A cup falling module structure of a beverage vending machine

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of beverage vending machine technology, specifically a cup-dropping module structure for an automatic beverage vending machine. It includes a housing containing a water tank, a cup-dropping module, an ice-making module, an ice-dispensing module, a syrup-dispensing module, a hot water-dispensing module, a cup-sealing module, a turntable transmission module, and an ice-weighing module. The cup-dropping module includes a cup-dropping mechanism and a cup-retrieving mechanism. By incorporating a lifting cylinder, this utility model allows the lifting cylinder to extend promptly and accurately support the bottom of the cup as it falls from the drop opening, forming a stable support interface. This effectively solves the common positioning deviation problem during cup dropping, avoids the cup tilting phenomenon caused by gravity impact in traditional cup-dropping methods, and ensures the cup remains vertical. This guarantees effective clamping and transportation by the turntable transmission module and fundamentally eliminates the risk of the cup getting stuck at the drop opening, thereby improving the stability and operating efficiency of the cup-dropping module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of beverage vending machine technology, specifically a cup-dispensing module structure for an automatic beverage vending machine. Background Technology

[0002] With the booming development of the tea beverage market, freshly made tea beverages, as the core growth driver, have become the first choice for young consumers due to their "freshness, customization, and scenario-based" characteristics. Among them, lemon tea, with its refreshing taste and healthy product image, is favored by consumers of all ages, leading to an increasing demand for freshly made tea beverages such as lemon tea. At the same time, consumers are also placing higher demands on the convenience and efficiency of purchasing; they not only pursue the quality of the beverages, but also value the convenience and efficiency of purchasing. The current mainstream vending machines still have obvious shortcomings in their functional design. Among them, the cup dispensing module generally relies on gravity free fall and lacks an independent mechanical cup picking mechanism. As a result, after the cup is released from the storage channel, it cannot be accurately positioned and buffered through controllable mechanical movements. Consequently, during the process of falling to the turntable transmission module, there is a risk of positioning deviation, which may cause the cup to tilt or get stuck at the cup dispensing mouth, causing the equipment to stop. In view of this, in order to overcome the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model proposes a cup-dropping module structure for an automatic beverage vending machine, which solves the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model proposes a cup-dropping module structure for an automatic beverage vending machine. By incorporating a lifting cylinder, this utility model can promptly extend and precisely support the bottom of the cup as it falls from the cup-dropping opening, forming a stable support interface. This effectively solves the common positioning deviation problem during cup dropping and avoids the cup tilting phenomenon caused by gravity impact in traditional cup dropping methods. It ensures that the cup remains vertical, guaranteeing effective clamping and transportation by the turntable transmission module. Furthermore, it fundamentally eliminates the risk of the cup getting stuck at the cup-dropping opening, thereby improving the stability and operating efficiency of the cup-dropping module.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is as follows: The cup-dispensing module structure of the automatic beverage vending machine of this utility model includes a housing, inside which are arranged a water tank, a cup-dispensing module, an ice-making module, an ice-dispensing module, a syrup-dispensing module, a hot water-dispensing module, a cup-sealing module, a turntable conveying module, and an ice-weighing module; the cup-dispensing module includes a cup-dispensing mechanism and a cup-retrieving mechanism; the cup-retrieving mechanism is located below the cup-dispensing mechanism; the cup-dispensing mechanism includes a housing; a turntable is rotatably connected to the upper end of the housing; the turntable... A circular groove is formed at the upper end of the turntable; a ring is fixedly connected inside the circular groove; a cup is placed above the ring; the cup is threadedly connected to the ring; a gear ring is fixedly connected to the outer ring wall of the turntable; a spur gear is provided on one side of the gear ring and rotatably connected to the machine housing; the spur gear meshes with the gear ring for transmission; a first stepper motor is installed inside the turntable; the first stepper motor is used to drive the spur gear to rotate; a through groove is formed at the upper end of the machine housing; a pushing unit is installed on the side wall of the through groove; the pushing unit is used to push the cup inside the cup.

[0005] Preferably, the cup-taking mechanism includes an impeller; the impeller is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the through groove; a second stepper motor is installed inside the housing; the second stepper motor is used to drive the impeller to rotate.

[0006] Preferably, a lifting plate is provided between the turntable and the housing; the lifting plate is slidably connected to the turntable; a groove communicating with a circular slot is provided at the upper end of the lifting plate; an electric push rod is installed inside the housing; the electric push rod is used to push the lifting plate upward.

