Popcorn finished product metering vending machine

Abstract

The utility model relates to a self -service terminal equipment field especially relates to a popcorn finished product metering and selling ware, including popcorn storage warehouse, discharge mechanism, automatic cup falling ware and horizontal shift module, automatic cup falling ware is located one side of popcorn storage warehouse, and the discharge mechanism sets up at the bottom of popcorn storage warehouse, horizontal shift module horizontal arrangement, and one end of horizontal shift module extends to the below of automatic cup falling ware, and the other end extends to the below of discharge mechanism, and the movement of horizontal shift module is provided with weighing module on, and cup stand is installed on weighing module. The utility model can automatically receive the cup, and the cup is moved to receive the material, and the automation degree is high, and the user use experience is improved, and it is a kind of self -service terminal equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of self-service terminal equipment, and in particular to a popcorn finished product metering and vending machine. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous improvement of people's living standards, many supermarkets and cinemas have installed automatic popcorn vending machines. Existing automatic popcorn vending machines typically include a popcorn storage bin, a dispensing mechanism, and an automatic cup-dispensing mechanism. After the user places their order and pays, the automatic cup-dispensing mechanism lowers the cup. The user then needs to move the cup under the dispensing mechanism, which dispenses the popcorn from the storage bin into the cup, completing the popcorn filling process, which the user can then collect. This type of automatic popcorn vending machine requires the user to manually move the cup under the dispensing mechanism, resulting in low automation and a poor user experience. Utility Model Content

[0003] Based on the above problems, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a finished popcorn metering and vending machine. This utility model adopts the following technical solution: This utility model provides a popcorn finished product metering and vending machine, including a popcorn storage bin, a dispensing mechanism, and an automatic cup dispenser. The automatic cup dispenser is located on one side of the popcorn storage bin, and the dispensing mechanism is located at the bottom of the popcorn storage bin. It also includes a horizontally moving module, which is horizontally arranged, with one end extending below the automatic cup dispenser and the other end extending below the dispensing mechanism. A weighing sensor is installed on the moving part of the horizontally moving module, and a cup holder is mounted on the weighing sensor.

[0004] Preferably, the popcorn storage compartment is formed by a back panel and a front panel, the front panel being a transparent panel; the back panel is provided with a feeding port, and an insert plate is provided on the feeding port, the insert plate being slidably connected to the back panel.

[0005] Preferably, the transverse module includes a base frame, a guide rail is provided on the base frame, a slider is slidably connected to the guide rail, a slide block is fixed on the slider, the slide block is threadedly connected to a lead screw, and one end of the lead screw is poweredly connected to a transverse drive motor.

[0006] Preferably, the discharging mechanism includes a trough, which is located at the bottom of the popcorn storage bin. A screw conveyor is installed in the trough, and the screw conveyor is poweredly connected to a discharging drive motor located at the rear of the trough. The front of the trough is a discharge port, and a collection hopper is provided below the discharge port; a flap is provided at the discharge port, and the flap is connected to a tilting drive device.

[0007] Preferably, the flipping drive device includes a rotatable flipping shaft, which is fixed to the upper edge of the flip plate, and one end of the flipping shaft is poweredly connected to a flipping drive motor.

[0008] Preferably, a waste collection trough is provided below the hopper.

[0009] Preferably, a heater is provided at the bottom of the material trough, the heater is provided in a heating box (10), the top of the heating box is sealed to the bottom of the material trough, and air holes communicating with the heating box are provided on the two side walls of the material trough.

[0010] Preferably, position detection sensors for detecting the cup's position are provided below both the automatic cup dropper and the dispensing mechanism.

[0011] Preferably, the popcorn storage bin, the dispensing mechanism, the automatic cup dropper, and the transverse module are all housed in a cabinet, and a cabinet door is provided on the front side of the cabinet; the cabinet door is provided with a dispensing port and a touch screen, and the dispensing port is located below the dispensing mechanism.

[0012] Preferably, the automatic cup dispenser includes a base plate with a cup-dispensing hole at its center. A plurality of distributors are distributed around the outer perimeter of the cup-dispensing hole, and the number of distributors is even. The distributors are symmetrically distributed in pairs, and the rotation directions of the symmetrically distributed distributors are opposite. A torque motor for driving the distributors to rotate is provided on the lower end surface of the base plate, and the plurality of torque motors are electrically connected to the cup-dispensing control circuit board.

