A dispensing port structure and an automatic vending machine

Abstract

This application discloses a dispensing slot structure and an automatic vending machine. The dispensing slot structure includes a dispensing slot body, a detection flap rotatably connected to the dispensing slot body, racks and gears meshing with the racks on both sides of the dispensing slot body, a drive mechanism installed on the dispensing slot body, the drive mechanism being drivenly connected to the gears, the racks being connected to the dispensing slot door via a connecting rod, and a torsion spring limiting plate provided on the dispensing slot body, with a torsion spring between the torsion spring limiting plate and the detection flap. This dispensing slot structure can automatically open and close the door, detect whether the door opening and closing is normal, and also prevent hand pinching; it has all functions including dispensing detection, anti-theft alarm, internal lighting and sterilization, making it a comprehensive device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vending equipment technology, specifically to a dispensing port structure and an automatic vending machine. Background Technology

[0002] With social progress and the development of retail automation, vending machines are becoming increasingly common in daily life, widely used in public places such as shopping malls, subway stations, and office buildings. Currently, vending machines on the market mainly include various types such as spring-loaded vending machines and conveyor belt vending machines. Their basic working principle is that a drive device pushes the goods to the dispensing slot, and the user then retrieves the goods from the dispensing slot. However, the dispensing slot structure of existing vending machines still has the following significant drawbacks: Inconvenient and unhygienic dispensing slots: Currently, most vending machine dispensing slots are either designed without doors, leaving the area directly exposed to the outside environment, easily accumulating dust, insects, and other grime, making hygiene difficult to guarantee; or, although they have doors, the doors are usually heavy and difficult to open, affecting the user's experience. Over time, the inside of the dispensing slots easily accumulates dirt that is difficult to clean, affecting not only aesthetics but also potentially posing a threat to the hygiene of the goods.

[0003] Lack of a reliable shipment detection mechanism: Existing equipment generally relies on timed control during the shipment process, meaning that the product is assumed to have fallen into the pickup slot after the drive unit has run for a fixed period. However, due to differences in product shape, improper placement, or obstruction of the delivery channel, situations often occur where the equipment has stopped operating but the product has not been successfully shipped, or it gets stuck during the fall. In these cases, the system still determines that the shipment is complete, resulting in users paying but not actually receiving the goods. This can easily lead to consumer disputes and seriously affect user trust and user experience.

[0004] The aforementioned problems expose shortcomings in the design of the dispensing slot structure of existing vending machines, which not only reduce the practicality and reliability of the equipment but also hinder further improvement in the user experience of automated retail services. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a dispensing slot structure that can automatically open and close the dispensing slot, has a dispensing status detection function, and integrates hygiene maintenance and safety protection mechanisms to overcome the deficiencies in the existing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a dispensing slot structure and an automated vending machine. This dispensing slot structure enables automatic opening and closing of the dispensing slot, has a dispensing status detection function, and can integrate hygiene maintenance and safety protection mechanisms, thereby improving the intelligence level and user satisfaction of the automated vending machine.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a retrieval port structure, including a retrieval port body, a detection flap rotatably connected to the retrieval port body, racks and gears meshing with the racks installed on both sides of the retrieval port body, a drive mechanism installed on the retrieval port body, the drive mechanism being drivenly connected to the gears, the racks being connected to a retrieval port door via a connecting rod, and a torsion spring limiting plate provided on the retrieval port body, with a torsion spring between the torsion spring limiting plate and the detection flap.

[0007] In one embodiment of this application, the detection flap is equipped with a magnet, the main body of the picking port is equipped with a Hall sensor that cooperates with the magnet, and one side of the detection flap is provided with a product drop contact surface for contacting the shipped goods.

[0008] In one embodiment of this application, the driving mechanism is used to drive the gear to rotate, and the gear drives the rack to rise and fall by rotating, and the rack drives the picking port door to rise and fall by connecting rod; the gears on both sides of the picking port body are connected by shafts, and the shafts pass through shaft mounting holes provided on both sides of the picking port body.

[0009] In one embodiment of this application, the torsion spring limiting plate is located diagonally above the detection flap, the detection flap is provided with a torsion spring limiting groove, the torsion spring has two torsion spring protrusion ends, one of which is disposed in the torsion spring limiting groove, and the other torsion spring protrusion end abuts against the torsion spring limiting plate.

[0010] In one embodiment of this application, rack grooves are provided on both sides of the main body of the picking port, the rack is slidably connected in the rack grooves, limiting edges are provided on both sides of the rack, and rack limiting flanges that cooperate with the limiting edges are provided on both sides of the rack grooves, the limiting edges being located within the rack limiting flanges.

