Off-Center Screw Conveyance for Coin Alignment Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coin processing apparatuses face issues with reduced conveyance force and inclined coins due to dirt and uneven coin alignment, leading to conveyance failures.
Innovation Solution
A coin processing apparatus with a screw-type conveyance member featuring a cylindrical shaft and spirally protruding blade, positioned off-center within the housing guide, which rotates to tilt backward and convey coins in pitch intervals, maintaining contact and preventing accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a belt conveyance method is used, then coins can be conveyed automatically, but conveyance force reduces due to dirt accumulation and inclined coins rolling on the belt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the coins from direct contact with the belt surface by introducing a holder that engages with protrusions on the belt. This separation prevents dirt accumulation on the belt while maintaining automated conveyance, as the holder transfers the coins rather than the belt directly contacting them throughout the journey.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder acts as an intermediary between the belt and coins. The holder engages with protrusions on the belt and carries coins through the conveyance path, preventing direct belt-coin contact that leads to dirt accumulation and reduced friction. This mediator maintains reliable conveyance force while enabling automation.
2Device complexity
If coins are conveyed on a belt surface, then conveyance is simple, but inclined coins continue to stay at constant positions while rolling, causing conveyance failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conveyance function into two parts: the belt provides propulsion through protrusions, while the holder provides positioning and support for the coins. This segmentation ensures coins maintain proper orientation and position throughout conveyance, preventing inclined coins from rolling at constant positions while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder serves as an intermediary that stabilizes coin position and orientation during conveyance. By engaging with the coins and the belt protrusions, the holder prevents inclined coins from rolling at constant positions, ensuring reliable conveyance while maintaining mechanistic simplicity.
3Force
If the conveyance member contacts coins directly, then conveyance force is maintained, but dirt from coins reduces friction and conveyance force over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the coins from direct continuous contact with the belt surface by using a holder mechanism. The belt protrusions transfer force to the holder, which then carries the coins. This extraction prevents dirt from the coins from accumulating on the belt surface, maintaining friction and conveyance force over time while still enabling effective force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder acts as an intermediary that receives conveyance force from the belt protrusions and transfers it to the coins. This intermediary arrangement maintains necessary conveyance force while preventing direct coin-belt contact that would cause dirt accumulation and friction reduction on the belt surface.
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 effectively prevents conveyance failures by maintaining contact with coins and ensuring smooth, stable conveyance, even when coins are not aligned properly, reducing the risk of inclined coins and dirt-induced force reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a screw-type conveyance member that includes: a shaft having a cylindrical shape and extending along the front-rear direction; and a blade member spirally provided on an outer periphery of the shaft and protruding outward from the outer periphery, wherein the screw-type conveyance member is provided to the housing guide rotatably about a central axis of the shaft
Implementation Method 2
The conveyance method causes a failure in conveyance such as a reduction in conveyance force due to a reduction in friction force caused by dirt coming from the conveyed coins
Data Source
AI summary
In a coin processing apparatus including a plurality of coin containers, each of the coin containers includes a housing guide and a screw-type conveyance member. The housing guide has both side sections paired in a left-right direction. The housing guide has lateral protrusions formed on inner surfaces of the paired side sections and protruding to extend close to each other. The screw-type conveyance member has a shaft having a cylindrical shape and a blade member spirally provided on an outer periphery of the shaft such that the blade member protrudes outward from the outer periphery, and is provided to the housing guide such that a part of the shaft and a part of the blade protrude upward in a space between the lateral protrusions and may rotate about a central axis of the shaft. The screw-type conveyance member is provided at an off-center position of the housing guide.