Article supply device

Abstract

To provide an article supplying device with improved convenience. [Solution] The article supplying device 1 includes a main body 3, a first storage section 11 that can be attached to the main body 3 and can store a first article P1, a second storage section 12 that can store a second article P2, and a supply section 10 that can supply articles. The second storage section 12 is configured to be able to adjust the height position of the articles according to the number of second articles P2 stored therein. This allows stable contact with the means for selecting and sending out the second articles P2.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article supplying device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is an article supplying device capable of supplying card-shaped articles as a vending machine. For example, in Patent Document 1, when a coin is inserted and a handle is operated in a card vending machine, the tip of a pack containing cards protrudes from an external outlet while being covered by a card cover. Therefore, before the protruding amount of the card tip is adjusted, the card tip is protected by the card cover and is reliably prevented from being pinched with fingers and forcibly pulled out, while when the protruding amount of the card tip is adjusted, the card cover retracts into the external outlet leaving the card tip behind, and thereafter, the card tip is allowed to be pinched with fingers and pulled out. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-182319 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a card-like article is provided with a handle operation, which is troublesome. In addition, Patent Document 1 does not mention a configuration for improving the ease of handling of the device itself, and the device cannot provide multiple types of articles, which is a problem in terms of convenience.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an article supplying device with improved convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention relates to an item supplying device that comprises a main body, a storage section that can be attached to the main body and can store items, and a supply section that is provided in the storage section and can supply items, and the storage section is configured to be able to adjust the height position of the items depending on the number of items stored in the storage section. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article supplying device with improved convenience. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an item supply device and a game execution unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of the article supply device as seen from the right side. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a side view of the internal structure of the article supplying device as viewed from the right side. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a side view showing a drive mechanism of the first feed section and the second feed section. FIG. [Diagram 5] 11 is a side view showing a drive mechanism of a third feed-out section and a fourth feed-out section. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first sending section and a second sending section. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system including a control unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a pressurizing structure of a second housing section. [Figure 9] 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second housing section is removed from the main body section. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a perspective view showing the link structure in a state where the placement portion of the second housing portion is raised. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is a perspective view showing the link structure when the placement portion of the second storage portion is lowered. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the operating portion of the second housing portion. FIG. [Figure 13] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an initial state of sending out a first article in the first supply section; FIG. [Figure 14]13 is an operational explanatory diagram showing a middle state of delivery of the first article in the first supply section. FIG. [Figure 15] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the final state of delivery of the first article in the first supply section. FIG. [Figure 16] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation state when a first article falls in a first supply section. FIG. [Figure 17] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an initial state of sending out a second article in the second supply section. FIG. [Figure 18] 13 is an operational explanatory diagram showing the intermediate state of sending out the second article in the second supply section. FIG. [Figure 19] 13 is an operational explanatory diagram showing the final state of delivery of the second article in the second supply section. FIG. [Figure 20] 13 is an operational explanatory diagram showing a state when a second article falls in the second supply section. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an article supplying device according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the article supplying device 1 and the game executing unit 100. As shown in FIG.

[0010] The item supplying device 1 is installed in a game center or the like, and is incorporated inside the main body of a game executing unit (game machine) that includes, for example, a display 101 and a game operation unit 102. This game executing unit 100 is capable of executing a game on condition that a prescribed fee is paid, and for example, supplies card-shaped items P from the front side of the device (the front left side in the figure) in relation to the outcome of the game in the game executing unit 100. It is also configured so that the item P can be supplied simply by inserting a fee.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the article supply device 1 as viewed from the right side. The article supply device 1 is provided with a supply section 10 capable of supplying an article P from its front side. The supply section 10 is composed of a first supply section 11A having a first supply port 11h on the upper side and a second supply section 12A having a second supply port 12h on the lower side. The first supply section 11A supplies a first article P1, and the second supply section 12A supplies a second article P2. The main body section 3 is provided with a first storage section 11 for storing the first article P1 and a second storage section 12 for storing the second article P2 as storage sections for the article P (the reference symbol "P" is used to collectively refer to the first article P1 and the second article P2) (see FIG. 3). The main body section 3 is an integrated unit structure as shown in the figure, and is configured to be detachable from the main body of the game execution section 100 as one unit in the illustrated state. A plurality of article supply devices 1 may be provided on the main body 3, arranged in the horizontal direction or in the vertical direction.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the internal structure of the article supplying device 1 as viewed from the right side. As shown in Fig. 2, the first item P1 and the second item P2 have different numbers of items stored. For example, the second item P2 on the lower side is a rare item with a small number of items stored, and the first item P1 on the upper side is stored in larger numbers. This is because the supply opportunity for the second item P2 is set to be less than the supply opportunity for the first item P1.

[0013] In addition, the main body 3 has a structure in which the first storage section 11 is located directly above the second storage section 12, and both storage sections 11, 12 are arranged vertically. The first storage section 11 has an open structure at the top so that the first item P1 can be replenished from the top. An upper pressurizing section 11f capable of pressurizing the first item P1 downward is provided on the top of the stacked first item P1. On the other hand, the second storage section 12 is configured so that, for example, the discharge / supply direction (X1) of the item P and the pull-out direction from the main body 3 are the same direction (configured so as to be pull-out from the front side) when it is removed from the main body 3 as described later. Therefore, the second storage section 12 can be replenished with the second item P2 from its top when it is removed from the main body 3 (see FIG. 9).

