Coin Sorting Apparatus Upstream Sensor Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coin sorting devices face challenges in accurately determining the number of coins fed to individual receptacles due to issues like light beam interruption during free fall and overcrowding, leading to incorrect distribution and potential errors in payment.
Innovation Solution
The device employs sensors in the transport sections to reliably detect coins, ensuring accurate counting and orientation, and a control unit determines the number of coins fed to each receptacle by subtracting the number from the second transport section from the first, preventing permanent detection by sensors when containers are full. Additionally, a checking unit verifies the denomination and authenticity, and the control unit compares actual counts with target values to correct errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light barriers are arranged in the entrance area of receptacles to detect coins, then coin detection is possible, but the light beam is continuously interrupted during free fall causing incorrect coin counting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting coins in the transport section before they reach the receptacle entrance. Sensors are positioned upstream to count coins while they are still on the transport path, eliminating the problematic free fall detection phase. This preliminary detection ensures accurate coin counting before distribution occurs.
2Measurement precision
If light barriers are placed near receptacles to monitor coin supply, then coin distribution can be monitored, but coins stacked up to the light barrier permanently break the beam preventing detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary coin counting in the transport section before coins enter the receptacle. By the time coins are stacked in the receptacle, the counting action has already been completed upstream, so permanent beam interruption in the receptacle area does not affect detection reliability.
3Productivity
If coins are transported at high speed through sorting holes, then processing efficiency is improved, but coins may be inadvertently fed to wrong receiving containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary counting of coins in the transport section before they reach the sorting holes and receiving containers. This upstream detection occurs at high speed without interfering with the rapid sorting process, maintaining both productivity and reliability by verifying coin counts before distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor feedback from the transport section to monitor and verify coin distribution. The detected coin counts are compared against expected values, providing feedback that ensures accuracy even during high-speed operation through multiple receiving containers.
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
This solution ensures accurate and reliable distribution of coins to the correct receptacles, preventing errors in payment and ensuring the correct amount is dispensed, with immediate error recognition and correction capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor for detecting coins transported along the first transport section is arranged in the first transport section. A second sensor for detecting coins transported along the second transport section is also arranged in the second transport section
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The device has two receiving containers to receive the coins (31). A transporting unit (18) transports the coins to the two receiving containers. A sensor (62) that detects the coins is arranged in a transporting section (52) and another sensor (64) that detects the coins is arranged in another transporting section (54). A control unit grasps the number of coins fed to the receiving container depending on the information obtained by the two sensors. The transporting unit comprises two transporting sections.