Vending machine and vending machine system

Abstract

To provide a vending machine and vending machine system that can be adapted to a wide range of requirements for commodities or models at a time of determining a remaining number of commodities and that can upgrade the precision in remaining number determination.SOLUTION: A vending machine system includes: a microphone 70 that records a commodity ejection sound; a waveform processing unit 82 that converts recorded sound data into three-dimensional data expressed with a time, frequency, and signal intensity; a memory unit 86 that stores a machine learning model M which has undergone machine learning of outputting a result of remaining number determination of commodities using the three-dimensional data as teacher data; and a remaining number determination processing unit 85 that reads the machine learning model M, inputs the three-dimensional data resulting from the conversion, and outputs a result of remaining number determination of commodities.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 26

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vending machine and vending machine system that can be applied to a wide range of product and model conditions when determining the remaining quantity of a product, and can increase the accuracy of determining the remaining quantity. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, vending machines that sell products such as canned drinks and PET bottled drinks have a product storage rack in a product storage compartment inside the main cabinet, which is the main body of the vending machine. The product storage rack has a product storage passage that extends in the vertical direction and a product discharge device disposed below the product storage passage.

[0003] The product discharge device is configured with a lower pedal and an upper pedal. The lower pedal and the upper pedal are connected to a drive unit, which is an actuator, via a link, and when the drive unit is energized, the lower pedal and the upper pedal move forward and backward as appropriate in the product storage passage.

[0004] In this type of product discharging device, in the standby state, the upper pedal is retracted from the product storage passage, while the lower pedal is advanced into the product storage passage, so that the lower pedal abuts against the lowest product stored in the product storage passage, restricting the downward movement of the products stored in the product storage passage.

[0005] When a product discharge command is given, the drive unit of the product discharge device at the bottom of the product storage aisle that stores the corresponding product is energized, causing the upper pedal to move forward into the product storage aisle via the link and abut against the second-lowest product, thereby restricting the downward movement of that product and any products stored above it. Furthermore, when the drive unit is energized, the lower pedal moves backward from the product storage aisle, causing the lowest product to be the only product to be discharged downward. Once the product passes under the lower pedal, the spring biases the lower pedal to move forward into the product storage aisle. When the drive unit is then de-energized and de-energized, the lower pedal, which had moved forward into the product storage aisle, is restricted from moving backward, and the upper pedal moves backward from the product storage aisle, returning the device to the standby state described above.

[0006] In addition to the pedals, the product discharge device also includes a sold-out detection switch. The sold-out detection lever is disposed above the upper pedal and is pivotable so as to move toward and away from the product storage passage, and is biased by a biasing means to move toward and away from the product storage passage. When there is a product in the product storage passage, the sold-out detection lever is moved backward from the product storage passage against the biasing force of the biasing means by the product.

[0007] The sold-out detection switch is linked to the sold-out detection lever, and is turned off when the sold-out detection lever moves back from the product storage aisle, and is turned on when the sold-out detection lever moves forward into the product storage aisle. When the sold-out detection switch is turned on, it outputs a sold-out signal, indicating that the product in that product storage aisle has sold out.

[0008] Patent document 1 describes a method in which, based on the operation of a sold-out detection switch, waveform data of the sales sound is divided into time domains corresponding to the sales operation, and the remaining quantity is estimated by multiple regression analysis using the calculation period calculated from the duration of each domain and the integral value of the waveform as variables. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-182193 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, the remaining quantity estimation method described in Patent Document 1 requires individual rules that change feature quantities such as calculation periods and integral values ​​depending on the product and model conditions, and also has the problem that the accuracy of remaining quantity determination decreases as the remaining quantity increases.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a vending machine and vending machine system that can be applied to a wide range of product and model conditions when determining the remaining quantity of a product, and can increase the accuracy of determining the remaining quantity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the vending machine of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a microphone that records the sound of product dispensing; a waveform processing unit that converts the recorded sound data into three-dimensional data expressed in terms of time, frequency, and signal strength; a memory unit that stores a machine learning model that has undergone machine learning using the three-dimensional data as training data and outputs a determination of the number of remaining products; and a remaining quantity determination processing unit that reads the machine learning model, inputs the converted three-dimensional data, and outputs a determination result of the number of remaining products.

[0013] In addition, the vending machine of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, it is equipped with a learning unit that generates the machine learning model by performing machine learning using the three-dimensional data as training data to output a determination of the remaining number of products before the vending machine is put into operation.

[0014] In addition, the vending machine of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, it comprises a filter processing unit that performs filtering processing in a predetermined frequency domain on recorded sound data, a synthesis process that synthesizes two pieces of three-dimensional data obtained under different acquisition conditions at a random ratio, a shift process that shifts the three-dimensional data by a random amount of time, and a correction process that corrects the three-dimensional data so that the average signal strength for each frequency is zero, and a pre-processing unit that applies these processes to the sound data.

[0015] In addition, the vending machine of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the filtering process, the synthesis process, the shifting process, and the correction process are performed when the machine learning model is generated, and the filtering process and the correction process are performed when the machine learning model is operated.

[0016] In addition, a vending machine system according to the present invention comprises a vending machine according to any one of the above inventions, and a management server communicatively connected to the vending machine, wherein the vending machine comprises a recording unit that records at least the sound data and the remaining quantity determination result as historical data, and an accuracy rate calculation unit that assigns correct labels to past sound data going back to the time when the product is sold out and calculates the accuracy rate for the remaining quantity determination result, and when the accuracy rate is below a certain standard accuracy rate, the vending machine system sends the historical data to the management server, and when the number of historical data reaches a certain amount or a certain operating time has elapsed, the management server re-trains the machine learning model using the historical data and sends parameters of the re-trained machine learning model to the vending machine, and the vending machine sets the parameters sent by the management server to the machine learning model. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, when determining the remaining quantity of a product, the range of application to product and model conditions can be wide, and the accuracy of determining the remaining quantity can be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing the internal structure of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the right side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the product dispensing device shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the right. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the commodity dispensing device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front right side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the commodity dispensing device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear right side. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the first product discharging device shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 as viewed from the rear right side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic view of the main parts of the first product discharge device shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 as viewed from the right. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic view of the main part of the first product discharging device shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 as viewed from the right. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic view of the main part of the first product discharging device shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 as viewed from the right. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the base of the first product discharging device shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view showing a bearing portion and a harness guide attached to the base shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a main part of the commodity dispensing device shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. As shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view showing the relationship between the first sold-out link and the first sold-out detection switch when the lower pedal is in the product-present standby position. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the first sold-out link and the first sold-out detection switch when the lower pedal moves backward. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the main part of the drive unit in the first product discharging device, as seen from the front right side. [Figure 15]FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing the main part of the drive unit in the first product discharging device, as seen from the left rear. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the second product discharging device shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 as viewed from the front right side. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic view of the main parts of the second product discharging device shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 16, as viewed from the right. [Figure 18] 18 is a perspective view showing the base of the second product discharging device shown in FIG. 16. FIG. [Figure 19] 19 is a perspective view showing a bearing portion and a guide attached to the base shown in FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a characteristic control system of the commodity dispensing device. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the main parts of the drive unit as viewed from the front. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the main parts of the drive unit as viewed from the rear front. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the procedure for discharging products in the first product discharging device. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the procedure for discharging products by the second product discharging device. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of sound data when the lowest product is being carried out. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a control system for detecting the number of remaining products in a vending machine. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating the process of generating a machine learning model. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a process for determining the remaining number of products using a machine learning model. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 illustrates an example of the filtering process. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of the synthesis process. [Figure 31]FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of the shift process. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of the correction process. [Figure 33] FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the steps of a machine learning model generation process. [Figure 34] FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating the remaining number determination process using a machine learning model. [Figure 35] FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vending machine system using the vending machine of the embodiment. [Figure 36] FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the re-learning process procedure of the machine learning model. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 is a detailed flowchart of the accuracy rate calculation process shown in FIG. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating an example of calculation of the accuracy rate. [Figure 39] FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example of microphone placement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vending machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] <Product delivery mechanism> 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing the internal structure of a vending machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the right side. The vending machine shown here sells products in a cooled or heated state, and is configured with a main cabinet 1, an outer door 2, and an inner door 3.

[0021] The main cabinet 1 is constructed of a rectangular parallelepiped with an open front by appropriately combining multiple steel plates, and houses an insulated product storage unit 4 inside. The outer door 2 covers the front opening of the main cabinet 1 and is disposed openably and closably on one side edge of the main cabinet 1. The front of the outer door 2 is provided with components necessary for selling products, such as a display window, product selection buttons, a bill insertion slot, a coin slot, a return lever, an integrated display, a coin return slot, and a product removal opening 2a. The inner door 3 is an insulated door divided into two parts, upper and lower, for covering the front opening of the product storage unit 4. The upper insulated door 3a is disposed openably and closably on one side edge of the outer door 2, located inward from the outer door 2, and the lower insulated door 3b is disposed openably and closably on one side edge of the main cabinet 1. A product removal opening 3c for removing products from the product storage unit 4 is provided below the lower insulated door 3b of the inner door 3.

[0022] In addition, the vending machine 100 has a chute 5 provided inside the product storage room 4, and a temperature control unit 6 is arranged in the area below the chute 5 (hereinafter also referred to as the "heat exchange area"), while a product storage rack 10 is arranged in the area above the chute 5 (hereinafter also referred to as the "product storage area").

[0023] The chute 5 is a plate-shaped member for guiding products removed from the product storage rack 10 to the product outlet 3c of the inner door 3, and is arranged so that it gradually slopes downward toward the front. Although not clearly shown in the figure, the chute 5 has many ventilation holes (not shown) that connect the heat exchange area and the product storage area.

[0024] The temperature control unit 6 is configured to maintain the internal atmosphere of the product storage room 4 at a desired temperature and is equipped with a refrigeration cycle evaporator 6a, an electric heater 6b, and a blower fan 6c. In this temperature control unit 6, for example, when the blower fan 6c is driven while the refrigeration cycle is operating, air cooled in the evaporator 6a is sent upward through the vent holes in the chute 5, thereby maintaining the product storage area at a low temperature. On the other hand, when the blower fan 6c is driven while the electric heater 6b is energized, air heated by the electric heater 6b is sent upward through the vent holes in the chute 5, thereby maintaining the product storage area at a high temperature. The compressor, condenser, and expansion valve of the refrigeration cycle are all located in a machine room 7 outside the product storage room 4, although not shown in the figure.

[0025] The product storage racks 10 are arranged in three rows, front to back, and each have a plurality of (two in the illustrated example) product storage aisles 13 formed in a serpentine shape in the vertical direction by arranging aisle components 12 between a pair of base side panels 11. A plurality of products are stored in a horizontal position in the vertical direction inside these product storage aisles 13. More specifically, the aisle components 12 are appropriately arranged facing each other on the front and rear sides of the product storage aisles 13 and are fixed to the base side panels 11. As a result, each product storage rack 10 has two product storage aisles 13 arranged adjacent to each other in the front to rear direction. Hereinafter, the product storage aisle 13 on the front side of one product storage rack 10 will also be referred to as the first product storage aisle 13a, and the product storage aisle 13 on the rear side will also be referred to as the second product storage aisle 13b.

