Item supply device

Abstract

[Project] Provide a product supply device capable of responding to the type of product. [Solution] A supply device (1) capable of supplying a first type of item (P1) and a second type of item (P2) comprises a main body (2), a receiving section (10, 20) for receiving items, a supply section (30, 35) for supplying items (P1, P2) received in the receiving section (10, 20), a locking section (38) that prevents the supply of items (P1, P2) from the supplying section (30, 35), and a detection section (a detection section for the first item (40a), a detection section for the second item (40b)) capable of detecting whether there are items (P1, P2) in the receiving section and whether there are items (P1, P2) in the receiving section (10, 20), and the locking section (38) is locked under the condition that the absence of items (P1, P2) is detected by the detection section.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a product supply device. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a toy capable of supplying an article, for example, configured to take out one of a plurality of spherical articles contained in a supply box from an outlet at the bottom of the main body by rotating an operating part on the front side of the main body. Prior art literature

[0003] Utility Model Publication No. So-62-78998 The problem to be solved

[0004] The toy, which can also be described as an article supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1, is a device that supplies spherical articles and cannot be used for anything other than spherical articles. In other words, in this type of article supply method, a dedicated article supply device is required for an article of a single external shape. Therefore, when supplying an article of a different shape, a mechanism or device tailored to the shape of the different article is required.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a product supply device capable of corresponding to the type of product. means of solving the problem

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention is an article supply device capable of supplying an article of a first type and an article of a second type, comprising a main body, a receiving part for receiving an article, a supply part for supplying an article received in the receiving part, a locking part for making it impossible to supply an article from the supplying part, and a detection part capable of detecting the presence or absence of an article of the first type in the receiving part and the presence or absence of an article of the second type in the receiving part, and locking the locking part in a locked state under the condition that the absence of an article is detected by the detection part. Effects of the invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a product supply device capable of corresponding to the type of product can be provided. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a receiving portion for a first type of article and a receiving portion for a second type of article are removed from a main body portion in one embodiment of the article supply device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main part of a material supply device capable of providing a first type of material. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the receiving portion of a first type of article. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the detection state of a first type of article. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the link mechanism of the receiving portion of the first type of article. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main part to show the operation of the notification part of the first type of article. FIG. 7 is a front view of the item supply device in the operating state of the notification unit. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged perspective view to show the detection structure of a first type of article. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the notification unit and the operation mechanism of the lock unit. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main part of a material supply device capable of providing a second type of material. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the interior of the receiving portion of a second type of article. FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the supply section of the second type of article. FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of the main part of the receiving portion of the second type of article. FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the main part to explain the link mechanism of the receiving part of the second type of article. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main part to show the operation of the notification part of the second type of article. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a product supply device in the operating state of the notification unit of a second type of product. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0009] Hereinafter, an article supply device, which is an embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In addition, regarding the description of the direction in the following explanation, when viewing the product supply device from the front, the front side is designated as the front, and the directions are indicated as the front-back direction (front or rear), left-right direction (right or left), and up-down direction (up or down). Furthermore, in the drawings, each direction is indicated by an arrow.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which a first type of item receiving section (10) (hereinafter also referred to as the first receiving section (10)) and a second type of item receiving section (20) (hereinafter also referred to as the second receiving section (20)) are removed from the main body (2) of the item supply device (1).

[0012] The item supply device (1) can supply (discharge) a first type of item, for example, a spherical capsule-shaped first item (P1), by inputting a price. Additionally, the item supply device (1) can supply (discharge) a second type of item, a thin second item (P2). That is, the item supply device (1) is a device capable of providing multiple types of items (products).

[0013] In addition, the first capsule-shaped article (P1) referred to herein is, for example, an article in the form of a capsule-shaped case made of synthetic resin containing various goods, or a spherical article. Furthermore, the second article (P2) is, for example, a relatively thin flat or sheet-shaped object such as a sheet-shaped printed material, a card, or a thin case, and is intended to be a stackable object.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the item supply device (1) has a main body (2) having a box-shaped form with a front wall (2f), left and right side walls (2s), a rear wall (2r), an upper wall (2u), and a lower wall (not shown), and various operating parts are provided on the front wall (2f). On the front wall (2f), for example, a coin insertion part (5) capable of inserting the price of a first item (P1), a first supply port (9) from which the first item (P1) is discharged, an operating part (4) that enables supplying the first item (P1) from the first supply port (9) by rotational operation, a return port (6) for returning cash as needed, a cash return button (7), and a second notification part (92) capable of emitting light, which will be described later, are provided. In addition, on the upper side of the front wall (2f), a mounting part (3) is provided with a large opening on the front side and the front upper side. This mounting part (3) is capable of detachably attaching a first receiving part (10) that accommodates a first item (P1) or a second receiving part (20) that accommodates a second item (P2).

