Item supply device

Abstract

To provide an article supply device with which the convenience of easily ejecting excess coins is improved.SOLUTION: Provided is an article supply device 1 comprising: an insertion unit 5 into which a coin C can be inserted; a holding unit 25 capable of holding the inserted coin C; a setting unit 28 capable of setting the number of coins C that can be held in the holding unit; an ejection unit 29 capable of ejecting the inserted coin C; and a control unit capable of controlling whether or not to eject the inserted coin C. The control unit performs control so that additionally inserted coins C are ejected by the ejection unit 29 on condition that the set number of coins C are held in the holding unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there are various goods supply devices (vending machines) for automatically selling goods. The goods supply devices are provided with a function for removing surplus coins (coins) among the coins required to purchase goods. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a surplus coin removal device for a change tube provided in a vending machine or the like, which removes overflowing surplus coins to one side outside the tube, and which is configured to cause elastic deformation of the sliding bottom surface of the surplus coin removal member by attaching an elastic body such as sponge rubber to the sliding bottom surface of the surplus coin removal member, or by forming the sliding bottom surface itself from an elastic body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 48-34598 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, even if the coin is deformed, the slide bottom surface can accommodate the deformation and the surplus coin removal member can operate, but the drive means required an electrical control means. Also, in the case of an article supply device, there has traditionally been a wide variety of products, with different product prices and different settings for discharging surplus coins for each price, so a device that is convenient in terms of settings has been desired.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an article supplying device that is more convenient and allows surplus coins to be easily discharged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An item supply device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an insertion section into which coins can be inserted, a holding section capable of holding the inserted coins, a setting section capable of setting the number of coins that can be held in the holding section, an ejection section capable of ejecting the inserted coins, and a control section capable of controlling whether or not to eject the inserted coins, and the control section controls the ejection section to eject any additional inserted coins, provided that the set number of coins are held in the holding section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article supplying device that is more convenient and allows surplus coins to be easily discharged. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an article supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the article supply device. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view of the coin insertion unit shown in FIG. 2 as seen from the right side. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a perspective view of the coin insertion unit shown in FIG. 2 as seen from the left side. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the sorting unit shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the sorting unit as viewed from the rear side of the device toward the front side. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of when a coin is being dispensed. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of when a coin is being dispensed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An article supplying device according to one aspect of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an article supplying device 1 of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the article supplying device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0010] The article supplying device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a device capable of supplying articles P in spherical capsule cases containing, for example, toys or parts. More specifically, the article supplying device 1 includes a storage unit 10 capable of randomly storing a plurality of articles P, a supplying unit 30 having a turntable 31 rotatably mounted on the bottom 10b of the storage unit 10 and capable of randomly selecting and supplying the articles P one by one, a locking unit 41 that locks the supplying unit 30 to an inoperable state, and a locking unit 41 that activates and unlocks the locking unit 41 upon payment of a price through a coin insertion slot 5. In the unlocked state, the operating unit 4 on the front surface 2f is rotated. This rotates a gear train 4b mounted on the tip of a shaft 4a of the operating unit 4, causing the turntable 31 to rotate via its rack gear 31g. The articles P held in the holding hole 31h of the turntable 31 drop through a passage hole 10bh formed in the bottom 10b and are supplied to the supply port 9 via the article passage portion 9a.

[0011] In the article supply device 1, a coin insertion unit 20 is provided on the right side of the operation unit 4 (the right side as viewed from the face of the device). This coin insertion unit 20 is connected to an insertion port 5 provided on the front surface 2f of the main body 2. A coin C inserted through the insertion port 5 passes through a passage 20a formed within the coin insertion unit 20 and falls into a holding portion 25 below the unit, where it is held. When a genuine coin is inserted, the coin C held in the holding portion 25 is accommodated in a coin storage portion 19 provided, for example, below the holding portion 25, if a predetermined amount is inserted and a predetermined operation is performed. On the other hand, when an illegitimate coin C, such as a counterfeit coin, is inserted, the coin C is attracted and captured by a movement restriction portion 23 provided in the passage 20a. In other words, the first holding portion 25a and the second holding portion 25b are configured to hold only legitimate coins and not to hold illegitimate counterfeit coins.

[0012] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the coin insertion unit 20 shown in Fig. 2 as seen from the right side. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the coin insertion unit shown in Fig. 2 as seen from the left side. 3, the coin insertion unit 20 is a thin unit formed by combining, for example, a left half case 21 and a right half case 22 from the left-right direction, with a first side wall portion 21w and a second side wall portion 22w of the left and right side walls closely facing each other to form an internal space. Unlike the left half case 21 including the first side wall portion 21w, the right half case 22 including the second side wall portion 22w is made of, for example, a light-transmitting material as shown in the figure, so that the inside of the unit can be seen.

