Latch mechanism for dispensing objects in point of sale systems

摘要

A point of sale system including a compartment array for dispensing objects. Each compartment of the compartment array preferably includes a door and a latch mechanism for opening each door. In a preferred embodiment, the latch mechanism includes counterbalanced wires of shape memory alloy material that function as an actuator for opening the door of each compartment in response to selection of an object in that compartment.

主权项

1. A point of sale system, comprising:
a compartment array for dispensing objects; and a latch mechanism for each compartment in the compartment array, wherein each latch mechanism includes a primary wire of shape memory alloy material to function as an actuator and a secondary wire, and wherein each actuator is used to open a rotatable door of each compartment; wherein each latch mechanism for each compartment further includes:
a cam haying a back end interposed between the primary wire and the secondary wire of the actuator, the primary wire of the actuator exerting a downward force upon the back end of the cam and the secondary wire of the actuator exerting an upward force upon the back end of the cam for controlling the rotatable door of each compartment; anda hook fastened to the rotatable door, wherein the hook engages with a front end of the cam.