Wide-adaptation counting goods channel and vending machine

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of spring goods channels, and discloses a wide-adaptation counting goods channel and a vending machine. The wide-adaptation counting goods channel comprises a first plate part, a driving motor, a first spring, a first side plate and a second side plate, and the driving motor is fixed to the first plate part; the first spring is provided with a first end and a second end which are oppositely arranged in the front-back direction, and the first end is connected with the power output end of the driving motor so that goods in the spring distance of the first spring can move in the direction away from the driving motor; the first side plate and the second side plate are located on the two sides of the first spring in the left-right direction and arranged on the first plate part, and the position of at least one of the first side plate and the second side plate on the first plate part is adjustable so that the distance between the first side plate and the second side plate can be changed. The technical problems that when goods with large size difference are placed on the goods channel, the whole goods channel needs to be replaced, operation is tedious, and cost is high are solved.

Description

Widely adaptable counting lanes and vending machines Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of spring-loaded vending machine technology, and more particularly to a wide-adaptability counting vending machine and vending machine. Background Technology

[0002] Spring-loaded delivery channels are widely used in vending machines, smart warehousing, and other fields. They move goods by rotating springs, but they still have many shortcomings in actual use.

[0003] In related technologies, spring-loaded conveyor systems typically employ a fixed-width design, making it difficult to accommodate the storage and transport needs of goods of varying sizes. Furthermore, when placing goods of significantly different dimensions on the conveyor, it is often necessary to replace the entire system, which is not only cumbersome but also costly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a wide-adaptability counting lane and vending machine, which solves the technical problem that when goods with large size differences are placed on the lane, it is often necessary to replace the entire lane, which is not only cumbersome to operate but also costly.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the main technical solutions adopted in this application include:

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a wide-adaptive counting channel, which includes a first plate, a drive motor, a first spring, a first side plate, and a second side plate. The drive motor is fixed to the first plate. The first spring has a first end and a second end disposed opposite to each other in the front-rear direction. The first end is connected to the power output end of the drive motor so that goods within the spring spacing of the first spring move away from the drive motor. The first side plate and the second side plate are located on both sides of the first spring and disposed on the first plate in the left-right direction. The position of at least one of the first side plate and the second side plate in the first plate is adjustable to change the distance between the first side plate and the second side plate.

[0007] The wide-adaptive counting lane proposed in this application embodiment has a first side plate and a second side plate located on both sides of a first spring and disposed on a first plate portion along the left-right direction. The position of at least one of the first side plate and the second side plate is adjustable to change the distance between the first side plate and the second side plate. This ensures that the wide-adaptive counting lane can adapt to goods of different sizes in the left-right direction, greatly improving the versatility of the wide-adaptive counting lane, reducing the need to change different lanes due to differences in goods size, and reducing equipment costs and management difficulty.

[0008] Optionally, the first plate has a first hole group and a second hole group, which are spaced apart along the left-right direction and are located on both sides of the first spring. The first hole group includes a plurality of first holes, which are spaced apart along the left-right direction. The second hole group includes a plurality of second holes, which are spaced apart along the left-right direction. The first side plate has a first protrusion at one end facing the first plate, and the second side plate has a second protrusion at one end facing the first plate. The first protrusion can be selectively fitted into one of the plurality of first holes, and the second protrusion can be selectively fitted into one of the plurality of second holes.

[0009] The first protrusion can be selectively fitted into one of a plurality of first holes, and the second protrusion can be selectively fitted into one of a plurality of second holes. In this way, the left and right dimensions of the wide-adaptive counting channel, that is, the width of the channel, can be precisely adjusted at specific intervals. This ensures the accuracy of the fixed positions of the first and second side plates, avoids deviations in the width of the wide-adaptive counting channel due to arbitrary adjustments, ensures that the channel width is precisely matched with the size of the goods, and improves the fitting accuracy of the goods.

[0010] Optionally, there are multiple first hole groups, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction; there are multiple second hole groups, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction; the first side plate has multiple first protrusions spaced apart in the vertical direction; the second side plate has multiple second protrusions spaced apart in the vertical direction; each first protrusion can be selectively matched with one of the multiple first holes in the corresponding first hole group; and each second protrusion can be selectively matched with one of the multiple second holes in the corresponding second hole group.

