Article supply device and article supply system

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an article supply device and an article supply system with improved functionality. [Solution] An article supply device 1 comprises: a body part 2; an operating part 4 that is provided on the outside of the body part 2; a drive part 40 that is provided inside the body part 2 and can be driven in response to an operation on the operating part 4; a supply part 30 that is provided inside the body part 2 and is capable of supplying an article P in response to driving of the drive part 40; and a detection part (detection unit 20) that is capable of detecting the supply of the article P. The detection unit 20 is mounted in a position movable relative to the body part 2. An article supply system 100 comprises a management device 80 capable of communicating with the article supply device 1 and managing article supply information.

Description

Article supply device and article supply system

[0001] The present invention relates to an article supply device and an article supply system.

[0002] Conventionally, there are various article supply devices (vending machines) for automatically selling goods. For example, in Patent Document 1, "an automatic vending machine including a drum having a plurality of product holding holes for holding products, and rotating the drum by the operating power of a handle after coins are inserted to discharge the products. Rack teeth are formed on the peripheral edge of the lower surface of the drum, and a recess for placing the drum is formed on a partition plate defining the storage space of the product. A gear connected to the handle is exposed at the bottom of the recess, and the drum is detachably placed in the recess. When the drum is placed, the rack teeth and the gear mesh with each other." Such a configuration is disclosed.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-178612

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a configuration for improving maintainability is disclosed. However, in the device of Patent Document 1, there is no management function such as sales information of articles, and it is simply for selling articles.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an article supply device and an article supply system with improved functionality.

[0006] An article supply device according to an aspect of the present invention is an article supply device, including a main body part, an operation part provided outside the main body part, a drive part provided inside the main body part and drivable in response to an operation of the operation part, a supply part provided inside the main body part and capable of supplying articles in response to the drive of the drive part, and a detection part capable of detecting the supply of articles. The detection part is provided at a part that moves with respect to the main body part.

[0007] An article supply system according to an aspect of the present invention is an article supply system, including an article supply device including a transmission part capable of transmitting article supply information detected by a detection part capable of detecting the supply of articles, and a management device capable of receiving the article supply information transmitted from the transmission part. The transmission part is capable of wirelessly transmitting the article supply information.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article supply device and an article supply system with improved functionality.

[0009] This is a perspective view showing an article supply device and an article supply system according to one aspect of the present invention. Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the article supply device. This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of mounting a detection unit. This is a perspective view showing an example of an article being sold out. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of managing multiple article supply devices as an article supply system. This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a case where the detection unit is provided inside the article supply device.

[0010] Hereinafter, an article supply device according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the article supply device 1 and article supply system 100 according to this aspect, and Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the article supply device 1.

[0011] The article supply device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a device capable of supplying articles P in spherical capsule cases containing toys or parts, for example. The article supply device 1 is also equipped with wireless communication functionality and, for example, is combined with a management device 80 that is managed by wireless communication to constitute an article supply system 100.

[0012] Let me explain the item supply device 1 in more detail. The item supply device 1 includes a storage section 10 that can randomly store a large number of items P and is detachable from the main body 2, a rotatable supply section 30 having a turntable 31 provided at the bottom 10b of the storage section 10 that can randomly select and supply items P one by one, a locking section 61 that locks the supply section 30 inoperable, and a payment section 50 that detects payment of the price via a coin slot 5 for inserting coins C. The control unit 60 drives the locking section 61 to release the lock upon payment of the price. Then, in the unlocked state, the operation section 4 provided on the front 2f becomes rotatable.

[0013] When the operating unit 4 is rotated, the drive unit 40 connected to the operating unit 4 rotates in accordance with the rotation operation. That is, the gear train 4b, which consists of multiple gears and is located at the tip of the shaft 4a of the operating unit 4, rotates. This rotation causes the turntable 31 to rotate horizontally via its rack gear 31g. The turntable 31 is provided with holding holes 31h corresponding to the size of the article P, and the article P held in the holding holes 31h falls through the through holes 10bh provided in the bottom 10b. The fallen article P is supplied to the supply port 9 on the front side of the device via the article passage 9a.

