Selection switch device for vending machine

Abstract

Provided is a selector switch device for a vending machine, which improves the visibility of a display pattern when a translucent member receives direct sunlight. A selection switch device (20) is provided with: a light-emitting element; a display sheet (33) for displaying information relating to the corresponding product by receiving the light emitted from the light-emitting element in a display pattern; and a selection button (23) provided on the front surface side of the display sheet (33), the display pattern of the display sheet (33) being formed by forming a light-transmissive white layer (33c) having a color with high light transmissivity on the back surface side or the front surface side of the transparent substrate (3a).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a selection switch device for an automatic vending machine. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in vending machines installed outdoors, there has been known a selection switch device for a vending machine that displays information related to a product in text or color using a selection button (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The selection switch device for a vending machine described in Patent Document 1 comprises: a selection button (translucent member) that turns on a switch element by being pressed; a display sheet that is disposed on the back side of the selection button; a seven-segment LED display that is disposed on the back side of the display sheet and displays a sales price; and a plurality of LEDs that display other information.

[0004] The display sheet includes: a segment display unit that displays the sales price with a text pattern based on a light-transmitting printed layer; a sales status display unit that displays the sales status of the product being sold out or being prepared with a text pattern based on a light-transmitting printed layer; a cold display unit that displays the corresponding product as a cold product with a circular color pattern based on a light-transmitting blue printed layer; and a warm display unit that displays the corresponding product as a hot product with a circular color pattern based on a light-transmitting red printed layer. An LED is arranged on the back side of each display unit, and by lighting the LED, a text pattern or a color pattern can be displayed.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2016 / 163309

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-231093 Summary of the invention

[0009] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0010] In order to prevent the interior from being seen through when exposed to direct sunlight or when the LED is turned on, a translucent black printed layer is usually formed on the front side of each display unit (for example, see Patent Document 2). In addition, LEDs generally have a directivity in which the light intensity in the oblique direction is smaller than the light intensity on the optical axis.

[0011] In the case where the selection button is exposed to direct sunlight, when the selection button is viewed from the front, the light emitted from the LED after passing through the text pattern or color pattern (transmitted light) has a greater light intensity than the light reflected by the translucent black printed layer of the text pattern or color pattern (reflected light), so the visual recognizability of the text pattern or color pattern will not be deteriorated.

[0012] However, when the selection button is viewed from an oblique direction, due to the directivity of the LED, the intensity of the transmitted light becomes smaller, the intensity of the reflected light becomes relatively larger, and the text pattern or color pattern looks black. Therefore, there is a problem that the visual recognition of the display pattern, especially the text pattern, becomes poor.

[0013] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a selector switch device for an automatic vending machine, which achieves improved visibility of a display pattern when a light-transmitting member is exposed to direct sunlight.

[0014] Solutions for solving problems

[0015] [1] A selector switch device for an automatic vending machine, comprising:

[0016] Light emitting element;

[0017] A display sheet having a display pattern that displays information related to a corresponding commodity under the light emitted from the light-emitting element; and

[0018] a light-transmitting member disposed on the front side of the display sheet,

[0019] The display pattern of the display sheet is formed by forming a first layer having a first color with high light transmittance on the back side or the front side of a transparent substrate.

[0020] [2] The selector switch device for a vending machine according to [1] above, wherein:

[0021] The first color is a white color.

[0022] [3] The selector switch device for a vending machine according to [2] above, wherein:

[0023] The display pattern is a text pattern,

[0024] The display sheet has a color pattern provided around the character pattern, and the color pattern is formed by forming a second layer having a second color with high light transmittance on the back side or the front side of the transparent substrate.

[0025] [4] The selector switch device for a vending machine according to [3] above, wherein:

[0026] The second color is a color corresponding to cold products or hot products.

[0027] [5] The selector switch device for a vending machine according to [3] or [4] above, wherein:

[0028] The display sheet has a third layer having a third color with low light transmittance formed on the back side or the front side of the transparent substrate so as to frame the character pattern.

