Gravity-Assisted Coin Sorting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coin dispensers lack flexibility and control in dispensing multiple coin types and denominations efficiently, particularly in terms of speed and ensuring compliance with accessibility standards like the Disability Discrimination Act, as they often require manual intervention and suffer from inertia-related operational limitations.
Innovation Solution
A disk sorting assembly with a disk transferring device and a novel disk diverting mechanism that uses a movable diverting surface orthogonal to the transport path, allowing for efficient sorting and diversion of coins based on type, enabling the dispensing of mixed denominations and diameters while maintaining high operational speed, and integrating a disk identifying device for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional coin dispenser uses a single hopper and manual sorting, then it can handle multiple coin types, but the dispensing speed is slow and requires manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The coin storage system is segmented into multiple hoppers, each dedicated to storing coins of a specific denomination. This segmentation allows the system to automatically select and dispense from the appropriate hopper based on the requested denomination, eliminating manual sorting and significantly increasing dispensing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Coins are pre-sorted and stored in designated hoppers according to their denominations before the dispensing process begins. This preliminary organization enables the system to immediately access and dispense the correct coin type without requiring manual intervention during the dispensing operation.
2Productivity
If a disk transferring device handles only one disk type at a time, then it can operate at high speed, but it lacks flexibility to handle mixed denominations
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed with multiple hoppers that can be configured to handle different disk types (different denominations and diameters). The disk identifying device and diverting mechanism work together to universally handle various disk types, allowing the system to maintain high operational speed while simultaneously providing flexibility to dispense mixed denominations in any sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its operation based on the requested denomination. The disk identifying device real-time identification of each disk type, and the diverting mechanism dynamically redirects disks to appropriate destinations, enabling the system to flexibly handle mixed denominations while maintaining high-speed operation.
3Productivity
If a dispenser uses inertia-based mechanical mechanisms for coin diversion, then the structure is simple, but the operational speed is limited by inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional inertia-based mechanical diversion mechanisms with a gravity-based system. Disks are conveyed along an inclined path and diverted using gravity-assisted mechanisms that are not limited by inertia, enabling much faster operational speeds. The system uses controlled gravitational flow and guided paths rather than mechanical pushing or flipping actions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a coin dispenser does not identify coin types, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot provide precise control for dispensing specific denominations
Solution Approach 1:
The disk identifying device provides real-time feedback about the type of disk being processed. This information is fed back to the control system, which then directs the diverting mechanism to route the disk to the appropriate destination (specific denomination outlet or return path). This feedback loop enables precise control over which denominations are dispensed and in what quantities.
Solution Approach 2:
The disk identifying device acts as an intermediary between the disk conveying mechanism and the diverting mechanism. It analyzes disk characteristics (such as diameter, weight, or magnetic properties) and provides identification information that mediates the decision-making process for routing disks to the correct outlet, enabling precise denomination control without requiring complex direct control mechanisms.
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 enables efficient and flexible dispensing of multiple coin types and denominations at high speeds, ensuring compliance with accessibility standards and reducing operational inertia, thus improving the overall efficiency and usability of coin dispensers.
Implementation Method 1
the disk diverting surface is biased towards the retracted position
Implementation Method 2
whereby disks pass along the path and the diverting mechanism under gravity
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A disk sorting device (10) comprises a housing (22) defining a disk transport path (20) for conveying disks from a disk transferring device (1003). A disk identifying device (24) is located adjacent the disk transport path (20) for identifying the type of disk passing along the transport path. A disk diverting mechanism (28) in the disk transport path (20) downstream of the disk identifying device is operable to divert disks in accordance with the type of the disk determined by the disk identifying device into a selected one of at least a return path (36) in which a disk returns to the disk transferring device (1003) and a dispense path (38) in which a disk is directed towards a dispense outlet. The disk transport path (20) is oriented with a vertical component whereby disks pass along the path and the diverting mechanism under gravity. The disk diverting mechanism includes a single disk diverting surface (52) movable orthogonally with respect to the disk transport path between a first position in which a disk passes to the return path, and a second position in which a disk passes to the dispense path, wherein in one of the first and second positions the surface is retracted away from the disk transport path so that a disk can fall undeflected past the disk diverting surface and in the other of the first and second positions the surface is inserted into the disk transport path so as to divert a disk to the dispense outlet.