Article supply device

Abstract

To provide an article supply device with improved convenience.SOLUTION: An article supply device 1 includes a body part 3, a first storage part 11 being mountable on the body part 3 and capable of storing first articles P1, a second storage part 12 capable of storing second articles P2, and a supply part 10 capable of supplying articles. The second storage part 12 is configured to adjust height positions of articles according to the number of the second articles P2 stored therein. This allows for a stable contact of the second article P2 with means for sorting and feeding the second article P2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is an article supply device that can supply card-shaped articles as a vending machine. For example, in Patent Document 1, when a coin is inserted and a handle is operated in a card vending machine, the tip of a card pack containing a card protrudes in a state of being wrapped by a card cover from an external outlet. Therefore, before the protruding amount of the card tip is adjusted, the card tip is surely prohibited from being pinched by a finger and being forcibly pulled out because it is guarded by the card cover, while when the protruding amount of the card tip is adjusted, the card cover immerses into the external outlet leaving the card tip, and thereafter, a configuration that allows the card tip to be pinched by a finger and pulled out 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, the provision of card-shaped articles involves handle operation, and the operation is troublesome. Further, in Patent Document 1, there is no mention of a configuration for improving the handleability of the device itself, and there are problems in its convenience such as the inability to provide a plurality of types of articles.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an article supply device with improved convenience.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An article supply device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a main body, a storage unit that can be attached to the main body and can store articles, and a supply unit provided in the storage unit for supplying articles. The storage unit is configured to be able to adjust the height position of the articles according to the number of articles stored in the storage unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article supply device with improved convenience.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, an article supply device which is one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the article supply device 1 and the game execution unit 100.

[0010] The article supply device 1 is installed in a game center or the like, and is incorporated inside the main body of a game execution unit (game machine) equipped with, for example, a display 101, a game operation unit 102, and the like. This game execution unit 100 can execute a game on condition that a predetermined cost is paid. For example, a card-shaped article P is supplied from the front side of the device (the left front side in the figure) in relation to the result of the game in the game execution unit 100. Also, it is simply configured so that the article P can be supplied by paying the cost.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the article supply device 1 seen from the right side. The article supply device 1 is provided with a supply unit 10 that can supply an article P from its front side. This supply unit 10 is composed of a first supply unit 11A having an upper first supply port 11h and a second supply unit 12A having a lower second supply port 12h. And a first article P1 is supplied from the first supply unit 11A, and a second article P2 is supplied from the second supply unit 12A. Further, in the main body 3, as a storage unit for the article P (when collectively referring to the first article P1 and the second article P2, the symbol "P" is used), a first storage unit 11 for storing the first article P1 and a second storage unit 12 for storing the second article P2 are provided (see FIG. 3). This main body 3 has an integrated unit structure as shown in the figure, and is configured to be detachable from the main body of the game execution unit 100 as one unit in the illustrated state. Note that a plurality of the article supply devices 1 may be provided side by side in the horizontal direction or side by side in the vertical direction on the main body 3.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the internal structure of the article supply device 1 as viewed from the right side. As shown in FIG. 2, the first article P1 and the second article P2 have different storage numbers. For example, the lower second article P2 is a rare article with a small quantity, and the upper first article P1 is stored in a larger quantity. This is because the supply opportunity of the second article P2 is set to be less than the supply opportunity of the first article P1.

[0013] Further, in the main body 3, the first storage unit 11 is located directly above the second storage unit 12, and both storage units 11 and 12 are arranged vertically. The upper side of the first storage unit 11 has a release structure so that the first article P1 can be replenished from its upper part. And on the uppermost first article P1 stacked, an upper pressing part 11f capable of pressing the first article P1 downward is provided. On the other hand, the second storage unit 12 is configured to be removed from the main body 3, for example, so that the discharge / supply direction (X1) of the article P and the pulling-out direction from the main body 3 are the same direction (configured to be pullable from the front side). Therefore, the second storage unit 12 can replenish the second article P2 from its upper part in a state of being removed from the main body 3 (see FIG. 9).

[0014] As described above, the supply unit 10 is provided with a first supply unit 11A and a second supply unit 12A. The first supply unit 11A is provided with a first delivery unit 21 on its upstream side and a third delivery unit 23 on its downstream side. The second supply unit 12A is provided with a second delivery unit 22 on its upstream side and a fourth delivery unit 24 on its downstream side. The first delivery unit 21 is configured to be able to select and deliver the first article P1 stored in the first storage unit 11. The second delivery unit 22 is capable of selecting and delivering the second article P2 stored in the second storage unit 12. The supply unit 10 is configured such that the supply direction of the first article P1 from the first storage unit 11 and the supply direction of the second article P2 from the second storage unit 12 are the same direction (the direction of arrow X1).

[0015] In the first supply unit 11A, the first rotating roller unit 21a forming the first delivery unit 21 and the third rotating roller unit 23a forming the third delivery unit 23 are arranged horizontally one behind the other (on the inner side and the front side within the apparatus). That is, the first rotating roller unit 21a is provided directly below the first article P1 stored in the first storage unit 11 on the upstream side of the delivery unit, and the third rotating roller unit 23a is arranged to form the first supply port 11h on the downstream side of the delivery unit. The first delivery unit 21 faces the first article P1 from the lower side and functions as a sorting unit that delivers the lowermost first article P1 one by one as will be described later. The first article P1 sorted and delivered by the first delivery unit 21 is discharged and supplied from the first supply port 11h via the third delivery unit 23.

