When the correct amount is deposited, a turning mechanism is activated, releasing a capsule from a storage compartment. The machines are designed for easy maintenance and typically require refills after selling around 100-200 capsules. Capsule vending machines are popular for their simplicity and low operational costs, generating consistent revenue, with some operators reporting a 20% profit margin.
Basic Structure
The structure of the capsule vending machine includes a transparent plastic shell, coin slot, lever, turntable plate, bin, and delivery chute. The shell is typically made of high-transparency polycarbonate with a thickness of 3mm, making the machine impact-resistant and scratch-resistant while providing a clear view for customers, which increases purchases. A common capsule vending machine is about 1.5m tall and 0.3-0.4m wide, occupying a space of around 0.25 square meters, so it can be located anywhere with high traffic like shopping mall corners or supermarkets.
The coin slot is the main power source of the capsule vending machine. It usually has a 2.5 cm diameter coin hole, supporting 1 RMB and 0.05 yuan coins or special tokens. Newer models could also incorporate an NFC payment module to facilitate WeChat Pay and Alipay QR code payments to keep current with the trend towards cashless payment. The machine’s interior recognition system identifies the coin material and diameter, allowing quick operation during payment with an accuracy of up to 99%.
The lever is found on the machine face at a relatively low level for comfort, available in high-strength aluminum alloy material and with a length of 20 cm, generally usable by all ages. The user can do a 180-degree rotation to buy the item. When the user rotates the lever, an internal gear mechanism couples it to a turntable that drives this mechanism.
The turntable in the machine is 15 cm in diameter and is usually moved around its central point by a lever on which it depends, made of wear-resistant nylon material or other similar compounds. The delivery slot consists of a rotating wheel that spins as the button is turned, meaning for each rotation one capsule can be pushed into place in front of it. The turntable is accurately designed to dispense only one capsule for each full half-spin, eliminating the risk of a second capsule dropping or getting stuck.
The storage bin can hold up to 200 capsules, always organized in a spiral. The storage bin has a 3 cm helical pitch spiral and an adequate diameter ranging from 4 to 5 cm to enable “free-slide” in the capsules to their exit position. The storage bin provides an inclined surface, typically at about a 15-degree angle to enable the capsules within this specific layer to move freely because of gravity.
The final hole for customers to get capsules is 60 cm high, located on the permanent delivery slot of a typical machine. The delivery slot is 8 centimeters wide, made from PVC material, and allows each capsule to slide out with minimal effort for the customer. The delivery slot is further designed with a soft rubber pad to help protect the capsule as it falls.
The appearance of the capsule vending machine considers safety, durability, and related materials for shell protection to ensure that key parts can withstand high-frequency use impact, and a 5-year service life is guaranteed on average throughout its manufacture. In total, they weigh 30 kg, and the footed base design prevents tipping. With these structured components in place, the capsule vending machine provides consumers with a simple and fun shopping experience while offering operators a solution that can be smoothly managed.
Workflow
The workflow of the capsule vending machine is as follows: insert coins, turn the lever (or use another selection method), wait 30 seconds, and then look forward to getting your item! The user must place coins or tokens in the 2.5 cm wide coin entry opening. An internal recognition system within the machine completes both coin detection and verification in just half a second. Traditional capsule vending machines support 1 yuan or five jiao coins (with almost no service charge), and modernization necessitates more complete payment options, with new models featuring NFC contactless payment, WeChat Pay, and Alipay QR code input. The rate of payment recognition is 99%, which reduces the use of counterfeit coins.
When payment is confirmed, the machine’s internal lock-up mechanism is released, taking no more than 1 second. At this point, the user can turn the 20 cm long lever mentioned above. Based on ergonomic design, the lever is effectively rotated with about 1.5 Nm of torque, making it user-friendly for various age groups. Rotating the lever 180 degrees clockwise engages an internal gear system, causing the turntable with a diameter of 15 cm to rotate one full turn. During this operation, the turntable rotates with high accuracy, pushing a capsule exactly into the exit position.
As the turntable rotates, the capsules in the storage bin begin to move. The storage bin is spirally constructed with an inclination of 15 degrees, allowing the capsules to slide along the track at a velocity of about 5 cm per second as they move to the exit position. The capsules move smoothly under gravity, without colliding or being blocked. Before the capsule drops at the exit, a built-in micro detector in the machine confirms its position. The process of movement and drop takes about 3 seconds.
The delivery slot is 8 cm wide, corresponding to the diameter of the round capsules. There is a soft rubber pad at the bottom of the delivery slot, about 1 cm thick, which protects the capsule from impact when it falls and prevents it from bouncing onto the ground. The user can then pick up the capsule from the delivery slot, with the entire process taking around 5 seconds.
At the end of the transaction process, the machine resets itself automatically so it can operate for the next customer. In busy places such as shopping malls and amusement parks, a capsule vending machine can handle more than 200 customers per day. These streamlined workflow designs improve the shopping experience for consumers and deliver high operational efficiency for operators. Under normal circumstances, the daily maintenance time for each capsule vending machine is limited to within 30 minutes, including cleaning the shell, replenishing capsules, and checking the coin recognition system for stable operation in a short period.
Mechanical Principle
The mechanical principle of the capsule vending machine mainly depends on the gear transmission system, gravity action, and accurate track design. These mechanisms ensure the vending machine operates efficiently. The gear transmission system is the core part of this machine and consists of a main gear made from high-strength aluminum alloy, with multiple auxiliary gears. The main gear, 12 cm in diameter, is directly linked to the lever and has 60 teeth. When turning the lever 180 degrees, the main gear causes the second gear to turn by a quarter. This 2:1 design ensures high power transmission with reduced gear wear.
The gear system features a 2 mm tooth pitch to ensure smooth operation and low noise. The choice of gear material is crucial; they are usually made of a nylon composite with 20% glass fiber, which is highly wear-resistant and resists temperature-induced changes in clearance between gears. This ensures that the gears last up to 10 years without requiring maintenance.
The movement of the capsules is achieved through gravity action. The capsules are housed in a spiral inclined at about 15 degrees, allowing them to move towards the exit under gravity. They move on the spiral track at a design speed of about 5 cm per second for smooth, unobstructed movement. Additionally, the track material is generally chosen as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which has an extremely low friction coefficient of 0.05, making it easy for capsules to glide.
The turntable design is crucial in the mechanical design. It is 15 cm in diameter, made of anti-scratch nylon material, and approximately 0.8 cm thick. With high precision ball bearings and a friction coefficient less than 0.01, the turntable achieves smooth rotation under balanced weight conditions. The edges of the turntable feature evenly distributed grooves, each about 5 cm wide, capable of holding a capsule securely. This design prevents capsules from tipping over and accidentally falling.
To enhance machine reliability, a micro photoelectric sensor is installed at the storage bin’s exit position to detect proper capsule placement. The sensor can detect a capsule’s arrival in 0.1 seconds, ensuring proper spacing on the turntable to avoid jamming or multiple drops. The entire process is governed by an accurate electronic control unit to ensure stability and high efficiency.
Capsule vending machine mechanical design considers long-life and easy maintenance characteristics. Each component is carefully calculated and tested numerous times to ensure they withstand harsh external environments. The general failure rate for the capsule vending machine is less than 1%, and maintenance costs are only 5% of its total value per year, substantially improving the machine’s commercial value and operational efficiency.
