Product accommodating device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic vending machines with serpentine-type product racks experience temperature variations between downstream products due to natural convection and heat penetration, leading to increased power consumption during forced-stop operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a slant rack configuration with a temperature adjusting means, such as a refrigerator and evaporator, and a control system that drives the in-compartment fan only when the compartment temperature exceeds a predefined reference temperature, ensuring uniform temperature distribution by mixing internal air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a forced-stop operation is carried out to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but temperature variation between products increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slant rack configuration is prepared in advance to enable natural convection current formation. The inclined structure (10 degrees from horizontal) is designed beforehand to guide cold air flow from the evaporator along the product surfaces, preventing temperature variation even during forced-stop operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses natural convection currents generated by the slant rack configuration to automatically distribute cold air throughout the accommodating compartment. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for continuous fan operation, reducing power consumption while maintaining uniform temperature distribution through the inclined product arrangement.
2Use of energy by moving object
If natural convection is allowed to occur in the accommodating compartment, then power consumption is reduced, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The product rack is designed with an asymmetric inclination of 10 degrees from the horizontal, creating an asymmetric air flow path. This asymmetric configuration guides the natural convection current to flow along the product surfaces in a controlled manner, ensuring uniform temperature distribution while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dimensional aspect by inclining the product rack at 10 degrees, transforming the traditional horizontal or vertical rack configuration. This angular dimension creates an optimized air flow path that leverages natural convection to achieve uniform temperature distribution without requiring additional energy input.
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 reduces temperature variations between products while minimizing power consumption by maintaining uniform ambient temperatures and optimizing air circulation within the accommodating compartment.
Implementation Method 1
The evaporator cools the air surrounding the evaporator itself, and forms a refrigeration cycle together with a compressor, a condenser, and the like, provided outside the accommodating compartment.
Implementation Method 2
air that has been cooled by the evaporator is blown by driving the compressor and the in-compartment fan, thereby cooling the internal atmosphere of the accommodating compartment
Implementation Method 3
natural convection inside the accommodating compartment and differences in the amount of heat penetration from outside the main body cabinet, for example, may cause an increase in temperature variation
Implementation Method 4
The accommodating compartment has a heat insulating construction
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic vending machine is provided with a storage compartment or the like having a thermally insulating construction in which a number of product columns for accommodating products aligned side-by-side in one column are provided in different levels in such a way that the most downstream products in each product column are aligned side-by-side in a vertical direction, and an in-compartment fan for cooling an internal atmosphere of the storage compartment or the like by blowing air that has been cooled by means of an evaporator disposed in the storage compartment or the like, wherein the automatic vending machine is also provided with a control unit which drives the in-compartment fan for a predefined time if the internal temperature of the storage compartment or the like reaches to or above a predefined reference temperature in a state in which driving of a freezer and of the in-compartment fan are stopped.