Item storage unit

Abstract

To provide an article storage unit capable of storing more articles of many kinds.SOLUTION: An article storage shelf 1 includes: a shelf part 1a formed in a box shape by a wall surface and a frame and having an opened bottom surface; and a plurality of article carry-out modules 2 having a column 10 that has an opening in a bottom surface and stores commodities arranged in a vertical direction, and a motor unit that moves the commodities downward, for moving the commodities by the motor unit to sequentially carry out the commodities through the opening. The article carry-out module 2 is supported so as to move in a longitudinal direction relative to the shelf part 1a, and the column 10 has a rectangular box shape, and has only a rear wall 18 of side walls in the longitudinal direction, and stores the commodity between the rear wall 18 and the front article carry-out module 2 adjacent to each other or a front wall 4 of the shelf part 1a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an item storage unit that stores items in a vertical arrangement and removes them one by one. [Background technology]

[0002] A spiral-type item delivery module used in vending machines, etc., is a device that stores items (goods) by inserting them between spirals arranged in a column, and sequentially delivers the items from the other end of the spiral by rotating one end of the spiral using a motor.

[0003] In recent years, it has become common for a single vending machine to be able to store and sell multiple types of items, and even vending machines have been developed that have spiral-type item dispensing modules that can store and sell items of different sizes.

[0004] For example, in the vending machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, two spirals are arranged side by side in the left-right direction and extend vertically in one item storage unit (item transport shelf), making it possible to store multiple rows (two rows) of items in one item storage unit.

[0005] Furthermore, the side walls of the columns in the storage units are movable left and right, allowing the left and right width of the columns to be changed and products of different widths to be stored in a single storage unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-009888 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In Patent Document 1, the left and right width direction position of the spiral is fixed relative to the item storage unit, so the number of item discharge modules installed in the item storage unit, i.e., the number of item storage rows, is limited. Therefore, when storing multiple rows of relatively small items, the side walls of the columns are arranged to narrow the width of each column, resulting in dead space between adjacent columns.

[0008] In particular, when multiple item discharge modules are arranged side by side on one product storage shelf, when attempting to store multiple rows of items with relatively small left-right widths, a large amount of dead space will be formed between adjacent columns.

[0009] However, in vending machines, there is a demand to minimize the dead space formed in the product storage shelves as described above, to store more products in the limited product storage shelves, and to store and sell larger products.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an item storage unit that is configured with an item discharge module for storing items, and is capable of storing a greater number of items of various sizes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the item storage unit of the present invention is an item storage unit comprising: a shelf portion formed into a box shape by a plate member or a frame and having at least an open bottom surface; a column having an opening at least on its bottom surface and storing items lined up in a vertical direction; an item moving portion for moving the items downward; and an item output module for moving the items downward by the item moving portion to sequentially output the items from the opening, wherein the item output module is supported on the shelf portion so as to be movable in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the column has a rectangular box shape, has only one of both side walls located on the predetermined direction side, and comprises a box-shaped main body portion having a substantially L-shaped cross section with an opening on a surface into which the item is inserted, and the shelf portion supports a plurality of the item output modules lined up in the predetermined direction so as to be movable in the predetermined direction, and moves the item output module to contact the side wall on the predetermined direction side of the item output module. Adjacent The width of the column can be changed by changing the distance between the side wall of the article discharge module on the predetermined direction side, and the side wall of the article discharge module on the predetermined direction side The adjacent A space for storing the items is formed between the side wall of the item discharge module on the predetermined direction side.

[0013] Preferably, a rail extending in the predetermined direction is provided on an upper portion of the shelf portion, and the article discharge module includes a roller that is rollably suspended on the rail.

[0014] Preferably, a fixing means is provided for fixing the article discharge module to the shelf at a predetermined position in the predetermined direction.

[0015] Preferably, the item moving section includes a motor section supported on the upper part of the column, and a spiral disposed within the column, one end of which is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor section while the other end of which extends in a spiral shape toward the bottom of the column, supporting the items, and the item ejection module is an item ejection module that sequentially ejects the items toward the bottom of the column by rotating the spiral using the motor section.

[0016] Preferably, there is a spacer inserted between the spiral and the wall surface of the column, and the spacer is provided with a sold-out detection means for detecting when the articles have been completely removed from the column. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the item storage unit of the present invention, only one of the two side walls located on the predetermined direction side of the column of the item discharge module has a wall surface, so that the width of the column in the predetermined direction can be changed by moving the item discharge module in the predetermined direction. This makes it possible to store multiple types of items with different widths as needed. In addition, the width of the item storage unit in the predetermined direction can be utilized without forming dead space.