[0015] The first receiving section (10) receives the first article (P1) in a spherical shape as described above, but receives it in an unaligned state as shown in the illustration. Meanwhile, the second receiving section (20) is configured to receive the second article (P2) in a stacked and aligned state.

[0016] Below, each part is explained.

[0017] The operating unit (4) is configured to rotate, for example, in a clockwise direction (in the direction of the arrow shown), on the condition of payment. For example, when a user inserts a coin from the coin insertion unit (5) and rotates the operating unit (4), the first item (P1) is discharged into the first supply port (9). Additionally, the second item (P2) is discharged from the second supply port (29) provided on the front side of the second receiving unit (20). The operating unit (4) is a common operation in either the state where the first receiving unit (10) is mounted or the state where the second receiving unit (20) is mounted.

[0018] The coin insertion part (5) of the cash is configured such that a slit-shaped opening is provided in a circular concave part to allow a coin to be inserted. Additionally, the return port (6) is configured such that the inserted coin is returned upon operation of the cash return button (7), and the returned coin can be withdrawn from the device.

[0019] The mounting portion (3) is a roughly rectangular opening structure appropriately enclosed by left and right side walls (2s), a rear wall (2r), an upper wall (2u), and a suitably open lower wall (2d). The first receiving portion (10) and the second receiving portion (20) have roughly the same shape with respect to at least the front side of both case bodies (10a, 20a). Therefore, for example, when attaching or detaching the first receiving portion (10) and the second receiving portion (20) to the mounting portion (3), both are moved by sliding in the front-rear direction of the main body portion (2).

[0020] On the bottom wall (2d) side of the mounting part (3), a connecting part (9a) is provided for supplying the first item (P1) to the first supply port (9). Additionally, on the bottom wall (2d) side, a gear mechanism (gear (4b, 4c, 4d, 4d)) capable of engaging with the gear member of the first receiving part (10) and the second receiving part (20) is provided.

[0021] Additionally, on the bottom wall (2d) side of the mounting portion (3), as described later, a first member (41a) of a detection portion (40a) for a first item capable of detecting the presence or absence of a first item (P1) corresponding to the bottom portion of the first receiving portion (10), and a first member (41b) of a detection portion (40b) for a second item capable of detecting the presence or absence of a second item (P2) corresponding to the bottom portion of the second receiving portion (20) are provided.

[0022] Hereinafter, the case of supplying the first item (P1) will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main part of a product supply device (1) that provides a first product (P1).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the operating part (4) has its operating shaft (4a) extended toward the rear. The operating shaft (4a) extends to the rear wall (2r), and a first gear (4b) is provided at the rear end. The first gear (4b) is rotatably supported on the inner surface of the rear wall (2r) and forms a gear mechanism that meshes with another second gear (4c) and a third gear (4d). Additionally, a fourth gear (4e) is provided on the third gear (4d) in a concentric manner with the corresponding third gear (4d). This fourth gear (4e) meshes with the gear part (31g) on ​​the lower surface of the turntable (31) described later, which supplies the first item (P1). By rotating the operating part (4), the turntable (31) of the first supply part (30) can be rotated through the operating shaft (4a), the first gear (4b), the second gear (4c), the third gear (4d), and the fourth gear (4e), thereby supplying the first item (P1) as described below.

[0025] At the bottom of the bottom wall (2d) on which the first receiving section (10) is mounted, a discharge mechanism is provided for discharging the first item (P1) from the first receiving section (10) mounted on the mounting section (3) to the first supply port (9). The discharge mechanism moves the first item (P1), which has fallen downward from the connecting section (9a) (see FIG. 1), to the first supply port (9) via a chute (3b) that is inclined downward toward the lower front.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the first supply unit (30) is provided with a turntable (31) rotatably provided in a roughly circular receiving concave portion (10d) provided at the bottom (10b) of the first receiving unit (10). The turntable (31) is configured to be disc-shaped in plan view and is supported by a supporting axis (not shown) and is rotatably provided within the receiving concave portion (10d).

[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the main part of the internal structure of the first receiving part (10). FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the detection state of the first item (P1).

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the turntable (31) has, for example, five, article holding holes (31h) spaced at equal intervals along its circumferential direction (see FIG. 5). Additionally, an annular gear portion (31g) in the shape of a face gear is provided on the outer edge of the bottom surface of the turntable (31) and meshes with the fourth gear (4e). Furthermore, at the rotation center on the upper surface side of the turntable (31), a raised portion (32) protruding upward is provided, for example, and a plurality of spring stirring members (31a) are provided on the upper end of this raised portion (32).

[0029] Additionally, the receiving concave portion (10d) is provided with an item passing hole (10dh) through which the first item (P1) can fall into the connecting portion (9a) of the main body (2). That is, when the first receiving portion (10) is mounted on the main body (2), the first item (P1) falls into the connecting portion (9a) of the main body (2) through the item passing hole (10dh).

