Coin Processing Device with Moveable Receptacle Station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coin processing machines face issues such as shutdowns due to full receptacles, spatial limitations, and high maintenance costs associated with large bulk coin bins, and fail to provide adequate capacity for coin management.
Innovation Solution
A coin processing system with a sensor-actuator feedback loop that monitors operational parameters and executes error recovery instructions to maintain optimal operation, allowing for continuous processing and efficient use of multiple mixed denomination receptacles, reducing the need for frequent machine shutdowns and minimizing maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large bulk coin bin is used to maximize availability and coin storage capacity, then the machine can operate continuously without shutdowns, but the weight increases to hundreds of pounds requiring specialized equipment and collection services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single large bulk coin bin into multiple smaller individual coin receptacles (e.g., 6-12 separate receptacles). Each receptacle can be independently filled and removed, allowing the system to maintain high availability without requiring a single massive bin. This segmentation reduces the weight of individual components while maintaining total storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic receptacle management system where coin receptacles can be automatically or manually replaced when full. The system monitors receptacle status and enables continuous operation by swapping out filled receptacles with empty ones, making the overall system behavior dynamic rather than static like a fixed bulk bin.
2Productivity
If multiple coin bags of mixed coins are used to address spatial limitations, then the machine can operate more continuously, but the capacity does not approach that of a large bulk bin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual coin receptacles into a single integrated receptacle station assembly. This merging allows the system to achieve bulk-bin-level total capacity while maintaining the operational advantages of multiple separate receptacles. The combined assembly can be treated as a single unit for installation and removal purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges multiple coin receptacles in a stacked or multi-level configuration within the receptacle station, utilizing vertical space rather than only horizontal space. This dimensional arrangement increases total storage capacity without proportionally increasing the machine's footprint, allowing bulk-bin-level capacity in a more compact form factor.
3Manufacturing precision
If receptacles for single denominations are used to separate and store coins, then coin sorting is improved, but the machine must shut down when a receptacle becomes full
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares multiple empty coin receptacles in advance and positions them within the receptacle station. When one receptacle becomes full, the system can immediately switch to or replace it with a pre-positioned empty receptacle without shutting down. This preliminary preparation of multiple receptacles eliminates downtime while maintaining precise denomination separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a multi-receptacle system where coin sorting and collection continue uninterrupted by providing alternative receptacles. While one receptacle is being used, others are available for immediate substitution, ensuring the coin sorting and collection process continues without shutdown and maintaining both sorting accuracy and machine availability.
4Productivity
If a moveable receptacle station with multiple mixed denomination receptacles is used, then continuous operation is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the moveable receptacle station as a universal assembly that can hold multiple different types of coin receptacles (different denominations, different sizes). The station itself serves multiple functions: storage, organization, and easy replacement. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate mechanisms into a single versatile unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A coin processing system includes a coin processing machine configured to receive a plurality of randomly oriented coins in a coin input region thereof, process the coins, and determine a total amount of the coins. The coin processing system also includes a sensor configured to measure a pre-determined property associated with a component of the coin processing machine and/or an operational state of the coin processing machine and to output to a controller a signal related thereto. The coin processing system also includes an actuating device disposed to influence the pre-determined property. A controller is configured to monitor the signal output by the sensor and, responsive to a deviation of a value of the signal from an acceptable value for the signal, to execute an error recovery instruction set at least once. Execution of the error recovery instruction set by the controller causes an actuation of the actuating device to influence the pre-determined property to attempt to restore the operational parameter to a condition wherein the signal output by the sensor is within an acceptable value for the pre-determined property.