Capsule automatic extraction device, method and vending machine

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of automatic extraction device of capsule, including fixed plate and setting on fixed plate, moving assembly, throw material assembly, extraction assembly, storage assembly and control assembly, the throw material assembly is set on the moving assembly, the moving assembly is used to drive the throw material assembly between the extraction assembly and the storage assembly moves, the control assembly is used to connect and control the moving assembly, throw material assembly, extraction assembly and storage assembly.The application realizes the repeated automatic extraction of multiple capsules, at the same time, capsule is extracted and thrown after falling into throw material assembly from storage assembly, and is fixed on throw material assembly, without retransferring and positioning, reliability and efficiency are higher.The application also includes a vending machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vending machine technology, and more particularly to an automatic capsule extraction device and a vending machine. Background Technology

[0002] Vending machines are common equipment in commercial automation. They are not limited by time or location, save manpower, and facilitate transactions, representing a new form of retail, often referred to as 24-hour mini-supermarkets. Coffee capsules are pre-ground coffee powder that has been metered and sealed in single-serving aluminum / food-grade plastic containers to create an instant coffee product. They can be used with dedicated capsule coffee machines to make coffee. However, existing dedicated capsule coffee machines are generally manual and not suitable for vending machines. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic capsule extraction device and vending machine to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the first aspect of the present invention provides an automatic capsule extraction device, including a fixed plate and a moving component, a throwing component, an extraction component, a storage component, and a control component disposed on the fixed plate. The throwing component is disposed on the moving component and is used to drive the throwing component to move between the extraction component and the storage component. The control component is used to connect and control the moving component, the throwing component, the extraction component, and the storage component.

[0005] A second aspect of the present invention provides a vending machine including the above-described automatic capsule extraction device.

[0006] Compared with existing technologies, the present invention brings the following technical effects:

[0007] The moving component drives the throwing component to the storage component to retrieve capsules. Then, the moving component drives the throwing component to the extraction component to perform extraction. Finally, the moving component drives the throwing component to the preset throwing position to throw the capsules, thereby realizing the repeated automatic extraction of multiple capsules. At the same time, after the capsules fall from the storage component into the throwing component, they are fixed on the throwing component during extraction and throwing, without the need for re-transfer and repositioning, which improves reliability and efficiency.

[0008] The invented automatic capsule extraction device is applied to vending machines; the automatic capsule extraction device of the present invention can realize the repeated automatic extraction of multiple capsules, thereby realizing the basis for automatic vending of capsule beverages. Attached Figure Description

[0009] 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.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the mobile component of the present invention in the standby position.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the mobile component of the present invention in the standby position from another perspective.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the mobile component of the present invention in the standby position.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the mobile component of the present invention in the storage position.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the moving component of the present invention in the storage position from another perspective.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the mobile component of the present invention in the storage position.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the moving component of the present invention at the extraction position.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the moving component of the present invention at the extraction position from another perspective.

[0018] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the moving component of the present invention at the extraction position.

[0019] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the moving component of the present invention at the extraction position from another perspective.

[0020] Figure 11 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the moving component of the present invention during the throwing of material by the throwing component.

[0021] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the moving component of the present invention during the throwing of material by the throwing component.

[0022] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point A in the middle.

[0023] Figure 14This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0024] Explanation of key component symbols:

[0025] 1. Fixed plate; 2. Moving component; 21. Driving component; 22. Slide rail; 23. Moving component sensor; 3. Discharge component; 31. Tilting component; 32. Fixed component; 4. Extraction component; 41. Extraction pressure plate; 5. Storage component; 51. Cargo channel chute; 52. Switch component; 521. Limiting mechanism; 522. Elastic component. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0027] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; 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; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] Please refer to Figure 11 The automatic capsule extraction device includes a fixed plate 1 and a moving component 2, a throwing component 3, an extraction component 4, a storage component 5, and a control component (not shown) mounted on the fixed plate 1. The throwing component 3 is mounted on the moving component 2. The moving component 2 includes a driving component 21 and a slide rail 22. The two ends of the slide rail 22 extend to the storage position where the storage component 5 is located and the extraction position where the extraction component 4 is located, respectively. A standby position is provided in the middle of the slide rail 22. The driving component 21 drives the throwing component 3 to move on the slide rail 22. Please refer to... Figures 1-3 When the driving component 21 moves the throwing assembly 3 to the standby position on the slide rail 22, the throwing assembly 3 includes a flipping component 31 and a fixing component 32, the fixing component 32 being used to fix the capsule; please refer to Figures 4-6The driving component 21 drives the throwing assembly 3 to move on the slide rail 22 to the storage position, i.e., the position where it cooperates with the storage assembly 5. The storage assembly 5 includes a cargo channel chute 51 and a switching component 52. The capsule is slidably disposed in the cargo channel chute 51. The switching component 52 is disposed at the outlet of the cargo channel chute 51. The fixing component 32 is used to cooperate with the switching component 52 to open and close the outlet of the cargo channel chute 51. Specifically, the switching component 52 includes a slidable limiting mechanism 521 and an elastic component 522. The fixing component 32 is used to abut against the limiting mechanism 521 to open the outlet of the cargo channel chute 51, and the elastic component 522 is used to drive the limiting mechanism 521 to close the outlet of the cargo channel chute 51. Please refer to Figures 7-10 The driving component 21 drives the throwing assembly 3 to move on the slide rail 22 to the extraction position, that is, the position where it cooperates with the extraction assembly 4. The extraction assembly 4 includes the extraction pressure plate 41. The extraction pressure plate 41 cooperates with the fixing component 32 to complete the extraction. Please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 11 and Figure 12 The driving component 21 drives the throwing component 3 to move to the standby position on the slide rail 22. The throwing component 3 includes a flipping component 31 and a fixing component 32. The flipping component 31 is connected to the fixing component 32. The flipping component 31 is used to flip the fixing component 32. After the fixing component 32 is flipped, the extracted capsule stuck in the fixing component 32 is released from the fixing component 32 under the action of gravity, thus realizing the throwing function.