[0014] In the payment section 50 of the goods supply device 1, coins C inserted from the input slot 5 pass through the passage section 50a of the payment section 50 and are held in the holding section 55 on the lower side of the unit. Furthermore, when a predetermined amount of money has been inserted and the predetermined rotation operation described above has been performed, the coins C held in the holding section 55 are stored in a coin storage section 19, for example, located below the holding section 55. Also, when the rotation operation of the operating section 4 is completed, the control unit 60 operates the locking section 61, locking the operating section 4 so that it cannot be rotated.

[0015] In this way, one item P is supplied by a predetermined rotation operation of the operating unit 4. The supply of this item P is detected as item supply information by the detection unit 20, which is the detection unit, as described later. The detection information is then transmitted to an external management device 80 via the communication function of the detection unit 20.

[0016] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the installation of the detection unit 20. As shown in Figure 3, the detection unit 20 is installed in the internal space SP of the operation unit 4. For example, the detection unit 20 is attached to the bottom 4d of the internal space SP of the operation unit 4. The detection unit 20 consists of, for example, an acceleration sensor unit 21 equipped with an acceleration sensor, a power supply unit 22 having a battery such as a button battery, a clock unit 23 for timing and measurement, a storage unit 24 capable of recording the acceleration sensor unit 21 and timing, and a transmitting / receiving unit 25 capable of wirelessly transmitting measurement data to the management device 80, all of which are arranged and wired on a circuit board 20b. In this way, since the detection unit 20 is an independent unit including a power supply, its placement can be freely arranged.

[0017] The detection unit 20 is housed in the internal space SP of the operating unit 4. For example, the operating unit 4 has a cover portion 4e attached to its bottom portion 4d to form the internal space SP. With this configuration, the detection unit 20 is not visible to the operator under normal circumstances. However, access to the internal space SP can be easily provided by the administrator by removing the cover portion 4e. Furthermore, since the operating unit 4 is exposed on the front surface 2f of the main body 2, maintenance can be performed without opening the main body 2.

[0018] In the detection unit 20, the movement of the operating unit 4 is detected by the acceleration sensor in the acceleration sensor unit 21. When the operating unit 4 is in an operable state, the operating projection 4f is grasped by the fingers 70 and rotated, for example, 1 rotation relative to the main body 2 in a predetermined direction (direction of arrow A). This rotation causes the detection unit 20 to rotate in the same direction. This rotational movement is detected by the acceleration sensor, and the detection signal is sent from the acceleration sensor unit 21 to the storage unit 24 for storage. Note that the acceleration sensor unit 21 is located at a distance (D) far from the rotation center C of the operating unit 4, so the rotational speed at that position is large, and a large acceleration can be measured.

[0019] The transmitting / receiving unit 25 can transmit time information measured by the clock unit 23 when the acceleration sensor unit 21 detects one count (when one item P is dispensed). The transmission format can be either a consolidated information format stored in the storage unit 24, or a transmission format for each count when one item P is supplied. By using the acceleration sensor unit 21 and the clock unit 23 in this way, the supply (dispensing) of item P and the supply time can be accurately detected without contact.

[0020] Furthermore, although the detection unit 20 is provided as a single component within the operating unit 4, it can be easily removed, for example, by opening the lid 4e. Therefore, maintenance such as battery replacement of the detection unit 20 can be easily performed.

[0021] The transmitting / receiving unit 25 can transmit sold-out information as item supply information, provided that the items P stored in the storage unit 10 are depleted. This sold-out information can be obtained, for example, based on the operation of the sold-out mechanism 8 (see Figure 2) located on the front side of the bottom 10b of the storage unit 10.