[0014] As described above, the supply section 10 is provided with the first supply section 11A and the second supply section 12A. The first supply section 11A is provided with the first output section 21 on the upstream side and the third output section 23 on the downstream side. The second supply section 12A is provided with the second output section 22 on the upstream side and the fourth output section 24 on the downstream side. The first output section 21 is configured to be able to select and output the first item P1 stored in the first storage section 11. The second output section 22 is capable of selecting and outputting the second item P2 stored in the second storage section 12. The supply section 10 is configured so that the supply direction of the first item P1 from the first storage section 11 and the supply direction of the second item P2 from the second storage section 12 are the same direction (the direction of the arrow X1).

[0015] In the first supply section 11A, the first rotating roller section 21a forming the first sending section 21 and the third rotating roller section 23a forming the third sending section 23 are horizontally arranged front to back (inner side of the device and front side). That is, the first rotating roller section 21a is provided immediately below the first article P1 stored in the first storage section 11 on the upstream side of the sending section, and the third rotating roller section 23a is arranged so as to form the first supply port 11h on the downstream side of the sending section. The first sending section 21 faces the first article P1 from below, and functions as a sorting section that sends out the lowest first article P1 one by one, as described later. In addition, the first article P1 sorted and sent out in the first sending section 21 is discharged and supplied from the first supply port 11h via the third sending section 23.

[0016] Meanwhile, in the second supply section 12A, the second rotating roller section 22a forming the second sending section 22 and the fourth rotating roller section 24a forming the fourth sending section 24 are arranged horizontally in front and behind each other. The second rotating roller section 22a is provided immediately above the second article P2 stored in the second storage section 12 on the upstream side of the sending section, and the fourth rotating roller section 24a is arranged so as to form the second supply port 12h on the downstream side of the sending section. As will be described later, the second article P2 selected and sent out in the second sending section 22 functioning as a sorting section is discharged and supplied from the second supply port 12h via the fourth sending section 24.

[0017] Here, the first rotating roller unit 21a is provided directly above the second rotating roller unit 22a, and the third rotating roller unit 23a is provided directly above the fourth rotating roller unit 24a. That is, the supply unit 10 for the article P is configured as a mechanism that is centrally arranged between the first storage unit 11 and the second storage unit 12. When sending out the first article P1, the first rotating roller unit 21a and the third rotating roller unit 23a rotate in a first direction that is a counterclockwise direction. On the other hand, the second rotating roller unit 22a and the fourth rotating roller unit 24a rotate in a second direction that is a clockwise direction different from the first direction to send out and supply the second article P2.

[0018] Additionally, the first supply port 11h is provided with an upper first detection unit 18 capable of detecting the first item P1, and the second supply port 12h is provided with a lower first detection unit 19 capable of detecting the second item P2. These first detection units 18, 19 detect the items P discharged and supplied from each supply port 11h, 12h. Additionally, the first storage unit 11 side is provided with a second detection unit 31 capable of detecting the first item P1 from below, and the second storage unit 12 side is provided with a second detection unit 32 capable of detecting the second item P2 from above, and the presence or absence of both items P1, P2 can be detected by the second detection units 31, 32 arranged above and below.

[0019] The upper first detection unit 18 and the lower first detection unit 19 are arranged vertically side by side, and are attached to the main body 3 as a pair of sensors with their detection parts facing in vertically opposite directions as an integrated structure. The upper and lower second detection units 31, 32 are also arranged vertically side by side, and are attached to the main body 3 as an integrated structure with their detection parts facing vertically. The upper and lower first detection units 18, 19 are not particularly limited, and may be, for example, optical sensors that do not come into contact with the article P. The upper and lower second detection units 31, 32 may be, for example, contact or non-contact sensors.

[0020] Fig. 4 is a side view showing the drive mechanisms of the first and second send-out sections 21 and 22. Fig. 5 is a side view showing the drive mechanisms of the third and fourth send-out sections 23 and 24.

[0021] The rotating roller units are driven by two power applying units arranged in front and behind each other. For example, the first rotating roller unit 21a and the second rotating roller unit 22a are driven by the rotational force of the first power applying unit 28m of the motor via the right gear train 28. Meanwhile, the third rotating roller unit 23a and the fourth rotating roller unit 24a are rotationally driven by the second power applying unit 29m of the motor via the left gear train 29. The right gear train 28 is housed and arranged in a gear box 28c (see FIG. 2) on the right side of the main body unit 3, and the left gear train 29 is housed and arranged in a gear box 29c (see FIG. 2) on the left side of the main body unit 3.

[0022] Here, in the third rotating roller part 23a and the fourth rotating roller part 24a, when the second power applying part 29m is rotationally driven, the third rotating roller part 23a is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (direction when viewed from the right side), and the fourth rotating roller part 24a is rotated in a clockwise direction (direction when viewed from the right side). In addition, when the second power applying part 29m is driven, the third rotating roller part 23a and the fourth rotating roller part 24a are always rotated simultaneously. On the other hand, the first rotating roller part 21a and the second rotating roller part 22a are structured to be rotated separately without being rotationally driven simultaneously, as described later.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the first sending section 21 and the second sending section 22. As shown in FIG. The first rotating roller unit 21a of the first sending-out unit 21 and the second rotating roller unit 22a of the second sending-out unit 22 are driven by a right-side gear train 28. For example, an upper shaft end gear 21c fixed to an upper rotating shaft 21b of the first rotating roller unit 21a and a lower shaft end gear 22c fixed to a lower rotating shaft 22b of the second rotating roller unit 22a are simultaneously driven by a final gear 28a of the right-side gear train 28. As a result, the upper and lower rotating shafts 21b, 22b are rotated in different directions from each other.

