3 . PROBLEM DEFINATION - P-Div-Engg-Exploration-Odd-2026-27/Repo-07 GitHub Wiki
Need Statement : There is a need for an automatic cup dispenser that can provide cups one at a time in a fast, reliable, and hygienic manner.
1.1 Question and answer
Table 1: Questions and answers
| SL.NO | QUESTION | ANSWER | Objective/Function/Constraint |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Does the machine dispense a cup automatically ? | yes , it dispenses a cup automatically when the user activates it | Function |
| 2 | How can i get a cup from the dispenser ? | Activate the sensor / button and the cup is released | Function |
| 3 | Can it dispense only one cup at a time ? | Yes,it dispense only one cup at a time | Function |
| 4 | Can i use it without touching the machine ? | yes , a sensor can allow touch - free operation | Objective |
| 5 | How quickly can i get a cup ? | The cup should be dispensed within 3 seconds . | constraint |
| 6 | what is the size of cup ? | The diameter of the cup is around 5cm-7cm | constraint |
| 7 | What happens if there are no cups left ? | The dispenser will not be able to dispense a cup | Function |
| 8 | Is it easy to refill the cups? | Yes,cups can be refilled by opening the storage section and loading them | Objective |
| 9 | Is the dispenser safe to use? | Yes, it will operate at low speed and with safe electrical components | Objective |
| 10 | Does it require electricity? | Yes,the electronic components and motor require a power supply (5-9 V) | constraint |
| 11 | What happens if a cup gets stuck ? | The mechanism stops when a jam is detected | Function |
| 12 | Is it easy to clean ? | Yes , the accessible parts should be easy to clean . | Objective |
| 13 | What are the dimensions and material of the body of the dispenser made of? | It should be about 12cm * 12cm* 40cm(WDH),built from cardboard,foamboard or acrylic,with a PVC tube to hold cups | constraint |
| 14 | What is the estimated cost of the prototype? | The estimated cost is about Rs2500-Rs3000 | constraint |
| 15 | How many cups can it store at once ? | It can store only 25 number of cups. | constraint |
1.2 Basic Survey and requirements
Table 2: Observation from a literature survey
| Sl.no | Observation from Surveys | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Touching shared dispensers spreads germs, so users prefer hygienic, touch-free use. | Touch-free dispensing using an optical (IR) sensor. |
| 2. | Manual cup dispensers often pull out two or more cups stuck together. | Release exactly one cup per cycle (servo-driven release gates). |
| 3. | Frequent refilling is a common complaint with small cup holders. | A vertical magazine with a large cup capacity. |
| 4. | Users need to stop or control the machine during operation. | Control buttons, including start and stop. |
| 5. | Users get confused without feedback, and electrical faults are a safety risk. | A speaker for audio feedback, plus a fuse and protected USB power supply. |
1.3 Identifying Client's Objectives
Step 1: Prepare a list of design objectives
Table 3: Objectives identified
| Sl.no | Objectives |
|---|---|
| 1. | A sensor can allow touch - free operation |
| 2. | Cups can be refilled by opening the storage section and loading them |
| 3. | It will operate at low speed and with safe electrical components |
| 4. | The accessible parts should be easy to clean |
Problem definition version 1.1 :-
Design an automatic cup dispenser that provides touch-free operation using a sensor, allows easy refilling of cups, operates safely with suitable electrical components, and is easy to clean.
1.4 Identify constraints
Table 4: Identified Constraints
| SL.No | Constraints |
|---|---|
| 1. | The cup should be dispensed within 3 seconds . |
| 2. | The diameter of the cup is around 5cm-7cm |
| 3. | Yes,the electronic components and motor require a power supply (5-9 V) |
| 4. | It should be about 12cm * 12cm* 40cm(WDH),built from cardboard,foamboard or acrylic,with a PVC tube to hold cups |
| 5. | The estimated cost is about Rs2500-Rs3000 |
| 6. | It can store only 25 number of cups. |
Problem definition version 1.2 :- Design an automatic cup dispenser that provides touch-free operation using a sensor, allows easy refilling of cups, operates safely with suitable electrical components, and is easy to clean. It dispenses one cup at a time within 3 seconds using a sensor.The diameter of the cup is around 5cm-7cm.It should operate safely using a 5–9 V power supply.It should be about 12cm12cm40cm(WDH). It store up to 25 cups.The total construction cost should be within Rs. 2500–Rs. 3000.
1.5 Establish Functions
Step 1: Prepare a list of design functions
Table 5: Identified Functions
| Sl.No | Functions |
|---|---|
| 1. | It dispenses a cup automatically when the user activates it |
| 2. | Activate the sensor / button and the cup is released |
| 3. | It dispenses only one cup at a time |
| 4. | The dispenser will not be able to dispense a cup |
| 5. | The mechanism stops when a jam is detected |
Problem definition version 1.3 :- Design an automatic cup dispenser that provides touch-free operation using a sensor, allows easy refilling of cups, operates safely with suitable electrical components, and is easy to clean.It dispenses one cup at a time within 3 seconds using a sensor.The diameter of the cup is around 5cm-7cm.It should operate safely using a 5–9 V power supply.It should be about 12cm12cm40cm(WDH). It store up to 25 cups.The total construction cost should be within Rs. 2500–Rs. 3000.It dispenses a cup automatically when the user activates it with the help of sensor/button and the cup is released.It dispenses aonly one cup at a time.If there are no cups left the dispenser will not be able to dispense a cup.If a cup gets stuck,the mechanism will be stopped.