Article supply device

Abstract

To provide an article supply device with which a change in article prices can be easily responded and the convenience is improved.SOLUTION: Provided is an article supply device 1 comprising: an insertion unit 5 into which a coin C can be inserted; a first holding unit 25a and a second holding unit 25b capable of holding the inserted coin C; and an allocation unit 26 provided between the load unit 5 and the first and second holding units 25a, 25b and capable of allocating coin movement destinations. The first and second holding units 25a, 25b each include a setting unit 28 capable of setting the number of coins that can be held. The allocation unit 26 is configured to be capable of allocating, on condition that the set number of coins are held in the first holding unit 25a, the coins inserted thereafter to be held in the second holding unit 25b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an article supply device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there are various article supply devices (vending machines) for automatically selling products. In the article supply device, a function for distributing coins of the price required for purchasing a product is provided. For example, in Patent Document 1, a configuration is disclosed in which a chute is provided between the coin return outlet and the change return outlet of the coin discriminator and the safe and the return port, and a partition plate for distributing the change to the return port and the safe according to its use is provided in the chute.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, although the configuration is to distribute coins using a partition plate, the device disclosed here is one that controls the partition plate by a control device and cannot cope with changes in product prices and the like. In addition, in the article supply device, conventionally, there are a wide variety of products, and their prices are also different. Therefore, setting the change of the input cost due to the difference in product prices was a troublesome task.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an article supply device that is easy to cope with changes in product prices and improves convenience.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An article supply device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an insertion unit into which coins can be inserted, a first holding unit and a second holding unit capable of holding the inserted coins, and a sorting unit provided between the insertion unit and the first holding unit and the second holding unit and capable of sorting the destination of the coin movement. The first holding unit and the second holding unit each include a setting unit capable of setting the number of coins that can be held. The sorting unit is configured to be able to sort so that the coins inserted later are held in the second holding unit on the condition that the first holding unit holds the set number of coins.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article supply device that is easy to respond to changes in commodity prices and improves convenience.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, an article supply device according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the article supply device 1 of the present aspect, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the article supply device 1.

[0010] The article supply device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is, for example, a device capable of supplying an article P in a spherical capsule case containing toys or parts. More specifically described, the article supply device 1 includes a storage unit 10 capable of storing a plurality of articles P in a random arrangement, and a supply unit 30 rotatably provided at the bottom 10b of the storage unit 10 and having a turntable 31 capable of randomly selecting and supplying one article P at a time. It also includes a lock unit 41 that locks the supply unit 30 so that it cannot operate, and unlocks the lock by driving the lock unit 41 on the condition that the payment of the price from the coin C input unit 5 is made. Then, in the unlocked state, the operation unit 4 provided on the front surface 2f is rotated. As a result, the gear train 4b provided on the tip side of the shaft 4a of the operation unit 4 rotates, and the turntable 31 is rotated via its rack gear 31g. The article P held in the holding hole 31h of the turntable 31 drops at the passage hole 10bh provided in the bottom 10b and is supplied to the supply port 9 through the article passage portion 9a.

[0011] In the article supply device 1, a coin input unit 20 is provided on the right side of the operation unit 4 (the right side toward the device). This coin input unit 20 is connected to the input unit 5 provided on the front surface 2f of the main body unit 2. The coin C inserted from the input unit 5 passes through the passage portion 20a formed in the coin input unit 20 and drops and is held in the holding portion 25 on the lower side of the unit. Also, when a regular coin is inserted, the coin C held in the holding portion 25 is stored in, for example, the coin storage portion 19 provided below the holding portion 25 when a predetermined amount is inserted and a predetermined operation is performed. On the other hand, when a counterfeit coin is inserted, it is configured to be captured by the adsorption portion 23 provided in the passage portion 20a.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the coin input unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the right side direction. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the coin input unit shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the left side direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the coin insertion unit 20 is a thin unit that combines, for example, a left half case 21 and a right half case 22 from the left and right directions, with the first side wall portion 21w and the second side wall portion 22w of its left and right side walls approaching and facing each other to form an internal space. The right half case 22 including the second side wall portion 22w is different from the left half case 21 including the first side wall portion 21w. For example, as shown in the drawing, it is formed of a light-transmissive material so that the inside of the unit can be seen.