[0029] Effects of the Invention

[0030] According to the invention of claim 1, it is possible to improve the visibility of the display pattern when the light-transmitting member is exposed to direct sunlight.

[0031] According to the invention of Scheme 2, when a light-transmitting component is exposed to direct sunlight, when the light-transmitting component is viewed from an oblique direction, even if the light intensity of light that passes through the display sheet (transmitted light) becomes smaller due to the directivity of the light-emitting element, since the color of light (reflected light) after the direct sunlight is reflected by the display sheet is the same white color as the color of the transmitted light, the visual recognizability of the displayed pattern can be suppressed from decreasing.

[0032] According to the invention of claim 3, information related to a product can be displayed by a text pattern and a color pattern.

[0033] According to the invention of scheme 4, it is possible to identify whether the corresponding product is a cold product or a hot product through text and color.

[0034] According to the invention of claim 5, halation due to a combination of the color of the character pattern and the color of the color pattern can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 This is a front view showing an example of the automatic vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 (a) is the front view of the selector switch device. Figure 2 (b) is a front view showing an example of a display unit of the selection switch device.

[0037] Figure 3 It is a bottom view of the selector switch device.

[0038] Figure 4 is a rear view of the selector switch assembly.

[0039] Figure 5 (a) is an exploded perspective view of the selector switch device. Figure 5(b) is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the layer structure of the display sheet.

[0040] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 (a) AA line cross-sectional view.

[0041] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 (a) BB line cross-sectional view.

[0042] Figure 8 It is a diagram for explaining how the display sheet of this embodiment is viewed.

[0043] Description of Reference Numerals

[0044] 1… automatic vending machine, 2… vending machine body, 2a… box, 2b… door, 3… front panel, 4… banknote inlet and outlet, 5… coin inlet, 6… return lever, 7… amount display, 8… change return outlet, 9… product outlet, 10… door lock, 11… advertising space, 13… back panel, 14… product sample display stand, 15… product sample, 20… selection switch device, 21… base, 21a… mounting boss, 21b… connector mounting boss, 21c… groove, 22… housing, 22a… opening, 22b… leg, 22c… peripheral part, 23… selection button, 23a… operation surface, 23b… joint part, 23c… groove, 24… water stop member, 24a… opening, 24b… joint part, 24c… switch action part, 24d… skirt, 24e… water stop, 24f… Fixed portion, 24g…intermediate portion, 241…protrusion, 27…substrate, 27a…mounting surface, 28…tact switch, 29…connector, 30…display portion, 30a…seven-segment display portion, 30b…yen display portion, 30c…cold-temperature color display portion, 30d…cold display portion, 30e…warm display portion, 30f…sales status display portion, 31a…white LED, 31b…blue LED, 31c…orange LED, 32…reflective shell, 32a…segment display area, 32b…sales information display area, 32c…hole, 33…display sheet, 33a…transparent substrate, 33b…light-shielding black layer, 33b'…light-shielding black border layer, 33d…light-transmitting black layer, 33e…light-transmitting blue layer, 33f…light-transmitting orange layer, 34…liquid crystal substrate, 34a…liquid crystal screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the drawings, components having substantially the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0047] Figure 11 is a front view showing an example of an automatic vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The automatic vending machine 1 is an example of an automatic vending machine for selling various beverages. The automatic vending machine 1 includes a vending machine body 2 formed of a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped housing.

[0048] The vending machine body 2 includes: a box body 2a, which is open to the front; and a door body 2b, which opens and closes the opening in front of the box body 2a. The front upper part of the door body 2b is provided with a front panel 3. The front panel 3 is formed of a resin material such as a transparent acrylic plate. The front side refers to the front side in the vending machine. The back side refers to the side opposite to the front side.

