Hopper structure of quick-change popcorn vending machine

Abstract

The utility model provides a quick-change type hopper structure of a popcorn vending machine, the lower end of a hopper is of a conical structure, the bottom of the hopper is converged to be a circular discharge port provided with a convex ring, a gate valve is arranged below the discharge port, a U-shaped guide rib is fixedly arranged on the upper surface of the gate valve, the U-shaped guide rib comprises an arc-shaped limiting part and linear guide parts arranged in parallel on the two sides, and the limiting part and the linear guide parts are arranged in parallel. A trigger linkage mechanism is arranged in the limiting part, a locking mechanism is arranged in the guiding part, when the hopper slides to the limiting part along the guiding part, the convex ring drives the locking mechanism to abut against the outer side of the convex ring through the trigger linkage mechanism, the locking mechanism and the limiting part form a bidirectional clamping structure, and detachable positioning connection of the hopper and the gate valve is achieved. The problems that the hopper dismounting efficiency is low, the mounting and positioning precision is not high, and the occupied space of a fixed structure is large are solved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of popcorn production, especially to a quick-change type popcorn vending machine hopper structure. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the growth of leisure food consumption demand, popcorn vending machines are increasingly popular in public places such as cinemas and shopping malls. This type of equipment realizes rapid supply through automatic cup falling, quantitative feeding, heating and heat preservation technology, but still faces many technical challenges in actual use. The fixed hopper design through welding or bolt connection leads to difficult hopper replacement. When the equipment needs to provide popcorn of multiple flavors, the operator needs to frequently disassemble the hopper to switch raw materials. This process not only consumes time, but also causes interface wear and tear, leading to a decrease in the sealing performance of the discharge port, causing popcorn debris leakage and moisture clumping. The alignment of the hopper and the discharge channel relies on manual adjustment, and when the positioning accuracy is insufficient, it is easy to deviate, causing raw materials to spill into the machine box or even get stuck in the transmission mechanism, affecting the stability of the equipment operation.

[0003] Some vending machines attempt to use slide rail hoppers, but lack a self-locking mechanism. Device vibration or material impact can easily cause the hopper to shift, causing interruptions or leaks in the discharge. Existing fixed devices usually rely on external tensioning devices and cannot adapt to the compact space requirements of vending machines, resulting in bulky equipment and low operating efficiency.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a modular hopper system with self-alignment, quick locking, and leak prevention to improve the operating efficiency and hygiene standards of popcorn vending machines, while meeting the market demand for multiple flavor supply. INVENTION CONTENTS

[0005] The main purpose of the utility model is to provide a quick-change type popcorn vending machine hopper structure to solve the problems of low disassembly and assembly efficiency, low installation positioning accuracy, and large space occupation of the fixed structure.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the utility model adopts the following technical scheme: a quick-change type popcorn vending machine hopper structure, the lower end of the hopper is a conical structure, the bottom is a circular discharge port with a convex ring, a plug valve is provided below the discharge port, a U-shaped guide rib is fixedly arranged on the upper surface of the plug valve, the U-shaped guide rib includes a circular arc-shaped limiting portion and two straight line guide portions arranged in parallel on the sides, a trigger linkage mechanism is arranged in the limiting portion, a locking mechanism is arranged in the guide portion, when the hopper slides along the guide portion to the limiting portion, the convex ring drives the locking mechanism to abut on the outside of the convex ring through the trigger linkage mechanism, the locking mechanism and the limiting portion form a bidirectional clamping structure, realizing the detachable positioning and connecting of the hopper and the plug valve.

[0007] In the preferred solution, the middle part of the plug valve is provided with an axial through hole, the discharge port of the hopper and the arc-shaped limiting part of the U-shaped guide rib are coaxially arranged with the through hole to form a discharging channel.

[0008] In the preferred solution, the interval width between the linear guide parts on both sides of the U-shaped guide rib is equal to the outer diameter of the convex ring, and the arc diameter of the limiting part is equal to the outer diameter of the convex ring.

[0009] In the preferred solution, the upper end part of the U-shaped guide rib is provided with an inwardly extending step surface, the radial width of the step surface is equal to the radius difference between the outer diameter of the convex ring and the outer diameter of the discharge port, and the distance from the lower surface of the step surface to the upper surface of the plug valve is equal to the thickness of the convex ring.

