Vending Machine Side-Duct Segmentation for Multiple Temperature Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic vending machines are unable to sell products at multiple temperature zones due to the limitations of temperature uniformization methods, such as the discharge of cooled air from side face ducts, which restricts the ability to maintain different temperature zones for various products.
Innovation Solution
The automatic vending machine incorporates a back face duct, a circulating unit, a temperature adjusting unit, and side face ducts with a restriction mechanism to circulate and adjust air, allowing for the creation of multiple temperature zones by controlling air flow and discharge points, enabling products to be stored at different temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If one left side face duct and one right side face duct are provided to discharge cooled air for uniformizing temperature inside product storage, then temperature uniformity is improved, but the ability to maintain multiple temperature zones deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The side face duct is divided into multiple independent discharge ports positioned at different heights. Each discharge port can be independently controlled to discharge air at different temperatures, enabling the creation of multiple temperature zones (e.g., cold zone at lower ports, cool zone at upper ports) while maintaining overall temperature uniformity through coordinated operation of all ports
Solution Approach 2:
A restriction mechanism is provided that can dynamically adjust the opening state of discharge ports. By selectively opening or closing specific discharge ports based on product storage requirements, the system can switch between uniform temperature mode (all ports open) and multiple temperature zones mode (selective ports open), providing adaptability to different operational needs
2Temperature
If cooled air is discharged from side face ducts to uniformize temperature, then temperature control is improved, but product diversity at different temperature zones deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different discharge ports at different heights of the side face duct are assigned different functions based on local temperature requirements. Lower discharge ports are used for cold-sensitive products requiring lower temperatures, while upper discharge ports are used for products requiring higher temperatures. This local differentiation enables diverse product storage at multiple temperature zones while maintaining effective temperature control through targeted air discharge at each level
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 configuration allows for the effective creation of multiple temperature zones within the vending machine, enabling the sale of products at various temperature settings, enhancing product storage and customer satisfaction by accommodating diverse product requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a circulating unit configured to flow air inside the product storage into the back face duct from an air inlet of the back face duct to circulate the inside air between an inside of the product storage region and an outside of the product storage region
Implementation Method 2
a temperature adjusting unit configured to adjust the inside air circulated by the circulating unit to a desired temperature
Implementation Method 3
the discharged inside air passes backward after substantially spreading over the front region and flows into the back face duct from the air inlet
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic vending machine includes: product storage shelves provided along an up-down direction in a product storage region inside a product storage; a back face duct configured to extend along the up-down direction behind the product storage region; a circulating unit configured to flow air inside the product storage into the back face duct from an air inlet of the back face duct to circulate the inside air between an inside of the product storage region and an outside of the product storage region; a temperature adjusting unit configured to adjust the inside air circulated by the circulating unit to a desired temperature; and a side face duct configured to extend along the up-down direction at a place corresponding to front end portions of the product storage shelves in at least one of both side regions of the product storage region, and communicate with the back face duct.