Ergonomic Cash Drawer with Integrated Lid and Sloped Compartments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cash drawers are not ergonomically designed, requiring cashiers to step back when fully opened and making it difficult to remove bills due to square front walls and necessitating a separate lockable lid that can be misplaced.

Innovation Solution

A cash drawer with a shorter, arcuate design featuring a drawer assembly with sloped and angled compartments for easier access to bank notes and coins, and an integrated lid that reduces the risk of misplacement, allowing the till and lid to be combined for ease of transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cash drawer is fully opened in conventional designs, then the drawer can be accessed, but the cashier is required to step back which reduces ergonomics

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveergonomicsVSAvoiddrawer length

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reorganizes the drawer assembly by stacking trays vertically rather than arranging them horizontally in sequence. This vertical stacking allows the drawer to open fully while keeping the overall length shorter, eliminating the need for cashiers to step back and improving ergonomics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the front walls of bank note compartments are square to the bottom surface, then the structure is simple, but removal of bills becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebill removalVSAvoidfront wall configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved or rounded front walls for the bank note compartments instead of square ones. This curvature allows bills to be easily gripped and removed by cashiers, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If a separate lockable lid is affixed to the till, then security is provided, but the lid can be misplaced and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidlid integration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the lockable lid directly onto the till body as a unified structure. This merging eliminates the risk of the lid being misplaced while maintaining security functionality, and reduces device complexity by removing the need for separate lid affixing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9911289B2Cash drawer

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 NCR VOYIX CORP

AI summary

A cash drawer with an ergonomic design. In an example embodiment, the cash drawer includes a housing having an operator side, and a drawer assembly moveable from a closed position in the housing to an open position. The drawer assembly includes a drawer, a first tray in the drawer for storing bank notes, and a second tray in the first tray for storing coins. The cash drawer additional stores a removable lid with a handle. The lid includes a first side for enclosing the first tray and a second side for enclosing the second tray, thus forming a suitcase for transporting the bank notes and coins.