Vending lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerated coolers lack effective access control mechanisms that ensure food safety by preventing unauthorized access and spoilage due to temperature fluctuations or power outages.
Innovation Solution
A motor-controllable latch and strike mechanism integrated with temperature sensors and controllers to lock the cooler door when temperature exceeds safe limits or during power outages, allowing controlled access based on temperature, time, or authorized signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a motor-controllable latch mechanism is implemented, then access control reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the latch mechanism, motor actuator, temperature sensors, and control logic into an integrated locking system. The strike and latch are mounted on opposite sides of the cooler door assembly, forming a unified mechanical locking structure that operates automatically based on temperature conditions, thereby improving reliability while managing complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system operates autonomously by monitoring temperature conditions and automatically engaging or disengaging the latch mechanism without manual intervention. The motor-controllable latch responds to temperature sensor inputs and controller signals, enabling the system to self-regulate access control based on predefined temperature thresholds and safety conditions.
2Reliability
If temperature monitoring and automatic locking are implemented, then food safety is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic temperature monitoring through sensors that continuously or at intervals detect temperature conditions within the cooler. The controller processes these periodic signals and triggers the motor-controllable latch only when temperature thresholds are exceeded, enabling automatic locking to prevent spoilage while minimizing energy consumption by activating the motor only when necessary rather than maintaining continuous locking.
3Reliability
If remote monitoring capability is added, then access control reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves as an intermediary between the temperature sensors, motor-controllable latch, and remote monitoring system. It processes temperature data, determines when locking is required, actuates the latch mechanism, and communicates status information for remote monitoring, thereby enabling comprehensive access control and monitoring capabilities while managing system complexity through centralized control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooler and freezer access control system locks a cooler or freezer when occurrence of an event is detected that requires limiting access to the inside of the cooler or freezer. Examples of such events include the loss of power to the cooler or freezer for a predetermined period of time, the opening of the cooler or freezer door for longer than an allowed time, the loss of functionality of a temperature probe and others. In an embodiment, a service mode is supported wherein the door is left unlocked despite the occurrence of such an event, to allow a stocker or other personnel to leave the cooler or freezer door open while stocking the cooler or freezer with product.