Article supply device

Abstract

To provide an article supply device with which the convenience of easily ejecting excess coins is improved.SOLUTION: Provided is an article supply device 1 comprising: an insertion unit 5 into which a coin C can be inserted; a holding unit 25 capable of holding the inserted coin C; a setting unit 28 capable of setting the number of coins C that can be held in the holding unit; an ejection unit 29 capable of ejecting the inserted coin C; and a control unit capable of controlling whether or not to eject the inserted coin C. The control unit performs control so that additionally inserted coins C are ejected by the ejection unit 29 on condition that the set number of coins C are held in the holding unit.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 commodities. In the article supply device, a function for excluding surplus coins (metallic coins) in the coins for the price required for purchasing a commodity is provided. For example, in Patent Document 1, in a device that excludes overflowed surplus coins to one side outside the cylinder, an elastic body such as sponge rubber is attached to the slide bottom surface of the surplus coin exclusion member, or the slide bottom surface itself is formed of an elastic body, etc., so that an elastic deformation occurs on the slide bottom surface of the surplus coin exclusion member. An apparatus for excluding surplus coins in a change cylinder provided in a vending machine or the like is disclosed.

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, even if there is deformation of the coin or the like, the slide bottom surface is deformable to enable the operation of the surplus coin exclusion member. However, an electric control means is required for its driving means. Further, in the article supply device, conventionally, there are a wide variety of commodities, the commodity prices are different, the discharge settings of surplus coins for each price are different, and a device with good convenience in such settings has been demanded.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an article supply device with improved convenience in which the discharge of surplus coins is easy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An article supply device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a coin insertion unit into which coins can be inserted, a holding unit capable of holding the inserted coins, a setting unit capable of setting the number of coins that can be held by the holding unit, a discharging unit capable of discharging the inserted coins, and a control unit capable of controlling whether to discharge the inserted coins. The control unit controls to discharge the additionally inserted coins to the discharging unit on the condition that the set number of coins are being held by the holding unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article supply device that improves convenience by facilitating the discharge of surplus coins.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

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 this embodiment, 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 capable of randomly selecting and supplying the articles P one by one. It has a turntable 31, a lock unit 41 that locks the supply unit 30 so that it cannot operate, and drives the lock unit 41 to release the lock on the condition that the cost is paid from the coin C input unit 5. 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 falls at the through 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 insertion unit 20 is provided on the right side of the operation unit 4 (the right side toward the device). This coin insertion unit 20 is connected to the insertion unit 5 provided on the front surface 2f of the main body unit 2. Then, the coin C inserted from the insertion unit 5 passes through the passage portion 20a formed in the coin insertion unit 20 and falls and is held in the holding portion 25 on the lower side of the unit. Further, 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 of money is inserted and a predetermined operation is performed. On the other hand, when a coin C that is not a regular coin such as a counterfeit coin is inserted, it is configured to be adsorbed and captured by the movement restricting portion 23 provided in the passage portion 20a. That is, only appropriate regular coins are held in the first holding portion 25a and the second holding portion 25b, and it is configured not to hold inappropriate counterfeit coins.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the coin insertion unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the right side direction. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the coin insertion unit shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the left side direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the coin insertion unit 20 is, for example, a thin unit in which a left half case 21 and a right half case 22 are combined from the left and right directions, and the first side wall portion 21w and the second side wall portion 22w of the left and right side walls face each other closely to form an internal space. Unlike the left half case 21 including the first side wall portion 21w, the right half case 22 including the second side wall portion 22w is formed of, for example, 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). And both the first holding portion 25a and the second holding portion 25b are configured to be able to hold the coin C. Further, 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 the upper side thereof.

[0015] The first holding portion 25a and the second holding portion 25b are provided with a first passage portion 251 and a second passage portion 252 that are inclined (inclined with respect to the horizontal direction) so as to descend 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 can move within the first passage portion 251 and the second passage portion 252 toward the front surface 2f side due to its own weight.

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

[0017] Furthermore, the position setting pin 28a is configured to be lockable to a plurality of large-diameter openings 28c formed at predetermined intervals in the slide opening 28b. That is, by locking the position setting pin 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 portion 25a, the coin C that has fallen last among the specified number is located at the lower part of the sorting portion 26 and is configured to contact the lower part of the sorting portion 26 (see FIG. 6) as will be described later.

