Vending machine

Abstract

The utility model relates to an automatic vending machine, including the cabinet, the commodity display room defined by the cabinet, the commodity delivery room defined by the cabinet, gate device and refrigerating system, the cabinet is located at the front side of commodity display room and is limited to the goods delivery room's goods drop channel, and the commodity delivery room is structured as can with outside environment fluid communication and has the goods outlet in the lower part of cabinet, and the gate device is installed between commodity display room and commodity delivery room and includes support, installs the top plate of opening definition in the upper part of support, electric heating wire, motor drive module and gate, and the top plate is adjacent commodity display room and adopts the construction of insulating board, and the goods drop channel passes through the opening, and the gate is driven setting with motor drive module and can be driven in the closing position of closing opening and the opening position of opening opening between motor drive module and moves, and the electric heating wire is arranged on the top plate and / or gate, and when the gate is in the closing position, the electric heating wire, the gate and the top plate constitute the heat conduction connection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vending technology, and in particular to vending machines capable of selling frozen goods. Background Technology

[0002] Currently available frozen food vending machines, especially those using enclosed refrigerated compartments and mechanical dispensing doors, have the following technical defects in actual operation: (1) Structural icing problems caused by cold leakage. When users frequently open the dispensing door, high-temperature and high-humidity air (especially in summer) rapidly seeps into the low-temperature compartment. After contacting the cold air, condensation forms on the surfaces of metal parts such as door seams, hinges, and latches, which can cause mechanical parts to jam, such as the dispensing door being unable to open. (2) Energy waste caused by cold loss. The icing area damages the airtightness of the compartment, forming a continuous cold leakage channel. To compensate for the cold loss, the compressor is forced to extend its working time, increasing energy consumption and significantly raising operating costs. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the aforementioned problems, the purpose of this application is to provide a vending machine in which the dispensing door of the dispensing box will not be frozen when selling frozen goods.

[0004] Therefore, this application provides an automatic vending machine, including a cabinet, a merchandise display area defined by the cabinet, a merchandise dispensing compartment defined by the cabinet and located below the merchandise display area, a gate device, and a refrigeration system for providing cooling to the merchandise display area. The cabinet defines a dispensing channel leading to the merchandise dispensing compartment at the front of the merchandise display area. The merchandise dispensing compartment is configured to be in fluid communication with the external environment and has a dispensing opening located at the bottom of the cabinet. The gate device is installed between the merchandise display area and the merchandise dispensing compartment and includes a bracket and mounting mechanism. The bracket includes a top plate defining an opening, a heating wire, a motor drive module, and a gate. The top plate is adjacent to the merchandise display area and is constructed with an insulated panel. The unloading channel passes through the opening. The gate is driven by the motor drive module and can be moved between a closed position (closing the opening) and an open position (opening the opening). The heating wire is disposed on the top plate and / or the gate. When the gate is in the closed position, the heating wire, the gate, and the top plate form a thermally conductive connection.

[0005] In some embodiments, a frame is provided at the opening, and the heating wire is arranged around the frame.

[0006] In some embodiments, the gate device further includes a vending detection component mounted on the top plate and configured to detect goods passing through the opening.

[0007] In some embodiments, the vending detection component is disposed on the upper side of the opening.

[0008] In some embodiments, the opening extends vertically through the center of the top plate; when the gate is in the closed position, the gate blocks the opening from the lower side; when the gate is in the open position, the gate is away from the opening.

[0009] In some embodiments, the gate is rotatably mounted on the bracket; and when the gate switches from the closed position to the open position, the gate rotates by a preset angle of greater than or equal to 90° toward the side facing the goods delivery chamber.

[0010] In some embodiments, the gate includes an insulated gate body and a door seal disposed on the outer peripheral wall of the insulated gate body.

[0011] In some embodiments, the merchandise display room is provided with a plurality of storage drawers arranged in a vertical direction, the cabinet includes a cabinet body and a front cabinet door located on the front side of the cabinet body, and the unloading channel is located between the front ends of the plurality of storage drawers and the front cabinet door.

[0012] In some embodiments, the motor drive module is mounted on the bracket and includes a motor and a crank assembly, the output shaft of the motor is drivenly connected to one end of the crank assembly, and the gate is drivenly connected to the other end of the crank assembly.

[0013] In some embodiments, the retrieval port is equipped with an openable retrieval door.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this application are as follows: By setting up a gate device, the machine can operate normally at sub-zero temperatures, making it suitable for more models (such as those that need to sell frozen food). Specifically, the gate in the gate device can act as an insulator, creating two compartments inside the vending machine (the sales area where the product display room is located and the retrieval area where the product dispensing room is located). This effectively prevents the cold air in the sales area from being lost through the retrieval door, thus reducing the space for cooling and lowering energy consumption. Furthermore, after the gate device closes, the retrieval door area will become a normal temperature area, preventing the retrieval door from freezing. Even if the customer resets the retrieval door promptly after taking the item, it will not freeze, ensuring that the vending machine can always operate normally. In addition, the gate can also act as an anti-theft device, making the vending machine safer. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automatic vending machine according to an embodiment of this application;

[0016] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction;

[0017] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the gate being switched from the closed position to the open position;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the gate device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the disassembled gate device. Detailed Implementation

[0020] This application relates to a vending machine capable of selling goods that require refrigeration, such as ice cream and frozen meals. The vending machine is equipped with a refrigeration system that maintains the required refrigeration temperature within the machine.