[0013] Preferably, the distributor includes a rotating body, and a motor shaft hole fixedly connected to the output end of the torque motor is provided at the center of the rotating body; an arc-shaped support is integrally formed around the outer periphery of the rotating body, and an arc-shaped distributor is provided on the side of the outer periphery of the rotating body away from the arc-shaped support. The bottom of the arc-shaped distributor is inclined, and the height of the end of the arc-shaped distributor with a smaller thickness is higher than the top surface of the arc-shaped support.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial technical effects of this utility model are as follows: This utility model can automatically receive cups and move cups to receive materials. It has a high degree of automation, improves the user experience, and is a self-service terminal device. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the popcorn finished product metering and vending machine in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the rear section of the popcorn finished product metering and vending machine in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the front structure of the transverse module in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the back of the transverse module in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a front view of the discharge mechanism in Embodiment 1 of this utility model. Figure 6 This is a side view of the discharge mechanism in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the rear structure of the discharge mechanism in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the flipping drive device in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the front side of the cabinet in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic cup dispenser in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 11 This is a flowchart of the cup dropper control circuit in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 12 for Figure 10 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle; Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the back of the distributor in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of adding a heater to the bottom of the material trough in Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Popcorn storage bin; 101. Back plate; 102. Front panel; 103. Feeding port; 104. Insert plate; 2. Discharge mechanism; 201. Feed trough; 202. Screw discharger; 203. Discharge drive motor; 204. Discharge port; 205. Collection hopper; 206. Flip plate; 207. Tilting drive device; 207-1. Tilting shaft; 207-2. Tilting drive motor; 208. Waste collection trough; 3. Automatic cup dropper; 301. Seat plate; 302. Cup drop hole; 303. Distributor; 303-1. Arc-shaped support platform; 303-2 1. Rotating body; 303-3. Arc-shaped dispensing body; 303-4. Stop pin contact plate; 304. Torque motor; 305. Cup dropping control circuit board; 4. Horizontal movement module; 401. Base frame; 402. Guide rail; 403. Slider; 404. Slide block; 405. Lead screw; 406. Horizontal movement drive motor; 5. Weighing sensor; 6. Cup holder; 7. Position detection sensor; 8. Cabinet; 801. Cabinet door; 802. Discharge port; 803. Touch screen; 9. Heater; 901. Air box; 902. Heating wire; 903. Fan; 10. Heating box; 11. Air vent. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0019] Example 1 like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, this embodiment discloses a popcorn finished product metering and vending machine, including a popcorn storage bin 1, a dispensing mechanism 2, an automatic cup dropper 3, and a transverse module 4. The automatic cup dropper 3 is located on one side of the popcorn storage bin 1, and the dispensing mechanism 2 is located at the bottom of the popcorn storage bin 1.

[0020] The horizontally moving module 4 is arranged horizontally, with one end extending below the automatic cup dropper 3 and the other end extending below the dispensing mechanism 2. A weighing sensor 5 is installed on the moving part of the horizontally moving module 4, and a cup holder 6 is mounted on the weighing sensor 5. The dispensing port of the dispensing mechanism 2 and the cup dropping position of the automatic cup dropper 3 are both above the moving trajectory of the cup holder 6.

[0021] The operation process of this utility model is as follows: The operator (purchaser) makes payment online, the network backend returns an execution command, and the main control board starts to execute the automatic program operation. The automatic cup dropper 3 drops a cup onto the cup holder 6. The photoelectric sensor detects that the cup has reached its position, and the horizontal movement module 4 pushes the cup holder 6 to the discharge port of the dispensing mechanism 2. Under the control of the weighing control circuit board, the weighing sensor 5 first zeroes its data, and the dispensing mechanism 2 starts. Then, the dispensing mechanism 2 delivers popcorn from the popcorn storage bin 1 into the cup. After the predetermined weight is reached, the weighing sensor 5 sends a signal to the main control board, and the main control board controls the dispensing mechanism 2 to stop dispensing. The operator (purchaser) can then remove the cup containing popcorn from the dispensing position.

[0022] In this embodiment, the position of the cup is identified by a position detection sensor 7. Specifically, position detection sensors 7 are installed below both the automatic cup dropper 3 and the dispensing mechanism 2 to detect whether the cup has reached its designated position. The position detection sensor 7 below the automatic cup dropper 3 identifies whether the cup has fallen into the cup holder 6, while the position detection sensor 7 below the dispensing mechanism 2 identifies whether the cup has moved to the receiving position. The position detection sensors 7 feed back the identification signals to the main control board, which then performs the next control action according to the preset program.

