Automatic vending machine

Abstract

To prevent an antenna from being damaged during transportation and to improve the directivity of the antenna.SOLUTION: In the automatic vending machine 1, a module body side 20a, which is a housing for accommodating an antenna 23 for performing wireless communication with an external device, is attached to an attachment surface, which is an arbitrary surface of the automatic vending machine body, and is displaceable between a storage posture in which the module body side wall does not protrude outward from a surface other than the attachment surface and a set posture in which the module body side wall protrudes outward from an arbitrary surface other than the attachment surface. Preferably, the vending machine main body includes a main body cabinet 1a having an opening in a front surface thereof, and an outer door 1b provided in the main body cabinet 1a so as to open and close the opening, and the module main body 20a is mounted with a front surface of the outer door 1b as a mounting surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vending machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a vending machine equipped with an antenna for wireless communication is proposed in Patent Document 1. In the vending machine proposed in Patent Document 1, the antenna is erected from the top surface of the main body cabinet that constitutes the vending machine body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-244337 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, vending machines are transported to their installation locations on vehicles such as trucks. If an antenna is installed upright on the top surface of the main body cabinet as in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the antenna may be damaged during transportation.

[0005] On the other hand, to prevent damage to the antenna, it is also possible to install the antenna inside the main cabinet. However, the vending machine body, including the main cabinet, is made of metal to ensure robustness, which poses a problem of reduced antenna directivity.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine that can prevent damage to an antenna during transportation and can improve the directivity of the antenna. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the vending machine of the present invention is a vending machine having a rectangular shaped vending machine main body in which products are stored, and the module main body, which is a housing that houses an antenna for wireless communication with external devices, is attached to any surface of the vending machine main body as a mounting surface, and is capable of being displaced between a stored position in which it does not protrude outside from any surface other than the mounting surface, and a set position in which it protrudes outside from any surface other than the mounting surface.

[0008] The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above-mentioned vending machine, the vending machine main body comprises a main body cabinet having an opening on the front side and a door body provided on the main body cabinet in a manner that opens and closes the opening, and the module main body is attached with the front side of the door body as the mounting surface.

[0009] Furthermore, in the vending machine of the present invention, the module body is displaced between the storage position and the set position by rotating about an arbitrary rotation axis.

[0010] Furthermore, in the vending machine according to the present invention, the module body is displaced between the storage position and the set position by sliding in the vertical direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the module main body, which is a housing that houses an antenna for wireless communication with external devices, is attached to any surface of the vending machine main body as the mounting surface, and is movable between a stored position in which it does not protrude from any surface other than the mounting surface, and an set position in which it protrudes from any surface other than the mounting surface. This prevents damage to the antenna when the module main body is in the stored position during transportation of the vending machine, and when the module main body is in the set position, the antenna protrudes from any surface of the vending machine main body, improving the directivity of the antenna. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the antenna during transportation, and it is possible to improve the directivity of the antenna. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a vending machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the communication module shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3(a) is a rear view showing the module main body in the storage position together with the outer door, and FIG. 3(b) is a rear view showing the module main body in the set position together with the outer door. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) is a front view showing the module body in the storage position together with the vending machine body, and FIG. 4(b) is a front view showing the module body in the set position together with the vending machine body. [Figure 5] FIG. 5(a) is a side view showing the module main body in the storage position together with the vending machine main body, and FIG. 5(b) is a side view showing the module main body in the set position together with the vending machine main body. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the inside of the module body in the storage position and the set position as viewed from the front. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a rear view showing the module body held in the set position together with the outer door. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the module main body in the set position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the module main body in the set position as viewed from the front. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the external configuration of a vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the communication module shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12(a) is a rear view showing the module main body in the storage position together with the outer door, and FIG. 12(b) is a rear view showing the module main body in the set position together with the outer door. [Figure 13] FIG. 13(a) is a front view showing the module main body in the storage position together with the vending machine main body, and FIG. 13(b) is a front view showing the module main body in the set position together with the vending machine main body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a vending machine according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] <First Embodiment> 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a vending machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The vending machine 1 shown here sells beverages in containers such as cans or plastic bottles, and is configured to include a main body cabinet 1a and an outer door 1b as the vending machine main body.

