Selection switch device for vending machines

Abstract

The present invention provides a selection switch device for vending machines that improves the visibility of the display pattern when the translucent material is exposed to direct sunlight. [Solution] The selection switch device 20 comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements, a display sheet 33, a selection button 23, and a reflector case 32 that transmits light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements through a plurality of holes that serve as a sales information display area 32b to the display sheet 33. The display sheet 33 comprises a light-transmitting white layer 33c of a first color having light transmittance on the back or front side of the transparent substrate 3a, and a light-transmitting blue layer 33e and a light-transmitting orange layer 33f of a second color having light transmittance on the back or front side of the transparent substrate 3a, with a color pattern provided around the character pattern. The light-transmitting white layer 33c, the light-transmitting blue layer 33e, and the light-transmitting orange layer 33f are formed to correspond to any of the plurality of holes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a selection switch device for a vending machine.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, vending machines installed outdoors are known to have a selection switch device for vending machines that displays information about products in characters or colors via selection buttons (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The selection switch device for a vending machine described in Patent Document 1 includes a selection button (a translucent member) that turns on a switch element by a pressing operation, a display sheet provided on the back side of the selection button, a 7-segment LED display that displays a selling price provided on the back side of the display sheet, and a plurality of LEDs that display other information.

[0004] The display sheet includes a segment display section that displays a selling price in a character pattern by a light-transmissive printing layer, a sales state display section that displays a sales state of whether a product is out of stock or in preparation in a character pattern by a light-transmissive printing layer, a cold display section that displays that the corresponding product is a cold product in a circular color pattern by a translucent blue printing layer, and a warm display section that displays that the corresponding product is a hot product in a circular color pattern by a translucent red printing layer. LEDs are arranged on the back side of each display section, and by lighting the LEDs, character patterns and color patterns can be displayed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] To prevent the interior from being visible when exposed to direct sunlight or when the LED is lit, a translucent black printed layer is generally formed on the front side of each display section (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In addition, LEDs generally have a directivity in which the light intensity in oblique directions is smaller than the light intensity along the optical axis.

[0007] When the selection button is exposed to direct sunlight, the light intensity of the light emitted from the LED that passes through the text and color patterns (transmitted light) is greater than the light intensity of the light reflected by the translucent black printed layer of the text and color patterns (reflected light) when the selection button is viewed from directly in front of it. Therefore, the visibility of the text and color patterns will not be impaired.

[0008] However, when viewing the selection button from an oblique angle, the directional nature of the LEDs reduces the intensity of transmitted light, while the intensity of reflected light becomes relatively higher, causing the character and color patterns to appear darker. This results in poor visibility of the display pattern, especially the character pattern.

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a selection switch device for a vending machine that improves the visibility of the display pattern when the light-transmitting member is exposed to direct sunlight. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] [1] Multiple light-emitting elements, A display sheet that displays information about a corresponding product when a character pattern as a display pattern receives light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements, A light-transmitting member provided on the front side of the display sheet, The system includes a reflector case provided between the plurality of light-emitting elements and the display sheet, which transmits light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements through a plurality of holes serving as a sales information display area to the display sheet, The display sheet comprises a first layer of a first color having light transmittance on the back or front side of the transparent substrate, with the character pattern provided thereon, and a second layer of a second color having light transmittance on the back or front side of the transparent substrate, with a color pattern provided around the character pattern. A selection switch device for a vending machine, wherein the first layer and the second layer are formed corresponding to any of the multiple holes. [2] The selection switch device for a vending machine according to [1], wherein the first color is a white color. [3] The selection switch device for a vending machine according to [2], wherein the second color is a color corresponding to a cold product or a hot product. [4] The display sheet further comprises a third layer having a third color with lower light transmittance than the first and second layers on the back or front side of the transparent substrate so as to border the character pattern. The selection switch device for a vending machine according to [2] or [3], wherein the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer are formed corresponding to any of the holes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the invention of claim 1, the visibility of the character pattern can be improved when the translucent member is exposed to direct sunlight, and information about the product can be displayed using the character pattern and color pattern. According to the invention of claim 2, when the translucent member is exposed to direct sunlight, even if the light intensity of the light transmitted through the display sheet (transmitted light) decreases due to the directionality of the light-emitting element when the translucent member is viewed from an oblique direction, the color of the light reflected by the display sheet from the direct sunlight (reflected light) and the color of the transmitted light are the same white color, so a decrease in the visibility of the display pattern can be suppressed. According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to recognize whether the corresponding product is a cold product or a hot product by the text and color. According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to suppress halation caused by the combination of the color of the character pattern and the color of the color pattern. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view showing an example of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2(a) is a front view of the selection switch device, and Figure 2(b) is a front view showing an example of the display unit of the selection switch device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a bottom view of the selection switch device. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a rear view of the selection switch device. [Figure 5] Figure 5(a) is an exploded perspective view of the selection switch device, and Figure 5(b) is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the layer structure of the display sheet. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Figure 2(a). [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Figure 2(a). [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the appearance of the display sheet according to the present embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, components having substantially the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0014] [Embodiment] Figure 1 is a front view showing an example of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This vending machine 1 exemplifies a vending machine that sells various beverages. The vending machine 1 includes a vending machine main body 2 formed by a rectangular parallelepiped housing that is long in the vertical direction.

