Patent Publication Number: US-11657668-B2

Title: Driving device, bucket and vending machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present disclosure is a United States national stage application of International Patent Application Number PCT/CN2018/107069, filed on Sep. 21, 2018, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201711474171.8, which was filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People&#39;s Republic of China on Dec. 29, 2017, the entirety of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of vending equipment, such as a driving device, a bucket and a vending machine. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The Vending Machine (VEM) is a machine that can automatically deliver goods according to the coins put in. The vending machine is common for commercial automation. The vending machine is not limited by time or place, and it can save manpower and facilitate transactions. 
     The vending machine usually comprises a cabinet, and a bucket and multiple goods columns arranged inside the cabinet; the surface of the cabinet is provided with a pickup port, multiple goods columns are configured for placing goods, and the bucket is configured for delivering goods between the goods columns and the pickup port. In order to reduce the cost, a driving device is usually arranged on the bucket and it is configured to provide power for the output of goods for multiple goods columns. However, the driving device of the bucket in the related art is complicated in structure and generally high in manufacturing cost. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a driving device, a bucket and a vending machine, simple in structure and low in manufacturing cost. 
     In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a driving device, comprising: 
     a frame; 
     a motor arranged on the frame; 
     a transmission mechanism in transmission connection with the output shaft of the motor; and 
     a power output wheel in transmission connection with the transmission mechanism; 
     Wherein, the transmission mechanism is configured to drive the power output wheel to rotate and to move from a first position to a second position when the output shaft of the motor rotates in a first preset direction; the transmission mechanism is also configured to drive the power output wheel to move from the second position to the first position when the output shaft of the motor rotates in a second preset direction; wherein, the first preset direction is opposite to the second preset direction. 
     In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a bucket, comprising a bucket body and any one of the above-mentioned driving device; the driving device is arranged on the bucket body. 
     In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a vending machine, comprising a goods column, a delivery device installed in the goods column, and the bucket mentioned above; the power output wheel in the bucket is configured to be separated from the delivery device in a first position and be coupled with the delivery device in a second position to transmit the power of the motor to the delivery device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a structural view of a driving device from a first angle of view according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is a structural view of a driving device from a second angle of view according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    is a structural view of a driving device from a third angle of view according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  4    is an explosive view of a driving device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  5    is a structural view of a bucket according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  6    is a structural view of a vending machine according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic diagram for a state when a power output wheel is in transmission connection with a delivery device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic diagram for a state when a power output wheel is separated from a delivery device according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     In the figure:  100 —driving device;  110 —frame;  112 —base plate;  113 —mounting hole;  114 —vertical plate;  116 —mounting table;  120 —motor;  130 —transmission mechanism;  131 —intermediate transmission assembly;  132 —first rotating shaft;  134 —intermediate transmission wheel;  136 —motor output wheel;  138 —speed reducer;  140 —power output wheel;  142 —second rotating shaft;  150 —swing member;  160 —detecting mechanism;  170 —one-way transmission assembly;  180 —elastic member;  190 —first preset direction;  192 —second preset direction;  200 —bucket;  210 —bucket body;  212 —inner cavity;  220 —opening;  230 —fifth preset direction;  300 —vending machine;  310 —goods column;  312 —delivery device. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described as follows with reference to the drawings. The said embodiments are only some of rather than all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     The following descriptions of embodiments of the present disclosure are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed disclosure, but merely represent some embodiments of the disclosure. Similar numbers and letters refer to similar items in the following drawings. Therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, such item will not be defined or explained in the subsequent drawings. 
     In the descriptions of the present disclosure, the words “first” and “second” are only used for distinguishing descriptions, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. 
       FIG.  1    is a structural view of a driving device  100  from a first angle of view according to an embodiment,  FIG.  2    is a structural view of a driving device  100  from a second angle of view according to an embodiment, and  FIG.  3    is a structural view of a driving device  100  from a third angle of view according to an embodiment. As shown in  FIG.  1   - FIG.  3   , the embodiment provides a driving device  100 , comprising a frame  110 , a motor  120  installed on the frame  110 , a transmission mechanism  130  rotationally connected to the output shaft of the motor  120 , and a power output wheel  140  in transmission connection with the transmission mechanism  130 . The transmission mechanism  130  is configured to drive the power output wheel  140  to rotate and to move from a first position to a second position when the output shaft of the motor  120  rotates in a first preset direction  190 ; the transmission mechanism  130  is also configured to drive the power output wheel  140  to move from the second position to the first position when the output shaft of the motor  120  rotates in a second preset direction  192 . In an embodiment, the first preset direction  190  is opposite to the second preset direction  192 . 