[0024] However, the rotational force of the upper and lower rotating shafts 21b, 22b is transmitted to the roller outer periphery 21d, 22d via the first clutch mechanism 21g and the second clutch mechanism 22g. The first and second clutch mechanisms 21g, 22g are structured to automatically switch between a case where power transmission is possible and a case where power transmission is not possible depending on the rotation direction. For example, when the final gear 28a rotates in a clockwise direction (the direction of the arrow A in the figure), the first rotating roller unit 21a rotates as a whole in the first direction R1 counterclockwise together with the rotation of the upper rotating shaft 21b, and can transmit the rotational force to the lower surface bs of the first article P1. At this time, although the lower rotating shaft 22b rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the driving force is not transmitted to the roller outer periphery 22d, and the second rotating roller unit 22a does not rotate as a whole.

[0025] On the other hand, when the final gear 28a rotates in a counterclockwise direction (the direction of the arrow B in the figure), the second rotating roller unit 22a rotates in the second clockwise direction R2 as a whole together with the rotation of the lower rotating shaft 22b, and the rotational force can be transmitted to the upper surface as of the second article P2. In this manner, the first sending-out unit 21 and the second sending-out unit 22 are controlled to operate separately. As a result, the first article P1 and the second article P2 are sent out separately and are not sent out simultaneously.

[0026] Unlike the third and fourth rotating roller parts 23a and 24a, the first rotating roller part 21a and the second rotating roller part 22a have a shape in which the cross section is not a perfect circle. For example, the first rotating roller part 21a and the second rotating roller part 22a have an outer surface structure having a first peripheral surface 21aa, 22aa whose peripheral surface is a part of a circle and a non-circular second peripheral surface 21ab, 22ab whose radius is smaller than that of the first peripheral surface 21aa, 22aa. The article P can be fed out by using the first peripheral surface 21aa, 22aa, and when the second peripheral surfaces 21ab, 22ab face each other, there is no frictional contact and the article P is not moved.

[0027] Therefore, the first rotating roller unit 21a and the second rotating roller unit 22a can select the articles P that they come into contact with from among the stacked articles P with each rotation and send them out in the supply direction. In the case of the first article P1, the first rotating roller unit 21a comes into contact with the bottom surface bs of the lowermost first article P1 from below. Meanwhile, the second rotating roller unit 22a comes into contact with the top surface as of the uppermost second article P2 from above.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control system including the control unit 30. As shown in FIG. The operation of the first sending unit 21 and the operation of the second sending unit 22 are switched by controlling to change the rotation direction of the first power applying unit 28m. For example, the game executing unit 100 executes a game and transmits a predetermined signal to the control unit 30 in association with the result of the game. When the signal at this time sends out the first item P1, the control unit 30 controls the first rotating roller unit 21a to rotate. Also, the first item P1 selected in the first sending unit 21 is sent to the third sending unit 23. Then, the control unit 30 controls to drive the second power applying unit 29m to rotate the third rotating roller unit 23a of the third sending unit 23 based on the detection by the first detection unit 18. As a result, the first item P1 is discharged and supplied from the first supply port 11h. The control unit 30 may be configured to perform overall control of the game executing unit 100, for example, related to the game.

[0029] In addition, the control unit 30 can perform control such as stopping the supply of item P or even sending a signal to prompt the replenishment of item P based on signals from second detection units (upper second detection unit 31 and lower second detection unit 32) that detect the presence or absence of item P provided in each storage unit 11, 12.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing the pressurizing structure of the second housing portion 12. As shown in FIG. The second storage section 12 has a placement section 12a that holds the second article P2 and is provided so as to be movable up and down. Furthermore, the placement section 12a is biased upward by a lower pressure section 12f, which is a compression spring provided on the underside of the placement section 12a. For example, the lower pressure section 12f is provided between the placement section bottom plate 12b and the placement surface 12as. The placement section bottom plate 12b is provided with a circular recess 12c that accommodates the lower pressure section 12f. The lower pressure section 12f is biased upward by, for example, a pair of first front pressure sections 12ff provided on the left and right (in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction relative to the sending direction) and a pair of second rear pressure sections 12fr provided on the left and right. Therefore, in the first state in which the second storage section 12 is attached to the main body section 3, the placement surface 12as presses the uppermost one of the second articles P2 held thereon so as to abut against the second rotating roller section 22a, and the height is adjusted according to the number of the second articles P2. For example, the placement surface 12as is configured so that the height position of the placement surface 12as increases as the number of the stored second articles P2 decreases.

[0031] The placement unit 12a is provided such that its placement surface 12as can move up and down relative to the placement unit bottom plate 12b. That is, the front side is pressurized by the first pressure applying unit 12ff, and the rear side is pressurized by the second pressure applying unit 12fr, so that the placement surface 12as can move in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The first pressure applying unit 12ff is provided directly below the second delivery unit 22, and is configured to apply pressure to the second rotating roller unit 22a from directly below.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second housing section 12 is removed from the main body section 3. As shown in FIG. When the second storage section 12 runs out and needs to be replenished, as described above, the second storage section 12 is in the second state detached from the main body section 3 by sliding it toward the front (X1 direction shown in FIG. 2) and pulling it out, as shown in FIG. 9, in this detached state, the second storage section 12 has a placement section 12a at its upper portion, which has a placement surface 12as that is rectangular in plan view and on which the second item P2 was placed. That is, when the second item P2 is not stored in the placement section 12a, the placement surface 12as is located at the top as shown in the figure.