[0015] The main cabinet 1a is a rectangular, heat-insulated housing with a front opening (not shown) on the front. Although not shown in the figure, multiple product storage compartments are defined inside the main cabinet 1a, and multiple product storage racks are provided in each product storage compartment. These product storage racks are set up as columns. A column is a storage unit that stores the same type of product, and one or more product storage racks are provided depending on the products to be sold.

[0016] The outer door 1b is a door body that is swingably mounted on the main cabinet 1a so as to open and close the front opening of the main cabinet 1a. An inner door (not shown) with a heat insulating structure is provided between the main cabinet 1a and the outer door 1b so as to open and close the front of the product storage cabinet.

[0017] A pop-up handle 11 is provided in the middle of the right side of the front of the outer door 1b. The pop-up handle 11 is used to lock the outer door 1b when it is closed. The vending machine 1 is locked by pushing in the pop-up handle 11 when the outer door 1b is closed, and when an unlocking operation is performed, the pop-up handle 11 pops up (protrudes), allowing the outer door 1b to be opened.

[0018] An exhibition room 12 is provided in the upper front area of ​​the outer door 1b. The exhibition room 12 displays product samples 13 of the products sold by the vending machine 1. In the exhibition room 12, the product samples 13 are displayed side by side on three stages 14 arranged vertically.

[0019] The outer door 1b is provided with a payment processing unit 15, product selection buttons 16, a display unit 17, a coin insertion slot 18a, a bill insertion slot 18b, a product removal slot 19, and a communication module 20.

[0020] The payment processing unit 15 is located below the exhibition room 12 on the front side of the outer door 1b. The payment processing unit 15 reads and writes information (electronic money) from a recording medium, such as an electronic money card, held in a predetermined communication area, and performs payment processing using electronic money with the recording medium. The payment processing unit 15 has the function of identifying the validity and type of the recording medium.

[0021] The product selection buttons 16 are product selection sections for selecting products, and are provided corresponding to the product samples 13. The product selection buttons 16 have built-in light sources such as LEDs. The light sources are constantly lit, flashing, or turned off in response to commands given from a control section (not shown). The display section 17 displays various information such as on sale and in preparation.

[0022] The coin slot 18a is provided in a side area of ​​the display unit 17 and is an opening for inserting coins. Coins inserted through this coin slot 18a are identified for authenticity and denomination by a coin processing device called a coin mech (not shown) and are then stored in response to a command from the control unit. This coin processing device returns coins through a coin return slot 18d provided on the front surface of the outer door 1b when a return lever 18c provided on the front surface of the outer door 1b is operated or in response to a command from the control unit.

[0023] The bill insertion slot 18b is an opening for inserting bills, and is provided in a lateral area of ​​the payment processing unit 15 below the display unit 17. The authenticity and denomination of bills inserted through this bill insertion slot 18b are identified by a bill processing device (not shown) called a bill validator, and the bill is stored in response to a command from the control unit. This bill processing device has the function of dispensing bills from the bill insertion slot 18b when the return lever 18c is operated or in response to a command from the control unit.

[0024] The product outlet 19 is provided at the bottom of the outer door 1b. This product outlet 19 is an opening that is opened and closed by a product outlet door 19a, and is used to take out products dispensed from inside.

[0025] The communication module 20 is attached to the upper right part of the front surface of the outer door 1b. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the communication module 20 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the communication module 20 includes a module main body 20a.

[0026] The module main body 20a is configured to include a module case 21 and a module cover 22. The module case 21 is made of resin and has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and has an opening (hereinafter also referred to as a rear opening) 21a formed at the rear. An annular inner wall portion 212 is formed on the periphery of the front portion, which corresponds to the bottom of the module case 21, inside the outer wall portion 211 and spaced apart from the outer wall portion 211 so as to protrude rearward.

