, the projection of the clearance wheel along the axial direction of the mandrel completely covers the projection of the kicking part along the axial direction of the mandrel; when the inlet door closes the inlet, the inlet door contacts the clearance wheel and is spaced apart from the kicking part, and the inlet door drives the clearance wheel to move, causing the kicking roller to retract into the receiving cavity.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, the loading door includes a rotatable roller. During the process of closing the loading port, the roller contacts the support and can roll relative to the support. The loading door drives the support to rotate around the support shaft through the roller, causing the kicking roller to retract into the receiving cavity.

[0016] Secondly, the automatic vending machine provided by the present invention includes: a cabinet, a shelf, and a hopper as described in any of the foregoing embodiments; the cabinet has a dispensing port; the shelf is disposed inside the cabinet for supporting and dispensing goods; the hopper is movably disposed inside the cabinet for transporting goods between the shelf and the dispensing port, and when the hopper is opposite to the shelf and used to receive goods, the inlet door opens the inlet, the kick roller extends out of the receiving cavity and approaches the shelf, and when the hopper moves toward the dispensing port, the inlet door closes the inlet and the kick roller retracts into the receiving cavity.

[0017] The embodiments of the present invention have at least the following advantages or beneficial effects:

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention provides a cargo hopper, which includes a frame, a kicking assembly, and a cargo inlet door; the frame includes a receiving cavity with a cargo inlet; the kicking assembly is movably connected to the frame and includes a kicking roller that can move relative to the frame to extend or retract from the receiving cavity; the cargo inlet door is movably connected to the frame and can slide relative to the frame to open or close the cargo inlet; wherein, when the cargo inlet door closes the cargo inlet, the kicking roller retracts into the receiving cavity, and when the cargo inlet door opens the cargo inlet, at least a portion of the kicking roller extends through the cargo inlet into the receiving cavity, for driving goods at the cargo inlet into the receiving cavity.

[0019] On the one hand, the kick roller can extend out of the receiving cavity, bringing it closer to the shelf and reducing or even eliminating the gap between the bucket and the shelf. This allows the goods to immediately contact the kick roller after leaving the shelf, driving them into the receiving cavity and reducing the risk of goods falling. Simultaneously, after the goods enter the receiving cavity, the inlet door closes, and the kick roller retracts into the receiving cavity, preventing collisions between the kick roller and other structures during bucket movement and ensuring its safety. On the other hand, the opening and closing of the inlet door can be coordinated with the extension and retraction of the kick roller into the receiving cavity, saving drive costs while maintaining a compact bucket structure.

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention also provide an automatic vending machine comprising the aforementioned serving container. Therefore, it has the advantages of high sales efficiency and quality. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an automatic vending machine provided for an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of an automatic vending machine provided for an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0024] Figure 3 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of an automatic vending machine provided for an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the cargo bin provided for an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of the cargo hopper provided for an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0027] Figure 6 Cross-sectional view of the cargo hopper provided for an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0028] Figure 7 A partial structural diagram of the cargo hopper provided for an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0029] Figure 8 A partial structural diagram of the cargo hopper provided for an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0030] Figure 9 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the frame of the cargo bin provided for an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the side wall structure of the cargo hopper provided for an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 11 A partial structural diagram of the cargo hopper provided for an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 ;

[0033] Figure 12 An exploded view of the kicking assembly of the cargo bin provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 13 for Figure 7 A magnified view of a portion of point I;

[0035] Figure 14 A partial structural schematic diagram of the loading door of the cargo bin provided for an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the seventh and eleventh gears of the cargo bucket provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Icons: 10-Vending machine; 100-Dispenser; 101-Frame; 102-Side wall; 103-Support wall; 104-First vertical wall; 105-Second vertical wall; 106-Bottom wall; 107-Connecting wall; 108-Inlet; 109-Receiving cavity; 111-Outlet; 112-Inlet door; 113-Outlet door; 114-Notch; 115-Door body; 116-Pin; 117-Long shaft; 118-Roller; 119-Kicking assembly; 120-Kicking roller; 121-Core Shaft; 122-Kicking part; 123-Allowing wheel; 124-Support shaft; 125-Support component; 126-Support plate; 127-Guard plate; 128-Opening; 129-Second gear; 130-Kicking motor; 131-First gear; 132-Third gear; 133-First worm; 134-First worm wheel; 136-Transition gear; 137-Drive motor; 138-Second worm; 139-Second worm wheel; 140-Fifth gear; 141-Sixth gear; 142-Seventh gear; 1 43-Eighth gear; 144-Ninth gear; 145-Tenth gear; 146-Eleventh gear; 147-Cylindrical structure; 148-Opening; 149-Limiting plate; 150-Fastener; 151-Elastic reset component; 152-First sleeve; 153-Second sleeve; 154-Support column; 155-First limiting part; 156-Second limiting part; 157-First vertical edge; 158-Second vertical edge; 159-Upper horizontal edge; 160-Lower horizontal edge; 161-Infeed slide; 16 2-Vertical slide; 163-Upper horizontal slide; 164-Lower horizontal slide; 165-Outgoing slide; 171-Rack; 173-Shelf; 176-First docking wheel; 177-Second docking wheel; 178-Push plate; 179-Gear; 180-Dial wheel; 181-Long slot; 182-Cabinet body; 183-First cabinet door; 185-Second cabinet door; 187-Picking port; 188-Gate; 189-Horizontal beam; 190-Vertical beam; 191-First drive assembly; 192-Second drive assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0039] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0040] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0041] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this invention is in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not 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. In addition, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0042] Furthermore, terms such as "horizontal" and "vertical" do not imply that components must be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that they can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0043] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0044] In related technologies, the vending machine's hopper cannot reliably receive goods dispensed from the shelf. When the hopper moves towards the dispensing slot, the goods fall outside the hopper, causing the vending machine to fail to sell. To address this, the inventors analyzed the problem and discovered that the reason the hopper cannot reliably receive goods from the shelf is that there is a gap between the hopper and the shelf when the goods are being dispensed. After the goods leave the shelf, the driving force on them decreases or even disappears, causing the goods to remain at the hopper's inlet. Once the hopper moves towards the dispensing slot, the goods easily fall outside the hopper, resulting in a failed sale.

[0045] Based on this, embodiments of the present invention provide an automatic vending machine, wherein the vending bin is equipped with a kick roller that extends out of the receiving cavity of the vending bin. This reduces the distance between the vending bin and the shelf when goods are being dispensed from the shelf, thereby effectively catching the goods being dispensed from the shelf and ensuring that the goods dispensed from the shelf to the inlet can enter the vending bin. This reduces the risk of goods falling and improves the efficiency and quality of vending operations. The structure of the automatic vending machine will be described in detail below.

