Pedal-Linked Article Dispensing Mechanism for Single-Item Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article dispensing apparatuses in vending machines face issues with accurate out-of-stock detection and efficient article dispensing, leading to potential multiple article dispensing errors and reduced sales opportunities due to incorrect detection of article presence.
Innovation Solution
An article dispensing apparatus with a lower pedal and upper pedal mechanism, an out-of-stock detection switch, and a controller that ensures single article dispensing by monitoring pedal positions and detection switch states to prevent multiple dispensing and accurately detect article availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the out-of-stock detection lever is arranged above the upper pedal to advance and retract from the article storage passage, then the detection mechanism can identify article presence, but the structure becomes complex and may interfere with pedal operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the out-of-stock detection function from the traditional lever mechanism and implements it using the pedal position detection system. The detection switch monitors whether the lower pedal is in the advanced or retracted position, thereby determining article presence without requiring a separate detection lever above the upper pedal.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower pedal serves multiple functions: it acts as both the discharge actuator and the out-of-stock detection indicator. When the lower pedal is advanced, it indicates articles are present; when retracted, it indicates out-of-stock condition. This eliminates the need for a separate detection mechanism.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the lower pedal advances to the article storage passage to prevent articles from moving downward, then article positioning is maintained, but the mechanism may fail to detect true out-of-stock conditions when no article is placed on the pedal
Solution Approach 1:
The detection switch provides feedback about the lower pedal position to the control unit. The control unit monitors whether the pedal is advanced or retracted and uses this information to accurately determine stock status, preventing false out-of-stock detections while maintaining article positioning stability.
3Productivity
If the upper pedal advances to contact the second lowermost article to prevent articles from moving downward during discharge, then single article discharge is enabled, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the upper and lower pedals into a coordinated discharge mechanism where both pedals work together through linkages. The upper pedal advances to contact the second lowermost article while the lower pedal retracts, and their movements are synchronized to achieve single article discharge without requiring additional complex mechanisms.
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
Ensures accurate detection of article availability and prevents multiple article dispensing errors, enhancing sales opportunities by ensuring only one article is dispensed per instruction and maintaining inventory accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The lower pedal and the upper pedal are linked with an AC solenoid as an actuator via links and advance and retract to and from the article storage passage as appropriate through the energization of the AC solenoid.
Implementation Method 2
when the article slips through the lower pedal, the lower pedal advances to the article storage passage by the biasing force of a spring.
Implementation Method 3
The out-of-stock detection lever is swingably arranged in an area above the upper pedal in such a manner as to advance and retract to and from the article storage passage, and is biased to advance to the article storage passage by a biasing unit.
Data Source
AI summary
An article dispensing apparatus includes an article discharging apparatus, which includes a base, an article storage passage storing articles, a lower pedal, and an upper pedal, an out-of-stock detection switch that is turned to a first state when the lower pedal is in a second standby position and that is turned to a second state when the lower pedal is in a position other than the second standby position; an output member putting the article discharging apparatus in the standby state and drives the article discharging apparatus when the output member rotates from the standby position; and a controller rotating the output member to return the output member to the standby position when the output member rotated from the standby position does not return to the standby position in a preset set time and when the out-of-stock detection switch is turned to the first state in the set time.