[0049] The front lower part of the door body 2b is provided with: a banknote inlet and outlet 4 for inserting or discharging banknotes; a coin inlet 5 for inserting coins; and a return lever 6 for returning banknotes or coins. In addition, the front lower part of the door body 2b is provided with: an amount display 7 for displaying that the change has been used up or the amount of the inserted banknotes or inserted coins; a change return port 8 for returning the change; a commodity outlet 9 for taking out commodities; and a door lock 10 for locking the door body 2b. In addition, reference numeral 11 is an advertising space.

[0050] A back panel 13 formed of a metal plate is disposed on the back side of the front panel 3. The space formed between the front panel 3 and the back panel 13 is set as a product sample display room. In the product sample display room, three product sample display tables 14 supporting product samples 15 are arranged in three rows of an upper row, a middle row, and a lower row.

[0051] A plurality of (10 in this embodiment) commodity samples 15 as display items are displayed in a row on each commodity sample display stand 14. A selection switch device 20 having a plurality of (10 in this embodiment) selection buttons 23 is arranged corresponding to the commodity samples 15. Each selection switch device 20 is mounted on the front side of the front panel 3. The selection switch device 20 is an example of a selection switch device for a vending machine.

[0052] (External structure of the selector switch device)

[0053] Figure 2 to Figure 4 The selector switch device 20 is shown. Figure 2 (a) is the main view, Figure 2 (b) is a front view showing an example of a display unit of the selection switch device 20, Figure 3 This is a bottom view. Figure 4 It is a rear view. In addition, since the structure and function of each selection button 23 are the same, one selection button 23 will be described below.

[0054] The selector switch device 20 is Figure 2 (a) Figure 3 , Figure 4 The display device is composed of a rectangular base 21 which is long in the left and right direction and thinner in thickness than in the width direction, a rectangular housing 22 which is attached to the base 21 and thinner in thickness than in the width direction, and a selection button 23 provided on the front side of the base 21. The selection button 23 is an example of a light-transmitting member.

[0055] The base 21 is detachably mounted on the back panel 13 of the vending machine body 2. On the back side of the base 21, a plurality of cylindrical mounting bosses 21a and connector mounting bosses 21b are eccentric to one side in the width direction of the selection switch device 20 and are alternately arranged in a row. The mounting bosses 21a are inserted into fixing holes (not shown) provided in the back panel 13 and fixed by screws (not shown). A connector 29 described later is embedded in the connector mounting bosses 21b.

[0056] The base 21 and the housing 22 are assembled to each other so as to compress the water stop portion 24e of the water stop member 24 described later and make the selector switch device 20 watertight. The base 21 and the housing 22 are formed by mixing a colorant or pigment having a property of not transmitting light into a resin material such as an acrylic resin or a polycarbonate resin.

[0057] The selection button 23 has a lens-shaped operation surface 23a that slightly protrudes so as to protrude from an elliptical opening 22a formed on the front side of the housing 22. The operation surface 23a of the selection button 23 may not be lens-shaped.

[0058] (Internal structure of the selector switch device)

[0059] Figure 5 (a) is an exploded perspective view of the selector switch device 20, Figure 5 (b) is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the layer structure of the display sheet. Figure 6 The internal structure of the selector switch device 20 is shown. Figure 2 (a) AA line cross-sectional view. Figure 7 The internal structure of the selector switch device 20 is shown. Figure 2 (a) BB line cross-sectional view.

[0060] The selection switch device 20 includes: a substrate 27, which is installed on the front side of the base 21; a water-stopping member 24, which makes the selection switch device 20 watertight; a plurality of (two in the present embodiment for one selection button 23) touch switches 28, which are actuated by the selection operation of the selection button 23; and a display unit 30, which is arranged on the front side of the base 21 and can electrically change the display content.

[0061] A circuit pattern electrically connected to mounted components such as the tact switch 28 , an LED as a light source of the display unit 30 , and a chip resistor (not shown) is formed on the substrate 27 .