[0046] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the vending machine 10 provided in the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1 , Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the vending machine 10 provided in the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 , Figure 3 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of an automatic vending machine 10 provided for an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cargo hopper 100 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of the cargo hopper 100 provided for an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 , Figure 6 Cross-sectional view of the cargo hopper 100 provided for an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 , Figure 7 A partial structural diagram of the cargo hopper 100 provided for an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 , Figure 8 A partial structural diagram of the cargo hopper 100 provided for an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 The vending machine 10 provided in this embodiment includes a cabinet 171, a shelf 173, a hopper 100, and a drive device.

[0047] The cabinet 171 includes a cabinet body 182 and cabinet doors. The cabinet body 182 is rectangular in shape with an open front end. The cabinet doors are double doors, including a first door 183 and a second door 185. The first door 183 and the second door 185 are pivotally connected to two opposite walls at the front end of the cabinet body 182, allowing them to be opened or closed relative to each other. When the first door 183 and the second door 185 are opened relative to each other, both doors are open. When the first door 183 and the second door 185 are closed relative to each other, both doors are closed. Of course, in other embodiments, the cabinet door can also be a single door, in which case the door can be pivotally connected to any side wall at the front end of the cabinet body 182. This embodiment does not impose such a limitation.

[0048] It should be noted that, to facilitate user viewing of the goods inside cabinet 171, the second cabinet door 185 can be made transparent or partially transparent. Simultaneously, for user convenience, the first cabinet door 183 can be equipped with a touch screen or other functional structures, and a retrieval slot 187 is provided on the first cabinet door 183, through which users can retrieve goods. To ensure the safety of the goods, a gate 188 is movably provided at the retrieval slot 187, which can open or close the retrieval slot 187. Of course, in other embodiments, cabinet 171 can also be a square, integrated structure without a clear distinction between cabinet body and cabinet door; in this case, the retrieval slot 187 can be located on any wall of cabinet body 182, and this embodiment does not impose such limitations.

[0049] The drive unit is located inside the cabinet and is connected to the hopper 100 for driving the hopper 100 to move between the shelf 173 and the picking port 187 to deliver goods. The drive unit includes two horizontal beams 189, a vertical beam 190, a first drive assembly 191, and a second drive assembly 192, wherein the horizontal beams 189 are along the left-right direction (i.e., Figure 2 The two beams 189 extend in the ab direction and in the vertical direction (i.e., the two beams 189 extend in the vertical direction). Figure 2 The vertical beam 190 is movably connected to the two horizontal beams 189 at its upper and lower ends. The hopper 100 is movably connected to the vertical beam 190. The first drive assembly 191 is used to drive the vertical beam 190 to move in the left and right direction relative to the horizontal beams 189. The second drive assembly 192 is used to drive the hopper 100 to move in the up and down direction relative to the vertical beam 199, so that the hopper 100 can move between any position of the shelf 173 and the picking port 187 to deliver goods.

[0050] In detail, the shelf 173 includes a support frame for supporting goods and a goods transmission mechanism disposed on the support frame. The goods transmission mechanism includes a transmission assembly and a push plate 178. The transmission assembly is located in the front-back direction (i.e., Figure 2The push plate 178 extends along the support frame in the ef direction and is a composite structure of gears and transmission belts. The push plate 178 is connected to the transmission assembly and can push the goods on the support frame to move in the front and back direction so as to output them from the front end of the support frame to the cargo hopper 100. The cargo bin 100 includes a frame 101 and a cargo driving mechanism. The cargo driving mechanism is located on the frame 101 and includes a dispensing motor and a first docking wheel 176 that is driven by the dispensing motor. A second docking wheel 177 that is driven by the transmission component is provided on the shelf 173. The axes of the first docking wheel 176 and the second docking wheel 177 both extend in the horizontal direction. The first docking wheel 176 can rotate under the drive of the dispensing motor. When the support frame dispenses goods, the cargo bin 100 moves to a position opposite to the support frame. The first docking wheel 176 and the second docking wheel 177 dock and are driven by each other. When the first docking wheel 176 rotates under the drive of the dispensing motor, the second docking wheel 177 can rotate, thereby driving the transmission component to move, and then driving the push plate 178 to push the goods from the support frame to the cargo bin 100.

[0051] Because when the first docking wheel 176 of the hopper 100 docks with the second docking wheel 177, the goods lose the pushing force of the push plate 178 after being output from the support frame, and the goods are prone to stay at the inlet of the hopper 100. Once the hopper moves, the goods will fall from the gap between the hopper 100 and the support frame. Therefore, in this embodiment, the hopper 100 also includes a kicking assembly 119 and an inlet door 112. In detail, the frame 101 includes a receiving cavity 109 with an inlet 108, through which goods output from the support frame can enter and be stored in the receiving cavity 109. The kicking assembly 119 is movably connected to the frame 101 and includes a kicking roller 120 that can move relative to the frame 101 to extend or retract into the receiving cavity 109. When the kicking roller 120 extends into the receiving cavity 109, the gap between the kicking roller 120 and the shelf 173 is small, allowing goods to immediately contact the kicking roller 120 after leaving the shelf 173. This means the kicking roller 120 can provide driving force to the goods earlier, driving them into the receiving cavity 109, thus preventing them from falling out. When the kicking roller 120 retracts into the receiving cavity 109, the hopper 100 can move normally between the retrieval opening 187 and the shelf 173. Simultaneously, the loading door 112 is movably connected to the frame 101 and can slide relative to the frame 101 to open or close the loading opening 108. Furthermore, when the loading door 112 closes the loading port 108, the kick roller 120 retracts into the receiving cavity 109. When the loading door 112 opens the loading port 108, at least a portion of the kick roller 120 extends through the loading port 108 into the receiving cavity 109 to drive the goods at the loading port 108 into the receiving cavity 109.

[0052] On the one hand, the kick roller 120 can extend out of the receiving cavity 109, bringing it closer to the shelf 173. This reduces or even eliminates the gap between the hopper 100 and the shelf 173, allowing goods to immediately contact the kick roller 120 after leaving the shelf 173. The kick roller 120 can better drive the goods into the receiving cavity 109, reducing the risk of goods falling and improving the efficiency and quality of sales operations. At the same time, after the goods enter the receiving cavity 109, the inlet door 112 closes the inlet 108, and the kick roller 120 retracts into the receiving cavity 109, preventing the kick roller 120 from colliding with other structures when the hopper 100 moves, thus ensuring the safety of the kick roller 120. On the other hand, the process of the inlet door 112 opening and closing the inlet 108 can be coordinated with the process of the kick roller 120 extending and retracting into the receiving cavity 109, saving drive costs while ensuring the compact structure of the hopper 100.

