Modular Stacker With Reversible Motor Drive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing document handling systems, such as automated teller machines and bill storage devices, are cumbersome due to their large size and complex structures, and often lack the ability to easily remove and maintain components like cashboxes and stackers, which complicates document management and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A document handler comprising a validator and a removably attached stacker with a storage system, where the stacker is driven by a reversible motor and features a deflection lever system for guiding documents, allowing for easy attachment and detachment for maintenance and management, and eliminating the need for a separate drive source, thus reducing weight and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a bidirectional path with unidirectional paths is used to connect cashboxes and reject safe, then document transport functionality is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocument transport functionalityVSAvoidpath structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the document handling system into modular components: a validator unit and a stacker unit with storage. Each unit has its own conveyor system, eliminating the need for complex bidirectional paths connecting multiple cashboxes and reject safes. The segmentation allows independent operation and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining transport functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stacker with storage is designed as a detachable module that can be removed from the validator. This extraction principle eliminates the need for permanent complex connections between components, allowing the storage unit to be taken out for bill collection without affecting the validator's operation, thus simplifying the overall system structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If cashboxes and reject safe are permanently integrated into the machine, then structural stability is maintained, but removal for bill collection becomes inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidremovability for bill collection
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the stacker and validator is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The stacker can be attached when needed for operation and detached when bill collection is required. This dynamic design allows the system to switch between stable integrated operation and convenient separable maintenance, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a separate drive source is provided for the stacker, then operational independence is achieved, but weight and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational independenceVSAvoidstacker weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The drive mechanism for the stacker's conveyor is merged with the validator's existing drive system. When the stacker is attached to the validator, they share a common drive source through the main conveyor. This merging eliminates the need for a separate drive motor in the stacker, reducing weight while maintaining operational independence through controlled engagement of the drive connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2400469B1Paper sheet handling device
Publication Date: 2016.04.13 JAPAN CASH MASCH CO LTD
  • EP2400469B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2400469B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2400469B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A document handler is provided that comprises a validator 2 having a main conveyor 4, a stacker 3 having a storage 50 detachably attached to validator 2, a storage conveyor 5 in storage 50 for stowing a document fed from validator 2 into storage 50 and picking out the document stored in storage 50 to validator 2 through main conveyor 4 to issue picked document from validator 2, a reversible motor 70 in main conveyor 4 drivingly and detachably connected to storage conveyor 5 of storage 50.