Cup Dispensing Assembly with Opposing Scroll Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 'In Cup' beverage vending machines face issues with cup dispensing, where stacked cups may rotate during dispensing, causing the rim of the lowermost cup to climb over the dispensing mechanism, resulting in improper dispensing or rim distortion.
Innovation Solution
The beverage vending machine incorporates a cup dispensing assembly with a ring gear and scrolls that rotate in opposite directions to stabilize the cup stack, ensuring proper alignment and preventing rotation during dispensing, thus maintaining the integrity of the cup rim.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cups are stacked one inside the other to maximize storage capacity, then the number of cups that can be stored is increased, but the stack may rotate during dispensing causing the rim to climb over the mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The cup stack is segmented into multiple columns rather than a single stack. Each column holds a subset of cups, reducing the height and weight of individual stacks. This segmentation prevents rotation during dispensing while maintaining high storage capacity through multi-column arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the cup stack and the dispensing mechanism. The guide member includes a guide surface that contacts the rim of the lowermost cup, preventing the rim from climbing over the dispensing mechanism during rotation. This intermediary element resolves the conflict between stack stability and dispensing reliability.
2Length of stationary object
If the cup stack is made taller to increase storage, then more cups are stored per column, but the rim of the lowermost cup is more likely to climb over during dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The tall single stack is segmented into multiple shorter columns. Each column has reduced height, decreasing the leverage and rotational force on the lowermost cup during dispensing. This prevents rim climbing and distortion while achieving equivalent total storage through parallel columns.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member acts as a protective intermediary between the cup rim and the dispensing mechanism. The guide surface provides a controlled path for the rim, preventing it from climbing over even when the stack experiences rotational forces during dispensing operations.
3Productivity
If the cup stack rotates during dispensing, then the mechanism may dispense a cup, but the rim becomes distorted and dispensing is improper
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is positioned to engage the cup rim early in the dispensing process, establishing a controlled rotation path before the cup leaves the stack. This ensures the rim maintains its shape and proper orientation throughout the high-speed dispensing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member pre-aligns the cup orientation before dispensing occurs. By establishing the correct rotational path in advance, the system ensures proper cup orientation and rim integrity are maintained during the actual high-speed dispensing action.
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
This solution effectively addresses the issue of cup rotation and rim distortion, ensuring reliable and proper dispensing of cups, enhancing the operational efficiency and customer satisfaction of the vending machine.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source configured to create a vacuum in the storage chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
A beverage vending machine, a cup dispensing assembly thereof, and a method of vending a beverage. The beverage vending machine may have a cup dispensing assembly that includes a plurality of cup dispensing mechanisms. Each of the cup dispensing mechanisms may include a plurality of scrolls arranged around a cup dispensing aperture. The plurality of scrolls may support a stack of cups and dispense a lowermost cup of the stack of cups through the cup dispensing aperture. The plurality of scrolls of each of the cup dispensing mechanisms may include a first pair of adjacent scrolls and a second pair of adjacent scrolls. During the dispensing of the lowermost cup of the stack of cups, the first pair of adjacent scrolls may rotate in a first rotational direction and the second pair of adjacent scrolls may rotate in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction.