Structure and method for mounting digital display on vending machine

Abstract

To provide a structure and a method for mounting a digital display on a vending machine so as to enable, without major modification, installation of a digital display for digitally displaying information on articles to an existing vending machine that uses a display with printed information on articles.SOLUTION: A structure for mounting a digital display on a vending machine includes: a display stand 15 provided on the rear side of a front panel 13 that constitutes the front of the vending machine and supporting an article sample 16a and a display body 40 that displays information about an article; and a price display device 30 provided between the front panel 13 and the display stand 15 and displaying information about the article in a digital form. The price display device 30 is attached to the vending machine as an existing component in the vending machine using, for example, a fixing unit 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure and method for mounting a digital display to a vending machine. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, vending machines have been proposed in which the price display element is replaceable and the display position of the hot / cold display element is changeable (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The vending machine described in Patent Document 1 includes a transparent panel forming the front of the outer door, a display stand attached to the middle door on which product samples are displayed, and a price display body and a cold / hot display body arranged on the front part of the display stand. The price display body is a plate-like body on which the price pattern of the corresponding product is printed. The cold / hot display body is a strip-like body on which a cold / hot pattern and a background color are printed with characters corresponding to the cold / hot state of the product. The price display body is composed of a light-transmitting plate with a horizontal shape, and can be replaced with an old price display body by manually inserting and removing it. The cold / hot display body is a rotatable endless strip-like body that passes through the front side of the front part of the display stand and further through the front side of the rear part of the display stand, and the display position that appears on the front side of the front part of the display stand can be changed by manually rotating it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-129918 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] With conventional vending machines, when the number of vending machines for which product-related information such as price patterns, hot and cold patterns, etc. needs to be changed increases, the burden on the operator increases accordingly.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a structure and method for mounting a digital display to a vending machine, which enables a digital display that displays product information digitally to be installed without making major modifications to an existing vending machine that uses a display on which product-related information is printed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a mounting structure for a digital display to a vending machine, comprising: a support member provided on the rear side of a transparent panel that constitutes the front side of a vending machine, supporting a display body that displays product samples and information related to the products; and a digital display provided between the transparent panel and the support member, which digitally displays information related to the products, wherein the digital display can be mounted to the vending machine utilizing existing components in the vending machine.

[0008] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method for attaching a digital display to a vending machine, which attaches the digital display, which displays information about a product digitally, to the vending machine using existing components in the vending machine so that the digital display is positioned between a transparent panel that constitutes the front of the vending machine and a support member that is provided on the rear side of the transparent panel and supports a display body that displays product samples and information about the products. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, a digital display that displays product information digitally can be installed in an existing vending machine that uses a display on which product-related information is printed, without making major modifications. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration example of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a main part of the vending machine shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a price display device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) is a front view showing an example of a price display device, and FIG. 4(b) is a front view showing an example of a price display section provided in the price display device. [Diagram 5] 5(a) and (b) are perspective views of the main part for explaining the installation work of the price display device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4(a), showing an example of a mounting structure for the selection switch device and the price display device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a typical variation of the display stand. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, components having substantially the same functions are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0012] [Embodiment Mode] 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration example of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This vending machine 10 sells products such as packaged beverages, and includes a box 11 that opens at the front, and a door 12 that opens and closes the front opening of the box 11. Note that the products sold are not limited to packaged beverages, and may be food, clothing, daily necessities, seasonings, cosmetics, medicines, etc. These products are examples of products available for sale.

[0013] A front panel 13 that constitutes the front of the vending machine 10 is provided at the top of the front side of the door body 12. This front panel 13 is made of a resin material such as a transparent acrylic plate. A rear panel 14 is attached to the rear side of the front panel 13 so as to be openable and closable to the door body 12. This rear panel 14 is made of a metal material such as a metal plate. A product storage cabinet that stores products corresponding to the selection buttons 21 (see FIG. 2) is disposed on the rear side of the rear panel 14. Here, the front side refers to the front side of the vending machine 10, and the rear side refers to the side opposite the front side. The front panel 13 is an example of a transparent panel.

[0014] In addition, although detailed explanations are omitted, the door body 12 of the vending machine 10 is provided with a banknote deposit / receive opening, a coin deposit opening, an amount display, a change return opening, a product removal opening, a cash return lever, advertising space, a door lock, etc.

