Gravity-Fed Rotatable Carrousel for Large Container Vending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vending machines are not well-suited for dispensing larger container formats, as they require motors and extra space, leading to frequent breakdowns and potential product damage, and are not compatible with products like 4 L water containers.

Innovation Solution

A gravity-fed dispensing device featuring an upright rotatable product carrousel with radially located dispensing chutes about a central pivot, allowing sequential removal of products without motors, and incorporating ballasting weights for rotation, a user interface for payment, and sensors for operational control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional vending machines use helical feeder coils or ramp configurations to dispense products, then they can dispense smaller dimensioned products, but they require motors and extra space, leading to frequent breakdowns and are not suitable for larger container formats

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with larger container formatsVSAvoidmotor requirements and space consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces motor-driven helical feeder coils and complex ramp mechanisms with a simple gravity-fed carrousel system. The carrousel rotates automatically based on gravity and product weight, eliminating the need for motors while maintaining the ability to dispense various product sizes including large containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The dispensing mechanism is divided into separate functional modules: the carrousel holds multiple products in radial positions, the gravity system provides automatic rotation, and the dispensing chutes are positioned at the lowest point. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for handling larger containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If conventional vending machines use motor-driven helical feeder coils, then they can rotate to dispense products, but they require motors that cause frequent breakdowns and reduce reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic product rotation and dispensingVSAvoidbreakdown frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The carrousel system is self-rotating, using gravity and product weight to automatically move products from storage positions to dispensing chutes. No external motors or complex control systems are needed, making the system inherently more reliable and easier to operate while maintaining automatic dispensing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If ramp-based configurations are used to dispense carbonated beverages and glass containers, then they prevent excessive agitation of the product, but they require a considerable amount of extra space for the ramp assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct agitation and damage preventionVSAvoidramp assembly space

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using horizontal ramps that require extensive lateral space, the patent uses a vertical carrousel arrangement where products are held in radial positions around a central axis. The dispensing chutes are positioned at the lowest point of the carrousel, utilizing vertical gravity rather than horizontal ramp movement, thus preventing product agitation while minimizing space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 efficient and reliable dispensing of larger container formats without motor-driven mechanisms, reducing breakdowns and product damage, and facilitating automated transactions.

Implementation Method 1

a gravity-fed dispensing device featuring an upright rotatable product carrousel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS8763852B2Upright rotatable product carrousel dispensing device

Publication Date: 2014.07.01 DIKKEN MARK P

AI summary

A dispensing device comprising an upright rotatable product carrousel comprising a plurality of dispensing chutes for retaining a product. The dispensing chutes are radially located about a central pivot, with a dispensing point located at a lowest point of rotation of the product carrousel. During use, removal of product from a dispensing chute located at the dispensing point results in rotation of the product carrousel to position an adjacent dispensing chute at the dispensing point, allowing for sequential removal of product from the product carrousel.