[0013] A passage portion 20a is formed in the coin insertion unit 20 from a start end portion 20as (upper right side in the figure) connected to an insertion portion 5 into which a coin C is inserted inside to an opening 20ae at the end portion. The passage portion 20a is configured such that the coin C moves by gravity. For example, in the first coin introduction portion including the start end portion 20as, an inclined portion 20ab inclined so that the coin C rolls is provided, and a dropping portion 20ac is provided on the rear side of the inclined portion 20ab. In the dropping portion 20ac, a first swing plate 20ag is provided at the upper part and a second swing plate 20ah is provided at the lower part. Both swing plates 20ag and 20ah rotate when the coin C is placed thereon to assist the dropping of the coin C and guide the moving direction of the coin C.

[0014] The opening 20ae at the end portion of the passage portion 20a serves as an entrance to a holding portion 25 that holds the coin C. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the holding portion 25 is provided with a first holding portion 25a on the front side of the unit (right side when viewed from the front of the device), and a second holding portion 25b having the same structure is provided at a position facing the front and back on the back side of the unit (left side when viewed from the front of the device). Both the first holding portion 25a and the second holding portion 25b are configured to be able to hold the coin C. Also, the distribution of the coin C to the first holding portion 25a and the second holding portion 25b is performed by a distribution portion 26 provided over the opening 20ae and its upper side.

[0015] The first holding part 25a and the second holding part 25b are provided with a first passage part 251 and a second passage part 252 that are inclined toward the front surface 2f side (see FIG. 2) as shown in the drawing. That is, the coin C that has fallen from the opening 20ae is configured to be movable toward the front surface 2f side by its own weight.

[0016] Also, the setting of the number of coins C held in the first passage part 251 and the second passage part 252 can be determined by a setting part 28 that can lock the movement of the coin C in the inclined direction. For example, the setting part 28 is formed with slit-shaped slide openings 28b that open to the outer surface along the first passage part 251 and the second passage part 252, and position setting pins 28a that are movable within the slide openings 28b and project into both passage parts 251 and 252 are provided.

[0017] Furthermore, the position setting pins 28a are configured to be lockable to a plurality of large-diameter openings 28c formed at predetermined intervals in the slide openings 28b. That is, by locking the position setting pins 28a to a predetermined large-diameter opening 28c, the number of coins C can be set to a predetermined number. Also, in the first holding part 25a, the last (rearmost) coin C that has fallen is positioned below the sorting part 26 and is configured to contact the lower part of the sorting part 26 (see FIG. 6) as will be described later.

[0018] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the sorting part 26 shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the sorting part 26 includes a rectangular plate part 26a, a shaft part 26b that pivotally supports the plate part 26a, a weight 26g held by an arm 26m that projects from the end surface of the plate part 26a, and a guiding inclined surface 26e formed at the upper part of the plate part 26a.

[0019] The sorting unit 26 includes a first surface portion 26c and a second surface portion 26d on the opposite side of the first surface portion 26c for contacting the coin C falling from above and sorting the coin C to the left and right. The first surface portion 26c guides the coin C contacting this surface to be held on the side of the first holding portion 25a. On the other hand, the second surface portion 26d guides the coin C contacting this surface to be held on the side of the second holding portion 25b. For example, in a free state, the sorting unit 26 is inclined by the weight 26g so that the first surface portion 26c faces upward (left side in FIG. 6), and guides the falling coin C to the side of the first holding portion 25a. On the other hand, under a predetermined condition (see FIG. 6) described later, it rotates so that the second surface portion 26d faces upward (right side in FIG. 6), and thereby guides the falling coin C to the side of the second holding portion 25b.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the sorting unit 26 as viewed from the rear side to the front side of the apparatus. The sorting unit 26 is biased in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6 by the weight 26g, and in a free state where no external force is applied, it is inclined so that the upper end portion contacts the first side wall portion 21w. In this state, the coin C falling from above contacts the first surface portion 26c, passes through the opening 20ae, and falls into the first passage portion 251.

[0021] Among the coins C that have fallen into the first passage portion 251, the last (the rearmost) coin C of the specified number is held directly below the sorting unit 26 as shown in the figure. Then, the sorting unit 26 is maintained in a state of rotating in the clockwise direction against the biasing force of the weight 26g by the last held coin C. That is, when the upper end portion of the coin C contacts the lower end portion 26f of the sorting unit 26, the sorting unit 26 is maintained in a state where its upper end portion approaches the second side wall portion 22w. In this state, the coin C can be sorted to the side of the second holding portion 25b. Regarding the configuration for restricting the position of the coin C in the width direction so that the coin C contacts the lower end portion 26f, in the illustration, a configuration is adopted in which a protruding portion is provided on the second side wall portion 22w side. However, this position restricting configuration is not particularly limited as long as it can restrict the position of the coin C to the left side of the first passage portion 251 in the figure.

