| 摘要 |
<p>A computer-controlled system is disclosed for dispensing selected packages from a vending machine. The system includes an ejector mechanism (10) adapted to travel rectilinearly intermediate a pair of oppositely-mounted storage banks (12, 14), each bank consisting of a plurality of vertically-oriented adjacent compartments (12a, 14a) in which distinct packages are stacked. The ejector mechanism (10) includes a carriage (20) mounted on a helical screw (22) rotatably driven by a travel motor (30). An ejector lever (34) pivotally connected to the carriage (20) is mounted upon an actuator bar (26) rotatably driven by a pivot member (32) for independently actuating one of a pair of overlapping ejector arms (36a, 36b) according to the directional rotation of the pivot motor (32). Each ejection arm (36a, 36b) is pivotally connected to the carriage (20) and configured to discharge a single package from beneath a stack when actuated. A microprocessor (33) controls the rotational drive of the motors and is provided feedback signals indicative of carriage location and package availability by sensors (42, 45) attached to the carriage (20).</p> |
