Article supply device and article supply system

Abstract

To provide an improved material supply device and material supply system. [Solution] The article supply device 1 comprises a main body 2, an operating unit 4 provided on the outside of the main body 2, a drive unit 40 provided inside the main body 2 and drivable in response to the operation of the operating unit 4, a supply unit 30 provided inside the main body 2 and capable of supplying articles P in response to the drive of the drive unit 40, and a detection unit (detection unit 20) capable of detecting the supply of articles P, wherein the detection unit 20 is provided in a part that moves relative to the main body 2. The article supply system 100 also comprises a management device 80 that can communicate with the article supply device 1 and manage article supply information.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there are various article supply devices (vending machines) for automatically selling goods. For example, in Patent Document 1, "an automatic vending machine including a drum having a plurality of product holding holes for holding products, and rotating the drum by the operating power of a handle after coins are inserted to discharge the products, wherein rack teeth are formed on the peripheral edge of the lower surface of the drum, a recess for placing the drum is formed in a partition plate defining the accommodation space of the products, a gear connected to the handle is exposed at the bottom of the recess, the drum is detachably placed in the recess, and the rack teeth and the gear mesh with each other when the drum is placed" is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a configuration for improving maintainability is disclosed. However, in the device of Patent Document 1, there is no management function such as sales information of articles, and it is simply for selling articles.

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

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An article supply device according to one aspect of the present invention is an article supply device comprising: a main body; an operating unit provided on the outside of the main body; a drive unit provided on the inside of the main body and drivable in response to the operation of the operating unit; a supply unit provided on the inside of the main body and capable of supplying articles in response to the drive of the drive unit; and a detection unit capable of detecting the supply of articles, wherein the detection unit is provided on a part that moves relative to the main body.

[0007] An article supply system according to one aspect of the present invention is an article supply system comprising an article supply device including a transmission unit capable of transmitting article supply information detected by a detection unit capable of detecting the supply of articles, and a management device capable of receiving article supply information transmitted from the transmission unit, wherein the transmission unit is capable of transmitting article supply information wirelessly. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article supply device and an article supply system with improved functionality. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an article supply device and an article supply system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the material supply device. [Figure 3] This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of how the detection unit is installed. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing an example of an item being sold out. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of managing multiple supply devices as part of a supply system. [Figure 6] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the case where the detection unit is installed inside the article supply device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, an article supply device, which is one embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the figures. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the article supply device 1 and article supply system 100 according to this embodiment, and Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the article supply device 1.

[0011] The article supply device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a device capable of supplying articles P in spherical capsule cases containing toys or parts, for example. The article supply device 1 is also equipped with wireless communication capabilities and, for example, is combined with a management device 80 that is managed by wireless communication to constitute an article supply system 100.

[0012] Let me explain the article supply device 1 in more detail. The item supply device 1 includes a storage section 10 that can randomly store a large number of items P and is detachable from the main body 2, a rotatable supply section 30 having a turntable 31 provided at the bottom 10b of the storage section 10 that can randomly select and supply items P one by one, a locking section 61 that locks the supply section 30 inoperable, and a payment section 50 that detects payment of the price via a coin slot 5 for coins C. The control unit 60 drives the locking section 61 to release the lock upon payment of the price. Then, in the unlocked state, the operation section 4 provided on the front 2f can be rotated.

[0013] Rotation of the operating unit 4 causes the drive unit 40 connected to the operating unit 4 to rotate in a predetermined manner in response to the rotation. Specifically, a gear train 4b consisting of multiple gears, located at the tip of the shaft 4a of the operating unit 4, rotates. This rotation causes the turntable 31 to rotate horizontally via its rack gear 31g. The turntable 31 is provided with holding holes 31h corresponding to the size of the article P, and the article P held in the holding holes 31h falls through the through holes 10bh provided in the bottom 10b. The fallen article P is supplied to the supply port 9 on the front side of the device via the article passage 9a.

[0014] In the payment section 50 of the goods supply device 1, coins C inserted from the input slot 5 pass through the passage section 50a of the payment section 50 and are held in the holding section 55 on the lower side of the unit. Furthermore, when a predetermined amount of money has been inserted and the predetermined rotation operation described above has been performed, the coins C held in the holding section 55 are stored in a coin storage section 19, for example, located below the holding section 55. In addition, when the rotation operation of the operating section 4 is completed, the control unit 60 operates the locking section 61, locking the operating section 4 so that it cannot be rotated.