[0015] The vending machine body 2 comprises a box-shaped body 2a that opens to the front, and a door body 2b that opens and closes the front opening of the box-shaped body 2a. The upper front part of the door body 2b is equipped with a front panel 3. The front panel 3 is formed from a resin material such as a transparent acrylic plate. The front side refers to the front side of the vending machine. The rear side refers to the side opposite to the front side.

[0016] The front lower part of the door body 2b is provided with a banknote slot 4 for inserting and ejecting banknotes, a coin slot 5 for inserting coins, and a return lever 6 for returning banknotes or coins. Also located on the front lower part of the door body 2b is a price indicator 7 for displaying whether change is running out or the amount of inserted banknotes or coins, a change return slot 8 for returning change, a product retrieval slot 9 for taking out products, and a door lock 10 for locking the door body 2b in place. Reference numeral 11 denotes an advertising space.

[0017] A rear panel 13, made of a metal plate, is positioned behind the front panel 3. The space between the front panel 3 and the rear panel 13 serves as a product sample display room. In this product sample display room, three product sample display stands 14 are arranged in a three-tiered row (upper, middle, and lower) to support product samples 15.

[0018] Each product sample display stand 14 displays multiple (10 in this embodiment) product samples 15 in a row. A selection switch device 20, having multiple (10 in this embodiment) selection buttons 23, is arranged corresponding to each product sample 15. Each selection switch device 20 is mounted on the front side of the front panel 3. The selection switch device 20 is an example of a selection switch device for a vending machine.

[0019] (External structure of the selection switch device) Figures 2 to 4 show the selection switch device 20, where Figure 2(a) is a front view, Figure 2(b) is a front view showing an example of the display section of the selection switch device 20, Figure 3 is a bottom view, and Figure 4 is a rear view. Since each selection button 23 has the same configuration and function, one selection button 23 will be described below.

[0020] The selection switch device 20 consists of a rectangular base 21 that is elongated horizontally and thinner than its width, a rectangular case 22 that is attached to the base 21 and is thinner than its width, and a selection button 23 provided on the front side of the base 21. The selection button 23 is an example of a light-transmitting material.

[0021] The base 21 is detachably attached to the rear panel 13 of the vending machine body 2. On the rear side of the base 21, multiple cylindrical mounting bosses 21a and connector mounting bosses 21b are arranged alternately in a line, eccentrically on one side in the width direction of the selection switch device 20. The mounting bosses 21a are inserted into fixing holes (not shown) provided in the rear panel 13 and secured with screws (not shown). Connectors 29, which will be described later, are fitted into the connector mounting bosses 21b.

[0022] The base 21 and the case 22 are assembled together to compress the watertight portion 24e of the watertight member 24 (described later) and make the selection switch device 20 watertight. The base 21 and the case 22 are formed by mixing a coloring agent or pigment that does not transmit light into a resin material such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate resin.

[0023] The selection button 23 is positioned so that its lens-shaped operating surface 23a protrudes slightly from an elliptical opening 22a formed on the front side of the case 22. Note that the operating surface 23a of the selection button 23 does not necessarily have to be lens-shaped.