[0016] On one hand, in the second supply unit 12A, the second rotating roller unit 22a that forms the second delivery unit 22 and the fourth rotating roller unit 24a that forms the fourth delivery unit 24 are arranged horizontally one behind the other. Also, the second rotating roller unit 22a is provided directly above the second article P2 accommodated in the second accommodation unit 12 on the upstream side of the delivery unit, and the fourth rotating roller unit 24a is arranged to form the second supply port 12h on the downstream side of the delivery unit. Also, as will be described later, the second article P2 sorted and sent out in the second delivery unit 22 that functions as a sorting unit is discharged and supplied from the second supply port 12h via the fourth delivery unit 24.

[0017] Here, the first rotating roller unit 21a is provided directly above the second rotating roller unit 22a, and the third rotating roller unit 23a is provided directly above the fourth rotating roller unit 24a. That is, the supply unit 10 of the article P is configured as a mechanism centrally arranged between the first accommodation unit 11 and the second accommodation unit 12. When sending out the first article P1, the first rotating roller unit 21a and the third rotating roller unit 23a rotate in the first direction which is the counterclockwise direction. On the other hand, the second rotating roller unit 22a and the fourth rotating roller unit 24a rotate in the second direction which is the clockwise direction different from the first direction to send out and supply the second article P2.

[0018] Also, an upper first detection unit 18 capable of detecting the first article P1 is provided at the first supply port 11h, and a lower first detection unit 19 capable of detecting the second article P2 is provided at the second supply port 12h. The two first detection units 18 and 19 detect the article P discharged and supplied from each supply port 11h and 12h. Also, a second detection unit 31 capable of detecting the first article P1 from below is provided on the side of the first accommodation unit 11, and a second detection unit 32 capable of detecting the second article P2 from above is provided on the side of the second accommodation unit 12. The presence or absence of both articles P1 and P2 can be detected by the second detection units 31 and 32 arranged vertically.

[0019] The upper first detection unit 18 and the lower first detection unit 19 are arranged one above the other, and are attached to the main body 3 as an integral structure as a pair of sensors with their detection parts facing in opposite vertical directions. Also, the upper and lower second detection units 31, 32 are arranged one above the other, and are attached to the main body 3 as an integral structure with their detection parts facing vertically. Regarding both the upper and lower first detection units 18, 19, although not particularly limited, for example, a non-contact optical sensor can be used for the article P. Also, for the upper and lower second detection units 31, 32, for example, a contact-type or non-contact-type sensor can be used.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the drive mechanisms of the first delivery unit 21 and the second delivery unit 22. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the drive mechanisms of the third delivery unit 23 and the fourth delivery unit 24.

[0021] The rotation roller parts are driven by two power applying parts arranged one in front of the other. For example, the first rotation roller part 21a and the second rotation roller part 22a are driven by the rotational force of the first power applying part 28m of the motor via the right gear train 28. On the other hand, the third rotation roller part 23a and the fourth rotation roller part 24a are similarly rotationally driven by the second power applying part 29m of the motor via the left gear train 29. The right gear train 28 is housed and arranged in the gear box 28c (see FIG. 2) on the right side surface of the main body 3, and the left gear train 29 is housed and arranged in the gear box 29c (see FIG. 2) on the left side surface of the main body 3.

[0022] Here, in the third rotation roller part 23a and the fourth rotation roller part 24a, when the second power applying part 29m is rotationally driven, the third rotation roller part 23a is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (the direction when viewed from the right side surface), and the fourth rotation roller part 24a is rotated in the clockwise direction (the direction when viewed from the right side surface). Also, the third rotation roller part 23a and the fourth rotation roller part 24a are always rotated simultaneously when the second power applying part 29m is driven. On the other hand, the first rotation roller part 21a and the second rotation roller part 22a are structured to be rotated separately and not simultaneously, as will be described later.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the first delivery unit 21 and the second delivery unit 22. The first rotating roller unit 21a of the first delivery unit 21 and the second rotating roller unit 22a of the second delivery unit 22 are driven by the right gear train 28. For example, the upper shaft end gear 21c fixed to the upper rotating shaft 21b of the first rotating roller unit 21a and the lower shaft end gear 22c fixed to the lower rotating shaft 22b of the second rotating roller unit 22a are simultaneously driven by the final gear 28a of the right gear train 28. Thereby, the upper and lower rotating shafts 21b and 22b rotate in different directions from each other.

[0024] However, the rotational forces of the upper and lower rotating shafts 21b and 22b are transmitted to the outer peripheral portions 21d and 22d of the respective rollers via the first clutch mechanism 21g and the second clutch mechanism 22g. The first and second clutch mechanisms 21g and 22g have a structure in which power transmission can be automatically switched between a case where power transmission is possible and a case where power transmission is not possible depending on the rotational direction. For example, when the final gear 28a rotates in the clockwise direction (arrow A direction in the figure), the first rotating roller unit 21a rotates in the first direction R1 counterclockwise as a whole along with the rotation of the upper rotating shaft 21b, and the rotational force can be transmitted to the lower surface bs of the first article P1. At this time, although the lower rotating shaft 22b rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the driving force is not transmitted to the outer peripheral portion 22d of the roller, and the entire second rotating roller unit 22a does not rotate.

[0025] On the other hand, when the final gear 28a rotates in the counterclockwise direction (arrow B direction in the figure), the second rotating roller unit 22a rotates in the second direction R2 clockwise as a whole along with the rotation of the lower rotating shaft 22b, and the rotational force can be transmitted to the upper surface as of the second article P2. In this way, the first delivery unit 21 and the second delivery unit 22 are controlled to operate separately. Thereby, the first article P1 and the second article P2 are delivered separately and are not delivered simultaneously.