[0011] In one embodiment of this application, door grooves are provided on both sides of the main body of the picking port, and connecting posts are provided on both sides of the picking port door, the connecting posts being slidably connected in the door grooves; shaft holes are provided at both ends of the connecting rod, and rack connecting posts are provided on the rack, the connecting posts of the picking port door and the rack connecting posts of the rack being rotatably connected in the shaft holes at both ends of the connecting rod respectively.

[0012] In one embodiment of this application, the detection flap is provided with protruding rotating shafts on both sides, and the main body of the picking port is provided with detection flap mounting holes that cooperate with the rotating shafts. The rotating shafts are inserted into the detection flap mounting holes on both sides of the main body of the picking port so that the detection flaps can rotate around the rotating shafts.

[0013] In one embodiment of this application, an opening detection switch is provided on one side of the upper part of the door slide, and a closing detection switch is provided at the bottom of the door slide. The outer surface of the connecting rod can contact the opening detection switch or the closing detection switch. The rack slide is provided with an upper limit rib, and the bottom of the rack is provided with a limiting protrusion that cooperates with the upper limit rib. The side of the loading port body is provided with a lower limit surface that cooperates with the outer surface of the connecting rod.

[0014] In one embodiment of this application, an anti-theft switch trigger surface is provided on one side below the detection flap, and the main body of the retrieval port is provided with an anti-theft detection switch that cooperates with the anti-theft switch trigger surface. The anti-theft detection switch is located below the anti-theft switch trigger surface; the main body of the retrieval port is also equipped with a light strip.

[0015] Secondly, this application provides an automated vending machine, including the aforementioned dispensing port structure.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this application are: This application provides a dispensing slot structure and an automatic vending machine. The drive mechanism is installed on one side of the dispensing slot body and can drive a gear on one side to rotate. When the drive mechanism rotates, the gears on both sides rotate synchronously via a shaft. The gears on both sides mesh with racks on both sides, thereby driving the racks on both sides to move up and down synchronously. This, in turn, drives the dispensing slot door along the track of the door body's sliding groove via a connecting rod, realizing the automatic opening and closing action. When it moves upward to a certain position, the outer surface of the connecting rod touches the door opening detection switch, generating feedback that stops the drive mechanism from rotating, ending the door opening action. When it moves downward to a certain position, the outer surface of the connecting rod touches the door closing detection switch, generating feedback that stops the drive mechanism from rotating, ending the door closing action. When the door opening detection switch malfunctions, the drive mechanism continues to rotate, and the rack continues to move upward until the limit rib touches the upper limit rib in the rack's groove, stopping the rack and preventing damage to the mechanical structure. Simultaneously, the drive mechanism stalls, and the system detects a change in the drive mechanism's current, cutting off power and stopping the drive mechanism's operation. Similarly, when the door closing detection switch malfunctions, the rack continues to move downward until the outer surface of the connecting rod touches the lower limit surface on the side of the loading port, stopping the movement. The system detects a change in the drive mechanism's current and cuts off power. Correspondingly, if a hand is pinched during the closing process, the drive mechanism stalls, and the system detects a change in current and controls the drive mechanism to reverse, reopening the door. In summary, this application can achieve automatic door opening and closing, detect whether the door opening and closing is normal, and prevent hand pinching; it also has all the functions of shipment detection, anti-theft alarm, and internal lighting sterilization, making it a comprehensive solution. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1This is a perspective view of the pickup port structure in this application; Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the pickup port structure in this application. Figure 3 A perspective view of the main body of the pickup port in this application; Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional view of the flip plate tested in this application; Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the torsion spring of this application; Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the rack of this application; Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the connecting rod in this application; Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the pickup gate in this application.

[0018] In the diagram: 1. Main body of the picking-up port; 101. Rack and pinion limiting flange; 102. Rack and pinion groove; 103. Upper limit rib; 104. Door groove; 105. Lower limit surface; 106. Shaft mounting hole; 107. Detection flap mounting hole; 108. Torsion spring limiting plate; 2. Detection flap; 201. Goods falling contact surface; 202. Rotating shaft; 203. Torsion spring limiting groove; 204. Anti-theft switch trigger surface; 3. Anti-theft detection. 4. Switch; 5. Gear; 6. Rack; 7. Limiting edge; 8. Limiting rib; 9. Rack connecting post; 10. Connecting rod; 11. Shaft hole; 12. Connecting rod outer surface; 13. Door closing detection switch; 14. Pick-up door; 15. Connecting post; 16. Door opening detection switch; 17. Hall sensor; 18. Drive mechanism; 19. Light strip; 10. Shaft; 11. Magnet; 12. Torsion spring; 13. Torsion spring extension end. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of this application will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on this application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. The terms "first position" and "second position" refer to two different positions.