[0018] Therefore, in an item storage unit equipped with an item discharge module that stores items in a column, it becomes possible to store a greater number of items of various sizes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a structure of an item storage shelf according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of an article discharge module in this embodiment, as viewed from the left rear. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of an article discharge module in this embodiment, as viewed from the right front. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the arrangement of an item discharge module in an item storage shelf; [Figure 7] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an arrangement when an elevator-type item discharge module and a spiral-type item discharge module are installed on an item storage shelf. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] An item storage shelf 1 (item storage unit) according to one embodiment of the present invention is employed, for example, in a vending machine, and has the function of storing items (items) to be sold and dispensing the items one by one in response to purchasing operations by a purchaser, etc.

[0022] In the following description, when item storage shelf 1 is installed in a vending machine, the front side of the vending machine will be referred to as the front, the rear side as the rear, and the right hand side facing the front will be referred to as the right and the left hand as the left.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of an item storage shelf 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the structure of an item discharge module 2 in this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view seen from the left rear, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view seen from the right front. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the item storage shelf 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the item storage shelf 1 cut by a plane that includes the axis of the spiral 20 of the item discharge module 2 and extends in the up-down and left-right directions. FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the item storage shelf 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the item storage shelf 1 cut by a plane that passes through approximately the middle position of the item storage shelf 1 in the up-down direction and extends in the front-back and left-right directions.

[0024] The vending machine has a box-shaped cabinet with a plurality of detachable article storage shelves 1 mounted therein.

[0025] Furthermore, the item storage shelf 1 is equipped with a shelf section 1a formed in a box shape and a plurality of item output modules 2. A plurality of item output modules 2 are arranged in a row in the front-to-rear direction on the item storage shelf 1. Note that, although three item output modules 2 are shown on the front side in FIG. 1, two more item output modules 2 can be mounted behind them, for a total of five item output modules 2. Inside the item output modules 2, products (items) to be sold are stored in a row in the vertical direction.

[0026] The shelf portion 1a has an upper wall 3, a front wall 4, and a rear wall 5, and the left and bottom surfaces are open. On the right surface of the shelf portion 1a, the right end of the front wall 4 is connected to the right end of the rear wall 5 by several frames 6 extending in the front-rear direction. In addition, on the bottom surface of the shelf portion 1a, a frame 7 is provided which extends in the front-rear direction from the right and left ends and connects the lower end of the front wall 4 to the lower end of the rear wall 5. The upper wall 3, front wall 4, rear wall 5, and frames 6 and 7 are fixed to each other by bolts or the like.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the article discharge module 2 is a spiral-type article discharge module including a column 10, a motor unit 11 (motor section, article moving section), and a spiral unit 12 (article moving section).

[0028] The column 10 is formed in a rectangular box shape that is open on the bottom, front, and left side and is slightly smaller than the item storage shelf 1 in the left-right and up-down directions.

[0029] The column 10 includes a main body 13 having a box shape with a generally L-shaped cross section, with openings on the front, bottom, and left side, and a door 14 that covers the opening on the left side of the main body 13. The door 14 is supported by the main body 13, and its front end portion opens and closes to the left, allowing the opening on the left side of the main body 13 to be opened and closed.

[0030] The motor unit 11 is configured with a motor 15 and a reduction gear mechanism 16 mounted in a box-shaped case, and is fixed to an upper wall 17 of the column 10. The output shaft (rotating shaft) of the motor unit 11 has a tip (lower end) that extends downward beyond the upper wall 17 of the column 10, and is disposed so as to extend downward in parallel with the side walls (rear wall 18 and right side wall 19) of the column 10.

[0031] The spiral unit 12 is composed of a spiral 20 and a guide portion 21 .

[0032] The spiral 20 is formed by winding a round bar-shaped member into a spiral shape. One end (upper end) of the spiral 20 is detachably fixed to the output shaft of the motor unit 11, with the central axis extending downward coaxially with the output shaft of the motor unit 11, and the other end (lower end) extending to the vicinity of the lower end of the column 10.

[0033] The guide portion 21 is formed by bending both the upper and lower ends of a plate member several centimeters wide. The upper end of the guide portion 21 is supported at the center of the upper end of the spiral 20 so as to be rotatable about the axis of the spiral 20, and extends from the support position radially outward (rearward) of the spiral 20, and extends vertically inside the spiral 20 at a position radially outward (rearward) from the central axis of the spiral 20. The lower end of the guide portion 21 extends below the spiral 20 toward the rear wall 18 of the column 10, and is detachably fixed to the rear wall 18.