[0022] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the sold-out state of item P. As shown in Figure 4, the sold-out mechanism 8 is equipped with, for example, a plate-shaped sold-out indicator 18. When item P is sold out, this sold-out indicator 18 descends from the bottom 10b of the storage unit 10 so as to cover the input opening 5. Referring to Figure 2 in more detail, the sold-out mechanism 8 is appropriately connected by a drive link 8a to a lock pin 8b that can enter the turntable 31 and a rotating shaft 8c that rotates the sold-out indicator 18. When item P is sold out, for example, the sold-out mechanism 8 causes the lock pin 8b to enter the turntable 31 and rotates and lowers the sold-out indicator 18. The signal of the operation of this sold-out mechanism 8 is transmitted directly to the transmitting / receiving unit 25 or to the transmitting / receiving unit 25 via the control unit 60. This sold-out information is then transmitted to an external management device 80 via the transmitting / receiving unit 25.

[0023] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of managing multiple item supply devices 1 as an item supply system 100. As shown in Figure 5, the item supply system 100 can manage multiple item supply devices 1 simultaneously. In this case, for example, each item supply device 1 transmits item supply information (sales information) for item P to the management device 80 via its transmitting / receiving unit 25, as described above. The transmission method can be, for example, via an internet communication line 101. This allows the management device 80 to centrally manage item supply information from item supply devices 1 installed in various locations from a single location.

[0024] Furthermore, although the configuration of the sold-out mechanism 8 described above uses a plate-shaped sold-out display unit 18, the sold-out display may also be in the form of an electrical display. For example, the management device 80 can display sold-out information using, for example, a display provided on the front surface 2f of the goods supply device 1.

[0025] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the case where the detection unit 20 is installed inside the article supply device 1. In the article supply device 1 shown in Figure 6, the detection unit 20 is installed inside the main body 2. In this case, the detection unit 20 is attached, for example, to the side of the first gear 4ba, which is located on the tip side of the shaft 4a (a position away from the teeth of the gear). In this configuration as well, the rotational movement of the first gear 4ba, that is, the movement of the detection unit 20, can be detected by the acceleration sensor. The detection unit 20 may also be directly attached to the shaft 4a, which is the shaft portion of the drive unit 40.

[0026] As described above, in the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the detection unit 20 is provided in a part that moves relative to the main body 2, so that the supply of articles can be detected by the operation for supplying articles P. Furthermore, the detection unit 20 can be positioned either inside or outside the main body 2.

[0027] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the detection unit 20 has an acceleration sensor unit 21 and is provided at a location other than the center of the rotating operating unit 4, so that the rotational movement of the operating unit 4 can be easily detected. Furthermore, if it is installed inside the operating knob of the operating unit 4, it is not visible externally and the detection unit 20 can be protected.

[0028] Furthermore, if the detection unit 20 is located in the drive unit 40 within the main body 2, it is configured to reliably detect movements linked to the operation of the control unit 4 and count one unit for each operation of the control unit 4, thus enabling accurate determination of the number of items supplied.

[0029] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the acceleration sensor unit 21 can detect the movement of the article supply without contact, so it is durable and does not cause wear or other consumables of parts. Furthermore, since it is configured to be easily attached to and detached from the installation site, maintenance is easy.

[0030] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the detection unit 20 is configured as a unit including the power supply unit 22, providing easy handling and excellent maintainability with an independent power supply that does not interact with the main body of the device.

[0031] Furthermore, in the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the storage unit 24 can accurately record the device usage history information, including time information, by the clock unit 23, and since the storage unit 24 operates under an independent power supply, the information in the storage unit 24 can be reliably retained even if a power outage or other trouble occurs.

[0032] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, the detection unit 20 includes a transmission unit (transmitting / receiving unit 25) capable of transmitting article supply information, so that detection information such as the count of acquired articles P and information on the article supply time can be transmitted to an external location. As a result, article supply information and other data can be managed at a location separate from the article supply device 1.

[0033] In this embodiment of the goods supply device 1, the transmission function of the transmission unit (transmitting / receiving unit 25) can be used to send out sold-out information when goods P run out. As a result, the replenishment of goods P can be managed and carried out without having to look at the goods supply device 1.

[0034] In this embodiment of the goods supply system 100, a management device 80 is provided that can wirelessly receive signals from the transmission unit (transmitting / receiving unit 25) of the goods supply device 1. Therefore, the quantity management of goods P can be centrally managed at a location separate from where the goods supply device 1 is installed.

