ATM Shutter Cam Mechanism Anti-Fraud Protection

Solution Overview

Problem

Automated teller machines (ATMs) often suffer damage to their shutter mechanisms when fraudsters manually force open the shutter, leading to unserviceable machines that require engineer intervention.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser shutter assembly with a cam mechanism and a cam rotation restrictor that prevents the cam from rotating beyond an over-center position, allowing manual opening without causing damage by forcing the cam to rotate in an opposite direction, thus preventing excessive stress on the shutter components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the shutter is designed to be manually opened from the outside, then accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but the shutter mechanism becomes vulnerable to damage from forced opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual opening of shutterVSAvoidshutter mechanism damage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cam rotation restrictor is pre-configured to prevent the cam from rotating beyond the over-center position, thereby preemptively countering the harmful effect of forced shutter opening before it can cause damage to the mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows the cam to be forced in the reverse direction (counter-clockwise) without damage, converting the harmful forcing action into a benign reverse rotation that simply requires the motor to rotate the cam in the opposite direction to restore normal operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of operation

If the cam mechanism allows free rotation beyond over-center position, then the shutter can be opened manually, but excessive stress damages the shutter components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshutter opening capabilityVSAvoidshutter component stress resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cam rotation restrictor is positioned to prevent the cam from rotating beyond the over-center position, thereby preemptively countering the harmful effect of forced shutter opening before it can cause damage to the mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The cam rotation restrictor acts as a protective measure in place before forced opening occurs, preventing the cam from entering the dangerous rotation zone that would cause excessive stress and potential component failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If the shutter mechanism is simplified for easy manual opening, then ease of operation is improved, but the mechanism becomes more susceptible to damage from fraudulent attempts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual shutter operationVSAvoidfraudulent damage to shutter assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cam rotation restrictor is pre-configured to prevent the cam from rotating beyond the over-center position, thereby preemptively countering the harmful effect of forced shutter opening before it can cause damage to the mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows the cam to be forced in the reverse direction (counter-clockwise) without damage, converting the harmful forcing action into a benign reverse rotation that simply requires the motor to rotate the cam in the opposite direction to restore normal operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Prevents damage to the shutter assembly during fraudulent attempts to open the ATM, maintaining the machine's serviceability and reducing maintenance costs by allowing it to return to operational state without repair.

Implementation Method 1

a cam coupled to the cam followers; a motor configured to rotate the cam in a first rotational direction in a plane of rotation of the cam for inducing the cam to act on the cam followers to cause movement of the shutter plate in a first linear direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentUS10074230B2Dispenser shutter assembly for an automated teller machine

Publication Date: 2018.09.11 KYNDRYL INC

AI summary

A dispenser shutter assembly of an automated teller machine and a method for preventing damage to the dispenser shutter assembly. The dispenser shutter assembly includes: a shutter; a shutter plate; cam followers attached to the shutter plate; a cam coupled to the cam followers; a motor that rotates the cam in a first rotational direction in a plane of rotation of the cam for inducing the cam to act on the cam followers to cause movement of the shutter plate to transition the shutter to a closed state of the shutter; and a cam rotation restrictor positioned so as to prevent rotation of the cam beyond an over center position on the cam's rotational axis by forcing the cam to rotate in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction in response to a manual opening of the shutter from the closed state of the shutter.