Coin Placement Unit With Gutter Recess for Self-Checkout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-checkout systems do not facilitate the easy return of remaining coins into a wallet after the checkout process, leading to inefficiencies in customer service and prolonged checkout times.
Innovation Solution
A coin placement unit with a gutter-shaped recessed surface, a ridge line, and a coin slot portion, all of the same width and continuous in depth, allowing for easy introduction of desired coins and retrieval of remaining coins, featuring a coin spread portion with perpendicular walls and a recessed surface, a ridge line partitioning the spread and slot portions, and a coin slot with an inclined surface to guide coins efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional coin placement unit is used, then coins can be introduced into the coin slot, but it is difficult for users to take out remaining coins and return them to the wallet
Solution Approach 1:
The coin placement unit is segmented into distinct functional zones: a coin spread portion with recessed surface for easy coin access, a ridge line portion for separation, and a coin slot portion for insertion. This segmentation allows users to easily spread coins on the recessed surface, select desired coins, and retrieve remaining coins without difficulty, directly addressing the ease of operation requirement while reducing checkout time.
2Ease of operation
If the coin spread portion and coin slot portion are separated by a ridge line, then coin introduction is facilitated, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The ridge line portion extends continuously in the depth direction, utilizing the third dimension to create an effective separation between the coin spread portion and coin slot portion. This dimensional approach provides clear visual and physical guidance for coin insertion while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as the ridge line is essentially a continuous partition rather than multiple discrete components.
Data Source
AI summary
A coin placement unit is equipped with: a coin spread portion having two perpendicular wall surfaces and a recessed surface comprising a gutter-shaped recessed portion extending in the direction orthogonal to the perpendicular wall surfaces between the two perpendicular wall surfaces; a coin slot portion having a coin slot; and a ridge line portion provided between the coin spread portion and the coin slot portion so as to partition the coin spread portion and the coin slot portion. The coin spread portion, the ridge line portion, and the coin slot portion have the same width and are continuous in the direction toward a depth side.