[0021] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections or detachable connections; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal connections between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0022] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown in the figure, this application embodiment provides a picking port structure, which includes a picking port body 1. The picking port body 1 is rotatably connected to a detection flap 2. The detection flap 2 has protruding rotating shafts 202 on both sides. The picking port body 1 is provided with detection flap mounting holes 107 that cooperate with the rotating shafts 202. The rotating shafts 202 are inserted into the detection flap mounting holes 107 on both sides of the picking port body 1 so that the detection flap 2 can rotate around the rotating shafts 202.

[0023] In some embodiments, the detection flap 2 is equipped with a magnet 14, the cargo retrieval port body 1 is equipped with a Hall sensor 10 that cooperates with the magnet 14, and one side of the detection flap 2 is provided with a cargo drop contact surface 201 for contacting the cargo being shipped.

[0024] In this embodiment, when the detection flap 2 is not triggered and is in its natural state, the magnet 14 is within the sensing range of the Hall sensor 10. When the goods are shipped out and fall downwards, when the falling goods come into contact with the goods falling contact surface 201 of the detection flap 2, it will press one side of the goods falling contact surface 201 downwards, thereby causing the detection flap 2 to rotate around the rotation axis 202. This causes the side of the detection flap 2 where the magnet 14 is installed to tilt upwards, so that the magnet 14 is out of the sensing range of the Hall sensor 10, generating a signal feedback, thereby confirming that the goods have been shipped out normally.

[0025] In some embodiments, the main body 1 of the picking port is provided with a torsion spring limiting plate 108 located obliquely above the detection flap 2. A torsion spring 15 is provided between the torsion spring limiting plate 108 and the detection flap 2. The detection flap 2 is provided with a torsion spring limiting groove 203. The torsion spring 15 has two torsion spring protrusion ends 151, one of which is disposed in the torsion spring limiting groove 203, and the other torsion spring protrusion end 151 abuts against the torsion spring limiting plate 108.

[0026] In this embodiment, one of the torsion spring protrusions 151 of the torsion spring 15 contacts the torsion spring limiting groove 203 of the detection flap 2, and the other torsion spring protrusion 151 contacts the spring limiting plate 108. After installation, the torsion spring 15 is under slight stress to prevent the detection flap 2 from swinging due to equipment shaking and generating false trigger signals; at the same time, when the goods are shipped out and fall off the contact surface 201, the detection flap 2 rotates away from the torsion spring limiting plate 108 under the force of the torsion spring 15, so that the detection flap 2 returns to the initial state and the magnet 14 returns to the sensing range of the Hall sensor 10.

[0027] In some embodiments, racks 5 and gears 4 meshing with the racks 5 are installed on both sides of the retrieval port body 1. The retrieval port body 1 is equipped with a drive mechanism 11, which is drivenly connected to the gears 4. The racks 5 are connected to the retrieval port door 8 via a connecting rod 6. The drive mechanism 11 is used to drive the gears 4 to rotate. The gears 4 drive the racks 5 to rise and fall by rotating. The racks 5 drive the retrieval port door 8 to rise and fall via the connecting rod 6. The gears 4 on both sides of the retrieval port body 1 are connected by shafts 13. The shafts 13 pass through shaft mounting holes 106 provided on both sides of the retrieval port body 1.

[0028] In this embodiment, the gears 4 on both sides of the retrieval port body 1 are connected by shafts 13 to ensure that the gears 4 on both sides of the retrieval port body 1 move simultaneously and maintain the same rotation angle. This ensures that the racks 5 connected to the gears 4 on both sides rise and fall synchronously. The synchronously rising and falling racks 5 drive the synchronous rise and fall of both sides of the retrieval port door 8, thereby ensuring that the retrieval port door 8 can rise and fall smoothly. At the same time, the shafts 13 pass through the shaft mounting holes 106 on both sides of the retrieval port body 1, and the shaft mounting holes 106 serve to support the shafts 13. Optionally, the drive mechanism 11 can be a motor.

[0029] In some embodiments, rack grooves 102 are provided on both sides of the main body 1 of the picking port, the rack 5 is slidably connected in the rack grooves 102, the rack 5 is provided with limiting edges 501 on both sides, and rack limiting flanges 101 that cooperate with the limiting edges 501 are provided on both sides of the rack grooves 102, the limiting edges 501 being located within the rack limiting flanges 101.