[0027] The module cover 22 is a resin lid for closing the rear opening 21a of the module case 21. The module cover 22 is configured by integrally forming a disk-shaped cover base 221 and an annular cover peripheral wall 222 that protrudes forward from the peripheral edge of the cover base 221.

[0028] The module cover 22 closes the rear opening 21a of the module case 21 by the cover peripheral wall portion 222 relatively entering between the outer wall portion 211 and the inner wall portion 212, thereby forming the module main body 20a, and an accommodation space S is formed inside the module main body 20a.

[0029] An antenna 23 is disposed on the rear surface of the front part, which corresponds to the bottom of the module case 21, and is thereby housed in the housing space S of the module main body 20a. The antenna 23 is used to perform wireless communication with external devices such as a management server and a mobile terminal device.

[0030] The cover base 221 of the module cover 22 is formed with an attachment hole 221a, a wiring hole 221b, a shaft hole 221c, a guide hole 221d, and a fixing hole 221e.

[0031] For example, six mounting holes 221a are formed in the peripheral portion of the cover base 221. Male screws (not shown) pass through these mounting holes 221a from the rear and are screwed into female threaded portions 213 formed in the peripheral portion of the front part of the module main body 20a, whereby the module cover 22 is attached to the module case 21, and the module main body 20a is formed.

[0032] The wiring hole 221b is an enlarged diameter hole having the largest inner diameter and is formed in the cover base 221. The wiring hole 221b is for passing wiring connected to the antenna 23 through it.

[0033] One shaft hole 221c is formed in the cover base 221, and in FIG. 2, it is formed below the wiring hole 221b. This shaft hole 221c is a hole for attaching the rotating shaft 24 (see FIG. 3). One guide hole 221d is formed in the cover base 221, and in FIG. 2, it is formed below the shaft hole 221c. This guide hole 221d is a hole for attaching the guide part 25 (see FIG. 3).

[0034] For example, three fixing holes 221e are formed in the cover base 221, and are formed to form the apex of a triangle above the wiring hole 221b in Fig. 2. These fixing holes 221e are holes for attaching fixing members 26 (see Fig. 7).

[0035] The communication module 20 having such a configuration is attached to the front surface of the outer door 1b as follows: As shown in Fig. 3(a), a rotating shaft 24 is attached to the shaft hole 221c in a manner that it passes through a shaft support hole 271 of the outer door 1b, and a guide part 25 is attached to the guide hole 221d, which passes through a guide hole 272 formed in the outer door 1b. This guide hole 272 is an elongated hole that forms an arc shape with the shaft support hole 271 as its center.

[0036] As a result, the module main body 20a (communication module 20) can rotate about the rotation shaft 24 between a position where the guide portion 25 abuts against one end of the guide hole 272 as shown in Fig. 3(a) and a position where the guide portion 25 abuts against the other end of the guide hole 272 as shown in Fig. 3(b). The wiring hole 221b is always exposed by a wiring guide hole 273 formed in the outer door 1b. The wiring guide hole 273 is an elongated hole that is arc-shaped with the shaft support hole 271 as its center, similar to the guide hole 272.

[0037] When the guide portion 25 abuts against one end of the guide hole 272, the module main body 20a assumes a storage position in which it does not protrude outward from any surface of the vending machine main body other than the front surface (mounting surface) of the outer door 1b, as shown in Figures 4(a) and 5(a), and when the guide portion 25 abuts against the other end of the guide hole 272, as shown in Figure 3(b), it assumes a set position in which it protrudes upward from any surface of the vending machine main body other than the front surface (mounting surface) of the outer door 1b, i.e., from the top surface of the main body cabinet 1a, as shown in Figures 4(b) and 5(b). In other words, the module main body 20a is rotatable (displaceable) between the storage position and the set position.

[0038] When the module main body 20a is in the set position, as shown in FIG. 6, the majority of the antenna 23 housed inside the module main body 20a protrudes upward from the top surface (any surface other than the mounting surface) of the main body cabinet 1a.