[0018] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the sorting portion 26 shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the sorting portion 26 includes a rectangular plate portion 26a, a shaft portion 26b that pivotally supports the plate portion 26a rotatably, a weight 26g held by an arm 26m protruding from the end surface of the plate portion 26a, and an attracting inclined surface 26e formed at the upper part of the plate portion 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 so as 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 so as 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 (on the 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 (on the 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 without an external force 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 coin C of the specified number is held directly below the sorting unit 26 as shown in the figure. Then, by this last held coin C, the sorting unit 26 is maintained in a state of rotating in the clockwise direction against the biasing force of the weight 26g. 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 drawing.

[0022] Further, when the upper end portion of the sorting portion 26 rotates to the second side wall portion 22w side, compared with the state of being 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 drawing, a protruding projection shape or a configuration bent so as to protrude toward the first passage portion 251 may be used.

[0024] Also, in the sorting portion 26, the biasing is configured to use a weight 26g, but a configuration using the biasing force of a magnet instead of the weight 26g may be used.

[0025] On the side of the second holding portion 25b, a switching portion 27 is provided which is configured to open and close the opening 20ae and regulate the distribution. This switching portion 27 includes a flat horizontal plate portion 27a that opens and closes the second holding portion 25b side of the opening 20ae, and an operating piece 27b that protrudes upward and laterally (leftward) from the horizontal plate portion 27a. And the switching portion 27 is provided so as to be slidable (reciprocally movable) in the unit thickness direction from the back side of the unit. In this switching portion 27, the horizontal plate portion 27a is positioned within the second passage portion 252 directly below the opening 20ae, and can open and close the second passage portion 252 side of the opening 20ae. For example, when the switching portion 27 is in the first state P1 (left side in the figure) where it is positioned away from the first holding portion 25a as shown in the figure, the opening 20ae is released, and the inserted coin C can be distributed to both the first and second holding portions 25a and 25b. On the other hand, when the switching portion 27 is in the second state P2 (right side in the figure) where it approaches the first holding portion 25a, the second passage portion 252 side of the opening 20ae is closed, and the inserted coin C is not distributed to the second passage portion 252 and is only distributed to the first passage portion 251.

[0026] Above the second passage portion 252 (second holding portion 25b), a discharge portion 29 (29b) is provided which is configured in parallel with the second passage portion 252 and has its upper end side and lower end side released. That is, the discharge portion 29 (29b) constitutes an inclined path that is released forward of the unit from the space where the distribution portion 26 is provided (see FIG. 4).

[0027] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing an example when the coin C is discharged. When the coin C is discharged from the discharge unit 29 (29b), for example, in the first state P1 where the switching unit 27 holds the coin C only in the first holding unit 25a, as shown in FIG. 7, the horizontal plate portion 27a of the switching unit 27 closes the second holding unit 25b side of the opening 20ae. In this case, when a prescribed number of coins C are held in the first holding unit 25a, the sorting unit 26 is maintained in a state of rotating in the clockwise direction by the last coin C (see FIG. 6). In this state, when an additional coin C is inserted, it is sorted to the second holding unit 25b side by the sorting unit 26. However, since the opening 20ae is closed by the horizontal plate portion 27a, the coin C abuts against the horizontal plate portion 27a and is discharged to the return port 6 through the discharge unit 29 (29b).

[0028] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing another example when the coin C is discharged. Another case where the coin C is discharged from the discharge unit 29 (29b) will be described. In this case, for example, the switching unit 27 is in the second state P2 in which it can hold the coin C in both the first holding unit 25a and the second holding unit 25b. In this case, after a prescribed number of coins C are held in the first holding unit 25a, the coin C is held in the second holding unit 25b. Then, when a prescribed number of coins C are held in the second holding unit 25b, as shown in FIG. 8, the last (the rearmost) coin C is positioned at the opening 20ae. That is, the upper end portion Ct of the last coin C closes the opening 20ae and functions as a part of the passage, so that the additionally inserted coin C abuts against the upper end portion Ct of the coin C and is discharged to the return port 6 through the second discharge unit 29b.

[0029] Note that a first discharge unit 29a identical to the second discharge unit 29b is also provided above the first passage portion 251 (the first holding unit 25a). Also, a return button 7 is provided below the insertion unit 5. This return button 7 can discharge the coins C held in the first holding unit 25a and the second holding unit 25b to the return port 6 by a pressing operation, for example, when the user wants to return the coins C that have already been inserted.

[0030] As described above, the article supply device 1 of this aspect includes a discharge unit 29 capable of discharging the inserted coin C. Therefore, on the condition that the holding unit holds the specified number of coins C preset by the setting unit 28, the surplus coins C additionally inserted from the discharge unit 29 can be discharged outside the machine.

[0031] Also, when discharging the surplus coin C in this aspect, the switching unit 27 that switches the coin holding form of the holding unit 25, the sorting unit 26 that sorts the coins, and the setting unit 28 that sets the number of coins held can be related to each other and function as a control unit. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform electrical control, and an article supply device 1 having a mechanism capable of producing surplus coins with a simple configuration can be provided.