[0062] On the back side of the substrate 27, as shown Figure 4 As shown, a connector 29 is mounted to the connector mounting boss 21b of the base 21. The connector 29 is a vertical mounting type connector for coupling with a counterpart connector in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 27a of the substrate 27, and electrically connects the substrate 27 to the vending machine body 2.

[0063] (Select button structure)

[0064] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the peripheral edge of the selection button 23 is a joint portion 23b joined to the water stop member 24. The selection button 23 is formed of a light-transmitting resin material such as polycarbonate resin or acrylic resin. The selection button 23 may also be colored in a light-transmitting color such as smoke gray.

[0065] The water stop member 24 has a water stop function and a restoring function for the selection button 23. The water stop member 24 elastically supports the selection button 23, and includes: an opening 24a formed corresponding to the display content of the display unit 30; a joint 24b formed in a ring shape continuously with the edge of the opening 24a and joined to the joint 23b of the selection button 23; a plurality of columnar (two for one selection button 23 in this embodiment) switch action parts 24c extending from the joint 24b to the substrate 27 side; an annular skirt 24d extending obliquely outward from the switch action part 24c; a water stop part 24e formed continuously with the outer edge of the skirt 24d; and an intermediate part 24g continuous with another selection button 23.

[0066] The opening 24a of the water stop member 24 is formed so that the display content of the display unit 30 can be visually recognized from the selection button 23 without the water stop member 24. In addition, the opening 24a may be formed in a manner corresponding to a part of the display content of the display unit 30. In addition, the water stop member 24 may be set to a shape without the opening 24a.

[0067] The water stop portion 24 e of the water stop member 24 has a protrusion 241 protruding toward the back side. The protrusion 241 is compressed between the groove portion 21 c of the base 21 and the peripheral edge portion 22 c of the shell 22 to stop water between the base 21 and the shell 22 and prevent rainwater from penetrating between the base 21 and the shell 22.

[0068] The water stop portion 24e is formed so as to surround the joint portion 24b, the switch operating portion 24c, and the skirt portion 24d, thereby also stopping water from entering the selector switch device 20.

[0069] In addition, the water stop member 24 is formed of, for example, an elastically deformable material such as silicone rubber. The selection button 23 and the water stop member 24 are formed, for example, by two-color molding in a state where the joint 24b of the water stop member 24 and the joint 23b of the selection button 23 are joined. Two-color molding is, for example, a molding method that integrally molds a resin molded product with different local materials by injecting different types of materials in stages in the same injection molding mold. In addition, the joint surfaces of the joint 24b of the water stop member 24 and the joint 23b of the selection button 23 are respectively composed of flat surfaces in the present embodiment, but may also be respectively composed of concave and convex surfaces. As a result, the joining of the water stop member 24 and the selection button 23 becomes firm. In addition, the selection button 23 and the water stop member 24 are not limited to two-color molding, and may also be joined by other methods such as insert molding and ultrasonic bonding.

[0070] When the water stop member 24 selects the selection button 23, the switch operating portion 24c is pressed down due to the elastic change of the skirt 24d, and the touch switch 28 is turned on. On the other hand, when the water stop member 24 cancels the selection operation of the selection button 23, the switch operating portion 24c is pushed up due to the elastic restoring force of the skirt 24d, and the touch switch 28 is turned off.

[0071] (Display Unit Configuration)

[0072] Figure 2 (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display unit 30 of the selection switch device 20. The display unit 30 includes: a plurality of (for example, three) seven-segment display units 30a, which display the sales price of the corresponding product with multiple (for example, three) digits arranged horizontally; a yen display unit 30b, which displays the yen of the unit of the sales price; a cold and temperature color display unit 30c, which displays whether the corresponding product is a cold product (cooled product) or a hot product (heated product) with a circular color pattern; a cold display unit 30d, which displays that the corresponding product is a cold product (cooled product) with a text pattern and a surrounding color pattern; a warm display unit 30e, which displays that the corresponding product is a hot product (heated product) with a text pattern and a surrounding color pattern; and a sales status display unit 30f, which displays the sales status of the corresponding product with a text pattern (for example, in preparation, recommended, limited time sale, etc.). In addition, the surrounding color pattern may not be connected to the text pattern, but may be formed by setting a space. The color pattern and the text pattern are an example of a display pattern.