[0011] Each first protrusion can be selectively fitted to one of the multiple first holes in the corresponding first hole group, and each second protrusion can be selectively fitted to one of the multiple second holes in the corresponding second hole group. In this way, the first side plate and the second side plate are connected to the first plate through multiple connection points, which improves the stability of the overall structure of the cargo channel.

[0012] Optionally, the wide-adaptive counting channel includes a first support plate, which is fixed to the first plate portion and located in the inner diameter space of the first spring. The length extension direction of the first support plate is parallel to the front-rear direction.

[0013] The first support plate is fixed to the first plate and located in the inner diameter space of the first spring. In this way, the goods are suspended relative to the first spring. The inner diameter of the first spring is spaced apart from the first support plate, which eliminates the resistance generated by the friction between the first spring and the first support plate and prevents the goods from being pulled into the first spring, significantly reducing the probability of the goods getting stuck in the cargo channel.

[0014] Optionally, the wide-adaptive counting channel includes a first limiting member, which is disposed at the end of the first support plate away from the first plate portion in the front-back direction, and at least a portion of the first limiting member protrudes from the top surface of the first support plate in the up-down direction.

[0015] Along the vertical direction, at least a portion of the first limiting member protrudes from the top surface of the first support plate, so that the first limiting member can ensure that the goods fall when not in a transport state, and limit the goods in the front-back direction of the first support plate to prevent the goods from falling.

[0016] Optionally, the wide-adaptive counting channel also includes a spring limiter, which is detachably disposed on the first limiter to limit the second end of the first spring in the left-right direction.

[0017] The spring limiting component is detachably installed on the first limiting component to limit the second end of the first spring in the left and right directions, which can prevent the goods from getting stuck or falling due to the change in the position of the first spring in the left and right directions, and ensure the accuracy and reliability of the cargo channel operation.

[0018] Optionally, the spring limiting member has a first limiting part and a second limiting part, which are located on both sides of the axis of the first spring in the left-right direction.

[0019] The first and second limiting parts are located on both sides of the axis of the first spring, which can more effectively prevent the first spring from shifting or swinging in the left and right directions, and ensure that the second end of the first spring always stays in the accurate position during operation, so that the first spring can stably push the goods to move, ensuring the stability and accuracy of goods transportation.

[0020] Optionally, the wide-adaptive counting channel also includes a first reinforcing plate, which is disposed on the first plate portion. In the left-right direction, the first reinforcing plate is located on the side of the first side plate away from the second side plate or on the side of the second side plate away from the first side plate.

[0021] The first reinforcing plate provides a protective barrier for the first or second side plate, preventing sharp external objects from scratching it and ensuring the structural stability of the first and second side plates.

[0022] Optionally, the wide-adaptive counting channel also includes an infrared detector, which is located at the end of the first reinforcing plate away from the first plate portion.

[0023] The infrared detector can accurately detect the number of goods that have detached from the first support plate. When the goods pass through the detection area of ​​the infrared detector, they will block the infrared light, thereby triggering the infrared detector to generate a counting signal. This non-contact detection method is more sensitive and accurate than the traditional mechanical counting method.

[0024] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide an automatic vending machine, including a wide-adaptive counting channel according to any of the embodiments of this application.

[0025] This application proposes an automatic vending machine, which includes a wide-adaptive counting channel. Along the left-right direction, a first side plate and a second side plate are located on both sides of a first spring and disposed on a first plate portion. The position of at least one of the first side plate and the second side plate on the first plate portion is adjustable to change the distance between the first side plate and the second side plate. This ensures that the wide-adaptive counting channel can accommodate goods of different sizes in the left-right direction, greatly improving the versatility of the wide-adaptive counting channel, reducing the need to change different channels due to differences in the size of goods, and reducing equipment costs and management difficulty. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the wide-adaptive counting channel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure in Figure 1;

[0029] Figure 3 shows the structure of the first plate and the first support.