[0033] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the link mechanism 13 in a state where the placement portion 12a of the second storage portion 12 is raised. The placement unit 12a is configured to be vertically movable by a link mechanism 13 as shown in Fig. 10. This link mechanism 13 includes, for example, a pair of left and right front arms 13a, a pair of left and right rear arms 13b, a placement unit bottom plate 12b pivoted to a rear end support portion 13ad of the front arms 13a and a rear end support portion 13bd of the rear arms 13b, and an operation unit 14 that is vertically rotatable on the front side of the second storage unit 12 and includes meshing teeth 14g that mesh with a gear portion 13g at the front end of the front arms 13a.

[0034] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the link mechanism 13 in a state in which the placement portion 12a of the second storage portion 12 is lowered. As shown in FIG. 11, the operating unit 14 can be rotated around the rotation center axis 14c so as to open downward toward the front side. This rotation to open rotates the gear part 13g meshed with the meshing teeth 14g. As a result, the front arm 13a rotates in a clockwise direction with the rotating shaft part 13ac as a fulcrum, and the rear arm 13b also rotates in the same direction with the rotating shaft part 13bc as a fulcrum. As a result, the placement part bottom plate 12b moves to the bottom side of the second storage part 12, and the placement part 12a moves downward. In this state, the second article P2 is placed on the placement surface 12as and stored in the second storage part 12. Then, the second storage part 12 is inserted into the main body part 3 (in the direction of the arrow X2 in FIG. 2). After that, the operating unit 14 is rotated upward so as to close, and the setting is completed by returning to the state shown in FIG. 9 again.

[0035] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the operating portion 14 of the second housing portion 12. As shown in FIG. In the second storage section 12, the configuration of the operation section 14 is not limited to the one described above, and may be, for example, a configuration as shown in FIG. 13. In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 12, a connecting shaft 14a that connects the left and right forearms 13a is provided at the front end side of the forearm 13a. Furthermore, a gripping plate 14b is provided at the center of the longitudinal direction of the connecting shaft 14a. This allows the forearm 13a to grip the gripping plate 14b and rotate. In addition, the gripping plate 14b itself can be rotated relative to the connecting shaft 14a, and this rotational movement can lock the forearm 13a in a predetermined position (the state shown in the figure).

[0036] The article sending operation of first supply section 11A will be described below with reference to Figs. 13(a), in the first supply section 11A, an opening 11bh is formed in the bottom surface 11b of the first storage section 11 above the first rotating roller section 21a of the first delivery section 21, and a part of the back surface of the bottommost first article P1 in the stack is exposed in this opening 11bh. In addition, an upper pressure section 11f is provided as a weight above the topmost first article P1 in the stack.

[0037] In this state, before the first sending section 21 is rotated, the first rotating roller section 21a is in a non-contact state with the first article P1. Then, a predetermined signal is input to the control section 30 to rotate the first rotating roller section 21a. This rotation causes the first rotating roller section 21a to rotate with its first circumferential surface 21aa in contact with the first article P1 at the bottom. As a result of this rotation in contact state, as shown in FIG. 13(b), only the bottom first article P1 is moved in the sending direction (leftward in the figure), and its tip abuts against the sorting section 11a. During the movement, the first article P1 immediately above the bottom first article P1 may also be moved in the same direction due to the friction between the articles. However, while the bottom first article P1 abuts against the lower inclined surface 11as of the sorting section 11a, the tip of the upper first article P1 faces or abuts against a portion of the vertical surface of the sorting section 11a.

[0038] In the above state, as the first rotating roller unit 21a continues to rotate, the leading edge of the bottom first article P1 is guided by the inclined surface 11as and passes between the sorting unit 11a and the lower guide 42, and is sent out to the third sending unit 23, as shown in FIG. 14(a). Meanwhile, the first article P1 above the sent out bottom first article P1 is locked by the sorting unit 11a and is not sent out. Note that the upper first article P1 may not move together with the bottom one. In this way, the first rotating roller unit 21a functions as a sorting unit that selects only the bottom first article P1, and reliably sends out one by one.

[0039] The first article P1 sent out to the third sending-out section 23 side is inserted between the third rotating roller section 23a and the driven upper roller 23b facing the third rotating roller section 23a, as shown in Fig. 14(b), and is subsequently moved by the first rotating roller section 21a. At this time, the third rotating roller section 23a is not driven to rotate, and the third rotating roller section 23a and the driven upper roller 23b are rotated by friction with the moving first article P1. That is, the first sending-out section 21 on the upstream side performs a first operation based on the application of power, while the third sending-out section 23 on the downstream side performs a second operation based on frictional force not based on the application of power.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 15(a), the leading end of the first article P1 moving while being sandwiched between the third sending-out section 23 reaches the sensing area Sa of the upper first detection section 18. As a result, the upper first detection section 18 transmits a detection signal to the control section 30, and the second power application section 29m is driven. At this time, if the first rotating roller section 21a has not already been driven by the power application and is still in contact with the first article P1, it is rotated slightly due to frictional contact with the first article P1, and finally stops in a state of not contacting the first article P1. Here, while the first sending-out section 21 is driven, the third sending-out section 23 may be driven, but it is preferable to control the driving of both of them not to overlap.