[0034] The spiral unit 12 is configured such that a spiral 20 and a guide portion 21 are integrally formed, and is detachably connected to the column 10 and the output shaft of the motor unit 11 .

[0035] In the article discharge module 2 configured as described above, the door portion 14 of the column 10 is opened, and the product is inserted between each pitch of the spiral 20 from the opening on the left side, and the product is stored in the column 10. Therefore, the products are stored in the column 10 lined up vertically.

[0036] Then, by driving the motor 15 to rotate the spiral 20, the products supported by the spiral 20 within the column 10 move downward and are carried out one by one below the column 10.

[0037] At this time, even if the output shaft of the motor unit 11 rotates and the spiral 20 rotates, the guide part 21 does not rotate or move. The guide part 21 appropriately supports the rear side of the product that moves downward due to the rotation of the spiral 20, and plays the role of a guide to move the product smoothly downward.

[0038] Additionally, two rollers 25 are provided side by side in the front-rear direction on the upper wall 17 of the shelf section 1a of the item output module 2. The axes of the rollers 25 are arranged to extend in the left-right direction. Meanwhile, a rail 26 extending in the front-rear direction (a predetermined direction) is provided on the upper wall 3 of the item storage shelf 1. The rollers 25 of the item output module 2 are rotatably suspended on the rail 26 of the item storage shelf 1. Therefore, the item output module 2 is supported on the item storage shelf 1 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

[0039] 1 and 4, the upper wall 3 of the item storage shelf 1 and the upper part of the column 10 of the item discharge module 2 are fixed by bolts via a bracket 27. In this embodiment, the bracket 27 has three bolt holes 27a at different positions in the front-to-rear direction, and the fixed position of the item discharge module 2 in the front-to-rear direction relative to the item storage shelf 1 can be changed by selectively using any one of the three bolt holes 27a. The bracket 27 and the bolts correspond to the fixing means of the present invention. 5, the left frame 7 is provided with a total of four notches 28, each set of three, into which the lower left end of the rear wall 18 of the column 10 is inserted, corresponding to the front-rear positions of the three bolt holes 27a of the bracket 27, i.e., corresponding to the front-rear positions of the article discharge module 2. By inserting the lower left end of the rear wall 18 of the column 10 into any of the notches 28, the article discharge module 2 can be easily positioned at a predetermined front-rear position (predetermined position) relative to the article storage shelf 1.

[0040] 3 to 5, the front end 30 of the right side wall 19 of the column 10 is bent vertically to the left by about several centimeters. Furthermore, a spacer 31 is detachably fixed between the front end 30 of the right side wall 19 of the column 10 and the rear wall 18. The spacer 31 is formed in a rectangular box shape with a left-right length approximately equal to that of the front end 30 and a vertical length approximately equal to that of the column 10.

[0041] A sold-out detection device 40 (sold-out detection means) is provided at the bottom of the spacer 31. The sold-out detection device 40 has a rod-shaped lever 41 that protrudes leftward into the column 10 from the left side surface of the spacer 31, and a switch 42 that is disposed inside the spacer 31 and detects the swing angle of the lever 41. The base end of the lever 41 is supported by the spacer 31 so as to be swingable up and down. The lever 41 can swing between a state in which it extends substantially horizontally and a state in which its left tip is downwardly angled by approximately 90 degrees, and is biased upward by a spring or the like (not shown). The front end of the lever 41 can swing up and down at a position adjacent to the front side of the spiral 20.

[0042] When a product is supported at the bottom end of spiral 20 in column 10, that is, when the product has not been completely removed from column 10 and the product is not yet sold out, lever 41 of sold-out detector 40 is pushed downward by the product supported at the bottom end. Switch 42 can detect that the product in column 10 is not sold out by detecting the angle at which lever 41 is pushed downward by the product.

[0043] On the other hand, when no products are supported at the bottom end of spiral 20 in column 10, that is, when the removal of products from column 10 is complete and the products are sold out, lever 41 is in an upwardly swung position. Switch 42 detects the angle (predetermined angle) at which lever 41 is swung upward, thereby being able to detect that products have been sold out (removal has been completed) in column 10.