[0007] Preferably, the cup-retrieving mechanism includes a mounting frame; the mounting frame is fixedly connected to the housing via a connecting rod; a lead screw is rotatably connected to the upper end of the mounting frame; a No. 3 stepper motor is fixedly connected to the lower end of the mounting frame; the No. 3 stepper motor is used to drive the lead screw to rotate; a cup-retrieving cylinder is provided above the mounting frame and slidably connected to the connecting rod; the cup-retrieving cylinder is helically connected to the lead screw.

[0008] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This invention features a lifting cylinder that extends promptly and precisely supports the bottom of the cup as it falls from the cup-dropping spout, forming a stable support interface. This effectively solves the common positioning deviation problem during cup dropping and avoids the cup tilting phenomenon caused by gravity impact in traditional cup dropping methods. It ensures that the cup remains vertical, guaranteeing effective clamping and transportation by the turntable transmission module. Furthermore, it fundamentally eliminates the risk of the cup getting stuck at the cup-dropping spout, thereby improving the stability and operating efficiency of the cup dropping module. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the box of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the cup-dropping mechanism used in this utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cup dropping mechanism used in this utility model; Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the cup-taking mechanism used in this utility model; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the transmission of the impeller used in this utility model; In the diagram: 1. Box body; 11. Cup dropping module; 12. Cup dropping mechanism; 121. Housing; 122. Spur gear; 123. Stepper motor No. 1; 124. Through slot; 125. Impeller; 126. Stepper motor No. 2; 13. Cup picking mechanism; 14. Turntable; 141. Circular groove; 142. Ring sleeve; 143. Cup cylinder; 144. Gear ring; 15. Lifting plate; 151. Groove; 152. Electric push rod; 16. Mounting bracket; 161. Lead screw; 162. Stepper motor No. 3; 163. Connecting rod; 17. Cup picking cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0011] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this utility model easier to understand, the present utility model will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0012] like Figures 1 to 7As shown, the cup-dispensing module structure of an automatic beverage vending machine according to this utility model includes a housing 1. The housing 1 contains a water tank, a cup-dispensing module 11, an ice-making module, an ice-dispensing module, a syrup-dispensing module, a hot water-dispensing module, a cup-sealing module, a turntable transmission module, and an ice-weighing module. The cup-dispensing module 11 includes a cup-dispensing mechanism 12 and a cup-retrieving mechanism 13. The cup-retrieving mechanism 13 is located below the cup-dispensing mechanism 12. The cup-dispensing mechanism 12 includes a housing 121. A turntable 14 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the housing 121. A circular groove 141 is formed on the upper end of the turntable. A ring 142 is fixedly connected within the circular groove 141. A cup cylinder 143 is provided above the ring sleeve 142; the cup cylinder 143 is threadedly connected to the ring sleeve 142; a gear ring 144 is fixedly connected to the outer ring wall of the turntable 14; a spur gear 122 is provided on one side of the gear ring 144 and is rotatably connected to the housing 121; the spur gear 122 meshes with the gear ring 144 for transmission; a first stepper motor 123 is installed inside the turntable 14; the first stepper motor 123 is used to drive the spur gear 122 to rotate; a through groove 124 is opened at the upper end of the housing 121; a pushing unit is installed on the side wall of the through groove 124; the pushing unit is used to push the cup inside the cup cylinder 143.

[0013] In one embodiment of this utility model, the cup-taking mechanism 13 includes an impeller 125; the impeller 125 is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the through groove 124; a second stepper motor 126 is installed inside the housing 121; the second stepper motor 126 is used to drive the impeller 125 to rotate.

[0014] In one embodiment of this utility model, a lifting plate 15 is provided between the turntable 14 and the housing 121; the lifting plate 15 is slidably connected to the turntable 14; a groove 151 communicating with the circular groove 141 is provided at the upper end of the lifting plate 15; an electric push rod 152 is installed inside the housing 121; the electric push rod 152 is used to push the lifting plate 15 upward.

[0015] In one embodiment of this utility model, the cup-retrieving mechanism 13 includes a mounting frame 16; the mounting frame 16 is fixedly connected to the housing 1 via a connecting rod 163; a lead screw 161 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the mounting frame 16; a third stepper motor 162 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the mounting frame 16; the third stepper motor 162 is used to drive the lead screw 161 to rotate; a cup-retrieving cylinder 17 is provided above the mounting frame 16 and is slidably connected to the connecting rod 163; the cup-retrieving cylinder 17 is helically connected to the lead screw 161.

