Inclined Hopper and Ribbed Surface for Stable Bill Picking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet processing systems for ATMs face challenges with high frictional forces when handling large stacks of bills, leading to unstable picking and potential damage to inspection units, as well as the need for dedicated loading containers that increase costs and ATM size.
Innovation Solution
A sheet processing apparatus with an inclined feeding unit and adjustable pick-up mechanism, featuring a support surface with ribs to reduce friction and a conveying path design that prevents foreign objects from reaching the inspection unit, allowing for stable and reliable picking and processing of up to 2000 bills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sheets are stacked in large quantities on a hopper unit, then productivity increases, but the frictional force between sheets increases due to gravity, causing unstable picking
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper unit is inclined at a specific angle (α) relative to the horizontal plane, changing the dimensional orientation of sheet stacking from vertical to inclined. This dimensional change reduces the gravitational force component acting perpendicular to the sheet surface, thereby reducing frictional force and enabling stable picking of large quantities of sheets (up to 2000 sheets) without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The inner surface of the hopper unit is equipped with guide ribs that create localized regions with different friction characteristics. These ribs guide sheets to move in a controlled manner along the inclined surface, ensuring uniform movement and preventing sheets from sticking together, thus maintaining picking stability across the entire sheet stack
2Device complexity
If a friction-based pick up process is used, then device complexity is reduced, but sheets may slip or be picked up in multi-layers when frictional force is high
Solution Approach 1:
By inclining the hopper unit, the picking mechanism maintains its simple friction-based design while the dimensional change in sheet orientation reduces the normal force between sheets. This allows the simple picking mechanism to achieve high picking accuracy by preventing sheets from sticking together, eliminating the need for complex separation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Guide ribs are introduced as intermediary elements between the sheets and the hopper surface. These ribs act as mediators that control sheet movement and prevent direct frictional contact between multiple sheets, ensuring that only one sheet is picked up at a time while maintaining the simplicity of the overall picking mechanism
3Volume of moving object
If sheets are stacked vertically to increase capacity, then volume efficiency improves, but frictional force increases causing sheets to not be picked up stably
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper unit is inclined at an angle (α) relative to the horizontal plane, changing the orientation of sheet stacking from vertical to inclined. This dimensional change maintains high volumetric capacity while reducing the gravitational force component perpendicular to the sheet surface, thereby reducing frictional force and enabling stable picking of large quantities of sheets
4Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated loading container is added to the ATM, then bill handling capability improves, but the size and cost of the ATM increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet processing apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a standalone sheet processing device and as an integrated component for ATM bill handling. By making the apparatus universal, ATM operators can use the same device for various bill processing tasks without requiring dedicated loading containers, thereby maintaining enhanced bill handling capability while avoiding increased ATM size
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet processing apparatus combines multiple functions (sheet feeding, conveying, inspection, and collection) into a single integrated unit. By merging these functions, the apparatus eliminates the need for separate dedicated loading containers in ATMs, reducing overall system complexity and space requirements while maintaining comprehensive bill handling capability
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 stable and reliable processing of large stacks of bills, preventing slipping and multi-layered picking, and reduces the risk of damage to inspection units, while eliminating the need for dedicated loading containers, thus enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
when more than 1000 sheets are stacked, the frictional force between the sheets increases due to the gravity of the stacked sheets
Implementation Method 2
the frictional force between the sheets increases due to the gravity of the stacked sheets
Implementation Method 3
When they are conveyed to the inspection unit, the inspection unit may be damaged
Data Source
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AI summary
A sheet processing apparatus includes a main module 10 and a loading module 30. The main module includes a feeding unit 11 configured to be stacked with a plurality of paper sheets, a pick up mechanism 14 configured to pick up the paper sheets from the feeding unit, a conveying path 16 that conveys the picked up bill, an inspection device 18 configured to inspect the conveyed sheets, and an accumulation unit 22a configured to accumulate the inspected paper sheets. The loading module includes an attaching unit 34 to which a loading container 32 of an automatic teller machine is attachable, a conveying path 44 in communication with the main module and conveying the paper sheets, a loading/pick up mechanism 36 configured to load and pick up the paper sheets to/from the loading container, an inspection device 38 configured to inspect the paper sheets picked up from the loading container, a rejection container 40 that accumulates a rejected sheet. The loading module is configured to load the paper sheets conveyed from the main module to the loading container.