     In an embodiment, the frame  110  may comprise a base plate  112 , a vertical plate  114 , and a mounting table  116 . The edge of the base plate  112  is provided with at least two mounting holes  113  for mounting the driving device  100 . The vertical plate  114  and the mounting table  116  are respectively connected to the base plate  112 . In an embodiment, the vertical plate  114  is roughly rectangular and is formed by folding the base plate  112  upward, and the mounting table  116  is roughly rectangular and fixed on the upper surface of the base plate  112 . The motor  120  is installed on the vertical plate  114 . 
       FIG.  4    is an explosive view of a driving device  100  according to an embodiment. As shown in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  4   , the transmission mechanism  130  comprises a swing member  150 , an intermediate transmission assembly  131 , and a one-way transmission assembly  170 . 
     The power output wheel  140  is rotationally arranged on the swing member  150 , the output shaft of the motor  120  is in transmission connection with the power output wheel  140  through the intermediate transmission assembly  131 , and the output shaft of the motor  120  is connected with the swing member  150  through the one-way transmission assembly  170 . 
     When the output shaft of the motor  120  rotates in the first preset direction  190 , the one-way transmission assembly  170  is unlocked; namely, the transmission connection between the one-way transmission assembly  170  and the swing member  150  is broken; the power output from the output shaft of the motor  120  cannot be transmitted to the swing member  150  through the one-way transmission assembly  170 , the swing member  150  swings in a third preset direction under the action of external force to drive the power output wheel  140  to move from the first position to the second position, and the power of the motor  120  is transmitted to the power output wheel  140  through the intermediate transmission assembly  131  to rotate the power output wheel  140 . The relative relationship between the third preset direction and the first preset direction  190  is not specifically limited. For example, when the meshing transmission of spur gears is adopted for the intermediate transmission assembly  131 , the third preset direction may be set to be the same as or opposite to the first preset direction  190 ; when the meshing transmission of bevel gears is adopted for the intermediate transmission assembly  131 , an included angle may be set between the third preset direction and the first preset direction  190 . 
     When the output shaft of the motor  120  rotates in the second preset direction  192 , the one-way transmission assembly  170  is locked; namely, the one-way transmission assembly  170  is in transmission connection with the swing member  150 ; the power output from the output shaft of the motor  120  is transmitted to the swing member  150  through the one-way transmission assembly  170 , so that the swing member  150  swings in a fourth preset direction under the drive of the motor  120 , and the power output wheel  140  is driven to move from the second position to the first position; the fourth preset direction is opposite to the third preset direction. 
     In an embodiment, the swing member  150  is configured as strip-shaped and provided with arc-shaped structures at both ends. The swing member  150  may be driven by different types of external force to swing in the third preset direction. In the embodiment, the external force may be the combined force of the gravity of the swing member  150  and the acting force of the elastic member  180 . The swing member  150  has a tendency to swing in the third preset direction under the action of its own gravity. In an embodiment, the driving device  100  further comprises an elastic member  180 ; the first end of the elastic member  180  is connected with the frame  110 , and the second end of the elastic member  180  is connected with the swing member  150 . The elastic member  180  is configured to apply an elastic force to the swing member  150 , so that the swing member  150  always has a tendency to swing in the third preset direction. The elastic member  180  may be provided with different structural types as required. In the embodiment, the elastic member  180  may be a tension spring. In other embodiments, the elastic member  180  may also be an elastic rope or a torsion spring. In other embodiments, the external force may be the gravity of the swing member  150  or the acting force of the elastic member  180 . 