[0030] In the first receiving portion (10), an inclined bottom portion (10u) (see FIG. 2) is provided on the front side of the receiving concave portion (10d) to form the bottom surface of the receiving space (SP1) of the first article (P1), and guides the first article (P1) toward the turntable (31). Additionally, on the upper side of the article passing hole (10dh), a spring regulating member (10i), etc., is provided to restrict the position of the first article (P1) located on the upper side of the article passing hole (10dh) so that it does not move in the direction (downward) of the article passing hole (10dh).

[0031] On the lower side of the inclined bottom (10e), as shown in FIG. 3, a second member (42a) of the first item detection unit (40a) is provided within the link mechanism (50) as a detection unit capable of detecting the presence or absence of the first item (P1). This second member (42a) is configured to detect the item based on its positional relationship with the first member (41a) (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 8) described later.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the link mechanism (50) is provided on the front side of the turntable (31) and has a structure comprising a horizontal oscillating pin (51) capable of contacting the first article (P1), a first link member (52) connected to the horizontal oscillating pin (51), a second link member (53) connected to the first link member (52), a third link member (54) connected to the second link member (53), and a first notification part (91) connected to the third link member (54) capable of notifying that the first article (P1) is not present.

[0033] The horizontal oscillating pin (51) is provided to be horizontally rotatable via a pivot (51d) near the outer circumference of the turntable (31). The tip portion (51a) of the horizontal oscillating pin (51) is, for example, bent into an approximately L-shape when flat, and the base portion (51b) is positioned further forward than the pivot (52d). Additionally, a tension coil spring (59a) is engaged with the base portion (51b), so that the base portion (51b) is pulled in the left direction. Accordingly, the tip portion (51a) can enter through the cut portion (36) into the article holding hole (31h) that holds the first article (P1) by the pressure of the tension coil spring (59a).

[0034] A cylindrical projection (51c) protruding upward is provided on the base portion (51b) of the horizontal oscillating pin (51). A first link member (52) that engages with this projection (51c) is provided to be horizontally oscillating around a pivot point (52d) protruding from the bottom portion (10b). Additionally, the first link member (52) is provided with a first lever (52a) that extends slightly curved (approximately in the shape of 'he') from the pivot point (52d) toward one side (right side in the drawing) and a second lever (52b) that extends toward the other side (left side in the drawing) at a predetermined angle from the first lever (52a). Additionally, the first lever (52a) is provided with a long hole (52c) that is curved to follow the longitudinal direction of the first lever (52a), and a projection (51c) of a horizontal oscillating pin (51) is engaged in a loose fit with the long hole (52c). By this, the projection (51c) is connected to move within the long hole (52c). Meanwhile, the front end of the second lever (52b) is provided with, for example, a cylindrical portion (52e) (see FIG. 4), and the rear end (53a) of a rod-shaped second link member (53) extending in the front-rear direction relative to the cylindrical portion (52e) is rotatably connected.

[0035] The second link member (53) is provided with a long hole (53c) extending in the forward and backward direction at its front end, and the front end of the oscillating part (57) mounted on the third link member (54) is movably engaged with this long hole (53c).

[0036] The third link member (54) is a rod-shaped member, for example, having a square cross section, extending in the left and right directions, and both ends thereof are rotatably supported via bearings (56). On the other end (right side of the drawing) of the third link member (54), opposite to the oscillating part (57) on one end (left side of the drawing), a first notification part (91) is mounted. Additionally, a tension coil spring (59b) is mounted on the third link member (54) via an oscillating assist arm (59c). By this, the third link member (54) is auxiliaryly pressed in a clockwise direction when viewed from the right side, and an auxiliary force is applied in the direction in which the first notification part (91) is lifted upward.

[0037] The first notification part (91) is provided with a mounting base part (91a) fixed to the right end of the third link member (54), a base part side plate part (91b) extending in the rotational radius direction from the mounting base part (91a), and a notification plate part (91c) that is bent downward from the front end of the base part side plate part (91b) and curved to follow the rotational plane. Additionally, on the outer surface of the notification plate part (91c), a mark such as "out of stock" is provided. Furthermore, the bottom part (10b) is provided with an insertion opening (10bh) through which the notification plate part (91c) can be exposed downward from the bottom part (10b).

[0038] Explain the operation when the first item (P1) is out of stock.

[0039] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the link mechanism (50). FIG. 6 is a side view showing the operation of the first notification unit (91), and FIG. 7 is a front view of the item supply device showing the operating state of the first notification unit (91).

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, when the first article (P1) is removed from the first receiving portion (10), the horizontal oscillating pin (51) is pushed deep into the article holding hole (31h) by the tension coil spring (59a). By this, the rotational locking of the first link member (52) by the projection (51c) is released. By this, the state of restricting the rotation of the second link member (53) and the third link member (54) is released. By this, the first notification portion (91) descends forward and downward by its own weight, and the notification plate portion (91c) penetrates the insertion opening (10bh) and is exposed below the bottom portion (10b). That is, the first notification portion (91) rotates forward and downward by its own weight as it is released from the restraint by the link mechanism (50).