[0030] In this embodiment, the rack 5 is installed in the rack grooves 102 on both sides of the main body 1 of the loading port. The limiting edges 501 on both sides of the rack 5 are restricted by the rack limiting flanges 101 on both sides of the rack groove 102, so that the rack 5 can only move up and down along the rack groove 102.

[0031] In some embodiments, door slide grooves 104 are provided on both sides of the main body 1 of the picking port, and connecting posts 801 are provided on both sides of the picking port door 8. The connecting posts 801 are slidably connected in the door slide grooves 104. Shaft holes 601 are provided at both ends of the connecting rod 6, and rack 5 is provided with rack connecting posts 503. The connecting posts 801 of the picking port door 8 and the rack connecting posts 503 of the rack 5 are respectively rotatably connected in the shaft holes 601 at both ends of the connecting rod 6.

[0032] In this embodiment, the connecting posts 801 on both sides of the picking-up gate 8 are located in the door slide grooves 104 on both sides of the picking-up gate body 1, so that the picking-up gate 8 can only move along the trajectory of the door slide grooves 104, and the picking-up gate 8 always remains in a vertical state; the shaft holes 601 at both ends of the connecting rod 6 are respectively fitted onto the connecting posts 801 of the picking-up gate 8 and the rack connecting posts 503 of the rack 5, and at the same time there is a certain gap between the shaft holes 601 and the connecting posts 801 and the rack connecting posts 503, so that the angle between the connecting rod 6 and the rack 5 and the picking-up gate 8 after installation can change.

[0033] In some embodiments, an opening detection switch 9 is provided on one side of the upper part of the door slide 104, and a closing detection switch 7 is provided at the bottom of the door slide 104. The outer surface 602 of the connecting rod 6 can contact the opening detection switch 9 or the closing detection switch 7.

[0034] The retrieval port structure provided in this application has a drive mechanism 11 installed on one side inside the retrieval port body 1. This drive mechanism 11 rotates a gear 4 on one side. When the drive mechanism 11 rotates, the gears 4 on both sides rotate synchronously via the shaft 13. The gears 4 on both sides mesh with racks 5 on both sides, causing the racks 5 to move synchronously up and down. This, in turn, drives the retrieval port door 8 along the track of the door slide groove 104 via the connecting rod 6, achieving automatic door opening and closing. When the door moves upward to a certain position, the outer surface 602 of the connecting rod 6 touches the door opening detection switch 9, generating feedback that stops the drive mechanism 11, ending the door opening action. When the door moves downward to a certain position, the outer surface 602 of the connecting rod 6 touches the door closing detection switch 7, generating feedback that stops the drive mechanism 11, ending the door closing action.

[0035] In some embodiments, the rack groove 102 is provided with an upper limit rib 103, and the bottom of the rack 5 is provided with a limiting protrusion 502 that cooperates with the upper limit rib 103; the side of the loading port body 1 is provided with a lower limit surface 105 that cooperates with the outer surface 602 of the connecting rod 6.

[0036] In this embodiment, when the door opening detection switch 9 malfunctions, the drive mechanism 11 continues to rotate, and the rack 5 continues to move upward until the limit rib 502 touches the upper limit rib 103 in the rack slide groove 102, blocking the rack 5 and stopping its movement to prevent damage to the mechanical structure. At the same time, the drive mechanism 11 stalls, the system detects a change in the current of the drive mechanism 11, stops supplying power, and the drive mechanism 11 stops working. Similarly, when the door closing detection switch 7 malfunctions, the rack 5 continues to move downward until the outer surface 602 of the connecting rod 6 touches the lower limit surface 105 on the side of the loading port body 1, stopping its movement. The system detects a change in the current of the drive mechanism 11 and stops supplying power. Correspondingly, when a hand is pinched during the closing process, the drive mechanism 11 stalls, the system detects a change in current and controls the drive mechanism 11 to reverse, reopening the door.

[0037] In some embodiments, an anti-theft switch trigger surface 204 is provided on one side below the detection flap 2, and the main body 1 of the retrieval port is provided with an anti-theft detection switch 3 that cooperates with the anti-theft switch trigger surface 204. The anti-theft detection switch 3 is located below the anti-theft switch trigger surface 204.

