Bank Note Acceptor Enclosure With Resilient Locking Bracket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic gaming machines lack a secure and structurally robust enclosure for housing bank note acceptors, which can be vulnerable to unauthorized access and tampering.
Innovation Solution
An enclosure assembly with a housing, a hingeable door, and a lock assembly that includes a resilient engagement bracket and prong latch, which enhances structural integrity by allowing secure locking and resistance to forced opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional rigid lock assembly is used, then structural strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in assembly and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement bracket is designed with resilient/flexible properties instead of rigid material, changing the physical parameter of stiffness. This allows the bracket to flex during assembly and removal operations, making the lock assembly easier to operate while maintaining structural integrity when engaged. The flexible engagement bracket can deform to accommodate alignment tolerances and then lock firmly into place.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock assembly transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where the engagement bracket can flex and deform. The resilient bracket absorbs operational forces through elastic deformation, enabling easier assembly and removal while providing secure locking when engaged. The dynamic flexibility resolves the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the security function from a complex multi-component lock mechanism and concentrates it in a single resilient engagement bracket. The bracket's flexibility itself provides the security mechanism through controlled deformation and locking, eliminating the need for additional complex locking components. This simplifies the overall device while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient engagement bracket performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables easy assembly through flexibility, ensures secure locking through elastic deformation, and prevents unauthorized access. This multi-functionality in a single component reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high security.
3Ease of operation
If a resilient engagement bracket is used, then ease of operation is improved, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient engagement bracket incorporates elastic cushioning that absorbs assembly forces before they can cause misalignment or damage. The flexible material deforms to accommodate tolerance variations during assembly, providing a cushioning effect that facilitates easy installation while maintaining structural integrity once engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket uses material with intermediate stiffness properties - not too rigid to prevent easy assembly, not too flexible to compromise structural strength. By carefully selecting and designing the resilient material parameters, the bracket achieves optimal balance between ease of operation and structural strength through controlled elastic deformation.
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
The enclosure assembly provides enhanced security and structural integrity for bank note acceptors, preventing unauthorized access while allowing easy removal when needed.
Implementation Method 1
The engagement bracket is resiliently flexible and, in response to an opening force being applied on the door panel when the door assembly is locked in the closed position, the engagement bracket is configured to move into contact with the projection to enhance a structural integrity of the enclosure assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An enclosure assembly for securely housing a bank notes acceptor (BNA) for use with an electronic gaming machine (EGM) is provided. The enclosure assembly includes a housing defining an interior for receiving the BNA. The housing includes an engagement bracket extending between a first end coupled to a side wall and a second, free end. The door assembly includes a door panel and a lock assembly. The lock assembly includes a lock frame including a side wall and a projection provided thereon, the projection extends from the side wall and towards the engagement bracket. The lock assembly further includes a prong latch coupled to the lock frame that is engageable with the engagement bracket to lock the door assembly. The engagement bracket is resiliently flexible and is configured to move into contact with the projection to enhance a structural integrity of the enclosure assembly.