Coin Sorting Chute with Vertical Flat Side Outlets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coin sorters in gaming machines and entertainment devices face challenges in compact size, high sorting speed, and high throughput while maintaining sorting reliability, particularly in sorting coins into different payout and cash stores without significant height loss and complex conveying devices.
Innovation Solution
A coin sorting device with a chute having multiple flat side outlets and a base outlet, where the flat side outlets are arranged above one another and inclined at an acute angle, allowing for compact construction and efficient sorting with shunts that require minimal switch paths and actuation, enabling high throughput and reliable sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple outlets are arranged in the chute to enable high throughput and compact construction, then the sorting capacity and space efficiency are improved, but the complexity of the outlet arrangement and shunt control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal outlet arrangement to vertical stacking of outlets in the chute. Multiple outlets are arranged one above another in the falling direction, allowing coins to be diverted to different outlets at different heights. This vertical dimensionality enables multiple sorting paths within a compact horizontal footprint, increasing throughput without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The chute is segmented into multiple outlet zones along its length, with each outlet capable of being independently controlled by its own shunt mechanism. This segmentation allows parallel processing of coins at different stages, where coins can be diverted to different outlets simultaneously, thereby increasing sorting capacity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular outlet design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flaps are arranged vertically above one another to sort coins, then sorting capability is improved, but the construction height increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging sorting mechanisms vertically stacked above one another (which increases height), the patent uses a horizontal chute with vertically stacked outlets. The coin flow direction remains horizontal, while outlets are positioned at different vertical levels. This dimensional reorganization maintains sorting capability while preventing excessive height increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs shunt mechanisms that can dynamically adjust their position to channel coins to different outlets. These movable shunts replace fixed vertical flap arrangements, allowing flexible coin diversion without requiring the coins to travel through multiple vertical levels, thus reducing the overall construction height while maintaining adaptability.
3Reliability
If coins fall through a long chute to reach the outlet, then sorting reliability is improved, but the available falling height is wasted and construction height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vertical outlet positioning within the chute structure, allowing coins to be diverted to different outlets at various heights along the chute. This enables reliable sorting through controlled coin flow and strategic outlet placement without requiring excessive chute length. Coins can be channeled to the appropriate outlet more efficiently, reducing wasted falling height while maintaining sorting reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shunt mechanisms are positioned to preemptively channel coins to the correct outlets before the coins reach the end of the chute. This preliminary diversion action reduces the effective falling distance needed for sorting, as coins are directed to their destination outlets earlier in the chute trajectory, thereby reducing overall chute length requirements while maintaining reliable sorting.
4Ease of operation
If shunts are positioned far from the chute outlet to channel coins, then sorting control is improved, but the switch path length increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions shunts close to the chute outlets, utilizing the vertical dimension for shunt placement. Shunts are located at the outlet openings or immediately adjacent to them, allowing short switch paths while maintaining effective coin channeling control. This close proximity of shunts to outlets enables rapid actuation and coin diversion, increasing throughput without sacrificing sorting control.
Solution Approach 2:
The shunt mechanisms are designed as dynamic elements that can rapidly move between positions to control coin flow. By placing shunts close to the outlets with minimal switch paths, the system achieves fast response times for coin diversion. The dynamic nature of these shunts allows them to quickly adjust to changing coin flow requirements, maintaining high throughput while providing effective sorting control.
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 device achieves a compact size with minimal height loss, high sorting speed, and high throughput while ensuring reliable sorting of coins into different outlets, optimizing the use of available falling distance and reducing the need for complex conveying devices.
Implementation Method 1
a chute (7) which has at least one inlet (12) and a plurality of outlets (13, 14, 15) and which possesses a flat, substantially rectangular cross-section... such that the coins to be sorted can fall or slide through the chute
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for sorting coins and the like having a chute which has at least one inlet and a plurality of outlets. The chute has at least two flat side outlets which are arranged one above the other in the falling direction through the chute with a respective shunt being associated with the flat side outlets. The chute advantageously has two oppositely disposed wide flat sides and two oppositely disposed narrow sides. The wide flat sides are disposed opposite the wide flat sides of a coin. The coins are accordingly channeled away transversely to their flat sides via the flat side outlets. The plurality of flat side outlets arranged above one another have the great advantage in this respect that the coin sorting body can be made in particularly compact form. In addition, the small required switch paths permit very short switch times of the shunts.