[0035] Although 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 embodiments, a configuration provided in an article supply device 1 for selling articles P in capsule cases has been described, but the invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various articles sales devices.

[0036] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the detection unit 20 is configured to include an acceleration sensor unit 21, but the system is not limited to this configuration. For example, a magnetic sensor unit may be provided to count the number of items P.

[0037] Furthermore, although the detection unit 20 in the above embodiment is configured to include a transmitting / receiving unit 25 for communication with the outside, it is not limited to this configuration, and may also be configured with only a transmitting function and no receiving function.

[0038] As explained above, the following matters are disclosed in this specification.

[0039] (1) An article supply device comprising: a main body; an operating unit provided on the outside of the main body; a drive unit provided inside the main body and drivable in response to the operation of the operating unit; a supply unit provided inside the main body and capable of supplying articles in response to the drive of the drive unit; and a detection unit capable of detecting the supply of articles, wherein the detection unit is provided in a part that moves relative to the main body.

[0040] (2) The article supply device according to (1), wherein the detection unit is provided outside the main body unit.

[0041] (3) The article supply device according to (2), wherein the detection unit is provided inside the operation unit.

[0042] (4) The article supply device according to (3), wherein the detection unit is provided at a part of the operation unit excluding the center thereof.

[0043] (5) The article supply device according to (3) or (4), wherein the detection unit is configured to be movable together with the operation unit.

[0044] (6) The article supply device according to (1), wherein the detection unit is provided inside the main body unit.

[0045] (7) The article supply device according to (6), wherein the detection unit is provided on the drive unit.

[0046] (8) The article supply device according to (7), wherein the drive unit is configured to be movable in response to an operation of the operation unit.

[0047] (9) The article supply device according to (7) or (8), wherein the detection unit is configured to be movable together with the drive unit.

[0048] (10) The article supply device according to any one of (7) to (9), wherein the drive unit includes a shaft portion and a gear portion, and the detection unit is provided on either the shaft portion or the gear portion.

[0049] (11) The article supply device according to (10), wherein the detection unit is provided on either a side surface of the shaft portion or a surface of the gear portion excluding the teeth.

[0050] (12) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the detection unit is configured to detect the supply of the article without contacting the article.

[0051] (13) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the detection unit is configured to be detachable from its installation location.

[0052] (14) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the detection unit is configured to be invisible to the operator of the control unit.

[0053] (15) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (14), wherein the supply unit is configured to supply one article in accordance with the operation of the operating unit.

[0054] (16) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (15), wherein the detection unit is configured to be able to count one in response to one operation of the operation unit.

[0055] (17) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein the operating unit is rotatably provided, and the detection unit is configured to count one in accordance with the movement operation of the operating unit.

[0056] (18) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (17), wherein the detection unit is configured as a unit including a power supply unit.

[0057] (19) An article supply device as described in (18), wherein the unit includes a timekeeping unit and a storage unit that stores time information measured by the timekeeping unit.

[0058] (20) An article supply device according to (19), wherein the unit includes a transmitting unit capable of transmitting article supply information detected by the detection unit.

[0059] (21) An article supply device as described in (20), wherein the transmitting unit is capable of transmitting time information measured by the timing unit when the detection unit has made one count.

[0060] (22) An article supply device according to (20) or (21), further comprising a storage unit that is detachable from the main body, wherein the transmitting unit is capable of sending out-of-stock information as article supply information when the articles stored in the storage unit are gone.

[0061] (23) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (22), wherein the detection unit is configured as an acceleration sensor unit.

[0062] (24) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (23), wherein the detection unit is configured as a magnetic sensor unit.

[0063] (25) An article supply system comprising: an article supply device having a detection unit capable of detecting the supply of articles and a transmission unit capable of transmitting article supply information detected by the detection unit; and a management device capable of receiving article supply information transmitted from the transmission unit, wherein the transmission unit is capable of wirelessly transmitting article supply information.

[0064] (26) The goods supply system described in (25), wherein the goods supply device comprises a payment unit, and the transmission unit is capable of transmitting goods supply information subject to payment at the payment unit.

