US3529707A - Vending cycle control circuit - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 22, 0 R. D. BOWMAN 3,529,701

VENDING CYCLE CONTROL CIRCUIT Filed Nov. 25, 1968 LN Q, r

1@ Y *1 IflJ w r i 9 ,ji i w f. E- l 1 fj I! K. W 1

\ a RAYMOND D.,BOWMAN fimwzjwmwuzzm ATTORNEYS I United States Patent O 3,529,707 VENDING CYCLE CONTROL CIRCUIT Raymond D. Bowman, Ringgold, Ga., assignor to The Seeburg Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 25, 1968, Ser. No. 778,474 Int. Cl. G07f 11/00 U.S. Cl. 194-10 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A control circuit for the vend cycle of a multi-selection, coin operated vending machine is provided wherein dispensing from a plurality of columns is controlled by a separate solenoid for each column and a vend motor common to all columns. A selector relay is provided for each selection, with one of the selector relays being arranged to establish the power circuit to the vend motor.

The present invention relates to a control circuit for a coin operated vending machine having a multiplicity of stacks or columns, each of which is adapted to receive a plurality of articles to be selectively dispensed. Selected articles are dispensed, one at a time, from one of the stacks in response to a selection by a customer. A solenoid is used individually for each selection, and a vend motor is common to all selections. The vend motor which controls the vending cycle is arranged to drive a pair of associated timer switches, one of which serves to break the initial holding power circuit to a vend or credit relay and establish an alternate energizing circuit for the vend motor. The other timer switch serves to ground the energizing coil of the solenoid for controlleddispensing from a selected column. Each column has associated therewith a selector relay which is arranged to be energized for an individual selection. One of the selector relays is connected in circuit to establish an initial energizing circuit to the vend motor for all selections. The control circuit of the present invention removes established credit at the proper time so as to insure delivery of only one article per established credit and allows alternate selection of articles when one selection is sold out.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Coin operated vending machines for selectively dispensing articles, one at a time, from a plurality of sources are well known. Such vending machines generally comprise a plurality of stacks of articles which may be arranged in columns in side by side relationship. Upon deposit of a suitable coin, credit is established and a dispensing cycle is initiated according to a selection by the customer which causes a vend motor to be cycled and a solenoid actuated dispensing mechanism to be actuated to cause an article to be dispensed from the selected stack.

While various mechanical and electrical arrangements are known in the prior art for controlling delivery of articles, one at a time, from a stack, the vending industry has been continually searching for improved and simplified electrical control circuits. Preferably, such circuits are characterized by minimum requirements of power of operation, minimum interferences of elements and simplicity in design, thereby allowing a flexibility in construction and operation which reduces cost of manufacture, operation and maintenance.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved vending cycle control circuit for a vending machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved vending cycle control circuit for a vending machine which prevents jack-potting of the machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved vending cycle control circuit for a multi-selection vending machine which will prevent placing the entire vending machine out of order in the event of a sold out selection, and which will allow operation of the vending machine with any number of selections sold out so long as there is at least one selection that is not sold out.

The present invention is particularly adapted for use with a coin operated vending machine having a multiplicity of stacks or columns each of which may be provided with articles of different characteristics such as, for example, bottle beverages of different flavors and having a solenoid actuated dispensing arrangement for selectively dispensing articles one at a time according to the choice of the customer. To this end, dispensing from each column is controlled by a separate solenoid which is arranged to be energized during the vend cycle through a cam operated switch driven by the vend motor. A second cam operated switch is operably connected to break the initial holding power circuit to the vend relay corresponding to the selection and establish an alternate holding or power circuit for the vend motor. The selected solenoid remains energized as long as the associated cam operated switch is maintained in its actuated position. When the switch is released, the solenoid is deenergized, but the vend motor continues to run through the alternate power circuit until the second cam switch is returned to its original position. Each column has associated therewith a selector relay arranged to be energized for an individual selection. One of the selector relays also serves to establish the initial vend motor energizing circuit for all selections. The dual function of said relay results in a simplification of the control circuit over knOWn arrange. ments having the same sequence and results in a reduction in manufacturing cost, while simultaneously providing increased reliability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other objects and the attendant advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing. Although one specific form of invention is illustrated, it is to be expressly understood that this drawing is for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended to represent the full scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The accompanying drawing is a schematic diagram of the improved vending cycle control circuit of the present invention.

