Paper Sheet Storage Sensors Using Diagonal Light Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper sheet storage apparatuses inaccurately detect the presence of an accumulation space due to bills leaning against the leading-edge position restriction guide, leading to potential jams.
Innovation Solution
A sensor is positioned to emit detection light between a first position opposite the leading-edge position restriction guide and a second position below it, allowing accurate detection of the accumulation space by avoiding horizontal blockage from leaning bills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a sensor emits horizontal detection light to detect accumulation space, then the detection function is simple, but the detection accuracy deteriorates when bills lean against the leading-edge position restriction guide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection light emission direction from horizontal to diagonal (upper direction). By emitting detection light at an angle rather than horizontally, the sensor can distinguish between bills that are properly stacked and bills that are leaning against the leading-edge position restriction guide, thereby improving detection accuracy without significantly increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diagonal detection light path as an intermediary method to resolve the detection ambiguity. Instead of directly using horizontal light that gets blocked by leaning bills, the diagonal light path acts as an intermediary that can penetrate through or around the leaning bills to accurately detect the true accumulation space status
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the sensor detects accumulation space based on horizontal light blockage, then the detection method is simple, but false detection occurs when bills are folded upward
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal detection to diagonal detection by changing the light emission angle. This dimensional change allows the sensor to detect bills folded upward more reliably, as the diagonal light path can distinguish between properly stacked bills and folded bills, thereby improving detection reliability while maintaining reasonable method simplicity
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
Enhances the accuracy of detecting the presence of an accumulation space, preventing jams by correctly identifying sufficient space even when bills lean against the guide.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor that emits, to a space between a position above a placement mount on which bills are placed and a position below a transportation unit for transporting bills onto the placement mount, detection light for determining the presence/absence of an accumulation space in accordance with whether the detection light is blocked by bills
Data Source
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AI summary
A paper sheet storage apparatus (1) includes: a placement mount (10) on which bills (B), i.e., an example of paper sheets, are placed; a leading-edge position restriction guide (20) that restricts the position of the leading edge portion of a bill (B) in an entering direction (D) in which the bill (B) advances when being transported onto the placement mount (10); and a sensor (30) that detects the presence/absence of an accumulation space (S) for bills (B) that is located above the placement mount (10). The sensor (30) detects the presence/absence of an accumulation space (S) by using detection light (L) emitted to a space between a first position (PI) that is located on an opposite side of the leading-edge position restriction guide (20) from the bills (B) on the placement mount (10) and a second position (P2) below the first position (PI) that is located on an opposite side of the bills (B) on the placement mount (10) from the leading-edge position restriction guide (20).