[0023] The position detection sensor 7 can be a photoelectric sensor. Specifically, it can be a BX-552 laser diffuse photoelectric sensor. A photoelectric sensor (photoelectric transducer) is a device that converts light signals into electrical signals based on the photoelectric effect. It is widely used in industrial detection and control fields. Photoelectric sensors are existing technology, and those skilled in the art can purchase existing products.

[0024] The load cell 2 mainly adopts a cantilever beam or strain gauge structure, internally containing a metal strain beam and a Wheatstone bridge circuit. When an external force is applied, the strain gauge deforms, causing a change in resistance and generating an electrical signal output. The position detection sensor 4 is electrically connected to the weighing control circuit board, which is electrically connected to the main control board. The load cell 2 is prior art, and those skilled in the art can purchase existing products.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, the popcorn storage compartment 1 is enclosed by a back panel 101 and a front panel 102. The front panel 102 is a transparent panel, which allows for easy observation of the popcorn inside the storage compartment. A feeding port 103 is provided on the back panel 101. Slots are provided on both sides of the feeding port 103. Insert plates 104 are slidably connected to the slots. The insert plates 104 are slidably connected to the back panel 101. After the insert plates 104 are pulled out, popcorn can be added to the storage compartment through the feeding port 103.

[0026] like Figure 3 and 4As shown, the transverse module 4 includes a base frame 401, a guide rail 402 mounted on the base frame 401, a slider 403 slidably connected to the guide rail 402, a slide block 404 fixed on the slider 403, the slide block 404 being threadedly connected to a lead screw 405, both ends of the lead screw 405 being rotatably connected to a bearing seat, the bearing seat being mounted and fixed on the base frame 401, and one end of the lead screw 405 being poweredly connected to a transverse drive motor 406. A load cell 5 is mounted on the slide block 404.

[0027] like Figures 5 to 8 As shown, the discharging mechanism 2 includes a trough 201, which is located at the bottom of the popcorn storage bin 1. A spiral feeder 202 is installed in the trough 201, and the spiral feeder 202 is poweredly connected to a discharging drive motor 203 located at the rear of the trough 201. The front of the trough 201 is a discharge port 204, and a collection hopper 205 is located below the discharge port 204. The popcorn that comes out falls into the cup from the lower end of the collection hopper 205. A flap 206 is installed at the discharge port 204, and the opening or closing of the discharge port 204 is achieved by rotating the flap 206. The flap 206 is connected to a flipping drive device 207.

[0028] like Figure 8 As shown, the flip drive device 207 includes a rotatable flip shaft 207-1, which is fixed to the upper edge of the flip plate 206. One end of the flip shaft 207-1 is powered by the flip drive motor 207-2.

[0029] In this embodiment, a waste collection trough 208 is provided below the hopper 205. During the discharging process, popcorn falling from the cup automatically rolls into the waste collection trough 208.

[0030] like Figure 9 As shown, in this embodiment, the popcorn storage compartment 1, the dispensing mechanism 2, the automatic cup dispenser 3, and the transverse module 4 are all housed within the cabinet 8. A cabinet door 801 is located on the front side of the cabinet 8. The cabinet door 801 is connected to the cabinet 8 via hinges. The cabinet door 801 has a dispensing port 802 and a touch screen 803. The dispensing port 802 is located below the dispensing mechanism 2, and cups filled with popcorn are removed from the dispensing port 802. The touch screen 803 needs to be electrically connected to the main control board.

[0031] like Figure 10 and 11As shown, the automatic cup dispenser 3 includes a base plate 301, which can be fixed to the cabinet 8. A cup-dispensing hole 302 is provided at the center of the base plate 301. A cup holder for storing cups is correspondingly provided above the cup-dispensing hole 302 in a cylindrical structure with open ends. Several distributors 303 are distributed circumferentially around the outer perimeter of the cup-dispensing hole 302, with an even number of distributors 303. The distributors 303 are symmetrically distributed in pairs, and the rotation directions of the symmetrically distributed distributors 303 are opposite. A torque motor 304 for driving the distributors 303 to rotate is provided on the lower end surface of the base plate 301. The torque motors 304 are electrically connected to the cup-dispensing control circuit board 305. In this embodiment, the torque motor 304 is model 24BYJ48.