[0053] In other words, the above settings can solve both the problem of the poor connection between the hopper 100 and the shelf 173, and the problem of the short service life of the kick roller 120, thus fully ensuring sales efficiency and quality.

[0054] As an optional solution, in this embodiment, the receiving cavity 109 also has a discharge port 111, and the cargo hopper 100 also includes a discharge door 113, which is movably connected to the frame 101 and can slide relative to the frame 101 to open or close the discharge port 111. In this embodiment, the discharge port 111 and the inlet port 108 are opposite to each other and spaced apart. When receiving goods, the hopper 100 moves toward the shelf 173, the first docking wheel 176 and the second docking wheel 177 mesh, the inlet door 112 opens the inlet port 108, the kick roller 120 extends out of the receiving cavity 109 and approaches the shelf 173, the discharge door 113 closes the discharge port 111, the shelf 173 outputs the goods, the kick roller 120 receives the goods and drives the goods from the inlet port 108 into the receiving cavity 109, after the goods have completely entered the receiving cavity 109, the discharge door 112 closes the inlet port 108, the kick roller 120 retracts into the receiving cavity 109, the hopper 100 drives the goods toward the retrieval port 187, when the discharge port 111 and the retrieval port 187 are opposite each other, the discharge door 113 opens the discharge port 111, so that the user can take the goods in the hopper 100 through the retrieval port 187.

[0055] The arrangement of the outlet 111 and the outlet door 113 facilitates the delivery process and further improves the efficiency and quality of sales operations. Of course, in other embodiments, the outlet door 113 may not be provided. In this case, the inlet door 112 can be configured as a roller shutter door that can move along the two opposite walls of the frame 101, so that when the inlet door 112 opens the inlet 108, it closes the outlet 111, and when the inlet door 112 closes the inlet 108, it opens the outlet 111, thus saving costs. This embodiment does not impose such limitations.

[0056] Figure 9 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the frame 101 of the cargo bin 100 provided for an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the side wall 102 of the cargo hopper 100 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figures 1 to 10 In this embodiment, the frame 101 includes two opposing and spaced-apart sidewalls 102, and a support wall 103 connecting the two sidewalls 102. Each sidewall 102 is rectangular, including a first vertical side 157 and a second vertical side 158, and an upper horizontal side 159 and a lower horizontal side 160 connecting the two vertical sides. The support wall 103 is generally U-shaped, including a first vertical wall 104, a second vertical wall 105, and a bottom wall 106 connecting the two vertical walls. The first vertical wall 104 is disposed adjacent to the first vertical edge 157, the second vertical wall 105 is disposed adjacent to the second vertical edge 158, and the bottom wall 106 is disposed adjacent to the lower horizontal edge 160. The first vertical wall 104, the second vertical wall 105, the bottom wall 106, and the two side walls 102 together form a receiving cavity 109, and the upper end of the first vertical wall 104 and the two side walls 102 together form an inlet 108, and the upper end of the second vertical wall 105 and the two side walls 102 together form an outlet 111.

[0057] Of course, in other embodiments, the support wall 103 can also be configured as a flat plate structure, with the support wall 103 inclined between the two side walls 102. The inlet 108 is formed above the relatively higher end of the support wall 103 between the two side walls 102, and the outlet 111 is formed above the relatively lower end of the support wall 103 between the two side walls 102. By setting the support wall 103 to be inclined and the outlet 111 being formed at the lower end, it is easier to output goods and the efficiency of goods output can be improved.

[0058] Meanwhile, the kicking assembly 119 also includes a support shaft 124 and a support member 125, with at least one support shaft 124 and one support member 125. The support shaft 124 is supported by the two side walls 102 of the frame 101. The first end of the support member 125 is sleeved with the support shaft 124, and the support member 125 can rotate around the support shaft 124. The second end of the support member 125 supports the kicking roller 120, so that the kicking roller 120 can extend or retract into the receiving cavity 109 when the support member 125 rotates around the support shaft 124. At the same time, an intermediate drive wheel is provided on the support shaft 124, which is connected to the kicking roller 120 for driving the kicking roller 120 to rotate, thereby driving the goods at the inlet 108 into the receiving cavity 109.

[0059] On the one hand, the rotation of the support member 125 around the support shaft 124 enables the kick roller 120 to swing relative to the support shaft 124, thereby allowing the kick roller 120 to extend or retract into the receiving cavity 109. The intermediate drive wheel allows the kick roller 120 to rotate, enabling it to rotate after receiving goods to drive them into the receiving cavity 109, ensuring smooth receiving operations and reducing the risk of goods falling through the gap between the hopper 100 and the shelf 173. On the other hand, since the kick roller 120 is located at the second end of the support member 125 and can rotate with the support member 125 around the support shaft 124, the relative position of the kick roller 120 and the support shaft 124 remains unchanged regardless of whether the kick roller 120 extends or retracts into the receiving cavity 109. Therefore, the intermediate drive wheel on the support shaft 124 can stably drive the kick roller 120 to rotate, ensuring the stability and reliability of receiving and discharging operations.

[0060] Of course, in other embodiments, the kicking roller 120 may also be configured to be slidably connected to the side wall 102 of the frame 101. For example, both side walls 102 are provided with long grooves, and the two ends of the kicking roller 120 are respectively inserted into the long grooves on the two side walls 102, so that the kicking roller 120 can slide along the long grooves to extend or retract into the receiving cavity 109.

[0061] In detail, Figure 11 A partial structural diagram of the cargo hopper 100 provided for an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 , Figure 12 An exploded view of the kicking assembly 119 of the hopper 100 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 7 , Figure 8 as well as Figure 11 and Figure 12 In this embodiment, the kicking assembly 119 specifically includes two support members 125 and a support shaft 124. The two ends of the support shaft 124 are supported by two side walls 102, and the first ends of each of the two support members 125 are sleeved onto the support shaft 124. The two ends of the kicking roller 120 are supported by the second ends of the two support members 125. By supporting the two ends of the kicking roller 120 with the two support members 125, the kicking roller 120 is made more stable and reliable when it extends out of the receiving cavity 109, thus allowing goods to enter the hopper 100 smoothly and ensuring sales efficiency and quality.