     The intermediate transmission assembly  131  may be provided with different structural types as required. In this embodiment, the intermediate transmission assembly  131  may comprise a first rotating shaft  132  and an intermediate transmission wheel  134  fixedly socketed on the first rotating shaft  132 . The first rotating shaft  132  is rotationally arranged on the mounting table  116 , and the intermediate transmission wheel  134  is transmission connected between the output shaft of the motor  120  and the power output wheel  140 . The intermediate transmission wheel  134  may be provided with different structural types as required. In the embodiment, the intermediate transmission wheel  134  may be a gear. In other embodiments, the intermediate transmission wheel  134  may also be a belt wheel. 
     In an embodiment, the intermediate transmission assembly  131  may further comprise a speed reducer  138  and a motor output wheel  136 ; the output shaft of the motor  120 , the speed reducer  138 , the motor output wheel  136  and the intermediate transmission wheel  134  are in transmission connection in turn. In an embodiment, the speed reducer  138  is fixed on one side of the vertical plate  114 ; the output shaft of the motor  120  is fixedly connected with the input end of the speed reducer  138 ; the output end of the speed reducer  138  passes through the vertical plate  114  and is fixedly connected with the motor output wheel  136 . The motor output wheel  136  may be provided with different structural types as required. In the embodiment, the motor output wheel  136  may be a gear to mesh with the intermediate transmission wheel  134 . In other embodiments, the motor output wheel  136  may also be a belt wheel. 
     The one-way transmission assembly  170  may be provided with different structural types as required. In the embodiment, the one-way transmission assembly  170  comprises a one-way bearing. The inner wall of the one-way bearing is socketed on the first rotating shaft  132 , and the outer wall of the one-way bearing is connected with the first end of the swing member  150 . In other embodiments, the one-way transmission assembly  170  may also be provided with other structural types such as a ratchet-pawl mechanism. 
     The power output wheel  140  is installed at the second end of the swing member  150 . In an embodiment, the second end of the swing member  150  is provided with a rotatable second rotating shaft  142 , and the power output wheel  140  is socketed on the second rotating shaft  142 . The power output wheel  140  may be provided with different structural types as required. In the embodiment, the power output wheel  140  may be a gear to mesh with the intermediate transmission wheel  134 . 
     The driving device  100  may further comprise a detecting mechanism  160  and a control mechanism (not shown in the figure). Both the detecting mechanism  160  and the motor  120  are communicatively connected with the control mechanism. The detecting mechanism  160  is configured to detect whether the power output wheel  140  reaches the first position. If the detecting mechanism  160  detected that the power output wheel  140  has reached the first position, a signal will be sent to the control mechanism, and the control mechanism controls the motor  120  to stop rotating according to the signal. In an embodiment, the detecting mechanism  160  comprises a sensor and a detecting member; the sensor is connected with the frame  110 , and the detecting member is connected with the power output wheel  140 . When the power output wheel  140  reaches the first position under the drive of the motor  120 , the detecting member is coupled with the sensor; the sensor sends a signal to the control mechanism, and the control mechanism controls the motor  140  to stop rotating after receiving the signal. 
     The operating principle and process of the driving device  100  according to the embodiment are as follows: 
     When it is not necessary to output power, the power output wheel  140  is located at the first position, the output shaft of the motor  120  does not rotate, and the motor output wheel  136 , the intermediate transmission wheel  134  and the power output wheel  140  are all still; the swing member  150  has a tendency to swing in a third preset direction under its own gravity and the action of the elastic member  180 . 
     When it is necessary to output power, the output shaft of the motor  120  rotates in the first preset direction  190  to drive the motor output wheel  136  to rotate in the first preset direction  190 , and thus to drive the intermediate transmission wheel  134  to rotate in the second preset direction  192 , so that the power output wheel  140  can be driven to rotate in the first preset direction  190 . At the same time, the one-way transmission assembly  170  is unlocked, and the swing member  150  swings in the third preset direction under its own gravity and the action of the elastic member  180 , so the swing member  150  drive the power output wheel  140  to move to the second position from the first position. 
