Vending Machine Mixer Assembly With Independent Bayonet Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage vending machine mixer assemblies are difficult and time-consuming to disassemble and reassemble, leading to increased downtime and potential stress on the mixer components during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A mixer assembly design featuring a connecting device with an intermediate annular member and bayonet joints with lock teeth and retaining tracks, allowing for quick and easy angular locking and unlocking of the removable mixer part, facilitating faster assembly and disassembly without requiring adjustment of the intermediate member's angular position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connecting device uses an intermediate member with bayonet joints for removable connection, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the intermediate member and mixer must be handled together during disconnect and reconnect operations
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device is segmented into two independent parts: the intermediate member connected to the supporting body, and the mixer connected to the second bayonet joint. This allows the mixer to be disconnected and reconnected independently without handling the intermediate member, resolving the contradiction between reliable connection and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixer is extracted from the constraint of being rigidly attached to the intermediate member. By providing a separate bayonet joint on the mixer, the mixer can be independently removed and reattached to the intermediate member, simplifying maintenance operations while maintaining secure connection.
2Manufacturing precision
If the connecting device requires precise angular positioning of the intermediate member, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to increased time required for assembly and disassembly operations
Solution Approach 1:
The bayonet joint mechanism allows dynamic engagement and disengagement without requiring precise angular positioning during maintenance. The lock tooth and retaining track design enables quick connection and disconnection operations, improving productivity while maintaining sufficient connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bayonet joint is pre-configured with lock teeth and retaining tracks that automatically engage when the mixer is connected to the intermediate member. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for precise angular adjustment during assembly, speeding up maintenance operations while ensuring proper connection.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A mixer assembly (1) for a beverage vending machine (2), the mixer assembly (1) having a support (20) ; a mixer (6); and a connecting device (21) for connecting the mixer (6) removably to the support (20); and wherein the connecting device (21) is defined by an intermediate member (30) having a first axis (15), and by a first and second bayonet joint (31, 32) for removably connecting the intermediate member (30) to the support (20), and the mixer (6) to the intermediate member (30) respectively; each bayonet joint (31; 32) having at least one lock tooth (35; 40), and a relative retaining track (37; 42) having an insertion opening (38; 43) for the relative lock tooth (35; 40); the lock tooth (40) of the second bayonet joint (32) being carried by the mixer (6) and extending along a fixed second axis (41) parallel to the first axis (15); and the insertion opening (43) of the second bayonet joint (32) being located along the second axis (41) when the first bayonet joint (31) is set to a fully locked position.