[0024] (Internal structure of the selection switch device) Figure 5(a) is an exploded perspective view of the selection switch device 20, and Figure 5(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the layer configuration of the display sheet. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 2(a), showing the internal structure of the selection switch device 20. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 2(a), showing the internal structure of the selection switch device 20.

[0025] The selection switch device 20 comprises a circuit board 27 mounted on the front side of the base 21, a watertight member 24 for making the selection switch device 20 watertight, a plurality of tact switches 28 (two for each selection button 23 in this embodiment) that operate in response to selection operations on the selection buttons 23, and a display unit 30 provided on the front side of the base 21 that can electrically vary the display content.

[0026] Circuit patterns are formed on the substrate 27 to electrically connect to mounted components such as the tact switch 28, the LED which is the light source for the display unit 30, and chip resistors (not shown).

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, a connector 29 is mounted on the back side of the circuit board 27, which fits into the connector mounting boss 21b of the base 21. This connector 29 is a vertically mounted type connector in which the mating connector is connected from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 27a of the circuit board 27, and electrically connects the circuit board 27 and the vending machine body 2.

[0028] (Configuration of selection buttons) As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the selection button 23 has a joint portion 23b at its peripheral edge that is joined to the water-stopping member 24. The selection button 23 is made of a translucent resin material such as polycarbonate resin or acrylic resin. The selection button 23 may also be colored with a translucent material, such as smoke gray.

[0029] The water-stopping member 24 has a water-stopping function and a restoring function for the selection button 23. The water-stopping member 24 comprises an opening 24a formed in accordance with the display content of the display unit 30, a joint 24b formed in an annular manner continuous with the edge of the opening 24a and joined to the joint 23b of the selection button 23, a plurality of columnar switch operating parts 24c (two for each selection button 23 in this embodiment) protruding from the joint 24b toward the substrate 27, an annular skirt part 24d protruding diagonally outward from the switch operating parts 24c, a water-stopping part 24e formed in conjunction with the outer edge of the skirt part 24d, and an intermediate part 24g continuous with other selection buttons 23, and elastically supports the selection button 23.

[0030] The opening 24a of the water-stopping member 24 is formed so that the display content of the display unit 30 can be viewed from the selection button 23 without passing through the water-stopping member 24. The opening 24a may also be formed to correspond to a part of the display content of the display unit 30. Alternatively, the water-stopping member 24 may have a shape without an opening 24a.

[0031] The water-stopping portion 24e of the water-stopping member 24 has a projection 241 that protrudes on the back side, and this projection 214 is compressed between the groove 21c of the base 21 and the peripheral edge 22c of the case 22, thereby sealing the space between the base 21 and the case 22 and preventing rainwater and the like from entering between the base 21 and the case 22.

[0032] Furthermore, the water-stopping section 24e is formed to surround the joint section 24b, the switch operating section 24c, and the skirt section 24d, thereby stopping the water flow to the selection switch device 20 as a whole.

[0033] Furthermore, the water-sealing member 24 is formed from an elastically deformable material such as silicone rubber. The selection button 23 and the water-sealing member 24 are molded together, for example, by two-color molding, with the joint portion 24b of the water-sealing member 24 and the joint portion 23b of the selection button 23 joined together. Two-color molding is a molding method that integrally molds resin molded products with partially different materials by injecting different materials in stages within the same injection molding die. In this embodiment, the joint surfaces of the joint portion 24b of the water-sealing member 24 and the joint portion 23b of the selection button 23 are composed of flat surfaces, but they may also be composed of uneven surfaces. This makes the joint between the water-sealing member 24 and the selection button 23 stronger. In addition, the selection button 23 and the water-sealing member 24 are not limited to two-color molding, but may also be joined by other methods such as insert molding or ultrasonic bonding.

[0034] When a selection operation is performed on the selection button 23, the switch operating part 24c of the water-stopping member 24 is pushed down by the elastic change of the skirt portion 24d, turning on the tact switch 28. On the other hand, when the selection operation on the selection button 23 is released, the switch operating part 24c of the water-stopping member 24 is pushed up by the elastic recovery force of the skirt portion 24d, turning off the tact switch 28.

