Automatic product dispensing device for vending machines
By controlling the movement of the pickup compartment through a drive device, the goods are guided to the outside of the pickup port, which solves the problems of cumbersome and costly pickup process of existing vending machines, and realizes a user-friendly pickup method and cost-effectiveness.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PHILHARMONIC (JINAN) TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing vending machine retrieval methods suffer from cumbersome processes, poor user experience, and high costs, especially the designs of barrier-type and lift-door retrieval ports.
The system uses a drive mechanism to control the forward and backward movement of the picking compartment. The goods are guided to the outside of the picking outlet by the guide ramp of the picking compartment, and users can directly take out the goods from the outside, which simplifies the operation process and reduces costs.
It enhances the user shopping experience, simplifies the pickup process, and reduces equipment costs, making vending machines more promising for market promotion.
Smart Images
Figure CN224519359U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of automatic merchandise dispensing devices, and in particular to automatic merchandise dispensing devices for vending machines. Background Technology
[0002] As a type of unmanned retail equipment, vending machines have been widely used and developed globally since their inception. With the advancement of technology and the continuous changes in consumer demand, the functions and product range of vending machines have become increasingly diverse.
[0003] As described in the prior art patent CN104424704B, the vending machine includes: a merchandise storage section containing merchandise; a merchandise output elevator that receives merchandise from the merchandise storage section and moves downward to drop the merchandise into a merchandise receiving section; and a merchandise dispensing outlet provided in the merchandise receiving section to receive the dropped merchandise.
[0004] Traditional ejector-style vending machines use either a baffle-type or cylinder-controlled lifting door for the dispensing slot. With a baffle-type dispensing slot, users need to use both hands to retrieve their items: one hand pushes open the baffle, and the other reaches into the dispensing compartment to take out the product. This process is cumbersome, provides a poor user experience, and poses a risk of fingers getting pinched. Lifting door dispensing methods typically involve the baffle automatically lifting up and down, allowing users to directly reach into the machine to retrieve the product, reducing the need to push open the baffle. However, this structure is complex and costly to manufacture. Utility Model Content
[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this utility model provides an automatic product dispensing device for vending machines that enhances the user shopping experience. It eliminates the need to push open a barrier and reach into the vending machine; instead, customers can directly retrieve goods from the outside. This patented technology has low manufacturing costs and is more conducive to widespread market adoption.
[0006] This utility model discloses an automatic product dispensing device for a vending machine, comprising a vending machine body with a dispensing outlet at the lower front end; the device also includes a drive unit, a dispensing compartment, a slide rail, a slider, and a guide ramp. The dispensing compartment is located at the dispensing outlet of the vending machine body. The slide rail is installed on the bottom of the inner wall of the vending machine body. The slider is located at the bottom of the dispensing compartment and is slidably mounted on the slide rail. The guide ramp is located at the rear top of the dispensing compartment. A drive unit is installed on the vending machine body and the dispensing compartment. The drive unit senses the items in the dispensing compartment and drives the dispensing compartment to move back and forth. When an item in the vending machine body... After the item falls into the retrieval compartment, a drive device senses the item entering the compartment and then moves it forward to extend outside the vending machine's retrieval port. This allows people to easily reach into the compartment to retrieve the item. Once the drive device senses that an item has been removed, it moves the compartment back into the vending machine. A guide ramp guides the item that fell from the back of the vending machine to the front of the retrieval compartment, making it easier for people to pick up the item and improving the user shopping experience. There's no need to push open a barrier and reach into the vending machine; goods can be taken directly from the outside. This patented technology has low manufacturing costs and is more conducive to widespread market adoption.
[0007] Preferably, the driving device includes a rack, a base, a motor, a gear, a controller, and a grating. The rack is mounted on the outer wall of the dispensing compartment, the base is mounted on the inner wall of the vending machine body, the motor is mounted on the outer wall of the base, the gear is rotatably mounted on the base and meshes with the rack, the output end of the motor is connected to the gear, the controller is mounted on the outer wall of the base, and the grating is located on both sides of the bottom inside the dispensing compartment. When an item falls into the dispensing compartment from inside the vending machine body, the item blocks the grating, indicating successful dispensing. At this time, the controller receives the dispensing information and controls the motor's movement. The motor drives the gear to rotate, causing the gear to move the dispensing compartment forward through the rack, extending it outside the vending machine body. The user takes the item, and the gratings on both sides return to their opposing state, indicating that the user has taken the item. The storage compartment is then retracted, thus completing the dispensing, retrieval, and retraction actions, thereby completing the shopping process.