Since the inventive concept of this invention resides in the improved electrical control circuit and is independent of the cabinet in which it is located or the mechanical means for delivery of the article that is dispensed, the invention will be hereinafter descibed with reference only to the schematic of the control circuit, its method of operation and control. However, reference may be made to US. Pat. 3,158,290, issued Nov. 24, 1964 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, for a general description of a dispensing mechanism with which the improved control circuit of the present invention may be used.

Referring to the drawing, there is illustrated schematically the improved vending cycle control circuit of the present invention. The control circuit is illustrated in connection with a coin operated vending machine having six (6) columns or stacks (A-E) of articles; however, it will be apparent that more or less than 6 columns may be utilized and the operating sequence for dispensing and article from each column is substantially the same. The circuit is illustrated in a condition in which column A is sold out. Each component in the operating circuit of one column corresponding to a like component in the operating circuit of other columns is designated with a like numerical reference character which is followed by an alphabetical character designating the particular column with which the component is associated.

Each column, has associated therewith a solenoid a pair of sold out switches 12 and 13, a sold out indicator light 14, a selector switch and a selector relay 16. Switches 12, 13 and 15 are all of the single pole double throw type.

In addition to the components associated with a particular column, a number of common control components are provided including coin operated vend switch 17, vend relay 18, coin reject electromagnet 19, vend cycle motor and a pair of cam operated switches 21 and 22 adapted to be actuated by associated cams 11 and 23 driven by motor 20.

Power to the the circuit is applied across a pair of supply conductors 24 and 25 which may be connected to a conventional supply source (not shown). The positive terminal of line 24 designates the hot line, while the negative terminal connected to line 25 designates the ground return line.

Credit is established by energization of vend relay 18 which occurs upon insertion of a proper coin into a coin mechanism (not shown) and actuation of the associated coin switch 17. The coin mechanism may be a conventional coin operated device adapted to receive coins of greater value than the cost of an article to be selected and dispense change accordingly, while momentarily closing the normally open pair of contacts of switch 17 upon actuation of the movable contact arm 28 when the proper amount of coins has been received.

Briefly, describing the operating sequence for a vend cycle, the vending machine coin mechanism cannot accept coins to operate the vend or coin switch 17 unless its coin reject electromagnet mechanism 19 is energized. When the machine is ready for operation in a stand-by condition, the coin reject electromagnet is energized. Momentary actuation of the coin switches establishes credit, which corresponds to the energization of the vend relay 18. Upon return of the movable contact arm 28 of the coin switch to its initial position, an enabling circuit is established to the customer selection switches for post selection through a set of contacts of the vend relay.

Upon actuation of a selector switch 15, a corresponding selector relay 16 is energized and the vend motor power circuit is established. This initiates a vend cycle to cause delivery of an article from a selected column. To this end, the vend motor 20 drives or actuates a pair of cam operated switches 21 and 22, one of which breaks the power or holding circuit to the vend relay which was energized upon insertion of the proper coinage and establishes an alternate power circuit to the vend motor, while the other cam operated switch esablishes the circuit through selector relay contacts to ground the solenoid of the selected column dispensing mechanism and cause the desired article to be dispensed.

Referring to the drawing, switch 17 includes a pair of fixed contacts 26 and 27 and a movable contact arm 28 adapted to be momentarily displaced from a first position to a second position and returned to its first position when the proper amount of coins have been received. Movable contact arm 28 is connected to supply conductor 24 and, upon displacement of the arm from its first to its second position, establishes an energizing circuit to the energizing coil 30 vend relay 18 through contacts 27, 28 and conductor 29. The other end of the energizing coil 30 is connected to supply conductor 25 which forms a common return or ground line for each of the sold out indicator lights 14A14F, the energizing coils of selector relays 16A-16F, energizing coil of reject electromagnet 19 and the fixed contact of switch 22.

Coin reject electromagnet 19 provides a conventional coin blocking function through operation of a cooperating armature (not shown). In its normally energized condition, the armature is actuated so as to permit a coin to be inserted for establishing credit; however, once the coin operated vend switch 17 is closed or actuated and vend relay 18 energized, the coin reject electromagnet is deenergized to prevent the insertion of another coin. The energizing circuit for electromagnet 19 may be traced from line 24, through the normally closed contacts of switch 21 and one or more of parallel connected sold out switches 13A-13F, through the normally closed contacts 31, 33 of vend relay 18 to one side of the electromagnet coil, the other side of the coil being connected directly to line 25.

Vend relay 18 includes an energized coil 30', a first set of fixed contacts 31, 32 and an associated movable contact arm 33, a second set of fixed contacts 34, 35 and an associated movable contact arm 36 and a third set of fixed contacts 37, 38 and an associated movable contact arm 39. Movable contact arms 36 and 39 are connected to line 24 through conductor 40 and normally closed contacts 26, 28 of coin switch 17, while movable contact arm 33 is connected between one side of the electromagnet coil and the power line 24 as hereinbefore described.