[0030] Specifically, the control component is used to connect and control the moving component 2, the throwing component 3, the extraction component 4, and the storage component 5, and also includes sensors for detecting the status.

[0031] Alternatively, please refer to Figure 11 At least three moving component sensors 23 are provided on the fixed plate 1. All moving component sensors 23 are connected to the control component. At least some of the moving component sensors 23 are used to detect whether the moving component 2 has reached the storage position, extraction position and standby position respectively.

[0032] Optionally, the fixing component 32 includes a capsule sensor for detecting the presence of a capsule.

[0033] Understandably, the sensors used for position detection can be various types of moving component sensors 23 and capsule sensors, such as proximity switches and through-beam photoelectric switches.

[0034] Example 2

[0035] The technical difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the switch component 52 includes a slidable limiting mechanism 521, and the fixed component 32 is provided with a linkage component (not shown in the figure). The linkage component can drive the switch component 52 to open and close the outlet of the cargo channel chute 51.

[0036] Specifically, the linkage component can be an automatic release mechanism or a flexible buckle.

[0037] Example 3

[0038] This application also includes an automated capsule extraction method, applied to the automated capsule extraction apparatus as described in any of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps:

[0039] S1. The control component receives the start signal;

[0040] S2. The control component controls the moving component 2 to move the throwing component 3 from the standby position to the storage component 5, and retrieves the capsule from the storage component 5.

[0041] S3, The control component controls the moving component 2 to drive the throwing component 3 into the extraction component 4, and the extraction component 4 extracts the capsules;

[0042] S4. The control component controls the moving component 2 to drive the throwing component 3 to the standby position;

[0043] S5, the control component controls the material throwing component 3 to discard the extracted capsule shells.

[0044] Example 4

[0045] A vending machine includes an automatic capsule extraction device. The vending machine of this embodiment includes all the technical features and effects of Embodiment 1, and therefore will not be repeated.

[0046] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments, as long as they meet the purpose of the present invention, and all such changes should be within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention. For example, different combinations of specific embodiments and different combinations of distinguishing technical features.

Claims

1. An automatic capsule extraction device, characterized in that: It includes a fixed plate and a moving component, a throwing component, an extraction component, a storage component, and a control component disposed on the fixed plate. The throwing component is disposed on the moving component and is used to drive the throwing component to move between the extraction component and the storage component. The control component is used to connect and control the moving component, the throwing component, the extraction component, and the storage component.

2. The automatic capsule extraction device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material throwing assembly includes a flipping component and a fixing component. The fixing component is used to fix the capsule, and the flipping component is connected to the fixing component and is used to flip the fixing component.

3. The automatic capsule extraction device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The storage assembly includes a cargo channel chute and a switch component. The capsule is slidably disposed within the cargo channel chute, and the switch component is disposed at the outlet of the cargo channel chute. The fixing component is used to cooperate with the switch component to open and close the outlet of the cargo channel chute.

4. The automatic capsule extraction device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The switching component includes a sliding limiting mechanism, and the fixed component is provided with a linkage component, which can drive the switching component to open or close the outlet of the cargo channel chute.

5. The automatic capsule extraction device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The switching component includes a slidable limiting mechanism and an elastic component. The fixed component is used to abut against the limiting mechanism to open the cargo channel chute outlet, and the elastic component is used to drive the limiting mechanism to close the cargo channel chute outlet.

6. The automatic capsule extraction device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The extraction assembly includes an extraction plate, which cooperates with the fixing component to complete the extraction.

7. The automatic capsule extraction device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The moving component includes a driving component and a slide rail. The two ends of the slide rail extend to a storage position where the storage component is located and an extraction position where the extraction component is located. A standby position is provided in the middle of the slide rail. The driving component drives the throwing component to move on the slide rail.

8. The automatic capsule extraction device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The fixed plate is provided with at least three motion component sensors, all of which are connected to the control component. At least some of the motion component sensors are used to detect whether the motion component has reached the storage position, extraction position, and standby position.

9. An automated capsule extraction method, characterized in that: The capsule automatic extraction device applied to any one of claims 1-8 comprises the following steps: The control component receives the start signal; The control component controls the moving component to move the throwing component from the standby position to the storage component, and retrieves the capsule from the storage component; The control component controls the moving component to drive the throwing component into the extraction component, and the extraction component extracts the capsules; The control component controls the moving component to drive the throwing component to the standby position; The control unit controls the ejector assembly to discard the extracted capsule shells.

10. A vending machine, characterized in that: The automatic capsule extraction device includes any one of claims 1-8.

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