[0026] The first rotating roller part 21a and the second rotating roller part 22a have a shape in which their cross-sections are not both perfect circles, unlike the third and fourth rotating roller parts 23a and 24a. For example, the first rotating roller part 21a and the second rotating roller part 22a each have an outer surface structure having a first circumferential surface 21aa, 22aa whose circumferential surface forms a part of a circular shape, and a non-circular second circumferential surface 21ab, 22ab whose radius is smaller than that of the first circumferential surface 21aa, 22aa. Thus, the article P can be sent out, and when the second circumferential surfaces 21ab, 22ab face each other, the article P is not moved without frictional contact.

[0027] Therefore, the first rotating roller part 21a and the second rotating roller part 22a can select the contacting article P among the stacked articles P for each rotation and send it out in the supply direction. In the case of the first article P1, the first rotating roller part 21a contacts the lower surface bs of the lowermost first article P1 from below. On the other hand, the second rotating roller part 22a contacts the upper surface as of the uppermost second article P2 from above.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control system including the control unit 30. The switching between the operation of the first sending part 21 and the operation of the second sending part 22 is switched by controlling the change in the rotation direction of the first power applying part 28m. For example, in the game execution unit 100, a game is executed, and a predetermined signal is transmitted from the game execution unit 100 side to the control unit 30 in association with the result. When the signal at this time is to send out the first article P1, control is performed so that the first rotating roller part 21a rotates. Further, the first article P1 selected in the first sending part 21 is sent to the third sending part 23. Then, the control for driving the second power applying part 29m rotates the third rotating roller part 23a of the third sending part 23 based on the detection by the first detection part 18. Thereby, the first article P1 is discharged and supplied from the first supply port 11h. The control unit 30 may be configured to be able to perform, for example, overall control related to the game of the game execution unit 100.

[0029] In addition, based on signals from the second detection units (the upper second detection unit 31 and the lower second detection unit 32) that detect the presence or absence of the article P provided in each storage unit 11, 12, the control unit 30 can stop the supply of the article P, or further, perform control such as transmitting a signal prompting replenishment of the article P.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing the pressure application structure of the second storage unit 12. In the second storage unit 12, a placement unit 12a holding the second article P2 is provided so as to be vertically movable. Further, the placement unit 12a is biased upward by a lower pressure application part 12f of a compression spring provided below it. For example, the lower pressure application part 12f is provided between the placement unit bottom plate 12b and the placement surface 12as. A circular recess 12c for accommodating the lower pressure application part 12f is provided in the placement unit bottom plate 12b. The lower pressure application part 12f is biased upward by, for example, a pair of front-side first pressure application parts 12ff provided on the left and right (in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction with respect to the feeding direction) and a pair of rear-side second pressure application parts 12fr also provided on the left and right. Therefore, in the first state where the second storage unit 12 is attached to the main body unit 3, the placement surface 12as presses the uppermost one of the second articles P2 held thereon against the second rotating roller part 22a, and the height is adjusted according to the number of the second articles P2. For example, the placement surface 12as is configured such that the height position of the placement surface 12as increases as the number of the second articles P2 accommodated decreases.

[0031] The placement unit 12a is provided such that its placement surface 12as is vertically movable with respect to the placement unit bottom plate 12b. That is, the front side is pressure-applied by the first pressure application part 12ff and the rear side is pressure-applied by the second pressure application part 12fr, so that the placement surface 12as is in a state of being movable in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The first pressure application part 12ff is provided directly below the second feeding part 22 and is configured to be able to apply pressure to the second rotating roller part 22a from directly below.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state where the second storage unit 12 is removed from the main body unit 3. When the second storage unit 12 is replenished when the second article P2 runs out, as described above, it is performed in the second state removed from the main body unit 3 by sliding it forward (in the X1 direction shown in FIG. 2) with respect to the main body unit 3 and pulling it out. As shown in FIG. 9, the second storage unit 12 in the removed state has a placement portion 12a provided with a placement surface 12as that is rectangular in plan view and on which the second article P2 was placed, at its upper part. That is, in a state where the second article P2 is not stored, the placement surface 12as of this placement portion 12a is located at the uppermost part as shown in the figure.

[0033] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the link mechanism 13 in a state where the placement portion 12a in the second storage unit 12 is raised. The placement portion 12a is configured to be vertically movable by a link mechanism 13 as shown in FIG. 10. This link mechanism 13 includes, for example, a pair of left and right front arms 13a, a pair of left and right rear arms 13b, a placement portion bottom plate 12b pivotally supported by a rear end support portion 13ad of the front arm 13a and a rear end support portion 13bd of the rear arm 13b, and an operation portion 14 provided with an engagement tooth 14g that is vertically rotatable on the front side of the second storage unit 12 and engages with a gear portion 13g at the front end of the front arm 13a.

[0034] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the link mechanism 13 in a state where the placement portion 12a in the second storage unit 12 is lowered. As shown in FIG. 11, the operation unit 14 can be rotated about the rotation center axis 14c so as to open downward toward the front side. By this opening rotation, the gear unit 13g meshing with the meshing teeth 14g rotates. As a result, the front arm 13a rotates in the clockwise direction with the rotation shaft portion 13ac as a fulcrum, and the rear arm 13b also rotates in the same direction with the rotation shaft portion 13bc as a fulcrum. As a result, the placement unit bottom plate 12b moves to the bottom side of the second accommodation unit 12, so that the placement unit 12a moves downward. In this state, the second article P2 is placed on the placement surface 12as and accommodated in the second accommodation unit 12. Then, the second accommodation unit 12 is inserted into the main body unit 3 (in the direction of arrow X2 in FIG. 2). Thereafter, by rotating the operation unit 14 upward to close it, the state as shown in FIG. 9 is restored again and the setting is completed.