[0015] In this way, one item P is supplied by a predetermined rotation operation of the operating unit 4. The supply of this item P is detected as item supply information by the detection unit 20, which is the detection unit, as described later. The detection information is then transmitted to an external management device 80 via the communication function of the detection unit 20.

[0016] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the installation of the detection unit 20. As shown in Figure 3, the detection unit 20 is located within the internal space SP of the operation unit 4. For example, the detection unit 20 is mounted on the bottom 4d of the internal space SP of the operation unit 4. The detection unit 20 consists of, for example, an acceleration sensor unit 21 equipped with an acceleration sensor, a power supply unit 22 having a battery such as a button battery, a clock unit 23 for timing and measurement, a storage unit 24 capable of recording the acceleration sensor unit 21 and timing, and a transmitting / receiving unit 25 capable of wirelessly transmitting measurement data to the management device 80. In this way, since the detection unit 20 is an independent unit including a power supply, its placement can be freely arranged.

[0017] The detection unit 20 is housed in the internal space SP of the operation unit 4. For example, the operation unit 4 has a lid portion 4e attached to cover the bottom portion 4d so as to form the internal space SP. With such a configuration, the detection unit 20 cannot normally be seen by the operator. However, an approach to the internal space SP can be easily made by the administrator by removing the lid portion 4e. Further, since the operation unit 4 is configured to be exposed on the front surface 2f of the main body unit 2, maintenance and the like can be performed without opening the main body unit 2.

[0018] In the detection unit 20, the movement of the operation unit 4 is detected by the acceleration sensor in the acceleration sensor unit 21. In the operable state, the operation unit 4 is rotated, for example, once in a predetermined direction (the direction of arrow A) with respect to the main body unit 2 by pinching the operation convex portion 4f with the finger 70. By this rotation, the detection unit 20 also rotates and moves in the same direction. This rotational movement is detected by the acceleration sensor, and the detection signal is sent from the acceleration sensor unit 21 to the storage unit 24 and stored. Note that the acceleration sensor unit 21 is located at a distance (D) far from the rotation center C of the operation unit 4, so that the rotational speed at this position becomes large and a large acceleration can be measured.

[0019] The transmission / reception unit 25 can transmit the time information measured by the clock unit 23 when the acceleration sensor unit 21 detects one count (when one article P is dispensed). As the transmission form, either an aggregated information form stored in the storage unit 24 or a transmission form for each count when one article P is supplied may be used. By using the acceleration sensor unit 21 and the clock unit 23 in this way, the supply (dispensing) of the article P and the supply time can be accurately detected non - contact.

[0020] Further, although the detection unit 20 is provided in the operation unit 4 as one member, it can be easily removed, for example, by opening the lid portion 4e. Therefore, maintenance such as battery replacement of the detection unit 20 can be easily performed.

[0021] The transmitting / receiving unit 25 can transmit sold-out information as item supply information, provided that the items P stored in the storage unit 10 are depleted. This sold-out information can be obtained, for example, based on the operation of the sold-out mechanism 8 (see Figure 2) located on the front side of the bottom 10b of the storage unit 10.

[0022] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of an item P being sold out. As shown in Figure 4, the sold-out mechanism 8 includes, for example, a plate-shaped sold-out indicator 18. When the item P is sold out, this sold-out indicator 18 descends from the bottom 10b of the storage unit 10 so as to cover the input opening 5. More specifically, referring to Figure 2, the sold-out mechanism 8 is appropriately connected by a drive link 8a to a lock pin 8b that can enter the turntable 31 and a rotating shaft 8c that rotates the sold-out indicator 18. When the item P is sold out, for example, the lock pin 8b enters the turntable 31 and the sold-out indicator 18 rotates and descends. The signal of the operation of this sold-out mechanism 8 is transmitted directly to the transmitting / receiving unit 25 or to the transmitting / receiving unit 25 via the control unit 60. This sold-out information is then transmitted to an external management device 80 via the transmitting / receiving unit 25.

[0023] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of managing multiple item supply devices 1 as an item supply system 100. As shown in Figure 5, the goods supply system 100 can manage multiple goods supply devices 1 simultaneously. In this case, for example, each goods supply device 1 transmits goods supply information (sales information) for goods P to the management device 80 via its transmitting / receiving unit 25, as described above. The transmission method can be, for example, via an internet communication line 101. This allows the management device 80 to centrally manage the goods supply information of goods supply devices 1 installed in various locations from a single location.

