Automatic vending machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic vending machines face challenges in maintaining optimal cooling temperatures during periods of high demand, leading to increased energy consumption and potential loss of sales opportunities due to inefficient cooling distribution and prolonged cold-maintaining operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control system that manages the operation of in-box blower fans in the vending machine's duct system, allowing for targeted cooling by adjusting fan operation based on temperature thresholds and fan blowing rates, and utilizing an intermediate opening for air circulation to maintain consistent temperature across the commodity storage box.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the upper in-box blower fan is driven to cool all commodities, then the commodities on the upper side are cooled more effectively, but the cold-maintaining operation time is reduced and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the blower fan operation mode changeable based on conditions. The control unit switches between first operation mode (both fans driven) and second operation mode (only lower fan driven) depending on whether the lower commodity temperature is within the target range, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the blower fans based on temperature conditions. When the lower commodity temperature is within the target range, the system transitions from driving both fans to driving only the lower fan, thereby adjusting energy consumption parameters while maintaining adequate cooling
2Use of energy by moving object
If the cold-maintaining operation time is lengthened to reduce energy consumption, then electric power consumption is reduced, but the commodities on the lower side are not maintained in the cooled temperature range and sales opportunities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the temperature of commodities, particularly the lower commodities, and using this information to adjust blower fan operation. The control unit extends cold-maintaining operation when temperatures are acceptable and switches to cooling operation when temperatures rise, ensuring reliability while managing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively extending the cold-maintaining operation period when lower commodity temperatures are within the target range. This preventive approach ensures that cooling is maintained before temperatures rise, preventing sales opportunities from being lost while reducing overall energy consumption
3Use of energy by moving object
If only the lower in-box blower fan is driven to cool lower commodities, then energy consumption is reduced, but the commodities on the upper side are not cooled adequately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the cooling needs of different regions. The lower blower fan primarily cools lower commodities, while the upper blower fan cools upper commodities. The system selectively activates fans based on which region requires cooling, achieving energy-efficient localized cooling
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 solution extends the duration of cold-maintaining operations without compromising sales opportunities by ensuring consistent cooling across all commodities, reducing energy consumption, and preventing temperature deviations in the commodity storage box.
Implementation Method 1
The evaporator comprises cooling means which cool the air surrounding itself
Implementation Method 2
the upper in-box blower fan is provided in front of the upper opening... air that has been introduced into the rear face duct via an inlet in the lower portion of said rear face duct is cooled by the evaporator and is discharged through the upper opening
Data Source
AI summary
A controller, when a normal cooling operation is being performed, forward-drives a lower-side and an upper-side in-box blower fans, thereby causing internal air cooled by an evaporator to circulate within a commodity storage box in such a way that it enters a rear face duct through a lower-side opening and is discharged from an upper-side opening, and when a cold-maintaining operation is being performed, stops driving the lower-side and the upper-side in-box blower fans, and when a cooling recovery operation is being performed, forward-drives the lower-side in-box blower fan and reverse-drives the upper-side in-box blower fan, thereby causing internal air cooled by the evaporator to enter the rear face duct through the lower-side opening and causing internal air to enter the rear face duct through the upper-side opening, and also causing internal air entered the rear face duct to be discharged from the intermediate opening.