[0035] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another form of the operation unit 14 of the second accommodation unit 12. In the second accommodation unit 12, the configuration of the operation unit 14 is not limited to the foregoing, and for example, it may have a structure as shown in FIG. 13. In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 12, a connecting shaft 14a for connecting the left and right front arms 13a is provided on the front end side of the front arm 13a. Further, a gripping plate 14b is provided at the longitudinal center of the connecting shaft 14a. Thereby, the front arm 13a can rotate by gripping the gripping plate 14b. Further, the gripping plate 14b itself can be rotated with respect to the connecting shaft 14a, and by this rotational movement, the front arm 13a can be locked in a predetermined position (the state shown in the figure).

[0036] Hereinafter, the operation of feeding out the article of the first supply unit 11A will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16. In the first supply unit 11A, as shown in FIG. 13(a), an opening 11bh is formed in the bottom surface 11b of the first accommodation unit 11 above the first rotation roller unit 21a of the first delivery unit 21, and a part of the back surface of the lowermost one of the stacked first articles P1 is exposed in this opening 11bh. Further, an upper pressing portion 11f as a weight is provided on the uppermost part of the stacked first articles P1.

[0037] In this state, before the first delivery unit 21 is rotationally driven, the first rotating roller unit 21a is in a non-contact state with respect to the first article P1. Then, a predetermined signal is input to the control unit 30 to rotate the first rotating roller unit 21a. By this rotation, the first rotating roller unit 21a rotates in a state where its first peripheral surface 21aa is in contact with the lowermost first article P1. Due to the rotation in this contact state, as shown in FIG. 13(b), only the lowermost first article P1 is moved in the delivery direction (left direction in the figure), and its tip abuts against the sorting unit 11a. When moving, the upper first article P1 directly above the lowermost first article P1 may also be moved in the same direction by the frictional force between the articles. However, while the lowermost first article P1 abuts against the inclined surface 11as on the lower side of the sorting unit 11a, the tip of the upper first article P1 faces or abuts against the vertical surface portion of the sorting unit 11a.

[0038] In the above state, when the first rotating roller unit 21a further continues to rotate, as shown in FIG. 14(a), the tip of the lowermost first article P1 is guided by the inclined surface 11as and passes between the sorting unit 11a and the lower guide 42, and is sent out to the third delivery unit 23 side. On the other hand, the first article P1 above the sent-out lowermost first article P1 is locked by the sorting unit 11a and is not sent out. Note that the upper first article P1 may not move together with the lowermost one. In this way, the first rotating roller unit 21a functions as a sorting unit that sorts only the lowermost first article P1, and reliable delivery one by one is carried out.

[0039] The first article P1 sent out to the third sending unit 23 side is inserted between the third rotating roller unit 23a and the driven upper roller 23b facing the third rotating roller unit 23a as shown in FIG. 14(b), and is subsequently moved by the first rotating roller unit 21a. At this time, the third rotating roller unit 23a is not rotationally driven, and the third rotating roller unit 23a and the driven upper roller 23b are rotated by the friction with the moving first article P1. That is, the first sending unit 21 on the upstream side performs the first operation based on power application, while the third sending unit 23 on the downstream side performs the second operation by the frictional force not based on power application.

[0040] The first article P1 moving while being sandwiched by the third sending unit 23 reaches the sensing area Sa of the upper first detection unit 18 at its tip as shown in FIG. 15(a). As a result, the upper first detection unit 18 transmits a detection signal to the control unit 30, and the second power application unit 29m is driven. At this time, if the first rotating roller unit 21a has not been driven by the power application and the contact with the first article P1 continues, it is slightly rotated by the frictional contact with the first article P1 and finally stops in a state of being non-contact with the first article P1. Here, during the driving of the first sending unit 21, the third sending unit 23 may be driven, but it is preferable to perform control so that the driving of both does not overlap.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 15(b), the third sending unit 23 may be continuously rotationally driven in a state where the first article P1 is detected by the upper first detection unit 18. However, after being driven for a certain period of time after the article is detected, the driving is released, and then it may rotate with the movement of the first article P1. By releasing the driving by the power application of the third sending unit 23 before the completion of the article discharge in this way, the third sending unit 23 can be driven with the minimum necessary drive.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 16(a), when the rear end of the first article P1 is released from the clamping of the third delivery section 23, the first article P1 protrudes outward (to the left in the figure) from the first supply port 11h, and thus starts to rotate so that its tip faces downward. As a result, the flat portion Pd on the lower surface side of the first article P1 comes into contact with the second contact portion 42a at the corner of the lower guide 42, and in this state, the tip rotates further downward. Thereby, the side portion Pr at the rear end of the first article P1 comes into contact with the first contact portion 41a of the upper guide 41, and as shown in Fig. 16(b), it drops off from the second contact portion 42a. Here, when the rear end of the first article P1 has moved out of the sensing area Sa, it is detected that the supply of the first article P1 has been completed. As described above, the power supply to the third delivery section 23 may be stopped when it is detected that the rear end of the first article P1 has moved out of the sensing area Sa.

[0043] Hereinafter, the operation of feeding the article by the second supply section 12A will be described with reference to Figs. 17 to 20. In the second supply section 12A, as shown in Fig. 17(a), an opening 43h is formed in the upper guide 43 that faces the second housing section 12 from above below the lower part of the second rotating roller section 22a, and a part of the surface of the uppermost second article P2 laminated on the placement surface 12as is exposed below this opening 43h. Further, the laminated second articles P2 are pressed upward by the aforementioned lower pressing section 12f.

