Vending Machine Product Discharge Mechanism with Integrated Antitheft

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing product discharging devices in vending machines require multiple blindfold plates for antitheft capabilities, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A product discharging device design that incorporates a rotation stopper with a blindfold portion covering the pedal stopper pin, eliminating the need for additional blindfold plates by integrating antitheft functionality into the device's structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple blindfold plates are added to improve antitheft capability, then security is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantitheft capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blindfold function is merged with the rotation stopper component. The rotation stopper now includes an integrated blindfold portion that covers the pedal stopper pin, eliminating the need for separate blindfold plates. This combining of functions reduces the total number of components while maintaining antitheft capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation stopper is designed to perform multiple functions: it prevents backward movement of the lower pedal during normal operation and simultaneously provides antitheft capability through its integrated blindfold portion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple blindfold plates are added to improve antitheft capability, then security is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantitheft capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The blindfold function is merged with the rotation stopper component. The rotation stopper now includes an integrated blindfold portion that covers the pedal stopper pin, eliminating the need for separate blindfold plates. This combining of functions reduces the total number of components while maintaining antitheft capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple blindfold plates are added to improve antitheft capability, then security is improved, but device design is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantitheft capabilityVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blindfold function is merged with the rotation stopper component. The rotation stopper now includes an integrated blindfold portion that covers the pedal stopper pin, eliminating the need for separate blindfold plates. This combining of functions reduces the total number of components while maintaining antitheft capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9710993B2Product discharging device

Publication Date: 2017.07.18 FUJI ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

A product discharging device includes: a lower pedal that is swingably disposed to move forward to and backward from a product storage passage storing input products in a vertical direction; an upper pedal that is swingably disposed to move forward to and backward from the product storage passage in an area above the lower pedal; a pedal stopper pin that is coupled to a pedal link linking the lower pedal and the upper pedal and that is movable with movement in the vertical direction of the pedal link; and a rotation stopper of which a tip is linked to the lower pedal and that is swingably disposed to move forward to and backward from the product storage passage along with the lower pedal.