Autonomous off-grid vending machine with thermo-electric climate control

Abstract

An improved storage and dispensing device that is energy self-sufficient, energy efficient, and structurally robust. This device consists of a set of photovoltaic cells (1006) and batteries (1005) that enable the machine to be rechargeable using solar power and operate with energy self-sufficiency. It utilizes Peltier (thermo-electric) cooling (1003) and achieves energy efficiency and space reduction by removing machine components that have moving parts that contribute to energy losses due to friction. It utilizes a concrete (1001) and plastic aggregate (1002) for storage enclosure construction to achieve structural robustness and thermal insulation to improve energy efficiency. A dispensing tray 1007 with a stepper motor 30071 and belt 30072 holds the dispensed object and delivers it when required.

Claims

1. What is claimed is a dispensing machine, comprising of a novel integration of existing technologies, wherein the machine will have: I. a set of concrete walls joined together to provide mechanical strength, II. with recycled material fragments embedded in said walls to reduce heat loss, reduce weight, while increasing flexibility, III. a set of thermo-electric cooler heat sinks (also known as Peltier coolers) mounted on said walls for cooling the air inside said enclosure, IV. a battery mounted inside the said enclosure to store energy for later use, V. a set of solar panels mounted on top of said enclosure to generate electricity to charge a battery, VI. a set of piezoelectric pressure sensors placed around the perimeter of the inside of the enclosure as a method of security to prevent compromise of the machine's integrity, whereby said dispensing machine will store physical objects securely while maintaining a preset temperature within the said enclosure.

Description

DRAWINGSFIGURES

[0023] In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabet suffixes.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a front view of the dispensing machine with the front panel removed to show all required components for full machine function.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the dispensing machine. The view shown is Section A-A and shows the internal view of the machine when viewing it from the side.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a view of a single dispensing tray 1007 showing the belt 30072 and stepper motor 30071.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a flow chart for the control program within control system 1009.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The aforementioned dispensing machine will now be discussed in context to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[0029] The present invention is now described.

[0030] Firstly, 1001 is the concrete casing that is to be utilized in order to create the walls of the enclosure. Concrete is very well known for its relative high strength to weight ratio. Combined with the low costs associated with it, it is a vital and ideal component that is part of the present invention.

[0031] Next, 1002 is the plastic fillings in granulated form that is dispersed into the concrete casing 1001. The use of plastic is necessary for improving both thermal and structural integrity of the concrete casing 1001. Although concrete has a high strength to weight ratio, it is also very brittle. Additionally, concrete is also a relatively poor insulator of heat and is also very porous. To ensure that the concrete casing 1001 can withstand high impacts due to external stimuli, we embed plastic fillings 1002 within the concrete. Plastic is also an insulator, so it will reduce heat loss (or limit heat entry) into the system. Finally, plastic is also hydrophobic, meaning that it would not allow water to pass through the walls. Since concrete is an aggregate it is capable of embedding plastic fillings 1002 easily.

[0032] Next, 1003 is a set of Peltier coolers. They are used to maintain a preset temperature within the enclosure of the present invention. A set of fans 1004 is used for circulating the air within the enclosure to ensure uniform spatial temperature distribution.

[0033] Next, 1006 is a set of photovoltaic cells placed on top of the concrete casing 1001. 1008 is an adjustable bracket to ensure that photovoltaic cells 1006 is oriented at a specific angle to maximize the amount of solar radiation received to ensure adequate power is generated.

[0034] Next, 1005 is a set of direct current (DC) batteries. It stores power produced by 1006 photovoltaic cells and distributes power to Peltier coolers 1003, fans 1004, and dispensing tray 1007.

[0035] Next, 1007 is the dispensing tray. It contains the stepper motor 30071, belt 30072, and 30073 support bracket.

[0036] Next, 1009 is the control system. It contains the computer program to control the thermal 10091, user interface 10092, and dispensing 10093 subsystems.