[0022] Also, when the upper end portion of the sorting portion 26 rotates to the second side wall portion 22w side, compared to the state where it is inclined to the first side wall portion 21w side, the inclination angle is closer to the vertical direction. However, since an inclined surface 26e for guiding the coin C toward the second surface portion 26d side is formed at the upper end portion, the movement of the coin C is made smooth.

[0023] The lower end portion 26f of the sorting portion 26 has a shape that protrudes toward the first passage portion 251 below the shaft portion 26b. For example, as shown in the illustration, a protruding projection shape toward the first passage portion 251, or a configuration bent so as to protrude toward the first passage portion 251 may also be acceptable.

[0024] Also, in the sorting portion 26, a configuration is adopted in which a weight 26g is used for the biasing force, but a configuration using the biasing force of a magnet instead of the weight 26g may also be acceptable.

[0025] On the side of the second holding part 25b, a regulating part 27 is provided which is configured to open and close the opening 20ae and regulate the sorting. This regulating part 27 includes a flat horizontal plate part 27a that opens and closes the second holding part 25b side of the opening 20ae, and an operation piece 27b that protrudes upward and laterally (leftward) from the horizontal plate part 27a, and is provided so as to be slidable (reciprocally movable) in the unit thickness direction from the back side of the unit. In this regulating part 27, the horizontal plate part 27a is positioned in the second passage part 252 directly below the opening 20ae, and can open and close the second passage part 252 side of the opening 20ae. For example, when the regulating part 27 is at the first position P1 (left side in the figure) away from the first holding part 25a as shown in the figure, the opening 20ae is released and the inserted coin C can be sorted. On the other hand, when the regulating part 27 is at the second position P2 (right side in the figure) close to the first holding part 25a, the second passage part 252 side of the opening 20ae is closed, and the inserted coin C is sorted only to the first passage part 251 without being sorted to the second passage part 252.

[0026] Also, on the second passage part 252 (second holding part 25b), a discharge part 29 (29b) is provided which is configured in parallel with the second passage part 252 and has its upper end side and lower end side open. That is, the discharge part 29 (29b) constitutes an inclined path that is open to the front of the unit from the space where the sorting part 26 is provided (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the discharge part 29 (29b) can discharge the coin C sorted to the second holding part 25b side to the return port 6 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), for example, when the regulating part 27 is pushed into the second position P2 and the second holding part 25b side of the opening 20ae is closed. Note that a discharge part 29 (29a) is also provided on the first passage part 251 (first holding part 25a).

[0027] Also, a return button 7 is provided below the insertion part 5. This return button 7 can discharge the coin C held in the first holding part 25a and the second holding part 25b to the return port 6 by a pressing operation, for example, when the user wants to return the coin C that has already been inserted.

[0028] As described above, in the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the part that holds the inserted coin C is provided with the first holding part 25a and the second holding part 25b, so that the coin C can be held at a plurality of locations. Also, the holding of the coin C can be sorted by the sorting part 26. For example, in the first holding part 25a, when a preset number of coins C are held, the coins C inserted thereafter can be sorted to be held by the second holding part 25b. By being configured in this way, changes such as increasing the number of coins that can be held are possible. Thereby, even when providing products with different prices, it is possible to provide the article supply device 1 that can easily cope with it.

[0029] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the sorting part 26 has a plate-like shape including the first surface part 26c and the second surface part 26d, so that the contact of the coin C can be smoothly sorted by the front and back surfaces. Further, since the rotating shaft part 26b is provided on the lower side where the coin C passes (falls), the position of the upper end part of the sorting part 26 that determines the sorting direction can be moved by the weight of the coin C or the contact of the coin C.

[0030] Also, since an inclined surface 26e that attracts the coin C to the second surface part 26d side is formed at the upper end part of the sorting part 26, for example, even when the inclination of the sorting part 26 with respect to the vertical direction is small, the coin C can be easily guided to the side where the inclined surface 26e is formed.

[0031] Also, since means for biasing the rotating direction of the sorting part 26, such as a weight 26g or a magnet, in a specific direction is provided on the sorting part 26, the specified position when no external force is applied to the sorting part 26 can be set. Thereby, without adopting electrical control, for example, the first holding part 25a can be set as the main coin holding part.