[0035] (Display unit configuration) Figure 2(b) shows an example of the display unit 30 of the selection switch device 20. The display unit 30 includes multiple (e.g., three) 7-segment display units 30a that display the sales price of a corresponding product using a multi-digit (e.g., three-digit) number arranged horizontally, a circle display unit 30b that displays the unit of the sales price in yen, a cold / hot color display unit 30c that displays whether the corresponding product is a cold product (chilled product) or a hot product (heated product) using a circular color pattern, a cold display unit 30d that displays the corresponding product is a cold product (chilled product) using a character pattern and a surrounding color pattern, a hot display unit 30e that displays the corresponding product is a hot product (heated product) using a character pattern and a surrounding color pattern, and a sales status display unit 30f that displays the sales status of the corresponding product using a character pattern (e.g., preparing, recommended, time sale, etc.). Note that the surrounding color pattern does not have to be adjacent to the character pattern and may be formed with a space between them. The color pattern and character pattern are examples of display patterns.

[0036] The 7-segment display unit 30a consists of seven segments, each segment having a white LED 31a as a light-emitting element. Additionally, a white LED 31a is positioned on the back side of the circular display unit 30b. The vending machine 1's control unit selectively illuminates the white LEDs 31a of the 7-segment display unit 30a and the white LED 31a of the circular display unit 30b according to the sales price. This controls the display of the sales price.

[0037] On the back side of the circular color pattern of the cool / warm color display unit 30c, a blue LED 31b and an orange LED 31c are arranged as light-emitting elements. The cool / warm color display unit 30c is controlled by the control unit to display a blue color pattern by lighting up the blue LED 31b when the corresponding product is a cold product (chilled product), and to display an orange color pattern by lighting up the orange LED 31c when the corresponding product is a hot product (heated product). The blue in the color pattern is an example of a cool color. Other colors such as blue-green and blue-violet may also be used as cool colors. The orange in the color pattern is an example of a warm color. Other colors such as red may also be used as warm colors.

[0038] The cold indicator section 30d includes a white text section 300 that displays the word "COLD" printed in a white-based color (e.g., white), a black border section 301 that outlines the word "COLD" in a black-based color (e.g., black), and a peripheral color section 302a that displays a color corresponding to cold products (e.g., blue) around the word "COLD". The word "COLD" and the word "HOT" described later are examples of text patterns. The white-based color of the white text section 300 is an example of a first color with high light transmittance. Note that the first color may be any white-based color other than white, or any other color other than a white-based color, as long as it has high light transmittance (e.g., light transmittance of 20% or more, more preferably 30% or more). The blue color of the peripheral color section 302a and the orange color of the peripheral color section 302b described later are examples of a second color. The blue color of the peripheral color section 302a is an example of a color corresponding to cold products. For cold products, other cool colors besides blue, such as blue-green or blue-violet, may be used. The orange color of the peripheral color portion 302b is an example of a color for hot products. For hot products, other warm colors besides orange, such as red, may be used. The black-based color (e.g., black) of the black border portion 301 is an example of a third color with low light transmittance. Any color with low light transmittance (e.g., light transmittance of 10% or less, more preferably 5% or less) may be used, including black-based colors other than black, and other colors other than black-based colors.

[0039] The temperature display section 30e includes a white character section 300 that prints and displays the characters of "HOT" in a white - based color (for example, white), a black border section 301 that borders the characters of "HOT" in a black - based color (for example, black), and a peripheral color section 302b that displays a color corresponding to the hot product (for example, orange) around the characters of "HOT".

[0040] Note that the characters representing cold products and hot products are not limited to the above - mentioned "COLD" and "HOT", and other characters may be used, such as abbreviated characters like "C" and "H", Chinese characters (for example, cold, warm, etc.), hiragana, katakana, and other characters. Also, although the peripheral color section 302a and the peripheral color section 302b are provided in the upper peripheral area and the lower peripheral area of the white character section 300, they may be provided in only one of the upper peripheral area or the lower peripheral area, or in the peripheral areas on the upper, lower, left, and right sides, or may be provided so as to overlap the background of the white character section 300 and the black border section 301. For example, the blue color of the peripheral color section 302a or the orange color of the peripheral color section 302b may be made visible at the center of the character "O".

[0041] The sales status display section 30f has a character pattern printed on it, and a white LED 31a is arranged as a light - emitting element on the back side. When the corresponding product is being prepared, etc., it is controlled by the control section to light up the white LED 31a of the sales status display section 30f of the corresponding display section 30.

