Modular Product Dispenser With Robotic Box Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic product distribution devices have limitations in product capacity, require frequent restocking, are prone to misalignment issues during dispensing, and lack efficient product monitoring, leading to inefficiencies in sales operations.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a containment structure with resealable boxes, a mechanical arm, and a movement system that allows for efficient product storage, alignment, and distribution, along with an extraction element and interface for user input, enabling autonomous operation and reduced technician intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a box-like containment frame with fixed seats is used, then the device structure is simple, but the product capacity is limited and requires frequent restocking
Solution Approach 1:
The containment frame is divided into multiple removable boxes, each capable of being independently inserted or extracted. This segmentation allows the system to hold more products by adding more boxes while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a fixed two-dimensional grid of seats to a three-dimensional modular structure where boxes can be stacked and arranged in multiple configurations, significantly increasing product capacity without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed dispensing system is used, then the device structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to product misalignment and requires manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing system incorporates movable elements that can dynamically adjust their position to accommodate products that are not perfectly aligned in their seats. This dynamic adjustment capability allows automatic dispensing without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
3Productivity
If products are placed in fixed seats, then the loading process is simple, but misalignment prevents complete dispensing of all products
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic alignment mechanisms that automatically adjust to product positioning variations, ensuring all products can be dispensed regardless of initial placement accuracy, thereby improving productivity without requiring overly complex manual alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing system performs self-alignment through its mechanical design, automatically compensating for product misalignment without requiring external intervention or complex control systems, thus improving productivity while keeping the alignment mechanism relatively simple.
4Quantity of substance
If a large number of fixed seats are provided, then product capacity increases, but the device size and restocking frequency increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the product storage into multiple removable boxes, the system achieves large product capacity while enabling efficient restocking. When one box is depleted, it can be quickly replaced with a full box without requiring access to the entire structure, thus reducing restocking time and frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple boxes can be pre-filled and prepared in advance. When a box is depleted, a pre-prepared full box is already ready for immediate replacement, eliminating downtime and reducing the effective restocking frequency, thereby maintaining high product capacity without proportional increase in restocking time loss.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Device 1 for the automatic distribution of products 2, comprising a containment structure 3 for containing a plurality of boxes 4 for housing products 2 which are resealable on themselves in the absence of products; an extraction element 5 situated near the perimeter of containment structure 3 and arranged to feed products 2 outside containment structure 3, wherein containment structure 3 comprises a mechanical arm 6 arranged to withdraw at least one product 2 from at least one box 4 and to transport product 2 from the relative box 4 to extraction element 5; and a movement system 7 situated below plurality of boxes 4 to displace at least one full box 4 inside structure 3.