Dispenser Stir Stick Prevents Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing mechanisms for candies and food items often experience jamming issues as the articles enter or move within the dispensing channel, leading to operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser design featuring a base with a channel and an advancement mechanism, such as an auger, driven by a motor with a stir stick attached to the gear that moves to stir the articles as they enter, preventing jamming by promoting smooth entry into the channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If articles are dispensed through a channel using an advancement mechanism, then the dispensing function is achieved, but the articles may jam within the channel or at the entry point
Solution Approach 1:
The stir stick performs preliminary stirring action on the articles before they enter the dispensing channel. By agitating and aligning the articles in advance at the channel entrance, the stir stick prevents jamming before it occurs, ensuring smooth dispensing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The stir stick acts as an intermediary element between the article storage container and the dispensing channel. It mediates the transition of articles from random positioning in the container to ordered alignment in the channel, preventing direct jamming at the channel entry point.
2Reliability
If a stir stick is added to prevent jamming, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stir stick is merged with the existing gear mechanism of the advancement system. The stir stick is positioned to be driven by the same motor and gear that operate the auger, combining the stirring function with the existing dispensing mechanism rather than adding a separate independent system.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear mechanism serves dual functions: it drives the auger for article advancement and simultaneously rotates the stir stick for jamming prevention. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components and control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser is provided that includes a base and a container. The container is positioned above the base for holding articles to dispensed, such as candy. The base includes a channel in communication with the container to dispense the articles. The channel has, near a first end, an internal opening for receiving the articles held in the container and an external opening near the opposing end for dispensing the articles. An advancement mechanism, such as an auger, for example, is located within the channel for moving the articles from the internal opening of the channel to the external opening of the channel. At least one gear, driven by a motor, is connected to the advancement mechanism for moving the advancement mechanism in response to the activation of the motor. A stir stick is attached to at least one side of the at least one gear and extends upward from the base and into the container at a position adjacent the internal opening of the channel. As the gear moves upon activation of the motor, the stir stick also moves to stir the articles in the container as they enter the internal opening. In one example, the motor may be motion activated and run for only a certain predetermined period of time to dispense the articles.