[0024] Furthermore, although the configuration of the sold-out mechanism 8 described above uses a plate-shaped sold-out display unit 18, the sold-out display may also be in the form of an electrical display. For example, the management device 80 can display sold-out information using, for example, a display provided on the front 2f of the item supply device 1.

[0025] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the case where the detection unit 20 is installed inside the article supply device 1. In the article supply device 1 shown in Figure 6, the detection unit 20 is located inside the main body 2. In this case, the detection unit 20 is attached, for example, to the side of the first gear 4ba located at the tip of the shaft 4a (a position away from the gear teeth). In this configuration as well, the rotational movement of the first gear 4ba, that is, the movement of the detection unit 20, can be detected by the acceleration sensor. The detection unit 20 may also be directly attached to the shaft 4a, which is the shaft portion of the drive unit 40.

[0026] As described above, in the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the detection unit 20 is provided in a part that moves relative to the main body 2, so that the supply of articles can be detected by the operation for supplying articles P. Furthermore, the detection unit 20 can be positioned either inside or outside the main body 2.

[0027] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the detection unit 20 has an acceleration sensor unit 21 and is provided at a location other than the center of the rotating operating section 4, so that the rotational movement of the operating section 4 can be easily detected. Furthermore, if it is installed inside the operating knob of the operating section 4, it is not visible externally and the detection unit 20 can be protected.

[0028] Furthermore, when the detection unit 20 is located in the drive unit 40 within the main body 2, it is configured to reliably detect movements linked to the operation of the control unit 4 and count one unit for each operation of the control unit 4, thus enabling accurate determination of the number of items supplied.

[0029] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the acceleration sensor unit 21 can detect the movement of the article supply without contact, so it is durable and does not cause wear or other consumables of parts. Furthermore, it is configured to be easily attached to and detached from the installation site, making maintenance easy.

[0030] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the detection unit 20 is configured as a unit including the power supply unit 22, providing easy handling and excellent maintainability with an independent power supply that does not interact with the main body of the device.

[0031] Furthermore, in the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the storage unit 24 can accurately record the device usage history information, including time information, by the clock unit 23, and since the storage unit 24 operates under an independent power supply, the information in the storage unit 24 can be reliably retained even if a power outage or other trouble occurs.

[0032] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the detection unit 20 includes a transmission unit (transmitting / receiving unit 25) capable of transmitting article supply information, so that detection information such as the count of acquired articles P and information on the time of article supply can be transmitted to an external location. As a result, article supply information and other data can be managed at a location separate from the article supply device 1.

[0033] In this embodiment of the goods supply device 1, the transmission function of the transmission unit (transmitting / receiving unit 25) can be used to send out sold-out information when goods P run out. As a result, the replenishment of goods P can be managed and carried out without having to look at the goods supply device 1.

[0034] In this embodiment of the goods supply system 100, a management device 80 is provided that can wirelessly receive signals from the transmitting unit (transmitting / receiving unit 25) of the goods supply device 1. Therefore, the quantity management of goods P can be centrally managed at a location separate from where the goods supply device 1 is installed.

[0035] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of its technical concept. For example, in the above embodiments, a configuration provided in an article supply device 1 for selling articles P in capsule cases has been described, but the invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various articles sales devices.

[0036] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the detection unit 20 is configured to include an acceleration sensor unit 21, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, a magnetic sensor unit may be provided to count the items P.

[0037] Furthermore, although the detection unit 20 in the above embodiment is configured to include a transmitting / receiving unit 25 for communication with the outside, it is not limited to this configuration, and may also be configured with only a transmitting function and no receiving function.

[0038] As explained above, the following matters are disclosed in this specification.

[0039] (1) An article supply device, The main body and An operating section is provided on the outside of the main body mentioned above, A drive unit is provided inside the main body and is drivable in response to the operation of the control unit, A supply unit is provided inside the main body and is capable of supplying articles in response to the drive of the drive unit, It comprises a detection unit capable of detecting the supply of goods, The above-mentioned detection unit is provided in a part that moves relative to the main body, and is part of an article supply device.

[0040] (2) (1) The article supply device described above, The above-mentioned detection unit is an article supply device provided outside the main body.

[0041] (3) (2) The article supply device described above, The above-mentioned detection unit is an article supply device located inside the above-mentioned operation unit.