[0026] The passage element 12 is also provided with a flapper (not shown in the figures). The flapper is swingably disposed on the passage element 12 in a manner that allows it to move toward and away from the product storage passage 13. This flapper is biased by a coil spring (not shown) and is normally positioned so that it advances into the product storage passage 13. When the flapper comes into contact with a product passing through the product storage passage 13, it moves backward against the biasing force of the coil spring along the serpentine product storage passage 13, correcting the position of the product.

[0027] The product storage rack 10 has a top tray 14 provided above the product storage passage 13, and a product dispensing device 20 provided below the product storage passage 13.

[0028] The top tray 14 is made by bending a flat metal plate and is disposed between the base side plates 11 so as to gradually slope downward from the front to the rear. The upper surface of the top tray 14 forms a product guide passage 15 that guides products inserted through the insertion opening to the product storage passage 13.

[0029] Figures 2 to 4 each show the product dispensing device 20 shown in Figure 1, with Figure 2 being a side view as seen from the right, Figure 3 being an oblique view as seen from the front right, and Figure 4 being an oblique view as seen from the rear right.

[0030] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the product dispensing device 20 comprises one product dispensing device (hereinafter also referred to as the first product dispensing device) 20a and the other product dispensing device (hereinafter also referred to as the second product dispensing device) 20b, with the first product dispensing device 20a and the second product dispensing device 20b being fitted together back to back. Note that Figures 2 to 4 show a state in which neither the first product dispensing device 20a nor the second product dispensing device 20b that make up the product dispensing device 20 contains any products.

[0031] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the first product discharge device 20a shown in Figures 2 to 4 as seen from the rear right side. Below, the configuration of the first product discharge device 20a will be described, followed by a description of the second product discharge device 20b.

[0032] Figures 6 to 8 are explanatory diagrams each showing a schematic view of the main parts of the first product discharge device 20a shown in Figures 2 to 5, as viewed from the right. In the following explanation, the configuration of the first product discharge device 20a will be explained while also making appropriate use of Figures 6 to 8.

[0033] The first product discharge device 20a is applied to the first product storage passage 13a and is disposed below the first product storage passage 13a. The first product discharge device 20a controls the behavior of the products between itself and the opposing passage width defining plate 16, thereby storing products in the first product storage passage 13a in a discharge standby state and discharging the corresponding products one by one to the chute 5 when driven, and is provided with a base 21.

[0034] 9, the base 21 is made by cutting and bending a steel plate, and is disposed in a manner that its surface faces the passage width defining plate 16. The base 21 has both side portions bent to form side walls 21a, and a first insertion hole 22 and a second insertion hole 23 formed in the middle portion. The peripheries of the first insertion hole 22 and the second insertion hole 23 are bent in the same manner as the side walls 21a to form flanges.

[0035] The first insertion hole 22 and the second insertion hole 23 are formed side by side and have the same vertical dimension. The first insertion hole 22 is located to the left of the second insertion hole 23, and the left-right width of the first insertion hole 22 is greater than the left-right width of the second insertion hole 23. The first insertion hole 22 and the second insertion hole 23 are through-openings (recesses that allow a lower pedal 28 and an upper pedal 29, described later, to retract into the base 21) that together form a substantially rectangular shape, with the upper end of the first insertion hole 22 protruding to the left and the upper end of the second insertion hole 23 protruding to the right. A first left-hand bearing piece 22a is provided at the left edge of the first insertion hole 22, a first right-hand bearing piece 22b is provided at the right edge of the first insertion hole 22, a second left-hand bearing piece 23a is provided at the left edge of the second insertion hole 23, and a second right-hand bearing piece 23b is provided at the right edge of the second insertion hole 23. The first left-hand bearing piece 22a and the second right-hand bearing piece 23b correspond to flanges formed on the peripheries of the first insertion hole 22 and the second insertion hole 23. The first right-hand bearing piece 22b and the second left-hand bearing piece 23a are formed on a shaft insertion flange that forms both legs of a U-shaped (discontinuous) cross section of a bearing holder that is formed integrally with the base 21 and that fits and holds a bearing portion 24 (described later). In addition, this bearing holding portion has the function of maintaining the strength of the base 21 even when a large through opening consisting of the first insertion hole 22 and the second insertion hole 23, which have an approximately rectangular shape overall, is formed in the base 21.

[0036] The base 21 having such a configuration is fitted with a bearing 24 and a harness guide 25 as shown in Fig. 10. The bearing 24 is made of a resin material or the like, and is fitted between the first right-side bearing piece 22b and the second left-side bearing piece 23a.

[0037] The harness guide 25 is made of a resin material or the like, similar to the bearing portion 24, and is fitted along the right side wall 21a of the base 21 adjacent to the second right bearing piece 23b. The harness guide 25 is used to route the harnesses of the electrical components attached to the first product discharging device 20a. The harness guide 25 also serves as a guide member when the first product discharging device 20a and the second product discharging device 20b are placed back to back together.

[0038] The harness guide 25 is provided with a first sold-out detection switch 26 and a second sold-out detection switch 27.

[0039] The first sold-out detection switch 26 is arranged side by side with the second sold-out detection switch 27, and is located further forward than the second sold-out detection switch 27. The first sold-out detection switch 26 is a so-called push-type switch, and has a contact 26a that is biased to stand up by a spring (not shown). When the contact 26a is not pressed, the first sold-out detection switch 26 is in an OFF state (second state) and sends an OFF signal to the dispensing control unit 60 (described later). However, when the contact 26a is pressed and displaced against the biasing force of the spring, the first sold-out detection switch 26 is in an ON state (first state) and sends an ON signal to the dispensing control unit 60 (described later).

[0040] In this embodiment, the first sold-out detection switch 26 is in the OFF state when the contact 26a is not pressed, and is in the ON state when the contact 26a is pressed and displaced. However, in the present invention, the first sold-out detection switch 26 may be in the ON state when the contact 26a is not pressed, and is in the OFF state when the contact 26a is pressed and displaced.

[0041] The second sold-out detection switch 27 is located rearward of the first sold-out detection switch 26. This second sold-out detection switch 27 is a so-called push-type switch, and has a contact 27a that is biased to stand up by a spring (not shown). When the contact 27a is not pressed, the second sold-out detection switch 27 is in an OFF state (second state) and sends an OFF signal to the dispensing control unit 60 (described later). However, when the contact 27a is pressed and displaced against the biasing force of the spring, the second sold-out detection switch 27 is in an ON state (first state) and sends an ON signal to the dispensing control unit 60 (described later).

[0042] In this embodiment, the second sold-out detection switch 27 is in the OFF state when the contact 27a is not pressed, and is in the ON state when the contact 27a is pressed and displaced. However, in the present invention, the second sold-out detection switch 27 may be in the ON state when the contact 27a is not pressed, and is in the OFF state when the contact 27a is pressed and displaced.

[0043] A first swing support shaft 28a and a second swing support shaft 29a are provided on the base 21. The first swing support shaft 28a is a shaft-shaped member that extends substantially horizontally and passes through the first left bearing piece 22a, the first right bearing piece 22b, the second left bearing piece 23a, the second right bearing piece 23b, and the through-holes 22a1, 22b1, 23a1, 23b1, and 24a formed in the bearing portion 24, and supports the lower pedal 28 at its intermediate portion. A first end link 30 is disposed on the right end of the first swing support shaft 28a.

[0044] The second oscillating support shaft 29a is an axial member that extends substantially horizontally in an area above the first oscillating support shaft 28a, passing through the first left-hand bearing piece 22a, the first right-hand bearing piece 22b, the second left-hand bearing piece 23a, the second right-hand bearing piece 23b, and the respective through holes 22a2, 22b2, 23a2, 23b2, 24b formed in the bearing portion 24, and supports the upper pedal 29 at its intermediate portion.

[0045] The lower pedal 28 is a plate-shaped member, and is disposed in such a manner that it can swing about the central axis of the first swing support shaft 28a by inserting the first swing support shaft 28a into the base end portion of the lower pedal 28.

[0046] The tip of the lower pedal 28 extends radially outward from the first swing support shaft 28a, and when swinging around the central axis of the first swing support shaft 28a, it can move toward and away from the first product storage passage 13a through the first insertion hole 22 and the second insertion hole 23. In other words, the lower pedal 28 is arranged swingably so as to move toward and away from the first product storage passage 13a.

[0047] A lower pedal spring 28b is interposed between the lower pedal 28 and the base 21. The lower pedal spring 28b constantly biases the lower pedal 28 in the direction of advancing and moving it relative to the first product storage passage 13a. Explained in more detail, the lower pedal spring 28b causes the lower pedal 28 to assume a standby position (hereinafter also referred to as a product-absent standby position (second standby position)) such that the tip of the lower pedal 28 is positioned above the first swing support shaft 28a, as shown in FIG. 6. When a product is placed on the upper surface of the lower pedal 28, the lower pedal spring 28b causes the lower pedal 28 to assume a standby position (hereinafter also referred to as a product-present standby position (first standby position)) such that the tip of the lower pedal 28 is positioned at the same height level as the first swing support shaft 28a, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0048] As a result, when the lower pedal 28 is in the no-product standby position, the tip end portion thereof is positioned higher than when the lower pedal 28 is in the product-present standby position.

[0049] 11, when the lower pedal 28 is in the no-product standby position, the base end of the lower pedal 28 abuts against the first sold-out abutment portion 32 of the first sold-out link 30, causing the first sold-out link 30 to rotate about the first swing support shaft 28a, which causes the first sold-out pressing portion 33 to press the contact 26a of the first sold-out detection switch 26. As a result, the contact 26a of the first sold-out detection switch 26 is pressed and displaced forward against the biasing force of the spring, turning it on and sending an on signal to the dispensing control unit 60.

[0050] On the other hand, when the lower pedal 28 is in the product-present standby position, as shown in Fig. 12, the base end of the lower pedal 28 moves away from the first sold-out abutment portion 32 of the first sold-out link 30, resulting in the first sold-out link 30 becoming free. As a result, the contact 26a of the first sold-out detection switch 26 is biased by the spring and takes an upright position, turning it into an OFF state and sending an OFF signal to the dispensing control unit 60. In other words, the first sold-out link 30, which is now in the free state, rotates around the first swing support shaft 28a as the first sold-out pressing portion 33 is pressed by the contact 26a.

[0051] The lower pedal 28 includes a plate-shaped pedal main body 281 and a pair of guide portions 282. The pair of guide portions 282 are provided on the rear side of the pedal main body 281. The guide portions 282 are plate-shaped members extending in the up-down direction and are formed to face each other. Guide grooves 283 are formed on the opposing surfaces of the guide portions 282.

[0052] The guide groove 283 is provided with an insertion portion 283a which is located at the lowest position when the lower pedal 28 is positioned in an advanced position where it has been moved furthest forward relative to the first product storage passage 13a (the state shown in Figure 6), and into which the pedal operating shaft 361 of the rotation stopper 36 described later is inserted; and an abutment portion 283d which is located at the highest position when the lower pedal 28 is positioned in a retracted position where it has been moved furthest backward relative to the first product storage passage 13a (the state shown in Figure 8), and with which the pedal operating shaft 361 of the rotation stopper 36 abuts; and a first guide portion 283b and a second guide portion 283c which connect the insertion portion 283a and the abutment portion 283d so that they are continuous.