[0030] Figure 4 is a front view of Figure 3;

[0031] Figure 5 shows an automatic vending machine proposed in an embodiment of this application.

[0032] [Explanation of Labels in the Attached Image]

[0033] 1000 vending machines;

[0034] Goods Channel 100;

[0035] First section 110;

[0036] Drive motor 120;

[0037] First spring 130; first end 131; second end 132;

[0038] First side plate 140; First hole group 141; First hole 142; First protrusion 143;

[0039] Second side plate 150; Second hole group 151; Second hole 152; Second protrusion 153;

[0040] First support plate 160;

[0041] First limiting component 170;

[0042] Spring limiting member 180; first limiting part 181; second limiting part 182;

[0043] First reinforcing plate 190;

[0044] Infrared detector 200.

[0045] Left / right direction X; front / back direction Y; up / down direction Z. Detailed Implementation

[0046] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0047] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used in the description of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application; the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the description, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "first," "second," etc., in the description, claims, or accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order or hierarchy.

[0048] In this application, the reference to "embodiment" means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described in this application can be combined with other embodiments.

[0049] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "attachment" 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 direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0050] In this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, in this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0051] In this application, "multiple" refers to two or more (including two), and similarly, "multiple groups" refers to two or more (including two), and "multiple pieces" refers to two or more (including two).

[0052] In today's rapidly evolving digital and intelligent world, spring-loaded vending machines, as a core component of smart warehousing, are widely used due to their compact structure and high space utilization. They operate by using spring rotation to drive the movement of goods, achieving orderly storage and efficient delivery. However, in practical applications, existing spring-loaded vending machine technology still faces several challenges that urgently need to be addressed.

[0053] Currently, most spring-loaded cargo channels on the market adopt a fixed width design. This singular structural characteristic makes it difficult to adapt to the increasingly diverse size requirements of goods. Whether it's small snack packaging and stationery, or large daily necessities and small appliances, different goods vary significantly in width, height, and shape. When operators need to change the types of goods sold or stored, if the existing channel width is incompatible, the entire channel assembly must be replaced. This process not only involves cumbersome disassembly and installation, consuming significant manpower and time costs, but frequent replacement of channel components also significantly increases the operating costs of the equipment, severely restricting its flexibility and economic efficiency.

[0054] In view of this, this application proposes a wide-adaptive counting channel and an automatic vending machine. The wide-adaptive counting channel includes a first plate, a drive motor, a first spring, a first side plate, and a second side plate. The drive motor is fixed to the first plate. The first spring has a first end and a second end arranged opposite each other in the front-rear direction. The first end is connected to the power output end of the drive motor so that goods within the spring spacing of the first spring move away from the drive motor. The first side plate and the second side plate are located on both sides of the first spring and are disposed on the first plate in the left-right direction. The position of at least one of the first side plate and the second side plate in the first plate is adjustable to change the distance between the first side plate and the second side plate.

[0055] In the above scheme, along the left and right direction, the first side plate and the second side plate are located on both sides of the first spring and are disposed on the first plate. At least one of the first side plate and the second side plate is adjustable in position on the first plate to change the distance between the first plate and the second plate. This ensures that the wide-adaptive counting channel can adapt to goods of different sizes in the left and right direction, greatly improving the versatility of the wide-adaptive counting channel, reducing the need to change different channels due to differences in the size of goods, and reducing equipment costs and management difficulty.

[0056] In some embodiments, the goods may be small cards, square thin bags, small boxed gifts, etc.

[0057] For ease of explanation, the following embodiments will be described using a wide-adaptive counting channel as an example according to an embodiment of this application.

[0058] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of the wide-adaptive counting channel provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 is an exploded structural schematic diagram of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the structure of the first plate and the first support; Figure 4 is a front view of Figure 3; Figure 5 is an automatic vending machine proposed in an embodiment of this application.

