Product Vending Module with Solenoid Latch and Biased Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vending machines are costly and inefficient for low-traffic locations, and glass door coolers lack controlled product removal, leading to uncontrolled access and slow product rotation.
Innovation Solution
A product vending module with a pivoting door and solenoid-actuated latch system, integrated with a micro-switch and control unit, allows controlled access and removal of products while preventing simultaneous opening of multiple doors, utilizing a spring-biased base for automatic return and gravity-fed product alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional vending machine is used, then product removal control is achieved, but the cost and size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The vending system is divided into multiple independent product vending modules, each with its own gate and locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the system to provide controlled access for each product while avoiding the need for a complex centralized vending mechanism, thereby reducing overall device complexity and cost while maintaining product removal control.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex vending mechanism, refrigeration equipment, and payment equipment are extracted from the traditional vending machine design. The patent focuses on implementing only the essential product removal control function through simple gates and locking mechanisms, while other functions are handled separately or eliminated, thus reducing device complexity and operational costs.
2Illumination intensity
If a glass door cooler is used, then product visibility and impulse purchases are promoted, but product removal control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The glass door cooler is segmented into multiple product vending modules, each with its own transparent gate. This allows individual product sections to be visible while maintaining independent control over each module, thus preserving both product visibility and controlled removal access.
Solution Approach 2:
Transparent gates and locking mechanisms serve as intermediaries between the visible product display and the controlled access requirement. These intermediaries allow consumers to see products through the transparent material while the locking mechanism ensures that access is granted only under appropriate conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between visibility and control.
3Ease of operation
If multiple product gates can open simultaneously, then consumer convenience is improved, but product rotation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A control system with feedback mechanisms monitors the state of each product gate and coordinates their operation. When one gate is opened, the system detects this state and manages the locking/unlocking sequence of other gates, ensuring that gates open in an efficient sequence rather than simultaneously, thus maintaining product rotation efficiency while still providing consumer convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system prepares the locking and unlocking states of multiple gates in advance based on predicted consumer behavior patterns. By pre-coordinating the sequence of gate operations, the system ensures smooth product rotation and prevents congestion or inefficiency that would result from simultaneous or chaotic gate opening, thereby maintaining both convenience and productivity.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective, controlled vending system that maintains product visibility and promotes impulse purchases, ensuring efficient product rotation and secure access in low-traffic locations.
Implementation Method 1
a biased base which is biased into position via a base spring
Implementation Method 2
whereby the biased base and the door rotate back to the original position via the base spring
Implementation Method 3
a latch and a solenoid to operate the latch
Implementation Method 4
a micro-switch in communication with the biased base and arranged to detect movement of the biased base caused by the opening of the door
Implementation Method 5
an angled product row defined by a shelf floor and one or more lateral walls
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present application provides a product vending module for vending a number of products. The product vending module may include a product row, a product gate positioned about the product row, and a product locking system in communication with the product gate. The product locking system may include a latch and a biased base such that releasing the latch allows the product gate to be opened and one of the number of products to be removed therefrom.