Angled Sorting Head Disk Coin Processor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing currency processing machines require significant time and labor to unload processed coins and return to operational state, and often cannot transact with users during unloading, due to secure housing designs that complicate access to coin receptacles.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a disk-type coin processing unit with an angled sorting head and coin manifold, allowing for increased coin exit elevation and entrance height, enabling efficient sorting and discharge of coins into coin receptacles while maintaining an ergonomic design that simplifies operator access and reduces operational downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coin receptacles are placed inside a secure housing, then security against theft and tampering is improved, but operator access to coin receptacles becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where coin receptacles are placed within secure housing, and the entire assembly is integrated into the currency processing machine. The housing contains multiple coin receptacles in a compact arrangement, allowing secure storage while maintaining accessibility through the machine's operational design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions coin receptacles at different elevations and spatial locations within the housing, creating a three-dimensional arrangement. This dimensional organization allows operators to access receptacles efficiently during normal operation while maintaining security through the enclosed housing structure.
2Productivity
If operators must physically remove full receptacles and replace them with empty ones, then coin sorting functionality is maintained, but time and labor required for unloading increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic coin sorting and dispensing functionality where the machine autonomously manages coin receptacles. The system automatically transfers coins between receptacles, monitors coin levels, and performs unloading operations without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining sorting productivity while eliminating the time loss associated with manual receptacle handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary coin sorting and organization functions that prepare coins for dispensing before they reach the receptacles. By pre-sorting and pre-positioning coins in the appropriate receptacles, the system minimizes the frequency and duration of unloading operations, reducing overall time loss while maintaining efficient coin sorting.
3Reliability
If operators cannot transact with users during unloading, then coin management control is improved, but machine availability for user transactions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous coin management through automated systems that operate without interruption. The automated receptacle management system continues to monitor, sort, and manage coins during unloading operations, maintaining coin management control while ensuring the machine remains available for user transactions throughout the entire unloading process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic system where coin management functions adapt to operational conditions. During unloading operations, the system dynamically maintains control over coin receptacles while simultaneously preserving user transaction capabilities, allowing both coin management and user service to occur concurrently through coordinated automated operations.
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
This solution reduces the time and labor required for unloading and reinitializing the machine, allowing for continuous user transactions during the process and minimizing storage and manufacturing costs through ergonomic design and gravity-fed coin chutes.
Implementation Method 1
a rotatable disk configured to impart motion to the coins
Implementation Method 2
a first chute configured to receive coins from the first exit station and direct the coins into a first coin receptacle under the force of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
Currency processing systems, coin processing machines, and methods of sorting batches of coins are presented herein. A currency processing system is disclosed which includes a housing with a coin input area for receiving coins, and one or more coin receptacles stowed inside the housing. A disk-type coin processing unit is operatively coupled to the coin input area and the coin receptacle(s). The coin processing unit includes a rotatable disk for imparting motion to coins received from the coin input area, and a sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and at least partially spaced from the rotatable disk. The lower surface forms a plurality of shaped regions for guiding the coins, under the motion imparted by the rotatable disk, to a plurality of exit stations through which the coins are discharged to the coin receptacle(s). The sorting head and the rotatable disk are obliquely angled with respect to the support surface upon which the housing rests.