Vending Machine Belt Conveyor Inventory Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic vending machines face challenges in accommodating products of varying sizes and accurately counting inventory due to limited flexibility in design and complexity in configuration, particularly with the need for radio IC tags and complicated setups.
Innovation Solution
The automatic vending machine employs a belt conveyor system with a rotary encoder and sensors to calculate product quantity based on belt movement, allowing for flexible product layout and inventory tracking without the need for radio IC tags, using partition plates to manage different product sizes and a controller to synchronize belt operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a see-through type automatic vending machine moves products in columns to a bucket unit, then products can be delivered to a take-out port, but the machine can store only products in the same size for all columns and cannot sell products in various sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the column structure dynamic by enabling individual columns to be independently adjusted in height. The column height adjustment mechanism allows each column to be configured according to the specific size requirements of different products, transforming a static uniform structure into a dynamic adaptable one that can accommodate various product sizes without requiring complete redesign of the entire vending machine
2Adaptability or versatility
If a serpentine-type automatic vending machine has multiple columns for each product size, then products in different sizes can be stored, but the layout cannot be flexibly changed after manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability in the column configuration system, where columns can be independently positioned and height-adjusted after manufacturing. This dynamic capability allows the vending machine layout to be reconfigured for different product assortments without requiring complex manufacturing changes, resolving the contradiction between post-manufacturing flexibility and manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The vending machine is divided into independent, modular columns that can be individually adjusted in position and height. This segmentation allows each column to be independently configured for different product sizes and layouts, enabling flexible reconfiguration after manufacturing without affecting the entire system
3Measurement precision
If radio IC tags are attached to products and reading members are installed in shelves, then inventory quantity can be calculated, but the configuration becomes complicated and cannot be easily introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex radio IC tag system from the vending machine, replacing it with a simpler optical sensor-based detection system. By taking out the unnecessary complexity of radio frequency components and tag attachment requirements, the invention achieves inventory counting functionality through a more straightforward optical measurement approach that does not require additional tags or complex reading members
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the radio frequency electromagnetic system with an optical detection system. Instead of using radio IC tags and electromagnetic reading members, the invention employs optical sensors to detect product presence and quantity, substituting a simpler optical field-based system for the more complex electromagnetic radio frequency system
4Measurement precision
If the automatic vending machine uses radio IC tags for inventory counting, then sales and inventory can be calculated, but existing products without radio IC tags cannot have their inventory quantity counted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal detection system based on optical sensors that can identify and count all product types regardless of whether they have radio IC tags. The optical detection method serves multiple product categories uniformly, making the inventory counting system compatible with existing products that lack electronic tags while maintaining the ability to handle future products with various identification methods
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 enables the vending machine to efficiently store and sell products of various sizes while accurately counting inventory, enhancing flexibility and simplifying the setup process.
Implementation Method 1
The belt conveyor includes a rotary encoder configured to detect an amount of rotational displacement of a motor moving the belt to convey the product. The controller acquires the amount of movement of the belt based on a detection result by the rotary encoder
Implementation Method 2
The belt conveyor includes a reference position sensor configured to detect whether the belt is located at a reference position. The controller calculates the number of the product stored in the column by moving the belt to the reference position based on a detection result by the reference position sensor
Implementation Method 3
The belt conveyor includes a product sensor provided at its carrying-out part at which the product is carried out of the column, the product sensor being configured to detect whether the product is located at the carrying-out part
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic vending machine includes: a belt conveyor constituting a part of a column configured to store a product, the belt conveyor being able to convey the stored product along the column, and a controller configured to control an operation of the belt conveyor. The controller acquires an amount of movement of a belt of the belt conveyor moving to convey the product. The controller calculates the number of products stored in the column, based on the acquired amount of movement of the belt.