[0044] In this state, before the second delivery section 22 is rotationally driven, the second rotating roller section 22a is in a non-contact state with respect to the second article P2. Then, a predetermined signal is input to the control section 30 and the second rotating roller section 22a is rotated. By this rotation, the second rotating roller section 22a rotates with its first peripheral surface 22aa in contact with the uppermost second article P2. By this rotation in the contact state, as shown in Fig. 17(b), the second article P2 is pushed downward together with the placement surface 12as and is moved in the delivery direction (left direction in the figure). Then, the tip of the second article P2 abuts against the sorting section 12d.

[0045] In this state, as the first rotating roller unit 21a continues to rotate, as shown in Fig. 18(a), the placement unit 12a is inclined such that the front side (left side) is higher. As a result, the tip of the second article P2 moves upward on the inclined surface 12ds. Then, the tip of the second article P2 crosses the inclined surface 12ds, passes between the sorting unit 12d and the upper guide 43, and is sent out toward the fourth delivery unit 24 side. In this way, the second rotating roller unit 22a functions as a sorting unit that cooperates with the sorting unit 12d to sort only the uppermost second article P2.

[0046] The second article P2 sent out to the fourth delivery unit 24 is inserted between the fourth rotating roller unit 24a and the driven lower roller 24b facing the fourth rotating roller unit 24a, as shown in Fig. 18(b), and is continuously moved by the second rotating roller unit 22a. At this time, the fourth rotating roller unit 24a is not rotationally driven by power application. That is, the fourth rotating roller unit 24a and the driven lower roller 24b are rotated by friction with the moving second article P2. This is because when the first operation based on power application is performed in the upstream second delivery unit 22, the second operation based on friction contact with the article is performed in the downstream fourth delivery unit 24 without power application.

[0047] The second article P2 moving while being sandwiched by the fourth delivery unit 24 reaches the sensing area Sa of the lower first detection unit 19 with its tip, as shown in Fig. 19(a). As a result, the lower first detection unit 19 transmits a detection signal to the control unit 30. Thereby, the second power application unit 29m is driven. At this time, if the second rotating roller unit 22a has not been rotationally driven by power application and the contact with the second article P2 continues, it is slightly rotated by the friction contact with the second article P2 and finally stops in a state of being non-contact with the second article P2. Here, while the second delivery unit 22 is being driven, the fourth delivery unit 24 may be driven, but it is preferable to perform control such that the driving of both does not overlap.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 19(b), the fourth delivery unit 24 may be continuously rotationally driven even when the second article P2 is detected by the lower first detection unit 19. However, after being driven for a certain period of time after the article is detected, the driving may be released, and then it may rotate together with the movement of the second article P2. By releasing the driving by applying power to the fourth delivery unit 24 before the discharge of the article is completed in this way, the fourth delivery unit 24 can manage with the minimum necessary driving.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 20(a), when the rear end of the second article P2 is released from the clamping of the fourth delivery unit 24, it protrudes outward (to the left in the figure) from the second supply port 12h, so it begins to rotate so that the front end faces downward. As a result, the flat portion Pd on the lower surface side of the second article P2 comes into contact with the fourth contact portion 44a at the corner of the lower guide 44, and in this state, it rotates so that the front end further drops downward. As a result, the side portion Pr at the rear end of the second article P2 comes into contact with the third contact portion 43a of the upper guide 43, and as shown in Fig. 20(b), it drops so as to deviate from the fourth contact portion 44a. Here, when the rear end of the second article P2 has left the sensing area Sa, it is detected that the supply of the second article P2 is completed. As described above, the application of power to the fourth delivery unit 24 may be stopped at the stage when it is detected that the rear end of the second article P2 has left the sensing area Sa.

[0050] As described above, in the article supply device 1 of this aspect, in the article supply device 1, the first storage unit 11 for storing the first article P1 and the second storage unit 12 for storing the second article P2 are configured integrally up and down, so that the delivery mechanisms for supplying both articles can be concentrated and arranged at the same position above and below. As a result, it is easy to share the drive system of the delivery mechanism.

[0051] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, the first storage unit 11 and the second storage unit 12 are configured as one unit, so that they can be detachably attached to and detached from the mounting part integrally, and the handling property is good.

[0052] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, since the first storage unit 11 is located directly above the second storage unit 12, the first article P1 can be put in from the upper side, facilitating replenishment. Also, the first storage unit 11 can store a larger number of the first articles P1 than the second storage unit 12. Further, the second storage unit 12 is configured such that the second article P2 can be replenished from its upper part when it is removed from the main body unit 3. Thus, even when the delivery mechanism of the first article P1 is located above the second storage unit 12, the second article P2 can be easily replenished.

[0053] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the supply unit 10 is configured such that the supply direction of the first article P1 from the first storage unit 11 and the supply direction of the second article P2 from the second storage unit 12 are the same direction. This enables the article extraction area to be made into one, simplifying the configuration.

[0054] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the supply unit 10 includes a first delivery unit 21 capable of sorting the first articles P1 stored in the first storage unit 11 and a second delivery unit 22 capable of sorting the second articles P2 stored in the second storage unit 12. Thus, the first articles P1 and the second articles P2 can be sorted and supplied separately.

