Adjustable Cup-Holding Assembly for Multi-Size Vending Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for translating cups are limited to a single size and cannot adapt to variations in cup dimensions, leading to issues like jamming and the need for costly and invasive modifications to accommodate different cup sizes, making them unsuitable for vending machines dispensing multiple cup sizes.
Innovation Solution
A device with a cup-holding assembly that includes moveable supporting elements and a lever system, allowing the supporting opening to adjust in size and shape to accommodate cups of different dimensions, using a drive assembly and abutment elements to control the movement and configuration of these elements along guides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional device uses a fixed fork with a supporting opening sized for a specific cup, then the device can reliably transport that specific cup size, but it cannot accommodate cups of different sizes without invasive modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting elements are made movable relative to each other, transforming the static supporting opening into a dynamic one that can adjust its dimensions. The actuator system enables the supporting elements to move between different positions, allowing the opening to adapt to various cup sizes while maintaining reliable transport through controlled positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to handle multiple cup sizes using a single universal supporting structure. The adjustable supporting elements allow the same device to accommodate different cup diameters and shapes, eliminating the need for multiple specialized forks or invasive modifications for each cup type
2Adaptability or versatility
If the supporting opening is made too wide to accommodate larger cups, then larger cups can be transported, but smaller cups cannot be correctly positioned and may fall or jam
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting elements can dynamically adjust their spacing to match the specific cup size being transported. For larger cups, the elements move outward to provide adequate clearance; for smaller cups, they move inward to maintain proper positioning, preventing both falling and jamming through adaptive dimensioning
Solution Approach 2:
The dimensions of the supporting opening are changed by moving the supporting elements to different positions. The system adjusts the opening width and shape parameters based on the cup size, ensuring optimal fit and transport reliability for each specific cup dimension
3Reliability
If the supporting opening is made too narrow to securely hold smaller cups, then smaller cups can be correctly positioned, but larger cups cannot be accommodated and may jam
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting elements are designed to move outward to accommodate larger cups when needed, transforming a narrow opening into a wider one. This dynamic adjustment allows the same structure to maintain secure positioning for small cups while providing sufficient space for larger cups, preventing jamming through adaptive expansion
4Adaptability or versatility
If the device is designed to accommodate multiple cup sizes from the beginning, then versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure is divided into separate movable elements rather than a single rigid component. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each element's position, enabling versatile cup size accommodation through relatively simple individual movements rather than complex overall reconfiguration
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for the translation of cups and the like (10), which comprises: - a load-bearing structure (11) that supports one or more guides (12) along which a cup-holding assembly (20) can slide which is provided with at least one supporting opening (21) which is adapted to be engaged by a cup to be translated, and - a drive assembly (50) which is configured to move the cup-holding assembly (20) along the guides (12) between a stroke start position and a stroke end position. The cup-holding assembly (20) comprises at least two supporting elements (22), which between them define the supporting opening (21), are moveable with respect to each other in order to vary the breadth of the supporting opening (21), and are functionally connected to a mechanism that is configured to move the supporting elements (22) with respect to each other so as to vary in a controlled manner the breadth of the supporting opening (21).