[0010] In the preferred solution, the arc-shaped limiting part is symmetrically provided with a trigger linkage mechanism on both sides, and the structure of the trigger linkage mechanism is that the middle part of the trigger lever is rotationally connected to the side wall of the limiting part through a first rotating shaft, a first elastic member is sleeved on the first rotating shaft, one end of the first elastic member is connected to the limiting part, and the other end of the first elastic member is connected to the trigger lever, for driving the end of the trigger lever close to the arc apex of the limiting part to rotate inwardly from the arc-shaped inner side.

[0011] In the preferred solution, the two symmetrically arranged locking mechanisms are provided on the linear guide parts, and the structure of the locking mechanism is that the middle part of the lock lever is rotationally connected to the side wall of the guide part through a second rotating shaft, a second elastic member is sleeved on the second rotating shaft, one end of the second elastic member is connected to the guide part, and the other end of the second elastic member is connected to the lock lever, for driving the lock lever close to the opening end of the U-shaped structure to rotate inwardly.

[0012] In the preferred solution, the end of the trigger lever away from the arc apex of the limiting part is connected to the end of the lock lever away from the opening of the U-shaped structure through a traction rope, and the length of the traction rope is set as the distance between the end of the trigger lever away from the arc apex of the limiting part and the end of the lock lever away from the opening of the U-shaped structure when the convex ring is not in the U-shaped guide rib, the lock lever is parallel to the guide part, and the end of the trigger lever close to the arc apex of the limiting part is located on the arc-shaped inner side.

[0013] In the preferred solution, the pre-tightening force of the first elastic member on the trigger lever is greater than the pre-tightening force of the second elastic member on the lock lever.

[0014] In the preferred solution, the end of the lock lever close to the opening of the U-shaped structure is also provided with a retractable fixing pin, one end of a third elastic member is connected to the lock lever, and the other end of the third elastic member is connected to the fixing pin, for driving the fixing pin downwardly.

[0015] The upper surface of the plug valve is also provided with a guide groove matched with the fixing pin, the lower end of the fixing pin is slidably connected to the guide groove through the lock lever, and the end of the guide groove is provided with a insertion hole.

[0016] In the preferred solution, the initial end of the guide groove is set as an initial position where the lock lever is parallel to the guide part, and the end of the guide groove is set as a locking position where the end of the lock lever abuts against the convex ring.

[0017] The utility model provides a quick change formula popcorn vending machine hopper structure, its beneficial effect is: quick dismounting and accurate positioning, through the sliding fit of U-shaped guide rib and hopper convex ring, the synergies of trigger linkage mechanism and locking mechanism are combined, realize the quick guide and automatic locking of hopper, only need along the guide rib sliding can complete the alignment during installation, form bidirectional clamping structure after triggering locking, greatly shorten the replacement time, ensure the coaxial alignment of discharge port and downcomer channel simultaneously, avoid artificial adjustment error, improve positioning accuracy.

[0018] Leakage prevention and high sealing, the groove size of U-shaped guide rib and convex ring strictly adapt, cooperate the bidirectional clamping of locking mechanism to convex ring, effectively limit the displacement of hopper under the impact of shock or material, eliminate the sealing failure problem caused by interface wear or deviation, significantly reduce popcorn debris leakage or damp clumping phenomenon.

[0019] Compact structure and space optimization, trigger linkage mechanism and locking mechanism are integrated in the inside of U-shaped guide rib, need not additional tensioner or complex external mechanism, greatly reduce the space occupation of fixed structure, adapt to the compact layout demand of vending machine, improve the overall operation efficiency of equipment.

[0020] Automatic locking and self-resetting, the pre-tightening force of elastic member is used to drive trigger rod and lock rod linkage, the hopper thrust triggers locking during installation, the mechanism resets automatically during dismounting, reduces the operation complexity and worker labor intensity through too much manual intervention or external energy.

[0021] Stable and reliable and convenient to maintain, the design of guide groove and fixed pin further strengthens the locking stability of lock rod, prevents unlocking by mistake, the modular structure simplifies the maintenance process, does not need to dismount complex parts when replacing or cleaning hopper, reduces equipment downtime and maintenance cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] The utility model makes further explanation in connection with the drawings and embodiment:

[0023] Figure 1 It is the overall appearance structure diagram of the utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 It is the overall appearance disassembly structure diagram of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 3 It is the disassembly structure diagram of U-shaped guide rib of the utility model;

[0026] Figure 4 It is the cross section structure diagram of U-shaped guide rib when hopper is connected of the utility model;

[0027] Figure 5 It is the plane structure diagram of U-shaped guide rib when hopper is not installed of the utility model;

[0028] Figure 6 is the U-shaped guide rib side view structure diagram of the hopper not installed of the utility model;

[0029] Figure 7 is the lock rod and plug valve locking structure sectional view of the utility model.