[0013] The coin insertion unit 20 has a passage 20a formed therein, extending from a start end 20as (upper right in the drawing) connected to the insertion port 5 into which the coin C is inserted, to an opening 20ae at the end. The passage 20a is configured so that the coin C moves by gravity. For example, the first coin insertion section, including the start end 20as, is provided with an inclined section 20ab that is inclined so that the coin C rolls, and a drop section 20ac is provided behind the inclined section 20ab. The drop section 20ac has a first swinging plate 20ag at its top and a second swinging plate 20ah at its bottom. When the coin C is placed on both swinging plates 20ag and 20ah, they rotate to assist the coin C in falling and guide the coin C in its moving direction.

[0014] An opening 20ae at the end of the passage 20a serves as the entrance to a holding section 25 that holds coins C. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the holding section 25 has a first holding section 25a provided on the front of the unit (the right side when viewed from the front of the device) and a second holding section 25b with the same structure provided on the back of the unit (the left side when viewed from the front of the device) in positions facing each other. Both the first holding section 25a and the second holding section 25b are configured to be able to hold coins C. Coins C are distributed to the first holding section 25a and the second holding section 25b by a distribution section 26 provided within and above the opening 20ae.

[0015] As shown in the figure, the first holding part 25a and the second holding part 25b are provided with a first passage part 251 and a second passage part 252 that are inclined (inclined from the horizontal direction) so as to descend toward the front surface 2f side (see FIG. 2). That is, the coin C that has fallen from the opening 20ae can move in the first passage part 251 and the second passage part 252 toward the front surface 2f side due to its own weight.

[0016] Furthermore, the number of coins C held in the first passage portion 251 and the second passage portion 252 can be set by a setting portion 28 that can stop the movement of the coins C in the tilt direction. For example, the setting portion 28 has a slit-shaped slide opening 28b formed on the outer surface along the first passage portion 251 and the second passage portion 252, and is provided with a position setting pin 28a that is movable within this slide opening 28b and protrudes into both passage portions 251, 252.

[0017] Furthermore, the position setting pins 28a are configured to be able to engage with a plurality of large diameter openings 28c formed at predetermined intervals in the slide opening 28b. That is, by engaging the position setting pins 28a with predetermined large diameter openings 28c, the number of coins C can be set to a predetermined number. In addition, in the first holding unit 25a, the coin C that falls last after the specified number is positioned below the sorting unit 26, and is configured to come into contact with the bottom of the sorting unit 26 (see FIG. 6), as will be described later.

[0018] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the sorting unit 26 shown in FIG. As shown in Figure 5, the sorting section 26 comprises a rectangular plate section 26a, a shaft section 26b that rotatably supports the plate section 26a, a weight 26g held by an arm 26m that extends from the end face of the plate section 26a, and a guide inclined surface 26e formed on the upper part of the plate section 26a.

[0019] The sorting unit 26 includes a first surface 26c and a second surface 26d opposite the first surface 26c, which contact the coins C falling from above and sort the coins C to the left and right. The first surface 26c guides the coins C that contact this surface so that they are held toward the first holding unit 25a. On the other hand, the second surface 26d guides the coins C that contact this surface so that they are held toward the second holding unit 25b. For example, in a free state, the sorting unit 26 is tilted by the weight 26g so that the first surface 26c faces upward (to the left in FIG. 6), and guides the falling coins C toward the first holding unit 25a. On the other hand, under certain conditions (see FIG. 6) described below, the sorting unit 26 rotates so that the second surface 26d faces upward (to the right in FIG. 6), thereby guiding the falling coins C toward the second holding unit 25b.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the sorting unit 26 as viewed from the rear side of the device toward the front side. 6 by weight 26g, and in a free state where no external force is applied, the sorting unit 26 is tilted so that its upper end portion contacts the first side wall portion 21w. In this state, a coin C falling from above contacts the first surface portion 26c, passes through the opening 20ae, and falls into the first passage portion 251.

