Dispensing Machine Illuminated Decorative Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispensing machines lack an effective display system to simultaneously and individually showcase multiple consumable liquid products, and there is a need for a retrofittable, cost-effective solution that enhances product visibility and illumination.
Innovation Solution
A display system for dispensing machines featuring a decorative panel with programmable illumination, utilizing arrays of light-emitting diodes adjacent to switches and nozzles, allowing for interchangeable panels and programmable illumination sequences to indicate the types of products being dispensed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a display system is added to the dispensing machine to showcase multiple products, then product visibility and information display are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is segmented into multiple independent light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in arrays, where each LED or group of LEDs can be individually controlled to illuminate specific sections of the decorative panel. This segmentation allows the display to show different product information simultaneously without requiring a single complex illumination system, thereby reducing overall system complexity while improving information display capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system incorporates programmable control that enables dynamic illumination patterns, where different LEDs can be activated in sequences or simultaneously based on selected products. This dynamic control allows the same physical display structure to convey multiple different product information states, reducing the need for multiple static display configurations and simplifying the overall device design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If programmable illumination with multiple LEDs is implemented, then product visibility and display flexibility are improved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The programmable control system implements periodic or sequential illumination patterns where LEDs are activated in cycles rather than continuously. Different LEDs can be turned on and off in sequences to display various product information, allowing the system to maintain high display flexibility while consuming energy only when and where needed, significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous illumination of all LEDs.
3Illumination intensity
If a decorative panel with illumination arrays is added, then product visibility is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light-emitting diodes serve a dual function: they provide illumination for product visibility while also acting as the display elements themselves. The decorative panel is designed to work integrally with the LED arrays, where the panel's structure is optimized to channel and display the light from the LEDs. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate illumination components and display components, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining high product visibility.
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
The solution provides a visually appealing and informative display that can be easily retrofitted to existing machines, enhancing product visibility and user experience by simultaneously and individually highlighting the different consumable liquid products through customizable illumination patterns.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged in an array are located within the display window
Data Source
AI summary
An improved display is disclosed for a dispensing machine having a plurality of switches for dispensing a plurality of products. The improved display comprises a plurality of illuminators located in proximity to the plurality of switches. A decorative panel indicates the types of the plurality of products for dispensing by the dispensing machine. A mounting fixes the decorative panel for enabling the plurality of illuminators to illuminate the decorative panel. A control is connected to the plurality of switches for energizing the plurality of illuminators in response to an actuation of a selected one of the plurality of switches for indicating the dispensing of one of the plurality of products by the dispensing machine.