Compact Annular Reject Bin for ATM Media Jam Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reject bins for self-service terminals, such as ATMs, face issues with space efficiency and media item jams due to their cuboid shape and fixed lower internal end, which can lead to service disruptions when handling unsorted media items like checks or bank notes.
Innovation Solution
A compact short-edge reject bin with an annular-shaped storage cavity and opposing driven rollers, featuring a motor-driven gear and belt assembly, and ramp-like protrusions on the inner surface of the outer wall to reduce friction and prevent jams, allowing media items to rotate freely and promoting smooth insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cuboid-shaped reject bin with a fixed lower internal end is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but media items may jam against the fixed end causing service disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the fixed lower internal end with a curved surface that guides media items smoothly into the storage cavity. The curved surface eliminates sharp angles and fixed ends that cause jamming, allowing media items to flow more reliably without increasing overall structural complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If a conventional reject bin is used, then the structure is straightforward, but it occupies significant space within the terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional horizontal cuboid configuration to a vertical cylindrical configuration. This dimensional change allows the reject bin to occupy less horizontal space within the terminal while maintaining adequate storage capacity and media item handling efficiency through the vertical orientation and rotational access capabilities.
3Productivity
If opposing driven rollers are added to push media items, then media item insertion is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the roller mechanism into opposing driven rollers that work together to push media items into the storage cavity. This segmentation allows each roller to be independently controlled and optimized, improving media item processing speed while keeping the overall mechanism manageable through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The opposing driven rollers act as intermediaries between the media items and the storage cavity. They transfer the driving force from the motor to the media items, facilitating smooth insertion without requiring direct mechanical contact between the motor and media items, thus reducing overall system complexity.
4Reliability
If ramp-like protrusions are added to the inner surface, then friction is reduced and jams are prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ramp-like protrusions locally on the inner surface of the storage cavity rather than modifying the entire structure. These localized features are positioned strategically to reduce friction at critical points where media items contact the surface, preventing jams without requiring complex manufacturing of the entire bin structure.
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 reduces the likelihood of media jams and saves space within the terminal, maintaining operational efficiency by allowing for efficient storage and handling of unsorted media items without requiring significant additional space, thus minimizing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
ramp-like protrusions on the inner surface of the outer wall to reduce friction and prevent jams
Implementation Method 2
opposing driven rollers for receiving the sequential series of media items via the input channel and for pushing out each of the sequential series of media items
Implementation Method 3
motor-driven gear and belt assembly
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A bin for storing rejected media items at a self-service terminal such as an automated teller machine has an input channel for receiving a sequential series of media items such as checks or bank notes. Opposing driven rollers receive the sequential series of media items via the input channel and push out each of the sequential series of media items into an output channel. A storage receptacle receives each of the sequential series of media items pushed out by the opposing driven rollers via the output channel. The storage receptacle has an annular-shaped storage cavity formed by an inner cylindrical wall and an outer wall. The outer wall is at least partially cylindrical and optionally includes a plurality of ramp-like protrusions on an inner surface thereof which aid in preventing input jams at the storage receptacle.