[0073] The seven-segment display unit 30a is composed of 7 segments, each of which has a white LED 31a as a light emitting element. In addition, a white LED 31a is arranged as a light emitting element on the back side of the yen display unit 30b. The seven-segment display unit 30a and the yen display unit 30b are controlled by the control unit of the automatic vending machine 1 so that the seven-segment white LED 31a is selectively lit according to the sales price, and the white LED 31a of the yen display unit 30b is lit. Thus, the sales price is displayed.

[0074] On the back side of the circular color pattern of the cold temperature color display part 30c, a blue LED 31b and an orange LED 31c are arranged as light-emitting elements. The cold temperature color display part 30c is controlled by the control part so that when the corresponding commodity is a cold commodity (cooled commodity), the blue LED 31b is turned on to display a blue color pattern, and when the corresponding commodity is a hot commodity (heated commodity), the orange LED 31c is turned on to display an orange color pattern. The blue color of the color pattern is an example of a cold color. As a cold color, other colors such as blue-green, blue-purple, etc. may also be used. The orange color of the color pattern is an example of a warm color. As a warm color, other colors such as red may also be used.

[0075] The cold display portion 30d includes a white character portion 300 that prints and displays the character "COLD" in a white color (e.g., white); a black border portion 301 that borders the character "COLD" in a black color (e.g., black); and a peripheral color portion 302a that displays the periphery of the character "COLD" in a color corresponding to a cold commodity (e.g., blue). The character "COLD" and the character "HOT" described later are examples of character patterns. In addition, the white color of the white character portion 300 is an example of a first color with high light transmittance. In addition, as the first color, any color with high light transmittance (e.g., light transmittance of 20% or more, more preferably 30% or more) may be used, and a white color other than white may be used, and a color other than a white color may be used. The blue of the peripheral color portion 302a and the orange of the peripheral color portion 302b described later are examples of a second color. The blue of the peripheral color portion 302a is an example of a color corresponding to a cold commodity. As a color corresponding to cold goods, other cool colors other than blue, such as blue-green and blue-purple, may be used. The orange color of the peripheral color portion 302b is an example of a color corresponding to hot goods. As a color corresponding to hot goods, other warm colors other than orange, such as red, may be used. The black-based color (for example, black) of the black border portion 301 is an example of a third color with low light transmittance. As long as it is a color with low light transmittance (for example, a light transmittance of 10% or less, more preferably 5% or less), it may be a black-based color other than black, or a color other than a black-based color.

[0076] The temperature display portion 30e includes: a white text portion 300, which prints and displays the text "HOT" in a white-based color (for example, white); a black border portion 301, which borders the text "HOT" in a black-based color (for example, black); and a peripheral color portion 302b, which displays the periphery of the text "HOT" in a color corresponding to the hot product (for example, orange).

[0077] In addition, the characters indicating cold goods and hot goods are not limited to the above-mentioned "COLD" and "HOT", and may be characters such as "C" and "H" that are abbreviated, Chinese characters (for example, cold, warm, etc.), hiragana, katakana, etc. In addition, although the peripheral color portion 302a and the peripheral color portion 302b are provided in the upper peripheral area and the lower peripheral area of ​​the white text portion 300, they may be provided in one of the upper peripheral area and the lower peripheral area, or in the upper, lower, left, or right peripheral areas, or may be provided to overlap with the background of the white text portion 300 and the black border portion 301. For example, the blue color of the peripheral color portion 302a or the orange color of the peripheral color portion 302b may be visible in the center of the character "O".