[0062] Of course, in other embodiments, the kicking assembly 119 can also be configured to include a support member 125 and a support shaft 124, in which case the two ends of the support shaft 124 are supported by the two side walls 102 respectively. In other embodiments, the kicking assembly 119 can also be configured to include two support members 125 and two support shafts 124, with the two support shafts 124 supported by the two side walls 102 respectively. The two support members 125 and the two support shafts 124 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, with the first end of each support member 125 sleeved with the corresponding support shaft 124, and the two ends of the kicking roller 120 supported by the second ends of the two support members 125 respectively. Whether one or two support members 125 are used, and whether one or two support shafts 124 are used, the stability of the kicking roller 120 mounted on the support member 125 must be ensured, and the kicking roller 120 must be able to move in the direction of extending or retracting into the receiving cavity 109 and also rotate. This embodiment does not impose any limitations.

[0063] Figure 13 for Figure 7 A magnified view of point I. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 7 to 13 To enable the kicking roller 120 to move both in the direction of extending or retracting the receiving cavity 109 and to rotate, in this embodiment, the hopper 100 also includes a kicking drive assembly. The kicking drive assembly includes a kicking motor 130, a first transmission assembly, and a second transmission assembly. The kicking motor 130 is mounted on the frame 101 and is connected to an intermediate transmission wheel via the first transmission assembly. The intermediate transmission wheel is connected to the kicking roller 120 via the second transmission assembly. With this configuration, when the hopper 100 moves to a position opposite the shelf 173, the loading door 112 opens the loading port 108, the kicking roller 120 extends out of the receiving cavity 109, the shelf 173 outputs the goods, the kicking motor 130 drives the intermediate transmission wheel to rotate via the first transmission assembly, and the intermediate transmission wheel drives the kicking roller 120 to rotate via the second transmission assembly to receive the goods and drive them into the receiving cavity 109. In other words, this setup ensures that goods can smoothly enter the hopper 100, thereby improving the efficiency and quality of sales operations.

[0064] In detail, in this embodiment, the first transmission assembly and the second transmission assembly can be either gear transmission or belt transmission. For example, the intermediate transmission wheel includes a second gear 129 sleeved on the support shaft 124, the first transmission assembly includes a first gear 131 mounted on the side wall 102, and the kicking roller 120 includes a spindle 121 and a kicking part 122 sleeved on the outside of the spindle 121. When the kicking roller 120 rotates, the kicking part 122 can drive the goods at the inlet 108 into the receiving cavity 109. The kicking part 122 can be a round roller or a shaped roller; in this embodiment, the kicking part 122 is a triangular roller. The second transmission assembly includes a third gear 132 fixedly sleeved on the spindle 121 of the kicking roller 120. The output shaft of the kicking motor 130 is connected to the first gear 131, the first gear 131 meshes with the second gear 129, and the second gear 129 is connected to the third gear 132. With this configuration, when the output shaft of the kicking motor 130 rotates, the first gear 131 can drive the third gear 132 to rotate through the second gear 129, and the third gear 132 can drive the kicking part 122 to rotate through the spindle 121, so that the kicking part 122 can drive the goods into the hopper 100.

[0065] As an optional solution, in this embodiment, the first transmission assembly further includes a first worm 133, a first worm wheel 134, and a fourth gear (not shown). The first worm 133 is fixedly sleeved with the output shaft of the kicking motor 130, the first worm wheel 134 meshes with the first worm 133, and the fourth gear is coaxially fixedly connected to the first worm wheel 134 and meshes with the first gear 131. The second transmission assembly also includes multiple meshing transition gears 136. Exemplarily, it includes two transition gears 136, one of which meshes with the second gear 129, and the other with the third gear 132. This arrangement allows the kicking motor 130 and the kicking roller 120 to be relatively far apart, while ensuring that the power from the kicking motor 130 is smoothly output to the kicking roller 120 to drive its rotation, thereby improving sales efficiency and quality.

[0066] Of course, in other embodiments, the first transmission assembly includes a first gear 131, and the intermediate transmission wheel includes a first pulley and a second gear 129 coaxially fixedly connected. Meanwhile, the second transmission assembly includes a second pulley and a transmission belt. The first gear 131 meshes with the second gear 129, and the transmission belt is sleeved on and supported by both the first and second pulleys. The transmission belt also allows the power of the kicking motor 130 to be smoothly output to the kicking roller 120; this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0067] In this embodiment, the second transmission assembly further includes a limiting plate 149, two support columns 154, and two fasteners 150. The two support columns 154 are respectively disposed on the support member 125, and each support column 154 has a mounting hole at its axial position. Two transition gears 136 are respectively sleeved on the two support columns 154. The limiting plate 149 has two through holes, which are respectively opposite to and communicate with the mounting holes of the two support columns 154. The two fasteners 150 pass through the two through holes and are fastened to the two mounting holes, and the limiting plate 149 is attached to the ends of the two transition gears 136. This arrangement helps to ensure the smoothness and reliability of the transition gears 136 during operation, thereby improving the efficiency and quality of the sales operation. Of course, in other embodiments, the number of transition gears 136, the number of support columns 154, and the number of fasteners 150 can be adjusted according to requirements; this embodiment does not limit this.

[0068] Alternatively, please refer again. Figure 4 , Figure 11 and Figure 12 In this embodiment, the two support members 125 of the kicking assembly 119 are respectively disposed adjacent to the two side walls 102. Furthermore, the support member 125 is a box with an opening 128, the opening 128 of which is blocked by the adjacent side walls 102. The intermediate drive wheel and the second drive assembly are located inside one of the two boxes. This arrangement ensures that the kicking roller 120 is reliably driven by the box and prevents goods entering through the inlet 108 from being obstructed, further improving sales efficiency and quality. Of course, in other embodiments, when there is only one support member 125, the support member 125 can be disposed adjacent to either of the two side walls 102, such that the side wall 102 can close the opening 128 of the support member 125; this embodiment does not impose such a limitation.

[0069] Specifically, please refer to [the relevant document] again. Figure 11 and Figure 12 In this embodiment, the support member 125 includes a support plate 126 and a guard plate 127 connected at an angle to the periphery of the support plate 126. The guard plate 127 and the support plate 126 together form a box with an opening 128. Simultaneously, the support shaft 124 and the spindle 121 of the kick roller 120 are both inserted into the support plate 126, and both ends of the support shaft 124 are also inserted into the side wall 102. This arrangement protects the safety of the transmission structure, ensures the reliability and stability of the transmission operation to improve sales efficiency and quality, and also makes the structure of the vending machine 100 more compact and reliable, thus facilitating the miniaturization design of the vending machine 10.