[0055] The article supply device 1 of this embodiment is configured such that the first delivery unit 21 can contact the lower surface of the first article P1 to deliver the first article P1, and the second delivery unit 22 can contact the upper surface of the second article P2 to deliver the second article P2. Thereby, the first delivery unit 21 and the second delivery unit 22 can be arranged between the first storage unit 11 and the second storage unit 12. Further, when supplying both articles P1 and P2, they can be supplied with their upper surfaces facing up.

[0056] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, a first supply unit 11A in which a first rotating roller unit 21a and a third rotating roller unit 23a are arranged horizontally, and a second supply unit 12A in which a second rotating roller unit 22a and a fourth rotating roller unit 24a are arranged horizontally are provided, so that both the first article P1 and the second article P2 can move in the same direction horizontally. As a result, the first article P1 and the second article P2 can be dropped and discharged at the same location.

[0057] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, since the first rotating roller unit 21a on the upstream side of the first supply unit 11A and the second rotating roller unit 22a on the upstream side of the second supply unit 12A are arranged vertically, the driving by the first power applying unit 28m can be easily performed. Also, since the third rotating roller unit 23a on the downstream side of the first supply unit 11A and the fourth rotating roller unit 24a on the downstream side of the second supply unit 12A are arranged vertically, the driving by the second power applying unit 29m can be easily performed.

[0058] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, the placement unit 12a is configured to be adjustable such that the height position of its placement surface 12as increases as the number of the second articles P2 accommodated therein decreases, so that stable contact between the second rotating roller unit 22a and the uppermost second article P2 can be achieved, and sorting and feeding of the second article P2 can be reliably performed.

[0059] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, since an upper pressure applying unit 11f that presses the first article P1 toward the first rotating roller unit 21a is provided in the first accommodating unit 11, the contact pressure with the first rotating roller unit 21a when the first article P1 is sorted is stabilized, and reliable sorting and feeding can be performed. Also, since a lower pressure applying unit 12f that presses the second article P2 toward the second rotating roller unit 22a is provided in the second accommodating unit 12, the second article P2 can be stably pressed against the second rotating roller unit 22a, enabling reliable sorting and feeding.

[0060] According to the article supply device 1 of this aspect, when discharging the article P from the first supply port 11h and the second supply port 12h, the first supply unit 11A and the second supply unit 12A can discharge the article P with the tip side facing downward so as to fall by its own weight. Therefore, the article P can be supplied with minimal power. In addition, when the article P is discharged, it can fall with the tip directly below due to its own weight. For example, it becomes possible to discharge the article P in a state where the surface of the article P can be seen from the front and in an upright state.

[0061] Further, in the article supply device 1 of this aspect, since the first detection units 18 and 19 are configured to be able to detect the discharge of one article P selected by the selection unit, based on the detection signals of the first detection units 18 and 19, in the supply of the article P, it is possible to confirm the completion of discharge and supply one by one.

[0062] According to the article supply device 1 of this aspect, since the supply unit 10 is a two-stage feeding mechanism of an upstream feeding unit and a downstream feeding unit, while the downstream feeding unit can be provided with a discharging function, the upstream feeding unit can be provided with the function of the selection unit, and reliable selection and reliable discharge can be performed in a stable state.

[0063] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, the upstream feeding unit and the downstream feeding unit are configured to enable a first operation based on the application of power from the power application unit and a second operation based on the frictional force with the article. This makes it possible to smoothly transfer the article between the upstream and downstream of the feeding unit. For example, since there is a second operation that is not driven after the first operation (driving operation) on the upstream side, even when the feeding speed by the first power application unit 28m and the feeding speed by the second power application unit 29m are significantly different, it is possible to avoid applying different driving speeds to the article P at the same time. As a result, the driving speeds of the upstream feeding unit and the downstream feeding unit can be freely set.

[0064] More specifically, after the second operation of the upstream delivery units (the first rotating roller unit 21a and the second rotating roller unit 22a) starts, and after the articles P are detected by the first detection units 18 and 19, by controlling the downstream delivery unit to perform the first operation, the driving of the downstream delivery unit can be made to function as an operation completely separated from the sorting unit of the upstream articles.

[0065] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the first rotating roller unit 21a and the second rotating roller unit 22a each have a perfect circular first circumferential surface 21aa, 22aa whose circumferential surface can contact the article and a non-perfect circular second circumferential surface 21ab, 22ab that does not contact the article P, thereby enabling the function as a sorting unit of the article P for each rotation.

[0066] The article supply device 1 of this embodiment is provided with second detection units 31 and 32 capable of detecting the presence or absence of the articles P stored in the first storage unit 11 and the second storage unit 12, so that the presence or absence of the articles P in the first storage unit 11 and the second storage unit 12 can be detected. Further, since the control unit 30 can detect that there is no article P for each storage unit, it can perform control to prompt the replenishment of the non-existent article P.

[0067] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, since the pressure applying unit includes a first pressure applying unit 12ff and a second pressure applying unit 12fr arranged in the front and back along the delivery direction of the second article P2, independent pressures can be applied in the front and back directions of the second article P2. Also, since the pressure applying units are separately arranged in the front and back, it is possible to form a state in which the second article P2 is inclined in the height direction corresponding to the movement of the second rotating roller unit 22a for sorting during the sorting operation, and an auxiliary operation that facilitates article sorting can be performed.

[0068] Moreover, since the second pressure applying unit 12ff is provided directly below the second delivery unit 22, the second article P2 can be firmly pressed against the second rotating roller unit 22a.

[0069] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, since the second storage unit 12 is configured to be detachable from the main body unit 3, it is easy to replenish the second article P2. Further, since the height of the placement unit 12a of the second article P2 can be adjusted by the operation unit 14, replenishment of the second article P2 can be easily performed in the second state where it is not attached to the main body unit 3.

