Coin Hopper Dropper Cam Mechanism Prevents Jamming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional coin hoppers face issues with discharging coins of different diameters efficiently, particularly when the discharging speed is increased, and can pinch coins during reverse rotation, leading to jamming and potential overheating of the electric motor.

Innovation Solution

A coin hopper design featuring a rotating disk with a circular supporting rack and radially extending coin stoppers, combined with a dropper system that includes a first and second circumferential pressing portion to prevent coin stoppers from hitting the rotating disk, and a cam mechanism to retract the dropper during reverse rotation, ensuring coins are discharged one by one without pinching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the discharging speed is increased to improve productivity, then the coin hopper can process more coins per unit time, but coins may be pinched during reverse rotation causing jamming and motor overheating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoin discharging speedVSAvoidcoin pinching and jamming

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dropper is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. During normal operation, the dropper is in a forward position to guide coins. During reverse rotation, the cam mechanism automatically retracts the dropper to a rearward position, preventing coin pinching while maintaining high discharging speed capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cam mechanism performs preliminary action by retracting the dropper before reverse rotation occurs. This preventive measure ensures that coins cannot be pinched between the dropper and coin stoppers during reverse rotation, eliminating jamming issues before they can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If a dropper is provided to guide coins, then coin sorting accuracy is improved, but the dropper may hit the coin stoppers during reverse rotation causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoin sorting accuracyVSAvoiddropper impact on coin stoppers

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dropper is made movable through the cam-follower mechanism, allowing it to dynamically change position based on rotation direction. During reverse rotation, the cam pushes the follower, which rotates the dropper about its pivot axis, moving the dropper away from the coin stoppers to prevent impact damage while maintaining sorting accuracy during forward operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of designing a fixed dropper that remains in position during both forward and reverse rotation, the invention inverts the approach by making the dropper movable and positioning it differently during reverse rotation. This ensures the dropper guides coins accurately during forward operation but moves away to avoid hitting coin stoppers during reverse rotation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If the rotating disk rotates reversely to discharge remaining coins, then completeness of coin discharge is improved, but coins may be pinched between the dropper and coin stoppers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of coin dischargeVSAvoidcoin pinching during reverse rotation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dropper's position is dynamically adjusted based on rotation direction. During reverse rotation, the dropper is automatically retracted to a position where it cannot pinch coins, while during forward rotation it returns to its guiding position, enabling both complete coin discharge and prevention of pinching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables efficient sorting and discharge of coins with different diameters at increased speeds, prevents coin pinching during reverse rotation, and includes a detection system to prevent motor overheating by monitoring the dropper's movement.

Implementation Method 1

a cam mechanism to retract the dropper during reverse rotation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

a detection system to prevent motor overheating by monitoring the dropper's movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPosition detection:

Data Source

PatentEP1998293B1Coin hopper

Publication Date: 2011.04.06 ASAHI SEIKO CO LTD

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AI summary

A coin hopper (100) includes a rotating disk (106) provided obliquely upward at a predetermined angle; an outer covering unit (102C) covering at least a lower outer circumference of the rotating disk (106); a holding bowl (102) continuing from the outer covering unit (102C) and holding coins (C); a circular supporting rack (136) provided in a central region of an upper surface (126U) of the rotating disk (106); and coin stoppers (128) being provided on the upper surface (126U) of the rotating disk (106) and extending radially from the supporting rack (136) in a circumferential direction to a periphery of the rotating disk (106) at an equal interval. Coins (C) are accepted one by one while a surface thereof is contacted with a holding surface (134) of the upper surface (126U) of the rotating disk (106) between the coin stoppers (128), are moved in one direction while a periphery thereof is held by the supporting rack (136), and are received from the coin stoppers (128) during transportation by a coin receiver (122).