Adjustable End-Stop Cassette for Variable Lottery Ticket Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic lottery ticket dispensers are limited in their adaptability to diverse ticket formats, leading to reliability issues and increased storage requirements, which can result in jamming and inefficiencies, especially in compact spaces.
Innovation Solution
A cassette with an adjustable end-stop device and automatic drive mechanism that allows for secure positioning and dispensing of various lottery ticket formats, featuring a framework with a bottom bordered by lateral edges and a front face, and an automatic drive mechanism with a geartrain accessible from outside for external activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If automatic dispensers are adapted to suit one or a few predefined ticket formats, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to diverse lottery ticket formats deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The end-stop device is made adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the cassette through a positioning device with multiple positioning references, allowing the dispenser to dynamically adapt to different ticket formats without requiring multiple specialized dispensers
Solution Approach 2:
The cassette framework is designed with universal features including lateral edges that engage with guide rails and a standardized positioning system, enabling a single dispenser design to handle multiple ticket formats through the adjustable end-stop rather than requiring format-specific dispensers
2Adaptability or versatility
If the diversity of lottery tickets offered for sale increases, then adaptability improves, but storage volume requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing system is divided into modular cassettes that can be independently configured and replaced. Each cassette handles a specific set of tickets, allowing the overall system to offer diverse ticket variety while maintaining compact individual unit sizes that fit within space-constrained retail environments
3Reliability
If lottery tickets are placed correctly in their housing to prevent jamming, then reliability improves, but handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device automatically guides the end-stop to the correct position along the longitudinal axis through engagement with positioning references, eliminating the need for manual positioning adjustments and reducing loading complexity while maintaining high dispensing reliability
4Manufacturing precision
If positioning devices enable precise end-stop positioning, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning references are implemented as simple, fixed features on the cassette framework that require no moving parts or complex mechanisms. The end-stop uses a simple engagement mechanism with these references, providing precise positioning through straightforward geometric features rather than complex adjustable mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A cassette for automatically dispensing tickets, comprising an adjustable end-stop device comprising a rear end-stop provided with a positioning device and with a locking device and a positioning reference fixed on the framework, a method for loading such a cassette with tickets of variable size, and a method for dispensing such tickets.