Adjustable Cup Holder Mechanism for Stable Vending Machine Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cup holders in beverage vending machines are bulky, provide limited stability for cups of varying dimensions, and require complex and incomplete cleaning due to the presence of electrical components.
Innovation Solution
A cup holder with adjustable retention members controlled by an electric actuator and transmission system, allowing adaptation to different cup sizes and easy disassembly for thorough cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cup holders of different dimensions are equipped to accommodate various cup sizes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder employs adjustable retention members that can dynamically change their position and configuration to adapt to different cup diameters. The retention members are movable along the cup holder's axis and can be positioned at different radial distances from the center, allowing the same cup holder structure to securely hold cups of varying sizes without requiring multiple fixed-size holders.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a funnel-shaped cup holder is used to accommodate various cup dimensions, then adaptability is improved, but cup stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retention members are designed with localized contact surfaces that adapt to the specific cup geometry. Each retention member can independently adjust its position to provide optimal local contact with the cup wall, ensuring stable retention regardless of the cup's overall dimensions. This localized adaptation maintains cup stability while accommodating various cup sizes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cup holder is designed for in-depth cleaning by disassembly, then cleaning completeness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder is divided into separable modules, with the retention members being independently removable from the main body. This segmentation allows the retention members to be detached for thorough cleaning of all surfaces, including those that would otherwise be difficult to reach. The modular design enables complete disassembly for cleaning while maintaining ease of reassembly, balancing cleaning completeness with operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A cup holder designed to be mounted in a beverage vending machine to support an individual cup in a filling station and/or in a picking station; the cup holder having a vertical axis and comprising a frame and a cup retention device, which is supported by the frame and defines a cup retention area designed to be occupied by a cup when the cup is supported by the cup retention device. The cup holder further comprises an electric actuator, which is kinematically coupled to the cup retention device to move the cup retention device, thus adapting the dimension of the cup retention area to the dimension of the cup, and is mounted on the frame via a quick engagement/disengagement device configured to enable the electric actuator to be easily and quickly mounted and dismounted, with a few simple operations, on/from the rest of the cup holder.