[0032] In addition, since the position where the sorting unit 26 is provided is near the upper part of the first holding unit 25a and above the last (the rearmost) coin C that has been set, the last-held coin C can be positioned at the coin dropping opening 20ae of the first holding unit 25a. As a result, it becomes possible to bring the last coin C among the specified number of coins into contact with the lower end portion 26f of the sorting unit 26, and the rotation state of the sorting unit 26 can be locked at a predetermined position by the last coin C.

[0033] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, a restricting unit 27 is provided that can move between a position that restricts the sorting of the sorting unit 26 and a position that does not restrict it (a state in which coins can be held by either the first holding unit 25a or the second holding unit 25b), so that the use of one of the holding units can be restricted. For example, it is possible to restrict the use of the second holding unit 25b by preventing the coin sorted into the second holding unit 25b from entering the second holding unit 25b and discharging it. As a result, the number of coins C held can be switched.

[0034] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the first holding unit 25a has a first passage portion 251, the second holding unit 25b has a second passage portion 252, and the first passage portion 251 and the second passage portion 252 are inclined with respect to the horizontal. When holding the coin C in both holding units, the coin C can be moved and arranged by its own weight. As a result, the positions of the specified number of coins become accurate, and coin detection can be performed easily and accurately.

[0035] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, since it is provided with a discharge unit 29 that can discharge the inserted coin, for example, when the coin insertion into the second holding unit 25b is restricted by the restricting unit 27, the coin C can be discharged outside the machine. Further, since the discharge unit 29 is provided directly above the second holding unit 25b, the coin C can be discharged immediately before being held by the second holding unit 25b.

[0036] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, since the first holding part 25a and the second holding part 25b are arranged to face each other at the front and back positions in the coin insertion unit 20, the operation of the regulating part 27 can be a small operation and the structure can also be a simple configuration.

[0037] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, when changing the setting of the setting part 28, the coin insertion unit 20 can be easily removed from the main body part 2, and the maintainability is good.

[0038] As described above, the aspects of the present invention have been described, but the present invention can be appropriately changed within the scope of its technical idea. For example, in the above aspect, the configuration provided in the article supply device 1 that sells the article P in the capsule case has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it can be applied to various devices for selling articles.

[0039] As described above, the following matters are disclosed in this specification.

[0040] (1) An article supply device, An insertion part into which a coin can be inserted, A first holding part and a second holding part capable of holding the inserted coin, A sorting part provided between the insertion part, the first holding part, and the second holding part, and capable of sorting the destination of movement of the coin, The first holding part and the second holding part each include a setting part capable of setting the number of coins that can be held, The sorting part is configured to be able to sort the coin inserted later to be held in the second holding part on the condition that the first holding part holds the set number of coins. An article supply device.

[0041] (2) (1) The article supply device according to the above, The sorting part includes a first surface part and a second surface part facing the first surface part, The first holding part is configured to hold the coin in contact with the first face part. The article supply device, wherein the second holding part is configured to hold the coin in contact with the second face part.

[0042] (3) The article supply device according to (2), wherein the sorting part is pivotally supported at its lower part and configured to be rotatable.

[0043] (4) The article supply device according to (2) or (3), wherein the sorting part is configured to be rotatable when the inserted coin comes into contact with the first face part or the second face part.

[0044] (5) The article supply device according to any one of (2) to (4), wherein the sorting part is formed in a plate shape, and an inclined surface for guiding the coin toward the second face part is formed at the upper end thereof.

[0045] (6) The article supply device according to (5), wherein a weight is provided at the upper part of the sorting part.

[0046] (7) The article supply device according to (5), wherein a magnet is provided at the upper part of the sorting part.

[0047] (8) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the sorting part is provided above the coin that can be held at the rearmost position by the first holding part.

[0048] (9) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the sorting unit is provided near the upper part of the first holding unit, the article supply device.

[0049] (10) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (9), further comprising a regulating unit for regulating sorting, wherein the regulating unit is configured to be reciprocally movable in the horizontal direction, the article supply device.

[0050] (11) The article supply device according to (10), wherein the sorting unit is configured to be able to sort the inserted coin when the regulating unit is in the first position, and configured to be unable to sort the inserted coin when the regulating unit is in the second position, the article supply device.

