Coin Handling Device with Separating Centrifuge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coin handling devices are complex and prone to errors in sorting and dispensing coins, requiring elaborate structures and multiple components to maintain coin individualization and authenticity verification.
Innovation Solution
A coin handling device with a separating centrifuge arranged between the conveyor unit and sorting unit, which separates coins by denomination and feeds them to different receptacles, allowing for a simpler design and conversion of deposit-only machines into recycling machines with minimal effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elaborate transfer interface is provided to maintain coin individualization between conveyor unit and sorting unit, then coin sorting reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the separation function into a dedicated separating centrifuge unit positioned between the conveyor unit and sorting unit. This allows the transfer interface to be simplified while maintaining coin individualization through the centrifuge's separation action, rather than relying on a complex transfer interface structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating centrifuge acts as an intermediary device between the conveyor unit and sorting unit. It receives coins from the conveyor, maintains their individualization through centrifugal separation, and feeds them to the sorting unit, thereby simplifying the transfer interface while ensuring reliable coin handling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple receiving containers are provided for different coin denominations, then coin sorting capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coin handling process into distinct functional units: the separating centrifuge for initial separation and the sorting unit with multiple receptacles for denomination-specific storage. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full sorting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sorting unit with its multiple receptacles serves as an intermediary storage system between the separating centrifuge and the final dispensing mechanism. It organizes coins by denomination in a structured manner that simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining versatility.
3Device complexity
If a separating centrifuge is arranged between conveyor unit and sorting unit, then device complexity is reduced, but coin separation reliability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The separating centrifuge functions as a reliable intermediary that ensures coin separation before coins reach the sorting unit. Its centrifugal mechanism provides consistent and reliable separation based on coin properties, maintaining high separation reliability while simplifying the overall device structure by consolidating the separation function in one dedicated unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating centrifuge utilizes the coins' own physical properties (mass, density, diameter) to perform self-separation through centrifugal force. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external actuation systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable separation based on inherent coin characteristics.
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 enables reliable coin sorting and dispensing with reduced complexity, maintaining coin individualization and authenticity verification, and allows for easy conversion of existing machines into recycling machines without significant structural changes.
Implementation Method 1
a separating centrifuge for separating coins, which is arranged downstream of the conveying unit and upstream of the sorting unit
Data Source
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AI summary
The machine (10) has an input unit (14) for inputting coins (12). A separation centrifuge (23) separates the coins. A conveyer unit (18) is arranged upstream to the centrifuge and transports the coins from the input unit to the centrifuge. Receptacles (26) store the coins. A sorting unit (24) is arranged downstream to the centrifuge and selectively supplies the coins to the receptacles. A separation unit is arranged upstream to a transfer region and separates the coins such that one of the coins is received in a receiving compartment of the conveyor unit.