Automatic dispenser

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic dispenser equipped with an ejection assembly which includes at least a geared motor, an ejection device fitted to the output shaft of the geared motor, and detection means configured to detect the movement of the ejection device, wherein the detection means includes at least one magnet associated with the output shaft of the geared motor, and at least one magnetic sensor positioned in a manner such as to detect when the magnet passes through a predetermined region; and the ejection assembly further includes an overcurrent protection device connected electrically upstream of the geared motor.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §371 to international application No. PCT / IB2008 / 003571, filed Dec. 22, 2008.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of Invention The present invention relates to an automatic dispenser.[0003]2. Background Art[0004]A typical application of the present invention is the field of articles automatic dispensers that are commonly called “vending machines” are used for dispensing, upon payment, various types of products, in particular foods and beverages. The present description will refer in particular to the field of articles dispensers, even though the present invention is not limited to such an application.[0005]Articles automatic dispensers equipped with an articles ejection assembly are currently available on the market; said assembly comprises at least a “geared motor” (i.e. a unit incorporating an electric motor and a motion reduction mechanism), a metal spiral fitted to the output shaft ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020]With this solution, the detection of the movement of the ejection device becomes simple, accurate and reliable; it follows that the automatic dispenser can determine accurately and reliably if an article, for example, has been delivered correctly in a manner substantially independent of the weight and size of the article itself, while preparing itself accurately and reliably for the next delivery operation as well.

[0021]Furthermore, with this solution the automatic dispenser can determine if the electric motor of the geared motor of the ejection assembly is operating in proper conditions, and therefore if delivery can continue regularly.

[0022]A first important advantage offered by the present invention is that it does not require the presence of long, complex and awkward wirings inside the vending machine.

[0023]A second important advantage offered by the present invention is that, should anomalous electric conditions arise, the operation of the ejection device will be automatically stopped electrically; also, when a PPTC (which is a resettable device) is used, the operation of the ejection device can be restored simply by switching off and on the power to the ejection assembly (in particular to the geared motor) without having to replace any component.

[0024]A third important advantage offered by the present invention is that the overcurrent protection device provides protection against anomalous electric conditions due not only to the electric motor of the geared motor getting stalled or braked, but also to any anomalous absorption of electric current (e.g. short circuits).

Problems solved by technology

A first drawback of such a solution is that the microswitch may bounce back to some extent when abruptly pressed and released, thus causing wrong detections of the rotation of the geared motor and therefore of the advance of the articles, hence leading to article delivery problems.

A second drawback of such a solution is that the ejection assembly sometimes gets stalled or braked due to an anomalous positioning of the articles to be delivered; such anomalous positioning may occur when the articles are being loaded into the dispenser or, more often, during the operation of the dispenser, in particular during the actuation of the ejection assembly; this causes article delivery problems as well as damage to the electric motor of the geared motor, which is stalled or braked just when power is being supplied to it—this anomalous condition of the electric motor may cause even worse material and personal damage.

However, if the ejection assembly is not stalled, but is only braked, the fault will not be detected and risks of damage will result.

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