[0038] In this embodiment, when the retrieval gate 8 is opened, and someone reaches into the retrieval gate body 1 with their hand or a tool and attempts to directly retrieve the goods located above the retrieval gate from the bottom up, they will first touch the goods-falling contact surface 201 of the detection flap 2. If the goods-falling contact surface 201 of the detection flap 2 is pushed upwards, the anti-theft switch trigger surface 204 will move downwards, triggering the anti-theft detection switch 3 and causing the system to alarm. If the goods-falling contact surface 201 of the detection flap 2 is pulled downwards, the magnet 14 will leave the Hall sensor 10 for an extended period during the operation, triggering the system to alarm. Thus, the design of the above-mentioned dual anti-theft structure significantly improves the security performance of the retrieval gate structure.

[0039] In some embodiments, the main body 1 of the pickup port is also equipped with a light strip 12. The light strip 12 can provide illumination and can also be controlled to turn on ultraviolet light for sterilization and disinfection, thereby increasing the hygiene and safety of the pickup port structure.

[0040] In summary, the pickup port structure provided in this application can automatically open and close the door, detect whether the door is opening and closing normally, and also prevent hand pinching; it has all the functions of shipment detection, anti-theft alarm, internal lighting and sterilization, and is fully functional.

[0041] Furthermore, this application also provides an automated vending machine including the aforementioned dispensing slot structure. Because the automated vending machine includes any of the above-described dispensing slot structures, it possesses all the advantages described above.

[0042] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and should all be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A loading port structure, characterized in that, The device includes a main body for picking up goods, a detection flap rotatably connected to the main body for picking up goods, racks and gears meshing with the racks on both sides of the main body for picking up goods, a drive mechanism installed on the main body for picking up goods, the drive mechanism being drivenly connected to the gears, the racks being connected to the picking up goods door via a connecting rod, and a torsion spring limiting plate provided on the main body for picking up goods, with a torsion spring between the torsion spring limiting plate and the detection flap.

2. The picking port structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection flap is equipped with a magnet, and the main body of the picking port is equipped with a Hall sensor that cooperates with the magnet. One side of the detection flap is provided with a product drop contact surface for contacting the shipped goods.

3. The picking port structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The drive mechanism is used to drive the gear to rotate, and the gear drives the rack to rise and fall by rotating. The rack drives the picking port door to rise and fall by connecting rod. The gears on both sides of the picking port body are connected by shafts, and the shafts pass through shaft mounting holes provided on both sides of the picking port body.

4. The picking port structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The torsion spring limiting plate is located diagonally above the detection flap. The detection flap is provided with a torsion spring limiting groove. The torsion spring has two torsion spring protrusion ends, one of which is located in the torsion spring limiting groove, and the other torsion spring protrusion end abuts against the torsion spring limiting plate.

5. The picking port structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The main body of the picking port is provided with rack grooves on both sides, the rack is slidably connected in the rack grooves, the rack is provided with limiting edges on both sides, and the rack groove is provided with rack limiting flanges that cooperate with the limiting edges, the limiting edges being located within the rack limiting flanges.

6. The picking port structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The main body of the picking port is provided with door sliding grooves on both sides, and the picking port door is provided with connecting posts on both sides, the connecting posts being slidably connected in the door sliding grooves; the connecting rod is provided with shaft holes at both ends, the rack is provided with rack connecting posts, and the connecting posts of the picking port door and the rack connecting posts of the rack are respectively rotatably connected in the shaft holes at both ends of the connecting rod.

7. The picking port structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The detection flap is provided with protruding rotating shafts on both sides, and the main body of the picking port is provided with detection flap mounting holes that cooperate with the rotating shafts. The rotating shafts are inserted into the detection flap mounting holes on both sides of the main body of the picking port so that the detection flaps can rotate around the rotating shafts.

8. The picking port structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, An opening detection switch is provided on one side of the upper part of the door slide, and a closing detection switch is provided at the bottom of the door slide. The outer surface of the connecting rod can contact the opening detection switch or the closing detection switch. The rack slide is provided with an upper limit rib, and the bottom of the rack is provided with a limiting protrusion that cooperates with the upper limit rib. The side of the loading port body is provided with a lower limit surface that cooperates with the outer surface of the connecting rod.

9. The picking port structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, An anti-theft switch trigger surface is provided on one side below the detection flap, and an anti-theft detection switch that cooperates with the anti-theft switch trigger surface is provided on the main body of the retrieval port. The anti-theft detection switch is located below the anti-theft switch trigger surface; the main body of the retrieval port is also equipped with a light strip.

10. An automated vending machine, characterized in that, Includes the loading port structure as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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