[0059] The wide-adaptive counting channel 100 includes a first plate portion 110, a drive motor 120, a first spring 130, a first side plate 140, and a second side plate 150. The drive motor 120 is fixed to the first plate portion 110. The first spring 130, along the front-rear direction Y, has a first end 131 and a second end 132 disposed opposite to each other. The first end 131 is connected to the power output end of the drive motor 120 so that the goods within the spring spacing of the first spring 130 move away from the drive motor 120. The first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150, along the left-right direction X, are located on both sides of the first spring 130 and disposed on the first plate portion 110. The position of at least one of the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150 in the first plate portion 110 is adjustable to change the distance between the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150.

[0060] The drive motor 120 can drive the first spring 130 to rotate. The first spring 130 has a spring pitch, and the goods are placed within the spring pitch. The spring pitch can be adjusted according to the size of the goods. The rotation of the first spring 130 drives the goods within the spring pitch to move forward, thereby bringing the goods to the buyer's hands. The first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150 are located at both ends of the first spring 130. The first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150 can restrict the goods within the spring pitch of the first spring 130, preventing the goods from falling and ensuring that they can be pushed out by the first spring 130.

[0061] The first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150 are both disposed on the first plate portion 110. For example, the position of the first side plate 140 on the first plate portion 110 is adjustable along the left-right direction X, thereby changing the distance between the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150. The position of the second side plate 150 on the first plate portion 110 is adjustable along the left-right direction X, thereby changing the distance between the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150. The positions of the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150 are adjustable along the left-right direction X, thereby changing the distance between the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150. Different goods have different dimensions in the left-right direction X. At least one of the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150 is adjustable in position in the first plate portion 110 to change the distance between the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150. This ensures that the wide-adaptive counting lane 100 can accommodate goods of different sizes in the left-right direction X, greatly improving the versatility of the wide-adaptive counting lane 100, reducing the need to replace different lanes 100 due to differences in goods size, and reducing equipment costs and management difficulty.

[0062] This ensures that the goods are always within the spring spacing, preventing them from falling into the gap between the first spring 130 and the first side plate 140, and preventing them from falling into the gap between the first spring 130 and the second side plate 150, thus preventing the goods from leaving the wide-adaptive counting channel 100 and ensuring the stability of the goods operation.

[0063] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, in this embodiment, the first plate portion 110 has a first hole group 141 and a second hole group 151. Along the left-right direction X, the first hole group 141 and the second hole group 151 are spaced apart and are located on both sides of the first spring 130. The first hole group 141 includes a plurality of first holes 142, which are spaced apart along the left-right direction X. The second hole group 151 includes a plurality of second holes 152, which are spaced apart along the left-right direction X. The first side plate 140 has a first protrusion 143 at one end facing the first plate portion 110, and the second side plate 150 has a second protrusion 153 at one end facing the first plate portion 110. The first protrusion 143 can be selectively fitted into one of the plurality of first holes 142, and the second protrusion 153 can be selectively fitted into one of the plurality of second holes 152.

[0064] The first hole group 141 and the second hole group 151 are located on both sides of the first spring 130 in the left-right direction X, respectively. The first hole group 141 can be located at the left end of the first spring 130, and the second hole group 151 can be located at the right end of the second spring. The first hole group 141 includes a plurality of first holes 142. The first side plate 140 can be located on the left side of the first spring 130. The end of the first side plate 140 facing the first plate portion 110 has a first protrusion 143. The first protrusion 143 can be inserted into any one of the first holes 142 in the first hole group 141. The plurality of first holes 142 are spaced apart in the left-right direction X. By inserting the first protrusion 143 into different first holes 142, the position of the first side plate 140 in the left-right direction X of the first plate portion 110 can be changed. This allows the wide-adaptive counting channel 100 to adapt to goods of different sizes, expands the applicability of the wide-adaptive counting channel 100, and improves the versatility of the wide-adaptive counting channel 100.

[0065] The second hole group 151 includes a plurality of second holes 152. The second side plate 150 can be located to the right of the first spring 130. The end of the second side plate 150 facing the first plate portion 110 has a second protrusion 153. The second protrusion 153 can be inserted into any one of the second holes 152 in the second hole group 151. The plurality of second holes 152 are spaced apart in the left-right direction X. By inserting the second protrusion 153 into different second holes 152, the position of the second side plate 150 in the left-right direction X of the first plate portion 110 can be changed. This allows the wide-adaptive counting channel 100 to adapt to goods of different sizes, expands the applicability of the wide-adaptive counting channel 100, and improves the versatility of the wide-adaptive counting channel 100.

