Dual Cup-Holder Vending Machine for Variable Cup Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage vending machines are limited by the need for cups of a single size due to rigid semicircular seats, restricting beverage presentation and quality.
Innovation Solution
The machine incorporates two cup-holders, each accommodating different-sized cups, with a powered unit and cam transmission device to move the cup-holders between rest, receiving, and beverage-making positions, allowing for the use of multiple cup sizes by coordinating the movement with a guard cover and electronic central control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rigid semicircular seat is used to hold cups, then the structural simplicity and ease of manufacture are improved, but the adaptability to different cup sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single rigid seat is divided into multiple separate seats (first seat and second seat), each designed to accommodate specific cup sizes. This segmentation allows the system to handle different cup diameters while keeping each individual seat structurally simple and easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup holder assembly is designed with multiple seats that can handle different cup sizes, making the overall system universal. The powered unit can move different combinations of seats to the beverage-making station, allowing the machine to serve multiple cup size requirements through a single integrated mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cup-holders for different cup sizes are incorporated, then the adaptability to various cup sizes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cup holders with different sized seats are merged into a single powered unit that moves them collectively. This combining approach allows the system to handle various cup sizes while using a single drive mechanism, reducing the overall complexity compared to having separate mechanisms for each cup holder.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical stacking arrangement where multiple seats are positioned at different heights or locations within the same horizontal plane. This spatial arrangement allows multiple cup sizes to be accommodated without requiring separate horizontal mechanisms, thereby managing complexity through three-dimensional space utilization.
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 the dispensing of beverages into cups of varying sizes, enhancing presentation and quality by accommodating different cup diameters within the same vending machine.
Implementation Method 1
a cam transmission device (19) which transforms the continuous rotation of the output shaft (21) into a reciprocating movement of the cup-holder (25, 33) in the horizontal plane
Data Source
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AI summary
A beverage vending machine (1) having a take-out compartment (5) accessible from the outside and having a beverage-making station (11); beverage dispensing nozzles (12) located at the beverage-making station (11), in a fixed position facing the compartment (5); and a first and second cup-holder (25, 33) designed to receive and support cups (7A, 7B) of respective different sizes, and operated selectively and independently to selectively occupy the beverage-making station (11).