[0070] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, since the height of the placement unit 12a can be moved by the operation unit 14 in the second storage unit 12, the operation when pulling out the second storage unit 12 from the main body unit 3 and further the operation when attaching it to the main body unit 3 can be facilitated.

[0071] Further, since the second storage unit 12 is configured such that the pulling-out direction from the main body unit 3 is the same as the supply direction of the article P from the supply unit 10, it is possible to share the opening for pulling out and attaching the second storage unit 12 and the opening for article supply.

[0072] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, since the first power application unit 28m is configured to be able to simultaneously apply power to the first delivery unit 21 that delivers the first article P1 and the second delivery unit 22 that delivers the second article P2, the power transmission mechanism can be made into one and the number of its power sources can be made one.

[0073] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, when the first delivery unit 21 performs the delivery operation of the first article P1, it is controlled so that the second delivery unit 22 does not perform the delivery operation of the second article P2, and when the second delivery unit 22 performs the delivery operation of the second article P2, it is controlled so that the first delivery unit 21 does not perform the delivery operation of the first article P1, whereby the first article P1 and the second article P2 can be delivered at different timings.

[0074] According to the article supply device 1 of this aspect, the first delivery unit 21 and the second delivery unit arranged one above the other are each configured to rotate only in a predetermined rotation direction (the first direction, the second direction) by a clutch mechanism of each rotation roller unit (the first rotation roller unit 21a, the second rotation roller unit 22a). Therefore, by controlling only the forward and reverse rotation of the rotation direction of the first power applying unit 28m (motor), it is possible to switch the delivery of the first article P1 and the second article P2.

[0075] According to the article supply device 1 of this aspect, since the first delivery unit 21 and the second delivery unit 22 are arranged one above the other, and the third delivery unit 23 and the fourth delivery unit 24 are arranged in a close configuration one above the other, it is possible to easily drive those arranged one above the other by the same power applying unit (the first power applying unit 28m, the second power applying unit 29m).

[0076] According to the article supply device 1 of this aspect, since no clutch mechanism for controlling the transmission of power is provided between the third delivery unit 23 and the fourth delivery unit 24 and the second power applying unit 29m, the driving force transmission structure can be simplified.

[0077] As described above, the aspects of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention can be appropriately modified within the scope of its technical idea. For example, in the above aspect, the lower pressure applying unit 12f is configured to be provided with four compression springs, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a configuration of two front and rear compression springs or five or more compression springs may be used.

[0078] As described above, the following matters are disclosed in this specification.

[0079] (1) An article supply device, a main body part, a housing part that can be attached to the main body part and can house articles, a supply part provided in the housing part and capable of supplying the articles, and comprising The above storage unit is an article supply device configured to be able to adjust the height position of the above article according to the number of the above articles stored in the above storage unit.

[0080] (2) The article supply device according to (1), wherein the above storage unit includes a pressure-applying unit capable of applying pressure to the above article, The pressure-applying unit is an article supply device configured to be able to apply pressure to the above article stored in the above storage unit from its lower part.

[0081] (3) The article supply device according to (2), wherein the above pressure-applying unit includes a first pressure-applying unit and a second pressure-applying unit, the above first pressure-applying unit is capable of applying pressure to the front of the above article stored in the above storage unit in the supply direction by the above supply unit, the above second pressure-applying unit is an article supply device configured to be able to apply pressure to the rear of the above article stored in the above storage unit in the above supply direction.

[0082] (4) The article supply device according to (3), wherein the above first pressure-applying unit and the above second pressure-applying unit are constituted by elastic members.

[0083] (5) The article supply device according to (3) or (4), wherein the above supply unit is configured to be able to supply the above article located at the uppermost position among the plurality of the above articles stored in the above storage unit.

[0084] (6) The article supply device according to any one of (3) to (5), wherein the above supply unit includes a sending unit capable of sending out the above article, the above sending unit is an article supply device configured to be able to send out the above article stored in the above storage unit and located at the uppermost position.

[0085] (7) The article supply device according to (6), wherein the first pressure applying part is provided directly below the sending part, and the article supply device.

[0086] (8) The article supply device according to (6) or (7), wherein the sending part is configured as a rotating roller part, the rotating roller part is configured to be able to send out the articles accommodated in the accommodating part in the horizontal direction, and the article supply device.

[0087] (9) The article supply device according to (8), wherein the rotating roller part has a shape whose cross-section is not a perfect circle, and is configured to include a first circumferential surface that can contact the article and a second circumferential surface that does not contact the article, and the article supply device.

[0088] (10) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the accommodating part can be in a first state of being mounted on the main body part and a second state of not being mounted on the main body part, and in the second state, the articles can be replenished, and the article supply device.

[0089] (11) The article supply device according to (10), wherein the accommodating part includes a placement part on which the articles can be placed, the placement part is configured to be movable up and down, and the article supply device.

[0090] (12) The article supply device according to (11), wherein the placement part is configured to be able to take an upper position in the first state and a lower position in the second state, and the article supply device.

[0091] (13) The article supply device according to (11) or (12), wherein An article supply device, wherein the housing portion includes an operating portion that operably moves the placement portion up and down.

[0092] (14) The article supply device according to any one of (10) to (13), An article supply device, wherein the housing portion is configured to be pullable out from the main body portion.

[0093] (15) The article supply device according to (14), An article supply device, wherein the housing portion assumes the second state when pulled out from the main body portion.

