Banknote Validator Alignment Elements for Jam Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-service payment machines often experience note return due to notes being inserted at an angle, leading to inefficient payment processes and potential jamming issues due to the design of inclined surfaces in banknote validators.

Innovation Solution

The input device incorporates mechanically acting alignment elements, such as flat parts with inclined surfaces, to align notes correctly before they are drawn into the machine, reducing the likelihood of return transport and jamming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If notes of value are inserted at an angle to the central longitudinal axis of the input device, then the user can insert notes more easily, but the notes are transported back due to inability to be evaluated by the collection device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of note insertionVSAvoidreliability of note evaluation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment elements perform preliminary alignment of the note before it reaches the collection device. The inclined contact surfaces guide the note into the correct position (parallel to the central longitudinal axis) during the insertion process, ensuring that the note is properly oriented before evaluation begins, thus preventing return transport due to misalignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If inclined surfaces are provided in the banknote validator to guide notes, then notes are aligned better, but interruptions or edges are created that can cause note jamming when notes are rejected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of note alignmentVSAvoidnote jamming risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment elements feature continuously curved inclined surfaces without sharp edges or interruptions. The smooth transition surfaces guide the note through alignment while eliminating discontinuities that could catch or jam the note during rejection operations, thus maintaining alignment precision without creating harmful focal points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Manufacturing precision

If alignment elements are added to the input device, then note alignment is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of note alignmentVSAvoidcomplexity of input device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment elements are integrated into the existing input device structure, merging the alignment function with the note reception and transport mechanism. This combination approach provides effective alignment while avoiding the need for separate, complex alignment systems, thus limiting the increase in overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2071533B1Entry device for vouchers

Publication Date: 2020.12.30 WINCOR NIXDORF INT GMBH

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4

AI summary

The input device (2) has mechanical aligning elements (5,6) for aligning notes introduced in the input device. The input device is equipped with two spaced aligning elements. Each aligning elements are provided in input side end area with stop surface running diagonally to the central longitudinal axis of the input device.