[0041] The notification plate (91c), which rotates and descends, protrudes outward from the insertion opening (10bh) by resisting the tension of the tension coil spring (59a), as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. By doing so, the first notification plate (91) becomes visible with the "Out of Stock" sign provided on the outer surface of the notification plate (91c). At the same time, the notification plate (91c) covers the front side of the coin insertion part (5). In this way, the first notification plate (91) notifies "Out of Stock" at a position, for example, the upper right, which is close to the operation part (4), and also prevents the insertion of coins from the coin insertion part (5). In addition, in this state, the second notification plate (92) emits light at a position, the upper left, which is close to the operation part (4), and functions as a second notification.

[0042] Below, the notification mechanism of the second notification unit (92) is described.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a detection structure for operating the second notification unit (92).

[0044] The second notification unit (92) (see FIG. 7) is configured as a light-emitting unit equipped with a light-emitting element such as an LED, for example. As a configuration for operating (emitting light) the second notification unit (92), as shown in FIG. 8, for example, a first member (41a) for a first item installed on the side of the main body (2) and a second member (42a) for a first item provided within the link mechanism (50) are provided.

[0045] The first member (41a) for the first item is configured as a magnetic sensor fixed and installed, for example, by means of a bracket (41ab), on the inner side of the left side wall (2s) of the main body (2). Meanwhile, the second member (42a) for the first item has a magnet provided, for example, on a mounting part (42ab) mounted on one end of the first link member (52). That is, the magnetic sensor and the magnet are configured to be able to approach each other with the bottom part (10b) of the first receiving part (10) in between.

[0046] The first item detection unit (40a) configured in this manner detects the magnetic force of the magnet when a magnet approaches the magnetic sensor and transmits the detection signal to the control unit (100) (see FIG. 9). This is, for example, when the first item (P1) is not received in the first receiving unit (10) as described above, that is, when the horizontal oscillating pin (51) is operated to enter the item holding hole (31h), the first link member (52) moves so that the second member (42a) (magnet) approaches the first member (41a) (magnetic sensor) (state shown in FIG. 8).

[0047] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the second notification unit (92) and the operation mechanism of the lock unit (38).

[0048] As the first item (P1) is removed, the magnetic force of the magnet is detected by the magnetic sensor. Then, the detection signal indicating that the first item (P1) is removed by the detection unit (40a) (first member (41a)) for the first item is transmitted to the control unit (100). Based on this transmitted signal, the control unit (100) performs control to make the second notification unit (92) emit light, for example, by flashing or lighting.

[0049] In addition, a lock (38) is described that prevents the operation of the control unit (4) when the first item (P1) is not available.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 9, the locking part (38) is provided with, for example, a locking pin (4p) of a first gear (4b) mounted on the operating shaft (4a) of the operating part (4) and a locking pin (38p) of a locking driving part (38a) adjacent to the first gear (4b). For example, the locking driving part (38a) is configured to enable the locking pin (38p) to move forward and backward toward the first gear (4b) by means of a signal from the control part (100).

[0051] Accordingly, when the first item (P1) is not present, the lock drive unit (38a) protrudes the lock pin (38p) toward the first gear (4b) based on the detection signal sent from the first member (41a). By doing so, the lock pin (38p) engages with the locking pin (4p). As a result, the operation unit (4) is locked so that it cannot rotate, and the rotation of the turntable (31) is prevented, resulting in a locked state where the item supply operation cannot be performed.

[0052] In addition, as the item (P1) is removed, the horizontal oscillating pin (51) oscillates as described above, and the tip portion (51a) of the horizontal oscillating pin (51) enters the item holding hole (31h). As a result, the tip portion (51a) is caught on the cut portion (36) of the turntable (31), and the turntable (31) is caught, and the rotational movement of the turntable (31) is restricted, but as described above, the rotational operation of the operating portion (4) cannot be performed at all by means of the lock portion (38), thereby avoiding the load on the horizontal oscillating pin (51) or the turntable (31).

[0053] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the main part of the item supply device with the second receiving part (20) installed. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the second receiving part (20).

[0054] In FIG. 10, the main body (2) has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 2, so the description is omitted.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the second receiving section (20) is a box shape with its upper side open by a front wall section (20f) on the front side, a rear wall section (20r) on the rear side, side walls (20s) on the left and right sides, and a bottom wall section (20d) on the bottom side. It is configured as a box-shaped rectangular space of the receiving space (SP2) inside. Additionally, the article placement section (20b) constituting the bottom of the receiving space (SP2) is configured to be flat so as to stack and accommodate the second article (P2) at a high position spaced apart from the bottom wall section (20d). Furthermore, the second receiving section (20) is configured such that a discharge roller (21) of the second supply section (35), which discharges the second article (P2) from the second supply port (29), is provided between the article placement section (20b) and the bottom wall section (20d) (see FIG. 10).