[0070] Furthermore, please refer to [the relevant document] again. Figure 12In this embodiment, the support member 125 further includes a first sleeve 152 and a second sleeve 153. Both the first sleeve 152 and the second sleeve 153 are fixedly connected to the support plate 126 and are located on the side of the support plate 126 away from the guard plate 127. The first sleeve 152 is sleeved with the spindle 121 of the kick roller 120, and the second sleeve 153 is sleeved with the support shaft 124. This arrangement ensures that the kick roller 120 maintains a parallel posture relative to the support shaft 124, which helps to ensure reliable transmission of the transmission components and guarantees the stability and reliability of the sales operation.

[0071] Please refer to it again. Figure 7 and Figure 10 In this embodiment, the side wall 102 is provided with an outwardly protruding cylindrical structure 147. The cylindrical wall of the cylindrical structure 147 is provided with an opening 148. A portion of the intermediate transmission wheel extends into the cylindrical structure 147 and meshes with the first gear 131 through the opening 148. The cylindrical structure 147 not only stabilizes the intermediate transmission wheel but also facilitates the meshing of the intermediate transmission wheel with the first gear 131, ensuring the compactness of the cargo hopper 100 structure and the stability and reliability of its operation.

[0072] Please refer to it again. Figure 5 and Figure 6 In this embodiment, a first limiting part 155 and a second limiting part 156 are provided on the side wall 102 adjacent to the support member 125. When the kicking roller 120 extends out of the receiving cavity 109, the support member 125 abuts against the first limiting part 155; when the kicking roller 120 retracts into the receiving cavity 109, the support member 125 abuts against the second limiting part 156. By providing the first limiting part 155 and the second limiting part 156, the range and size of the kicking roller 120's swing can be limited, so as to avoid damage to the goods entering the hopper 100 when the kicking roller 120 retracts into the receiving cavity 109, and also to avoid collisions between the kicking roller 120 and other structures in the cabinet 171 of the vending machine 10 when it extends out of the receiving cavity 109, which could cause damage to other structures or the kicking roller 120 itself. This can improve the sales efficiency and quality while ensuring the service life of the vending machine 10.

[0073] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the first limiting part 155 and the second limiting part 156 are two protrusions spaced apart on the inner side of the side wall 102. The protrusions can be square block structures or cylindrical structures, as long as they can prevent the kicking roller 120 from moving. This embodiment does not impose any limitation. Meanwhile, in other embodiments, when the kicking roller 120 slides with the side wall 102, since the side wall 102 is provided with a long groove and the spindle 121 of the kicking roller 120 is inserted into the long groove, the two ends of the long groove can directly form the first limiting part 155 and the second limiting part 156. Therefore, the first limiting part 155 and the second limiting part 156 do not need to be added externally.

[0074] Please refer to it again. Figures 5 to 7 In this embodiment, the frame 101 further includes a connecting wall 107 connecting the upper horizontal edges 159 of the two side walls 102. The connecting wall 107 is disposed adjacent to the second vertical edge 158. The loading port 108 is formed between the upper horizontal edges 159 of the two side walls 102, the first vertical edge 157, above the first vertical wall 104, and on one side of the connecting wall 107, and is approximately inverted L-shaped. The unloading port 111 is formed between the connecting wall 107, the two side walls 102, and above the second vertical wall 105. By setting the loading port 108 to an inverted L-shape, goods can more easily enter the receiving cavity 109 through the loading port 108. At the same time, the connection wall 107 strengthens the frame 101, which helps to ensure the safety and reliability of the delivery operation of the hopper 100. Furthermore, the connecting wall 107 forms the outlet 111, which can block the goods and prevent them from falling out of the outlet 111 during the transportation of the hopper 100, thereby further improving sales efficiency and quality.

[0075] As an optional option, please refer again. Figure 5 In this embodiment, the upper end of the first vertical wall 104 is provided with a plurality of notches 114 at intervals. The kicking part 122 of the kicking roller 120 is composed of a plurality of triangular blocks, which are spaced apart and sleeved on the spindle 121, and the plurality of triangular blocks are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of notches 114. When the kicking roller 120 extends out of the receiving cavity 109, each triangular block of the kicking roller 120 is located in the corresponding notch 114, so as to ensure that goods will not be jammed between the kicking roller 120 and the first vertical wall 104, thereby further improving the sales efficiency and quality. Of course, in other embodiments, the shape of the kicking part 122 can be adjusted according to the requirements, for example, it can be a circular roller, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0076] Optionally, in this embodiment, the hopper 100 further includes an elastic reset member 151, which is connected to the kicking assembly. The elastic reset member 151 is configured to drive the kicking roller 120 to extend out of the receiving cavity 109 when the inlet 112 opens the inlet 108; and to drive the kicking roller 120 to retract into the receiving cavity 109 when the inlet 112 closes the inlet 108. This configuration allows the kicking roller 120 to extend out of the receiving cavity 109 via the elastic reset member 151 and retract into the receiving cavity 109 via the inlet 112. This eliminates the need for a separate drive assembly to drive the kicking roller 120 to extend or retract into the receiving cavity 109, effectively reducing the cost of the hopper 100 and making the entire hopper 100 structure more compact and reliable.

[0077] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the elastic reset member 151 is a torsion spring. The torsion spring is sleeved on the support shaft 124, and one torsion arm of the torsion spring is connected to the support member 125, and the other torsion arm is connected to the first vertical wall 104 of the frame 101. The torsion spring causes the support member 125 to always rotate around the support shaft 124 in a set direction, so that the kicking roller 120 has a rotational tendency to extend out of the receiving cavity 109. Thus, when the loading door 112 opens the loading port 108, the kicking roller 120 extends out of the receiving cavity 109 through the loading port 108 under the action of the torsion spring.