[0039] When the module main body 20a is in the set position, the module main body 20a is held in the set position by attaching the fixing members 26 to the fixing holes 221e, as shown in Fig. 7. When the module main body 20a is in the set position, the open holes 211a formed in the outer wall portions 211 of the module case 21 face downward, as shown in Figs.

[0040] This allows rainwater and the like that has entered the inside of the module main body 20a due to capillary action or the like to flow through the gap S1 between the module case 21 and the module cover 22, i.e., the gap S1 between the outer wall portion 211 and the inner wall portion 212 and the cover peripheral wall portion 222, and drip downward through the open hole 211a.

[0041] As described above, in the vending machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the module body 20a, which houses the antenna 23 for wireless communication with external devices, is attached to the front surface of the exterior door 1b and is rotatable between a storage position in which it does not protrude from any surface of the vending machine body other than the front surface, and a set position in which it protrudes from the top surface of the main body cabinet 1a, which is any surface other than the front surface, thereby preventing damage to the antenna 23 when the module body 20a is in the storage position during transportation of the vending machine 1. Moreover, when the module body 20a is in the set position, most of the antenna 23 housed in the storage space S protrudes upward from the top surface of the main body cabinet 1a, thereby improving the directivity of the antenna 23.

[0042] That is, according to the vending machine 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent damage to the antenna 23 during transportation, and also to improve the directivity of the antenna 23.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the vending machine 1, when the module main body 20a is in the set position, rainwater and the like that has entered the inside of the module main body 20a due to capillary action or the like can flow through the gap S1 between the module case 21 and the module cover 22, i.e., the gap S1 between the outer wall portion 211 and the inner wall portion 212 and the cover peripheral wall portion 222, and drip downward through the open hole 211a, thereby improving waterproofing.

[0044] <Embodiment 2> 10 is a front view showing the external configuration of a vending machine according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. Note that the same components as those in vending machine 1 according to embodiment 1 described above are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted where appropriate.

[0045] The vending machine 2 illustrated here sells beverages in containers such as cans and PET bottles, and is configured to include a main body cabinet 1a and an outer door 1c as the vending machine main body.

[0046] The outer door 1c is swingably mounted on the main cabinet 1a so as to open and close the front opening of the main cabinet 1a. An inner door (not shown) with a heat insulating structure is provided between the main cabinet 1a and the outer door 1c so as to open and close the front of the product storage room.

[0047] The outer door 1c is provided with a pop-up handle 11, a display room 12, a payment processing unit 15, product selection buttons 16, a display unit 17, a coin insertion slot 18a, a bill insertion slot 18b, a product removal slot 19, and a communication module 30.

[0048] The communication module 30 is attached to the upper right part of the front surface of the outer door 1c. Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the communication module 30 shown in Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 11, the communication module 30 includes a module main body 30a.

[0049] The module main body 30a is configured to include a module case 31 and a module cover 32. The module case 31 is made of resin and has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and has an opening (not shown) formed in the rear (hereinafter also referred to as a rear opening).

[0050] The module cover 32 is a resin lid for closing the rear opening of the module case 31. The module cover 32 is in the shape of a disk. The module cover 32 closes the rear opening of the module case 31 and constitutes the module main body 30a, and an accommodation space is formed inside the module main body 30a.

[0051] An antenna 33 is disposed on the front surface of the module cover 32, and thus the antenna 33 is housed in the housing space of the module body 30a. The antenna 33 is used for wireless communication with external devices such as a management server or a mobile terminal device. A rectangular wiring opening 321 is also formed in the module cover 32. The wiring opening 321 is used to pass wiring connected to the antenna 33.

[0052] The communication module 30 having such a configuration is attached to the front surface of the outer door 1c as follows: As shown in Figure 12(a), a portion of the wiring opening 321 faces a rectangular wiring guide opening 341 formed in the outer door 1c, and a guide piece 322 formed on the rear surface of the module cover 32 passes through a guide slit 342 formed in the outer door 1c. The guide slit 342 extends in the vertical direction.

