Adjustable Chip Collection Tube for Varying Sizes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chip sorting devices in gaming establishments face challenges such as high production costs, limited adaptability to varying chip sizes, increased maintenance needs, and inefficiencies due to wear and tear, which hinder profitability and gameplay speed.

Innovation Solution

The development of a chip sorting device with adjustable chip collection tubes and a relief mechanism that allows for customizable inner diameters to accommodate different chip sizes, combined with a chip hopper and conveyor unit that includes a separating wheel base and a relief mechanism for clearing jammed chips, enhancing reliability and reducing noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed-size chip collection tubes are used, then device structure is simple, but adaptability to varying chip sizes is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying chip sizesVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chip collection tube incorporates an adjustable wall that can rotate between multiple positions to dynamically change the inner lateral dimension of the tube. This allows the same device to adapt to different chip sizes without requiring multiple fixed-size tubes, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple chip sorting devices are used to accommodate different chip sizes, then adaptability is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of varying chip sizesVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The chip sorting device is designed with an adjustable collection tube that can accommodate multiple chip sizes, making a single device universal for different chip types. This eliminates the need to manufacture and deploy multiple specialized devices, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed inner lateral dimension is used in collection tube, then manufacturing is simpler, but customization to varying chip sizes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization to varying chip sizesVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The collection tube features a rotatable wall mechanism that allows the inner lateral dimension to be customized for different chip sizes. The wall can be positioned at various angles to create different dimensional configurations, providing manufacturing flexibility without requiring completely different tube designs for each chip size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If non-adjustable chip collection tubes are used, then device reliability is maintained, but jammed chip clearing capability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of chip sorting deviceVSAvoidjammed chip clearing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable wall mechanism allows operators to modify the collection tube's inner lateral dimension to accommodate different chip sizes, preventing chips from becoming jammed in the first place. Additionally, the relief mechanism can be activated to clear any jammed chips, thereby maintaining device reliability while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

5Productivity

If wear and tear on equipment is increased to improve speed, then gameplay speed increases, but maintenance needs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegameplay speedVSAvoidmaintenance needs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The relief mechanism is designed to clear jammed chips before they cause significant wear and tear on the equipment. By proactively addressing potential jams through the adjustable wall configuration and relief mechanism, the system maintains high gameplay speed while preventing the accumulation of wear that would lead to increased maintenance needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10255741B2Chip sorting devices and related assemblies, components and methods

Publication Date: 2019.04.09 SHUFFLE MASTER GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

Chip sorting devices may include at least one chip collection tube having at least one adjustable wall that at least partially defines an inner diameter of the at least one chip collection tube. The at least one adjustable wall may be at least partially rotatable to define different inner diameters. Chip sorting devices may include a chip hopper having a relief mechanism for clearing chips that become jammed between a chip chamber and a base plate of the chip hopper. Methods of sorting chips may include actuating the relief mechanism to increase a space between a top plate of the relief mechanism and the chip chamber. Methods of setting up a chip sorting device may include adjusting an inner lateral dimension of the at least one chip collection tube.