Adjustable Banknote Feeder Guide Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing feeder devices for banknotes lack improved handling, robustness, stability, flexibility, and reliability in feeding stacks of value documents to singler devices and processing systems.

Innovation Solution

A feeder device with a stop element, lateral guide elements, and support elements mounted on the stop element via bearing elements, allowing for adjustable positions and distances of the lateral guide elements, and a coupling mechanism for independent movement and synchronization of the guide elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the lateral guide elements are fixed in position, then the device structure is simple and robust, but the adaptability to different stack sizes and the ease of adjustment are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different stack sizesVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral guide elements are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be adjusted to different positions to accommodate various stack sizes. The support elements can be moved along the stop element using bearing elements, transforming the static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device is divided into modular components: the stop element, multiple support elements, lateral guide elements, and bearing elements. This segmentation allows individual components to be adjusted independently, providing flexibility in configuring the guide width while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the support elements are movably mounted on the stop element using bearing elements, then the ease of adjustment and flexibility are improved, but the reliability under vibration and structural stability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adjustmentVSAvoidreliability under vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Bearing elements are introduced as intermediary components between the support elements and the stop element. These bearing elements facilitate smooth movement and adjustment of the support elements while providing stable support that maintains reliability under vibrational conditions, mediating between the need for adjustability and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If frictional forces between bearing elements and stop element are reduced, then the ease of movement and adjustment are improved, but the holding stability and resistance to unintended movement may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of movementVSAvoidholding stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The friction characteristics of the bearing elements are carefully selected and optimized. The bearing elements are designed with specific friction parameters that allow easy movement during adjustment while providing sufficient static friction to maintain holding stability once positioned, achieving a balance between ease of operation and stability through parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 feeder device ensures stable and flexible feeding of banknotes by allowing easy adjustment of guide positions and widths, enhancing handling and reliability while maintaining robustness against vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

the type and/or total number of the bearing elements is or are, respectively, chosen such that frictional forces between the bearing elements, on the one hand, and the stop element, on the other hand, are smaller than frictional forces occurring in case of a slide bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

at least one of the bearing elements comprises and/or is a roller element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP4113467B1Feeder device and method for feeding a stack of value documents to a singler device, singler module and system for processing value documents
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 GIESECKE & DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP4113467B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4113467B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4113467B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a feeder device (6) for feeding a stack of value documents, in particular banknotes, to a singler device, which is configured to withdraw individual value documents from the stack, wherein the feeder device (6) comprises: a stop element (3) having a front side and a back side, the front side being configured to serve as a stop for a rear side of the stack and to guide the stack at the rear side of the stack towards the singler device; two lateral guide elements (4) provided at the front side of the stop element (3) and configured to guide the stack at two lateral sides of the stack towards the singler device; two support elements (7), on which the lateral guide elements (4) are mounted, in particular fixed; and two or more bearing elements (8) by which the support elements (7) are movably mounted on the stop element (3) to allow the respective positions of the lateral guide elements (4) and/or the distance of the lateral guide elements (4) relative to each other to be changed. The invention further relates to an according method, a singler device, a singler module and a system for processing value documents, in particular banknotes.