[0042] (4) (3) The article supply device described above, The above-mentioned detection unit is provided in the part of the operating unit excluding the center, and is part of the article supply device.

[0043] (5) (3) or (4) an article supply device, The above-mentioned detection unit is configured to be movable together with the above-mentioned operating unit in an article supply device.

[0044] (6) (1) The article supply device described above, The above-mentioned detection unit is an article supply device provided inside the main body.

[0045] (7) (6) The article supply device described above, The above-mentioned detection unit is an article supply device provided in the above-mentioned drive unit.

[0046] (8) (7) The article supply device described above, The above-mentioned drive unit is configured to be movable in response to the operation of the above-mentioned operating unit, and is an article supply device.

[0047] (9) (7) or (8) an article supply device, The above-mentioned detection unit is configured to be movable together with the above-mentioned drive unit in an article supply device.

[0048] (10) An article supply device described in any one of (7) to (9), The above drive unit includes a shaft and a gear, The above-mentioned detection unit is provided on either the shaft portion or the gear portion of the article supply device.

[0049] (11) (10) The article supply device described above, The detection unit is provided on either the side surface of the shaft portion or the surface of the gear portion excluding the teeth, in an article feeding device.

[0050] (12) An article supply device described in any one of (1) to (11), The above-mentioned detection unit is configured to detect the supply of the above-mentioned article without contact with the article, in an article supply device.

[0051] (13) An article supply device described in any one of (1) to (12), The above-mentioned detection unit is configured to be detachable from its installation location, and is part of an article supply device.

[0052] (14) An article supply device described in any one of (1) to (13), The above-mentioned detection unit is configured to be invisible to the operator of the above-mentioned control unit, in an article supply device.

[0053] (15) An article supply device described in any one of (1) to (14), The above-mentioned supply unit is configured to supply one item at a time in response to the operation of the above-mentioned operating unit, and is an item supply device.

[0054] (16) An article supply device described in any one of (1) to (15), The above-mentioned detection unit is configured to be able to count one unit in response to a single operation of the above-mentioned operation unit in the article supply device.

[0055] (17) An article supply device described in any one of (1) to (16), The above operating unit is rotatably mounted, The above-mentioned detection unit is configured to be able to count 1 in response to the movement operation of the above-mentioned operating unit, and is an article supply device.

[0056] (18) An article supply device described in any one of (1) to (17), The above-mentioned detection unit is configured as a unit including a power supply unit, in an article supply device.

[0057] (19) (18) The article supply device described above, The above-mentioned unit is an article supply device that includes a timing unit and a storage unit that stores time information measured by the timing unit.

[0058] (20) (19) The article supply device described above, The above-mentioned unit is an article supply device that includes a transmitting unit capable of transmitting article supply information detected by the above-mentioned detection unit.

[0059] (twenty one) (20) The article supply device described above, The above-mentioned transmission unit is an item supply device capable of transmitting time information measured by the above-mentioned timing unit when the above-mentioned detection unit has made a count of 1.

[0060] (twenty two) (20) or (21) an article supply device, The above main body is further equipped with a detachable storage section, The above-mentioned transmission unit is an item supply device capable of sending out-of-stock information as item supply information, provided that the above-mentioned items stored in the above-mentioned storage unit have run out.

[0061] (twenty three) An article supply device described in any one of (1) to (22), The above detection unit is configured as an acceleration sensor unit in the article supply device.

[0062] (twenty four) An article supply device described in any one of (1) to (23), The above detection unit is configured as a magnetic sensor unit in the article supply device.

[0063] (twenty five) A goods supply system, An article supply device having a detection unit capable of detecting the supply of articles and a transmission unit capable of transmitting article supply information detected by the detection unit, The system includes a management device capable of receiving the goods supply information transmitted from the above-mentioned transmission unit, The above-mentioned transmission unit is an item supply system capable of wirelessly transmitting item supply information.

[0064] (26) (25) The article supply system described above, The above-mentioned article supply device includes a payment unit, The above-mentioned transmission unit is a goods supply system capable of transmitting goods supply information subject to payment by the above-mentioned payment unit.