[0032] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, the holding unit 25 that holds the inserted coin C includes a first holding unit 25a and a second holding unit 25b. Therefore, the coin C can be held at a plurality of locations, the diversification of the coin holding form can be achieved, and the number of coins held can be increased.

[0033] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, the second holding unit 25b is configured to be able to hold the additionally inserted coin C on the condition that the first holding unit 25a holds the number of coins C set in the first holding unit 25a. Therefore, it is possible to set a price that cannot be fully held by the first holding unit 25a.

[0034] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, the first state P1 in which the coin C is held only in the first holding unit 25a and the second state P2 in which the coin C is held in the first holding unit 25a and the second holding unit 25b can be changed by operating the switching unit 27, and the coin holding form and the number of coins held can be easily switched.

[0035] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, since the first holding part 25a and the second holding part 25b are provided at opposite positions on the front and back of the unit, the switching part 27 can be easily arranged. Further, since both holding parts are provided so as to be inclined in the longitudinal direction with respect to the horizontal, the coin C can be moved downward.

[0036] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, since the discharge part 29 (second discharge part 29b) is provided above the second holding part 25b side (above the dropping direction of the coin C), the coin C can be discharged from the second discharge part 29b immediately before dropping onto the second holding part 25b.

[0037] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, when the position of the switching part 27 is in the first state P1 and a specified number of coins C are held in the first holding part 25a, the coin C is distributed to the second holding part 25b side by the distribution part 26, and the entrance (opening 20ae) of the second holding part 25b is closed, so that the surplus coin C added from the second discharge part 29b can be discharged.

[0038] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, when a specified number of coins C are accommodated in the first holding part 25a and the second holding part 25b, the last coin C of the second holding part 25b closes the entrance (opening 20ae) of the second holding part 25b and constitutes the passage (bottom part of the passage) of the second discharge part 29b, so that the additionally inserted coin C can be discharged from the second discharge part 29b so as to contact the last coin C held in the second holding part 25b after being distributed to the second holding part 25b side.

[0039] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, since the forged coin C (inappropriate coin C) is captured by the movement restricting part 23 provided in the passage part 20a through which the coin C moves, the forged coin C can be prevented from being held in the first holding part 25a and the second holding part 25b.

[0040] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained. However, the present invention can be appropriately modified within the scope of its technical idea. For example, in the above embodiment, the configuration provided in the article supply device 1 that sells the article P in the capsule case has been explained, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it can be applied to various devices for selling articles.

[0041] As described above, the following matters are disclosed in this specification.

[0042] (1) An article supply device, a coin insertion part into which coins can be inserted, a holding part that can hold the inserted coins, a setting part that can set the number of coins that can be held in the holding part, a discharging part that can discharge the inserted coins, a control part that can control whether to discharge the inserted coins, and is provided with, The control part controls to discharge the additionally inserted coins to the discharging part on the condition that the set number of coins is held in the holding part. An article supply device.

[0043] (2) The article supply device according to (1), the holding part includes a first holding part and a second holding part, The first holding part and the second holding part are each configured to be able to hold a plurality of the coins. An article supply device.

[0044] (3) The article supply device according to (2), the second holding part is configured to be able to hold the additionally inserted coins on the condition that the number of coins set in the first holding part is held in the first holding part. An article supply device.

[0045] (4) The article supply device according to (2) or (3), The above-described first holding unit is an article supply device configured such that only the first holding unit can hold the coin, on the condition that the number of coins that can be held in the second holding unit is zero.

[0046] (5) The article supply device according to any one of (2) to (4), wherein the second holding unit is configured not to hold the coin on the condition that the number of coins that can be held in the first holding unit is zero.

[0047] (6) The article supply device according to any one of (2) to (5), wherein the article supply device further includes a switching unit that can be switched between a first state in which only the first holding unit holds the coin and a second state in which both the first holding unit and the second holding unit hold the coin.

[0048] (7) The article supply device according to (6), wherein the first holding unit and the second holding unit are provided so as to be inclined in the longitudinal direction with respect to the horizontal at opposing positions.

[0049] (8) The article supply device according to (6) or (7), wherein the discharging unit includes a second discharging unit provided on the second holding unit side.

[0050] (9) The article supply device according to (8), wherein the control unit controls to discharge the additionally inserted coin from the second discharging unit on the condition that the switching unit is in the first state and the first holding unit holds the set number of coins.