[0021] Of the coins C that have fallen into the first passage 251, the last coin C of the specified number is held directly below the sorting unit 26, as shown in the figure. This last held coin C keeps the sorting unit 26 in a state where it rotates clockwise against the biasing force of the weight 26g. That is, the upper end portion of the coin C abuts against the lower end 26f of the sorting unit 26, so that the upper end of the sorting unit 26 is kept close to the second side wall 22w. In this state, the coins C can be sorted toward the second holding unit 25b. In the illustrated configuration, a protrusion is provided on the second side wall portion 22w side to restrict the position of the coin C in the width direction so that the coin C contacts the lower end portion 26f. However, this position restriction configuration is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of restricting the position of the coin C to the left side of the first passage portion 251 in the drawing.

[0022] Furthermore, when the upper end of sorting section 26 is rotated toward second side wall 22w, the angle of inclination is closer to vertical than when it is tilted toward first side wall 21w. However, the upper end is formed with inclined surface 26e that guides coins C toward second surface 26d, thereby smoothing the movement of coins C.

[0023] The lower end 26f of the distributing portion 26 has a shape that protrudes below the shaft portion 26b toward the first passage portion 251. For example, as shown in the figure, the lower end 26f may have a protruding shape that protrudes toward the first passage portion 251, or may be bent so as to protrude toward the first passage portion 251.

[0024] Furthermore, in the sorting section 26, the biasing force is provided by the weight 26g, but the biasing force of a magnet may be used instead of the weight 26g.

[0025] The second holder 25b is provided with a switching unit 27 that can open and close the opening 20ae and regulates the distribution. The switching unit 27 includes a flat horizontal plate 27a that opens and closes the second holder 25b side of the opening 20ae, and an operating piece 27b that protrudes upward and laterally (to the left) from the horizontal plate 27a. The switching unit 27 is provided so as to be slidable (reciprocating) in the unit thickness direction from the rear surface of the unit. The horizontal plate 27a of the switching unit 27 is positioned within the second passage 252 directly below the opening 20ae, and can open and close the second passage 252 side of the opening 20ae. For example, when the switching unit 27 is in a first state P1 (left side in the figure) in which it is positioned away from the first holder 25a as shown in the figure, the opening 20ae is opened, and inserted coins C can be distributed to both the first and second holders 25a and 25b. On the other hand, when the switching unit 27 is in the second state P2 (right side in the figure) approaching the first holding unit 25a, the second passage unit 252 side of the opening 20ae is closed, and the inserted coin C is not sorted to the second passage unit 252 but is sorted only to the first passage unit 251.

[0026] Above the second passage portion 252 (second holding portion 25b), there is provided a discharge portion 29 (29b) that is configured parallel to the second passage portion 252 and has open upper and lower end sides. That is, the discharge portion 29 (29b) forms a slope that opens from the space in which the sorting portion 26 is provided to the front of the unit (see FIG. 4).

[0027] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of when the coin C is being discharged. When a coin C is discharged from the discharge portion 29 (29b), for example, in the first state P1 in which the switching portion 27 holds coins C only in the first holding portion 25a, the horizontal plate portion 27a of the switching portion 27 closes the second holding portion 25b side of the opening 20ae, as shown in FIG. 7. In this case, the predetermined number of coins C are held in the first holding portion 25a, and the sorting portion 26 is maintained in a state rotated clockwise by the last coin C (see FIG. 6). In this state, if an additional coin C is inserted, the coin C is sorted by the sorting portion 26 toward the second holding portion 25b. However, because the opening 20ae is closed by the horizontal plate portion 27a, the coin C abuts against the horizontal plate portion 27a and passes through the discharge portion 29 (29b) and is discharged to the return slot 6.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of when the coin C is being discharged. Another case where a coin C is discharged from the discharge portion 29 (29b) will be described. In this case, for example, the switching portion 27 is in the second state P2 in which both the first holding portion 25a and the second holding portion 25b can hold coins C. In this case, after a predetermined number of coins C are held in the first holding portion 25a, coins C are held in the second holding portion 25b. Then, when the predetermined number of coins C are held in the second holding portion 25b, the last (rearmost) coin C is positioned at the opening 20ae, as shown in FIG. 8. That is, the upper end Ct of the last coin C closes the opening 20ae and functions as part of the passage, so that an additionally inserted coin C comes into contact with the upper end Ct of the coin C and is discharged to the return slot 6 through the second discharge portion 29b.

[0029] A first discharge portion 29a identical to the second discharge portion 29b is also provided above the first passage portion 251 (first holding portion 25a). A return button 7 is provided below the insertion portion 5. For example, when a user wants to return a coin C that has already been inserted, the user can press this return button 7 to eject the coin C held in the first holding portion 25a and the second holding portion 25b into the return slot 6.