[0053] The first guide portion 283b is formed in the guide portion 282 in such a manner that when the lower pedal 28 is positioned at the most advanced position (advanced position) relative to the first product storage passage 13a, it inclines diagonally upward from the insertion portion 283a to move away from the base 21, and then inclines diagonally upward to move closer to the base 21 and reaches the abutment portion 283d.

[0054] The second guide portion 283c is formed in the guide portion 282 in such a manner that when the lower pedal 28 is positioned at the most advanced position (advanced position) relative to the first product storage passage 13a, it slopes diagonally downward from the abutment portion 283d to the base 21 and reaches the insertion portion 283a.

[0055] The radially outward length of such a lower pedal 28 from the first swing support shaft 28a is set to a length that allows a gap smaller than the maximum width of a product with a smallest maximum width to be secured between the lower pedal 28 and the passage width determining plate 16 when the pedal is positioned at the furthest advanced position (advanced position) relative to the first product storage passage 13a.

[0056] The upper pedal 29 is a plate-shaped member, and is disposed on the base 21 in such a manner that the second swing support shaft 29a is inserted into the base end thereof, thereby enabling the upper pedal 29 to swing around the central axis of the second swing support shaft 29a.

[0057] The tip of the upper pedal 29 extends radially outward from the second swing support shaft 29a, and when swinging around the central axis of the second swing support shaft 29a, it can move toward and away from the first product storage passage 13a through the first insertion hole 22 and the second insertion hole 23. In other words, the upper pedal 29 is arranged swingably so as to move toward and away from the first product storage passage 13a.

[0058] An upper pedal spring (not shown) is interposed between the upper pedal 29 and the base 21. The upper pedal spring constantly biases the upper pedal 29 in a direction in which the upper pedal 29 moves backward relative to the first product storage passage 13a.

[0059] The upper pedal 29 is provided with a pressing inclined surface 291, a recess 292, a stopper abutment portion 293, and a protrusion 294. The pressing inclined surface 291 is provided at the tip of the upper pedal 29, and is a curved inclined surface that gradually becomes lower toward the first product storage passage 13a when the upper pedal 29 is moved backward relative to the first product storage passage 13a. The recess 292 is provided on the rear side of the upper pedal 29, and is a single recess that extends in a substantially horizontal direction and opens to both side surfaces of the upper pedal 29. The stopper abutment portion 293 is a portion that a stopper pin 34a (described later) abuts against, and is provided on the rear side of the upper pedal 29 in a manner that it is inclined above the recess 292.

[0060] The protrusion 294 is provided at the base end of the upper pedal 29 so as to protrude toward the first product storage passage 13a.

[0061] This upper pedal 29 is biased by the biasing force of the upper pedal spring so as to move backward into the first product storage passage 13a, but the initial position is set in a state in which it has moved backward relative to the first product storage passage 13a when the stopper pin 34a abuts against the recess 292.

[0062] When the upper pedal 29 is positioned at its most advanced position (advanced position) relative to the first product storage passage 13a (as shown in FIG. 8), it is tilted forward with respect to a vertical plane passing through the second swing support shaft 29a. The radially outward length of the upper pedal 29 from the second swing support shaft 29a is set to a length that allows a gap smaller than the maximum width of a product with the smallest maximum width to be secured between the upper pedal 29 and the passage width defining plate 16 in the forward-tilted state.

[0063] A stopper pin 34a, a pedal stopper pin 34b, and a stopper shaft 34c are installed between the bearing portion 24 and the second right bearing piece 23b of the base 21.

[0064] The stopper pin 34a is a shaft-shaped member disposed substantially horizontally between the bearing portion 24 and the second right-side bearing piece 23b, with one end inserted through the stopper pin insertion hole 23b3 of the second right-side bearing piece 23b and the other end inserted through the stopper pin insertion hole 24c1 of the bearing portion 24 exposed from the second left-side bearing piece 23a. The stopper pin 34a is coupled to the pedal link 35 and is capable of moving up and down within the stopper pin insertion holes 23b3, 24c1 in conjunction with the up and down movement of the pedal link 35. The stopper pin 34a also abuts against the recess 292 of the upper pedal 29 in the initial position.

[0065] The pedal stopper pin 34b is a shaft-shaped member disposed substantially horizontally between the bearing portion 24 and the second right-side bearing piece 23b. One end of the pedal stopper pin 34b is inserted into a pedal stopper pin support groove 24c2 (which is an elongated groove extending vertically similar to the stopper pin insertion hole 24c1 and is closed by the groove bottom, which is the portion where reference numeral 24c1 is drawn out, and is not visible in FIG. 6 ) of the bearing portion 24, and the other end of the pedal stopper pin 34b is inserted into a pedal stopper pin support groove 23b4 of the second right-side bearing piece 23b. The second right-side bearing piece 23a has an insertion groove 23a4 formed therein so that the pedal stopper pin insertion hole 24c2 is exposed. The pedal stopper pin 34b is coupled to the pedal link 35 and is capable of moving vertically within the pedal stopper pin support grooves 23b4 and 24c2 in conjunction with the vertical movement of the pedal link 35. When the pedal link 35 is moved up and down, the peripheral surface of the pedal stopper pin 34b slides within the pedal stopper pin support grooves 23b4 and 24c2.

[0066] The stopper shaft 34c is a shaft-shaped member disposed substantially horizontally between the bearing portion 24 and the second right-side bearing piece 23b, with one end inserted through the stopper shaft insertion hole 24c3 of the bearing portion 24 and the other end inserted through the through-hole 23b5 of the second right-side bearing piece 23b. An insertion hole for the stopper shaft 34c is formed in the second right-side bearing piece 23a. The stopper shaft 34c supports the rotation stopper 36 at its middle portion.

[0067] The rotation stopper 36 is arranged between the bearing portion 24 and the second right bearing piece 23b so that the stopper shaft 34c is inserted into the insertion hole at the base end and can swing around the center axis of this stopper shaft 34c.

[0068] The tip of the pivotable stopper 36 extends radially outward from the stopper shaft 34c, and when it swings around the central axis of the stopper shaft 34c, it can move forward and backward through the second insertion hole 23 into the first product storage passage 13a.

[0069] The rotation stopper 36 has a pedal operating shaft 361 that passes through a through-hole 36a at the tip end. The pedal operating shaft 361 is a shaft-shaped member that is disposed in a substantially horizontal direction, and both ends thereof are fitted into the guide groove 283 of the lower pedal 28.

[0070] A pedal operating spring (not shown) is interposed between the rotation stopper 36 and the base 21. The pedal operating spring constantly biases the rotation stopper 36 in a direction that moves the rotation stopper 36 forward relative to the first product storage passage 13a.

[0071] The rotation stopper 36 is biased by the pedal operating spring in the direction of advancing relative to the first product storage passage 13a, and the pedal stopper pin 34b enters and abuts against the recess 36b of the rotation stopper 36, thereby restricting movement in the direction of retreating, and an initial position is set in a state where the rotation stopper 36 has advanced relative to the first product storage passage 13a. Also, because the lower pedal 28 is biased by the lower pedal spring 28b, both ends of the pedal operating shaft 361 of the rotation stopper 36 are positioned in the fitting portions 283a of the guide groove 283, and the initial position is set to a position where the lower pedal 28 has advanced relative to the first product storage passage 13a.

[0072] The pedal link 35 is a long, plate-like member extending in the vertical direction, with its upper portion bent forward and then extending upward. The upper portion of the pedal link 35 is provided with an abutment piece 351 that extends rearward and then diagonally upward, as well as a locking portion 352 that locks a link spring 35a. The link spring 35a is interposed between the pedal link 35 and the base 21 and constantly urges the pedal link 35 downward.

[0073] When the pedal link 35 is biased downward by the link spring 35a, the stopper pin 34a is positioned at the lower end of the stopper pin insertion holes 23b3, 24c1, and the pedal stopper pin 34b is positioned at the lower end of the pedal stopper pin support grooves 23b4, 24c2. In this state, the stopper pin 34a abuts against the recess 292 of the upper pedal 29, which is positioned in the retracted position. Moreover, the rotation stopper 36, which is positioned in the advanced position, abuts against the pedal stopper pin 34b, restricting the retraction of the rotation stopper 36. In addition, the pedal operating shaft 361 of the rotation stopper 36, which is positioned in the advanced position, is fitted into the fitting portion 283a of the lower pedal 28, thereby restricting the retraction of the lower pedal 28, which is positioned in the advanced position.

[0074] In contrast, when the pedal link 35 is positioned upward against the biasing force of the link spring 35a, the stopper pin 34a is positioned at the upper end of the stopper pin insertion holes 23b3, 24c1, and the pedal stopper pin 34b is positioned at the upper end of the pedal stopper pin support grooves 23b4, 24c2, as shown in Fig. 8. In this state, the stopper abutment portion 293 of the upper pedal 29 abuts against the stopper pin 34a, thereby restricting the backward movement of the upper pedal 29, and the upper pedal 29 moves forward against the biasing force of the upper pedal spring and is positioned at the advanced position.

[0075] Meanwhile, the restriction on the retracting movement of the rotation stopper 36 by the pedal stopper pin 34b is released, and therefore the restriction on the retracting movement of the rotation stopper 36 about the stopper shaft 34c is released. Here, the weight of the product abutting against the lower pedal 28, which is maintained in the advanced position by the rotation stopper 36, is applied to the rotation stopper 36, and the rotation stopper 36 begins to move retracting due to the restriction on the retracting movement of the rotation stopper 36 being released. When the retracting movement of the rotation stopper 36 starts, the pedal operating shaft 361 comes out of the fitting portion 283a of the lower pedal 28, and the lower pedal 28 is allowed to move retracting about the first swing support shaft 28a, and moves retracting against the elastic biasing force of the lower pedal spring 28b due to the weight of the product (see FIG. 8).

[0076] When the lower pedal 28 moves backward in this manner, as shown in Figure 13, the base end of the lower pedal 28 moves away from the first sold-out abutment portion 32 of the first sold-out link 30, resulting in the first sold-out link 30 becoming free. As a result, the contact 26a of the first sold-out detection switch 26 is biased by the spring and takes an upright position, thereby maintaining the OFF state. In other words, when the lower pedal 28 moves backward, the first sold-out link 30 does not press the contact 26a of the first sold-out detection switch 26, just like in the product-present standby position.

[0077] The first product discharging device 20a having such a configuration includes a drive unit 40 in addition to the above configuration.

[0078] Figures 14 and 15 respectively show the main parts of the drive unit 40 in the first product discharge device 20a, with Figure 14 being an exploded oblique view as seen from the front right side, and Figure 15 being an exploded oblique view as seen from the rear left side.

[0079] The drive unit 40 is disposed in the central area of ​​the upper rear surface of the base 21. The drive unit 40 includes a unit base 41 attached to the rear surface of the base 21.

[0080] The unit base 41 is made of, for example, a resin material and is formed in a box shape with an open rear surface. A resin unit cover 42 is attached to the unit base 41 to close the rear opening, forming a storage space between the unit base 41 and the unit cover 42. The storage space formed by the unit base 41 and the unit cover 42 in this way houses a motor 43, a gear member 44, a carrier switch 45, and a link lever 46.

