Card Supply Selecting Mechanism Prevents Stack Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for supplying plastic cards from multiple stacks often clog when switching between stacks, as a card from one stack can get dragged into the mouth of another, blocking the device's operation.
Innovation Solution
A device with a selecting mechanism that includes two compartments and mouths, where the mechanism can switch between allowing cards from one stack to exit while preventing the other stack's cards from exiting, using a support that moves between positions to control the supply direction and prevent clogging, and employing rollers and actuating means to manage card withdrawal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cards are withdrawn from multiple stacks through separate mouths, then card supply versatility is improved, but mouth clogging occurs when switching between stacks
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the card supply system into separate compartments (first compartment for first stack, second compartment for second stack) with separate mouths (first mouth, second mouth). Each compartment-mouth pair operates independently, allowing versatile card supply from multiple stacks while preventing cross-contamination that causes clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The selecting mechanism acts as an intermediary between the multiple stacks and the single supply path. It includes a support with first supplying means and second supplying means that can be positioned to selectively connect either the first stack or the second stack to the supply element, preventing direct access to both stacks simultaneously and thus avoiding mouth clogging.
2Reliability
If a selecting mechanism is introduced to prevent clogging, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The selecting mechanism merges the control of multiple stacks into a single integrated support structure. The support carries both first supplying means and second supplying means, and moves as one unit to selectively position either stack in front of the supply element. This unified approach prevents clogging while minimizing the increase in device complexity compared to separate control mechanisms for each stack.
Solution Approach 2:
The selecting mechanism uses dynamic positioning of the support to control card supply. The support can move between positions to selectively connect the first or second stack to the supply element, enabling reliable operation by dynamically preventing simultaneous access to both stacks. This dynamic control achieves reliability without requiring complex static structures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (10) is described, for supplying plastic cards for card handling devices comprising a first and a second compartment (1, 2) which contain a first and a second stack (31, 32) of cards; a first and a second mouth (21, 22) for exiting the cards; a supplying element (4) of the cards through the first or the second mouth (21,22); a selecting mechanism (3) to withdraw a card from the first stack (31) and supply it through the first mouth (21), or to withdraw a card from the second stack (32) and supply it through the second mouth (22); a device for handling plastic cards connectable to or comprising such supplying device is also described.