[0030] In the figure: hopper 1;Discharge port 101;Convex ring 102;Plug valve 2;Through hole 201;Guide groove 202;Jack 203;U-shaped guide rib 3;Limiting part 301;Guide part 302;Trigger linkage mechanism 4;Trigger lever 401;First pivot 402;First elastic member 403;Locking mechanism 5;Lock rod 501;Second pivot 502;Second elastic member 503;Tow rope 6;Fixing pin 7;Third elastic member 8. Specific implementation

[0031] Example 1

[0032] As Figures 1-7 shown, a quick-change type popcorn vending machine hopper structure, the lower end of the hopper 1 is a tapered structure, the bottom is a circular discharge port 101 provided with a convex ring 102, a plug valve 2 is arranged below the discharge port 101, and a U-shaped guide rib 3 is fixedly arranged on the upper surface of the plug valve 2. The U-shaped guide rib 3 includes a circular arc limiting part 301 and two straight guide parts 302 arranged on the sides, the limiting part 301 is provided with a trigger linkage mechanism 4, the guide part 302 is provided with a locking mechanism 5, when the hopper 1 slides along the guide part 302 to the limiting part 301, the convex ring 102 drives the locking mechanism 5 to abut against the outside of the convex ring 102 through the trigger linkage mechanism 4, the locking mechanism 5 and the limiting part 301 form a bidirectional clamping structure, and the detachable positioning connection of the hopper 1 and the plug valve 2 is realized.

[0033] The application adopts an open U-shaped guide rib 3, realizes the quick guide positioning of the hopper 1 and the plug valve 2 through the sliding cooperation of the groove and the convex ring 102, the trigger linkage mechanism 4 and the locking mechanism 5 are symmetrically arranged and highly integrated with the existing structure of the U-shaped guide rib 3, the space occupation of the external fixing mechanism is reduced, the locking trigger mode utilizes the pushing force during the installation of the convex ring 102, the cost of adding external energy is saved, and it is a convenient guide locking structure based on a traditional mechanical structure.

[0034] In the preferred scheme, the plug valve 2 is provided with an axial through hole 201, the discharge port 101 of the hopper 1 and the circular arc limiting part 301 of the U-shaped guide rib 3 are coaxially arranged with the through hole 201, and a discharging channel is formed.

[0035] In the preferred scheme, the interval width of the straight guide parts 302 on the two sides of the U-shaped guide rib 3 is equal to the outer diameter of the convex ring 102, and the arc diameter of the limiting part 301 is equal to the outer diameter of the convex ring 102.

[0036] In the preferred embodiment, the upper end of the U-shaped guide rib 3 is provided with an inwardly extending stepped surface, the radial width of the stepped surface being equal to the difference between the outer diameter of the convex ring 102 and the radius of the outer diameter of the discharge port 101, and the distance from the lower surface of the stepped surface to the upper surface of the insert valve 2 being equal to the thickness of the convex ring 102.

[0037] By the concentric structure between the fixing member, the limiting member, and the moving member, the hopper 1 is aligned and limited with the opening of the discharging channel, avoiding leakage. The groove size of the U-shaped guide rib 3 is adapted to the height of the convex ring 102, limiting the rotation of the hopper 1 relative to the insert valve 2, and avoiding the generation of gaps in the contact surface under the influence of external vibration.

[0038] In the preferred embodiment, the two sides of the circular-arc-shaped limiting part 301 are symmetrically provided with a trigger linkage mechanism 4. The structure of the trigger linkage mechanism 4 is that the middle part of the trigger lever 401 is rotationally connected to the side wall of the limiting part 301 through a first rotating shaft 402, a first elastic member 403 is sleeved on the first rotating shaft 402, one end of the first elastic member 403 is connected to the limiting part 301, and the other end of the first elastic member 403 is connected to the trigger lever 401, for driving the one end of the trigger lever 401 close to the circular-arc top of the limiting part 301 to rotate inwardly.

[0039] In the preferred embodiment, the two sides of the guiding part 302 are symmetrically provided with a locking mechanism 5. The structure of the locking mechanism 5 is that the middle part of the lock lever 501 is rotationally connected to the side wall of the guiding part 302 through a second rotating shaft 502, a second elastic member 503 is sleeved on the second rotating shaft 502, one end of the second elastic member 503 is connected to the guiding part 302, and the other end of the second elastic member 503 is connected to the lock lever 501, for driving the lock lever 501 close to the opening of the U-shaped structure to rotate inwardly.