[0081] Motor 43 is a drive source, and is a DC motor that can rotate forward and backward and is driven in response to commands given from dispensing control unit 60, which will be described later. Motor 43 is disposed in a state where it is held by motor holding portion 41a of unit base 41.

[0082] The gear member 44 is configured to include a worm gear 441, an intermediate gear 442, and an output gear 443. The worm gear 441 has a worm 441a and a worm wheel 441b.

[0083] The worm 441a has a cylindrical shape and is attached to the output shaft 43a of the motor 43. The worm wheel 441b has a disk-shaped first worm wheel 441b1 and a disk-shaped second worm wheel 441b2.

[0084] The first worm wheel 441b1 has a shaft-like portion formed in the center thereof that protrudes rearward, and a gear portion made up of a plurality of teeth formed on the circumferential surface thereof.

[0085] The second worm wheel 441b2 is located on the front side of the first worm wheel 441b1 and has a shaft portion that projects forward, with its central axis coinciding with the central axis of the shaft portion of the first worm wheel 441b1. A gear portion consisting of a plurality of teeth is also formed on the circumferential surface of this second worm wheel 441b2.

[0086] Such a worm wheel 441b is arranged to be rotatable around the central axis of the axial portion by inserting the axial portion into the recesses 41b, 42b of the unit base 41 and the unit cover 42 while the gear portion of the first worm wheel 441b1 is engaged with the worm 441a.

[0087] The intermediate gear 442 has a disk-shaped first intermediate gear 442a and a disk-shaped second intermediate gear 442b. The first intermediate gear 442a has a shaft-shaped portion that protrudes rearward at its center, and a gear portion consisting of a plurality of teeth formed on its circumferential surface.

[0088] The second intermediate gear 442b is located on the rear side of the first intermediate gear 442a and has a shaft portion whose central axis coincides with the central axis of the shaft portion of the first intermediate gear 442a and protrudes forward. A gear portion consisting of a plurality of teeth is also formed on the circumferential surface of this second intermediate gear 442b.

[0089] Such an intermediate gear 442 is arranged to be rotatable around the central axis of the axial portion by inserting the axial portion into the recesses 41c, 42c of the unit base 41 and the unit cover 42 while the gear portion of the first intermediate gear 442a is meshed with the gear portion of the second worm wheel 441b2.

[0090] The output gear 443 is disk-shaped and has a larger diameter than the worm wheel 441b and the intermediate gear 442. A gear portion consisting of a plurality of teeth is also formed on the circumferential surface of this output gear 443. In addition, a shaft-shaped portion that protrudes in the front-rear direction is formed in the center of the output gear 443. Furthermore, a cam portion 443a is formed on the front surface of the output gear 443, and a pressing piece 443b is formed on the rear surface.

[0091] The cam portion 443a is formed in an arc shape and protrudes forward. The length of the arc of the cam portion 443a is large enough to move the pedal link 35 upward and then maintain that state.

[0092] The pressing piece 443b is substantially V-shaped and is formed in a manner that protrudes rearward from the rear surface, which is the surface opposite to the cam portion 443a.

[0093] Such an output gear 443 is arranged to be rotatable around the central axis of the shaft-shaped portion by inserting the shaft-shaped portion into the recesses 41d, 42d of the unit base 41 and the unit cover 42 while the gear portion is engaged with the gear portion of the second intermediate gear 442b.

[0094] Carrier switch 45 is a so-called push-type switch and is equipped with contact 45a. Carrier switch 45 is disposed on unit base 41 in a state where it is held slightly above the area where output gear 443 is disposed. When contact 45a is pressed, carrier switch 45 turns on and sends an on signal to dispensing control unit 60, whereas when contact 45a is not pressed, carrier switch 45 turns off and sends an off signal to dispensing control unit 60.

[0095] The link lever 46 is configured to include a first link lever 461 and a second link lever 462. The first link lever 461 is formed, for example, from a resin material, and has a through-hole 461a1 formed in a base end 461a. The first link lever 461 has a tip end 461b that extends diagonally downward to the right from the base end 461a and then curves diagonally upward to the right, forming a hook shape. In addition, a locking portion 461c is provided on the base end 461a of the first link lever 461. The locking portion 461c is an elastically deformable plate-shaped elastic member that extends downward from the left end of the base end 461a.

[0096] The first link lever 461 is disposed rotatably about the central axis of the first link shaft 42e on the front side of the output gear 443 by inserting the first link shaft 42e provided in the unit cover 42 into the through-hole 461a1 of the base end 461a. In this case, the first link lever 461 passes through a right-side opening (not shown) formed by the unit base 41 and the unit cover 42, and the tip end 461b is located outside the unit base 41 and the unit cover 42. The normal position of the first link lever 461 is determined by the engagement portion 461c abutting against the left edge 471 of the right-side opening.

[0097] The second link lever 462 is formed, for example, from a resin material, and has a through-hole 462a1 formed in its base end 462a. The tip end 462b of this second link lever 462 extends diagonally downward to the left from the base end 462a and then curves diagonally upward to the left, forming a hook shape. The tip end 462b of this second link lever 462 has a greater front-to-rear width than the tip end 461b of the first link lever 461. Furthermore, a locking portion 462c is provided on the base end 462a of the second link lever 462. The locking portion 462c is an elastically deformable plate-shaped elastic member that extends downward from the right end of the base end 462a.

[0098] The second link lever 462 is disposed rotatably about the central axis of the second link shaft 42f on the front side of the output gear 443 by inserting the second link shaft 42f provided in the unit cover 42 into the through-hole 462a1 of the base end 462a. In this case, the second link lever 462 passes through a left-side opening (not shown) formed by the unit base 41 and the unit cover 42, and the tip end 462b is located outside the unit base 41 and the unit cover 42. The normal position of the second link lever 462 is determined by the engagement portion 462c abutting against the right edge 472 of the left-side opening.

[0099] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the second product discharge device 20b shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 as viewed from the front right side. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the main parts of the second product discharge device 20b shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 16 as viewed from the right side. Note that the second product discharge device 20b shares most of the same components with the first product discharge device 20a, but the left-right direction is opposite to that of the first product discharge device 20a because the front-to-back orientation is different from that of the first product discharge device 20a. Therefore, in the description of the second product discharge device 20b, illustrations will be omitted as appropriate, and components of the second product discharge device 20b that are common to the first product discharge device 20a will be simply described by adding an "'" to the reference numerals used in the first product discharge device 20a.

[0100] The second product discharge device 20b is applied to the second product storage passage 13b and is disposed below the second product storage passage 13b. The second product discharge device 20b controls the behavior of the products between itself and the opposing passage width defining plate 17, thereby storing products in the second product storage passage 13b in a discharge standby state and discharging the corresponding products one by one to the chute 5 when driven, and is provided with a base 21'.

[0101] As shown in Fig. 18, the base 21' is made by cutting and bending a steel plate, and is disposed in such a manner that its surface faces the passage width defining plate 17. Both sides of the base 21' are bent to form side walls 21a', and a first insertion hole 22' and a second insertion hole 23' are formed in the middle portion. The peripheries of the first insertion hole 22' and the second insertion hole 23' are bent in the same manner as the side walls 21a' to form flanges.

[0102] The first insertion hole 22' and the second insertion hole 23' are aligned left and right and have the same vertical dimension. The first insertion hole 22' is located to the right of the second insertion hole 23', and the left and right width of the first insertion hole 22' is greater than the left and right width of the second insertion hole 23'. The first insertion hole 22' and the second insertion hole 23' are through-openings (recesses that allow a lower pedal 28' and an upper pedal 29', described below, to retract into the base 21') that together form a substantially rectangular shape. The upper end of the first insertion hole 22' projects to the right, and the upper end of the second insertion hole 23' projects to the left. A first right-side bearing piece 22a' is provided at the right edge of the first insertion hole 22', a first left-side bearing piece 22b' is provided at the left edge of the first insertion hole 22', a second right-side bearing piece 23a' is provided at the right edge of the second insertion hole 23', and a second left-side bearing piece 23b' is provided at the left edge of the second insertion hole 23'. The first left-side bearing piece 22b' and the second right-side bearing piece 23a' correspond to flanges formed on the peripheries of the first insertion hole 22' and the second insertion hole 23'. The first left-side bearing piece 22b' and the second right-side bearing piece 23a' are formed on a shaft insertion flange that forms both legs of a U-shaped (discontinuous) cross section of a bearing holder that is integral with the base 21' and that fits and holds a bearing portion 24' (described later). In addition, this bearing holding portion has the function of maintaining the strength of the base 21' even when a large through opening consisting of the first insertion hole 22' and the second insertion hole 23', which have an approximately rectangular shape overall, is formed in the base 21'.

[0103] A bearing 24' and a guide 48 as shown in Figure 19 are attached to the base 21' having such a configuration. The bearing 24' is made of a resin material or the like, and is fitted between the first left bearing piece 22b' and the second right bearing piece 23a'. The guide 48, like the bearing 24', is also made of a resin material or the like, and is fitted to the base 21' in a manner adjacent to the second left bearing piece 23b'.

[0104] A first swing support shaft 28a' and a second swing support shaft 29a' are provided on the base 21'. The first swing support shaft 28a' is a shaft-shaped member that extends substantially horizontally and passes through the first right-side bearing piece 22a', the first left-side bearing piece 22b', the second right-side bearing piece 23a', the second left-side bearing piece 23b', and the through-holes 22a1', 22b1', 23a1', 23b1', and 24a' formed in the bearing portion 24', and supports the lower pedal 28' at its middle portion.

[0105] A second sold-out link 50 is disposed on the right end of the first swing support shaft 28a'. As shown in FIG. 11, the second sold-out link 50 includes a second sold-out base 51, a second sold-out abutment 52, and a second sold-out pressing portion 53. The second sold-out base 51 is formed, for example, by connecting the lower ends of two C-shaped disk-shaped portions 511, 512 with a connecting portion 513, and through-holes 511a, 512a are formed in the disk-shaped portions 511, 512, allowing the right end of the first swing support shaft 28a' to pass through. The second sold-out abutment 52 extends leftward from the front portion of the left disk-shaped portion 512 of the second sold-out base 51. This second sold-out abutment portion 52 is provided to the left of the first sold-out abutment portion 32 that constitutes the first sold-out link 30, so that they do not interfere with each other. The second sold-out pressing portion 53 is formed to protrude rightward from the lower portion of the disk-shaped portion 511 on the right side of the second sold-out base portion 51. The through holes 511a, 512a formed in the second sold-out base portion 51 are formed larger than the first swing support shaft 28a', so that the second sold-out link 50 can move freely relative to the first swing support shaft 28a'.

[0106] The second oscillating support shaft 29a' is an axial member that extends substantially horizontally in an area above the first oscillating support shaft 28a' and is installed through the first right-side bearing piece 22a', the first left-side bearing piece 22b', the second right-side bearing piece 23a', the second left-side bearing piece 23b' and the through-holes 22a2', 22b2', 23a2', 23b2', 24b' formed in the bearing portion 24', and supports the upper pedal 29' at its middle portion.