[0044] 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams showing examples of arrangement of item discharge modules 2 in item storage shelf 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of item storage shelf 1. 6, five item output modules 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, and 2e are installed on the item storage shelf 1. The item output modules 2a to 2e all have the same shape and configuration. The item output modules 2a to 2e are movable in the front-rear direction on the item storage shelf 1 as described above.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 6a, for example, the distances between the rear walls 18 of the columns 10 of the article unloading modules 2a to 2e adjacent in the front-rear direction are set to L1, L3, L1, L3 in order from the rear. Also, for the article unloading module 2e located at the foremost position, the distance between the rear wall 18 of the column 10 and the front wall 4 of the article storage shelf 1 is set to L2. Note that L1 < L2 < L3, and these are the lengths defined in advance by the bolt holes 27a used for fixing among the three bolt holes 27a in the aforementioned bracket 27. At these positions, the respective article unloading modules 2a to 2e are fixed to the article storage shelf 1.

[0046] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6b, for example, the fixing of the second article unloading module 2d from the front is released and it is moved forward. By setting the distance between the rear wall 18 of the article unloading module 2d and the rear wall 18 of the article unloading module 2e located in front of it, that is, the column width of the article unloading module 2d, to L1, the column 10 width of the article unloading module 2c located behind it can be greatly changed to L3, specifically, the front-rear width in which goods can be installed within the column 10.

[0047] In this way, in this embodiment, the front-rear direction positions of each of the multiple item discharge modules 2 (2a to 2d) can be arbitrarily changed with respect to the item storage shelf 1. Furthermore, only the rear wall 18 is provided among both side walls in the front-rear direction of the column 10 in the item discharge module 2, and a space for storing goods is formed between the rear wall 18 of the item discharge module 2 and the rear wall 18 of the item discharge module 2 adjacent to the front side or the front wall 4 of the item storage shelf 1. As a result, the width of the column 10 can be easily changed by moving the item discharge module 2 to change the distance between the adjacent item discharge module 2 or the front wall 4 of the item storage shelf 1. Therefore, it is possible to change the width of the column 10 after using multiple item discharge modules 2 of the same shape. As a result, it is possible to store goods of multiple widths by sharing the item discharge module 2. In addition, it is possible to efficiently use the front-rear width of the item storage unit 1 without forming dead space between the item discharge modules 2 and the item discharge modules 2. As a result, it is possible to store more goods of various sizes in the item storage unit 1.

[0048] Furthermore, any number of item output modules 2 can be installed on the item storage shelf 1. The item output module 2 is equipped with rollers 25, and the rollers 25 are supported so as to be rollable on rails 26 extending in the front-to-rear direction on the item storage shelf 1. This allows the item output module 2 to be easily moved relative to the item storage shelf 1. Furthermore, the item output module 2 is attachable and detachable to the item storage shelf 1. Therefore, the item output modules 2 can be easily attached, detached, moved and fixed to any number depending on the size and number of types of goods to be stored on the item storage shelf 1.

[0049] In addition, the front end 30 of the right side wall 19 of the column 10 is bent vertically to the left by several centimeters, so that when two adjacent article discharge modules 2 are brought closer to each other in the front-to-rear direction and brought into contact with each other, the front surface of the front end 30 of the right side wall 19 of the rear column 10 comes into contact with the right side wall 19 of the front column 10. This makes it possible to prevent the front column 10 from tilting in the front-to-rear direction even if the article discharge modules 2 are brought even closer to each other in the front-to-rear direction, making it easier to position the article discharge modules 2.

[0050] Furthermore, a spacer 31 having approximately the same vertical length as the column 10 is provided between the front end 30 of the right side wall 19 of the column 10 and the rear wall 18, i.e., in the right innermost part of the column 10, so that the left side of the spacer 31 can support the right side of the products in the column 10. Therefore, when the spiral 20 rotates, the products are supported using the spacer 31 as a guide, and the products are prevented from moving rightward from the center position of the spiral 20, making it possible to smoothly convey them out one by one.

[0051] Furthermore, since the spacer 31 is equipped with the sold-out detection device 40, the left-right position of the tip of the lever 41 relative to the right side of the product stored in the product discharge module 2 can be made constant. For example, when products with different left-right widths are to be stored in the product discharge module 2, spacers 31 with different left-right widths can be prepared in advance and used as appropriate. This allows the tip position of the lever 41 relative to the product to be appropriately set, allowing the sold-out detection device 40 to detect the product with high accuracy.

[0052] Note that the item storage shelf 1 may be equipped with not only the spiral item discharge module 2 as described above, but also other types of item discharge modules.

[0053] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of arrangement when an elevator-type item output module 50 and a spiral-type item output module 2 are installed on an item storage shelf 1. As shown in FIG.

[0054] FIG. 7 shows an item storage shelf 1 equipped with two elevator-type item discharge modules 50 (50a, 50b) on the rear side and three spiral-type item discharge modules 2 (2c to 2d) on the front side.