[0056] Additionally, the second receiving portion (20) is provided with a gear portion (20t) that follows the rear wall portion (20r) of the second receiving portion (20). The lowest gear of this gear portion (20t) meshes with a third gear (4d) driven by the operating portion (4) in the mounted state of the second receiving portion (20), as shown in FIG. 10.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the receiving space (SP2), a pair of left and right guides (20e) are provided at the front side of the space, and a rear guide (20h) is provided at the rear side of the space so as to be erected from the item placement section (20b). In addition, on the front side of the left and right guides (20e), a pressing section (20i) is provided to press the second item (P2) downward from the upper side when the second item (P2) is received and stacked. The pressing section (20i) is a weight in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped long in the left and right directions, and is held so as to be movable up and down by a rail-shaped holding section (20j) having a groove erected on the front side of the left and right guides (20e).

[0058] Additionally, the left and right guides (20e) are provided to be movable in the left and right directions on the item placement section (20b), and the rear guide (20h) is provided to be movable in the front and rear directions on the item placement section (20b). Accordingly, by moving the left and right guides (20e) and the rear guide (20h), second items (P2) of different sizes can be accommodated in a stacked state.

[0059] On the front side of the pressure section (20i), a shear guide section (20k) involved in sending out the item is provided along the pressure section (20i). This shear guide section (20k) is positioned immediately behind a shutter (20m) that can oscillate to open and close the second supply port (29). The shear guide section (20k) guides the second item (P2) to be discharged one by one when the second item (P2) is discharged, and its height from the item placement section (20b) can be adjusted and is adjusted to match the thickness of the second item (P2).

[0060] The discharge roller (21) is provided as a rotating part along the horizontal direction at a position facing the pressing part (20i) and on the lower side of the item placement part (20b). As shown in FIG. 12, this discharge roller (21) has an arc-shaped outer surface (21a) and a non-arc-shaped outer surface (21b) that is smaller in diameter than the arc-shaped outer surface (21a) when viewed from the side. Therefore, when rotated around the rotation axis (21c), the arc-shaped outer surface (21a) comes into contact with the lower surface of the second item (P2) (see enlarged portion of FIG. 12) that is pressed downward from the pressing part (20i). By rotating in the contact state of the arc-shaped outer surface (21a), the second item (P2) is discharged forward. That is, the outer surface of the arc (21a) protrudes slightly upward from the opening (20bh) of the storage section provided in the item storage section (20b) and contacts the lower surface of the second item (P2), and slides the second item (P2) forward to discharge it from the second supply port (29). In this way, the discharge (supply) of the second item (P2) by the second supply section (35) is supplied sequentially from the lowest second item (P2) that is stacked and aligned in the second receiving section (20).

[0061] Additionally, the discharge roller (21) is connected to a connecting shaft (20n) (see FIG. 10) extending from one shaft portion of a gear portion (20t) provided along the rear wall portion (20r) toward the discharge roller (21) side (forward), and to a gear (not shown) provided on the front side of the connecting shaft (20n). Accordingly, when the second receiving portion (20) is mounted on the main body portion (2), the discharge roller (21) is rotated by an operating portion (4) that can be operated by inserting a coin.

[0062] As a detection mechanism for the presence or absence of the received second item (P2), an up-and-down moving pin (61) capable of contacting the second item (P2) is provided on the rear side of the discharge roller (21) from the lower side of the item placement section (20b). The up-and-down moving pin (61) is maintained so as to be movable up and down by a pin holding section (62) and is pressed upward by a compression coil spring (63) inside the pin. Furthermore, when there is no second item (P2), it is configured to protrude upward from the item placement section (20b) through the placement section opening (20bh). Additionally, the pressing section (20i) is provided with a cut-out opening (20ih) corresponding to the placement section opening (20bh) and is configured to allow the protruding movement of the up-and-down moving pin (61).

[0063] FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of the second supply section (35) of the second receiving section (20). FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the main section to explain the link mechanism (80) of the second receiving section (20).

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the vertical movement pin (61) is connected to a link mechanism (80) described later, which has a main shaft member (81) as a rotation axis. And, as a detection part utilizing the movement of this link mechanism (80), a second article detection part (40b) including a second member (42b) for the second article is provided.

[0065] The detection unit (40b) for the second item is equipped with a first member (41b) for the second item (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 10) and a second member (42b) for the second item. The first member (41b) for the second item is fixed and installed via a bracket at the front lower part of the mounting part (3) of the main body part (2), and is configured, for example, as a magnetic sensor. As shown in FIG. 13, the second member (42b) for the second item is mounted on the main shaft member (81) of the link mechanism (80) and is rotatably movable. For example, the second member (42b) for the second item is provided as a magnet on the oscillating part (83) formed in the rotational radius direction of the main shaft member (81). The second member (42b) for the second item is a movable magnet with respect to the first member (41b) for the second item and is detected by the first member (41b) for the second item. And, this detection signal constitutes a notification unit that emits light from the second notification unit (92), just like the detection unit (40a) for the first item shown in FIG. 9. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, it also functions as a detection unit that operates the lock unit (38).