Vend relay 18, prior to insertion of the proper coinage in the machine, is deenergized. In this condition, input power through the coin switch terminates at contacts 34 and 37 which are dead-ended. When coin switch 17 is momentarily actuated, power is applied to conductor 29 and coil 30 is energized causing movable contacts 33, 36, 39 to switch to the energized condition position establishing connection with contacts 32, 35 and 38, respectively. A first circuit forming holding circuit for coil 30 is established through conductor 29, fixed contact 32 and contact arm 33 which is returned to power line 24 through the normally closed contacts of switch 21.

Switching of contacts 36 and 39 to their second position establishes second and third circuits through conductors 41 and 42, respectively. The second circuit through conductor 41 is a holding circuit for selector relays 16. To this end, the conductor 41 is connected to the upper movable contact arm 51, as viewed in the drawing, of selector relay 16A. The third circuit established upon energization of vend relay 18 is an enabling circuit for the selector relays. To this end, conductor 42 is connected to the movable contact arm 43 of selector switch 15A.

Power to contact arm 36 is maintained through the coin switch when it is returned to its original position. In this manner, coin switch 17 provides an anti-jackpot feature since neither the enabling circuit nor the holding circuit of the selector relay can be established until the vend relay is energized and the coin switch is returned to its normally closed position. If the coin switch should be stuck in its open position, due to a bent coin or for some other reason, actuation of a selector switch does not cause the associated selector relay to be operated.

Each selector switch 15B-15F has its movable contact arm 43 connected to the lower fixed contact 44 of the preceding switch. The series connected contacts are dead ended at fixed contact 44 of switch 15F. The other fixed contact 45 of each switch ISA-15F is individually connected through a conductor 46, the normally closed contacts of a corresponding sold out switch 12 and conductor 47 to one end of the energizing winding of the corresponding selector relay 16.

Advantageously, selector switches ISA-15F may be of the momentary, push-button type biased to their open position. Momentary closure of switch 15 completes the energizing circuit to the corresponding selector relay, if credit has been established, which is then maintained energized by the holding circuit established through one of its sets of contacts and energized conductor 41.

Each selector relay 16A-16F includes an energizingcoil 48 and upper and lower sets of contacts 49 and 50, respectively. Each set of contacts 49 and 50 comprise a movable contact arm 51 and 52, respectively, and a pair of corresponding fixed contacts 53, 54 and 55, 56.

The holding circuit for the selector relays is established through the upper set of contacts 4. Each fixed contact 53 is electrically connected to the lower end, as viewed in the drawing, of the energizing winding of the corresponding selector relay. The normally closed lower contacts 51, 54 of selector relays 16B16F are serially connected with contact 54 of relay 16F being dead-ended. Movable contact 51 of relay 16B is electrically connected through suitable jumper leads 57, 58 to the fixed contact 53 of relay 16A.

Also connected to the movable contact arm 51 of relay 16B through jumper 57 is fixed contact 55 of relay 16A. This connection serves to provide an initial energizing circuit for vend motor 20 when a selection is made. One side of the energizing winding of the vend motor is connected to the ground return line 25. The other side of the energizing winding of the vend motor is connected to the movable contact arm 52 of selector relay 16A through conductor 59.

The lower sets of contacts 50 of relays 16B-16F provide the ground return connection for the solenoid energizing coils of each column A-F. The coil of each solenoid B-10F has one end returned through conductor 61 to the fixed contact 55 of the corresponding selector relays 16B-16F. The corresponding end of the coil of solenoid 10A is connected through conductor 62 to fixed contact 56 of relay 16F. Contacts 52 and 56 are normally closed when the selector relays are deenergized and the movable contact 52 of each selector relay, starting with 16F, is connected to the fixed contact 56 of the preceding relay, ending with relay 16B. The movable contact arm 52 of selector relay 16B is connected to the ground return line 25 through conductor 60 and the closed contacts of cam actuated switch 22.

Timer switch 21 and solenoid ground switch 22 are arranged to be actuated by cams 11 and 23 which are rotatably driven by vend motor 20 in a well known manner. In its normal or first position, switch 21 establishes the holding circuit for the vend relay as hereinbefore described. In its second position, which corresponds to a fixed time after start of the vend motor, switch 21 establishes a second energizing circuit for the vend motor through its normally opened, now closed contacts. Thus, the vend motor is energized for a fixed period corresponding to the contour of cam 11 through switch 21.

