Coin Dispenser Ejection Direction Control via Curved Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coin dispensers face challenges in maintaining a consistent ejecting direction for coins of different diameters, leading to issues such as widened ejecting directions and increased energy consumption, especially when trying to accommodate coins with diameters ranging from 20 to 26.5 millimeters.

Innovation Solution

A coin dispenser design featuring a rotating disk with through holes at eccentric positions, a pusher mechanism, a fixed roller, and an elastically biased ejecting roller, where the coin is guided by a fixed guide to ensure consistent ejection direction by balancing inertial and friction forces, allowing for reduced motor power usage and accommodating various coin diameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single coin dispenser structure is used to dispense coins of different diameters (20mm to 26.5mm), then versatility and cost reduction are improved, but the ejecting direction becomes unstable and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to dispense multiple coin diametersVSAvoidejecting direction stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the guiding structure, specifically the angle of the guiding surface relative to the coin's motion path. By optimizing this angle, the guiding surface can effectively redirect coins of various diameters along a consistent ejection trajectory, resolving the contradiction between handling multiple coin sizes and maintaining stable ejection direction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a fixed guide surface as an intermediary element between the coin ejection point and the final discharge location. This guiding surface acts as a mediator that standardizes the ejection path for coins of different diameters, ensuring consistent directional control while accommodating various coin sizes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If existing coin dispenser mechanisms are used without modification, then device simplicity is maintained, but energy consumption increases due to higher motor power requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidmotor power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a curved or angled guiding surface instead of straight mechanical pushers. This curved geometry allows coins to be redirected smoothly along the ejection path using gravitational and inertial forces, significantly reducing the motor power needed compared to direct mechanical pushing mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Device complexity

If existing coin dispenser mechanisms are used without modification, then device simplicity is maintained, but energy consumption increases due to higher resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidenergy loss due to resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The curved guiding surface reduces friction and resistance by allowing coins to roll and slide smoothly along the ejection path rather than being forcibly pushed. This geometric approach minimizes energy loss while maintaining a simple device structure without complex mechanical components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 design ensures consistent ejecting direction for coins of different diameters, reduces energy consumption by minimizing resistance, and allows for a compact and cost-effective dispenser that can handle coins from 20 to 26.5 millimeters in diameter without significant processing disruptions.

Implementation Method 1

an ejecting roller (120) disposed outside of the storage hole on the base with a predetermined interval from the fixed roller and elastically biased so as to get closer to the fixed roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the coin C, which has been dropped onto the base 16, is guided by a circular guiding wall 24 of a storage hole 22 in a state in which a surface thereof is in contact with the base 16, and is then pushed by pushers 20

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertial force: Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP2775460B1Coin dispenser
Publication Date: 2016.04.20 ASAHI SEIKO CO LTD
  • EP2775460B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2775460B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2775460B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a coin dispenser capable of fixing a dispensing direction of coins even if the coins have different diameters. Coins are dropped into through holes and sorted one by one by forward rotation of a rotating disk and are guided by a circular coin guiding wall of a storage hole while being pushed by pushers on a lower surface. Then, each of the coins is pushed into the part between a fixed roller and an ejecting roller and is smoothly subjected to change of direction to the circumferential direction of the rotating disk by the turning pair of the fixed roller. Then, in a state in which the coin is sandwiched by a fixed guide and the ejecting roller disposed in the downstream of the fixed roller and is in a sliding pair with the fixed guide, the coin is ejected by the ejecting roller. Therefore, inertial force in the contact point direction of the coin is eliminated, and the ejecting direction of the coins is practically fixed.