[0066] Specifically, the first protrusion 143 can be selectively fitted into one of the plurality of first holes 142, and the second protrusion 153 can be selectively fitted into one of the plurality of second holes 152. In this way, the left and right dimensions of the wide-adaptive counting channel 100, that is, the width of the channel 100, can be precisely adjusted at specific intervals. This ensures the accuracy of the fixed positions of the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150, avoids deviations in the width of the wide-adaptive counting channel 100 due to arbitrary adjustments, ensures that the width of the channel 100 is precisely matched with the size of the goods, and improves the accuracy of the goods' adaptation.

[0067] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, in this embodiment, there are multiple first hole groups 141, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction Z. There are also multiple second hole groups 151, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction Z. The first side plate 140 has multiple first protrusions 143 spaced apart in the vertical direction Z. The second side plate 150 has multiple second protrusions 153 spaced apart in the vertical direction Z. Each first protrusion 143 can be selectively matched with one of the multiple first holes 142 in the corresponding first hole group 141, and each second protrusion 153 can be selectively matched with one of the multiple second holes 152 in the corresponding second hole group 151.

[0068] The first side plate 140 has a plurality of first protrusions 143 spaced apart in the vertical direction Z, and the second side plate 150 has a plurality of second protrusions 153 spaced apart in the vertical direction Z. The plurality of first protrusions are respectively inserted into a plurality of first holes 142, and the plurality of second protrusions 153 are respectively inserted into a plurality of second holes 152. This increases the number of connection points between the first side plate 140 and the first plate portion 110, and increases the number of connection points between the second side plate 150 and the first plate portion 110. The multiple connection points work together to enable the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150 to withstand greater external forces and vibrations after being fixed, reducing the possibility of the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150 loosening or tilting during use, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the entire cargo channel 100 structure. Even under long-term high-frequency use or transporting heavy goods, the cargo channel 100 can maintain a good working condition.

[0069] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4. The wide-adaptive counting channel 100 includes a first support plate 160. The first support plate 160 is fixed to the first plate portion 110 and located in the inner diameter space of the first spring 130. The length extension direction of the first support plate 160 is parallel to the front-rear direction Y.

[0070] For example, the first support plate 160 is fixed to the first plate portion 110, and the first support plate 160 is located within the inner diameter space of the first spring 130. That is, the first support plate 160 is located inside the first spring 130. The length extension direction of the first support plate 160 is parallel to the front-rear direction Y, and the length extension direction of the first support plate 160 is parallel to the axial direction of the first spring 130. The length of the first support plate 160 is greater than the axial length of the first spring 130. The goods are placed on the first support plate 160, and the first spring 130 only provides horizontal force to the goods. In this way, the goods are suspended relative to the first spring 130. The inner diameter of the first spring 130 is spaced apart from the first support plate 160, which eliminates the resistance generated by the friction between the first spring 130 and the first support plate 160 and prevents the goods from being caught in the first spring 130, significantly reducing the probability of the goods getting stuck in the cargo channel 100.

[0071] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4. In this embodiment, the wide-adaptive counting channel 100 includes a first limiting member 170. Along the front-back direction Y, the first limiting member 170 is disposed at one end of the first support plate 160 away from the first plate portion 110. Along the up-down direction Z, at least a portion of the first limiting member 170 protrudes from the top surface of the first support plate 160.

[0072] The first limiting member 170 is disposed at the end of the first support plate 160 away from the first plate portion 110. That is, the first limiting member 170 is located at the second end 132 of the first spring 130. The first limiting member 170 is disposed at the outlet of the first support plate 160, and the goods separate from the first support plate 160 when they reach the second end 132 of the first spring 130. At least a portion of the first limiting member 170 protrudes from the top surface of the first support plate 160 along the vertical direction Z. The goods are located on the top surface of the first support plate 160. Thus, during the transportation of the goods on the top surface of the first support plate 160, the first limiting member 170 generates resistance to the goods, thereby causing the goods to fall from the second end 132 of the first spring 130. For example, the upper end of the goods can fall into the exit area before the lower end of the goods.