[0078] Optionally, please refer to [the relevant document / reference]. Figure 11 and Figure 12 In this embodiment, the kicking assembly 119 further includes a clearance wheel 123 that is sleeved with the spindle 121 and can rotate around the spindle 121. The projection of the clearance wheel 123 along the axial direction of the spindle 121 completely covers the projection of the kicking part 122 along the axial direction of the spindle 121. When the loading door 112 moves from the position of opening the loading port 108 to the position of closing the loading port 108, the loading door 112 contacts the clearance wheel 123 and is spaced apart from the kicking part 122. As the loading door 112 moves, the loading door 112 drives the kicking roller 120 to retract into the receiving cavity 109 by driving the clearance wheel 123 to move. The clearance wheel 123 is made of wear-resistant material. When the loading gate 112 drives the kicking roller 120, the avoidance wheel 123 contacts the loading gate 112 and can rotate. On the one hand, this reduces the resistance to the loading gate 112, and on the other hand, it prevents the kicking part 122 of the kicking roller 120 from contacting and being damaged by the loading gate 112.

[0079] Figure 14 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the loading door 112 of the cargo bin 100 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 14In this embodiment, the loading door 112 is configured as a roller shutter door, comprising multiple door bodies 115. Adjacent door bodies 115 are hinged together by a long shaft 117, with both ends of the long shaft 117 extending out of the door bodies 115 to form insertion posts 116 that respectively engage with two side walls 102. Simultaneously, the loading door 112 may also be equipped with rotatable rollers 118 as needed. The rollers 118 are fitted onto the long shaft 117 and can roll relative to the long shaft 117. During the closing of the loading door 112 at the loading opening 108, the rollers 118 can contact the guard plate 127 of the support member 125 and roll relative to the guard plate 127. As the loading door 112 moves, the loading door 112 can drive the support member 125 to rotate around the support shaft 124 via the rollers 118, so that the rollers 118 can retract into the receiving cavity 109. With this configuration, on the one hand, the roller 118 can roll relative to the guard plate 127 during the closing of the loading port 108 of the loading door 112, making the rotation of the support member 125 around the support shaft 124 smoother and more reliable. On the other hand, it can reduce the distance between the support member 125 and the loading door 112, so as to avoid the goods getting stuck between the support member 125 and the loading door 112.

[0080] As an optional configuration, the position of roller 118 corresponds to the position of clearance wheel 123. When the loading gate 112 moves from the open loading port 108 position to the closed loading port 108 position, roller 118 first contacts the support member 125. When the support member 125 rotates to the point where it is about to fully retract into the receiving cavity 109, clearance wheel 123 can contact roller 118, and the two can roll relative to each other. With this configuration, the resistance of the loading gate 112 driving the kick roller 120 to retract into the receiving cavity can be further reduced, ensuring the smoothness and stability of the movement of the kick roller 120.

[0081] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the kicking assembly 119 includes two clearance wheels 123, which are located at both ends of the spindle 121 of the kicking roller 120. Two rollers 118 are correspondingly arranged on the loading gate 112, and are respectively sleeved on both ends of the long shaft 117, and can be opposite and in contact with the two clearance wheels 123. Through the arrangement of the two clearance wheels 123, the two rollers 118, and the two support members 125, the kicking assembly 119 can always be driven to rotate through two support points, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the kicking assembly 119's movement and ensuring the efficiency and quality of the sales operation.

[0082] Please refer to it again. Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 9 as well as Figure 10In this embodiment, when the loading door 112 moves from the open loading port 108 position to the closed loading port 108 position, the loading door 112 slides upward relative to the frame 101. At this time, the loading door 112 can drive the kicking roller 120 to move obliquely upward and retract into the receiving cavity 109. With this arrangement, the upward-moving loading door 112 can not only drive the kicking roller 120 to retract into the receiving cavity 109, but also drive the goods extending out of the receiving cavity 109 to tilt into the receiving cavity 109 (i.e., straighten the goods). At the same time, when the loading door 112 moves from the closed loading port 108 position to the open loading port 108 position, the loading door 112 slides downward relative to the frame 101. At this time, the loading door 112 removes the force on the kicking roller 120, and the kicking roller 120 can extend out of the receiving cavity 109 under the action of the elastic reset member 151 and its own gravity, so as to receive goods next time.

[0083] In detail, to enable the loading port 108 to open or close when the loading door 112 slides relative to the frame 101, in this embodiment, loading slides 161 are symmetrically arranged on the two side walls 102, each slide having a portion extending vertically. The loading door 112 is located between the two side walls 102 and engages with the two loading slides 161, allowing the loading door 112 to slide along the loading slides 161 to open or close the loading port 108. Simultaneously, when the loading door 112 opens the loading port 108, at least a portion of the kick roller 120 can extend through the loading slides 161 and the loading port 108 into the receiving cavity 109. The loading slides 161 facilitate the sliding of the loading door 112 relative to the frame 101.

[0084] Specifically, the loading slide 161 includes a vertical slide 162 extending vertically, and an upper horizontal slide 163 and a lower horizontal slide 164 disposed at the upper and lower ends of the vertical slide 162, the upper horizontal slide 163, the vertical slide 162, and the lower horizontal slide 164 being connected sequentially; each door body 115 of the loading door 112 has its long axis 117 having two ends forming first insertion posts 116 that insert into the loading slide 161. Figure 2 As shown, when the loading door 112 opens the loading port 108, the plurality of first inserts 116 of the loading door 112 are inserted into the lower horizontal slide rail 164 and the lower part of the vertical slide rail 162, as shown. Figure 3 As shown, when the inlet 108 is closed by the inlet door 112, the multiple first inserts 116 of the inlet door 112 are inserted into the upper part of the upper horizontal slide 163 and the upper part of the vertical slide 162. The arrangement of the vertical slide 162, the upper horizontal slide 163 and the lower horizontal slide 164 facilitates the sliding cooperation between the inlet door 112 and the frame 101, and also helps to reduce the structural size of the hopper 100, which is beneficial to the miniaturization design of the vending machine 10.

[0085] Similarly, the structure of the delivery door 113 is similar to that of the inlet door 112, so that multiple second inserts 116 are provided on both sides of the delivery door 113. At the same time, delivery slides 165 are symmetrically arranged on the two side walls 102. The delivery slides 165 extend vertically, and the multiple second inserts 116 are inserted into the delivery slides 165 and can slide along the delivery slides 165, so that the delivery door 113 can open or close the delivery opening 111. This arrangement allows the delivery door 113 to slide relative to the frame 101, thereby ensuring sales efficiency and quality.

[0086] Of course, in other embodiments, the dispensing door 113 may not be provided. In this case, the upper horizontal slide 163, the vertical slide 162, the lower horizontal slide 164, and the dispensing slide 165 are connected end to end in sequence, and the inlet door 112 is a roller shutter door. When the inlet door 112 moves along the inlet slide 161 to open the inlet 108, the inlet door 112 also slides and engages with the dispensing slide 165 to close the dispensing 111. When the inlet door 112 moves along the inlet slide 161 to close the inlet 108, the inlet door 112 also slides and engages with the dispensing slide 165 to open the dispensing 111. With this configuration, the dispensing door 113 can be omitted, which can significantly reduce the cost of the vending machine 10. At the same time, it also facilitates the miniaturization design of the vending machine 10.