[0078] The sales status display unit 30f has a printed text pattern and a white LED 31a as a light emitting element arranged on the back side. When the corresponding product is being prepared, the control unit controls the white LED 31a of the sales status display unit 30f of the corresponding display unit 30 to light up.

[0079] The display unit 30 includes: the above-mentioned white LED 31a, blue LED 31b, and orange LED 31c (hereinafter also referred to as "LED 31" when collectively referred to as such) mounted on the substrate 27; a reflective housing 32 that reflects light emitted by the LED 31; and a display sheet 33 that transmits the light reflected by the reflective housing 32. The white LED 31a, blue LED 31b, and orange LED 31c are examples of light-emitting elements.

[0080] As a plurality of light emitting elements constituting the display unit 30, as described above, white LED 31a, blue LED 31b, and orange LED 31c are used, and light of a color corresponding to the information to be displayed is emitted. In addition, as light emitting elements, LEDs of other colors such as red LEDs and green LEDs may also be used. In addition, as light sources, in addition to LEDs, for example, organic EL elements, semiconductor lasers, etc. may also be used.

[0081] The reflective housing 32 includes a segment display area 32a for displaying an arbitrary amount of money and a sales information display area 32b for displaying arbitrary information, and is formed with a hole 32c for transmitting light emitted from the blue LED 31b or the orange LED 31c to the cold and warm color display section 30c of the display section 30. As the sales information display area 32b, three holes are formed for transmitting light emitted from the white LED 31a to the cold display section 30d, the warm display section 30e, and the sales status display section 30f of the display section 30. In the segment display area 32a, seven openings arranged in an 8-shaped pattern are set as a group and Figure 5 In (a), there are three groups formed in a left and right column.

[0082] The sales information display area 32b is an area for displaying the color patterns and character patterns displayed on the cold display section 30d, the warm display section 30e, and the sales status display section 30f.

[0083] (Printing process of display sheet)

[0084] Next, refer to Figure 5 An example of the printing process of the display sheet 33 is described below. First, the display sheet 33 is printed as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 1 , a light-shielding black layer (including a light-shielding black border layer 33b') 33b is printed on a region on the back side of the transparent substrate 33a that does not transmit light.

[0085] Next, a light-transmitting white layer 33c is printed on the back side of the transparent substrate 33a in the area corresponding to the yen display portion 30b and the white character portion 300. The seven-segment display portion 30a corresponds to the segment display region 32a of the reflective housing 32. The light-transmitting white layer 33c is an example of the first layer.

[0086] Next, a light-transmitting black layer 33d is printed on the back side of the transparent substrate 33a in the region corresponding to the seven-segment display portion 30a, the cold-warm color display portion 30c, the peripheral color portions 302a and 302b, and the sales status display portion 30f.

[0087] Next, a light-transmitting blue layer 33e is printed on a region corresponding to the peripheral color portion 302a of the cold display portion 30d on the back side of the transparent substrate 33a. The light-transmitting blue layer 33e and the light-transmitting orange layer 33f described later are examples of the second layer.

[0088] Next, a light-transmitting orange layer 33f is printed on the area corresponding to the peripheral color portion 302b of the warm display portion 30e and the sales status display portion 30f on the back side of the transparent substrate 33a. The cold display portion 30d, the warm display portion 30e, and the sales status display portion 30f correspond to the sales information display area 32b of the reflective housing 32. As described above, the display sheet 33 is formed.

[0089] The edges of the white character parts 300 of the warm display part 30e and the white character parts 300 of the cold display part 30d of the display part 30 in the light-shielding black layer 33b of the display sheet 33 form a light-shielding black border layer 33b' that borders the characters "COLD" and "HOT". The light-shielding black border layer 33b' is an example of the third layer.