[0066] The main shaft member (81) is rotatably supported at its left and right ends by bearing portions (85, 86) (see FIG. 14). At one end, a hook-shaped locking portion (82) is provided, which is formed in the rotational radius direction of the main shaft member (81) and has a locking surface (82a) at its tip end that can be engaged with the locking projection (64) of the vertical movement pin (61). A pair of these locking portions (82) are provided at positions where pin retaining portions (62), which maintain the vertical movement pin (61) so that it can move up and down, are fitted on both the left and right sides.

[0067] On the other end of the main shaft member (81) (opposite to the vertical movement pin (61)), a first notification part (91) of the second article (P2) is provided. This first notification part (91) is equipped with a mounting base part (91a), a base part side plate part (91b) extending in the rotational radius direction from the mounting base part (91a), and a notification plate part (91c) bent downwardly from the base part side plate part (91b), and has the same configuration as the first notification part (91) of the first article (P1) shown in FIG. 4. In addition, a force attempting to rotate forward downward due to its own weight is constantly acting on the first notification part (91). However, in the state where the second article (P2) is present (the state shown in FIG. 12), rotation forward downward is prevented by the locking projection (64) of the vertical movement pin (61).

[0068] Additionally, the vertically moving pin (61) is provided with a locking projection (64) protruding from both the left and right sides of the pin retaining part (62). When the second item (P2) is present, the locking projection (64) is located on the lower side of the pin retaining part (62) and engages with the engaging surface (82a) of the locking part (82), thereby preventing rotation of the main shaft member (81).

[0069] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main part to show the operation of the first notification unit (91). FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the item supply device (1) in the operating state of the first notification unit (91).

[0070] Here, when the second item (P2) is removed and the vertical movement pin (61) moves upward by the compression coil spring (63) (indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 14), the engagement between the locking projection (64) and the engagement surface (82a) is released. As a result, the first notification part (91) rotates downward on the front side due to its own weight. Subsequently, the state of the first notification part (91) is such that, as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the notification plate part (91c) is positioned to cover the front side of the coin insertion part (5), just as in the case of the first receiving part (10), and "Out of Stock" is displayed on the front of the device. In this way, the coin insertion part (5) is covered by the first notification part (91), so that the coin cannot be inserted.

[0071] Additionally, the second member (42b) for the second item provided on the main shaft member (81) rotates forward by the rotation of the main shaft member (81), as shown in FIG. 15. By doing so, the second member (42b) for the second item approaches the first member (41b) for the second item. That is, the magnet approaches the magnetic sensor. In this way, when the second item (P2) is not present, the second member (42b) (magnet) for the second item approaches the first member (41b) (magnetic sensor) for the second item, and a detection signal is sent to the control unit (100) by magnetic force detection, and the second notification unit (92) emits light.

[0072] As described above, the item supply device (1) of the present embodiment detects that there are no items (first item (P1), second item (P2)) in the device by means of the detection unit, the first item detection unit (40a) and the second item detection unit (40b), thereby operating at least the lock unit (38) so that supply cannot be made in either case of the first item (P1) and the second item (P2). In addition, it can display a "out of stock" indication when there are no items.

[0073] The item supply device (1) of the present embodiment has a notification unit that notifies the outside of the device that the item is not inside the device in either case of the first item (P1) or the second item (P2), for example, by means of a recognition means that can be visually recognized on the outer surface of the device, and has a notification function to the customer. Therefore, since the relevant information can be obtained before operating the device, the customer does not have to perform unnecessary operations.

[0074] In addition, in the item supply device (1) of the present embodiment, one of the notification units (first notification unit (91)) can notify that there is no item by moving a display plate. Also, by moving the display plate, operations such as closing the coin insertion unit (5), for example, can be made possible, thereby increasing the convenience of using the device. In addition, the other second notification unit (92) can provide notification by light emission, and, for example, by using flashing light, the effect of notifying can be increased.

[0075] According to the product supply device (1) of the present embodiment, the first notification unit (91) and the second notification unit (92) are configured to provide notification in the vicinity of the operation unit (4), thereby ensuring that unnecessary operations are not performed during the customer's operation of the device.

[0076] In the product supply device (1) of the present embodiment, the operating unit (4) for supplying products is locked by the locking unit (38) so that no product (first product (P1), second product (P2)) is present and the operating unit cannot be operated, thereby avoiding unnecessary operation by the customer. In addition, the locking unit (38) can maintain a secure locked state without applying an unnecessary load to the drive unit of the device.

[0077] In the item supply device (1) of the present embodiment, since the sensing is performed using a position change by a non-contact first member (41a, 41a) and second member (42a, 42b) using magnetic force, for example, in either the first item detection unit (40a) and the second item detection unit (40b), information can be easily transmitted between the first and second receiving units (10, 20) and the main body (2).

