Vending Machine Movable Laminar Damper Anti-Shoplifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic vending machines waste space due to fixed anti-shoplifting mechanisms, limiting their display capacity and ability to accommodate a variety of products, including those prohibited for minors, and have complex designs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a movable laminar damper within the support frame that alternates between rest and operating positions to optimize space usage, allowing for increased product display and user accessibility while maintaining anti-shoplifting functionality, and using age verification to unlock restricted items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed anti-shoplifting mechanisms are installed in traditional vending machines, then shoplifting prevention is achieved, but display capacity is reduced by about 20% and space is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed anti-shoplifting bulkhead into a movable one that can alternate between a first position (allowing access to the collection tray) and a second position (obstructing access to prevent shoplifting). This dynamic mechanism maintains anti-shoplifting functionality while maximizing display capacity by utilizing previously wasted space for additional product shelving.
2Reliability
If fixed anti-shoplifting bulkheads are used, then shoplifting is prevented, but the design becomes more complex and space utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable bulkhead mechanism provides a more elegant solution than fixed structures by using a single dynamic component that performs multiple functions: it prevents shoplifting when in the obstructing position and allows product collection when in the access position. This reduces overall structural complexity compared to implementing both fixed bulkheads and additional shelving systems.
3Volume of moving object
If space is optimized by removing fixed bulkheads, then display capacity increases by 20%, but anti-shoplifting functionality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The movable bulkhead maintains anti-shoplifting protection by automatically transitioning to the obstructing position that prevents access to the collection tray and display shelves. This dynamic barrier ensures that even with optimized space utilization, shoplifting prevention remains effective while allowing full use of available space for legitimate product display.
4Ease of operation
If the movable bulkhead is positioned to allow access, then user convenience is improved, but shoplifting risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable bulkhead operates through periodic action by alternating between the access position (allowing users to collect products) and the obstructing position (preventing shoplifting). This periodic transition, triggered by product dispensing cycles, ensures user convenience is provided only when necessary while maintaining security during display periods.
Data Source
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AI summary
An automatic vending machine (1) of edible products and/or durable goods which comprises a substantially box-shaped support frame (2) presenting an inner collection room (3), a display store (4) contained in the support frame (2) and formed by a plurality of supporting shelves (5) parallel each other, arranged at different heights along a vertical direction (Y) and suitable to receive the products and/or goods to be supplied to a user, an at least partly transparent front shutter (6), revolvingly coupled to the support frame (2) to allow an operator to move it in opening/closing the support frame (2), a movable bulkhead (7) coupled to the front shutter (6) and cooperating with actuation means adapted to move it between a release position, in which the movable bulkhead (7) closes an access mouth (8) of the collection room (3), and a re-enter position in which the movable bulkhead (7) opens the access mouth (8) for picking up and/or returning the products and/or goods, dispensing means (9) cooperating with the display store (4) to direct the products and/or goods selected by the user to the collection room (3) and/or to bring back to the display store (4) the products and/or goods returned by the user, and anti-shoplifting means (10), arranged in the collection room (3) and facing the access mouth (8) of the latter, in such a way as to prevent the user from accessing the display store (4) when the movable bulkhead (7) takes the re-enter position and the products and/or goods are in supply and/or return phase. In particular, the anti-shoplifting means (10) comprise a movable laminar damper (11) contained in the support frame (2) which is coupled to and operatively connected with moving means (12) which alternately move it between a rest position, defined when the movable bulkhead (7) takes the release position, in which the laminar damper (11) is arranged according to a plane parallel to the supporting shelves (5), and an operating position, defined immediately before the movable bulkhead (7) takes the re-enter position, in which the laminar damper (11) is arranged at least partly according to a plane orthogonal to the plane defined by the supporting shelves (5) and obstructs access to the display magazine (4) through said access mouth (8) when the movable bulkhead (7) takes the re-enter position.