Rack and Pinion Pusher Plate for ATM Stacking Bin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pusher plate stacking bins in ATMs are expensive and require a large space footprint due to the substantial pusher plate stroke, which limits the check capacity and is inefficient in terms of mechanical components like ball screws.
Innovation Solution
A pusher plate stacking bin apparatus using a rack and pinion apparatus driven by a DC motor, with springs to maintain tension and reduce the pusher plate stroke from 74 mm to 18 mm, minimizing the vertical distance and eliminating the need for a powerful scissor linkage and ball screw mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional pusher plate stacking bin uses a spring-loaded return mechanism with scissor linkage and ball screw, then the pusher plate can maintain tension on media items, but the device requires a large space footprint and is expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the ball screw mechanism from the system, replacing it with a rack and pinion drive system. This removal of the expensive and space-consuming ball screw component directly addresses the contradiction by reducing both manufacturing cost and space footprint while maintaining the pusher plate's ability to stack media items reliably
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the scissor linkage mechanism with a parallel linkage system that provides the same media support and tensioning function but with reduced space requirements. This mechanical substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability while reducing the space footprint
2Reliability
If the pusher plate stroke is increased to ensure proper media stacking, then the stacking functionality is maintained, but the check capacity within the bin is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the stroke parameter from 74mm to 18mm by implementing a different mechanical approach using parallel linkages and a rack and pinion system. This parameter change allows the pusher plate to maintain effective stacking functionality while significantly reducing the space required, thereby increasing check capacity
3Force
If a ball screw mechanism is used to drive the pusher plate, then the pusher plate can be driven with sufficient force, but the manufacturing cost increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the ball screw mechanism from the system, replacing it with a rack and pinion drive system. This elimination of the expensive ball screw component directly reduces manufacturing cost while the rack and pinion mechanism provides sufficient driving force for the pusher plate to stack media items effectively
4Area of stationary object
If the pusher plate stroke is reduced to save space, then the space footprint is minimized, but the stacking bin loses functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic parallel linkage system that can adapt its configuration during operation. The linkages move from an extended position during media insertion to a compressed position during stacking, allowing the system to maintain full stacking functionality with a reduced 18mm stroke while minimizing space footprint
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
This design reduces the overall space footprint of the ATM, allowing for increased check capacity or enhanced functionality in other modules by using fewer and less expensive mechanical components, while maintaining efficient stacking and storage functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The rack and pinion apparatus used to drive the pusher plate toward the media stacking platform when a media item is in a final position within the pusher plate stacking bin apparatus onto the media stacking platform
Implementation Method 2
The springs are attached to the media stacking platform to compress and to maintain tension on the media item when forced onto the media stacking platform by the pusher plate
Data Source
AI summary
A pusher plate stacking bin apparatus is provided for a valuable media depository. The apparatus comprising a pusher plate driven by a rack and pinion apparatus to stack a media item that is in a final position within the apparatus onto a media stacking platform. The media item is urged into the final position such that a trailing edge of the media item overhangs and rests on a fixed media guide and such that a leading edge of the media item overhangs and rests on a hinged media guide with a bottom surface of the media item elevated above the media stacking platform. The rack and pinion apparatus drives the plate past the media guides causing the hinged media guide to drop and the media item to fold along the leading edge as the media item is stacked onto the platform.