[0041] 15(b), the third send-out section 23 may be continuously driven to rotate while the first detection section 18 on the upper side detects the first article P1, or may be driven for a certain period of time after the article is detected, and then the drive is released and the third send-out section 23 rotates together with the movement of the first article P1. By releasing the drive of the third send-out section 23 by the power applied before the article discharge is completed in this manner, the third send-out section 23 only needs to be driven to the minimum extent necessary.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 16(a), when the rear end of the first article P1 is released from the clamping of the third sending-out unit 23, it protrudes outward (to the left in the figure) from the first supply port 11h, and starts to rotate so that the tip faces downward. As a result, the flat surface portion Pd of the first article P1 on the lower surface side comes into contact with the second abutment portion 42a at the corner portion of the lower guide 42, and in this state, the tip rotates so that it falls further downward. As a result, the side portion Pr of the rear end of the first article P1 comes into contact with the first abutment portion 41a of the upper guide 41, and as shown in FIG. 16(b), it falls so as to slip off the second abutment portion 42a. Here, the completion of the supply of the first article P1 is detected by the fact that the rear end of the first article P1 has left the sensing area Sa. As described above, the power application to the third sending-out unit 23 may be stopped at the stage where it is detected that the rear end of the first article P1 has left the sensing area Sa.

[0043] The article sending operation of the second supply section 12A will be described below with reference to FIGS. 17(a), in the second supply section 12A, an opening 43h is formed in the upper guide 43 facing the second storage section 12 from above below the second rotating roller section 22a, and a part of the surface of the uppermost one of the second articles P2 stacked on the placement surface 12as is exposed below this opening 43h. The stacked second articles P2 are pressed upward by the lower pressure section 12f described above.

[0044] In this state, before the second sending section 22 is driven to rotate, the second rotating roller section 22a is not in contact with the second article P2. Then, a predetermined signal is input to the control section 30 to rotate the second rotating roller section 22a. This rotation causes the second rotating roller section 22a to rotate with its first circumferential surface 22aa in contact with the uppermost second article P2. This rotation in contact state causes the second article P2 to be pushed downward together with the placement surface 12as, as shown in FIG. 17(b), and to move in the sending direction (leftward in the figure). Then, the leading end of the second article P2 comes into contact with the sorting section 12d.

[0045] In the above state, as the first rotating roller unit 21a continues to rotate, the placement unit 12a becomes tilted so that the front side (left side) is higher, as shown in Fig. 18(a). As a result, the leading end of the second article P2 moves upward on the inclined surface 12ds. Then, the leading end of the second article P2 climbs over the inclined surface 12ds, passes between the sorting unit 12d and the upper guide 43, and is sent out to the fourth sending unit 24. In this way, the second rotating roller unit 22a functions as a sorting unit that cooperates with the sorting unit 12d to select only the uppermost second article P2.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 18(b), the second article P2 sent to the fourth sending section 24 is inserted between the fourth rotating roller section 24a and the driven lower roller 24b facing the fourth rotating roller section 24a, and is subsequently moved by the second rotating roller section 22a. At this time, the fourth rotating roller section 24a is not driven to rotate by the application of power. That is, the fourth rotating roller section 24a and the driven lower roller 24b are rotated by friction with the moving second article P2. This is because, when the upstream second sending section 22 is performing a first operation based on the application of power, the downstream fourth sending section 24 is performing a second operation by frictional contact with the article without the application of power.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 19(a), the tip of the second article P2 moving while being sandwiched between the fourth sending section 24 reaches the sensing area Sa of the lower first detection section 19. As a result, the lower first detection section 19 transmits a detection signal to the control section 30. This drives the second power applying section 29m. At this time, if the second rotating roller section 22a has not already been rotationally driven by power application and is still in contact with the second article P2, it is rotated slightly due to frictional contact with the second article P2, and finally stops in a state of not contacting the second article P2. Here, while the second sending section 22 is driving, the fourth sending section 24 may be driven, but it is preferable to control the driving of both of them not to overlap.

[0048] 19(b), the fourth send-out section 24 may be continuously driven to rotate while the second article P2 is detected by the first detector 19 on the lower side, but may be driven for a certain period of time after the detection of the article, and then the drive may be released, and the fourth send-out section 24 may rotate together with the movement of the second article P2. By releasing the drive of the fourth send-out section 24 by the power applied before the discharge of the article is completed in this manner, the fourth send-out section 24 may be driven with the minimum necessary drive.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 20(a), when the rear end of the second article P2 is released from the clamping of the fourth sending-out unit 24, it protrudes outward (to the left in the figure) from the second supply port 12h, and starts to rotate so that the tip faces downward. As a result, the flat portion Pd on the lower surface side of the second article P2 contacts the fourth abutment portion 44a at the corner portion of the lower guide 44, and in this state, the tip rotates so that it falls further downward. As a result, the side portion Pr of the rear end of the second article P2 abuts against the third abutment portion 43a of the upper guide 43, and as shown in FIG. 20(b), it falls so as to slip off the fourth abutment portion 44a. Here, the completion of the supply of the second article P2 is detected by the fact that the rear end of the second article P2 has left the sensing area Sa. Note that, as described above, the power application of the fourth sending-out unit 24 may be stopped at the stage where it is detected that the rear end of the second article P2 has left the sensing area Sa.

[0050] As described above, in the article supplying device 1 of this embodiment, the first storage section 11 for storing the first article P1 and the second storage section 12 for storing the second article P2 are configured as one unit on the top and bottom, so that the delivery mechanisms for supplying both articles can be centrally arranged at the same positions on the top and bottom. This makes it easy to share the drive system of the delivery mechanisms.

[0051] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the first storage section 11 and the second storage section 12 are configured as a single unit, and therefore can be attached and detached integrally to the mounting section, making them easy to handle.