[0042] The display section 30 includes the above - mentioned white LED 31a, blue LED 31b, and orange LED 31c (collectively referred to as "LED 31" hereinafter) mounted on the substrate 27, a reflect case 32 that reflects the light emitted by the LED 31, and a display sheet 33 that transmits the light reflected by the reflect case 32. The white LED 31a, blue LED 31b, and orange LED 31c are an example of a light - emitting element.

[0043] As described above, the display unit 30 uses a plurality of light-emitting elements: a white LED 31a, a blue LED 31b, and an orange LED 31c, which emit light of a color corresponding to the information to be displayed. Note that other colored LEDs, such as red LEDs and green LEDs, may also be used as light-emitting elements. Furthermore, in addition to LEDs, other light sources such as organic EL elements or semiconductor lasers may also be used.

[0044] The reflect case 32 includes a segment display area 32a for displaying any amount and a sales information display area 32b for displaying any information. The cool / warm color display area 30c of the display unit 30 has holes 32c formed to allow light emitted from a blue LED 31b or an orange LED 31c to pass through. As the sales information display area 32b, the cool display area 30d, the warm display area 30e, and the sales status display area 30f of the display unit 30 have three holes formed to allow light emitted from a white LED 31a to pass through. In the segment display area 32a, three sets of seven openings arranged in a figure-eight shape are formed in a row from left to right in Figure 5(a).

[0045] The sales information display area 32b is an area for displaying the color patterns and character patterns shown by the cold display unit 30d, the hot display unit 30e, and the sales status display unit 30f.

[0046] (Printing process for display sheets) Next, an example of the printing process for the display sheet 33 will be explained with reference to Figure 5. First, as shown in Figures 5(a) and (b), the display sheet 33 is printed with a light-shielding black layer (including a light-shielding black border layer 33b') 33b on the back side of the transparent substrate 33a, in a region that does not transmit light.

[0047] Next, a light-transmitting white layer 33c is printed on the area corresponding to the circular display section 30b and the white character section 300 on the back side of the transparent substrate 33a. The 7-segment display section 30a corresponds to the segment display area 32a of the reflect case 32. The light-transmitting white layer 33c is an example of the first layer.

[0048] Next, a light-transmitting black layer 33d is printed on the areas corresponding to the 7-segment display section 30a, the cool / warm color display section 30c, the peripheral color sections 302a and 302b, and the sales status display section 30f on the back side of the transparent substrate 33a.

[0049] Next, a light-transmitting blue layer 33e is printed on the area corresponding to the peripheral color portion 302a of the cold display portion 30d on the back side of the transparent substrate 33a. The light-transmitting blue layer 33e and the light-transmitting orange layer 33f, described later, are examples of the second layer.

[0050] Next, a light-transmitting orange layer 33f is printed on the surrounding color area 302b of the temperature display section 30e and the corresponding area of ​​the sales status display section 30f on the back side of the transparent substrate 33a. The cold display section 30d, the temperature display section 30e, and the sales status display section 30f correspond to the sales information display area 32b of the reflect case 32. The display sheet 33 is formed in this manner.

[0051] Of the light-shielding black layer 33b of the display sheet 33, the edges of the white characters 300 of the temperature display section 30e and the white characters 300 of the cold display section 30d of the display section 30 are bordered with a light-shielding black border layer 33b' that outlines the words "COLD" and "HOT". The light-shielding black border layer 33b' is an example of a third layer.

[0052] The light-transmitting black layer 33d of the sales status display section 30f and the sales status display section 30f may display various character patterns other than the "Preparing" display pattern, such as the "Sold Out" display pattern. The light-transmitting black layer 33d and the light-transmitting blue layer 33e, and the light-transmitting black layer 33d and the light-transmitting orange layer 33f may be formed on the front side of the transparent substrate 33a, or with the transparent substrate 33a sandwiched in between, as long as the vertical positional relationship is maintained. The light-transmitting white layer 33c may also be formed on the front side of the transparent substrate 33a. The relative positions of the light-shielding black layer 33b and the light-shielding black border layer 33b' with respect to the other layers 33c to 33f do not matter. Furthermore, each layer 33b, 33b', 33c-33f may be formed on both the back and front sides of the transparent substrate 33a.

