Coin Dispenser Universal Edge Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coin dispensers require specific adaptations for different coin diameters, making them inflexible for use with various coin denominations and currencies, necessitating multiple magazine designs and actuator configurations.
Innovation Solution
A coin dispenser with plural coin tubes, a base plate, and actuators, where the dispensing edges are designed to accommodate a range of coin diameters, allowing a single actuator and edge design to handle all denominations by leveraging a center edge and diverging peripheral edges, ensuring consistent coin dispensing behavior across different diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each channel is specifically adapted for a particular coin diameter, then reliable dispensing for that denomination is achieved, but the device requires multiple magazine versions for different currencies
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing edge is designed with a universal geometry that can reliably dispense coins of multiple diameters. The edge comprises a centre part extending perpendicular to the dispensing direction and peripheral parts diverging in the dispensing direction, creating a funnel-shaped profile that accommodates various coin sizes without requiring different magazine versions.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing edge features non-uniform geometry with different regions serving different functions: the centre edge part provides a reference surface for coin alignment, while the peripheral edge parts diverge to accommodate larger diameters. This local differentiation allows a single edge design to handle multiple coin types effectively.
2Manufacturing precision
If different magazine versions are used for different coin denominations, then precise handling of each denomination is achieved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single magazine design with the specialized dispensing edge can precisely handle multiple coin denominations, eliminating the need for multiple magazine versions. The universal dispensing edge maintains manufacturing precision across different coin sizes through its geometric design that guides coins of varying diameters to the dispensing point.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing edge geometry is designed to accommodate parameter variations in coin diameter. By creating a funnel-shaped profile with diverging peripheral parts, the edge adapts to different coin sizes through geometric relationships rather than requiring physically different magazine components.
3Device complexity
If arcuate slots with fixed pin positions are used, then simple actuation mechanism is achieved, but coins of different diameters cannot be reliably dispensed from the same channel
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing edge creates localized geometric conditions that compensate for the fixed pin position. The centre part and peripheral parts of the edge work together to guide coins of different diameters to the correct dispensing angle, maintaining reliability despite the simple actuation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing edge acts as an intermediary between the fixed pin actuator and the coins of varying diameters. It translates the uniform pushing action into differentiated dispensing outcomes by using its geometric profile to guide each coin type to the appropriate dispensing position.
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
Enables efficient dispensing of coins of various denominations with a single actuator and edge design, reducing the need for multiple adaptations and simplifying the mechanical construction, while maintaining reliable operation across different coin diameters.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of actuators, each actuator being associated with a respective coin tube and configured to push a coin resting on the support area associated with the respective coin tube in the respective dispensing direction
Implementation Method 2
At a certain moment, gravity will cause the coin to fall over the dispensing edge
Data Source
AI summary
A coin dispenser dispenses coins having plural coin diameters ranging from a smallest coin diameter to a largest coin diameter. The coin dispenser comprises: a plurality of coin tubes, each coin tube being configured to hold a stack of coins having a same coin diameter, a base plate arranged under the coin tubes, the base plate forming support area's for supporting the stacks of coins held by the coin tubes, the base plate having dispensing edges each forming an edge of the base plate, each dispensing edge associated with a respective coin tube and being spaced apart, in a respective dispensing direction, from the support area of that coin tube, and a plurality of actuators, each actuator associated with a respective coin tube and configured to push the coin at the lowest position in the respective stack of coins held by the coin tube in the respective dispensing direction from the support area to an over the respective dispensing edge. The dispensing edges each comprise a centre edge part and two peripheral edge parts, the centre edge parts extending along the plane of the base plate in a direction perpendicular to the respective dispensing direction over a width equal to or less than the smallest coin diameter. The peripheral edge parts are adjacent to the ends of the centre edge part and extending along the plane of the base plate, the peripheral edge parts diverging in the dispensing direction whereby a width between the peripheral edge parts perpendicular to the dispensing direction increases, as seen in the dispensing direction, from equal to or less than the smallest coin diameter at the centre edge part to equal to or larger than the largest coin diameter.