[0021] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The illustration shows a vending machine. The vending machine 100 includes a cubic cabinet 1.

[0022] The cabinet 1 consists of a cabinet body 11 and a front door 12 installed on the front side of the cabinet body 11. The cabinet body 1 is constructed with a foamed insulation wall. The front door 12 is also an insulated door, with a transparent viewing window 121 made of insulated glass at the top and a retrieval door 122 at the bottom that can be opened toward the inside of the cabinet 1.

[0023] The upper inner part of the cabinet 1 defines a merchandise display room 13. In this example, the merchandise display room 13 is equipped with multiple storage drawers 2 arranged vertically, in which regularly packaged merchandise for sale can be displayed. Each storage drawer 2 is equipped with a delivery spring 21 for supporting the merchandise. By rotating the delivery spring 21, the merchandise at the front of the storage drawer 2 can be pushed out of the storage drawer 2.

[0024] The lower interior of cabinet 1 defines a product loading compartment 14. A refrigeration system 3 is also installed within cabinet 1. The refrigeration system 3 provides cooling to the product loading compartment 13. In this example, the evaporator 31 of the refrigeration system 3 is located in the product loading compartment 13, and the remaining portion is located in the lower interior of cabinet 1, behind the product loading compartment 14. By opening the retrieval door 122, the user can retrieve goods from the product loading compartment 14. In this example, the product loading compartment 14 is configured to be in fluid communication with the external environment.

[0025] The cabinet 1 defines a drop-off channel 15 leading to the merchandise loading compartment 14 on the front side of the merchandise display room 14. In this example, the drop-off channel 15 is located between the front ends of the multiple storage drawers 2 and the front cabinet door 12.

[0026] A gate device 4 is also installed inside the cabinet 1. The gate device 4 is installed between the merchandise display room 13 and the merchandise shipping room 14. The gate device 4 can control whether the merchandise display room 13 and the merchandise shipping room 14 are directly connected.

[0027] Combination Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the gate device 4 includes a bracket 41, a top plate 48 and heating wire 42 mounted on the upper part of the bracket 41 and defining the opening 40, a motor drive module 43 mounted on the bracket 41, and a gate 44 disposed on the bracket 41. In this example, the gate device 4 is an integral device that can be installed entirely in the cabinet 1 or removed from the cabinet 1 for easy maintenance. The gate 44 includes an insulated door body 441 and a door seal 442 disposed on the outer peripheral wall of the insulated door body 441.

[0028] The bracket 41 can be mounted on the inner wall of the cabinet 1. The top plate 48 is adjacent to the merchandise display room 13. The top plate 48 is constructed of insulation board, such as foam board. The opening 40 is located in the middle of the top plate 48 and runs vertically through the top plate 48. The drop channel 15 passes through the opening 40, that is, the merchandise falling from the drop channel 15 at the front of the merchandise display room 13 needs to pass through this opening 40 to fall further into the merchandise delivery room 14.

[0029] Gate 44 is mounted on bracket 41 and driven by motor drive module 43. Gate 44 can be driven by motor drive module 43 to move between a closed position (closing opening 40) and an open position (opening opening 40). Gate 44 is connected to bracket 41 and located below opening 40. When gate 44 is in the closed position, gate 44 blocks opening 40 from below. When gate 44 is in the open position, gate 44 is away from opening 40. In this example, gate 44 can rotate rotatably towards the goods dispensing compartment by a preset angle, preferably greater than or equal to 90°.

[0030] The motor drive module 43 includes a motor 431 and a crank assembly 432. The output shaft of the motor 431 is drive-connected to one end of the crank assembly 431, and the gate 44 is drive-connected to the other end of the crank assembly 432. In other embodiments, the crank assembly may be replaced with other transmission components to transmit rotational torque between the motor and the gate.

[0031] The gate device 4 also includes a first micro switch 451 and a second micro switch 452. The first micro switch 451 and the second micro switch 452 are arranged on the rotation path of the gate 44. When the gate 44 triggers the first micro switch 51, it indicates that the gate 44 is currently driven to rotate to the open position; when the gate 44 triggers the second micro switch 52, it indicates that the gate 44 is currently driven to rotate to the closed position.

