Construction site vending machine

Abstract

To provide a vending machine for a construction site that realizes immediate procurement of products required at the construction site. [Solution] A vending machine (1) for construction sites comprises a storage section that stores at least one product (I) of protective equipment, tool parts, and work auxiliary supplies used in construction work, an outlet (14) configured to allow the product to be removed, a transport mechanism (30) that transports the product from the storage section to the outlet, an operation input section that accepts input operations from the purchaser, and a control section that controls the transport mechanism to transport the selected product from the storage section to the outlet based on the acceptance of product selection and payment completion in the operation input section.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification discloses technology related to vending machines for construction sites. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, workers working on construction sites carry work equipment appropriate to the work content and type of job, such as protective equipment such as dust masks and safety glasses, and tools such as cutter knives and screwdriver bits (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-154129 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, such work supplies often become unusable or difficult to use during work due to breakage, wear, etc. In such cases, if replacement work supplies are not prepared in advance, work may be hindered. This also applies when unexpected work supplies are suddenly needed or when necessary work supplies are forgotten to be brought.

[0005] This problem can be solved by purchasing the necessary work supplies at a store, but in this case, the user must go to the store, which is troublesome and takes time to procure the necessary work supplies. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment disclosed in this specification is a vending machine for use on construction sites, comprising: a storage unit for storing at least one of protective equipment, tool parts, and work aids used in construction work; an outlet configured to allow the product to be removed; a transport mechanism for transporting the product from the storage unit to the outlet; an operation input unit for receiving input operations from a purchaser; and a control unit for controlling the transport mechanism to transport the selected product from the storage unit to the outlet based on receipt of product selection and payment completion via the operation input unit. This type of vending machine for use on construction sites allows products needed at the construction site to be procured immediately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a construction site vending machine according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of a construction site vending machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a construction site vending machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a construction site vending machine 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the construction site vending machine 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the construction site vending machine 1. The construction site vending machine 1 according to this embodiment is a device that allows users to purchase work supplies needed at a construction site, and is installed, for example, within the construction site. Products that can be sold by the construction site vending machine 1 need only include at least one of protective equipment, tool parts, and work aids, but other items can also be included.

[0009] Examples of the above-mentioned protective equipment include dust masks, safety glasses, rubber or leather work gloves, fall prevention devices, and fall arrest devices. Examples of tool parts include cutting wheels, screwdriver bits, charging cables, and utility knife blade replacement blades. Examples of work aids include insulating tape, cable ties, towels, writing implements, whistles, disposable hand warmers, clothing, hats, and inner caps. Other items include tools such as utility knives and screwdrivers.

[0010] The construction site vending machine 1 according to this embodiment has a basic structure including an openable / closable door 10 and a housing 20.

[0011] The opening and closing door 10 has a sample display area 11, a plurality of product selection buttons 12, a coin insertion slot 13, and an outlet 14. The sample display area 11 is a space for displaying samples of products I that can be purchased. The product selection buttons 12 are buttons for selecting the product I to purchase. The coin insertion slot 13 is a device that can insert coins or bills. The outlet 14 is an opening that can remove the purchased product I. Note that instead of or in addition to the coin insertion slot 13, a device that can make cashless payments using credit cards, electronic money, etc. may be provided.

[0012] In this embodiment, when money is inserted into the money insertion slot 13, money information corresponding to the inserted amount is detected by the money information input unit 42 (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, when a product selection button 12 is pressed, product selection information corresponding to that product selection button 12 is detected by the button operation detection unit 41 (see FIG. 3). The money information and product selection information detected in this manner are sent to the control unit 40 (see FIG. 3), which controls the operation of the construction site vending machine 1. The control unit 40 can be, for example, a microcontroller.

[0013] A transport mechanism 30 is provided inside the housing 20. The transport mechanism 30 includes a horizontal transport mechanism 31 and a vertical transport mechanism 32.