[0015] A space is formed between the front panel 13 and the rear panel 14, and this space is used as an exhibition room for product samples. This exhibition room includes three exhibition stands 15 arranged on the upper, middle and lower levels. The exhibition stands 15 are provided on the rear side of the front panel 13 and are formed of a metal case that opens downward. A plurality of (e.g., 12) product samples 16, which are items for exhibition, are exhibited on the exhibition stands 15. The product samples 16 may be, for example, empty product containers, product photos, models, etc., or the products themselves. For example, in this embodiment, product samples 16a and 16b (see FIG. 2) of different heights are exhibited. The exhibition stands 15 are an example of a support member.

[0016] A selection switch device 20 and a price display device 30 are provided on the front side of each of the display stands 15 arranged on the upper, middle and lower levels. The selection switch device 20 is provided with a plurality of (e.g., 12) selection buttons 21 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the product samples 16, and is attached to the front side of the front panel 13. The price display device 30 is an example of a digital display.

[0017] The price display device 30 is installed, for example, between the front panel 13 and the display stand 15 in an existing vending machine 10 that uses a display 40 (see FIG. 6) on which product-related information is printed. The price display device 30 is provided with a plurality (e.g., 12) price display sections 31 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the product samples 16, and is attached to the vending machine 10 on the back side of the front panel 13 using the fixing section 23 (see FIG. 6) of the selection switch device 20.

[0018] The price display unit 31 of the price display device 30 digitally displays information related to the corresponding product, such as the selling price of the product, temperature information as to whether the corresponding product is a hot product (warmed product) or a cold product (chilled product), the sales status of the corresponding product (e.g., recommended, limited time sale, etc.). A control unit that controls the display of information related to the product is provided in the vending machine 10. Note that the information related to the product is not limited to the selling price, temperature information, and sales status, and may be or include other information.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a main part of the vending machine 10 shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the number of selection buttons 21 arranged on one stage is 12, but multiple selection switch devices 20 may be used on one stage. For example, two selection switch devices 20 each having six selection buttons 21 may be used. Furthermore, the number of selection buttons 21 arranged on one stage is arbitrary, and multiple selection switch devices 20 each having a different number of selection buttons 21 may be used accordingly. For example, when the number of selection buttons 21 on one stage is 10, a six-stage selection switch device 20 having six selection buttons 21 and a four-stage selection switch device 20 having four selection buttons 21 may be used.

[0020] As with the selection switch device 20, the price display device 30 has 12 price display units 31 installed in one row, but multiple price display units 30 may be used in one row. For example, two price display units 30 each having six price display units 31 may be used. Also, the number of price display units 31 arranged in one row is arbitrary (but the same number as the number of selection buttons 21), and multiple price display units 30 each having a different number of price display units 31 may be used accordingly. For example, if the number of price display units 31 in one row is 10, a six-row type price display unit 30 having six price display units 31 and a four-row type price display unit 30 having four price display units 31 may be used.

[0021] (Configuration of price display device) Figure 3 is an oblique view showing an example of a price display device 30, Figure 4(a) is a front view showing an example of a price display device 30, and Figure 4(b) is a front view showing an example of a price display section 31 provided in the price display device 30.

[0022] The price display device 30 comprises a horizontally long case 32 with multiple price display units 31 provided on the front side, a cable 33 extending from the case 32 for supplying power to each price display unit 31, and a connector 34 connected to the end of the cable 33.

[0023] Case 32 has electronic components built in and comprises a horizontally long rectangular main body 320 and an extension 321 extending downward from main body 320, with a plurality of mounting sections 322 provided on a portion of extension 321 for mounting price display device 30 to selection switch device 20. Mounting section 322 is formed with slits 322a for mounting to fixing section 23 of selection switch device 20. Fixing section 23 is an example of an existing member.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the price display unit 31 comprises multiple (e.g., three) 7-segment LED display units 310 that display the selling price of the corresponding product using multiple digits (e.g., three digits) arranged horizontally, a yen mark display unit 311 that displays the yen mark (￥), a cold / warm display unit 312 that displays whether the corresponding product is a hot product (heated product) or a cold product (chilled product) using a character pattern (HOT, COLD) and color, and a sales status display unit 313 that displays the sales status of the corresponding product using a character pattern (e.g., recommended, limited time sale, etc.).

[0025] The 7-segment LED display unit 310 is composed of seven segments 310a, 310b, and each of the segments 310a, 310b has an LED element. Also, an LED element is disposed on the rear side of the circle mark display unit 311. The 7-segment LED display unit 310 and the circle mark display unit 311 are controlled by a control unit to selectively light up the LED elements of the 7 segments 310a, 310b according to the selling price, and also to light up the LED element of the circle mark display unit 311. This displays the selling price.

[0026] Red and blue LED elements are arranged on the back side of the character pattern (HOT, COLD) of the cold / hot display unit 312. The cold / hot display unit 312 is controlled by the control unit to light up the red LED element when the corresponding product is a hot product (a heated product) and light up the blue LED element when the corresponding product is a cold product (a cooled product).

