Coin Hopper with Movable Stoppers for Varying Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coin hoppers struggle with dispensing coins of different diameters without issues, such as coins being pinched by bar-like objects, leading to stoppers being held in the retreat position and causing missing or failed dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A coin hopper design featuring upwardly inclined coin stoppers with a circular supporting rack, a spherical bearing for the coin receiving means, and a torque limiter in the transmission route, allowing for precise dispensing of coins of varying diameters without stoppers being held in the retreat position, and preventing breakage of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If coin stoppers are arranged to freely advance and retreat from the rotating disk, then coins can be dispensed successfully, but bar-like objects may pinch the stoppers and cause them to be held in the retreat position continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The coin stoppers are designed to dynamically change their position relative to the rotating disk based on the size of the inserted object. When a coin is inserted, the stoppers advance to engage it; when a bar-like object is inserted, the stoppers retreat to avoid pinching. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different object types and maintain reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The stoppers change their engagement parameter (position) based on the diameter of the inserted object. For coins within the acceptable diameter range, the stoppers advance to a first position to engage and dispense the coin. For bar-like objects with inappropriate dimensions, the stoppers retreat to a second position, preventing pinching and avoiding continuous retreat position holding.
2Device complexity
If coin stoppers are fixed to the rotating disk, then structural simplicity is achieved, but coins of different diameters cannot be precisely dispensed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of fixing the stoppers rigidly to the rotating disk, the invention makes them movable relative to the disk while maintaining a simple overall structure. The stoppers can advance and retreat along radial directions based on coin diameter, achieving precise dispensing for different coin sizes without requiring complex fixed positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper assembly is segmented into multiple independent stoppers that can move individually relative to the rotating disk. This segmentation allows each stopper to respond independently to coins of different diameters, achieving precise dispensing while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through modular design.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If coin stoppers continuously hold in the retreat position, then pinching of bar-like objects is avoided, but coin dispensing fails and coins are missing
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback through the stoppers' ability to detect whether an inserted object is a coin or a bar-like object based on dimensional characteristics. When a coin is detected, the stoppers advance to engage it for dispensing. When a bar-like object is detected, the stoppers retreat to avoid pinching. This feedback mechanism ensures that pinching is prevented while maintaining normal dispensing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The stoppers dynamically adjust their position based on real-time detection of the inserted object's characteristics. They advance when a coin is present (maintaining productivity) and retreat when a bar-like object is detected (preventing pinching). This dynamic behavior prevents continuous retreat position holding while avoiding pinching, thus maintaining both safety and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A coin hopper is provided that can dispense coins of different diameters without any trouble. A rotating disk has coin stoppers that are upwardly inclined at a specified angle, and a circular supporting rack at the center of the upper surface thereof. The stoppers expand radially at regular intervals, from the supporting rack side to the circumferential direction. The rotating disk makes the coins contact a holding surface between the coin stoppers and receives the coins one by one, and supports them by the supporting rack and feeds them out. An outer covering unit covers at least the lower outer circumference of the rotating disk. A storing bowl stores coins in bulk following the outer covering unit. A coin receiving unit expands from the vicinity of the supporting rack to the circumferential direction of the rotating disk, wherein the coin stoppers are arranged in a state fixed to the rotating disk. The coin receiving unit is arranged so as to contact and get away from the holding surface of the rotating disk.