Vending Machine Bucket Fall Velocity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vending machines face issues where the commodity receptacle undergoes free fall when power is stopped, causing potential damage and commodity loss due to shock, and existing solutions either complicate the structure or reduce workability by locking or requiring additional support.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a fall velocity detection system and a braking force generation mechanism that decelerates the receptacle's fall velocity when it exceeds a predetermined speed, allowing it to reach the lowest point slower than free fall, without the need for a complex structure or locking the receptacle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the power supply to the motor is stopped in response to error detection, then the vending operation is suspended to prevent further errors, but the commodity receptacle undergoes free fall causing shock damage or commodity loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror handling reliabilityVSAvoidshock damage to receptacle and commodity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit detects power supply discontinuation and activates the braking force generating means before the receptacle completes its fall. This preliminary counter-action generates braking force to decelerate the receptacle, preventing the harmful shock effect that would otherwise occur when the motor power is simply stopped.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful gravitational force causing free fall into a controlled deceleration process. By detecting power discontinuation and generating braking force, the system transforms the uncontrolled harmful fall into a controlled stopping process that protects the receptacle and commodity from shock damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the commodity receptacle is locked to prevent free fall, then shock damage is prevented, but workability is reduced since manual movement during maintenance is impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock damage preventionVSAvoidmaintenance workability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of a static locked state, the invention uses dynamic control through the braking force generating means. The receptacle remains movable under normal operation but automatically generates braking force when power discontinuation is detected, providing both protection during errors and workability during maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-protection by automatically detecting power supply issues and generating its own braking force without external intervention. This eliminates the need for manual locking mechanisms while maintaining both safety and operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a weight is provided to balance the commodity receptacle, then free fall is prevented, but the structure becomes complicated and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefree fall preventionVSAvoidstructure complexity and manufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical weight-balancing system with an electronic control system. Instead of adding physical weights to counterbalance the receptacle, the control unit detects power discontinuation and activates electromagnetic or electronic braking mechanisms, simplifying the overall structure while achieving the same protective effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the control parameter from passive mechanical balancing to active electronic control. By monitoring power supply status and dynamically adjusting braking force, the system achieves free fall prevention without the structural complexity of mechanical balancing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a weight is provided to balance the commodity receptacle, then free fall is prevented, but the commodity receptacle may still undergo free fall due to commodity weight variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefree fall preventionVSAvoidfree fall prevention reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors power supply status to and from the motor, creating a feedback loop. When power discontinuation is detected, the system immediately responds by generating braking force, ensuring reliable protection against free fall regardless of commodity weight variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of static weight balancing that cannot adapt to varying commodity weights, the invention uses dynamic braking control. The braking force is activated based on real-time power supply monitoring, making the protection mechanism adaptable to any commodity weight and ensuring consistent reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Prevents damage to the receptacle and commodity loss by controlling the fall speed, maintaining workability by allowing manual movement during maintenance, and eliminating the need for additional support structures.

Implementation Method 1

a braking force generating means of generating a braking force for decelerating the fall velocity of the commodity receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBraking force: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a fall velocity detection means of detecting a fall velocity of the commodity receptacle falling due to disconnection of power supply to the motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVelocity detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS10068409B2Vending machine

Publication Date: 2018.09.04 SDRS INC

AI summary

There is provided a vending machine that prevents a commodity receptacle from being damaged and a commodity from slipping out thereof by a shock due to falling even if a commodity receptacle undergoes free fall without requiring a complicated structure for preventing the commodity receptacle from undergoing free fall. When it is detected that the fall velocity of a bucket 60 falling due to disconnection of power supply to a second motor 72a of a bucket moving mechanism 70 is equal to or greater than a predetermined speed, a braking force for decelerating the fall velocity of the bucket 60 is intermittently generated and thereby the bucket 60 can be lowered to the lowest point at a speed slower than free fall. This configuration prevents the bucket 60 from being damaged and a commodity from slipping out thereof by a shock due to falling and does not require a complicated structure for preventing the bucket 60 from undergoing free fall. Additionally, the bucket 60 is not locked, and thus the bucket 60 can be manually moved during maintenance work for restarting the vending operation.