[0037] Next, 1010 is the pressure sensor. As the items contained on the dispensing tray is reduced, the pressure sensor reading will change and will be used for estimating inventory within the dispensing machine. The pressure sensor 1010 can also be used to detect events like theft, ground disturbances, and unauthorized access.

Operation

[0038] A description of the present invention follows.

[0039] First, the set of photovoltaic cells 1006 generates direct current (DC) when solar radiation is incident on the panels. The photovoltaic cells 1006 is connected to a set of batteries capable of storing direct current. As the battery current levels fall due to usage within the present invention, the direct current from photovoltaic cells 1006 will recharge the batteries.

[0040] Next, the present invention is turned on for operation. The control system 1009 is turned on and draws power from the batteries 1006. The program within the control system has the thermal control subsystem 10091, the user interface subsystem 10092, and the dispensing control subsystem 10093.

[0041] Next, if the temperature inside the present invention rises beyond a set point temperature the thermal control subsystem 10091 will turn on the Peltier coolers 1003 to begin the cooling process. This operation continues until the temperature reaches the set point temperature.

[0042] Next, the dispensing tray 1007, has the dispensed object placed on the belt 30072. When a dispensing tray location is received from the user interface subsystem 10092, the stepper motor 30071 advances to move the dispensed object to the delivery opening of the concrete enclosure 1001.

[0043] Next, the user interface subsystem 10092 receives a selection, it activates the dispensing subsystem 10093 to initiate the dispensing of stored object.

At 10091, the thermal control subsystem follows this sequence of operations: [0044] 1. Sample temperature inside enclosure [0045] 2. If temp is below required temperature switch to heating mode [0046] 3. If temp is above required temperature switch to cooling mode [0047] 4. Pause for one minute [0048] 5. Repeat step 1
At 10092, the user interface subsystem follows this sequence of operations: [0049] 1. Load the pre-defined lookup table of items and tray locations into memory from built-in storage drive [0050] 2. Display all dispensed items on touch sensitive screen in specific locations on the screen [0051] 3. If item is touched, use the touch screen location to determine the pre-defined tray location in a lookup table in memory [0052] 4. Check if dispensing system is OFF, then turn ON dispensing system. [0053] 5. Send tray location to dispensing system [0054] 6. Wait for signal from dispensing system for 5 minutes [0055] a. If no signal is received display error message and power down system. [0056] b. If signal received before 5 minutes go to step 2.
At 10093, the dispensing subsystem follows this sequence of operations: [0057] 1. Use tray location to turn on stepper motor for a fixed duration to dispense product [0058] 2. Update tray weight in memory [0059] 3. Reduce inventory count in the storage drive [0060] 4. Send signal to user interface subsystem

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0061] There are various possibilities with regard to use of the present invention. The dispensing machine system may be used as a storage system without the dispensing mechanism.

[0062] To support remote placeability, the said machine is relatively small in size and lightweight due to the use of Peltier coolers.

[0063] Also, to minimize the effect on the environment, the said machine uses concrete and recycled plastic aggregate instead of traditional polyurethane foam for insulation.

[0064] Also, to support energy independence, the said machine uses rechargeable batteries in conjunction with a set of photovoltaic cells to supply power for machine operation.

[0065] Finally, to support minimal maintenance, the said invention uses Peltier coolers for greatly reduced maintenance compared to refrigeration systems that use motors and compressors.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE

[0066] The present invention and its embodiments has multiple uses for storing and dispensing products while providing an energy efficient and secure dispensing machine: [0067] it permits the storage of over-the-counter medications in remote locations or in locations affected by natural disasters; [0068] it permits the storage of non-perishable food items in remote locations or in locations affected by natural disasters or in locations where access if limited due to security restrictions;

[0069] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of several embodiments. For example the enclosure can have different shapes such as circular, oval, triangular, etc. The renewable energy source can be from wind power, geo-thermal, etc. energy sources. The dispensing mechanism can be a pick & place robot, gravity based delivery of product, etc. The cooling system can be a vapor evaporation system, heat pump, etc. The machine enclosure can use concrete aggregate with other recycled materials like cardboard, rubber, etc. Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.