[0078] In addition, the detection unit is configured with a corresponding detection structure in the first detection unit (40a) and the second detection unit (40b) for the second item, respectively, in the different structures of the first receiving unit (10) and the second receiving unit (20), so it can be configured as a detection unit capable of corresponding to both receiving units (10, 20) of different structures.

[0079] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention may be appropriately modified within the scope of its technical concept. For example, the structure of the article supply device (1), the first receiving part (10), and the second receiving part (20) in the above-described embodiment are not limited at all to those illustrated.

[0080] As explained above, the following matters are described in this specification.

[0081] (1)

[0082] As a product supply device capable of supplying a first type of product and a second type of product,

[0083] The main body and,

[0084] A receiving section for accommodating the above-mentioned item, and

[0085] A supply unit that supplies the above-mentioned item contained in the above-mentioned receiving unit, and

[0086] A locking part that makes it impossible to supply the above-mentioned item from the above-mentioned supply part, and

[0087] A detection unit capable of detecting the presence or absence of the first type of item within the receiving portion and the presence or absence of the second type of item within the receiving portion, and

[0088] A product supply device that locks the lock portion in a locked state under the condition that the absence of the product is detected by the detection portion.

[0089] (2)

[0090] As a supply device for goods described in (1),

[0091] A product supply device further comprising a notification unit that notifies the outside that the product is missing when the absence of the product is detected by the detection unit.

[0092] (3)

[0093] As a supply device for goods described in (2),

[0094] The above notification unit includes a first notification unit and a second notification unit, and

[0095] The above-mentioned first notification unit is configured to be movable, and

[0096] The above second notification unit is configured to be immovable, a product supply device.

[0097] (4)

[0098] As a supply device for goods described in (3),

[0099] The first notification unit is configured to notify that the item is not present by moving the display plate, and

[0100] The above second notification unit is configured to notify that the above article is not present by the light emission of the light-emitting unit, in an article supply device.

[0101] (5)

[0102] (3) or (4) as a supply device for goods,

[0103] The above first notification unit is provided in the above receiving unit, and

[0104] The above second notification unit is a product supply device provided in the above main body.

[0105] (6)

[0106] As a supply device for goods described in any of (3) to (5),

[0107] The above main body is equipped with a coin insertion part for payment of consideration, and

[0108] The above-mentioned first notification unit is an item supply device that operates to prevent the insertion of coins into the coin insertion unit when the absence of the item is detected by the above-mentioned detection unit.

[0109] (7)

[0110] As a supply device for goods described in any of (3) to (6),

[0111] The above main body is equipped with an operating unit that operates to supply the above item from the supply unit, and

[0112] A product supply device in which the first notification unit and the second notification unit are configured to provide notification in the vicinity of the operating unit.

[0113] (8)

[0114] As a supply device for goods described in any of (1) to (7),

[0115] The above main body is equipped with an operating unit that operates to supply the above item from the supply unit, and

[0116] The above-described operating part is an item supply device that can be operated when the above-described lock part is in an unlocked state.

[0117] (9)

[0118] As a supply device for goods described in any of (1) to (8),

[0119] The above detection unit comprises a first member fixedly provided in the main body and a second member movably provided in the receiving unit, in a product supply device.

[0120] (10)

[0121] As a supply device for goods described in (9),

[0122] The above detection unit is configured such that, in a state where the above-mentioned item is not received in the above-mentioned receiving unit, the first member and the second member are closer than in a state where the above-mentioned item is received in the above-mentioned receiving unit, in a supply device for items.

[0123] (11)

[0124] (9) or (10) as a supply device for goods,

[0125] The above second member is composed of a magnet, and

[0126] The above detection unit is a product supply device that detects the absence of the product by means of magnetic force accompanying the approach of the second member to the first member.

[0127] (12)

[0128] As a supply device for goods described in any of (9) to (11),

[0129] The above receiving portion is configured to be detachably attached to the above main body portion, and

[0130] The above-mentioned first member is a material supply device provided at a position accessible to the second member, as the lower part of the receiving portion mounted on the main body.

[0131] (13)

[0132] As a supply device for goods described in any of (9) to (12),

[0133] The first member comprises one first member that detects the presence or absence of the first type of article and the other first member that detects the presence or absence of the second type of article.

[0134] A product supply device in which the first member of the first side and the first member of the other side are provided at different positions in the main body.

[0135] (14)

[0136] As a supply device for goods described in any of (1) to (13),

[0137] The above receiving portion includes a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion, and

[0138] The first receiving portion is configured to accommodate the first type of article, and

[0139] The above-mentioned second receiving portion is configured to accommodate the above-mentioned second type of article, and is an article supply device.

[0140] (15)

[0141] As a supply device for goods described in (14),

[0142] The first receiving portion is configured to accommodate the first type of article in an unaligned state, and

[0143] The above-mentioned second receiving portion is configured to receive the above-mentioned second type of article in an aligned state, an article supply device.