[0065] (27) An article supply system according to (25) or (26), wherein the article supply device comprises an operating unit, a drive unit that can be driven in accordance with the operation of the operating unit, a supply unit that can supply articles, and the detection unit, and the transmitting unit can transmit article supply information on the condition that the detection unit is attached to the operating unit or the drive unit.

[0066] 1. Item supply device 2. Main unit 4. Operation unit 20. Detection unit (detection unit) 21. Acceleration sensor unit 22. Power supply unit 23. Clock unit 24. Memory unit 25. Transmit / receive unit (transmitter unit) 30. Supply unit 40. Drive unit 50. Payment unit 80. Management device 100. Item supply system P. Item

Claims

1. An article supply device comprising: a main body; an operating unit provided on the outside of the main body; a drive unit provided inside the main body and drivable in response to the operation of the operating unit; a supply unit provided inside the main body and capable of supplying articles in response to the drive of the drive unit; and a detection unit capable of detecting the supply of articles, wherein the detection unit is provided in a part that moves relative to the main body.

2. An article supply device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is provided outside the main body.

3. An article supply device according to claim 2, wherein the detection unit is provided inside the operating unit.

4. An article supply device according to claim 3, wherein the detection unit is provided in a part of the operating unit other than the center.

5. An article supply device according to claim 3, wherein the detection unit is configured to be movable together with the operating unit.

6. An article supply device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is provided inside the main body.

7. An article supply device according to claim 6, wherein the detection unit is provided in the drive unit.

8. An article supply device according to claim 7, wherein the drive unit is configured to be movable in response to the operation of the operating unit.

9. An article supply device according to claim 7, wherein the detection unit is configured to be movable together with the drive unit.

10. An article supply device according to claim 7, wherein the drive unit includes a shaft and a gear unit, and the detection unit is provided on either the shaft or the gear unit.

11. An article supply device according to claim 10, wherein the detection unit is provided on either the side surface of the shaft portion or the surface of the gear portion excluding the teeth.

12. An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the detection unit is configured to detect the supply of the article without contact with the article.

13. An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the detection unit is configured to be detachable from its installation location.

14. An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the detection unit is configured to be invisible to the operator of the operation unit.

15. An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the supply unit is configured to supply one article in response to the operation of the operating unit.

16. An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the detection unit is configured to be able to count one in response to a single operation of the operation unit.

17. An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the operating unit is rotatably provided, and the detection unit is configured to count 1 in accordance with the movement operation of the operating unit.

18. An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the detection unit is configured as a unit including a power supply unit.

19. An article supply device according to claim 18, wherein the unit includes a timekeeping unit and a storage unit for storing time information measured by the timekeeping unit.

20. An article supply device according to claim 19, wherein the unit includes a transmitting unit capable of transmitting article supply information detected by the detection unit.

21. An article supply device according to claim 20, wherein the transmitting unit is capable of transmitting time information measured by the timing unit when the detection unit has made one count.

22. An article supply device according to claim 20, further comprising a storage unit detachable from the main body, wherein the transmitting unit is capable of sending out-of-stock information as article supply information, provided that the articles stored in the storage unit are depleted.

23. An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the detection unit is configured as an acceleration sensor unit.

24. An article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the detection unit is configured as a magnetic sensor unit.

25. An article supply system comprising: an article supply device having a detection unit capable of detecting the supply of articles and a transmission unit capable of transmitting article supply information detected by the detection unit; and a management device capable of receiving article supply information transmitted from the transmission unit, wherein the transmission unit is capable of wirelessly transmitting article supply information.

26. The article supply system according to claim 25, wherein the article supply device comprises a payment unit, and the transmission unit is capable of transmitting article supply information subject to payment at the payment unit.

27. An article supply system according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the article supply device comprises an operating unit, a drive unit that can be driven in accordance with the operation of the operating unit, a supply unit that can supply articles, and a detection unit, and the transmitting unit is capable of transmitting article supply information on the condition that the detection unit is attached to the operating unit or the drive unit.

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