[0107] The lower pedal 28' is a plate-shaped member, and is arranged so that it can swing around the center axis of the first swing support shaft 28a' by inserting the first swing support shaft 28a' into the base end portion.

[0108] The tip of the lower pedal 28' extends radially outward from the first swing support shaft 28a', and when the lower pedal 28' swings around the central axis of the first swing support shaft 28a', it can move toward and away from the second product storage passage 13b through the first insertion hole 22' and the second insertion hole 23'. In other words, the lower pedal 28' is arranged to be swingable so as to move toward and away from the second product storage passage 13b.

[0109] A lower pedal spring 28b' is interposed between the lower pedal 28' and the base 21'. The lower pedal spring 28b' constantly biases the lower pedal 28' in the direction of advancing toward the second product storage passage 13b. Explained in more detail, the lower pedal spring 28b' causes the lower pedal 28' to assume a standby position (hereinafter also referred to as a product-absent standby position (second standby position)) so that the tip of the lower pedal 28' is positioned above the first swing support shaft 28a', as shown in FIG. 17 . When a product is placed on the upper surface of the lower pedal 28', the lower pedal spring 28b' causes the lower pedal 28' to assume a standby position (hereinafter also referred to as a product-present standby position (first standby position)) so that the tip of the lower pedal 28' is positioned at the same height level as the first swing support shaft 28a'.

[0110] As a result, when the lower pedal 28' is in the standby position without a commodity, the tip end portion thereof is positioned higher than when the lower pedal 28' is in the standby position with a commodity.

[0111] 11, when the lower pedal 28' assumes the no-product standby position, the base end of the lower pedal 28' abuts against the second sold-out abutment portion 52 of the second sold-out link 50, causing the second sold-out link 50 to rotate about the first swing support shaft 28a', causing the second sold-out pressing portion 53 to press the contact 27a of the second sold-out detection switch 27. As a result, the contact 27a of the second sold-out detection switch 27 is pressed and displaced rearward against the biasing force of the spring, turning it on and sending an on signal to the dispensing control unit 60.

[0112] On the other hand, when the lower pedal 28' is in the product-present standby position, the base end of the lower pedal 28' moves away from the second sold-out abutment portion 52 of the second sold-out link 50, resulting in the second sold-out link 50 becoming free. As a result, the contact 27a of the second sold-out detection switch 27 is biased by the spring and becomes in an upright position, turning off, and an off signal is sent to the dispensing control unit 60. In other words, the second sold-out link 50, which is now in the free state, rotates around the first swing support shaft 28a' as the second sold-out pressing portion 53 is pressed by the contact 27a.

[0113] The lower pedal 28' includes a plate-shaped pedal body 281' and a pair of guide portions 282'. The pair of guide portions 282' are provided on the rear side of the pedal body 281'. The guide portions 282' are plate-shaped members extending in the vertical direction and are formed to face each other. Guide grooves (not shown) are formed on the opposing surfaces of the guide portions 282'.

[0114] The guide groove is provided with an insertion portion which is located at the lowest position when the lower pedal 28' is positioned at the advanced position where it has been moved furthest forward relative to the second product storage passage 13b, and into which the pedal operating shaft (not shown) of the rotation stopper 36' described below is inserted, and an abutment portion which is located at the highest position when the lower pedal 28' is positioned at the retracted position where it has been moved furthest backward relative to the second product storage passage 13b, and against which the pedal operating shaft of the rotation stopper 36' abuts, as well as a first guide portion and a second guide portion which connect the insertion portion and the abutment portion so that they are continuous.

[0115] The first guide portion is formed in the guide portion 282' in such a manner that when the lower pedal 28' is positioned at the most advanced position (advanced position) relative to the second product storage passage 13b, the first guide portion is inclined diagonally upward from the insertion portion to move away from the base 21', and then inclined diagonally upward to move closer to the base 21' and reach the abutment portion.

[0116] The second guide portion is formed in the guide portion 282' in such a manner that when the lower pedal 28' is positioned at the most advanced position (advanced position) relative to the second product storage passage 13b, it slopes diagonally downward from the abutment portion to the base 21' and reaches the insertion portion.

[0117] The radially outward length of such a lower pedal 28' from the first swing support shaft 28a' is set to a length that allows a gap smaller than the maximum width of the smallest product to be secured between the lower pedal 28' and the passage width determining plate 17 when the pedal is positioned at the furthest advanced position (advanced position) relative to the second product storage passage 13b.

[0118] The upper pedal 29' is a plate-shaped member and is arranged on the base 21' in such a manner that the second swing support shaft 29a' is inserted into the base end thereof, thereby allowing it to swing around the central axis of the second swing support shaft 29a'.

[0119] The tip of the upper pedal 29' extends radially outward from the second swing support shaft 29a', and when it swings around the central axis of the second swing support shaft 29a', it can move toward and away from the second product storage passage 13b through the first insertion hole 22' and the second insertion hole 23'. In other words, the upper pedal 29' is arranged to be swingable so as to move toward and away from the second product storage passage 13b.

[0120] An upper pedal spring (not shown) is interposed between the upper pedal 29' and the base 21'. The upper pedal spring constantly biases the upper pedal 29' in a direction that moves it backward relative to the second product storage passage 13b.

[0121] The upper pedal 29' is provided with a pressing inclined surface 291', a recess 292', a stopper abutment portion 293', and a protrusion 294'. The pressing inclined surface 291' is provided at the tip of the upper pedal 29' and is a curved inclined surface that gradually lowers toward the second product storage passage 13b when the upper pedal 29' is moved backward relative to the second product storage passage 13b. The recess 292' is provided on the back side of the upper pedal 29' and is a single recess that extends in a substantially horizontal direction and opens to both side surfaces of the upper pedal 29'. The stopper abutment portion 293' is a portion that a stopper pin (described later) abuts against and is provided on the back side of the upper pedal 29' in a manner that it is inclined above the recess 292'.

[0122] The protrusion 294' is provided at the base end of the upper pedal 29' in a manner that protrudes toward the second product storage passage 13b.

[0123] This upper pedal 29' is biased by the biasing force of the upper pedal spring so as to move backward into the second product storage passage 13b, but the initial position is set in a state in which it has moved backward relative to the second product storage passage 13b when the stopper pin abuts against the recess 292'.

[0124] When the upper pedal 29' is positioned at its furthest advanced position (advanced position) relative to the second product storage passage 13b, it is tilted forward with respect to a vertical plane passing through the second swing support shaft 29a'. The radially outward length of the upper pedal 29' from the second swing support shaft 29a' is set to a length that allows a gap smaller than the maximum width of the smallest product to be secured between the upper pedal 29' and the passage width defining plate 17 in the forward-tilted state.

[0125] In the base 21', a stopper pin (not shown), a pedal stopper pin 34b' and a stopper shaft 34c' are installed between the bearing portion 24' and the second left bearing piece 23b'.

[0126] The stopper pin is a shaft-shaped member disposed substantially horizontally between the bearing portion 24' and the second left bearing piece 23b'. This stopper pin is connected to the pedal link 35' and can move up and down in conjunction with the up and down movement of the pedal link 35'. The stopper pin also abuts against the recess 292' of the upper pedal 29' when it is in its initial position.

[0127] The pedal stopper pin 34b' is a shaft-shaped member disposed substantially horizontally between the bearing portion 24' and the second left bearing piece 23b'. The pedal stopper pin 34b' is connected to the pedal link 35' and is capable of moving up and down in conjunction with the up and down movement of the pedal link 35'.

[0128] The stopper shaft 34c' is a shaft-shaped member disposed substantially horizontally between the bearing portion 24' and the second left bearing piece 23b', and supports the rotation stopper 36' at its intermediate portion.

[0129] The rotation stopper 36' is arranged between the bearing portion 24' and the second left bearing piece 23b' so that the stopper shaft 34c' is inserted into the insertion hole at the base end and can swing around the center axis of this stopper shaft 34c'.

[0130] The tip of the pivotable stopper 36' extends radially outward from the stopper shaft 34c', and when it swings around the central axis of the stopper shaft 34c', it can move back and forth through the second insertion hole 23' into the second product storage passage 13b.

[0131] This rotation stopper 36' has a pedal operating shaft 361' (see FIG. 4) that passes through a through-hole (not shown) at the tip end. The pedal operating shaft 361' is a shaft-shaped member that is disposed in a substantially horizontal direction, and both ends thereof are fitted into guide grooves of the lower pedal 28'.

[0132] A pedal operating spring (not shown) is interposed between the rotation stopper 36' and the base 21'. The pedal operating spring constantly biases the rotation stopper 36' in a direction that moves it forward toward the second product storage passage 13b.

[0133] The rotation stopper 36' is biased by the pedal operating spring in the direction of advancing toward the second product storage passage 13b, and the pedal stopper pin 34b' enters the recess 36b' of the rotation stopper 36' and abuts against the pedal stopper pin 34b', thereby restricting movement in the direction of retreating, and the rotation stopper 36' is set to an initial position in which it has advanced toward the second product storage passage 13b. Also, because the lower pedal 28' is biased by the lower pedal spring 28b', both ends of the pedal operating shaft 361' are positioned in the fitting portions of the guide grooves, and the rotation stopper 36' is set to an initial position where the lower pedal 28' has advanced toward the second product storage passage 13b.

[0134] The pedal link 35' is a long, plate-like member extending in the vertical direction, with its upper portion bent rearward and then extending upward. The upper portion of the pedal link 35' is provided with an abutment piece 351' that extends forward and then diagonally upward, as well as a locking portion 352' that locks the link spring 35a'. The link spring 35a' is interposed between the pedal link 35' and the base 21' and constantly urges the pedal link 35' downward.

[0135] When the pedal link 35' is biased downward by the link spring 35a', the recess 292' of the upper pedal 29', which is positioned in the retracted position, abuts against the stopper pin. Moreover, the rotation stopper 36', which is positioned in the advanced position, abuts against the pedal stopper pin 34b', restricting the retraction of the rotation stopper 36'. In addition, the pedal operating shaft 361' of the rotation stopper 36', which is positioned in the advanced position, is fitted into the fitting portion of the lower pedal 28', thereby restricting the retraction of the lower pedal 28', which is positioned in the advanced position.

[0136] In contrast, when the pedal link 35' is positioned upward against the biasing force of the link spring 35a', the stopper abutment portion 293' of the upper pedal 29' abuts against the stopper pin, restricting the backward movement of the upper pedal 29', and the upper pedal 29' moves forward against the biasing force of the upper pedal spring and is positioned in the advanced position.

[0137] Meanwhile, the restriction on backward movement of the rotation stopper 36' by the pedal stopper pin 34b' is released, and therefore the restriction on backward movement about the stopper shaft 34c' is released. Here, the weight of the product abutting against the lower pedal 28', which is maintained in the advanced position by the rotation stopper 36', is applied to the rotation stopper 36', and the rotation stopper 36' begins to move backward as the restriction on backward movement of the rotation stopper 36' is released. When the rotation stopper 36' starts to move backward, the pedal operating shaft 361' disengages from the fitting portion 283a of the lower pedal 28', and the lower pedal 28' is permitted to move backward about the first swing support shaft 28a' and moves backward against the elastic biasing force of the lower pedal spring 28b' due to the weight of the product.

