Coin Separator Gate With Inductive Thickness Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coin handling apparatuses separate 'singulating' and 'authenticating' operations into separate devices, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A coin handling apparatus with a coin separating mechanism using resiliently biased gate members that reciprocate within a magnetic field, generating an induction signal proportional to coin thickness, allowing simultaneous singulation and authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate devices are used for singulating and authenticating coins, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the singulating function (gate member) and authentication function (inductor) into a single integrated device. The gate member is positioned within the magnetic field of the inductor, allowing both coin separation and thickness measurement to occur simultaneously in one apparatus, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining authentication accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated apparatus performs multiple functions: the gate member not only separates coins but also serves as a platform for the inductor to measure coin thickness. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate devices needed while maintaining the reliability of authentication through the inductive sensing system
2Reliability
If separate devices are used for singulating and authenticating coins, then each function can be independently optimized, but the processing speed and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the singulating and authentication functions into one integrated device, coins are processed through a single apparatus that performs both separation and measurement simultaneously, eliminating the time required to transfer coins between separate devices and thereby increasing processing speed
Solution Approach 2:
The gate member performs the singulating action preliminarily by positioning the coin within the inductor's magnetic field, so that authentication can begin immediately as the coin is separated, rather than requiring a separate authentication step after separation is complete
3Device complexity
If conventional separate devices are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but the determination of coin thickness becomes less precise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical thickness measurement methods with an inductive sensing system. The inductor generates a magnetic field that interacts with the coin, and the resulting coil induction signal provides precise thickness measurement without requiring complex mechanical contact systems, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device structure
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 simultaneous singulation and authentication of coins, enhancing efficiency and accuracy by directly determining coin thickness through induced signals.
Implementation Method 1
at least one support post of the first gate member and the second gate member is configured to reciprocate within the magnetic field of the inductor... the control unit includes a coin thickness analyser configured to receive a coil induction signal, the coil induction signal is proportional to the displacement of a gate member
Data Source
AI summary
A coin handling apparatus (1) comprising: a coin reservoir (2) including a coin output aperture (3); a coin output conduit (4) in communication with, and adjacent to, said coin output aperture (3); a coin separating mechanism (5) disposed between the coin output aperture (3) and the coin output conduit (4), said coin separating mechanism (5) comprising at least one gate member (9, 9A, 9B) including a pair of opposing resiliently biased support posts (10, 10A, 10B); wherein the at least one of the pair of opposing resiliently biased support posts (10, 10A, 10B) is configured to reciprocate within the magnetic field of a proximal inductor (11).