[0087] In other embodiments, the kicking roller 120 is slidably connected to the side wall 102 of the frame 101. For example, both side walls 102 are provided with long grooves, and the two ends of the kicking roller 120 are respectively inserted into the long grooves on the two side walls 102, so that the kicking roller 120 can slide along the long grooves to extend or retract into the receiving cavity 109. Meanwhile, the angle between the sliding path of the kick roller 120 and the moving path of the loading gate 112 can be set to an acute angle. For example, the moving path of the loading gate 112 extends in the vertical direction, and the sliding path of the kick roller 120 (that is, the extension direction of the long groove) can be set to an acute angle with the vertical direction. This not only facilitates the kick roller 120 to retract into the receiving cavity 109 when the loading gate 112 moves up to close the loading port 108, but also facilitates the kick roller 120 to return to the position extending out of the receiving cavity 109 under its own weight when the loading gate 112 moves down to open the loading port 108, so as to receive goods next time.

[0088] In other embodiments, the movement of the kicking roller 120 extending or retracting from the receiving cavity 109 is driven by a drive member. Exemplarily, the drive member may be an electromagnet, which is connected to the support member 125 of the kicking assembly 119. When the armature of the electromagnet extends, it drives the support member 125 to rotate around the support shaft 124, causing the kicking roller 120 to extend out of the receiving cavity 109. When the armature retracts, it drives the support member 125 to rotate around the support shaft 124, causing the kicking roller 120 to retract into the receiving cavity 109.

[0089] Please refer to it again. Figure 7 In this embodiment, the inlet door 112 and the outlet door 113 can be driven by one drive mechanism or by two separate drive mechanisms. However, in order to ensure the safety of goods during the inlet process and the safety of goods during the delivery process, when the inlet door 112 opens the inlet port 108, the outlet door 113 must close the outlet port 111, and when the inlet door 112 closes the inlet port 108, the outlet door 113 must open the outlet port 111. Therefore, in this embodiment, the inlet door 112 and the outlet door 113 can be driven by one drive mechanism, that is, the inlet door 112 and the outlet door 113 can move in coordination. This not only saves costs, but also helps to ensure the relative reliability of the positions of the outlet door 113 and the inlet door 112, thus ensuring the safety and stability of the goods.

[0090] In detail, the drive mechanism includes a drive motor 137, a second worm gear 138, two second worm wheels 139, two fifth gears 140, a third transmission assembly, and a fourth transmission assembly. The drive motor 137 is disposed on either of the two side walls 102; exemplarily, the drive motor 137 and the kicking motor 130 are both disposed on the same side wall 102. The second worm gear 138 is rigidly connected to the output shaft of the drive motor 137. The two second worm wheels 139 mesh with the two sides of the second worm gear 138 respectively. The two fifth gears 140 are coaxially disposed with the two second worm wheels 139 respectively, and one fifth gear 140 is connected to the loading door 112 via the third transmission assembly, while the other fifth gear 140 is connected to the unloading door 113 via the fourth transmission assembly. Since the two second worm gears 139 are located on both sides of the second worm 138, a drive motor 137 can simultaneously drive the inlet door 112 and the outlet door 113 to move, so as to achieve coordinated movement when one of the inlet door 112 and the outlet door 113 is open and the other is closed, thereby saving costs and improving drive efficiency.

[0091] In more detail, Figure 15 The diagram shows the structure of the seventh and eleventh gears of the cargo bucket provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer again. Figure 7 and Figure 15In this embodiment, the third transmission assembly includes a sixth gear 141 and a seventh gear 142. The two sides of the sixth gear 141 mesh with the fifth gear 140 and the seventh gear 142, respectively. The seventh gear 142 includes a gear 179 and a dial wheel 180 arranged coaxially. The gear 179 meshes with the sixth gear 141. The dial wheel 180 is provided with a plurality of long slots 181, which are spaced apart circumferentially along the dial wheel 180. When the gear 179 rotates once, the plurality of long slots 181 can be inserted into a plurality of pins 116 in a one-to-one correspondence, driving the inserted pins 116 to move along the loading slide 161, so that the loading door 112 can move. When the gear 179 rotates continuously for multiple revolutions, the plurality of long slots 181 can be inserted into a plurality of consecutive pins 116 in a one-to-one correspondence until the loading door 112 opens or closes the loading port 108. At the same time, the fourth transmission assembly includes The eighth gear 143, the ninth gear 144, the tenth gear 145, and the eleventh gear 146, and the fifth gear 140, eighth gear 143, ninth gear 144, tenth gear 145, and eleventh gear 146 mesh and drive in sequence. The eleventh gear 146 has the same structure as the seventh gear 142, including a gear 179 and a dial wheel 180 arranged coaxially. The gear 179 meshes with the tenth gear 145. The dial wheel 180 is provided with multiple long slots 181. When the gear 179 rotates one revolution, the multiple long slots 181 can be inserted and engaged with multiple corresponding inserts 116, driving the inserted inserts 116 to move along the discharge slide 165, so that the discharge door 113 can move. When the gear 179 rotates multiple revolutions continuously, the multiple long slots 181 can be inserted and engaged with multiple consecutive inserts 116, one by one, until the discharge door 113 opens or closes the discharge port 111.

[0092] Of course, in other embodiments, the number of gears included in the third and fourth transmission components can be increased or decreased as needed; at the same time, the third and fourth transmission components can also be a pulley and transmission belt mating structure, as long as the reliability and stability of the coordinated movement of the loading door 113 and the loading door 112 can be guaranteed, and this embodiment does not impose any limitations.

