Cable-Driven Platform Transport System for Vending Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for internal transport of platforms or slides within vending machines or storage devices face issues such as jamming and excessive noise, particularly when platforms are not aligned with guiding means, limiting speed and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing three flexible members, each driven by a pulley, which interact to align and move platforms in multiple axes, ensuring smooth and quiet operation by calibrating anchoring points and tensioning to maintain alignment and prevent tilting, with pulleys positioned to facilitate horizontal movement and reduce noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical guiding means (wheels on rails, telescoping means) are used to move platforms, then the system can provide mechanical support and movement capability, but the system creates considerable noise and platforms may become jammed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical guiding means (wheels on rails, telescoping mechanisms) with a cable-driven pulley system. Flexible cables transmit force from driving pulleys to move platforms along guiding means, eliminating direct mechanical contact and friction that cause noise and jamming. The system uses tensioned cables instead of rigid mechanical connections, allowing smooth platform movement without the harmful effects of traditional mechanical systems.
2Productivity
If platforms move at high speed within the vending machine, then productivity is improved, but the likelihood of jamming and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable-driven system enables high-speed platform movement by eliminating the friction and mechanical binding associated with traditional guiding means. The flexible cables can accommodate speed variations and platform movements more gracefully, reducing jamming risk while maintaining high transport speeds for improved productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamically adjustable cable tension through multiple pulleys to adapt to varying platform positions and speeds. The cable-driven mechanism can respond to movement requirements in real-time, maintaining optimal tension and alignment even during high-speed operation, thereby preventing jamming while enabling fast transport.
3Adaptability or versatility
If platforms are not aligned with guiding means, then positioning flexibility is improved, but jamming occurs due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The cable-driven pulley system acts as an intermediary between the driving force and the platform, providing both flexibility and alignment. The cables transmit force while accommodating positioning adjustments, and the pulley arrangement ensures that platforms remain properly aligned with guiding means during movement, preventing jamming while maintaining positioning flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of force transmission from rigid mechanical connection to flexible cable tension. This allows platforms to be positioned flexibly at different locations while the cable tension and pulley geometry can be adjusted to maintain proper alignment with guiding means, preventing jamming even when platforms move to various positions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-speed, noise-free movement of platforms within vending machines or storage devices, improving alignment and reducing the likelihood of jamming, resulting in faster and quieter operation.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible members can be wires, belts, lines, strings, ropes, chains, springs or the like
Implementation Method 2
adjusting the tensioning of the first flexible member such that, when the third flexible member pulls the first platform or slide in a first direction
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for internal transport of one or more platforms or slides (1, 2) within a vending machine or storage device, which system comprises a first platform or slide (1), a second platform or slide (2), and an operating arm, which arm is actuated by a first (4), a second (5), and a third (3) interacting flexible member, which enables the arm to move in relation to three axes at the same time. The invention further relates to a vending device. The invention also relates to a method where an arm is operated by movement of a first flexible member (4), a first platform or slide (1) is moved by moving a second flexible member (5), a second platform or slide (2) is moved by moving a third flexible member (3), which flexible members (3, 4, 5) interacts.