[0090] The light-transmitting black layer 33d and the sales status display unit 30f may display various text patterns such as a sold-out display pattern showing "sold out" in addition to the display pattern showing "preparing". In addition, the light-transmitting black layer 33d and the light-transmitting blue layer 33e, and the light-transmitting black layer 33d and the light-transmitting orange layer 33f may be formed on the front side of the transparent substrate 33a, or may be formed by sandwiching the transparent substrate 33a, or may be formed by sandwiching the transparent substrate 33a, the light-shielding black layer 33b, and the light-shielding black border layer 33b'. In addition, the light-transmitting white layer 33c may be formed on the front side of the transparent substrate 33a. The relative positions of the light-shielding black layer 33b and the light-shielding black border layer 33b' with the other layers 33c to 33f are not limited. In addition, each layer 33b, 33b', and 33c to 33f may be formed on both the back side and the front side of the transparent base material 33a.

[0091] (Display unit and display sheet visible)

[0092] Next, refer to Figure 2 (b) and Figure 8 The visual appearance of the display unit 30 and the display sheet 33 will be described below. Figure 8 This is a diagram for explaining how the display sheet 33 of this embodiment is visible, in comparison with a comparative example. Figure 8 The embodiment in FIG. 1 schematically shows the layer structure of the temperature display portion 30e of the display sheet 33. The comparative example is a structure in which a character pattern is displayed without using the light-transmitting white layer 33c.

[0093] (1) Nighttime

[0094] In this embodiment, when the corresponding commodity is a cold commodity, Figure 2As shown in (b), by lighting the white LED 31a on the back side of the cold display portion 30d of the display portion 30, the white text portion 300 of "COLD" appears to be brightly lit in white, and the periphery of "COLD" appears to be blue due to the light emitted from the white LED 31a on the back side of the peripheral color portion 302a. In addition, by lighting the blue LED 31b on the back side of the cold temperature color display portion 30c, the color pattern appears to be blue. As a result, the corresponding product can be recognized at a glance as a cold product through the text and color.

[0095] In this embodiment, when the corresponding commodity is a hot commodity, Figure 2 As shown in (b), by lighting the white LED 31a on the back side of the temperature display portion 30e of the display portion 30, the white text portion 300 of "HOT" appears to be brightly lit in white, and the periphery of "HOT" appears to be orange due to the light emitted from the white LED 31a on the back side of the peripheral color portion 302b. In addition, by lighting the orange LED 31c on the back side of the cold temperature color display portion 30c, the color pattern appears to be orange. As a result, the corresponding product can be known at a glance as a hot product through the text and color.

[0096] (2) Daytime conditions

[0097] exist Figure 8 In the comparative example shown, when the selection button 23 is exposed to direct sunlight, when the selection button 23 is viewed from the front, the light intensity of the light emitted from the white LED 31a after passing through the text pattern (transmitted light) B1 is greater than the light intensity of the light reflected by the light-transmitting black layer 33d of the text pattern (reflected light) A1, so the visual recognizability of the text pattern will not be deteriorated.

[0098] However, in the comparative example, when the selection button 23 is viewed from an oblique direction, the directivity of the white LED 31a causes the intensity of the transmitted light B1b to decrease, while the intensity of the reflected light A1 to increase, so that the text pattern appears dark. Therefore, the visual recognition of the text pattern is deteriorated.

[0099] On the other hand, Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, when the selection button 23 is exposed to direct sunlight, when the selection button 23 is viewed from the front, although the light intensity of the transmitted light B2b emitted from the white LED 31a after passing through the text pattern is greater than the light intensity of the reflected light A2 reflected by the light-transmitting white layer 33c of the text pattern, because both the reflected light A2 and the transmitted light B2b are white-colored lights, the visual recognizability of the text pattern becomes higher than that of the comparative example.

[0100] In addition, Figure 8In the illustrated embodiment, when the selection button 23 is viewed from an oblique direction, although the light intensity of the transmitted light B2c becomes smaller and the light intensity of the reflected light A2 becomes relatively larger due to the directivity of the white LED 31a, since both the transmitted light B2c and the reflected light A2 are white-colored lights, the visual recognizability of the text pattern becomes higher than that of the comparative example.

