Adjustable Bridge Mechanism for ATM Media Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cheque transport mechanisms in ATMs face challenges in efficiently transporting media items across a variable gap between transport members, which can lead to errors and damage during transactions.

Innovation Solution

A self-adjusting bridge mechanism with an elastic drive belt and guided ribs supports and guides media items across the gap, maintaining constant tension and accommodating changes in transport path orientation and length, ensuring continuous and secure transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed bridge mechanism is used to connect transport members, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate variable gaps and orientations between transport members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to variable gap and orientationVSAvoidbridge mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge mechanism is made dynamically adjustable through a telescopic structure with multiple segments that can extend and retract. The segments are connected by joints that allow relative movement, enabling the bridge to adapt its length and orientation dynamically to match the varying gap between transport members during different operational states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge mechanism is divided into multiple telescopic segments that can independently adjust their lengths. This segmentation allows the overall bridge structure to flexibly accommodate variable gaps by adjusting individual segment lengths, while maintaining structural integrity through the interconnected segment design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the second transport member moves relative to the first transport member to switch between infeed and return positions, then transport path switching is enabled, but the gap between transport members becomes variable and uncontrolled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport path switching efficiencyVSAvoidmedia item transport reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A feedback control system is implemented that monitors the position and orientation of the second transport member relative to the first. Based on this feedback, the telescopic bridge mechanism automatically adjusts its configuration to maintain optimal connection, ensuring reliable media item transport while enabling efficient path switching between infeed and return modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic bridge mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the two transport members. It mediates the variable gap created by the moving second transport member by dynamically adjusting its own configuration, thereby maintaining continuous and reliable media item transport across the gap during path switching operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the gap between transport members is reduced to improve media item transfer, then transfer efficiency increases, but the risk of media item damage during transport increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia item transfer efficiencyVSAvoidmedia item damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the geometric parameters of the bridge mechanism, specifically the angle and length of the telescopic segments. By optimizing these parameters, the bridge maintains a sufficiently small gap for efficient media item transfer while preserving structural stability and proper alignment, thereby preventing media item damage during transport.

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 solution provides a reliable and error-free transport of media items by automatically adjusting to varying gaps and orientations, preventing damage and ensuring smooth customer transactions.

Implementation Method 1

comprising an elastic drive belt... maintaining constant tension and accommodating changes in transport path orientation and length

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Aptly, the further bridge portion comprises a further set of spaced apart elongate ribs... The first and further sets of ribs support an item of media being transported across the bridge member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2832673B1Apparatus for transporting an item of media, media item processing module, and method of transporting an item of media

Publication Date: 2016.08.17 NCR VOYIX CORP

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AI summary

The present invention provides a method and apparatus (300) for transporting items of media along a transport path (202 or 204). The apparatus (300) comprises a first transport member (302 or 303) having a first end region and a further transport member (304 or 305) having a further end region, wherein the first end region is spaced apart from the further end region, and a bridge member (314) extending between the first end region and the further end region, wherein a length of the bridge member (314) is adjustable responsive to a one of the first and further end regions being moved with respect to a remainder one of the first and further end regions.