Elevator Collection Box for Automatic Dispensing Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic dispensing machines face limitations in product capacity and storage space due to the need for additional elements to transport products from the elevator to the collection box, which reduces the machine's height and overall capacity.
Innovation Solution
The dispensing machine features a vertically moving elevator with a built-in collection box and a rotatable upper lid, allowing for increased product height without reducing the machine's tray housing height, along with blocking mechanisms to prevent external access and enhance security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If additional elements are included to transport products from the elevator to the collection box, then the product transport function is improved, but the useful space for storing products is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The collection box is merged with the elevator structure, forming an integrated unit where the collection box is disposed inside the elevator. This eliminates the need for separate transport elements between the elevator and collection box, thereby maximizing the useful space available for storing products while maintaining complete product transport functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the collection door is disposed at the same height as the product collection box, then product extraction is facilitated, but the height of the machine for housing trays is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The collection box is positioned inside the elevator at a height that does not conflict with the front collection door. The elevator's vertical movement capability allows the collection box to be disposed at an optimized height within the elevator structure, while the front collection door remains accessible at a convenient height for users. This three-dimensional arrangement resolves the height conflict by utilizing the vertical space efficiently.
3Ease of operation
If the elevator is made accessible through the collection door, then maintenance and refilling are easier, but product theft through the collection door becomes possible
Solution Approach 1:
A blocking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the collection door and the elevator. This mechanism controls and regulates access to the elevator, allowing authorized maintenance and refilling operations while preventing unauthorized product theft. The blocking mechanism mediates the conflict between accessibility and security by providing controlled access rather than complete openness or complete closure.
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 configuration increases the number of products that can be dispensed and stored, while maintaining the machine's height and preventing theft by blocking external access to the elevator through the collection door.
Implementation Method 1
products falls by gravity from the corresponding storage compartment towards a collection tray
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an automatic dispensing machine having an elevator for transporting the products from the tray area to the collection box, which increases the capacity of the products that can be dispensed, in addition to increasing the machine's capacity due to the fact that it can store a larger number of products for being subsequently dispensed, due to the fact that the elevator comprises a rotatable upper lid which allows the rotating shaft of the product collection door to be disposed at a greater height than the upper lid of the elevator, thereby increasing the capacity of the elevator and that of the products that can be dispensed, as well as the number of tray rows.