[0032] A frame 401 is arranged at the opening 40 of the top plate 48. Heating wires 42 are arranged around the frame 401 of the top plate 48. When the gate 44 is in the closed position, the heating wires 42, the gate 44, and the frame 401 form a thermally conductive connection. When the heating wires 42 are heating, they ensure that the gate 44 and the top plate 48 will not freeze, thus guaranteeing the normal operation of the gate device 4 at extremely low temperatures (e.g., -32 degrees Celsius). In other embodiments, the heating wires can be arranged on the gate itself, or simultaneously on both the top plate and the gate, which also solves the problem of freezing at the junction of the gate and the top plate.

[0033] The gate device 4 also includes a vending detection component 46 capable of detecting goods passing through the opening 40. In this example, the vending detection component 46 is mounted on the top plate 48 and located above the opening 40. Arranging the vending detection component 46 above the opening 40 effectively reduces the impact of heat exchange during the opening and closing of the gate 44 on the vending detection operation.

[0034] When the main control device (not shown in the figure) of the vending machine 100 receives a sales instruction, it will drive the motor 431 of the gate device 4 to start. The crank assembly 432 will transmit the rotational torque of the motor 431 to the gate 44 and drive the gate 44 to flip downward. When the gate 44 touches the first micro switch 51, the gate 44 stops rotating. At this time, the gate 44 enters the open position, and the goods to be dispensed can enter the goods dispensing chamber 14 through the drop channel 15 and the opening 40. The user can open the retrieval door 122 to take the purchased goods. When the vending detection component 46 detects that a product has fallen and after a set time, the motor 431 will start and rotate in the reverse direction until it touches the second micro switch 52. The gate 44 will stop rotating again. At this time, the gate 44 enters the closed position, and the goods display chamber 13 and the goods dispensing chamber 14 are separated by the gate 44. The cold air in the goods display chamber 13 will not flow into the goods dispensing chamber 14.

[0035] After the vending machine in this case is equipped with a gate device, it selectively separates or keeps the product display area and the product dispensing area connected by switching the gate between the open and closed positions. Once the gate is closed and the product display area and the product dispensing area are separated, the product display area becomes a closed, low-temperature zone, while the product dispensing area becomes a normal-temperature zone. This prevents cold air leakage even if the customer does not reset the dispensing door after taking an item, thus preventing ice buildup and the door from freezing shut. Furthermore, because the gate device makes the product display area and the product dispensing area two insulated compartments, it effectively prevents the loss of cold air from the product display area through the dispensing door, reducing the required cooling space and lowering energy consumption. In addition, the gate device also provides excellent anti-theft protection when it is in the closed position.

[0036] The above embodiments are merely illustrative examples, and those skilled in the art can make equivalent substitutions or improvements within the scope of the claims. Other embodiments, in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein, are also covered within the scope of this information.

Claims

1. An automatic vending machine, characterized in that, The device includes a cabinet, a merchandise display area defined by the cabinet, a merchandise loading compartment defined by the cabinet and located below the merchandise display area, a gate device, and a refrigeration system for providing cooling capacity to the merchandise display area. The cabinet defines a drop-off channel leading to the merchandise loading compartment at the front of the merchandise display area. The merchandise loading compartment is configured to be fluidly connected to the external environment and has a loading port located at the bottom of the cabinet. The gate device is installed between the merchandise display area and the merchandise loading compartment and includes a support, a top plate installed on the upper part of the support and defining an opening, a heating wire, a motor drive module, and a gate. The top plate is adjacent to the merchandise display area and is constructed with an insulation board. The drop-off channel passes through the opening. The gate is driven by the motor drive module and can be moved between a closed position (closing the opening) and an open position (opening the opening). The heating wire is disposed on the top plate and / or the gate. When the gate is in the closed position, the heating wire, the gate, and the top plate form a thermally conductive connection.

2. The automatic vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, A frame is provided at the opening, and the heating wire is arranged around the frame.

3. The automatic vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gate device also includes a vending detection component, which is mounted on the top plate and configured to detect goods passing through the opening.

4. The vending machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The vending detection component is located on the upper side of the opening.

5. The automatic vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The opening extends vertically through the center of the top plate; when the gate is in the closed position, the gate blocks the opening from the lower side; when the gate is in the open position, the gate moves away from the opening.

6. The vending machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The gate is rotatably mounted on the bracket; and when the gate switches from the closed position to the open position, the gate rotates by a preset angle of greater than or equal to 90° toward the side facing the goods delivery chamber.

7. The automatic vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gate includes an insulated gate body and a door seal strip disposed on the outer peripheral wall of the insulated gate body.

8. The automatic vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The merchandise display room is equipped with multiple storage drawers arranged vertically. The cabinet includes a cabinet body and a front cabinet door located on the front side of the cabinet body. The unloading channel is located between the front ends of the multiple storage drawers and the front cabinet door.

9. The automatic vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The motor drive module is mounted on the bracket and includes a motor and a crank assembly. The output shaft of the motor is drivenly connected to one end of the crank assembly, and the gate is drivenly connected to the other end of the crank assembly.

10. The vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pickup port is equipped with an openable pickup door.

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