     When it is necessary to stop outputting power, the output shaft of the motor  120  rotates in the second preset direction  192  to drive the motor output wheel  136  to rotate in the second preset direction  192 , and thus to drive the intermediate transmission wheel  134  to rotate in the first preset direction  190 , so that the first rotating shaft  132  can be driven to rotate in the first preset direction  190 ; at the point, since the one-way transmission assembly  170  is locked, the swing member  150  will swing in the fourth preset direction under the drive of the first rotating shaft  132 , so the swing member  150  drive the power output wheel  140  to move from the second position to the first position; the motor  120  will stop rotating when the power output wheel  140  reaches the first position. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , in the embodiment, the first preset direction  190  is the counter-clockwise direction, and the second preset direction  192  is the clockwise direction. The first position is the lifting position and the second position is the lowering position (i.e. the first position is higher than the second position). In other embodiments, for example, when the motor  120  is directly connected to the first rotating shaft  132 , the first preset direction  190  may also be the clockwise direction and the second preset direction  192  may also be the counter-clockwise direction. In an embodiment, for example, when the driving device  100  is integrally inverted, the first position may also be the lowering position, and the second position may also be the lifting position (i.e., the first position is lower than the second position). 
     The driving device  100  comprises a frame  110 , a motor  120  installed on the frame  110 , a transmission mechanism  130  in transmission connection with the output shaft of the motor  120 , and a power output wheel  140  in transmission connection with the transmission mechanism  130 . In an embodiment, the transmission mechanism  130  is configured to drive the power output wheel  140  to rotate and to move from the first position to the second position when the output shaft of the motor  120  rotates in the first preset direction  190 ; the transmission mechanism  130  is also configured to drive the power output wheel  140  to move from the second position to the first position when the output shaft of the motor  120  rotates in the second preset direction  192 ; the first preset direction  190  is opposite to the second preset direction  192 . The driving device  100  can realize the rotation and movement of the power output wheel  140  at the same time through the motor  120 , and it is simple in structure and low in manufacturing cost, effectively making up for the defects of related technologies. 
     In an embodiment, the driving device  100  can be installed in any kind of equipment involving transmission wheels as required, such as the bucket  200  of the vending machine  300 . 
       FIG.  5    is a structural view of the bucket  200  according to an embodiment. As shown in  FIG.  5   , in the embodiment it provides a bucket  200 , comprising a bucket body  210  and the above-mentioned driving device  100 ; the bucket body  210  is designed as a frame structure and is roughly rectangular, provided with an inner cavity  212  and two ports  220  connected to the inner cavity  212  respectively; two ports  220  are configured at an interval in a fifth preset direction  230 . The driving device  100  is installed in the bucket body  210  and adjacent to one port  220 . With the above-mentioned driving device  100 , the bucket  200  can effectively reduce the number of motors  120 , and it is simple in structure and low in manufacturing cost, effectively making up for the defects of related technologies. 
     In an embodiment, the bucket  200  can be installed in any equipment that needs to contain and transport goods as required, such as vending machine  300 , goods transport equipment or goods processing equipment. 
       FIG.  6    is a structural view of the vending machine  300  according to an embodiment;  FIG.  7    is a schematic view for a state when the power output wheel  140  is in transmission connection with the delivery device  312  according to an embodiment;  FIG.  8    is a schematic view for a state when the power output wheel  140  is separated from the delivery device  312  according to an embodiment. As shown in  FIG.  6   - FIG.  8   , in the embodiment it provides a vending machine  300 , comprising a goods column  310 , a delivery device  312  installed in the goods column  310 , and the above-mentioned bucket  200 . Multiple goods columns  310  arranged side by side are provided; each goods column  310  is provided with a delivery device  312 , and the delivery device  312  is configured to deliver the goods in the goods column  310 . When the bucket  200  is opposite to one of the multiple goods columns  310 , the power output wheel  140  of the driving device  100  of the bucket  200  moves from the first position to the second position so that the power output wheel  140  can be coupled with the delivery device  312  of the goods column  310  at the second position to transmit the power of the motor  120  of the driving device  100  to the delivery device  312 , and thus to drive the delivery device  312  to convey goods. When it is not necessary to convey goods, the power output wheel  140  of the driving device  100  moves from the second position to the first position, the power output wheel  140  is separated from the delivery device  312 , and the delivery device  312  stops conveying. 
     The vending machine  300  is provided with the above-mentioned bucket  200 , with a small number of motors  120 , and it is simple in structure and low in manufacturing cost, effectively making up for the defects of related technologies. 
     The above embodiments are only those of the present disclosure, and not intended to limit the present disclosure.