[0052] In the item supply device 1 of this embodiment, the first storage section 11 is located directly above the second storage section 12, so that the first item P1 can be inserted from above, making replenishment easy. The first storage section 11 can store a greater number of first items P1 than the second storage section 12. The second storage section 12 is configured to be able to replenish the second items P2 from its top when removed from the main body section 3, so that the second items P2 can be easily replenished even in a structure in which the delivery mechanism for the first items P1 is located above the second storage section 12.

[0053] In the present embodiment of the item supply device 1, the supply section 10 is configured so that the supply direction of the first item P1 from the first storage section 11 and the supply direction of the second item P2 from the second storage section 12 are the same, thereby enabling the item removal area to be reduced to one, simplifying the configuration.

[0054] In the present embodiment of the item supply device 1, the supply section 10 is equipped with a first output section 21 capable of selecting a first item P1 stored in the first storage section 11, and a second output section 22 capable of selecting a second item P2 stored in the second storage section 12, thereby enabling the first item P1 and the second item P2 to be selected and supplied separately.

[0055] In the article supplying device 1 of this embodiment, the first sending section 21 is configured to be able to contact the lower surface of the first article P1 to supply the first article P1, and the second sending section 22 is configured to be able to contact the upper surface of the second article P2 to supply the second article P2. This allows the first sending section 21 and the second sending section 22 to be disposed between the first storage section 11 and the second storage section 12, and further allows both articles P1 and P2 to be supplied with their upper surfaces facing up.

[0056] In the article supplying device 1 of this embodiment, the first supplying section 11A in which the first rotating roller section 21a and the third rotating roller section 23a are horizontally arranged, and the second supplying section 12A in which the second rotating roller section 22a and the fourth rotating roller section 24a are horizontally arranged are configured to allow the first article P1 and the second article P2 to move in the same horizontal direction. This allows the first article P1 and the second article P2 to be dropped and discharged at the same location.

[0057] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the first rotating roller unit 21a on the upstream side of the first supply unit 11A and the second rotating roller unit 22a on the upstream side of the second supply unit 12A are arranged vertically side by side, so that driving by the first power applying unit 28m can be easily performed. Also, the third rotating roller unit 23a on the downstream side of the first supply unit 11A and the fourth rotating roller unit 24a on the downstream side of the second supply unit 12A are arranged vertically side by side, so that driving by the second power applying unit 29m can be easily performed.

[0058] In the present embodiment of the item supplying device 1, the loading section 12a is configured to be adjustable so that the height position of its loading surface 12as increases as the number of second items P2 stored therein decreases, thereby enabling stable contact between the second rotating roller section 22a and the uppermost second item P2, and ensuring the sorting and sending out of the second item P2.

[0059] In the article supplying device 1 of this embodiment, the pressurizing section is provided with an upper pressurizing section 11f in the first storage section 11 that presses the first article P1 toward the first rotating roller section 21a, so that the contact pressure with the first rotating roller section 21a when the first article P1 is selected is stable, enabling reliable selection and sending out. Also, in the second storage section 12, a lower pressurizing section 12f is provided that presses the second article P2 toward the second rotating roller section 22a, so that the second article P2 can be stably pressed against the second rotating roller section 22a, enabling reliable selection and sending out.

[0060] According to the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the first supply unit 11A and the second supply unit 12A can discharge the article P from the first supply port 11h and the second supply port 12h with the tip side of the article P facing downward so that the article P falls under its own weight, so that the article P can be supplied with a minimum of power. Also, since the article P can be discharged with the tip facing straight down under its own weight, it is possible to discharge the article P with the surface of the article P visible from the front and in an upright state, for example.

[0061] Furthermore, in the present embodiment of the item supply device 1, the first detection units 18, 19 are configured to detect the discharge of one item P selected by the sorting unit, so that the completion of the discharge and supply of items P one by one can be confirmed based on the detection signal from the first detection units 18, 19.

[0062] According to the present embodiment of the item supply device 1, the supply section 10 is a two-stage sending mechanism consisting of an upstream sending section and a downstream sending section, so that the downstream sending section can be given a discharge function, while the upstream sending section can be given the function of a sorting section, thereby enabling reliable sorting and reliable discharge to be performed in a stable manner.

[0063] In the article supplying device 1 of this embodiment, the upstream side output section and the downstream side output section are configured to be capable of a first operation based on the application of power from the power application section and a second operation based on frictional force with the article, thereby enabling smooth delivery of articles upstream and downstream of the output section. For example, by having a second operation that is not driven after the upstream side first operation (after the driving operation), it is possible to avoid simultaneously applying different driving speeds to the article P even if the delivery speed by the first power application section 28m and the delivery speed by the second power application section 29m are significantly different. This allows the driving speeds of the upstream side output section and the downstream side output section to be freely set.

[0064] More specifically, after the upstream sending section (first rotating roller section 21a and second rotating roller section 22a) starts its second operation, the downstream sending section is controlled to perform the first operation after the first detection sections 18, 19 detect item P, so that the drive of the downstream sending section can function as an operation completely separated from the upstream item sorting section.

[0065] In the present embodiment of the item supplying device 1, the first rotating roller unit 21a and the second rotating roller unit 22a each have a perfectly circular first circumferential surface 21aa, 22aa whose circumferential surface can come into contact with an item P, and a non-circular second circumferential surface 21ab, 22ab that does not come into contact with the item P, thereby enabling them to function as a sorting unit for the item P with every rotation.

[0066] In the item supply device 1 of this embodiment, the second detection units 31, 32 capable of detecting the presence or absence of items P stored in the first storage unit 11 and the second storage unit 12 are provided, and thus it is possible to detect the presence or absence of items P in the first storage unit 11 and the second storage unit 12. Also, by being able to detect the absence of items P in each storage unit, the control unit 30 can perform control to prompt the refilling of the missing items P.