[0053] (How the display unit and display sheet look) Next, the appearance of the display unit 30 and the display sheet 33 will be described with reference to Figures 2(b) and 8. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of the display sheet 33 according to this embodiment in comparison with a comparative example. The embodiment in Figure 8 schematically shows the layer structure of the temperature display unit 30e of the display sheet 33. The comparative example has a configuration that displays a character pattern without using a light-transmitting white layer 33c.

[0054] (1) In the case of nighttime In this embodiment, when the corresponding product is a cold product, as shown in Figure 2(b), the white LED 31a on the back side of the cold display section 30d of the display section 30 is lit, causing the white "COLD" text 300 to appear brightly white, and the area around "COLD" appears blue due to the light emitted from the white LED 31a on the back side of the surrounding color section 302a. Additionally, by liting the blue LED 31b on the back side of the cold / hot color display section 30c, the color pattern appears to glow blue. As a result, it is immediately clear from the text and color that the corresponding product is a cold product.

[0055] In this embodiment, when the corresponding product is a hot product, as shown in Figure 2(b), the white LED 31a on the back side of the temperature display section 30e of the display section 30 is lit, causing the white "HOT" characters 300 to glow brightly white, and the area around "HOT" appears orange due to the light emitted from the white LED 31a on the back side of the surrounding color section 302b. Additionally, by liting the orange LED 31c on the back side of the hot / cold color display section 30c, the color pattern appears to glow orange. As a result, it is immediately clear from the characters and colors that the corresponding product is a hot product.

[0056] (2) Daytime In the comparative example shown in Figure 8, when the selection button 23 is exposed to direct sunlight, when the selection button 23 is viewed from directly in front, the light intensity of the light transmitted through the character pattern (transmitted light) B1 emitted from the white LED 31a is greater than the light intensity of the light reflected by the light-transmitting black layer 33d of the character pattern (reflected light) A1, so the visibility of the character pattern is not impaired.

[0057] However, in the comparative example, when the selection button 23 is viewed from an oblique angle, the light intensity of transmitted light B1b decreases due to the directionality of the white LED 31a, and the light intensity of reflected light A1 becomes relatively larger, causing the character pattern to appear dark. As a result, the visibility of the character pattern is reduced.

[0058] On the other hand, in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, when the selection button 23 is exposed to direct sunlight, when the selection button 23 is viewed from directly in front, the light intensity of the transmitted light B2b emitted from the white LED 31a and transmitted through the character pattern is greater than the light intensity of the reflected light A2 reflected by the light-transmitting white layer 33c of the character pattern. However, since both the reflected light A2 and the transmitted light B2b are white-colored light, the visibility of the character pattern is higher than in the comparative example.

[0059] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, when the selection button 23 is viewed from an oblique direction, the light intensity of transmitted light B2c decreases due to the directionality of the white LED 31a, and the light intensity of reflected light A2 becomes relatively larger. However, since both transmitted light B2c and reflected light A2 are white-colored light, the visibility of the character pattern is higher than in the comparative example.

[0060] Furthermore, since a light-shielding black border layer 33b' is formed between the light-transmitting white layer 33c, which displays a white-based character pattern, and the light-transmitting black layer 33d and light-transmitting orange layer 33f, which display an orange color pattern, halation caused by the combination of the white-based color of the character pattern and the orange color of the color pattern can be suppressed.

[0061] (Operation of the selection switch device) Next, an example of the operation of the selection switch device 20 will be described. When the operator performs a selection operation by pressing the operating surface 23a of the selection button 23, the switch operating part 24c of the water-stopping member 24 is pushed down by the elastic change of the skirt part 24d, turning on the tact switch 28. The tact switch 28 outputs an ON signal to the control unit of the vending machine 1. Based on the ON signal from the tact switch 28, the control unit outputs the product corresponding to the selection button 23 to the product dispensing opening 9.

[0062] When the operator releases the selection operation on the operating surface 23a of the selection button 23, the elastic recovery force of the skirt portion 24d pushes up the selection button 23 and the switch operating portion 24c, turning off the tact switch 28.

