Coin Sorting Drum With Radial Slots And Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coin sorting devices face challenges in smoothly transporting coins without disruptions and in efficiently sorting multiple coin types within a low overall height, while being adaptable to any coin type and size, and often have tripping hazards and complex designs.

Innovation Solution

A coin sorting device with radially inwardly open compartments and a fixed plate below, featuring slot-shaped openings for selective sorting, controlled by a drive unit and ejection devices, which are actuated by a control device to manage coin transport and sorting independently of coin size, with a compact design and flexible sorting paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If flaps or coin chutes are used for distribution, then sorting functionality is improved, but overall height increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesorting functionalityVSAvoidoverall height
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes flaps and coin chutes from the system entirely, replacing them with a plate having slot-shaped openings that directly receive coins from compartments. This extraction of unnecessary components eliminates the height increase while preserving sorting functionality through the simplified slot-based distribution mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using flaps that protrude outward to guide coins (adding height), the invention inverts the approach by having coins fall through slot-shaped openings in a plate positioned below the compartments. This inverted configuration achieves the same guiding function while minimizing height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Manufacturing precision

If complex distribution mechanisms are used, then sorting precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesorting precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plate is segmented with multiple slot-shaped openings, each assigned to specific coin types and positioned radially inward relative to corresponding compartments. This segmentation provides precise sorting guidance without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms, as each slot acts as an independent sorting channel controlled by its associated ejection device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical distribution mechanisms (flaps, chutes, levers) with a simplified system consisting of a stationary plate with slot-shaped openings and electronically controlled ejection devices. The sorting precision is achieved through controlled ejection and radial positioning rather than complex mechanical guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If compartments are closed, then coin security is improved, but coin transport smoothness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoin securityVSAvoidcoin transport smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The compartments are designed with selective openness: they remain closed at the outer perimeter for security, but have localized open areas radially inward where ejection devices can access coins for sorting. This local quality differentiation maintains security while enabling smooth coin transport and ejection through the slot-shaped openings in the plate below.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables smooth, disruption-free coin transport and rapid sorting of various coin types without tripping hazards, maintaining a low overall height, and allows for flexible sorting paths, ensuring compatibility with all coin types and sizes, while preventing money laundering through reversible sorting.

Implementation Method 1

the coins have no contact with the plate arranged under the storage drum, the transport of the storage drum or the coins contained therein is trouble-free

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

The ejection devices advantageously have an ejection element which can be actuated by an electromagnet or a motor and which can be designed as a finger or fork

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP2355054B1Coin sorting apparatus and check out systems
Publication Date: 2013.06.19 WALTER HANKE MECHANISHCHE WERKSTATTEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2355054B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2355054B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2355054B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The device (3) has a coin storage drum (15) with a case (16) that is radially and inwardly open, and slot-shaped openings (21) assigned to different coin types in a plate (14) and in a direction, which is radially and inwardly arranged towards the case. Ejecting devices are assigned to the slot-shaped openings in the plate for ejecting coins (5) provided in the case by the slot-shaped openings. A control device (27) controls a drive device (24) and the ejecting devices based on a respective position of the case and the respective type of the coins accommodated in the case. An independent claim is also included for a cash point system comprising a device for coin separation.