Vending Machine Door Hinge and Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vending machines face challenges in providing high burglary security while ensuring easy and user-friendly door unlocking, maintenance, and servicing, particularly with large opening angles and secure locking mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A vending machine design featuring a remote-controlled locking device with a hinge system allowing a door opening angle of over 140°, removable hinge pins, and multiple security levels, including a locking mechanism with separate key/lock systems and radio-controlled access, to enhance security and facilitate maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a secure locking mechanism with multiple security levels is implemented, then burglary protection is improved, but door opening simplicity and maintenance accessibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburglary protectionVSAvoiddoor opening simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into multiple independent security levels (first lock, second lock, third lock) that can be engaged or disengaged separately. The control element can selectively actuate different locking hooks corresponding to different security levels, allowing the system to provide high security when needed while enabling simple access when authorized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A control element serves as an intermediary between the user and the multiple locking mechanisms. This single control interface can manage all security levels and locking hooks, simplifying the user interaction while maintaining the complexity of the security system behind the scenes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a restricted door opening angle is imposed for security, then burglary protection is improved, but maintenance and repair accessibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburglary protectionVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The door hinge system transitions from a static restricted-angle design to a dynamic two-stage system. In normal operation, the first hinge pin restricts the opening angle for security. During maintenance, the first hinge pin can be removed, allowing the door to pivot around the second hinge pin and achieve a much larger opening angle for full accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge system is segmented into two separate hinge pins with different functions. The first hinge pin provides security-restricted positioning, while the second hinge pin enables full-opening maintenance mode. This segmentation allows the same door to satisfy both security and maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If fixed hinge pins are used to maintain door position, then structural stability is improved, but door replacement capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddoor replacement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge system uses two separate hinge pins instead of a single fixed hinge. The first hinge pin can be removed to enable door replacement, while the second hinge pin remains to maintain basic structural stability and proper door alignment even when the door is detached from the first hinge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable first hinge pin is designed to be easily detachable, allowing the door to be quickly removed and replaced without damaging the hinge system. The second hinge pin is positioned to ensure the door maintains its correct positioning and stability throughout the removal and replacement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4053362B1Vending machine
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 WANZL GMBH & CO KGAA
  • EP4053362B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4053362B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4053362B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The description includes a vending machine (17), for example a ticket vending machine, travel ticket vending machine, parking permit vending machine, goods vending machine or service vending machine, wherein the vending machine (17) has a door (4) for maintenance and servicing, comprising: a locking device (8) for locking the door (4), wherein the locking device (8) has a locking device (19) for blocking a lock (11), wherein the locking device (19) is remotely controllable, and a door hinge system with at least one first hinge pin (2), wherein the first hinge pin (2) is removable, thereby removing the restriction of the opening angle, and/or with at least one hinge strap (3), wherein the hinge strap (3) is removable, thereby allowing the door (4) to be separated from the vending machine (17).