[0040] In the preferred embodiment, the one end of the trigger lever 401 away from the circular-arc top of the limiting part 301 is connected to the one end of the lock lever 501 away from the opening of the U-shaped structure through a pulling rope 6. The length of the pulling rope 6 is set as follows: when the convex ring 102 does not enter the U-shaped guide rib 3, the lock lever 501 is parallel to the guiding part 302, and the one end of the trigger lever 401 close to the circular-arc top of the limiting part 301 is located inwardly of the circular arc, the distance between the one end of the trigger lever 401 away from the circular-arc top of the limiting part 301 and the one end of the lock lever 501 away from the opening of the U-shaped structure.

[0041] In the preferred embodiment, the pre-tightening force of the first elastic member 403 on the trigger lever 401 is greater than the pre-tightening force of the second elastic member 503 on the lock lever 501.

[0042] In the preferred embodiment, the one end of the lock lever 501 close to the opening of the U-shaped structure is further provided with a retractable fixing pin 7. One end of a third elastic member 8 is connected to the lock lever 501, and the other end of the third elastic member 8 is connected to the fixing pin 7, for driving the fixing pin 7 downwardly.

[0043] The upper surface of the plug-in valve 2 is further provided with a guide groove 202 matched with the fixing pin 7, the lower end of the fixing pin 7 passes through the lock rod 501 and is slidably connected with the guide groove 202, and the end of the guide groove 202 is provided with a insertion hole 203.

[0044] In the preferred solution, the starting end of the guide groove 202 is arranged as an initial position in which the lock rod 501 is parallel to the guide part 302, and the end is arranged as a locking position in which the end of the lock rod 501 abuts against the convex ring 102.

[0045] When the hopper 1 is not slid into the U-shaped guide rib 3, the trigger lever 401 is driven by the pre-tightening force of the first elastic member 403 to rotate the one end to the inside of the circular arc and the other end to be upturned, and the lock rod 501 is pulled by the traction rope 6, and the lock rod 501 has an original tendency to rotate inwardly close to the one end of the opening side of the U-shaped structure under the pre-tightening force of the second elastic member 503, but the lock rod 501 is kept in the position parallel to the guide part 302 under the pulling of the traction rope 6, and the traction rope 6 is parallel to the guide part 302, so that the lateral component force is avoided.

[0046] When the hopper 1 is installed, the convex ring 102 is slid into the U-shaped guide rib 3, enters the limiting part 301 and is moved to the stroke end point of the circular arc abutting, the convex ring 102 outer wall pushes the trigger lever 401 to rotate, so that the inside end is turned out of the inside of the circular arc, and the other end falls down, the traction rope 6 is relaxed, the lock rod 501 loses the traction of the pre-tightening force of the first elastic member 403, rotates inwardly under the pre-tightening force of the second elastic member 503, the fixing pin 7 slides along the guide groove 202 to the stroke end point, and is inserted into the insertion hole 203 under the action of the third elastic member 8, so as to fix the rotation angle of the lock rod 501, at this time, the lock rod 501 is symmetrically abutted on one side of the convex ring 102, and is bidirectionally clamped with the limiting part 301 on the other side, so as to fix the hopper 1.

[0047] When the hopper 1 needs to be disassembled and replaced, the fixing pin 7 is pulled out and inserted into the guide groove 202, the hopper 1 is pulled out from the U-shaped guide rib 3, and the locking mechanism 5 and the trigger linkage mechanism 4 automatically restore the original state under the action of the first elastic member 403.

[0048] The above embodiment is only a preferred technical solution of the present application, and should not be regarded as a limitation of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application should be the technical solution recorded in the claims, including the equivalent replacement solution of the technical features recorded in the claims as the protection scope. That is, the equivalent replacement improvement within the scope is also within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A quick change popcorn vending machine hopper structure, characterized by: The lower end of the hopper (1) is conical structure, the bottom of which is narrowed into a circular discharge port (101) provided with a convex ring (102), a plug valve (2) is arranged below the discharge port (101), and a U-shaped guide rib (3) is fixedly arranged on the upper surface of the plug valve (2). The U-shaped guide rib (3) comprises a circular-arc-shaped limiting portion (301) and two straight-line guide portions (302) arranged in parallel on the two sides. The limiting portion (301) is provided with a trigger linkage mechanism (4) therein, and the guide portion (302) is provided with a locking mechanism (5) therein. When the hopper (1) slides along the guide portion (302) to the limiting portion (301), the convex ring (102) drives the locking mechanism (5) to abut against the outside of the convex ring (102) through the trigger linkage mechanism (4), the locking mechanism (5) and the limiting portion (301) form a bidirectional clamping structure, and the detachable positioning connection of the hopper (1) and the plug valve (2) is realized.