[0014] The lateral conveying mechanism 31 is a device for moving the products I stored in a row in the lateral direction laterally. For example, a belt conveyor can be used as such a lateral conveying mechanism 31. The lateral conveying mechanism 31 according to this embodiment is configured with two rows of sets of multiple tiers (four tiers in this embodiment) arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. Note that the area 20A (see FIG. 2) on the lateral conveying mechanism 31 where the products I can be placed corresponds to the "storage section" set forth in the claims of the utility model registration.

[0015] The vertical conveying mechanism 32 includes a bucket 32A, a support member 32B extending in the vertical direction, and a drive device (not shown). The bucket 32A is a box-shaped member capable of containing the products I conveyed by the horizontal movement mechanism 31. The support member 32B is disposed between the two rows of horizontal conveying mechanisms 31 and supports the bucket 32A so that it can move vertically. The drive device is a device that raises and lowers the bucket 32A along the support member 32B and operates in accordance with commands from the control unit 40. Such a drive device can be configured using, for example, a motor and can be provided in either the bucket 32A or the support member 32B.

[0016] The operation of the construction site vending machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described below using as an example a case where a worker, who is a purchaser, purchases Product I, "hat" (Product I in the top row of the right column in FIG. 2).

[0017] A "hat" is purchased by inserting a predetermined amount of coins into the coin slot 13 and pressing the product selection button 12 corresponding to "hat." As a result, product selection information indicating that "hat" has been selected is sent from the button operation detection unit 41 to the control unit 40. In addition, currency information indicating the amount inserted into the coin slot 13 is sent from the currency information input unit 42 to the control unit 40.

[0018] If the currency information indicates an amount sufficient to purchase the "hat," the control unit 40 controls the drive device of the vertical conveyance mechanism 32 to raise the bucket 32A to a position where the "hat" product I is stored, as indicated by arrow A in FIG. 2. Next, the control unit 40 controls the horizontal conveyance mechanism 31 on which the "hat" product I is placed, to move the product I into the bucket 32A, as indicated by arrow B in FIG. 2. Thereafter, the control unit 40 controls the drive device of the vertical conveyance mechanism 32 to lower the bucket 32A to a position where the outlet 14 is located, as indicated by arrow C in FIG. 2. This allows the worker to remove the "hat" product I from the outlet 14.

[0019] According to the construction site vending machine 1 described above, workers can instantly procure work supplies necessary for work at a construction site.

[0020] The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the above-described embodiments, examples, and modifications, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, among the technical features of the above-described embodiments, examples, and modifications, those corresponding to the technical features of each form described in the Summary of the Invention section can be appropriately replaced and combined to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, technical features not described as essential in this specification can be appropriately deleted.

[0021] For example, the conveying mechanism 30 does not need to be configured using the vertical conveying mechanism 31 and the horizontal conveying mechanism 32, but may be configured using only the horizontal conveying mechanism 32. Furthermore, the conveying mechanism 30 may be configured using other methods, such as a serpentine type used in vending machines that store beverage containers.

[0022] Furthermore, the construction site vending machine 1 is not limited to being installed within the construction site, but may also be installed in other locations, for example, in the vicinity of the construction site. [Explanation of symbols]

[0023] 1. Vending machines for construction sites 10...Opening and closing door 11…Sample exhibition department 12...Product selection button 13…Money slot 14...Outlet 20…Housing 20A…Area 30...Transport mechanism 31...Lateral transport mechanism 32...Vertical transport mechanism 32A...Bucket 32B...Support member 40...Control unit 41...Button operation detection unit 42...Currency information input section I…Product

Claims

[Claim 1] A vending machine for a construction site, a storage section for storing at least one product selected from protective equipment, tool parts, and work aids used in construction work; an outlet configured to allow the product to be taken out; a conveying mechanism that conveys the product from the storage section to the outlet; an operation input unit that accepts input operations by a purchaser; a control unit that controls the transport mechanism to transport the selected product from the storage unit to the outlet based on the acceptance of product selection and payment completion at the operation input unit; A vending machine for construction sites equipped with

Images