ATM Shutter Worm Gear Pivot Mechanism for Forced Entry Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated teller machines (ATMs) are vulnerable to damage during fraudulent attempts to force open the shutter, leading to operational failures and the need for costly repairs.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser shutter assembly with a pivotable motor assembly and worm gear mechanism that disengages from the worm segment when an external force exceeds a threshold, preventing damage by allowing the worm gear to pivot out of engagement and maintaining the shutter in a safe position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shutter operating mechanism uses a fixed rigid connection between the motor assembly and frame, then the shutter can be reliably opened and closed during normal operation, but the mechanism is vulnerable to damage when subjected to external forcing forces
Solution Approach 1:
The motor assembly is mounted pivotably to the frame member, transforming the rigid fixed connection into a dynamic movable connection. This allows the motor assembly to pivot about a pivot axis when subjected to external forcing forces, preventing damage to the worm gear and worm segment while maintaining reliable shutter operation during normal use through the worm gear's self-locking特性
Solution Approach 2:
The external forcing force that would normally cause damage is converted into a useful function by allowing the motor assembly to pivot. This pivoting motion disengages the worm gear from the worm segment, preventing damage while still allowing the shutter to be opened, thus converting the harmful forcing action into a protective mechanism
2Strength
If the worm gear remains engaged with the worm segment during forced opening, then the motor assembly provides structural support, but the forcing force causes damage to the shutter operating mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the motor assembly and frame is changed from fixed to pivotable, allowing the motor assembly to rotate about a pivot axis. This dynamic movement enables the worm gear to disengage from the worm segment when forcing forces are applied, preventing damage to the gear teeth while maintaining structural integrity through the pivoting mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The motor assembly is separated from the frame by a pivotable mounting, creating independent movable segments. This segmentation allows the motor assembly to pivot independently when subjected to external forces, separating the load-bearing function from the gear engagement function and preventing damage to the worm gear and worm segment
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 operating mechanism during forced opening attempts, keeping the ATM operational and reducing the need for maintenance intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a worm gear mounted on a drive shaft of the motor; a worm segment on the shutter plate, the worm segment being engageable with the worm gear so that, upon the worm segment being engaged with the worm gear and the worm gear being rotated by the motor
Implementation Method 2
The attachment means includes a pivotable mounting to the frame member so that the worm gear is moveable out of engagement with the worm segment by pivoting of the motor assembly away from the frame member about the pivotable mounting
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser shutter assembly for an automated teller machine and an associated method of preventing damage to a shutter operating mechanism of the dispenser shutter assembly. The dispenser shutter assembly includes: a shutter plate; and a shutter operating mechanism that includes a motor assembly including a drive shaft mounting a worm gear and attached to a frame member by a pivotable mounting. The worm gear is moveable out of engagement with the worm segment by pivoting the motor assembly away from the frame member about the pivotable mounting. When the shutter plate is subject to an external force for moving the shutter plate to open a shutter from a closed position, the external force thereby applied to the worm gear by the worm segment moves the worm gear about the pivotable mounting out of engagement with the worm segment thereby preventing damage to the shutter operating mechanism.