[0067] In the article supplying device 1 of this embodiment, the pressurizing unit includes the first pressurizing unit 12ff and the second pressurizing unit 12fr arranged in a front-to-rear direction along the sending-out direction of the second article P2, so that independent pressures can be applied to the front and rear in the front-to-rear direction of the second article P2. Also, by arranging separate pressurizing units in the front and rear, the second article P2 can be tilted in the height direction in response to the movement of the second rotating roller unit 22a for sorting during the sorting operation, so that an auxiliary operation that makes it easier to sort the articles can be performed.

[0068] Furthermore, since the second pressure applying portion 12ff is provided directly below the second sending-out portion 22, the second article P2 can be firmly pressed against the second rotating roller portion 22a.

[0069] In the article supplying device 1 of this embodiment, the second storage section 12 is configured to be detachable from the main body section 3, so that it is easy to replenish the second article P2. In addition, since the height of the placement section 12a for the second article P2 can be adjusted by the operating section 14, it is easy to replenish the second article P2 in the second state where the second storage section 12 is not attached to the main body section 3.

[0070] In the present embodiment of the item supply device 1, the height of the mounting section 12a of the second storage section 12 can be adjusted by the operating section 14, facilitating operations when pulling the second storage section 12 out of the main body section 3 and also when attaching it to the main body section 3.

[0071] In addition, since the second storage section 12 is configured so that the pull-out direction from the main body section 3 is the same as the supply direction of the item P from the supply section 10, it is possible to share the opening for pulling out and installing the second storage section 12 with the opening for supplying items.

[0072] In the item supply device 1 of this embodiment, the first power application section 28m is configured to simultaneously apply power to the first sending section 21 that sends out the first item P1 and the second sending section 22 that sends out the second item P2, so that the power transmission mechanism can be consolidated into one and the number of power sources can be reduced to one.

[0073] In the item supply device 1 of this embodiment, when the first sending-out section 21 performs the operation of sending out the first item P1, the second sending-out section 22 is controlled not to perform the operation of sending out the second item P2, and when the second sending-out section 22 performs the operation of sending out the second item P2, the first sending-out section 21 is controlled not to perform the operation of sending out the first item P1, thereby making it possible to send out the first item P1 and the second item P2 at different timings.

[0074] According to the present embodiment of the item supply device 1, the first and second output sections 21 and 2, which are arranged next to each other, are configured to rotate only in a predetermined rotational direction (first direction, second direction) by the clutch mechanisms of the respective rotating roller sections (first rotating roller section 21a, second rotating roller section 22a). Therefore, by simply controlling the rotational direction of the first power application section 28m (motor) to rotate forward or backward, it is possible to switch between outputting the first item P1 and the second item P2.

[0075] According to the present embodiment of the article supply device 1, the first and second output sections 21 and 22 are arranged vertically, and the third and fourth output sections 23 and 24 are arranged vertically and closely spaced, so that each of the sections arranged vertically can easily be driven by the same power application section (first power application section 28m, second power application section 29m).

[0076] According to the present embodiment of the item supply device 1, no clutch mechanism for controlling the transmission of power is provided between the third output section 23 and the fourth output section 24 and the second power application section 29m, thereby simplifying the driving force transmission structure.

[0077] Although the 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 embodiment, the lower pressurizing portion 12f is configured to have four compression springs, but this is not limited to this configuration, and may be configured with, for example, two compression springs at the front and rear, or five or more compression springs.

[0078] As described above, the present specification discloses the following:

[0079] (1) An article supplying device, A main body portion, A storage section that can be attached to the main body and can store an item; a supply unit provided in the storage unit and capable of supplying the article; Equipped with An article supplying device, wherein the storage section is configured to be able to adjust the height position of the articles depending on the number of the articles stored in the storage section.

[0080] (2) The article supply device according to (1), The storage section includes a pressurizing section capable of pressurizing the item, The article supplying device, wherein the pressurizing section is configured to be able to pressurize the article contained in the storage section from a lower portion thereof.

[0081] (3) The article supply device according to (2), The pressurizing unit includes a first pressurizing unit and a second pressurizing unit, The first pressurizing section is capable of pressurizing a front side of the article contained in the storage section in a supply direction by the supply section, The second pressurizing section is configured to be able to pressurize the rear of the article stored in the storage section in the supply direction.

[0082] (4) The article supply device according to (3), The article supply device, wherein the first pressure applying section and the second pressure applying section are made of elastic members.

[0083] (5) The article supply device according to (3) or (4), The product supply device, wherein the supply section is configured to be able to supply the topmost product among the plurality of products contained in the storage section.

[0084] (6) An article supply device according to any one of (3) to (5), the supply unit includes a sending unit capable of sending out the article, The article supplying device, wherein the sending section is configured to be capable of sending out the article that is contained in the storage section and located at the top.

[0085] (7) The article supply device according to (6), The first pressurizing section is provided directly below the sending section of the article supply device.

[0086] (8) The article supply device according to (6) or (7), The sending section is configured as a rotating roller section, The rotating roller unit is configured to be able to horizontally feed the articles stored in the storage unit.

[0087] (9) The article supply device according to (8), The rotating roller portion has a cross-section that is not a perfect circle and is configured to include a first circumferential surface that can come into contact with the article and a second circumferential surface that does not come into contact with the article.

[0088] (10) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (9), The storage section is configured to be capable of being in a first state in which it is attached to the main body section and a second state in which it is not attached to the main body section, The item supplying device is configured to be able to replenish the item in the second state.

