Check Cancellation Device with Orientation-Sensitive Transport Switch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for canceling notes of value, such as checks, require either multiple print heads or complex and costly adjustment mechanisms to handle checks in any orientation, leading to high costs and reduced operating convenience.
Innovation Solution
A device with a switch and control unit that determines the orientation of notes and directs them through different transport paths to ensure the printed side faces the print head, allowing for cancellation regardless of orientation using a single print head, thus reducing costs and increasing convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two print heads are provided on opposite sides of the transport path to print checks regardless of orientation, then checks can be printed in any orientation, but the device becomes cost-intensive and requires more installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the transport path itself dynamic through a switching mechanism. Instead of having two static print heads fixed on opposite sides, the system uses a single print head with a transport path that can dynamically switch between two routes (first transport path and second transport path). This allows the system to adapt to different check orientations by redirecting checks through the appropriate path, eliminating the need for multiple print heads while maintaining the ability to print checks in any orientation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movably mounted print head is provided to adjust between two sides of the transport path, then the print area can be printed independently of check alignment, but a complex and expensive bearing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the dynamic mounting mechanism with a dynamic transport path. Instead of moving the print head between two sides using complex bearings, the system keeps the print head stationary and dynamically switches the transport path using a switching mechanism. This approach achieves the same adaptability of printing checks in any orientation while avoiding the complexity and cost of movable mounting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching mechanism acts as an intermediary element that redirects checks between two transport paths. This intermediary component enables the system to adapt to different check orientations without requiring the print head itself to move, thereby eliminating the need for complex bearings and movable mounting structures.
3Device complexity
If checks entered upside down are returned to the operator, then only one print head is needed, but the operating comfort for the operator is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamic transport path with a switching mechanism to automatically adapt to checks entered in any orientation. This eliminates the need to return incorrectly oriented checks to the operator, as the system can handle and print checks in any orientation using the same single print head. The switching mechanism dynamically redirects checks through the appropriate transport path based on their orientation, thereby maintaining operator convenience while using only one print head.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for cancelling value documents, comprising a transport unit (24, 26, 30) for transporting the value documents and a print unit (900) having a print head (902) for printing a printing area on a print side (710, 716) of a value document. The device (10) further comprises a diverter (700) for diverting value documents between three transport paths (702, 704, 706), and a control unit (28) for controlling the diverter (700). The device (10) further comprises a sensor unit (29, 300) for determining the orientation of a value document and an intermediate storage unit (32) for the intermediate storage of value documents, a second transport path (704) connecting the diverter (700) to the intermediate storage unit (32) and a third transport path (706) connecting the diverter (700) to the print unit (900). The control unit (28) controls the diverter (700) depending on the determined orientation such that the latter either guides a value document arranged in the second transport path (704) either directly to the third transport path (706) or guides the value document first to the first transport path (702) and then from there to the third transport path (706).