[0051] (12) The article supply device according to (11), wherein the sorting unit is configured to be able to sort the inserted coin into the first holding unit and the second holding unit when the regulating unit is in the first position, and configured to be able to sort the inserted coin only into the first holding unit when the regulating unit is in the second position, the article supply device.

[0052] (13) The article supply device according to (11) or (12), wherein the first holding unit includes a first passage portion, the second holding unit includes a second passage portion, wherein the regulating unit is configured such that a part of it is located in the second passage portion when it is in the second position, the article supply device.

[0053] (14) The article supply device according to any one of (11) to (13), wherein the second position is a position close to the first holding unit, and the first position is a position spaced apart from the first holding unit, the article supply device.

[0054] (15) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (14), further comprising a discharge unit capable of discharging the inserted coin, The sorting unit is configured such that it is impossible to sort the coins discharged to the discharge unit. An article supply device.

[0055] (16) The article supply device according to (15), The sorting unit is configured not to contact the coins discharged to the discharge unit. An article supply device.

[0056] (17) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (16), The first holding unit and the second holding unit are provided so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal at opposite positions. An article supply device.

Explanation of symbols

[0057] 1 Article supply device 5 Insertion unit 25a First holding unit 25b Second holding unit 26 Sorting unit 26c First surface portion 26d Second surface portion 26e Inclined surface 26g Weight 27 Regulation unit 28 Setting unit 251 First passage portion 252 Second passage portion 29 Discharge unit C Coin P1 First position P2 Second position

Claims

1. An article supply device, comprising: An insertion part into which a coin can be inserted; A first holding part and a second holding part capable of holding the inserted coin; A sorting part provided between the insertion part, the first holding part, and the second holding part, capable of sorting the destination of movement of the coin; The first holding part and the second holding part each include a setting part capable of setting the number of coins that can be held; The sorting part is configured to be able to sort the coins inserted later to be held in the second holding part on the condition that the first holding part is holding the set number of coins. An article supply device.

2. The article supply device according to claim 1, The sorting part includes a first surface part and a second surface part facing the first surface part; The first holding part is configured to be able to hold the coin in contact with the first surface part; The second holding part is configured to be able to hold the coin in contact with the second surface part. An article supply device.

3. The article supply device according to claim 2, The sorting part is pivotally supported at its lower part and is configured to be rotatable. An article supply device.

4. The article supply device according to claim 3, The sorting part is configured to be rotatable when the inserted coin comes into contact with the first surface part or the second surface part. An article supply device.

5. P The article supply device according to claim 4, The sorting part is formed in a plate shape, and an inclined surface for guiding the coin to the second surface part side is formed at its upper end. An article supply device.

6. The article supply device according to claim 5, A weight is provided at the upper part of the sorting part. An article supply device.

7. The article supply device according to claim 5, A magnet is provided at the upper part of the sorting part. An article supply device.

8. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The sorting part is provided above the coin that can be held at the end in the first holding part. An article supply device.

9. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The sorting part is provided near the upper part of the first holding part. An article supply device.

10. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Further comprising a regulating part for regulating sorting. The regulating unit is configured to be reciprocally movable in the horizontal direction, an article supply device.

11. The article supply device according to claim 10, wherein the sorting unit is configured to be able to sort the inserted coin when the regulating unit is in the first position, and configured to be unable to sort the inserted coin when the regulating unit is in the second position, an article supply device.

12. The article supply device according to claim 11, wherein the sorting unit is configured to be able to sort the inserted coin to the first holding unit and the second holding unit when the regulating unit is in the first position, and configured to be able to sort the inserted coin only to the first holding unit when the regulating unit is in the second position, an article supply device.

13. The article supply device according to claim 12, wherein the first holding unit includes a first passage portion, the second holding unit includes a second passage portion, and the regulating unit is configured such that a part of it is located within the second passage portion when it is in the second position, an article supply device.

14. The article supply device according to claim 13, wherein the second position is a position close to the first holding unit, and the first position is a position spaced apart from the first holding unit, an article supply device.

15. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a discharging unit capable of discharging the inserted coin, wherein the sorting unit is configured to be unable to sort the coin discharged to the discharging unit, an article supply device.

16. The article supply device according to claim 15, wherein the sorting unit is configured to be in a state of not contacting the coin discharged to the discharging unit, an article supply device.

17. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first holding unit and the second holding unit are provided inclined with respect to the horizontal at opposing positions, an article supply device.

Images