[0008] Preferably, it also includes a touch sensor, which is installed on the outer wall of the base and is located on the side of the rack; when the rack moves, the touch sensor senses the position of the rack, thereby accurately positioning the push-out and retrieval of the retrieval compartment.
[0009] Preferably, it also includes a lighting strip, which is installed on the upper part of the inner wall of the picking compartment; when the controller receives the delivery information, the controller controls the lighting strip to light up, and when the picking compartment is retracted into the vending machine body, the controller controls the lighting strip to turn off, thereby improving the convenience of personnel to observe the items in the picking compartment.
[0010] Preferably, it also includes a flow guide platform, which is set on the inner side wall of the vending machine body; the flow guide platform guides the items falling from the vending machine body to the middle, improving the convenience of items from different positions accurately falling into the retrieval compartment.
[0011] Preferably, a torque sensor is provided between the motor output end and the gear; when the dispensing compartment is retracted into the vending machine body and encounters significant resistance, the torque sensor sends information to the controller, causing the controller to control the dispensing compartment to extend outward again, thus preventing the hand from being pinched.
[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: When an item falls into the dispensing compartment from inside the vending machine, the drive device senses the item entering the compartment and then controls the dispensing compartment to move forward and extend outside the dispensing outlet of the vending machine, making it easier for people to reach into the compartment and retrieve the item. When the drive device senses that the item has been retrieved, it moves the compartment back into the vending machine. By setting a guide ramp, items that have fallen from the back of the vending machine are guided and transported to the front of the dispensing compartment, making it easier for people to retrieve the items and improving the user shopping experience. There is no need to push open the baffle and reach into the vending machine; the goods can be taken directly from the outside of the vending machine. This patented technology has low cost and is more conducive to widespread market promotion. Attached Figure Description
[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the isometric structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is an isometric structural diagram of the connection between the vending machine body and the flow guide platform, etc. Figure 3 This is a partial isometric structural diagram of the connection between the pickup compartment and the rack, etc. Figure 4 This is a partial isometric structural diagram showing the connection between the picking warehouse and the guide ramp, etc. Figure 5 This is a partial isometric structural diagram of the connection between gears and motors, etc. Figure 6 This is an isometric partial structural diagram of the connection between the pickup compartment and the grating, etc.
[0014] The following are labeled in the attached diagram: 1. Vending machine body; 2. Dispensing compartment; 3. Slide rail; 4. Slider; 5. Guide slope; 6. Rack; 7. Base; 8. Motor; 9. Gear; 10. Controller; 11. Grating; 12. Touch sensor; 13. Light strip; 14. Guide platform. Detailed Implementation
[0015] To facilitate understanding of this utility model, a more complete description will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This utility model can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of this utility model more thorough and complete. Example 1
[0016] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the automatic product dispensing device for a vending machine of this utility model includes a vending machine body 1, with a dispensing outlet at the lower front end of the vending machine body 1; the vending machine body 1 also includes a driving device, a dispensing compartment 2, a slide rail 3, a slider 4, and a guide slope 5. The dispensing compartment 2 is located at the dispensing outlet of the vending machine body 1, the slide rail 3 is installed at the bottom of the inner side wall of the vending machine body 1, the slider 4 is located at the bottom of the dispensing compartment 2 and is slidably mounted on the slide rail 3, and the guide slope 5 is located at the rear top of the dispensing compartment 2. The vending machine body 1 and the dispensing compartment 2 are equipped with a driving device, which is used to sense the items in the dispensing compartment 2 and to drive the dispensing compartment 2 to move back and forth. like Figure 4 As shown, the driving device includes a rack 6, a base 7, a motor 8, a gear 9, a controller 10, and a grating 11. The rack 6 is mounted on the outer wall of the dispensing compartment 2, the base 7 is mounted on the inner wall of the vending machine body 1, the motor 8 is mounted on the outer wall of the base 7, the gear 9 is rotatably mounted on the base 7 and meshes with the rack 6, the output end of the motor 8 is connected to the gear 9, the controller 10 is mounted on the outer wall of the base 7, and the grating 11 is located on both sides of the bottom inside the dispensing compartment 2. In this embodiment, when an item falls into the dispensing compartment 2 from the vending machine body 1, the drive device senses the item entering the dispensing compartment 2. The drive device then controls the dispensing compartment 2 to move forward, extending outside the dispensing outlet of the vending machine body 1, making it easier for personnel to reach into the dispensing compartment 2 to retrieve the item. When the drive device senses that a person has retrieved an item from the dispensing compartment 2, it drives the dispensing compartment 2 to reset and retract into the vending machine body 1. A guide ramp 5 guides the item that fell from the rear of the vending machine body 1 to the front of the dispensing compartment 2, facilitating retrieval and improving the user shopping experience. There is no need to push open the barrier and reach into the vending machine; goods can be taken directly from the outside. This patented technology has low cost and is more conducive to widespread market adoption. Example 2