[0016] During operation, before a consumer places an order for a beverage via the control panel on cabinet 1, the ice-making module is in operation. Water from the water tank is supplied to the ice-making module, causing it to begin making ice. Simultaneously, water from the water tank is supplied to the hot water dispensing module, heating the internal water. After the consumer places an order via the control panel on cabinet 1, the cup-dropping module 11 inside cabinet 1 activates. Initially, the electric push rod 152 is in the extended state, pushing the lifting plate 15 to raise the turntable 14 to its highest position. This causes the turntable 14 to lift the cups in the cup holder 143 to its highest position, ensuring the bottom of the cup at the bottom of the cup holder 143 is above the housing 121. When the control panel sends a cup-dropping signal, stepper motor 11... When stepper motor 123 is activated, it drives spur gear 122 to rotate, which in turn drives gear ring 144 to rotate. This causes gear ring 144 to rotate and rotate the turntable 14, which is fixed to it. The turntable 14 then drives the cup cylinder 143 connected to the upper end to rotate synchronously. Since the cup cylinder 143 contains a cup, when the cup cylinder 143 is directly above the through groove 124, the through groove 124 of the housing 121, the groove 151 of the lifting plate 15, and the circular groove 141 of the turntable 14 are aligned and connected vertically. At this time, the electric push rod 152 is retracted, causing the lifting plate 15 pushed by the electric push rod 152 to descend. This causes the lifting plate 15 to drive the turntable 14 to descend, which in turn causes the cup cylinder 143 to descend, allowing the cup at the bottom of the cup cylinder 143 to fall into the through groove 124. When the cup at the bottom of the cup cylinder 143 falls into the through groove 124, the third stepper motor 162 is activated. Because the lifting cylinder is directly below the through groove 124, the third stepper motor 162 drives the lead screw 161 to rotate. Since the lifting cylinder and the lead screw 161 are connected by a screw drive, and the lifting cylinder is slidably connected to the connecting rod 163, the rotating lead screw 161 can drive the lifting cylinder to rise along the connecting rod 163. This causes the rising lifting cylinder to continuously approach the upper through groove 124 until the lifting cylinder rises to its maximum height. At this point, the upper end of the lifting cylinder is aligned with the lower end of the housing 121. With the lifting cylinder positioned on the same plane, i.e., at the lower end of the through slot 124, the second stepper motor 126 is controlled to drive the impeller 125 to rotate. The rotating impeller 125 pushes the cup down through the spiral flange on its surface, causing the cup at the bottom of the cup cylinder 143 to fall into the through slot 124 under the push of the impeller 125. The cup then falls through the lower end of the through slot 124 to the upper end of the lifting cylinder. Subsequently, the third stepper motor 162 is controlled to drive the lead screw 161 to rotate in the opposite direction, causing the lead screw 161 to drive the lifting cylinder... The cylinder descends, causing the lifting cylinder to move the cup down synchronously, until the cup reaches the turntable transmission module. The turntable transmission module then rotates the cup to the ice dispensing station. At this point, the ice-making module delivers pre-prepared ice cubes to the ice dispensing module. The ice cube weighing module weighs the ice cubes delivered to the ice dispensing module. Once the ice cubes reach the preset weight, the ice-making module stops delivering ice cubes to the ice dispensing module. The ice dispensing module then adds the set amount of ice cubes into the cup. Next, the turntable transmission module rotates the cup to the syrup dispensing station, where the syrup dispensing module precisely injects the set amount of syrup into the cup. The turntable transmission module rotates the cup to the water outlet, where lemon slices fall into the cup. Water from the tank is then drawn and poured into the cup. If the customer orders a hot drink, the hot water module pours heated water into the cup. The turntable transmission module then rotates the cup to the sealing station, where the sealing module activates and seals the cup. After the lemon tea is made, the sealed cup is directly sent to the serving door via the corresponding dispensing device. The serving door opens, and the customer takes away the finished lemon tea.