[0144] (16)

[0145] (14) or (15) as a supply device for goods,

[0146] The above-described main body is configured to be interchangeable with the first receiving part and the second receiving part, a product supply device.

[0147] (17)

[0148] As a supply device for goods described in (16),

[0149] The above detection unit includes a first detection unit and a second detection unit, and

[0150] The first detection unit is configured to detect the presence or absence of the first type of item, and

[0151] The above second detection unit is configured to detect the presence or absence of the above second type of item, in an item supply device.

[0152] (18)

[0153] As a supply device for goods described in (17),

[0154] The first detection unit is configured to detect the presence or absence of the first type of item when the first receiving unit is mounted on the main body, and

[0155] The above second detection unit is configured to detect the presence or absence of the above second type of item when the above second receiving unit is mounted on the above main body, in an item supply device. Explanation of the symbols

[0156] 1: Item supply device 2: Main body 4 : Control panel 5 : Coin slot 10 : 1st reception section (reception section) 20 : 2nd reception section (reception section) 30 : 1st supply unit (supply unit) 35 : 2nd supply unit (supply unit) 38 : Locking part 40a : 1st item detection part (detection part) 40b : Detector for the second item (Detector) 41a : First component for the first article (first component) 41b : First component for the second article (first component) 42a : Second member for the first article (second member) 42b : Second component for the second article (second component) 91 : 1st Notification Section (Notification Section) 92 : 2nd Notification Section (Notification Section) P1 : First item (item) P2 : Second item (item)

Claims

Claim 1 A product supply device capable of supplying a first type of product and a second type of product, comprising a main body, a receiving part for receiving the product, a supply part for supplying the product received in the receiving part, a locking part for making it impossible to supply the product from the supply part, and a detection part capable of detecting the presence or absence of the first type of product in the receiving part and the presence or absence of the second type of product in the receiving part, wherein the locking part is locked upon the condition that the absence of the product is detected by the detection part, and the detection part comprises a first member provided in a fixed state in the main body and a second member provided movably in the receiving part. Claim 2 A product supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the outside that the product is missing when the absence of the product is detected by the detection unit. Claim 3 A product supply device according to claim 2, wherein the notification unit comprises a first notification unit and a second notification unit, the first notification unit is configured to be movable, and the second notification unit is configured to be immovable. Claim 4 A product supply device according to claim 3, wherein the first notification unit is configured to notify that the product is not present by the movement of a display plate, and the second notification unit is configured to notify that the product is not present by the light emission of a light-emitting unit. Claim 5 A product supply device according to claim 3, wherein the first notification part is provided in the receiving part and the second notification part is provided in the main body part. Claim 6 A product supply device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the main body part is provided with a coin insertion part for payment of consideration, and the first notification part operates to prevent the insertion of coins into the coin insertion part when the absence of the product is detected by the detection part. Claim 7 An article supply device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the main body part comprises an operating part that operates to supply the article from the supply part, and the first notification part and the second notification part are configured to provide notification in the vicinity of the operating part. Claim 8 In any one of claims 1 to 5, the main body part comprises an operating part that operates to supply the article from the supply part, and the operating part is an article supply device that can be operated when the lock part is in an unlocked state. Claim 9 delete Claim 10 A product supply device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is configured such that, in a state where the product is not received in the receiving unit, the first member and the second member approach each other more than in a state where the product is received in the receiving unit. Claim 11 A product supply device according to claim 1, wherein the second member is composed of a magnet, and the detection member detects the absence of the product by means of a magnetic force accompanying the approach of the second member to the first member. Claim 12 A product supply device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is configured to be detachably connected to the main body portion, and the first member is provided at a position accessible to the second member as the lower portion of the receiving portion mounted on the main body portion. Claim 13 In claim 1, the first member comprises a first member that detects the presence or absence of an article of the first type and a first member that detects the presence or absence of an article of the second type, and the first member and the first member are provided at different positions in the main body portion. Claim 14 An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the receiving portion comprises a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion, the first receiving portion is configured to receive an article of the first type and the second receiving portion is configured to receive an article of the second type. Claim 15 A product supply device according to claim 14, wherein the first receiving portion is configured to receive the first type of product in an unaligned state, and the second receiving portion is configured to receive the second type of product in an aligned state. Claim 16 The article supply device of claim 14, wherein the main body is configured to be interchangeably configured with the first receiving part and the second receiving part. Claim 17 A product supply device according to claim 16, wherein the detection unit comprises a first detection unit and a second detection unit, wherein the first detection unit is configured to detect the presence or absence of the first type of product and the second detection unit is configured to detect the presence or absence of the second type of product. Claim 18 A product supply device according to claim 17, wherein the first detection unit is configured to detect the presence or absence of the first type of product when the first receiving unit is mounted on the main body, and the second detection unit is configured to detect the presence or absence of the second type of product when the second receiving unit is mounted on the main body.

Images