[0017] Based on Example 1, such as Figure 5 As shown, the automatic product dispensing device for the vending machine of this utility model also includes a touch sensor 12, which is installed on the outer wall of the base 7 and is located on the side of the rack 6. like Figure 6 As shown, it also includes a lighting strip 13, which is installed on the upper part of the inner wall of the picking compartment 2; like Figure 2 As shown, it also includes a flow guide platform 14, which is disposed on the inner side wall of the vending machine body 1; like Figure 5 As shown, a torque sensor is provided between the output end of the motor 8 and the gear 9; In this embodiment, when an item falls into the dispensing compartment 2 from the vending machine body 1, the item blocks the grating 11, indicating successful dispensing. At this time, the controller 10 receives the dispensing information and controls the operation of the motor 8. The motor 8 drives the gear 9 to rotate, causing the gear 9 to move the dispensing compartment 2 forward through the rack 6 and extend it outside the vending machine body 1. The user takes the item, and the gratings 11 on both sides return to their opposing state, indicating that the user has taken the item. The compartment is then retracted, thus completing the dispensing, repensing, and retraction actions, thereby completing the shopping. When the rack 6 moves, the position of the rack 6 is sensed by the touch sensor 12, thereby accurately positioning the pushing out and retraction of the dispensing compartment 2.
[0018] This utility model discloses an automatic product dispensing device for vending machines. When an item falls into the retrieval compartment 2 from the vending machine body 1, the drive device senses the item entering the retrieval compartment 2. The drive device then controls the retrieval compartment 2 to move forward and extend outside the retrieval outlet of the vending machine body 1, making it easier for people to reach into the retrieval compartment 2 to retrieve the item. When the drive device senses that a person has retrieved an item from the retrieval compartment 2, it drives the retrieval compartment 2 to reset and move back into the vending machine body 1. By setting a guide ramp 5, the item that has fallen from the rear of the vending machine body 1 is guided and transported to the front of the retrieval compartment 2, making it easier for people to pick up the item.
[0019] The motor 8, controller 10, light grating 11, touch sensor 12, and lighting strip 13 of the automatic product dispensing device for the vending machine of this utility model are purchased from the market. Technical personnel in this industry only need to install and operate them according to the accompanying instruction manual, without requiring any creative work from those skilled in the art.
[0020] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A vending machine automatic product delivery device, comprising a vending machine body (1), the vending machine body (1) being provided with a take-out port at the lower part of the front end; characterized in that, The vending machine body (1) is provided with a taking-out port at the lower part of the front end, and further comprises a driving device, a taking-out bin (2), a sliding rail (3), a sliding block (4) and a flow guide slope (5). The taking-out bin (2) is arranged at the taking-out port of the vending machine body (1), the sliding rail (3) is installed on the bottom of the inner side wall of the vending machine body (1), the sliding block (4) is arranged at the bottom end of the taking-out bin (2), and the sliding block (4) is slidingly installed on the sliding rail (3), the flow guide slope (5) is arranged at the top rear part of the taking-out bin (2), and the vending machine body (1) and the taking-out bin (2) are provided with a driving device. The driving device is used for sensing the articles in the taking-out bin (2), and is used for driving the taking-out bin (2) to move forward and backward.
2. The automatic product delivery device of the self-service vending machine according to claim 1, wherein The driving device comprises a rack (6), a base (7), a motor (8), a gear (9), a controller (10) and a grating (11). The rack (6) is arranged on the outer side wall of the taking-out bin (2), the base (7) is installed on the inner side wall of the vending machine body (1), the motor (8) is installed on the outer side wall of the base (7), the gear (9) is rotatably installed on the base (7) and is engaged with the rack (6), the output end of the motor (8) is connected with the gear (9), the controller (10) is installed on the outer side wall of the base (7), and the grating (11) is arranged on the inner bottom of the taking-out bin (2).
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein Further comprising a touch sensor (12) installed on the outer side wall of the base (7), and the touch sensor (12) is arranged beside the rack (6).
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein Further comprising a lighting lamp strip (13) arranged on the upper part of the inner side wall of the taking-out bin (2).
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein Further comprising a flow guide table (14) arranged on the inner side wall of the vending machine body (1).
6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein A torque sensor is arranged between the output end of the motor (8) and the gear (9).