Card Dispenser Capture Flap Preventing Erroneous Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card dispensers may erroneously dispense cards with unencoded or corrupted data if the gate becomes jammed, leading to user confusion and potential misuse.
Innovation Solution
A card dispenser with a capture flap that only allows card dispensing if data verification is successful, holding the flap at a first orientation to prevent card ejection if verification fails, and biasing it towards this orientation for mechanical failure safety, thus ensuring cards are not erroneously dispensed and preventing tampering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gate is provided to control card dispensing, then card delivery can be controlled, but the gate may become jammed in an open configuration causing erroneous card dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gate component from the card dispenser system and replaces it with a capture flap mechanism. The capture flap is positioned to receive cards directly from the card store and can redirect cards to either a valid card outlet or an invalid card bin, eliminating the need for a separate gate to control card dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The capture flap serves multiple functions: it guides cards from the card store, validates cards through the communication module, redirects valid cards to the outlet, and directs invalid cards to the bin. This multi-functional design replaces the separate gate mechanism while improving reliability.
2Reliability
If data verification is performed before dispensing, then card data accuracy is improved, but the risk of erroneous dispensing due to control system failure remains
Solution Approach 1:
The capture flap is spring-biased to the first orientation (blocking the outlet) before validation occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that even if the control system fails after validation, the card cannot be dispensed unless the flap is actively moved to the second orientation by the solenoid actuator, providing mechanical fail-safe protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring biasing mechanism automatically returns the capture flap to the blocking orientation if power is lost or the control system fails, without requiring external intervention. This self-service feature ensures the system defaults to a safe state.
3Ease of operation
If the exit aperture is always accessible, then card retrieval is convenient, but the dispenser is vulnerable to tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The capture flap dynamically changes position between two orientations: blocking the outlet during validation and opening to allow card retrieval after successful validation. This dynamic control ensures the outlet is accessible only when appropriate, preventing tampering while maintaining convenience.
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 solution enhances the reliability of card dispensers by preventing erroneous card dispensing and reducing mechanical errors, while also providing an additional layer of security by maintaining the flap in a safe orientation during power failures, thus ensuring only valid cards are issued to users.
Implementation Method 1
The card slides along the floor member under the influence of gravity
Implementation Method 2
A spring is provided for biasing the capture flap towards the first orientation
Data Source
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AI summary
A card dispenser is provided comprising a capture chamber configured to receive a card dispensed from a read position by a card feed mechanism, the capture chamber comprising walls defining an exit aperture for dispensing a card to a user. A capture flap is moveable from a first orientation to a second orientation, wherein in the first orientation the capture flap is arranged to block the exit aperture so as to prevent a card from passing through said exit aperture, and in the second orientation the capture flap is arranged to guide a card through said exit aperture. If a first output is received from a communication module, the capture flap is held at the first orientation such that a card dispensed from a read position moves under the influence of gravity through the capture chamber into a card bin. If a second output is received, the capture flap is moved from the first orientation to the second orientation such that a card dispensed from the read position slides along the capture flap under the influence of gravity through the exit aperture.