A carousel vending machine

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of rotary disc vending machine, belong to automatic vending technical field, including carousel, it is rotated and is set in vending machine through rack, carousel is cylindrical structure and the periphery is uniformly equipped with multiple warehouses;Driving mechanism, it is used to drive carousel rotation;Multiple calibration parts, multiple calibration parts are fixed in carousel end face, calibration part is consistent with the number of warehouse, each calibration part is located above or below corresponding warehouse, corresponding calibration part is additionally provided with counting unit 6 on rack, and specified warehouse is stopped at the goods outlet position of vending machine by counting unit 6 cooperation calibration part;Control module, it is used to control driving mechanism start-stop according to external information input;The utility model structure is simple, low in cost, can effectively improve space utilization and commodity adaptability, to realize accurate positioning and efficient extraction to the goods in vending machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automatic vending technology, specifically to a rotary vending machine. Background Technology

[0002] In the existing field of vending machine technology, the product positioning and retrieval mechanism of vending machines is a key factor affecting their ease of use, product management efficiency, and space utilization.

[0003] Traditional vending machines, such as those using spring-loaded dispensing channels, while simple in structure, have many limitations in practical applications. Specifically, spring-loaded channels require the product to fit tightly against the channel's inner wall to prevent tilting or jamming during dispensing. This is acceptable for regularly shaped and uniformly sized products, but it easily leads to dispensing failures when dealing with irregularly shaped products (such as square-shaped boxed snacks, triangular chocolates, and irregularly shaped toys), severely impacting user experience and the vending machine's product adaptability.

[0004] Furthermore, the design of the spring-loaded product aisles leads to low space utilization. Because gaps need to be left between the products and the aisle walls to reduce friction and the risk of jamming, the products are often arranged rather loosely within the aisle, failing to fully utilize the limited space inside the vending machine. As vending machines evolve towards multi-category, high-density storage, this insufficient space utilization is becoming an increasingly important factor restricting their performance improvement. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a rotating disc vending machine. The present invention has a simple structure and low cost, and can effectively improve space utilization and product adaptability, thereby achieving accurate positioning and efficient retrieval of products in the vending machine.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a rotating disc vending machine, including a turntable, which is rotatably mounted inside the vending machine via a frame. The turntable has a cylindrical structure and multiple compartments are evenly distributed on its outer circumference. Each compartment has a fan-shaped structure and is arranged in a circular array.

[0007] The drive mechanism is used to drive the turntable to rotate, and the drive mechanism is also equipped with a locking structure to prevent the turntable from rotating under the action of inertia.

[0008] Multiple calibration components are fixed on the end face of the turntable. The number of calibration components is the same as the number of goods compartments. Each calibration component is located above or below the corresponding goods compartment. The frame and calibration components are both located below the turntable. The corresponding calibration component is also equipped with a counting unit on the frame. The counting unit works with the calibration component to stop the designated goods compartment at the dispensing position of the vending machine. The counting unit can transmit the identified information to the control module.

[0009] The control module is used to control the start and stop of the drive mechanism based on external information input.

[0010] The counting unit is located at the lower front of the pickup port.

[0011] Each calibration piece is located at the center line directly below the warehouse.

[0012] The calibration parts are all labels that are vertically fixed to the bottom of the turntable.

[0013] The drive mechanism includes a gear rotatably mounted on the frame, and a toothed ring is provided on the outer wall of the turntable corresponding to the gear. The teeth of the gear mesh with the teeth of the toothed ring, and the gear is also directly or via transmission connected to the motor.

[0014] The corresponding drive mechanism is also equipped with a locking structure, which is used to lock the turntable.

[0015] The locking structure includes a locking block that can reciprocate on the frame, the end of which can be inserted into a toothed groove on a gear ring to brake the turntable.

[0016] The locking block has an arc-shaped end, and one end of the arc-shaped locking block has multiple conical blocks for embedding into the tooth grooves on the toothed ring.

[0017] The counting unit is a photoelectric sensor or an infrared sensor.

[0018] In summary, compared with the prior art, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0019] The combination of the counting unit and the indicator component in this invention enables real-time monitoring of the turntable position, eliminating the need for complex mechanical limits or lengthy searches, and significantly reducing product positioning time. After the user selects a product, the vending machine can quickly complete the rotation, positioning, and stopping actions, improving operational smoothness. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a rotating vending machine according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention from a bottom view;

[0022] Figure 3 This utility model Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure at point A in the middle.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0024] 1. Frame; 2. Turntable; 3. Drive mechanism; 4. Storage compartment; 5. Calibration component; 6. Counting unit; 7. Locking block. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the following will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of this utility model. Figure 1-3 The technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model are clearly and completely described herein. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this utility model are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0026] like Figure 2 , 3 As shown: This embodiment provides a rotating vending machine, including a frame 1 installed inside the vending machine. A turntable 2 is rotatably mounted on the frame 1. Multiple storage compartments 4 are arranged in a ring on the outer circumference of the turntable 2. Each storage compartment has a fan-shaped columnar cross-section. A corresponding drive mechanism 3 is also installed on the frame 1 inside the vending machine. The drive mechanism 3 directly or indirectly drives the turntable 2 to rotate on the frame 1. A control module is also installed inside the vending machine corresponding to the drive mechanism 3. The control module is connected to the vending machine's display screen. Information input on the display screen can be input into the control module, which can then control the drive mechanism 3 to drive the turntable 2 to rotate. When the designated storage compartment 4 rotates to the dispensing slot of the vending machine, the drive mechanism 3 stops working, so that the items in the storage compartment 4 can be taken out through the dispensing slot.