[0138] When the lower pedal 28' moves backward in this manner, the base end of the lower pedal 28' moves away from the second sold-out abutment portion 52 of the second sold-out link 50, resulting in the second sold-out link 50 becoming free. As a result, the contact 27a of the second sold-out detection switch 27 is biased by the spring and takes an upright position, thereby maintaining the OFF state. In other words, when the lower pedal 28' moves backward, the second sold-out link 50 does not press the contact 27a of the second sold-out detection switch 27, just like in the product-present standby position.

[0139] The first product discharge device 20a and the second product discharge device 20b, each having the above-described configuration, are joined back to back with the harness guide 25 as a guide member to form the product dispensing device 20. In this case, the first link lever 461 constituting the drive unit 40 has its tip located below the abutment piece 351 of the pedal link 35, and the second link lever 462 has its tip located below the abutment piece 351' of the pedal link 35'.

[0140] 20 is a block diagram showing a characteristic control system of the product dispensing device 20. As shown in this Figure, the product dispensing device 20 includes a dispensing control unit 60.

[0141] The dispensing control unit 60 comprehensively controls the operation of the product dispensing device 20 in accordance with the programs and data stored in the memory 57, and is capable of communicating with the vending machine control unit 101, which comprehensively controls the vending operation of the vending machine 100. The dispensing control unit 60 includes an input processing unit 61, a motor drive processing unit 62, and an output processing unit 63.

[0142] The input processing unit 61 processes the input of commands and signals given from the vending machine control unit 101, the first sold-out detection switch 26, the second sold-out detection switch 27, or the carrier switch 45. The motor drive processing unit 62 gives a drive command or a drive stop command to the motor 43 to drive or stop the motor 43. The output processing unit 63 outputs a command signal to the vending machine control unit 101. In this embodiment, the dispensing control unit 60 is described as being independent from the vending machine control unit 101, but in this embodiment, the dispensing control unit 60 may also be incorporated into the vending machine control unit 101.

[0143] In the product dispensing device 20 configured as above, the standby state is as follows: In the following description, the products stored in the first product storage passage 13a will also be referred to as the "first products," and the products stored in the second product storage passage 13b will also be referred to as the "second products."

[0144] In the drive unit 40 provided in the first product discharging device 20a, the cam portion 443a and pressing piece 443b of the output gear 443 are positioned at the uppermost position, and the pressing piece 443b presses the contact 45a of the carrier switch 45. In this state, the carrier switch 45 is in the ON state. In this standby state, the tip portion 461b of the first link lever 461 constituting the drive unit 40 is in a position spaced downward from the abutment piece 351 of the pedal link 35, and the tip portion 462b of the second link lever 462 is in a position spaced downward from the abutment piece 351' of the pedal link 35'.

[0145] Therefore, in the first product discharge device 20a, the pedal link 35 is positioned downward, as shown in Fig. 5. Furthermore, when a product is placed on the upper surface of the lower pedal 28 due to a product being inserted into the first product storage passage 13a, the lower pedal 28 is in a product-present standby position, and the upper pedal 29 is in a position where it has retreated from the first product storage passage 13a (see Fig. 23(a)). Because the lower pedal 28 is in this product-present standby position, the contact 26a of the first sold-out detection switch 26 is in an upright position and is in the OFF state.

[0146] In the second product discharge device 20b, the pedal link 35' is positioned downward, the lower pedal 28' is in a product-present standby position, and the upper pedal 29' is in a position where it has retreated from the second product storage passage 13b (see FIG. 24(a)). Because the lower pedal 28' is in this product-present standby position, the second sold-out detection switch 27 has the contact 27a in an upright position and is in the OFF state.

[0147] In such a product dispensing device 20, when the dispensing control unit 60 inputs and processes the first product dispensing command given from the vending machine control unit 101 through the input processing unit 61, it gives a drive command to the motor 43 through the motor drive processing unit 62 to drive the motor 43 in the forward direction.

[0148] When the motor 43 is driven in the forward direction in this manner, the output gear 443 to which the driving force of the motor 43 is transmitted via the worm gear 441 and the intermediate gear 442 rotates in the clockwise direction as viewed from the front.

[0149] When the output gear 443 rotates clockwise as viewed from the front, the pressing piece 443b of the output gear 443 disengages from the contact 45a of the carrier switch 45. As a result, the contact 45a of the carrier switch 45 is released from the pressed state, switches from the ON state to the OFF state, and sends an OFF signal to the dispensing control unit 60.

[0150] When the cam portion 443a comes into contact with the base end 461a of the first link lever 461 from above due to the rotation of the output gear 443, the first link lever 461 rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the front. When the first link lever 461 rotates counterclockwise, the tip end 461b moves upward. As the tip end 461b moves upward in this manner, it comes into contact with the abutment piece 351 of the pedal link 35, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, and the pedal link 35 can be moved upward a predetermined distance against the biasing force of the link spring 35a. Moreover, while the cam portion 443a is in sliding contact with the base end 461a, the pedal link 35 can be maintained in a state in which it has moved upward a predetermined distance.

[0151] In this case, when the first link lever 461 slides against the cam portion 443a, the surface (a) including the portion that slides against the cam portion 443a is adjusted so that it is approximately perpendicular to a plane (b) including its own center axis (the center axis of the first link shaft 42e) and the stop axis of the output gear 443.

[0152] As the pedal link 35 moves upward, the stopper pin 34a moves upward from the lower ends of the stopper pin insertion holes 23b3 and 24c1, and the pedal stopper pin 34b moves upward from the lower ends of the pedal stopper pin support grooves 23b4 and 24c2.

[0153] At this time, the stopper pin 34a moves upward while abutting against the edge wall of the recess 292 of the upper pedal 29, and therefore, as shown in Figure 23(b), the upper pedal 29 moves forward from the initial position against the biasing force of the upper pedal spring. This forward movement of the upper pedal 29 is achieved by the upward movement of the stopper pin 34a. Then, when the stopper pin 34a reaches the upper end of the stopper pin insertion holes 23b3, 24c1, it abuts against the stopper abutment portion 293, thereby restricting the retraction of the upper pedal 29.

[0154] Then, the upper pedal 29 that has moved forward comes into contact with the first product (hereinafter also referred to as the next product) that is second from the bottom, and restricts the next product from moving downward.

[0155] On the other hand, since the rotation stopper 36 is subjected to the weight of the product abutting against the lower pedal 28, which is maintained in the advanced position, the upward movement of the pedal stopper pin 34b releases the restriction on backward movement, causing the rotation stopper 36 to begin backward movement.

[0156] When the rotation stopper 36 starts to move backward in this manner, the pedal operating shaft 361 comes out of the fitting portion 283a, and the lower pedal 28 starts to move backward against the biasing force of the lower pedal spring 28b due to the weight of the product. The pedal operating shaft 361 of the rotation stopper 36 that has come out of the fitting portion 283a moves along the first guide portion 283b toward the position where the first guide portion 283b and the second guide portion 283c intersect.

[0157] 23(c), the weight of the bottommost product causes the lower pedal 28 to move backward, allowing the bottommost product to move downward and be discharged (see FIG. 8). The discharged product is guided to the product discharge outlet 3c through the chute 5, and then becomes available for removal through the product removal outlet 2a.

[0158] Here, when the lowest product passes under the lower pedal 28, the lower pedal 28 moves toward the advanced position due to the elastic biasing force of the lower pedal spring 28b, and the rotation stopper 36 also moves toward the advanced position due to the elastic biasing force of the pedal operating spring. When the lower pedal 28 and the rotation stopper 36 move toward the advanced position, the pedal operating shaft 361, which was held at the position where the first guide portion 283b and the second guide portion 283c intersect, moves along the second guide portion 283c toward the fitting portion 283a, and the lower pedal 28 and the rotation stopper 36 return to their advanced positions.

[0159] During this time, the pedal link 35 moves upward, and the stopper pin 34a is positioned at the upper end of the stopper pin insertion holes 23b3 and 24c1, and the pedal stopper pin 34b is positioned at the upper end of the pedal stopper pin support grooves 23b4 and 24c2.

[0160] Thereafter, when the rotation of the output gear 443 causes the cam portion 443a to be released from contact with the base end portion 462a, the pedal link 35 is biased by the link spring 35a and moves downward.

[0161] This downward movement of the pedal link 35 causes the stopper pin 34a to move downward from the upper ends of the stopper pin insertion holes 23b3 and 24c1, and the pedal stopper pin 34b to move downward from the upper ends of the pedal stopper pin support grooves 23b4 and 24c2.

[0162] When the pedal stopper pin 34b moves to the lower end of the pedal stopper pin support grooves 23b4, 24c2, the pedal stopper pin 34b abuts against the recess 36b on the back side of the rotation stopper 36, which has returned to its advanced position. This restricts movement in the backward direction, and as shown in Figure 23(d), the biasing force of the lower pedal spring 28b returns the lower pedal 28 to the no-product standby position in which it has advanced relative to the first product storage passage 13a. As a result, the first sold-out detection switch 26 switches from the OFF state to the ON state, and an ON signal is sent to the dispensing control unit 60.

[0163] Meanwhile, the upper pedal 29 is biased by the upper pedal spring and moves backward as the stopper pin 34a moves downward, thereby allowing the next product to move downward, after which the next product abuts against the lower pedal 28 that has moved forward, restricting its downward movement, while the lower pedal 28 transitions to the product-present standby position and returns to the standby state, as shown in Figure 23(a).

[0164] In the drive unit 40, the rotation of the output gear 443 in the clockwise direction as viewed from the front results in the cam portion 443a coming into contact with the base end portion 462a of the second link lever 462. In this case, the locking portion 462c of the second link lever 462 is in contact with the right edge portion 472 of the left opening, so that the rotation of the second link lever 462 about the central axis is restricted. Therefore, the locking portion 462c elastically deforms to allow the base end portion 462a to approach the locking portion 462c, and does not hinder the movement of the cam portion 443a caused by the rotation of the output gear 443.

[0165] Then, when the rotation of the output gear 443 subsequently causes the cam portion 443a to return to the standby position, the pressing piece 443b presses the contact 45a of the carrier switch 45, causing the carrier switch 45 to switch from the OFF state to the ON state, and an ON signal is sent to the dispensing control unit 60. Immediately after the pressing piece 443b presses the contact 45a of the carrier switch 45, the cam portion 443a disengages from the base end portion 462a of the second link lever 462, and the second link lever 462 returns to its original state by the locking portion 462c.

[0166] Thereafter, the dispensing control unit 60 issues a drive stop command to the motor 43 through the motor drive processing unit 62, causing the motor 43 to stop driving.

[0167] On the other hand, when the dispensing control unit 60 of the product dispensing device 20 inputs and processes the second product dispensing command given from the vending machine control unit 101 through the input processing unit 61, it gives a drive command to the motor 43 through the motor drive processing unit 62 to drive the motor 43 in the reverse direction.

[0168] When the motor 43 is driven in the reverse direction in this manner, the output gear 443 to which the driving force of the motor 43 is transmitted via the worm gear 441 and the intermediate gear 442 rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the front.