[0073] In addition, the first limiting member 170 also ensures that the goods do not fall when not in transport mode, limiting the goods in the Y-direction along the front and rear of the first support plate 160. The first limiting member 170 provides a clear positional reference point for the goods, making it easier for workers to determine the position and quantity of the goods when counting or positioning them, thus improving the accuracy of counting and the convenience of operation. For example, when the goods move to the first limiting member 170, it can serve as a trigger point for counting, facilitating the implementation of automatic counting functions.

[0074] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, in this embodiment, the wide-adaptive counting channel 100 further includes a spring limiting member 180, which is detachably disposed on the first limiting member 170 to limit the second end 132 of the first spring 130 in the left-right direction X.

[0075] The spring limiter 180 can precisely limit the position of the second end 132 of the first spring 130 in the left-right direction X, preventing the first spring 130 from shifting left or right during operation. This ensures that the first spring 130 pushes the goods in a stable direction, allowing the goods to move along a fixed path and preventing the goods from getting stuck or falling due to changes in the position of the first spring 130 in the left-right direction X, thus ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the operation of the cargo channel 100.

[0076] For example, along the vertical direction Z, the spring limiting member 180 can be located below the axis of the first spring 130 to prevent the first spring 130 from shifting or twisting during rotation, avoid the second end 132 of the first spring 130 from being unbalanced in force, causing the goods not to be pushed out along the front-back direction Y, prevent the position of the goods from shifting, and further reduce the risk of the goods getting stuck.

[0077] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4. In this embodiment, the spring limiting member 180 has a first limiting part 181 and a second limiting part 182. Along the left-right direction X, the first limiting part 181 and the second limiting part 182 are located on both sides of the axis of the first spring 130.

[0078] Along the left-right direction X, the first limiting part 181 and the second limiting part 182 respectively limit the movement on both sides of the axis of the first spring 130, thus constraining the second end 132 of the first spring 130 from two directions. Compared with a single limiting component, this bidirectional limiting method can more effectively prevent the first spring 130 from shifting or swinging in the left-right direction X, ensuring that the second end 132 of the first spring 130 always remains in an accurate position during operation, thereby enabling the first spring 130 to stably push the goods to move, ensuring the stability and accuracy of goods transportation.

[0079] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, in this embodiment, the wide-adaptive counting channel 100 further includes a first reinforcing plate 190. The first reinforcing plate 190 is disposed on the first plate portion 110. Along the left-right direction X, the first reinforcing plate 190 is located on the side of the first side plate 140 away from the second side plate 150 or on the side of the second side plate 150 away from the first side plate 140.

[0080] Along the left-right direction X, the first reinforcing plate 190 is located on the side of the first side plate 140 away from the second side plate 150 or the side of the second side plate 150 away from the first side plate 140. This provides a protective barrier for the first side plate 140 or the second side plate 150, preventing external sharp objects from scratching the first side plate 140 or the second side plate 150, ensuring the structural stability of the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150, ensuring the accuracy of the distance between the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150, and improving the stability and reliability of the wide-adaptive counting channel 100.

[0081] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, in this embodiment, the wide-adaptive counting channel 100 further includes an infrared detector 200, which is disposed at the end of the first reinforcing plate 190 away from the first plate portion 110.

[0082] For example, the infrared detector 200 is positioned within the first reinforcing plate 190. The infrared detector 200 is used to detect whether goods have detached from the first support plate 160, thereby performing a counting function. The infrared detector 200 can accurately detect the number of goods detached from the first support plate 160. When goods pass through the detection area of ​​the infrared detector 200, they block the infrared light, triggering the infrared detector 200 to generate a counting signal. This non-contact detection method is more sensitive and accurate than traditional mechanical counting methods, effectively avoiding counting errors caused by goods sticking together, mechanical failures, etc., ensuring accurate dispensing quantities. This is crucial for accurately counting goods in scenarios such as vending machines 1000 and warehouse management.