[0027] Specifically, the counting unit 6 can be configured with 15 storage compartments 4. Each time a label 5 (vertically positioned at the bottom of the turntable) passes through the counting unit 6, the counting unit 6 can start counting (the counting unit 6 is equipped with a counting sensor or counter). When the counting unit 6 has counted to 15, it will start counting again from 1 after passing through another label 5. Each number corresponds to a specific storage compartment 4. When the control module receives the retrieval information, it controls the drive mechanism 3 to rotate the turntable 2. During the rotation of the turntable 2, the counting unit 6 counts and transmits the count information to the control module. When the control module receives the number corresponding to the specified storage compartment 4, it controls the drive mechanism 3 to stop and simultaneously controls the locking mechanism to operate. This allows goods to be retrieved from the specified storage compartment 4 through the retrieval port.

[0028] Preferably, the corresponding drive mechanism 3 is also equipped with a locking structure, which is used to brake the turntable 2, thus preventing the turntable 2 from rotating forward under the action of inertia.

[0029] Furthermore, each calibration component 5 is located directly below the center line of the storage compartment 4, and the counting unit 6 is also located directly in front of and below the retrieval port. This way, when the counting unit 6 counts, the storage compartment 4 is directly facing the retrieval port, which makes it easier to retrieve the goods from the storage compartment 4 after pausing.

[0030] The drive mechanism mainly consists of a gear, a gear ring, and a motor (or transmission device). Specifically, a gear is rotatably mounted on the frame. This gear, as a key component for power transmission, is designed with transmission efficiency and stability in mind. Correspondingly, a gear ring is fixedly mounted on the outer wall of the turntable. The teeth of the gear ring mesh with the teeth of the gear, forming a highly efficient and reliable transmission method.

[0031] When the motor starts (it can be directly connected to the gears, or indirectly connected via a transmission device such as a belt or chain), the power it generates is transmitted to the gear ring through the gears, thereby driving the entire turntable to rotate. This design not only has high transmission efficiency but also ensures the smoothness and accuracy of the turntable's rotation, laying a solid foundation for subsequent product positioning and retrieval operations.

[0032] To prevent the turntable from rotating unexpectedly due to inertia, which could affect the accuracy of product positioning and the normal operation of the vending machine, this invention features a specially designed locking structure. This locking structure mainly includes a locking block 7 that can reciprocate on the frame.

[0033] As the core component of the locking structure, the locking block 7 can reciprocate within a specific track on the frame. When it is necessary to lock the turntable, the locking block 7 will move towards the gear ring under the command of the control module until its end is inserted into the tooth groove on the gear ring. At this time, the turntable cannot continue to rotate due to the obstruction of the locking block 7, thus achieving reliable locking of the turntable.

[0034] Furthermore, the end of the locking block 7 adopts an arc-shaped structure design. This design not only increases the contact area between the locking block 7 and the tooth groove, improving the stability of locking, but also makes the locking block 7 smoother when inserted into and removed from the tooth groove, reducing wear and noise. At the same time, multiple conical locking blocks are also provided at one end of the arc-shaped structure of the locking block 7. These locking blocks can be tightly embedded in the tooth groove, further enhancing the locking effect and ensuring the absolute stability of the turntable in the locked state.

[0035] Furthermore, in the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "setting" 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 mechanical connection, a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0036] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0037] The above description is the preferred embodiment of this utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A rotating vending machine, characterized in that, include: The turntable (2) is rotated inside the vending machine via the frame (1). The turntable (2) has a cylindrical structure and multiple compartments (4) are evenly arranged on its outer circumference. The drive mechanism (3) is used to drive the turntable (2) to rotate; Multiple calibration parts (5) are fixed on the end face of the turntable (2). The number of calibration parts (5) is the same as that of the storage compartment (4). Each calibration part (5) is located above or below the corresponding storage compartment (4). The corresponding calibration part (5) is also equipped with a counting unit (6) on the frame (1). The counting unit (6) works in conjunction with the calibration part (5) to stop the designated storage compartment (4) at the dispensing position of the vending machine. The control module is used to start and stop the drive mechanism (3) based on external information input.

2. The rotating vending machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The counting unit (6) is located at the lower part of the front of the picking port.

3. A rotating vending machine as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each of the aforementioned calibration pieces (5) is located at the center line directly below the warehouse (4).

4. A rotating vending machine as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The calibration components (5) are all labels that are vertically fixed to the bottom of the turntable (2).

5. A rotating vending machine as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The drive mechanism (3) includes a gear rotatably mounted on the frame (1), and a toothed ring is provided on the outer wall of the turntable corresponding to the gear. The teeth of the gear mesh with the teeth of the toothed ring, and the gear is also directly or via transmission connected to the motor.

6. A rotating vending machine as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The corresponding drive mechanism is also provided with a locking structure, which is used to lock the turntable (2).

7. A rotating vending machine as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The locking structure includes a locking block (7) that can reciprocate on the frame (1), the end of which can be inserted into a toothed groove on the gear ring to brake the turntable (2).

8. A rotating vending machine as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The locking block (7) has an arc-shaped structure at one end, and one end of the arc-shaped structure of the locking block (7) has multiple conical blocks for embedding into the tooth grooves on the tooth ring.

9. A rotating vending machine as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The counting unit (6) is a photoelectric sensor or an infrared sensor.

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