[0169] When the output gear 443 rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the front, the pressing piece 443b of the output gear 443 disengages from the contact 45a of the carrier switch 45. As a result, the contact 45a of the carrier switch 45 is released from the pressed state, switches from the ON state to the OFF state, and sends an OFF signal to the dispensing control unit 60.

[0170] When the cam portion 443a comes into contact with the base end portion 462a of the second link lever 462 from above due to the rotation of the output gear 443, the second link lever 462 rotates clockwise as viewed from the front. When the second link lever 462 rotates clockwise, the tip end portion 462b moves upward. As the tip end portion 462b moves upward in this manner, it comes into contact with the abutment piece 351' of the pedal link 35', and the pedal link 35' can be moved upward a predetermined distance against the biasing force of the link spring 35a'. Moreover, while the cam portion 443a is in sliding contact with the base end portion 462a, the pedal link 35' can be maintained in a state in which it has moved upward a predetermined distance.

[0171] In this case, although not shown in the figure, when the second link lever 462 slides against the cam portion 443a, the surface including the portion that slides against the cam portion 443a is adjusted so that it is approximately perpendicular to a plane including its own center axis (the center axis of the second link shaft 42f) and the stop axis of the output gear 443.

[0172] As the pedal link 35' moves upward, the stopper pin moves upward, and the pedal stopper pin 34b' also moves upward.

[0173] At this time, the stopper pin moves upward while abutting against the edge wall of the recess 292' of the upper pedal 29', and therefore, as shown in Figure 24(b), the upper pedal 29' moves forward from its initial position against the biasing force of the upper pedal spring. This forward movement of the upper pedal 29' is achieved by the upward movement of the stopper pin. When the stopper pin reaches the upper end of the stopper pin insertion hole, it abuts against the stopper abutment portion 293', restricting the retraction of the upper pedal 29'.

[0174] Then, the upper pedal 29' that has moved forward comes into contact with the second product (hereinafter also referred to as the next product) that is second from the bottom, and restricts the next product from moving downward.

[0175] On the other hand, since the rotation stopper 36' is subjected to the weight of the product abutting against the lower pedal 28' which is maintained in the advanced position, the upward movement of the pedal stopper pin 34b' releases the restriction on backward movement, and the rotation stopper 36' begins to move backward.

[0176] When the rotation stopper 36' starts to move backward in this way, the pedal operating shaft 361' comes out of the fitting portion, and the lower pedal 28' starts to move backward due to the product's own weight against the biasing force of the lower pedal spring 28b'. The pedal operating shaft 361' of the rotation stopper 36' that has come out of the fitting portion moves along the first guide portion toward the position where the first guide portion and the second guide portion intersect.

[0177] 24(c), the weight of the bottom product causes the lower pedal 28' to move backward, allowing the bottom product to move downward and be discharged. The discharged product is guided to the product discharge outlet 3c through the chute 5, and then becomes available for removal through the product removal outlet 2a.

[0178] When the lowest product passes under the lower pedal 28', the elastic biasing force of the lower pedal spring 28b' moves the lower pedal 28' toward the advanced position, and the elastic biasing force of the pedal operating spring also moves the rotation stopper 36' toward the advanced position. When the lower pedal 28' and the rotation stopper 36' move toward the advanced position, the pedal operating shaft 361', which was held at the position where the first guide part and the second guide part intersect, moves along the second guide part toward the fitting part, and the lower pedal 28' and the rotation stopper 36' return to their advanced positions.

[0179] Thereafter, when the rotation of the output gear 443 causes the cam portion 443a to be released from contact with the base end portion 462a, the pedal link 35' is biased by the link spring 35a' and moves downward.

[0180] This downward movement of the pedal link 35' causes the stopper pin to move downward, and the pedal stopper pin 34b' also moves downward.

[0181] When the pedal stopper pin 34b' moves to the lower end of the pedal stopper pin support groove, the pedal stopper pin 34b' abuts against the recess 36b' on the back side of the rotation stopper 36', which has returned to its advanced position. This restricts movement in the backward direction, and as shown in Figure 24 (d), the biasing force of the lower pedal spring 28b' returns the lower pedal 28' to the no-product standby position in which it has advanced relative to the second product storage passage 13b. As a result, the second sold-out detection switch 27 switches from its OFF state to its ON state, and an ON signal is sent to the dispensing control unit 60.

[0182] Meanwhile, the upper pedal 29' is biased by the upper pedal spring and moves backward as the stopper pin 34b' moves downward, thereby allowing the next product to move downward, after which the next product comes into contact with the lower pedal 28' that has moved forward, restricting its downward movement, while the lower pedal 28' moves to the product-present standby position and returns to the standby state as shown in Figure 24(a).

[0183] In the drive unit 40, the rotation of the output gear 443 in the counterclockwise direction as viewed from the front results in the cam portion 443a coming into contact with the base end portion 461a of the first link lever 461. In this case, the locking portion 461c of the first link lever 461 is in contact with the left edge portion 471 of the right opening, so that the rotation of the first link lever 461 around the central axis is restricted. Therefore, the locking portion 461c elastically deforms to allow the base end portion 461a to approach the locking portion 461c, and does not hinder the movement of the cam portion 443a caused by the rotation of the output gear 443.

[0184] Then, when the cam portion 443a returns to the standby position due to the rotation of the output gear 443, the pressing piece 443b presses the contact 45a of the carrier switch 45, causing the carrier switch 45 to switch from the OFF state to the ON state, and an ON signal is sent to the dispensing control unit 60. Thereafter, the dispensing control unit 60 sends a drive stop command to the motor 43 through the motor drive processing unit 62, causing the motor 43 to stop driving.

[0185] <Detecting remaining product quantities> Fig. 25 is a diagram showing an example of sound data when the lowest product is being discharged. As shown in Fig. 25, when discharging a product from the second product storage passage 13b, the product discharging device 20b drives the lower pedal 28' and the upper pedal 29' as shown in (1) to (6).

[0186] At this time, as shown in FIG. 25(a), four peak waveforms W1 to W4 are sequentially generated in the time waveform W of the sound data. Peak waveform W1 occurs in state (2) and includes the operation sound of the lower pedal 28' moving backward, the sound of the upper pedal 29' colliding with the product, and the sound of the product shifting position. Peak waveform W2 occurs in state (3) and includes the operation sound of the lower pedal 28' moving forward and the sound of the product colliding with the chute 5. Peak waveform W3 includes the sound of the product rolling on the chute 5. Furthermore, peak waveform W4 occurs in state (6) and includes the sound of the lower pedal 28' colliding with the product and the sound of the product rolling on the chute 5. Note that if there are many remaining products, the weight of the products will cause the remaining products to fall faster, and the period t1 to t2 will be shorter. Furthermore, if the number of remaining products is large, the period t3 to t4 becomes shorter because the backward movement of the upper pedal 29' is assisted and the falling speed of the products increases.

[0187] In this embodiment, the remaining number of products is determined using a machine learning model that performs machine learning to estimate the remaining number of products using sound data as training data.

[0188] Fig. 26 is a block diagram showing a control system for detecting the number of remaining products in vending machine 100. As shown in Fig. 26, vending machine control unit 101 has filter processing unit 81, waveform processing unit 82, pre-processing unit 83, learning unit 84, remaining number determination unit 85, and memory unit 86, and is connected to microphone 70 and dispensing control unit 60 of product delivery devices 20a and 20b.

[0189] The microphone 70 is provided inside the upper insulating door 3a, i.e., on the product storage rack 10 side of the upper insulating door 3a. When the product storage rack 10 is divided into three units as viewed from the front, three microphones 70 are provided corresponding to the positions of the product storage racks.

[0190] The microphone 70 records sound data of the product dispensing sound when the lowest product is dispensed as time waveform data. The sound data is data for the period from the start time t0 of the sale of one product to the end time t10 of the sale. The recording time of the sound data may be a fixed time from the start time t0 of the sale of one product.

[0191] The filter processing unit 81 performs filtering on the recorded sound data to pass a predetermined frequency band. For example, the filter processing unit 81 performs noise removal by cutting off frequencies below 20 Hz.

[0192] The waveform processing unit 82 converts the filtered sound data into three-dimensional data, specifically image data, expressed in terms of time, frequency, and signal intensity.

[0193] The preprocessing unit 83 performs a synthesis process on the three-dimensional data, synthesizing two pieces of three-dimensional data acquired under different conditions at a random ratio, a shift process on the three-dimensional data by a random amount of time, and a correction process on the three-dimensional data so that the average signal strength for each frequency becomes zero. Note that the preprocessing unit 83 performs the synthesis process, shift process, and correction process when generating the machine learning model M, and performs the correction process when operating the machine learning model M. Note that the filtering process by the filtering unit 81 is performed both when generating the machine learning model M and when operating the machine learning model M.

[0194] Before the vending machine 100 is put into operation, the learning unit 84 generates a machine learning model M by performing machine learning that outputs a determination of the remaining number of products using the three-dimensional data as training data.

[0195] The remaining quantity determination unit 85 reads the machine learning model M, inputs the converted three-dimensional data into the machine learning model M to determine the remaining quantity of the product, and outputs the result as a remaining quantity determination result. The storage unit 86 stores the machine learning model M that has undergone supervised learning.

[0196] In this embodiment, an Audio Spectrogram Transformer (AST), which is a deep learning model for classifying imaged sound data, is used as the machine learning model M. This AST is a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) that can perform highly accurate estimation of sound data.

[0197] <Machine learning model generation process> Fig. 27 is a diagram illustrating the generation process of the machine learning model M. As shown in Fig. 27, first, sound data recorded by the microphone 70 from the start of sales to the end of sales is acquired (S1), and then the filter processing unit 21 generates sound data that has been subjected to a filter process that cuts out a predetermined frequency range, and performs noise removal (S2). This sound data is two-dimensional data of time and amplitude (signal strength).

[0198] The waveform processing unit 82 then performs a short-time Fourier transform (STFT) on the sound data (S3) to convert the sound data into three-dimensional data expressed in terms of time, frequency, and signal intensity (S4). The three-dimensional data is image data in which the horizontal axis represents time, the vertical axis represents frequency, and the gray scale represents signal intensity.

[0199] Thereafter, the preprocessing unit 83 performs preprocessing for machine learning on this three-dimensional data (S5), and the learning unit 84 generates a machine learning model M that performs supervised learning to estimate the remaining number using the preprocessed three-dimensional data (S6).

[0200] <Remaining quantity determination process using machine learning model> Fig. 28 is a diagram illustrating the remaining quantity determination process for a product using machine learning model M. As shown in Fig. 28, steps S11 to S15 in the remaining quantity determination process are the same as steps S1 to S5 in the generation process. However, in the pre-processing of step S15, only correction processing is performed.

[0201] Then, the corrected three-dimensional data is input to the machine learning model M (S16), the remaining number is determined, and the remaining number determination result is output (S17).

[0202] <Filtering> Figure 29 is a diagram showing an example of filtering. Figure 29(a) shows an example of sound data before filtering, and part A of the sound data WA shows a low-frequency undulation caused by the difference in air pressure when the inner door 3 inside the refrigerator is opened and closed. This undulation is noise unrelated to estimating the remaining quantity. Note that, as described above, region E1 is a region where differences in sound occur due to the structure, such as the remaining quantity.