Briefly describing a sequence of operation, the vend circuit is illustrated in a stand-by condition with the F column sold out. Switch 12F is down and solenoid 10F cannot be energized. Coin reject electromagnet 19 is energized and the machine is in a condition ready to accept coins to operate the coin switch 17 which in turn establishes credit by energization of vend relay 18. Once the coin switch is operated and credit has been established the machine is ready for a selection to be made. If the coin switch sticks in the normally open position because of a bent coin or for some other reason, the circuit will not operate because the circuit through the selector switches cannot 'be established due to failure of the contract 28 to return to its original normally closed posiion. This provides an anti-jackpot feature.

Assuming credit to be established and the customer operates selector switch 15B, selector relay 16B is energized. Closure of contacts 51, 53 of relay 16B also causes the energizing coil of relay 16A to be energized which establishes the initial energizing circuit for vend motor 20 through its contacts 52, 55. A holding circuit for both relays is maintained through contacts 51, 52 and the return lines through contacts 35, 36 of relay 18 and contacts 26, 28 of switch 17.

As the vend motor begins its cycle, timer switch 21 is soon actuated by cam 11 to its second position to establish the timed motor energizing circuit and deenergize the vend relay. However, selector relays 16A and 16B remain energized by virtue of the position of contacts of switch 21 and the power circuit now maintained through 6 contacts 52, 55 of relay 16A. It should be noted that EMF feedback from the vend motor 20 is sufficient to keep the energizing coils of relays 16A and 16B energized during the brief instance that timer switch 21 is operating.

The vend motor continues to run through its time cycle While the timer switch contacts are held in their second position by the timer cam. The solenoid ground switch 22 is operated next by cam 23. This grounds the solenoid corresponding to the selected column through contacts 52, 55 of relay 16B causing the solenoid to operate. The solenoid remains energized as long as the solenoid ground switch 22 is held in a closed position by its timer cam 22. When the timer cam 22 releases the solenoid ground switch 22, the vend motor continues its cycle until the timer switch 21 is operated through its cam 11 to remove power from the vend motor and selector relays, thus, returning the circuit to the stand-by position.

When a selection is made in the A column, selector relay 16A is energized, but the ground return for solenoid 10A is made through the serially connected, normally closed contacts 52, 56 of selector relays 16B-16F and the actuated solenoid ground switch 22. The remainder of the vend cycle is the same as previously described for a selection obtained in column B.

While the control circuit of the present invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, changes or modifications to the illustrated embodiment may now be suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the present inventive concept. Reference should therefore be had to the following claims to determine the full scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a control circuit for a coin operated vending machine having a plurality of columns of stored articles, a plurality of solenoid operated actuators, each of which corresponds to a separate column and is arranged to be selectively actuated upon energization of its solenoid to dispense articles from the corresponding column, one at a time, according to the choice of a customer, a pair of input line conductors adapted to be connected to a power circuit, first circuit means including a selector switch and a selector relay for each column, each selector relay having an operating and a plurality of circuit making contacts, said selector switch being arranged upon selective actuation by a customer to energize a corresponding operating winding of a selector relay the energization of which elfects the energization of a corresponding solenoid, a vend relay having an operating winding and a plurality of contacts for establishing an enabling circuit to the selector switches, coin operated means for connecting the operating winding of the vend relay across the line conductors, a vending cycle motor, the improvement comprising means for connecting the operating winding of at least one of said selector relays for energization upon activation of any selector switch such that there is an initial energizing circuit for said vending cycle motor established by said one of said selector relays upon actuation of any one of said selector switches and timing means establishing a second energization circuit for said motor, said timing means being controlled by said motor.

2. In a control circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said timing means comprising a switch adapted for actuation between a first and a second position, a cam driven by said motor for actuating said switch between said first and second position, said switch in its second position being serially connected with said motor.

3. In a control circuit as set forth in claim 2 further including a second switch, said second switch being adapted for actuation between a first and a second position, cam means driven by said motor for actuating said second switch, said switch in its second position establishing the energizing circuit for the solenoid of a selected column.