[0101] In addition, since a light-shielding black border layer 33b' is formed between the light-transmitting white layer 33c that displays the text pattern of the white color series and the light-transmitting black layer 33d and the light-transmitting orange layer 33f that display the orange color pattern, it is possible to suppress the halo caused by the combination of the white color of the text pattern and the orange color pattern.

[0102] (Selecting the action of the switch device)

[0103] Next, an example of the operation of the selection switch device 20 will be described. When the operator performs a selection operation of pressing the operation surface 23a of the selection button 23, the switch operation portion 24c of the water stop member 24 is pressed as the elasticity of the skirt portion 24d changes, and the touch switch 28 is turned on. The touch switch 28 outputs an on signal to the control unit of the automatic vending machine 1. The control unit outputs the commodity corresponding to the selection button 23 to the commodity outlet 9 based on the on signal from the touch switch 28.

[0104] When the operator releases the selection operation on the operation surface 23a of the selection button 23, the selection button 23 and the switch operating portion 24c are pushed up by the elastic restoring force of the skirt portion 24d, and the touch switch 28 is turned off.

[0105] (Effects of this embodiment)

[0106] (a) When the selection button 23 is exposed to direct sunlight, when the selection button 23 is viewed from an oblique direction, even if the light intensity of the light (transmitted light) transmitted through the display sheet 33 becomes smaller due to the directivity of the white LED 31a, the light (reflected light) reflected by the display sheet 33 from the direct sunlight is the same white color as the transmitted light, so the visual recognizability of the text pattern can be improved.

[0107] (b) Since the color pattern is provided around the text pattern, it is possible to identify whether the commodity corresponding to the selection button 23 is a cold commodity or a hot commodity by using the text and color. For example, even if the selection button 23 is exposed to direct sunlight and the text is difficult to read, it is possible to intuitively identify whether the commodity corresponding to the selection button 23 is a cold commodity or a hot commodity by using the color of the surrounding color pattern.

[0108] (c) Since the character pattern is framed in black, halation caused by the combination of the color of the character pattern and the color of the color pattern can be suppressed.

[0109] (d) Since the character pattern and the color pattern are illuminated by the white LED 31a, power consumption can be reduced compared to LEDs of other colors.

[0110] In addition, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications and implementations can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0111] In addition, a part of the components of the above embodiment may be omitted or changed. In the above embodiment, the black border portion 301 is provided to suppress halo, but if the necessity of suppressing halo is not high, the black border portion 301 may not be provided. In this case, the light-shielding black border layer 33b' is not formed. In addition, the white text portion 300 and the peripheral color portions 302a and 302b may be in contact or may be open.

[0112] In the above-described embodiment, both the cold display portion 30d and the warm display portion 30e are provided, but only one of them may be provided depending on the product to be sold.

[0113] Industrial Applicability

[0114] The present invention can be applied to various automatic vending machines for packaged goods such as cigarettes, beverage goods filled in cans or plastic bottles, and the like.

Claims

1. A selection switch device for a vending machine, characterized in that: have: Light emitting element; A display sheet having a display pattern that displays information related to a corresponding commodity under the light emitted from the light-emitting element; and a light-transmitting member disposed on the front side of the display sheet, The display pattern of the display sheet is formed by forming a first layer having a first color with high light transmittance on the back side or the front side of a transparent substrate.

2. The selection switch device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein: The first color is a white color.

3. The selection switch device for a vending machine according to claim 2, wherein: The display pattern is a text pattern, The display sheet has a color pattern provided around the character pattern, and the color pattern is formed by forming a second layer having a second color with high light transmittance on the back side or the front side of the transparent substrate.

4. The selection switch device for an automatic vending machine according to claim 3, wherein: The second color is a color corresponding to cold products or hot products.

5. The selection switch device for an automatic vending machine according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The display sheet has a third layer having a third color with low light transmittance formed on the back side or the front side of the transparent substrate so as to frame the character pattern.

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