[0017] As the cups in the cup holder 143 are continuously used until all the cups are used up, the electric push rod 152 extends, causing its extended end to rise and contact the lifting plate 15. This push rod 152 then pushes the lifting plate 15 upward, bringing it into contact with the turntable 14. As the electric push rod 152 continues to extend, it pushes both the lifting plate 15 and the turntable 14 upward synchronously. At this point, the first stepper motor 123 is activated, driving the turntable 14 to rotate via the spur gear 122. This causes the turntable 14 to rotate the cup holder. Rotation of 143 causes the empty cup cylinder 143 to rotate and pass through the through groove 124, while the cup cylinder 143 containing the cup rotates to the through groove 124, and the cup in the cup cylinder 143 falls to the impeller 125. As the impeller 125 rotates, it pushes the bottom cup through the through groove 124 and falls to the cup-retrieving mechanism 13. When it is necessary to refill the cup in the cup cylinder 143, simply pull the cup cylinder 143 out of the collar, put the cup into the cup cylinder 143, and then insert the mouth of the cup cylinder 143 into the collar. At this time, the cup will not fall out of the cup cylinder 143 due to the obstruction of the upper wall of the housing 121.

[0018] This invention, by incorporating a lifting cylinder, allows the cylinder to extend promptly and precisely support the bottom of the cup as it falls from the cup-dropping spout, forming a stable support interface. This effectively solves the common positioning deviation problem during cup dropping and avoids the cup tilting phenomenon caused by gravity impact in traditional cup dropping methods. It ensures that the cup remains vertical, guaranteeing effective clamping and transportation by the turntable transmission module. Furthermore, it fundamentally eliminates the risk of the cup getting stuck at the cup-dropping spout, thereby improving the stability and operating efficiency of the cup-dropping module 11.

[0019] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the appendix. Figure 1 The orientations or positional relationships shown are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used to distinguish the description and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0020] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of this utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the claimed scope of this utility model. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A cup falling module structure of a beverage vending machine, comprising a box (1), a water tank, a cup falling module (11), an ice making module, an ice outlet module, a syrup outlet module, a hot water outlet module, a cup sealing module, a rotating disc transmission module and an ice weighing module are arranged in the box (1); characterized in that: The cup-dropping module (11) includes a cup-dropping mechanism (12) and a cup-retrieving mechanism (13); the cup-retrieving mechanism (13) is located below the cup-dropping mechanism (12); the cup-dropping mechanism (12) includes a housing (121); a turntable (14) is rotatably connected to the upper end of the housing (121); a circular groove (141) is opened on the upper end of the turntable (14); a ring sleeve (142) is fixedly connected in the circular groove (141); a cup cylinder (143) is arranged above the ring sleeve (142); the cup cylinder (143) is threadedly connected to the ring sleeve (142); the turntable (14) is located outside the ring sleeve (142). A gear ring (144) is fixedly connected to the ring wall; a spur gear (122) is provided on one side of the gear ring (144) and is rotatably connected to the housing (121); the spur gear (122) meshes with the gear ring (144) for transmission; a first stepper motor (123) is installed inside the turntable (14); the first stepper motor (123) is used to drive the spur gear (122) to rotate; a through groove (124) is opened at the upper end of the housing (121); a pushing unit is installed on the side wall of the through groove (124); the pushing unit is used to push the cup in the cup cylinder (143).

2. A cup drop module structure of a beverage vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cup-taking mechanism (13) includes an impeller (125); the impeller (125) is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the through groove (124); a second stepper motor (126) is installed inside the housing (121); the second stepper motor (126) is used to drive the impeller (125) to rotate.

3. A cup drop module structure for a beverage vending machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: A lifting plate (15) is provided between the turntable (14) and the housing (121); the lifting plate (15) is slidably connected to the turntable (14); a groove (151) communicating with the circular groove (141) is provided at the upper end of the lifting plate (15); an electric push rod (152) is installed inside the housing (121); the electric push rod (152) is used to push the lifting plate (15) to rise.

4. The cup-dispensing module structure of an automatic beverage vending machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cup-retrieving mechanism (13) includes a mounting frame (16); the mounting frame (16) is fixedly connected to the housing (1) via a connecting rod (163); a lead screw (161) is rotatably connected to the upper end of the mounting frame (16); a third stepper motor (162) is fixedly connected to the lower end of the mounting frame (16); the third stepper motor (162) is used to drive the lead screw (161) to rotate; a cup-retrieving cylinder (17) is provided above the mounting frame (16) and is slidably connected to the connecting rod (163); the cup-retrieving cylinder (17) is helically connected to the lead screw (161).

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