4. In a control circuit for a coin-operated vending machine having a plurality of columns of stored articles,

a plurality of solenoid operated actuators, each of which corresponds to a separate column and is arranged to be selectively actuated upon energization of its solenoid to dispense articles from the corresponding column, one at a time, according to the choice of a customer, a pair of input line conductors adapted to be connected to a power circuit, first circuit means including a selector switch and a selector relay for each column, each selector relay having an operating winding and a plurality of circuit making contacts each selector switch being arranged upon selective actuation by a customer to energize a corresponding operating winding of a selector relay the energization of which establishes an enabling circuit of a corresponding solenoid, a vend relay having an operating winding and a plurality of circuit making contacts for establishing an enabling circuit to the selector switches, coin-operated means for connecting the operating winding of the vend relay across the line conductors, a vending cycle motor, the improvement comprising means for connecting the operating winding of at least one of said selector relays in an energization circuit for energization upon activation of any selector switch, a first and a second cam operated timer switch, a first and a second timing cam driven by said vend motor for actuating said first and said second switches, respectively, between a first and a second position, said first timer switch in its first position being connected in series circuit with the energized operating winding of the vend relay and establishing the holding circuit therefor and in its second position in series circuit with the vend motor, said last named series circuit being connected across the input line conductors, said second timer switch in its second position being connected electrically in series with the solenoid winding of a selected column for energization thereof and an initial energizing circuit for said vend motor established by said one of said selector relays upon actuation of any one of said selector switches.

5. A control circuit for a coin-operated vending machine having a plurality of columns of articles adapted to be selectively dispensed and a plurality of solenoid operated actuators, each of which corresponds to a separate column and is arranged to be selectively actuated upon energization of its solenoid to dispense articles from the corresponding column, one at a time, according to the choice of a customer, comprising a pair of input line conductors adapted to be connected to a power circuit, a selector switch for each column adapted upon selective actuation by a customer to energize a corresponding solenoid, a plurality of selector relays, one for each column, each having its operating winding connected so as to be selectively energized upon actuation of a corresponding selector switch from said line conductors, a vend relay having an operating winding, and a plurality of sets of contacts adapted upon energization of said vend relay operating winding to establish a first and a second circuit, means for connecting said vend relay operating winding across the line conductors for energization thereof including a coin operated vend switch, said coin-operated vend switch being electrically connected in series with one of the line conductors and adapted to be momentarily actuated from a first to a second position upon insertion of a coin for energization of said vend relay operating winding, said second circuit establishing a holding circuit for a selected selector relay upon energization thereof, a vend motor, means for connecting the operating winding of at least one of said selector relays to said second circuit for energization upon activation of any selector switch, a first and a second cam operated timer switch, a first and a second timer cam driven by said vend motor for actuating said first and said second switches, respectively, between a first and a second position, said first timer switch when in its first position being connected in said first circuit in series with the energized operating winding of the vend relay and establishing the holding circuit therefor and 1n its second position in series circuit with the vend motor, said second timer switch in its second position being connected electrically in series with the solenoid Winding of a selected column for energization thereof and an initial energizing circuit for said vend motor established by said one of said selector relays upon actuation of any one of said selector switches.

o. A control circuit as set forth in claim 5 wherein said plurality of sets of contacts of said vend relay form a third circuit upon energization of said vend relay said third circuit including said selector switches and normally open contacts of selector relays, corresponding selector switches and operating winding of selector relays being connected in series such that actuation of any one selector switch energizes the corresponding selector relay.

7. A control circuit as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said selector relays includes a first and a second set of contacts operable upon energization of a selector relay from a first to a second position, the first set of contacts of all but one selector relay in the first position being connected in series, the second set of contacts of all but said one selector switch being connected in series, the first set of contacts of each selector switch in the second position being connected in said third circuit, the second set of contacts of all but said one selector relay being serially connected with the corresponding solenoid winding and said second timer switch, the first set of contacts of said one selector relay in thesecond position being serially connected with the second set of contacts of said one selector relay in the second position to establish said initial energizing circuit for the vend motor.

8. A control circuit for the vend cycle of a multiselection, coin-operated vending machine having a plurality of columns of articles adapted to be selectively dispensed one at a time comprising solenoid actuating means for each column for controlling the release of articles from the columns, a vend motor common to all columns, selecting means for each column including a selector relay and a switch, a vend relay common to all columns for establishing an energizing circuit to a selector relay through a corresponding selector switch upon energization of said vend relay, coin operable means connected for establishing an energizing circuit to said vend relay, a first and a second switch, means responsive to operation of said vend motor for actuating said switches between a first and a second position, a first circuit including an energized selector relay establishing a first energizing circuit to said vend motor, a second circuit including said first switch in its second position establishing a second energizing circuit for said motor and a third circuit including said second switch in its second position for energizing the solenoid actuating means corresponding to a selection.

9. A control circuit as set forth in claim 8 including means connecting said energized selector relay for energization upon actuation of any one of said selector switches.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

Images