[0027] The sales status display unit 313 has a character pattern printed thereon and has an LED element disposed on the back side. When promoting a corresponding product by highlighting it, the control unit controls the LED element of the sales status display unit 313 of the corresponding price display unit 31 to light up.

[0028] The LED element is an example of a light-emitting element. The light-emitting element is not limited to an LED element, and an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) element, an inorganic EL element, a laser element, or the like may be used. The price display unit 31 may use a display other than an LED element, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The segments 310a, 310b, the light-emitting element, and the display are examples of electronic components incorporated into the main body unit 320.

[0029] The settings of the product-related information such as the selling price and hot / cold information displayed on the price display unit 31 can be changed using a mobile terminal (such as a handheld terminal) carried by a worker performing maintenance work on the vending machine 10, or by giving instructions to the control unit via a network.

[0030] (Price display device mounting structure) 5(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the installation work of the price display device 30, where (a) is a perspective view of the main parts of the selection switch device 20 and the price display device 30 seen from the rear side before the price display device 30 is installed (before it is set up), and (b) is a perspective view of the main parts showing the installation process of the price display device 30. Fig. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figs. 2 and 4(a) showing an example of an installation structure of the selection switch device 20 and the price display device 30.

[0031] The selection switch device 20 comprises a horizontally long case 22 with a plurality of selection buttons 21 provided on the front side, and a fixing portion 23 protruding from the case 22 to the rear side and fixing the selection switch device 20 from the rear side of the front panel 13. In order to impart bending rigidity to the selection switch device 20 and the periphery of its front panel 13, a structure is adopted in which the selection switch device 20 and the reinforcing member 17 are attached via the front panel 13. That is, the selection switch device 20 is attached to the front panel 13 by inserting the fixing portion 23 into a hole 13a formed in the front panel 13, and fastening a screw 18 into a screw hole 23a formed in the fixing portion 23 via the rising portion 173 of the reinforcing member 17 and the attachment portion 322 of the price display device 30.

[0032] The display stand 15 is formed in a horizontal direction and includes an upper surface portion 150 on which the product sample 16 is attached, a rear surface portion 151 extending downward from the rear end of the upper surface portion 150 and attached to the rear panel 14, and a front surface portion 152 extending downward from the front end of the upper surface portion 150. The lower end of the front surface portion 152 is formed with a folded portion 152a folded upward, and is configured to support a display body 40 on which a price pattern is printed corresponding to the product sample 16. In addition, a fluorescent type LED lamp 19 (internal structure not shown) is arranged inside the display stand 15 to illuminate the product sample 16 through an opening 150a of the upper surface portion 150 of the display stand 15. The display body 40 may be printed with a hot / cold pattern corresponding to the product sample 16, or may be printed with a price pattern and a hot / cold pattern corresponding to the product sample 16.

[0033] 6, the reinforcing member 17 is made of a metal material such as a metal plate and has a generally L-shaped cross section, and includes a wall portion 170 that contacts the front panel 13 side, a bottom portion 171 that is bent at a right angle to the horizontal direction relative to the wall portion 170, and an upright portion 172 that is bent upward relative to the bottom portion 171. A plurality of upright portions 173 are formed in the wall portion 170 by pressing in correspondence with the positions of the plurality of fixing portions 23 of the selection switch device 20, and a hole 173a for passing the screw 18 through is formed in the center of the upright portion 173.

[0034] In order to install the price display device 30 between the front panel 13 and the front part 152 of the display stand 15, the main body 320 of the price display device 30 has a wide and thin structure as shown in FIG. 6. In order to increase the amount of information to be displayed, it is preferable that the vertical length (width w) of the main body 320 is large, but if it is too large, the product sample 16 will be hidden by the price display device 30, which is not preferable. In terms of ease of installation, it is preferable that the length (thickness t) of the main body 320 in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction is thin, but if it is too thin, it becomes difficult to incorporate electronic components into the main body 320. In consideration of these, the width w is preferably 20 mm or more and 40 mm or less, and the thickness t is preferably 4 mm or more and 8 mm or less. In addition, the ratio w / t of the width w to the thickness t is preferably 2.5 or 3 or more and 3.5 or 4 or less. In this embodiment, t=8 mm, w=27 mm, and w / t=3.38.