[0093] The working principle and beneficial effects of the vending machine 10 provided in the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below:

[0094] When the vending machine 10 is performing a sales operation, the drive unit drives the hopper 100 to move to the corresponding position on the shelf 173, and causes the first docking wheel 176 and the second docking wheel 177 of the hopper 100 to mesh and engage in transmission. Then, the dispensing motor drives the first docking wheel 176 to rotate, thereby driving the push plate 178 to push out the goods. At the same time, the drive motor 137 drives the inlet door 112 to open the inlet 108 and the dispensing door 113 to close the dispensing outlet 111. At this time, the kick roller 120 extends out of the receiving cavity 109 and approaches the shelf under the action of gravity and the elastic reset member 151. 173, and the kicking motor 130 drives the kicking roller 120 to rotate to drive the goods into the receiving cavity 109; after the goods enter the receiving cavity 109, the drive motor 137 drives the inlet door 112 to close the inlet 108 and drives the outlet door 113 to open the outlet 111. At this time, the inlet door 112 drives the kicking roller 120 to retract into the receiving cavity 109, and then the drive device continues to drive the hopper 100 to move towards the retrieval port 187. When the outlet 111 is opposite to the retrieval port 187, the user can take the goods in the hopper 100 through the retrieval port 187 and the outlet 111.

[0095] In the above process, on the one hand, the kick roller 120 can extend out of the receiving cavity 109, making the kick roller 120 closer to the shelf 173, which can reduce or even eliminate the gap between the hopper 100 and the shelf 173, so that the goods can immediately contact the kick roller 120 after leaving the shelf 173. The kick roller 120 can better drive the goods output from the shelf 173 to the inlet 108 into the receiving cavity 109, thereby reducing the risk of goods falling and improving the efficiency and quality of sales operations. At the same time, after the goods enter the receiving cavity 109, the inlet door 112 closes the inlet 108, and the kick roller 120 retracts into the receiving cavity 109, which can prevent the kick roller 120 from colliding with other structures when the hopper 100 moves, thus ensuring the safety of the kick roller 120. On the other hand, the process of the inlet door 112 opening and closing the inlet 108 can be coordinated with the process of the kick roller 120 extending and retracting into the receiving cavity 109, which can save drive costs while ensuring the compact structure of the hopper 100.

[0096] In summary, embodiments of the present invention provide a hopper 100 that ensures proper docking with the shelf 173, guaranteeing that goods output from the shelf 173 to the inlet 108 can enter the hopper 100, thereby reducing the risk of goods falling and improving vending efficiency and quality. Embodiments of the present invention also provide an automatic vending machine 10, which includes the aforementioned hopper 100. Therefore, it has the advantages of high vending efficiency and quality.

[0097] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A cargo container, characterized in that, include: The frame includes a receiving cavity with an inlet; A kicking assembly, movably connected to the frame, includes a kicking roller that can move relative to the frame to extend or retract the receiving cavity; The loading door is movably connected to the frame and can slide relative to the frame to open or close the loading port. When the loading door closes the loading port, the kicking roller retracts into the receiving cavity; when the loading door opens the loading port, at least a portion of the kicking roller extends through the loading port into the receiving cavity to drive the goods at the loading port into the receiving cavity. The kicking assembly also includes a support shaft and a support member. The support shaft is supported by the frame. The first end of the support member is sleeved with the support shaft. The support member can rotate around the support shaft. The second end of the support member supports the kicking roller, so that the kicking roller can extend or retract into the receiving cavity when the support member rotates around the support shaft. Furthermore, an intermediate transmission wheel is provided on the support shaft, which is connected to the kicking roller for driving the kicking roller to rotate, thereby driving the goods at the inlet into the receiving cavity; The cargo hopper also includes an elastic reset member connected to the kicking assembly. The elastic reset member is configured to cause the kicking roller to extend out of the receiving cavity when the cargo door opens the cargo inlet; and to drive the kicking roller back into the receiving cavity when the cargo door closes the cargo inlet.

2. The cargo container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame includes two opposite and spaced-apart sidewalls, with the inlet located between the two sidewalls; The kicking assembly includes a support member and a support shaft, with both ends of the support shaft supported by the two side walls respectively; or, the kicking assembly includes two support members and a support shaft, with both ends of the support shaft supported by the two side walls respectively, the first end of each of the two support members sleeved with the support shaft, and both ends of the kicking roller supported by the second ends of the two support members respectively; or, the kicking assembly includes two support members and two support shafts, with the two support shafts supported by the two side walls respectively, the two support members and the two support shafts being arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, the first end of each support member sleeved with the corresponding support shaft, and both ends of the kicking roller supported by the second ends of the two support members respectively.

3. The cargo container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cargo bin also includes a kicking drive assembly, which includes a kicking motor, a first transmission assembly, and a second transmission assembly. The kicking motor is mounted on the frame and is connected to the intermediate transmission wheel via the first transmission assembly. The intermediate transmission wheel is connected to the kicking roller via the second transmission assembly.

4. The cargo container according to claim 3, characterized in that: The frame includes two opposite and spaced-apart sidewalls, with the inlet located between the two sidewalls; The support member is disposed adjacent to one of the two side walls. The support member is a box with an opening, the opening of which is covered by the adjacent side wall. The intermediate transmission wheel and the second transmission assembly are both located inside the box.

5. The cargo container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame includes a support wall and two side walls disposed opposite to each other on both sides of the support wall. The support wall and the two side walls together form the receiving cavity. The inlet is located between the two side walls and above the support wall. The two side walls are symmetrically provided with loading channels; the loading door is inserted into the loading channels on the two side walls, and the loading door can slide along the loading channels to open or close the loading port; and when the loading door opens the loading port, at least a portion of the kicking roller can extend out of the receiving cavity through the loading channel.

6. The cargo container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The kicking roller includes a spindle and a kicking part fixedly sleeved on the spindle. When the kicking roller rotates, the kicking part is used to drive the goods at the inlet into the receiving cavity. The kicking assembly also includes a clearance wheel sleeved on the spindle and rotatable around the spindle. The axial projection of the clearance wheel along the spindle completely covers the axial projection of the kicking part along the spindle. When the loading door closes the loading port, the loading door contacts the clearance wheel and is spaced apart from the kicking part. The loading door drives the clearance wheel to move, causing the kicking roller to retract into the receiving cavity.

7. The cargo container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The loading door includes a rotatable roller. During the process of closing the loading port, the roller contacts the support member and can roll relative to the support member. The loading door drives the support member to rotate around the support shaft through the roller, causing the kicking roller to retract into the receiving cavity.

8. An automatic vending machine, characterized in that, include: The server rack has a loading port; Shelves, installed inside the cabinet, are used to support and output goods; The hopper according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is movably disposed within the cabinet for transporting goods between the shelf and the retrieval port, wherein when the hopper is opposite the shelf and used to receive goods, the inlet door opens the inlet port, and the kick roller extends out of the receiving cavity and approaches the shelf; when the hopper moves toward the retrieval port, the inlet door closes the inlet port and the kick roller retracts into the receiving cavity.

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