[0203] As shown in part A' of FIG. 29(b), the sound data WB has been filtered to remove this undulation.

[0204] <Composition processing> FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a synthesis process. The synthesis process is a preprocessing performed when generating a machine learning model M. As shown in FIG. 30, two pieces of three-dimensional data D1 and D2 obtained under different conditions are synthesized at a random ratio to generate three-dimensional data D3, and this synthesized three-dimensional data D3 is also used as training data. In FIG. 30, the three-dimensional data D1 is synthesized at a ratio of 0.3, and the three-dimensional data D2 is synthesized at a ratio of 0.7. This synthesis process increases the amount of training data and optimizes the machine learning model M. Note that the number of pieces of three-dimensional data to be synthesized may be three or more.

[0205] <Shift processing> Fig. 31 is a diagram showing an example of shift processing. Since the acquisition timing of sound data may differ, multiple sets of three-dimensional data D12 are generated by time-shifting the original three-dimensional data D11, and machine learning is performed using these as training data to optimize the machine learning model M. Note that, as shown in Fig. 31(b), blank spaces are padded so that the image size does not change before and after the time shift.

[0206] <Correction processing> Fig. 32 is a diagram showing an example of the correction process. As shown in Fig. 32, in this correction process, first, an average value in the time direction for each frequency is calculated for three-dimensional data D21 (S21), and then an offset removal correction process is performed in which this average value is subtracted from the value of each pixel. As a result, the three-dimensional data is corrected so that the average signal intensity for each frequency becomes zero.

[0207] <Machine learning model generation process> FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the steps of the process for generating the machine learning model M. As shown in FIG. 33, first, the microphone 70 records sound data at the time of product sales (step S101). Thereafter, the filter processing unit 81 performs filtering on the sound data, and the waveform processing unit 82 converts the filtered sound data into image data (three-dimensional data) (step S102). Thereafter, preprocessing is applied to this image data (step S103), and supervised learning of the machine learning model M is performed, which estimates the remaining number using the preprocessed image data as supervised data (step S104). Then, the trained machine learning model M is stored in the storage unit 86 (step S105), and this process ends.

[0208] <Procedure for determining remaining machine learning models> FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the remaining quantity determination process steps performed by machine learning model M. As shown in FIG. 34, first, vending machine control unit 101 receives a sales command (step S201) and records sound data at the time of product vending (step S202). Then, filter processing unit 81 applies filtering to the sound data, and waveform processing unit 82 converts the filtered sound data into image data (three-dimensional data) (step S203). Next, preprocessing, i.e., correction processing, is applied to this image data (step S204), and the preprocessed image data is input to machine learning model M, which determines and outputs the remaining quantity (step S205), terminating this process.

[0209] According to this embodiment, the remaining quantity is determined not by multiple regression analysis but by a machine learning model using image data, which is three-dimensional data corresponding to sound data, as training data. This allows for a wide range of application to product and model conditions when determining the remaining quantity of a product, and also increases the accuracy of determining the remaining quantity.

[0210] <Modification> This modified example attempts to optimize the machine learning model M by performing re-learning. FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vending machine system using the vending machine 100 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 35, the vending machine 100 is connected to a management server 200. The vending machine 100 of this modified example further includes a recording unit 87, an accuracy rate calculation unit 88, and a transmission / reception processing unit 89 in the vending machine control unit 101. It also includes a communication unit 90 connected to the vending machine 100. Meanwhile, the management server 200 includes a control unit 201 having a re-learning unit 91 and a transmission / reception processing unit 92, a communication unit 93, and a database 202.

[0211] Here, the re-learning process of the machine learning model M will be described with reference to Figures 36 and 37. Figure 36 is a flowchart showing the re-learning process procedure for the machine learning model M. Figure 37 is a detailed flowchart of the accuracy rate calculation process shown in Figure 36. Note that steps S301 to S304 in Figure 36 correspond to steps S202 to S205 in Figure 34. That is, a remaining number determination process is performed using the current machine learning model M.

[0212] Thereafter, the storage unit 87 stores the sound data and the remaining number determination result as history data LD in the storage unit 86 (step S305). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the item has sold out (step S306). If the item has not sold out (step S306: No), this process ends.

[0213] On the other hand, if the item is sold out (step S306: Yes), the accuracy rate calculation process is performed (step S307), and the process ends.

[0214] 37, in the accuracy rate calculation process, a label is assigned to past sound data (step S401), and the accuracy rate calculation unit calculates the accuracy rate at the time of the sell-out (step S402). Then, it is determined whether the accuracy rate is equal to or lower than the reference accuracy rate (step S403). If the accuracy rate is not equal to or lower than the reference accuracy rate (step S403: No), the process returns to step S307, and re-learning is not performed.

[0215] On the other hand, if the accuracy rate is equal to or lower than the reference accuracy rate (step S403: Yes), the parameters of the machine learning model M and the incorrect answer data ND of the history data LD whose accuracy rate is equal to or lower than the reference accuracy rate are sent to the database 202 of the management server 200 (step S404). Furthermore, the vending machine control unit 101 determines whether the number of incorrect answer data ND in the database 202 is equal to or greater than a certain amount (step S405). If the number of incorrect answer data ND in the database 202 is not equal to or greater than the certain amount (step S405: No), the process returns to step S307 and no relearning is performed.

[0216] If the number of incorrect answer data ND in the database 202 is equal to or greater than a certain amount (step S405: Yes), the transmission / reception processing unit 89 requests the management server 200 to re-learn the machine learning model M (step S406). When the management server 200 receives this request for re-learning, the re-learning unit 91 performs a re-learning process for the machine learning model M using the incorrect answer data ND. Then, the transmission / reception processing unit 92 transmits the re-learned parameters to the vending machine 100.

[0217] Upon receiving these re-learned parameters, the vending machine control unit 101 sets these parameters in the machine learning model M, updates the machine learning model M (step S407), and returns to step S307.

[0218] The determination in step S405 may be made by the management server 200. The determination process in step S405 may be a determination as to whether a certain period of time has elapsed, and if the certain period of time has elapsed, re-learning processing may be performed.

[0219] <Example of accuracy rate calculation> FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of accuracy rate calculation. As shown in FIG. 38(a), the accuracy rate calculation unit 88 assigns a provisional value to the actual remaining quantity (correct label) for each sale of product A. The actual remaining quantity has an initial value of n, and is decremented by "-1" for each sale. Then, as shown in FIG. 38(b), when a product is sold out, the actual remaining quantity of product A sold at the time of the sellout is confirmed as "0" as shown in FIG. 38(c), and the actual remaining quantities of each product at the time of sale are retroactively confirmed. Then, if the predicted remaining quantity and the actual remaining quantity of each product match, it is considered correct, and if they do not match, it is considered incorrect, and the accuracy rate is calculated.

[0220] Here, it is known that the sales sound changes depending on the conditions of the product (volume, packaging, etc.) and the machine (rack width, column position, etc.), and there is a risk that the accuracy of the machine learning model's judgment will decrease for sales sound data of products or machines that have not been trained.However, in this modified example, the machine learning model is re-trained, so that the accuracy of determining the remaining quantity can be maintained and the decrease in accuracy can be suppressed.

[0221] In addition, the history data LD may include information on the products and machines sold in addition to the sales sound, so that the machine learning model can be retrained to suit specific products and machines as necessary.

[0222] Furthermore, as described above, when the product storage rack 10 is divided into three sections as viewed from the front, three microphones 70 are provided corresponding to the positions of each product storage rack. That is, as shown in Fig. 39, when the product storage rack is divided into a left compartment, a middle compartment, and a right compartment via thermal insulation materials 301, 302, and each compartment is used for adjusting the temperature of cold and hot, a microphone 70 is provided in each of the left compartment, the middle compartment, and the right compartment.

[0223] Note that the configurations illustrated in the above embodiments and modifications are merely functional schematics and are not necessarily physically configured as shown. In other words, the distribution and integration of each device and component is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various usage situations, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0224] 1 Main cabinet 2 outer door 2a Product outlet 3 Inner door 3a Upper insulation door 3b Lower insulated door 3c Product unloading port 4. Product storage warehouse 5 Shooter 6 Temperature control unit 7 Machine room 10 Product storage rack 11 Base side panel 12 Passage Components 13 Product storage aisle 13a 1st product storage aisle 13b 2nd product storage aisle 14 Top Tray 15 Product information aisle 16,17 Passage width regulation plate 20 Product dispensing device 20a 1st product unloading device 20b 2nd product unloading device 26 First sold-out detection switch 27 Second sold-out detection switch 28,28´ Lower Pedal 28a, 29a Swing support shaft 29,29´ Upper pedal 40 Drive Unit 43 Motor 57 Memory 60 Dispense control unit 61 Input processing section 62 Motor drive processing unit 63 Output Processing Unit 70 microphones 81 Filter processing section 82 Waveform processing section 83 Pretreatment section 84 Learning Department 85 Remaining quantity determination unit 86 Memory section 87 Recording Department 88 Accuracy calculation section 89,92 Transmission and reception processing section 90,93 Communications Department 91 Relearning Section 100 vending machines 101 Vending machine control unit 200 Management Server 201 Control Unit 301, 302 Heat insulation material A,A´ part D1, D2, D3, D11, D12, D21 3D data E1 area LD History Data ND incorrect data t0 At the time of sales start t10 Sales end time W time waveform W1~W4 Peak waveform WA,WB sound data

Claims

1. A microphone to record the sound of product dispensing, a waveform processing unit that converts the recorded sound data into three-dimensional data expressed by time, frequency, and signal strength; a storage unit that stores a machine learning model that performs machine learning using the three-dimensional data as training data and outputs a determination of remaining quantities of products; a remaining quantity determination processing unit that reads the machine learning model, inputs the converted three-dimensional data, and outputs a result of determining the remaining quantity of the product; A vending machine comprising:

2. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a learning unit that generates the machine learning model by performing machine learning using the three-dimensional data as training data to output a determination of the remaining quantity of a product before the vending machine is put into operation.

3. a filter processing unit that performs filtering of a predetermined frequency range on the recorded sound data; a pre-processing unit that applies to the sound data a synthesis process that synthesizes the two pieces of three-dimensional data obtained under different conditions at a random ratio, a shift process that shifts the three-dimensional data by a random time, and a correction process that corrects the three-dimensional data so that the average signal strength for each frequency becomes zero; 3. The vending machine according to claim 2, further comprising:

4. The vending machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the filtering process, the synthesis process, the shifting process, and the correction process are performed when the machine learning model is generated, and the filtering process and the correction process are performed when the machine learning model is operated.

5. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a management server communicatively connected to the vending machine; Equipped with The vending machine is a recording unit that records at least the sound data and the remaining number determination result as history data; an accuracy rate calculation unit that assigns a correct label to past sound data going back to the time when the item was sold out and calculates the accuracy rate for the remaining quantity determination result; If the accuracy rate is equal to or lower than a certain standard accuracy rate, the history data is transmitted to the management server; When the number of pieces of history data reaches or exceeds a certain amount, or when a certain amount of operation time has elapsed, the management server re-learns the machine learning model using the history data, and transmits parameters of the re-learned machine learning model to the vending machine; A vending machine system characterized in that the vending machine sets parameters sent by the management server to the machine learning model.

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