[0055] The elevator-type article discharge module 50 has a column 10 of the same shape as the spiral-type article discharge module 2, and an elevator unit 51 (article moving section) instead of the motor unit 11 and the spiral unit 12. The elevator unit 51 has a drive section 52 of approximately the same external shape as the spacer 31 at the right rear part of the column 10, and has a plurality of lifts 53, which are platforms on which goods are placed, lined up in the vertical direction within the column 10. The drive section 52 is, for example, a drive mechanism of a motor and a chain, and moves the lifts 53 in the vertical direction.

[0056] The article discharge module 50 discharges the products one by one downward from the opening in the lower surface of the column 10 by moving the lift 53 downward using the drive unit 52.

[0057] Like the article unloading module 2, the article unloading module 50 does not have a right side wall of the column 10 and can be moved in the front-rear direction relative to the article storage shelf 1 and fixed thereto, so that the width of the column 10 can be changed.

[0058] Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a mechanism for movably fixing the front-rear positions of the spiral 20 and the lift 53 relative to the column 10. As a result, when the front-rear width of the column 10 is changed, for example as shown in article discharge modules 2c, 2d, and 2e in Fig. 7, the spiral 20 and the lift 53, particularly the central axis of the spiral 20, can be positioned at the front-rear center position of the column 10, and the central portion of the product can be stably supported by the spiral 20 etc.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The detailed structures of the shelf unit 1a and the item discharge modules 2, 50 in the item storage shelf 1 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the shelf unit 1a in the above embodiment has an opening on the right side and the front wall and the rear wall are connected by two frames 7 at the vertical middle portion, but the right side may be a wall surface.

[0060] Furthermore, the article discharge modules 2, 50 may be structured so that the door portion 14 provided on the left side of the column 10 is not provided, and the left side surface of the column 10 is open.

[0061] Furthermore, although the brackets 27 each have three bolt holes 27a, the number of bolt holes 27a is not limited and may be four or more. This allows the column width to be widened to accommodate products longer than L3. In this case, the number and positions of the bolt holes 27a can be freely changed depending on the size of the products to be stored.

[0062] Furthermore, the present invention can be widely applied to units that store and carry out articles in various systems other than vending machines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1. Storage shelf (storage unit) 1a Shelf 2.50 Item removal module 10 Column 11 Motor unit (item moving section, motor section) 18 Rear wall (side wall) 20 Spiral (goods moving section) 26 Rail 25 Lola 27 Bracket (fixing means) 31 Spacer 40 Sold-out detection device (sold-out detection means) 51 Elevator unit (goods moving section)

Claims

1. A shelf portion formed in a box shape by a plate member or a frame, and at least a bottom surface of the shelf portion is open; an article discharge module including: a column having at least an opening at a lower portion and storing articles arranged vertically; and an article moving unit that moves the articles downward, the article moving unit moving the articles downward to sequentially discharge the articles from the opening; An item storage unit comprising: The article discharge module is supported on the shelf section so as to be movable in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, the column has a rectangular box shape, has only one of both side walls located on the predetermined direction side, and includes a box-shaped main body having a substantially L-shaped cross section with an opening on the surface into which the article is inserted, The shelf portion supports the plurality of article discharge modules in the predetermined direction so as to be movable in the predetermined direction, a width of the column can be changed by moving the item discharge module to change a distance between a side wall of the item discharge module in the predetermined direction and a side wall of an adjacent item discharge module in the predetermined direction; An item storage unit, characterized in that a space in which the items are stored is formed between a side wall of the item output module on the specified direction side and a side wall of the adjacent item output module on the specified direction side.

2. a rail extending in the predetermined direction on an upper portion of the shelf portion; The item storage unit according to claim 1 , wherein the item discharge module includes rollers that are rollably suspended on the rails.

3. 3. The item storage unit according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing means for fixing the item discharge module to the shelf portion at a predetermined position in the predetermined direction.

4. The article moving unit includes: A motor unit supported on an upper portion of the column; a spiral disposed within the column, one end of which is connected to a rotation shaft of the motor unit and the other end of which extends downwardly of the column in a spiral shape to support the article; The item storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the item discharge module is an item discharge module that sequentially discharges the items downwardly of the column by rotating the spiral using the motor unit.

5. a spacer interposed between the spiral and a wall surface of the column; 5. The article storage unit according to claim 4, wherein the spacer is provided with a sold-out detection means for detecting when the article has been completely removed from the column.

Images