[0032] The process of the cup-dropping control circuit board 305 uniformly distributing motion commands to each torque motor 304 is as follows: The microcontroller receives the upper-level action command and sends it down to three drive transistors. Each drive transistor powers two relatively distributed torque motors 304 and makes them rotate in opposite directions. After rotating to a certain angle, the first cup at the bottom layer is detached. The microcontroller controls the torque motor 304 to rotate for a set time and stops after one cup is detached. Then, it sends a reverse command, and the drive transistors control a total of six torque motors 304 to reverse to the stop pin 306. At this point, the cup-dropping action is completed, and the distributor 303 returns to its initial position.

[0033] like Figure 12 and 13 As shown, the distributor 303 includes a rotating body 303-2, and a motor shaft hole 303-5 fixedly connected to the output end of the torque motor 304 is provided at the center of the rotating body 303-2; an arc-shaped support 303-1 is integrally formed around the outer periphery of the rotating body 303-2, and an arc-shaped distributor 303-3 is provided on the side of the outer periphery of the rotating body 303-2 away from the arc-shaped support 303-1. The bottom of the arc-shaped distributor 303-3 is inclined, and the height of the end of the arc-shaped distributor 303-3 with a smaller thickness is higher than the top surface of the arc-shaped support 303-1.

[0034] The upper end surface of the base plate 301 is provided with a stop pin 306 at the position corresponding to each distributor 303 to limit the rotation stroke of the distributor 303. In this embodiment, there are two stop pins 306, located on both sides of the rotating body 303-2 respectively. Figure 12 The rotating body 303-2, depicted with a dashed line on the left, is obscured by the arc-shaped gear shifter 303-3, and is located below the arc-shaped gear shifter 303-3; the rotating body 303-2, depicted with a solid line on the right, is not obscured by the arc-shaped gear shifter 303-3. At the same time, a stop pin contact plate 303-4 that cooperates with the stop pin 306 is provided at the thinner end of the arc-shaped gear shifter 303-3.

[0035] The operation process of the automatic cup dispenser 3 is as follows: In this embodiment, taking six distributors 303 as an example, they are labeled as 1#, 2#, 3#, 4#, 5#, and 6# respectively. Figure 10 As shown, #1 and #4 form a pair, #2 and #5 form a pair, and #3 and #6 form a pair. The pair-to-pair dialers 303 and their arc-shaped dial bodies 303-3 are arranged symmetrically and rotate in opposite directions. That is, the rotation directions of dialers 303 and the arrangement of arc-shaped dial bodies 303-3 are the same for #1, #3, and #5, and the rotation directions of dialers 303 and the arrangement of arc-shaped dial bodies 303-3 are the same for #2, #4, and #6.

[0036] Initially, the rim of the paper cup at the bottom rests on the curved support 303-1. Under the control of the cup-dropping control circuit board 305, the torque motor 304 drives components 1#, 3#, and 5# to rotate clockwise, and components 2#, 4#, and 6# to rotate counterclockwise. During rotation, the bottom slope of the curved distributor 303-3 contacts the rim of the paper cup. As the curved distributor 303-3 rotates alongside the rotating body 303-2, its bottom slope rotates from its thinnest end to its thickest end, thus pushing the paper cup downwards. When rotated to 180 degrees, the stop pin contact plate 303-4 touches the stop pin post 306 on the base plate 1 and stops rotating. At this time, the upper and lower paper cups separate, and the bottom paper cup falls. After falling, the distributor 303 rotates 180 degrees and resets. The stop pin contact plate 303-4 touches the stop pin post 306 on the base plate 1 again and stops rotating. At this time, the next paper cup to be dropped falls into the arc-shaped support 303-1 to prepare for the next cup dropping. This cycle repeats to realize the automatic cup dropping process.

[0037] Example 2 To ensure that the popcorn sold has a certain temperature and texture, such as Figure 14 As shown, in this embodiment, a heater 9 is provided at the bottom of the feed trough 201. The heater 9 is located in a heating box 10, and the top of the heating box 10 is sealed to the bottom of the feed trough 201. Air holes 11 communicating with the heating box 10 are provided on both side walls of the feed trough 201. During operation, the heater 9 can directly heat the feed trough 201, and the high-temperature hot air emitted by the heater 9 enters the feed trough 201 through the air holes 11 to heat the popcorn inside.

[0038] In this embodiment, the heater 9 includes a bellows 901 and a fan 903. The bellows 901 contains a heating wire 902 and a temperature sensor. The fan 903, located at the rear of the feed trough 201, is connected to the bellows 901. The fan 903 blows air into the bellows 901, where it is heated by the heating wire 902. Simultaneously, multiple ventilation holes are formed on the bellows 901, allowing hot air to enter the heating chamber 10. Further, the hot air in the heating chamber 10 enters the feed trough 201 through air vents 11. It should be noted that the popcorn storage compartment 1 connected to the feed trough 201 is not a completely sealed structure; hot air in the feed trough 201 can be exhausted through gaps at the top of the popcorn storage compartment 1.