2. The quick-change popcorn vending machine hopper structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plug valve (2) is provided with an axial through hole (201) in the middle, the discharge port (101) of the hopper (1) and the circular-arc-shaped limiting portion (301) of the U-shaped guide rib (3) are coaxially arranged with the through hole (201), and a discharging channel is formed.

3. The quick change popcorn vending machine hopper structure according to claim 1, wherein: The interval width of the straight-line guide portions (302) on the two sides of the U-shaped guide rib (3) is equal to the outer diameter of the convex ring (102), and the diameter of the circular arc of the limiting portion (301) is equal to the outer diameter of the convex ring (102).

4. The quick change popcorn vending machine hopper structure according to claim 2, wherein: The upper end of the U-shaped guide rib (3) is provided with an inwardly extending stepped surface, the radial width of the stepped surface is equal to the radius difference between the outer diameter of the convex ring (102) and the outer diameter of the discharge port (101), and the distance from the lower surface of the stepped surface to the upper surface of the plug valve (2) is equal to the thickness of the convex ring (102).

5. The quick change popcorn vending machine hopper structure according to claim 1, wherein: The trigger linkage mechanisms (4) are symmetrically arranged on the two sides of the circular-arc-shaped limiting portion (301), and the structure of the trigger linkage mechanism (4) is that: the middle of a trigger rod (401) is rotationally connected with the side wall of the limiting portion (301) through a first rotating shaft (402), a first elastic member (403) is sleeved on the first rotating shaft (402), one end of the first elastic member (403) is connected with the limiting portion (301), the other end of the first elastic member (403) is connected with the trigger rod (401), and the first elastic member (403) is used to drive the one end of the trigger rod (401) close to the vertex of the circular arc of the limiting portion (301) to rotate inwardly.

6. The quick change popcorn vending machine hopper structure according to claim 1, wherein: The locking mechanisms (5) are symmetrically arranged on the two straight-line guide portions (302), and the structure of the locking mechanism (5) is that: the middle of a lock rod (501) is rotationally connected with the side wall of the guide portion (302) through a second rotating shaft (502), a second elastic member (503) is sleeved on the second rotating shaft (502), one end of the second elastic member (503) is connected with the guide portion (302), the other end of the second elastic member (503) is connected with the lock rod (501), and the second elastic member (503) is used to drive the lock rod (501) close to the opening end of the U-shaped structure to rotate inwardly.

7. The quick-change popcorn vending machine hopper structure according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The end of the trigger rod (401) away from the arc apex of the limiting part (301) is connected with the end of the lock rod (501) away from the opening of the U-shaped structure through a pulling rope (6). The length of the pulling rope (6) is set as: when the convex ring (102) does not enter the U-shaped guiding rib (3), the lock rod (501) is parallel to the guiding part (302), and the end of the trigger rod (401) close to the arc apex of the limiting part (301) is located on the inner side of the arc, the distance between the end of the trigger rod (401) away from the arc apex of the limiting part (301) and the end of the lock rod (501) away from the opening of the U-shaped structure.

8. The quick change popcorn vending machine hopper structure according to claim 7, wherein: The pre-tightening force of the first elastic member (403) on the trigger rod (401) is greater than the pre-tightening force of the second elastic member (503) on the lock rod (501).

9. The quick change popcorn vending machine hopper structure according to claim 6, wherein: The end of the lock rod (501) close to the opening of the U-shaped structure is also provided with a retractable fixing pin (7), one end of a third elastic member (8) is connected with the lock rod (501), and the other end is connected with the fixing pin (7), for driving the fixing pin (7) downward. The upper surface of the plug valve (2) is also provided with a guiding groove (202) matched with the fixing pin (7), the lower end of the fixing pin (7) passes through the lock rod (501) and is slidably connected with the guiding groove (202), and the end of the guiding groove (202) is provided with a plug hole (203).

10. The quick change popcorn vending machine hopper structure according to claim 9, wherein: The starting end of the guiding groove (202) is set as an initial position in which the lock rod (501) is parallel to the guiding part (302), and the end is set as a locking position in which the end of the lock rod (501) abuts against the convex ring (102).

Images