[0065] (27) (25) or (26) an article supply system, The above-mentioned article supply device comprises an operating unit, a drive unit that can be driven in response to the operation of the operating unit, a supply unit capable of supplying articles, and a detection unit. The above-mentioned transmission unit is capable of transmitting item supply information, provided that the above-mentioned detection unit is attached to the above-mentioned operation unit or the above-mentioned drive unit, in an item supply system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 Goods supply device 2 Main body 4 Control section 20 Detection unit (detection section) 21 Accelerometer Unit 22 Power supply section 23 Clock Department 24 Memory section 25 Transmitter / Receiver Unit (Transmitter Unit) 30 Supply section 40 Drive unit 50 Payment Department 80 Management device 100 Goods Supply System P Goods

Claims

1. １． An article supply device, The main body and An operating unit provided on the outside of the main body, A drive unit is provided inside the main body and is drivable in response to the operation of the control unit, A supply unit is provided inside the main body and is capable of supplying articles in response to the drive of the drive unit, It comprises a detection unit capable of detecting the supply of goods, The detection unit is provided in a part that moves relative to the main body of the article supply device.

2. Part of 1 The article supply device according to claim 1, The detection unit is an article supply device provided outside the main body.

3. ２． The article supply device according to claim 2, The detection unit is an article supply device provided inside the operation unit.

4. ３． The article supply device according to claim 3, The detection unit is provided in a part of the operating unit other than the center, in the article supply device.

5. 11． The article supply device according to claim 3, The detection unit is configured to be movable together with the operating unit in an article supply device.

6. ４． The article supply device according to claim 1, The detection unit is an article supply device provided inside the main body.

7. ５． The article supply device according to claim 6, The detection unit is an article supply device provided in the drive unit.

8. 12． The article supply device according to claim 7, The drive unit is configured to be movable in response to the operation of the control unit, and is an article supply device.

9. 13． The article supply device according to claim 7, The detection unit is configured to be movable together with the drive unit in an article supply device.

10. 14． The article supply device according to claim 7, The aforementioned drive unit includes a shaft and a gear section. The detection unit is provided on either the shaft portion or the gear portion of the article supply device.

11. 15． The article supply device according to claim 10, The detection unit is provided on either the side surface of the shaft portion or the surface of the gear portion excluding the teeth, in an article feeding device.

12. addition An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The detection unit is configured to detect the supply of the article without contact with the article, in an article supply device.

13. ６． An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The detection unit is configured to be detachable from its installation location, and is part of an article supply device.

14. ７． An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The detection unit is configured to be invisible to the operator of the control unit in the article supply device.

15. ８． An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The supply unit is configured to supply one article at a time in response to the operation of the control unit, and is an article supply device.

16. ９． An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The detection unit is configured to be able to count one unit in response to a single operation of the operation unit in the article supply device.

17. 10． An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The operating unit is rotatably mounted, The detection unit is configured to be able to count one unit in response to the movement operation of the operating unit, in an article supply device.

18. 16． An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The detection unit is configured as a unit including a power supply unit, in the article supply device.

19. 17． The article supply device according to claim 18, The unit includes a timing unit and a storage unit that stores time information measured by the timing unit, and is an article supply device.

20. 18． The article supply device according to claim 19, The unit is an article supply device that includes a transmitting unit capable of transmitting article supply information detected by the detection unit.

21. 1９． The article supply device according to claim 20, The transmitting unit is capable of transmitting time information measured by the timing unit when the detection unit counts one, in an item supply device.

22. 20． The article supply device according to claim 20, The main body is further provided with a detachable storage section, The transmitting unit is an article supply device capable of sending out-of-stock information as article supply information, provided that the articles stored in the storage unit have run out.

23. 21． An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The detection unit is configured as an acceleration sensor unit in the article supply device.

24. 22． An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The detection unit is configured as a magnetic sensor unit in the article supply device.

25. 23． A goods supply system, An article supply device having a detection unit capable of detecting the supply of articles and a transmission unit capable of transmitting article supply information detected by the detection unit, The system includes a management device capable of receiving item supply information transmitted from the aforementioned transmission unit, The aforementioned transmission unit is an item supply system capable of wirelessly transmitting item supply information.

26. 24． The article supply system according to claim 25, The aforementioned article supply device includes a payment unit, The transmission unit is capable of transmitting goods supply information subject to payment by the payment unit, in a goods supply system.

27. 25． The article supply system according to claim 25 or 26, The article supply device comprises an operating unit, a drive unit that can be driven in response to the operation of the operating unit, a supply unit that can supply articles, and a detection unit. The transmitting unit is capable of transmitting item supply information on the condition that the detection unit is attached to the operating unit or the drive unit in this item supply system.

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