[0094] (16) The article supply device according to (14) or (15), An article supply device, wherein the housing portion is configured such that the supply direction of the article from the supply portion and the pulling-out direction from the main body portion are the same direction.

[0095] (17) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (16), Further including a sorting portion capable of sorting only one of the articles at a time when the articles are supplied by the supply portion, An article supply device, wherein the sorting portion is configured to be able to sort only the article located at the uppermost position among the plurality of articles stacked in the housing portion.

[0096] (18) The article supply device according to (17), An article supply device, wherein the supply portion is configured to be able to supply the article sorted by the sorting portion.

[0097] (19) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (18), Further including a game execution portion, An article supply device, wherein the game execution portion is capable of executing a game on the condition of paying a cost.

[0098] (20) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (19), wherein the supply unit is capable of supplying one said article on condition of payment of a price.

Explanation of Signs

[0099] 1 Article supply device 3 Main body 10 Supply unit 11 First storage unit 11A First supply unit 11f Upper pressure applying unit (pressure applying unit) 12 Second storage unit 12A Second supply unit 12a Placing unit 12as Placing surface 12f Lower pressure applying unit (pressure applying unit) 12ff First pressure applying unit (pressure applying unit) 12fr Second pressure applying unit (pressure applying unit) 14 Operation unit 18, 19 First detection unit 21 First sending unit (upstream sending unit) 21a First rotating roller unit (rotating roller unit) 21aa First peripheral surface 21ab Second peripheral surface 21g First clutch mechanism 22 Second sending unit (upstream sending unit) 22a Second rotating roller unit (rotating roller unit) 22aa First peripheral surface 22ab Second peripheral surface 22g Second clutch mechanism 23 Third sending unit (downstream sending unit) 23a Third rotating roller unit (rotating roller unit) 24 Fourth sending unit (downstream sending unit) 24a Fourth rotating roller unit (rotating roller unit) 28m First power applying unit (power applying unit) 29m Second power applying unit (power applying unit) 30 Control Unit 31, 32 Second Detection Unit 41a First Contact Part 42a Second Contact Part 43a Third Contact Part 44a Fourth Contact Part P Article P1 First Article (Article) P2 Second Article (Article) Pr Side Part of the Article Pd Flat Part of the Article

Claims

1. An article supply device, comprising: a main body portion; a storage portion that can be attached to the main body portion and can store articles; a supply portion provided in the storage portion for supplying the articles; wherein the storage portion is configured to be able to adjust the height position of the articles according to the number of the articles stored in the storage portion.

2. The article supply device according to Claim 1, wherein the storage portion includes a pressure-applying portion capable of applying pressure to the articles, and the pressure-applying portion is configured to be able to apply pressure to the articles stored in the storage portion from below.

3. The article supply device according to Claim 2, wherein the pressure-applying portion includes a first pressure-applying portion and a second pressure-applying portion, the first pressure-applying portion is capable of applying pressure in front of the supply direction of the articles by the supply portion among the articles stored in the storage portion, and the second pressure-applying portion is configured to be able to apply pressure behind the supply direction of the articles among the articles stored in the storage portion.

4. The article supply device according to Claim 3, wherein the first pressure-applying portion and the second pressure-applying portion are constituted by elastic members.

5. The article supply device according to Claim 4, wherein the supply portion is configured to be able to supply the article located at the uppermost position among the plurality of articles stored in the storage portion.

6. The article supply device according to Claim 5, wherein the supply portion includes a sending portion capable of sending out the articles, and the sending portion is configured to be able to send out the article stored in the storage portion and located at the uppermost position.

7. The article supply device according to Claim 6, wherein the first pressure-applying portion is provided directly below the sending portion.

8. The article supply device according to Claim 7, wherein the sending portion is configured as a rotating roller portion, and the rotating roller portion is configured to be able to send out the articles stored in the storage portion in the horizontal direction.

9. The article supply device according to Claim 8, wherein the rotating roller portion has a shape whose cross section is not a perfect circle, and is configured to include a first circumferential surface that can contact the articles and a second circumferential surface that does not contact the articles.

10. The article supply device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, The housing part is configured to be able to take a first state of being mounted on the main body part and a second state of not being mounted on the main body part. An article supply device configured to be able to replenish the article in the second state.

11. The article supply device according to claim 10, wherein the housing part includes a placement part on which the article can be placed, and the placement part is configured to be vertically movable. An article supply device.

12. The article supply device according to claim 11, wherein the placement part is configured to be able to take an upper position in the first state and a lower position in the second state. An article supply device.

13. The article supply device according to claim 12, wherein the housing part includes an operation part that operates the placement part so as to be vertically movable. An article supply device.

14. The article supply device according to claim 13, wherein the housing part is configured to be pullable out from the main body part. An article supply device.

15. The article supply device according to claim 14, wherein the housing part assumes the second state when pulled out from the main body part. An article supply device.

16. The article supply device according to claim 15, wherein the housing part is configured such that the supply direction of the article from the supply part and the pulling out direction from the main body part are the same direction. An article supply device.

17. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further including a sorting part capable of sorting only one of the articles at a time when supplying the article by the supply part, wherein the sorting part is configured to be able to sort only the article located at the top among the plurality of articles stacked in the housing part. An article supply device.

18. The article supply device according to claim 17, wherein the supply part is configured to be able to supply the article sorted by the sorting part. An article supply device.

19. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further including a game execution part, wherein the game execution part is capable of executing a game on the condition of paying a cost. An article supply device.

20. The article supply device according to claim 19, wherein the supply part is capable of supplying one of the articles on the condition of paying a cost. An article supply device.

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