[0053] This allows the module main body 30a (communication module 30) to slide between the position where the guide piece 322 abuts against the lower end of the guide slit 342 as shown in Fig. 12(a) and the position where the guide piece 322 abuts against the upper end of the guide slit 342 as shown in Fig. 12(b). Note that a portion of the wiring opening 321 is always exposed by the wiring guide opening 341.

[0054] When the guide piece 322 abuts against the lower end of the guide slit 342 as shown in Fig. 12(a), the module main body 30a is in a stored position where it does not protrude outward from any surface of the vending machine main body other than the front surface (mounting surface) of the outer door 1c as also shown in Fig. 13(a), and when the guide piece 322 abuts against the upper end of the guide slit 342 as shown in Fig. 12(b), it is in a set position where it protrudes upward from any surface of the vending machine main body other than the front surface (mounting surface) of the outer door 1c, i.e., from the top surface of the main cabinet 1a as shown in Fig. 13(b). In other words, the module main body 30a is slidable (displaceable) between the stored position and the set position.

[0055] When the module main body 30a is in the set position, most of the antenna 33 housed inside the module main body 30a protrudes upward from the top surface (any surface other than the mounting surface) of the main body cabinet 1a.

[0056] When the module body 30a is in the set position, the fixing members 36 are attached to hold the module body 30a in the set position.

[0057] As described above, in the vending machine 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the module body 30a housing the antenna 33 for wireless communication with external devices is attached to the front surface of the exterior door 1c and is slidable between a storage position in which it does not protrude from any surface of the vending machine body other than the front surface, and a set position in which it protrudes from any surface other than the front surface, i.e., the top surface of the main body cabinet 1a. Therefore, by placing the module body 30a in the storage position during transportation of the vending machine 2, damage to the antenna 33 can be prevented. Moreover, when the module body 30a is in the set position, most of the antenna 33 housed in the housing space protrudes upward from the top surface of the main body cabinet 1a, thereby improving the directivity of the antenna 33.

[0058] That is, according to the vending machine 2 of the second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent damage to the antenna 33 during transportation, and also to improve the directivity of the antenna 33.

[0059] Although the preferred first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these and various modifications can be made.

[0060] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the module bodies 20a, 30a are attached to the front of the outer doors 1b, 1c, but in the present invention, they may be attached to any location on the vending machine body other than the outer doors.

[0061] Although not specifically mentioned in the vending machine 2 of the above-mentioned second embodiment, the module body 30a constituting the vending machine 2 may also have a configuration that allows rainwater and the like that has entered due to capillary action or the like to drip downward, similar to the module body 20a of the first embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1...vending machine, 1a...main cabinet, 1b...outer door, 20...communication module, 20a...module main body, 21...module case, 21a...rear opening, 211...outer wall portion, 211a...opening hole, 212...inner wall portion, 22...module cover, 221...cover base, 221a...mounting hole, 221b...wiring hole, 221c...axial hole, 221d...guide hole, 221e...fixing hole, 222...cover peripheral wall portion, 23...antenna, 24...rotating shaft, 25...guide portion, 26...fixing member, S...storage space, S1...gap.

Claims

1. A vending machine having a rectangular parallelepiped body in which products are stored, A vending machine characterized in that a module main body, which is a housing that houses an antenna for wireless communication with an external device, is attached to any surface of the vending machine main body as a mounting surface, and is movable between a stored position in which it does not protrude outside from surfaces other than the mounting surface, and a set position in which it protrudes outside from any surface other than the mounting surface.

2. The vending machine body includes: a main body cabinet having an opening on the front surface; a door body provided on the main body cabinet in a manner to open and close the opening; Equipped with 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the module body is attached to the front surface of the door body as the attachment surface.

3. 3. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the module body is displaced between the storage position and the set position by rotating about an arbitrary rotation axis.

4. 3. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the module body is displaced between the storage position and the set position by sliding in the vertical direction.

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