Coin Sorting Guide Unit with Dynamic Closure Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coin sorting units face issues with coins not being reliably guided during ejection, leading to errors in sorting and potential malfunctions due to free movement in the air before being caught by catcher elements.
Innovation Solution
A coin handling device with a guide unit that includes a contact surface and closure elements, where coins are transported with their edges resting against the surface and guided through openings controlled by the closure elements based on their denomination, ensuring accurate sorting and preventing coins from falling through unintended openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If lifting magnets are used to eject coins from receiving areas, then coins can be removed from the transport element, but the coins move freely in the air during ejection causing sorting errors and device malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
A guide unit with a guide surface is introduced as an intermediary element between the lifting magnet and the catching element. The guide surface provides a controlled path for the coin during ejection, preventing free movement in the air. The guide unit includes a guide surface that the coin rests on during transport and ejection, ensuring the coin is guided safely to the catching element without sorting errors.
2Device complexity
If coins are transported on a horizontal belt, then the transport is simple, but the coins cannot be reliably guided through openings for sorting
Solution Approach 1:
The transport element is changed from a horizontal belt to a vertically extending circulation path with receiving areas. The guide unit extends in the direction of circulation, creating a vertical dimension for coin guidance. This allows coins to be transported vertically through openings while maintaining simple transport element structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple openings are provided in the guide unit for different denominations, then coins can be sorted by denomination, but coins may fall through unintended openings causing sorting errors
Solution Approach 1:
The closure elements are made movable to dynamically control the openings based on coin denomination. Each closure element can be positioned to close or open specific openings corresponding to different coin sizes. This dynamic control prevents coins from falling through unintended openings while maintaining the ability to sort multiple denominations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sorting unit (24) has a transport element (58) with receiving areas (56) for receiving a coin (12). The sorting unit has a sorting section extending in the direction (P2) of rotation. The transport element transports the coins such that edges of coins are placed on a bearing surface (66) of the guide unit (64), in the direction (P2) of rotation. The bearing surface has an opening (72) through which the coins are supplied with a receptacle (26). The guide unit has a closure element (74) that closes the opening and opens to move the coins through the opening.