[0039] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of the present utility model. Various modifications and improvements made to the technical solutions of the present utility model by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present utility model should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A popcorn finished product metering and vending machine, comprising a popcorn storage bin (1), a dispensing mechanism (2), and an automatic cup dispenser (3), characterized in that: The automatic cup dropper (3) is located on one side of the popcorn storage bin (1), and the dispensing mechanism (2) is located at the bottom of the popcorn storage bin (1); It also includes a horizontal moving module (4), which is arranged horizontally, with one end of the horizontal moving module (4) extending below the automatic cup dropper (3) and the other end extending below the discharge mechanism (2); A weighing sensor (5) is provided on the moving part of the transverse module (4), and a cup holder (6) is installed on the weighing sensor (5). The automatic cup dropper (3) includes a base plate (301), a cup drop hole (302) is provided at the center of the base plate (301), and a number of distributors (303) are distributed around the outer periphery of the cup drop hole (302), the number of distributors (303) is even; the distributors (303) are symmetrically distributed in pairs, and the rotation directions of the distributors (303) are opposite; a torque motor (304) for driving the distributors (303) to rotate is provided on the lower end surface of the base plate (301).

2. The popcorn finished product metering and vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The popcorn storage compartment (1) is formed by a back panel (101) and a front panel (102), wherein the front panel (102) is a transparent panel; The back plate (101) is provided with a feeding port (103), and the feeding port (103) is provided with an insert plate (104), which is slidably connected to the back plate (101).

3. The popcorn finished product metering and vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transverse module (4) includes a base frame (401), a guide rail (402) is provided on the base frame (401), a slider (403) is slidably connected on the guide rail (402), a slide block (404) is fixed on the slider (403), the slide block (404) is threadedly connected to a lead screw (405), and one end of the lead screw (405) is poweredly connected to a transverse drive motor (406).

4. The popcorn finished product metering and vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The discharge mechanism (2) includes a trough (201), which is located at the bottom of the popcorn storage bin (1). A spiral discharger (202) is provided in the trough (201), and the spiral discharger (202) is poweredly connected to a discharge drive motor (203) located at the rear of the trough (201). The front of the trough (201) is a discharge port (204), and a collection hopper (205) is provided below the discharge port (204); a flap (206) is provided at the discharge port (204), and the flap (206) is connected to the flipping drive device (207).

5. The popcorn finished product metering and vending machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: The flipping drive device (207) includes a rotatable flipping shaft (207-1), which is fixed to the upper edge of the flip plate (206). One end of the flipping shaft (207-1) is powered by a flipping drive motor (207-2).

6. The popcorn finished product metering and vending machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: A waste collection trough (208) is provided below the collection hopper (205).

7. The popcorn finished product metering and vending machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: A heater (9) is provided at the bottom of the material trough (201). The heater (9) is located in a heating box (10). The top of the heating box (10) is sealed to the bottom of the material trough (201). Air holes (11) communicating with the heating box (10) are provided on both sides of the material trough (201).

8. The popcorn finished product metering and vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A position detection sensor (7) for detecting the cup's position is provided below the automatic cup dropper (3) and below the dispensing mechanism (2). The popcorn storage compartment (1), the discharging mechanism (2), the automatic cup dropper (3) and the transverse module (4) are all located in the cabinet (8). The front side of the cabinet (8) is provided with a cabinet door (801). The cabinet door (801) is provided with a discharging port (802) and a touch screen (803). The discharging port (802) is located below the discharging mechanism (2).

9. The popcorn finished product metering and vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: Several of the torque motors (304) are electrically connected to the landing cup control circuit board (305).

10. The popcorn finished product metering and vending machine according to claim 9, characterized in that: The distributor (303) includes a rotating body (303-2), and a motor shaft hole (303-5) is provided at the center of the rotating body (303-2) for fixed connection with the output end of the torque motor (304). An arc-shaped support (303-1) is integrally formed around the outer periphery of the rotating body (303-2). An arc-shaped distributor (303-3) is provided on the side of the outer periphery of the rotating body (303-2) away from the arc-shaped support (303-1). The bottom of the arc-shaped distributor (303-3) is inclined. The height of the end of the arc-shaped distributor (303-3) with a smaller thickness is higher than the top surface of the arc-shaped support (303-1).

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