Movable Restrictor for Coin Hopping Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coin processing apparatuses face challenges in reducing height while preventing coins from hopping over the reverse rotation roller, which limits their compactness and increases the risk of damage to the hopping-over preventing plate.
Innovation Solution
A coin receiving device with a movable restrictor positioned above the reverse rotation roller, which is elastic and light-transmissive, allowing coins to be pushed back onto the conveyor belt without the need for an upright partition wall, thus maintaining compactness and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a partition wall is arranged generally at right angles above the reverse rotation roller to prevent coins from hopping over, then coins are returned onto the flat belt, but the height of the apparatus increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static partition wall with a movable restrictor that rotates about a horizontal axis. This dynamic component can tilt to guide coins back onto the belt while maintaining a compact vertical profile, resolving the contradiction between effective coin return and minimal height.
Solution Approach 2:
The restrictor operates in a different dimensional approach by rotating about a horizontal axis rather than standing vertically. This allows the coin-guiding function to be achieved through rotational movement in the horizontal plane, reducing the need for height in the vertical dimension.
2Reliability
If a hopping-over preventing plate is arranged horizontally right above the reverse rotation roller, then coins are prevented from hopping over, but the plate may be pushed up and damaged by coins
Solution Approach 1:
The restrictor is designed to rotate about a horizontal axis, allowing it to tilt and move out of the direct path of incoming coins. This dynamic movement prevents coins from pushing the restrictor upward, eliminating the damage risk while maintaining coin containment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The restrictor acts as an intermediary component that can rotate to guide coins safely back onto the belt. By introducing this rotational degree of freedom, the system prevents direct impact between coins and the restrictor, protecting the component from damage.
3Ease of operation
If the flat belt and hopping-over preventing plate are separated by a distance larger or equal to the diameter of the largest coin, then coins can pass through, but the height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restrictor's rotational capability allows it to dynamically adjust its position to guide coins through the gap between the flat belt and the restrictor. This eliminates the need for a large fixed gap, as the rotating restrictor can tilt to accommodate coins of various sizes, significantly reducing the required height.
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 solution effectively prevents coins from hopping over the reverse rotation roller without increasing the apparatus's height, allowing for easier replacement and maintenance of the movable restrictor, while enabling visual inspection of the reverse rotation roller's condition.
Implementation Method 1
the movable restrictor is formed of an elastic body
Implementation Method 2
the movable restrictor is formed of a light-transmissive elastic body
Data Source
AI summary
A coin receiving device in a coin processing apparatus is provided with a flat belt stretched around a pair of rollers substantially horizontally. A reverse rotation roller is disposed above the flat belt so that it is parallel with the axial line of the rollers, and the lower circumferential face is separated from the flat belt by a distance which is larger than thickness of a coin. A movable restrictor is disposed above the reverse rotation roller, which extends upstream of the flat belt in substantially parallel with the flat belt. A distance between the movable restrictor and the top face of the flat belt is smaller than a diameter of a coin having the largest diameter. The movable restrictor is convex toward an upstream direction of the flat belt. The movable restrictor is replaceably attached to a frame.