Coin Media Path Vibration for ATM Jam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern automated teller machines (ATMs) face challenges in reliably dispensing coins due to complex coin paths in compact designs, leading to momentum loss, jams, and blockages, especially for lighter denominations, which result in poor customer experiences and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
Integration of small vibration motors within the coin chute, activated during transactions to maintain coin momentum through resonating vibrations, using a circuit to monitor power draw and adjust vibration frequency based on mechanical resonance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If complex coin paths are used in compact ATM designs, then space utilization is improved, but coin momentum is lost leading to jams and blockages
Solution Approach 1:
Vibration motors are integrated into the coin media path to generate mechanical vibrations that prevent coins from losing momentum during traversal through complex chute designs, thereby eliminating jams and blockages while maintaining compact ATM architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically activates vibration motors based on real-time monitoring of coin movement status, adjusting the operational state of vibration elements to match the actual needs of coin flow through the complex path
2Reliability
If vibration motors are activated to maintain coin momentum, then coin dispensing reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Vibration motors are activated periodically only during coin dispensing operations rather than continuously, with activation triggered by monitoring circuits that detect when coins are being dispensed, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing unnecessary power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
A monitoring circuit detects power draw patterns to determine when vibration motors should be activated, using feedback from the system's operational state to control vibration element activation and optimize the balance between reliability and power consumption
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
Significantly improves coin dispensing efficiency, reducing jams and maintenance costs, and enhancing customer experience by maintaining coin momentum through complex chute designs, with a fivefold improvement in Mean Pulls to Failure (MPF) compared to systems without vibration.
Implementation Method 1
causing vibration along the coin media path based on the activating
Implementation Method 2
causing vibration along the coin media path based on the activating; generate, by a protruding member of the at least one vibrating motor, resonating vibrations through the sidewall and along metalwork of the coin media path
Implementation Method 3
sensing a vibration intensity from the at least one vibrating motor along the coin media path using a piezoelectric sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, apparatus and system are disclosed. A method comprises monitoring a power draw of a coin dispenser for a media terminal; activating at least one vibrating motor integrated into a sidewall of a coin media path based on the monitoring; causing vibration along the coin media path based on the activating; and deactivating the at least one vibrating motor after a preconfigured amount of time following stabilization of the power draw.