[0030] As described above, the item supply device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a discharge section 29 that can discharge inserted coins C, and can discharge any surplus coins C that have been inserted from the discharge section 29 to the outside of the machine, provided that the specified number of coins C that have been preset in the setting section 28 are held in the holding section.

[0031] Furthermore, when discharging surplus coins C in this embodiment, the switching unit 27 that switches the coin holding mode of the holding unit 25, the sorting unit 26 that sorts the coins, and the setting unit 28 that sets the number of held coins can function as a control unit in association with each other. Therefore, it is possible to provide an item supply device 1 that does not require electrical control and has a mechanism that can dispense surplus coins with a simple configuration.

[0032] In the item supply device 1 of this embodiment, the holding section 25 that holds the inserted coin C is equipped with a first holding section 25a and a second holding section 25b, so that the coin C can be held in multiple locations, allowing for a variety of coin holding configurations and an increase in the number of coins that can be held.

[0033] In this embodiment of the item supply device 1, the second holding section 25b is configured to be able to hold additional coins C inserted, provided that the first holding section 25a is already holding the number of coins C set in the first holding section 25a, making it possible to set a price that cannot be held by the first holding section 25a.

[0034] In this embodiment of the item supply device 1, the state can be changed between a first state P1 in which coins C are held only in the first holding section 25a and a second state P2 in which coins C are held in both the first holding section 25a and the second holding section 25b by operating the switching section 27, making it possible to easily switch between the coin holding mode and the number of coins held.

[0035] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the first holding section 25a and the second holding section 25b are provided at opposing positions on the front and back of the unit, which makes it easy to arrange the switching section 27. In addition, both holding sections are provided at an incline in the longitudinal direction relative to the horizontal, which allows the coin C to be moved downward.

[0036] In this embodiment of the item supply device 1, a discharge section 29 (second discharge section 29b) is provided above the second holding section 25b (above in the direction in which the coin C falls), so that the coin C can be discharged from the second discharge section 29b just before it falls into the second holding section 25b.

[0037] In this embodiment of the item supply device 1, when the position of the switching unit 27 is in the first state P1 and a specified number of coins C are held in the first holding unit 25a, the coins C are distributed to the second holding unit 25b by the distribution unit 26, and the entrance (opening 20ae) of the second holding unit 25b is closed, so that the added surplus coins C can be discharged from the second discharge unit 29b.

[0038] In the present embodiment of the item supply device 1, when a specified number of coins C are stored in the first holding section 25a and the second holding section 25b, the last coin C in the second holding section 25b blocks the entrance (opening 20ae) of the second holding section 25b and forms a passage (bottom part of the passage) of the second discharge section 29b, so that any additional coins C inserted can be sorted to the second holding section 25b side and then discharged from the second discharge section 29b by coming into contact with the last coin C held in the second holding section 25b.

[0039] In this embodiment of the item supply device 1, counterfeit coins C (inappropriate coins C) are captured by a movement control section 23 provided in the passage section 20a through which the coins C move, so that counterfeit coins C are not held in the first holding section 25a and the second holding section 25b.

[0040] 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, a configuration in which the present invention is provided in an article supply device 1 that sells articles P in capsule cases has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various apparatuses for selling articles.

[0041] As described above, the present specification discloses the following:

[0042] (1) An article supply device, An insertion portion into which coins can be inserted; a holding section capable of holding the inserted coin; a setting unit that can set the number of coins that can be held in the holding unit; a dispensing unit capable of dispensing the inserted coin; a control unit capable of controlling whether or not the inserted coin is to be dispensed, The control unit controls the item supply device so that additionally inserted coins are discharged to the discharge unit, on condition that a set number of coins are held in the holding unit.

[0043] (2) The article supply device according to (1), the holding portion includes a first holding portion and a second holding portion, The item supply device, wherein the first holding unit and the second holding unit are each configured to be able to hold a plurality of the coins.

[0044] (3) The article supply device according to (2), An item supply device wherein the second holding section is configured to be able to hold additional coins inserted, provided that the first holding section is holding the number of coins set in the first holding section.

[0045] (4) The article supply device according to (2) or (3), An item supply device in which the first holding unit is configured so that only the first holding unit can hold the coins, provided that the number of coins that can be held in the second holding unit is zero.

[0046] (5) The article supply device according to any one of (2) to (4), The item supply device, wherein the second holding unit is configured not to hold the coins on condition that the number of coins that can be held in the first holding unit is zero.

[0047] (6) The article supply device according to any one of (2) to (5), The item supply device further includes a switching unit that can switch between a first state in which only the first holding unit holds the coin, and a second state in which both the first holding unit and the second holding unit hold the coin.