[0089] (11) The article supply device according to (10), The storage section includes a placement section on which the article can be placed, The article supplying device, wherein the placement section is configured to be movable up and down.

[0090] (12) The article supply device according to (11), The item supplying device, wherein the placement section is configured to be capable of taking an upper position in the first state and a lower position in the second state.

[0091] (13) The article supply device according to (11) or (12), The storage unit includes an operating unit that operates the placement unit so that the placement unit can move up and down.

[0092] (14) An article supplying device according to any one of (10) to (13), The storage section is configured to be removable from the main body section.

[0093] (15) The article supply device according to (14), The item supplying device, wherein the storage section is in the second state when pulled out from the main body section.

[0094] (16) An article supply device according to (14) or (15), An item supplying device, wherein the storage section is configured so that the direction in which the items are supplied from the supply section and the direction in which they are pulled out from the main body section are the same.

[0095] (17) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (16), a sorting unit capable of sorting only one of the articles at a time when the articles are supplied by the supply unit, The sorting section is configured to be capable of sorting only the topmost item among the multiple items stacked in the storage section.

[0096] (18) The article supply device according to (17), The supply unit is configured to supply the items selected by the sorting unit.

[0097] (19) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (18), Further comprising a game execution unit, The item supplying device, wherein the game execution unit is capable of executing a game on condition that a price is paid.

[0098] (20) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (19), The item supply device, wherein the supply unit is capable of supplying one of the items on condition that a price is paid. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1 Goods supply device 3 Main body 10 Supply section 11 First storage section 11A 1st supply section 11f Upper pressurized section (pressurized section) 12 Second storage section 12A 2nd supply section 12a Placement part 12as Placement surface 12f Lower pressurized section (pressurized section) 12ff 1st pressurized section (pressurized section) 12fr 2nd pressurized section (pressurized section) 14 Control section 18,19 First detection section 21 First sending section (upstream sending section) 21a First rotating roller part (rotating roller part) 21aa 1st circumferential surface 21ab 2nd peripheral surface 21g First clutch mechanism 22 Second sending section (upstream sending section) 22a Second rotating roller part (rotating roller part) 22aa 1st circumferential surface 22ab 2nd peripheral surface 22g Second clutch mechanism 23 Third sending section (downstream sending section) 23a 3rd rotating roller part (rotating roller part) 24 Fourth sending section (downstream sending section) 24a 4th rotating roller part (rotating roller part) 28m First power supply unit (power supply unit) 29m Second power supply unit (power supply unit) 30 Control section 31, 32 Second detection section 41a 1st contact part 42a 2nd contact part 43a 3rd contact part 44a 4th contact part P Goods P1 1st item (item) P2 Second item (item) Pr Side of the item Pd Flat surface of the item

Claims

1. An article supplying device, A main body portion, A storage section capable of storing an article and being attachable to the main body section, the storage section being configured to be capable of taking a first state in which the storage section is attached to the main body section and a second state in which the storage section is detached from the main body section; A supply unit provided in the main body and capable of supplying the article; Equipped with The storage section includes a placement section on which the item can be placed, and an operating section, the placement section being configured to be able to move up and down between an upper position and a lower position while maintaining a horizontal state based on the operation of the operating section, the height position of the item being adjustable according to the number of items stored in the storage section, the placement section being configured to be able to be pulled out from the main body section on condition that it is in the upper position, and the supply section being configured to be able to supply the items on condition that the storage section is in the first state, an item supply device.

2. The article supply device according to claim 1, The storage section includes a pressurizing section capable of pressurizing the item, The pressurizing section is configured to be able to pressurize the article stored in the storage section from below.

3. The article supply device according to claim 2, The pressurizing unit includes a first pressurizing unit and a second pressurizing unit, The first pressurizing section is capable of pressurizing a front side of the article contained in the storage section in a supply direction by the supply section, The second pressure applying section is configured to apply pressure to the rear of the article stored in the storage section in the supply direction.

4. The article supply device according to claim 3, The article supply device, wherein the first pressure applying portion and the second pressure applying portion are made of an elastic member.

5. The article supply device according to claim 4, An item supplying device, wherein the supplying section is configured to be able to supply the item located at the top among the plurality of items contained in the storage section.

6. The article supply device according to claim 5, The supply unit includes a sending unit capable of sending out the article, The article supplying device, wherein the sending section is configured to be capable of sending out the article that is contained in the storage section and located at the top.

7. 7. The article supplying device according to claim 6, The first pressurizing unit is provided directly below the output unit of the article supply device.

8. The article supplying device according to claim 7, The sending section is configured as a rotating roller section, An article supplying device, wherein the rotating roller unit is configured to be able to horizontally feed the articles stored in the storage unit.

9. The article supplying device according to claim 8, An article supplying device, wherein the rotating roller portion has a cross-section that is not a perfect circle and is configured to include a first circumferential surface that can contact the article and a second circumferential surface that does not contact the article.

10. The article supply device according to claim 1, An item supplying device, wherein the storage section is configured so that the direction in which the items are supplied from the supply section and the direction in which they are pulled out from the main body section are the same.

11. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a sorting unit capable of sorting only one of the articles at a time when the articles are supplied by the supply unit, An item supplying device, wherein the sorting section is configured to be capable of sorting only the topmost item among the multiple items stacked in the storage section.

12. The article supplying device according to claim 11, The supply unit is configured to supply the items selected by the sorting unit.

13. The article supplying device according to claim 12, The supply unit is capable of supplying one of the items on condition that a price is paid.

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