[0083] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5. This application provides an automatic vending machine 1000, which includes a wide-adaptive counting channel 100 according to any one of the embodiments of this application.

[0084] This application embodiment proposes an automatic vending machine 1000, which includes a wide-adaptive counting channel 100. Along the left-right direction X, a first side plate 140 and a second side plate 150 are located on both sides of a first spring 130 and disposed on a first plate portion 110. At least one of the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150 is adjustable in position in the first plate portion 110 to change the distance between the first side plate 140 and the second side plate 150. This ensures that the wide-adaptive counting channel 100 can accommodate goods of different sizes in the left-right direction X, greatly improving the versatility of the wide-adaptive counting channel 100, reducing the need to replace different channels 100 due to differences in the size of goods, and reducing equipment costs and management difficulty.

[0085] It should also be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0086] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments. In particular, the system embodiments are basically similar to the method embodiments, so the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the descriptions in the method embodiments.

[0087] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.

[0088] Although embodiments of this application have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of this application, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wide-adaptability counting channel, characterized in that, include: First plate; drive motor, fixed to the first plate; A first spring, along the front-back direction, has a first end and a second end disposed opposite to each other. The first end is connected to the power output end of the drive motor so that the goods within the spring spacing of the first spring move away from the drive motor. A first side plate and a second side plate, along the left-right direction, are located on both sides of the first spring and disposed on the first plate portion. The position of at least one of the first side plate and the second side plate on the first plate portion is adjustable to change the distance between the first side plate and the second side plate.

2. The wide-adaptive counting lane according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first plate has a first hole group and a second hole group. Along the left-right direction, the first hole group and the second hole group are spaced apart and are located on both sides of the first spring. The first hole group includes a plurality of first holes, which are spaced apart along the left-right direction. The second hole group includes a plurality of second holes, which are spaced apart along the left-right direction. The first side plate has a first protrusion at one end facing the first plate, and the second side plate has a second protrusion at one end facing the first plate. The first protrusion can be selectively fitted into one of the plurality of first holes, and the second protrusion can be selectively fitted into one of the plurality of second holes.

3. The wide-adaptive counting lane according to claim 2, characterized in that, There are multiple first hole groups, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction. There are also multiple second hole groups, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction. The first side plate has multiple first protrusions spaced apart in the vertical direction. The second side plate has multiple second protrusions spaced apart in the vertical direction. Each first protrusion can be selectively matched with one of the multiple first holes in the corresponding first hole group. Each second protrusion can be selectively matched with one of the multiple second holes in the corresponding second hole group.

4. The wide-adaptive counting lane according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wide-adaptive counting channel includes a first support plate, which is fixed to the first plate portion and located in the inner diameter space of the first spring. The length extension direction of the first support plate is parallel to the front-back direction.

5. The wide-adaptive counting lane according to claim 4, characterized in that, The wide-adaptive counting channel includes a first limiting member. In the front-back direction, the first limiting member is disposed at the end of the first support plate away from the first plate portion. In the up-down direction, at least a portion of the first limiting member protrudes from the top surface of the first support plate.

6. The wide-adaptive counting lane according to claim 5, characterized in that, The wide-adaptive counting channel also includes a spring limiting member, which is detachably disposed on the first limiting member to limit the second end of the first spring in the left-right direction.

7. The wide-adaptive counting lane according to claim 6, characterized in that, The spring limiting member has a first limiting part and a second limiting part, and along the left-right direction, the first limiting part and the second limiting part are respectively located on both sides of the axis of the first spring.

8. The wide-adaptive counting lane according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wide-adaptive counting channel also includes a first reinforcing plate, which is disposed on the first plate portion along the left-right direction. The first reinforcing plate is located on the side of the first side plate away from the second side plate or on the side of the second side plate away from the first side plate.

9. The wide-adaptive counting lane according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wide-adaptive counting channel also includes an infrared detector, which is located at the end of the first reinforcing plate away from the first plate portion.

10. An automatic vending machine, characterized in that, Includes the wide-adaptive counting lane as described in any one of claims 1-9.

Images