[0048] (7) (6) The article supply device according to the present invention, The article supply device, wherein the first holding section and the second holding section are provided in opposing positions and inclined in the longitudinal direction relative to the horizontal.

[0049] (8) The article supply device according to (6) or (7), The article supply device, wherein the discharge section includes a second discharge section provided on the second holding section side.

[0050] (9) (8) The article supply device according to The control unit controls the second dispensing unit to discharge additionally inserted coins, provided that the switching unit is in the first state and the first holding unit holds a set number of coins.

[0051] (10) The article supply device according to (8) or (9), The control unit controls the additionally inserted coins to be discharged from the second discharge unit, on the condition that the switching unit is in the second state, the first holding unit holds a set number of the coins, and the second holding unit holds a set number of the coins.

[0052] (11) The article supply device according to (10), The control unit controls the additionally inserted coin so that it comes into contact with the coins held in the second holding unit and is then discharged from the second dispensing unit, provided that the switching unit is in the second state, the first holding unit is holding a set number of the coins, and the second holding unit is holding a set number of the coins.

[0053] (12) An article supply device according to any one of (8) to (11), The control unit controls the coin to be discharged from the second dispensing unit without contacting the coin held in the first holding unit.

[0054] (13) An article supply device according to any one of (2) to (12), The coin held in the second holding section is configured as part of a passage through which an additionally inserted coin can pass.

[0055] (14) An article supply device according to any one of (2) to (13), The coins include valid coins and invalid coins, The article supplying device, wherein the first holding section and the second holding section are configured to be able to hold the valid coins and not to hold the invalid coins.

[0056] (15) The article supply device according to (14), The machine further comprises a passage through which the inserted coin can move, The passage portion includes a movement restricting portion that restricts movement of the inserted improper coin. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 Goods supply device 5 Input section 20a Passage section 23 Movement Control Department 25 Holding part 25a 1st holding part 25b 2nd holding part 26 Distribution Department 27 Switching section 28 Setting section 29 Discharge section 29b 2nd discharge section C Coin P1 First state P2 Second state

Claims

1. An article supply device, An insertion portion into which coins can be inserted; a holding section that can hold the inserted coins, the holding section including a first holding section and a second holding section, each of which can hold a plurality of coins, and which is provided at an angle in the longitudinal direction relative to the horizontal at opposing positions; a setting unit that can set the number of coins that can be held in the holding unit; a dispensing unit that can dispense the inserted coin and includes a second dispensing unit that is provided on the second holding unit side; a control unit capable of controlling whether or not the inserted coin is to be dispensed; a switching unit that can switch between a first state in which only the first holding unit holds the coin and a second state in which both the first holding unit and the second holding unit hold the coin, The control unit controls the additionally inserted coins to be discharged from the second discharge unit, provided that the switching unit is in the first state and the first holding unit holds a set number of coins.

2. The article supply device according to claim 1, An item supply device wherein the second holding section is configured to be able to hold additional coins inserted, provided that the switching section is in the second state and the first holding section is holding the number of coins set in the first holding section.

3. The article supply device according to claim 2, The item supply device is configured such that only the first holding unit can hold the coins on condition that the switching unit is in the first state.

4. The article supply device according to claim 3, The item supply device, wherein the second holding unit is configured not to hold the coin on condition that the switching unit is in a first state.

5. The article supply device according to claim 1, The control unit controls the additionally inserted coins to be discharged from the second discharge unit, on the condition that the switching unit is in the second state, the first holding unit holds a set number of the coins, and the second holding unit holds a set number of the coins.

6. The article supply device according to claim 5, The control unit controls the additionally inserted coin so that it comes into contact with the coins held in the second holding unit and is then discharged from the second dispensing unit, provided that the switching unit is in the second state, the first holding unit is holding a set number of coins, and the second holding unit is holding a set number of coins.

7. The article supply device according to claim 6, The control unit controls the coin to be discharged from the second discharge unit without contacting the coin held in the first holding unit.

8. The article supply device according to claim 7, An article supplying device, wherein the coin held in the second holding section is configured as part of a passage through which an additionally inserted coin can pass.

9. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The coins include valid coins and invalid coins, The article supplying device, wherein the first holding section and the second holding section are configured to be able to hold the valid coins and not to hold the invalid coins.

10. The article supply device according to claim 9, The machine further comprises a passage through which the inserted coin can move, The passage portion includes a movement restricting portion that restricts movement of the inserted improper coin.

Images