Coin Hopper Pin-and-Protrusion Assembly for Durable Coin Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coin conveyance devices face issues with durability and assembly complexity due to the wear of pushing bodies made from resin and the need for different rotating bodies based on conveyance passage curvature, leading to increased components and potential assembly errors.
Innovation Solution
A coin hopper design featuring rotating bodies with pins and support protrusions that include a large diameter portion for contact with coins and a small diameter portion fitted into pin holes, allowing for easy assembly and improved durability by using the same components for both left and right rotations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If resin-made pushing bodies are used to push coins, then the device is easy to manufacture, but the pushing bodies wear out due to contact with coins
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing body is constructed as a composite structure combining resin and metal materials. The resin portion provides ease of manufacture and cushioning, while the metal covering layer (such as stainless steel) provides wear resistance and durability during coin contact. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If different kinds of rotating bodies are prepared for right-handed and left-handed rotations, then the conveying function is achieved, but the number of components increases and assembly becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
A single type of rotating body is designed to perform both right-handed and left-handed rotation functions. The rotating body includes a pushing portion with a curved surface that can adaptively push coins in different rotation directions. This universal design eliminates the need for separate rotating bodies for different rotation directions, reducing component quantity and simplifying assembly while maintaining the conveying function.
3Reliability
If metallic round bar or sheet metal is simply secured on the rotating body, then the pushing body has wear resistance, but the metallic component may detach during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing body is segmented into multiple functional portions: a resin base portion and a metal covering layer. The metal covering layer is further divided into a wear-resistant contact portion and a fixed portion. This segmentation allows the metal component to be securely integrated with the resin base through mechanical interlocking structures, preventing detachment while maintaining wear resistance during coin contact.
4Volume of stationary object
If the pin hole is positioned close to the wall surface of the concave portion, then the assembly is compact, but the pin cannot be properly fitted and assembled
Solution Approach 1:
The pin hole position is optimized with respect to the wall surface of the concave portion. The pin hole is positioned at a specific distance from the wall surface, creating adequate space for pin insertion and assembly operations. This local positioning adjustment ensures proper pin fitting and assembly ease while maintaining overall compactness of the rotating body structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A coin conveyance device that feeds multiple coins stored in a storage container one by one and conveys the fed coin upward uses rotating bodies including pushing bodies for pushing a coin. The pushing bodies which are arranged opposed to each other about the center of rotation of each rotating body each include: a metallic pin that comes into contact with a coin; and a resin-made support protrusion that supports the pin. The support protrusion includes a concave portion corresponding to the shape of the circumferential surface of the pin. The pin is inserted into a pin hole adjacent to the support protrusion, and its side surface is supported by the concave portion of the support protrusion. A force applied when the pin pushes the coin is received by the support protrusion, whereby the durability of the pushing body is improved.