[0063] (Effects of this embodiment) (a) When the selection button 23 is exposed to direct sunlight, even if the light intensity of the light transmitted through the display sheet 33 (transmitted light) decreases due to the directionality of the white LED 31a when the selection button 23 is viewed from an oblique angle, the color of the light reflected by the display sheet 33 from the direct sunlight (reflected light) and the transmitted light are the same white color, thus improving the visibility of the character pattern. (b) A color pattern is provided around the text pattern, so that the text and color can be used to recognize whether the product corresponding to the selection button 23 is a cold product or a hot product. For example, even if the text on the selection button 23 is difficult to read due to direct sunlight, the color of the surrounding color pattern can be used to intuitively recognize whether the product corresponding to the selection button 23 is a cold product or a hot product. (c) Because the character pattern is outlined in black, halation caused by the combination of the character pattern color and the color pattern color can be suppressed. (d) Since the character pattern and color pattern are illuminated with white LEDs 31a, power consumption can be reduced compared to LEDs of other colors.

[0064] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified and implemented in various ways without changing the gist of the present invention.

[0065] Furthermore, some of the components of the above embodiment may be omitted or modified. In the above embodiment, a black border portion 301 is provided to suppress halation, but if the need to suppress halation is not high, the black border portion 301 may not be provided. In this case, the light-shielding black border layer 33b' is not formed. Also, the white letter portion 300 and the surrounding color portions 302a and 302b may be in contact or left open.

[0066] Furthermore, although both the cold display unit 30d and the hot display unit 30e are provided in the above embodiment, only one of them may be provided depending on the product being sold. [Industrial applicability]

[0067] This invention can be applied to various types of vending machines for packaged products such as cigarettes, and beverage products filled in cans or PET bottles. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 1...Vending machine, 2...Vending machine body, 2a...Box body, 2b...Door body, 3...Front panel, 4...Banknote slot, 5...Coin slot, 6...Return lever, 7...Amount display, 8...Change return slot, 9...Product dispensing slot, 10...Door lock, 11...Advertising space, 13...Rear panel, 14...Product sample display stand, 15...Product sample, 20...Selection switch device, 21...Base, 21a...Mounting boss, 21b...Connector mounting boss, 21c...Groove, 22...Case, 22a...Opening, 22b...Legs, 22c...Peripheral part, 23...Selection button, 23a...Operating surface, 23b...Joint, 23c...Groove, 24...Waterproofing member, 24a...Opening, 24b...Joint, 24c...Switch operating part, 24d...Skirt part, 24e...Waterproofing part, 24 f...fixing part, 24g...intermediate part, 241...protrusion, 27...substrate, 27a...mounting surface, 28...tact switch, 29...connector, 30...display part, 30a...7-segment display part, 30b...circle display part, 30c...hot / cold color display part, 30d...cold display part, 30e...hot display part, 30f...sales status display part, 31a...white LED, 31b...blue LED, 31c...orange LED, 32...reflective case, 32a...segment display area, 32b...sales information display area, 32c...hole, 33...display sheet, 33a...transparent substrate, 33b...light-shielding black layer, 33b'...light-shielding black border layer, 33d...light-transmitting black layer, 33e...light-transmitting blue layer, 33f...light-transmitting orange layer, 34...liquid crystal substrate, 34a...liquid crystal screen

Claims

1. Multiple light-emitting elements, A display sheet that displays information about a corresponding product when a character pattern as a display pattern receives light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements, A light-transmitting member provided on the front side of the display sheet, The system includes a reflector case provided between the plurality of light-emitting elements and the display sheet, which transmits light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements through a plurality of holes serving as a sales information display area to the display sheet, The display sheet comprises a first layer of a first color that is light-transmitting on the back or front side of the transparent substrate, and a second layer of a second color that is light-transmitting on the back or front side of the transparent substrate, with a color pattern provided around the character pattern. A selection switch device for a vending machine, wherein the first layer and the second layer are formed to correspond to any of the multiple holes.

2. The first color mentioned above is a white-based color. A selection switch device for a vending machine according to claim 1.

3. The second color is a color corresponding to cold or hot products. The selection switch device for a vending machine according to claim 2.

4. The display sheet further comprises a third layer having a third color with lower light transmittance than the first and second layers, on the back or front side of the transparent substrate so as to border the character pattern. The first layer, the second layer, and the third layer are formed corresponding to any of the holes. A selection switch device for a vending machine according to claim 2 or 3.

Images