[0035] (How to install price display devices) Next, an example of a method for installing the price display device 30 on an existing vending machine 10 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The price display device 30 is installed on an existing vending machine 10 with the door 12 open. First, the screws 18 that secure the selection switch device 20 to the front panel 13 are loosened. Next, the price display device 30 is inserted between the front panel 13 and the front part 152 of the display stand 15, and as shown in Figure 5(b), the slits 322a of the mounting part 322 are inserted into the threaded parts of the screws 18, and the screws 18 are tightened. Finally, the connector 34 extending from the price display device 30 is connected to the vending machine 10, completing the installation of the price display device 30.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a variation of the display stand 15. In the figure, the reinforcing member 17, the price display device 30, etc. are simplified, and the price display device 30 is hatched to make the positional relationship with the display stand 15 easier to understand. The display stands 15 shown in (a) to (g) in the figure include those made by different manufacturers of the vending machine 10, and those made by the same manufacturer but of different types. The cross-sectional shape of the price display device 30 is designed so that it can be installed in a common space (installation space) between the front panel 13 and the front part 152 of each company's display stand 15. As shown in the figure, there may be a slight gap between the main body part 320 or the extension part 321 of the price display device 30 and the front part 152 or the bent part 152a of the display stand 15, or there may be no gap and they may come into contact with each other.

[0037] (Functions and Effects of the Embodiments) The vending machine 10 according to the present embodiment provides the following actions and effects. (a) The price display device 30 can be installed in an existing vending machine 10 by attaching it to the front panel 13 using the screws 18 of the fixing portion 23 that secures the selection switch device 20 to the front panel 13. In other words, the price display device 30 can be installed without making any major modifications to the existing vending machine 10. (b) After the price display device 30 is installed, the product information settings in the price display device 30 can be changed via the network for the vending machines 10. Even if there are a large number of vending machines for which product information needs to be changed, the product information can be changed in a short period of time via the network.

[0038] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and implementations are possible. For example, in this embodiment, the price display device 30 is attached to the selection switch device 20, but it may be attached to another existing component of the vending machine, such as a display stand.

[0039] In addition, some of the components of the above embodiment may be omitted or changed. For example, in this embodiment, the price display device 30 is provided with the mounting part 322 for mounting to the fixed part 23, but the price display device 30 may be structured to be mounted to the fixed part 23 by a mounting member that is separate from the price display device 30.

[0040] Furthermore, steps can be added, deleted, changed, or replaced in the flow of the above embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the display unit 40 is not removed when the price display device 30 is installed, but it may be removed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 10...vending machine, 11...box body, 12...door body, 13...front panel, 13a...hole, 14...rear panel, 15...display stand, 16, 16a, 16b...product sample, 17...reinforcing member, 18...screw, 19...fluorescent type LED lamp, 20...selection switch device, 21...selection button, 22...case, 23...fixing part, 23a...screw hole, 30...price display device, 31...price display part, 32...case, 33...cable, 34...connector, 40... Display body, 150...top surface, 150a...opening, 151...back surface, 152...front surface, 152a...folded portion, 170...wall portion, 171...bottom portion, 172...standing portion, 173...rising portion, 173a...hole, 310...7-segment LED display, 310a, 310b...segments, 311...circle mark display, 312...cold / hot display, 313...sale status display, 320...main body, 321...extension, 322...mounting portion, 322a...slit

Claims

1. A support member is provided on the rear side of a transparent panel constituting the front surface of the vending machine, and supports a display unit that displays product samples and information about the products; a digital display provided between the transparent panel and the support member for digitally displaying information about the product; The digital display is attached to the vending machine using existing components in the vending machine. Structure for mounting a digital display on a vending machine.

2. a selection switch device provided on the front side of the transparent panel and having a selection button for selecting the product; The selection switch device has a fixing portion as the existing member that is fixed from the rear side of the transparent panel. A structure for mounting a digital display to a vending machine according to claim 1.

3. The digital display includes a mounting portion for mounting to the fixed portion.

3. A structure for mounting a digital display to a vending machine according to claim 2.

4. The digital display is attached to the fixed portion by an attachment member.

3. A structure for mounting a digital display to a vending machine according to claim 2.

5. The support member is a display stand for displaying product samples, or a member attached to the display stand. A structure for mounting a digital display to a vending machine according to claim 1.

6. In the digital display, when the width in the vertical direction of the main body in which the electronic components are incorporated is w and the thickness in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction is t, the ratio of w to t (w / t) is 2.5 or more and 4 or less. A structure for mounting a digital display to a vending machine according to claim 1.

7. a digital display that digitally displays information about a product is attached to the vending machine using existing components of the vending machine so that the digital display is located between a transparent panel that constitutes the front surface of the vending machine and a support member that is provided on the rear side of the transparent panel and supports a display unit that displays product samples and information about the products; How to install a digital display on a vending machine.

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