[0051] (10) The article supply device according to (8) or (9), wherein The control unit controls the article supply device to discharge the additionally inserted coin from the second discharge unit on the conditions that the switching unit is in the second state, the first holding unit holds the number of coins set therein, and the second holding unit holds the number of coins set therein.

[0052] (11) The article supply device according to (10), The control unit controls the article supply device to, for the additionally inserted coin, contact the coin held in the second holding unit and then discharge the coin from the second discharge unit on the conditions that the switching unit is in the second state, the first holding unit holds the number of coins set therein, and the second holding unit holds the number of coins set therein.

[0053] (12) The article supply device according to any one of (8) to (11), The control unit controls the article supply device to discharge the coin from the second discharge unit without contacting the coin held in the first holding unit for the coin discharged from the second discharge unit.

[0054] (13) The article supply device according to any one of (2) to (12), The coin held in the second holding unit is configured as a part of a passage through which the additionally inserted coin can pass, in the article supply device.

[0055] (14) The article supply device according to any one of (2) to (13), The coin includes a proper coin and an improper coin, The first holding unit and the second holding unit are configured to be able to hold the proper coin and not hold the improper coin, in the article supply device.

[0056] (15) The article supply device described in (14), further comprising a passage portion through which the inserted coin can move, The passage portion includes a movement restricting portion that restricts the movement of the inserted improper coin. An article supply device.

Explanation of Signs

[0057] 1 Article supply device 5 Insertion portion 20a Passage portion 23 Movement restricting portion 25 Holding portion 25a First holding portion 25b Second holding portion 26 Sorting portion 27 Switching portion 28 Setting portion 29 Discharge portion 29b Second discharge portion C Coin P1 First state P2 Second state

Claims

1. An article supply device, comprising: An insertion part into which coins can be inserted; A holding part capable of holding the inserted coins; A setting part capable of setting the number of coins that can be held in the holding part; A discharge part capable of discharging the inserted coins; A control part capable of controlling whether to discharge the inserted coins, wherein the control part controls to discharge the additionally inserted coins to the discharge part on the condition that the set number of coins are held in the holding part. The article supply device.

2. The article supply device according to claim 1, wherein the holding part includes a first holding part and a second holding part, and the first holding part and the second holding part are each configured to be capable of holding a plurality of the coins. The article supply device.

3. The article supply device according to claim 2, wherein the second holding part is configured to be capable of holding the additionally inserted coins on the condition that the set number of coins in the first holding part are held in the first holding part. The article supply device.

4. The article supply device according to claim 3, wherein the first holding part is configured to be capable of holding the coins only in the first holding part on the condition that the number of coins that can be held in the second holding part is zero. The article supply device.

5. The article supply device according to claim 4, wherein the second holding part is configured not to hold the coins on the condition that the number of coins that can be held in the first holding part is zero. The article supply device.

6. The article supply device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising a switching part capable of switching between a first state in which the coins are held only in the first holding part and a second state in which the coins are held in the first holding part and the second holding part. The article supply device.

7. The article supply device according to claim 6, wherein the first holding part and the second holding part are provided to be inclined in the longitudinal direction with respect to the horizontal at opposing positions. The article supply device.

8. The article supply device according to claim 7, wherein the discharge part includes a second discharge part provided on the second holding part side. The article supply device.

9. The article supply device according to claim 8, The control unit controls the article supply device to discharge the additionally inserted coin from the second discharge unit on the condition that the switching unit is in the first state and the first holding unit holds the set number of the coins.

10. The article supply device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit controls the article supply device to discharge the additionally inserted coin from the second discharge unit on the condition that the switching unit is in the second state, the first holding unit holds the set number of the coins, and the second holding unit holds the set number of the coins.

11. The article supply device according to claim 10, wherein the control unit controls the article supply device such that, for the additionally inserted coin, after bringing the coin into contact with the coin held by the second holding unit on the condition that the switching unit is in the second state, the first holding unit holds the set number of the coins, and the second holding unit holds the set number of the coins, the coin is discharged from the second discharge unit.

12. The article supply device according to claim 11, wherein the control unit controls the article supply device to discharge the coin discharged from the second discharge unit from the second discharge unit without bringing the coin into contact with the coin held by the first holding unit.

13. The article supply device according to claim 12, wherein the coin held by the second holding unit is configured as a part of a passage through which the additionally inserted coin can pass.

14. The article supply device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the coin includes a proper coin and an improper coin, and the first holding unit and the second holding unit are configured to be able to hold the proper coin and not hold the improper coin.

15. The article supply device according to claim 14, further comprising a passage portion through which the inserted coin can move, wherein the passage portion includes a movement restricting unit that restricts the movement of the inserted improper coin.

Images