Rocker Mechanism for Document Stacking Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing document validating and stacking devices face issues with mechanical imperfections such as friction, slippage, wear, and abnormal noise due to the sliding contact between cams and X-linkages, which restrict the pressure angle and require larger cam sizes, limiting the efficiency of document stowage.
Innovation Solution
A document validating/stacking device with a rocker mechanism that rotates to push an X-linkage, allowing for a circular arc movement to expand and stow documents smoothly into a storage chamber, reducing slippage and wear by maintaining a zero pressure angle during rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cam is used to drive the X-linkage, then the X-linkage can be extended to stow the document, but friction, slippage, wear and abnormal noise occur due to sliding contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the cam-based mechanical drive system with a rocker-based system. The rocker rotates about a pivot shaft and directly pushes the driver arm of the X-linkage, eliminating the sliding contact between cam and follower that causes friction, wear and noise. This substitution of mechanical systems resolves the contradiction by maintaining the stowage function while removing harmful sliding contact effects.
2Reliability
If the pressure angle of the cam is restricted to less than 45 degrees, then the X-linkage can be driven, but the cam size becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the cam mechanism entirely and replaces it with a rocker mechanism. The rocker rotates about a pivot shaft and its head pushes the driver arm of the X-linkage during rotation. This substitution removes the pressure angle constraint that forced the cam to be large, while achieving the same functional result of extending the X-linkage to stow the document.
3Force
If a large-sized and heavy actuating fork is used to push the currency, then the currency can be moved into position, but the device becomes more complex and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the heavy actuating fork with a lighter rocker mechanism. The rocker, when rotated by the drive device, uses its head to push the driver arm of the X-linkage, which then extends to move the pusher plate and stow the document. This substitution reduces the mass and complexity of the actuating mechanism while maintaining sufficient pushing force through the mechanical advantage of the X-linkage system.
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 rocker mechanism enhances the extension length of the X-linkage, reduces slippage and wear, and eliminates abnormal noise, enabling efficient and smooth stowage of documents into the storage chamber with increased efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a rocker (10) rotatably attached around a pivot shaft (30)... Rotation of rocker (10) causes head (16) to move in a circular arc to separably push a passive area (45) of driver arm (41) that therefore rotates in the same rotational direction as the circular arc movement of head (16) to expand X-linkage (20)
Data Source
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AI summary
A document validating/stacking device is provided that has a validator (1) provided with a swingable rocker(10) formed with a head(16) and a stacker(2) detachably attached to validator(1). Stacker(2)comprises an X-linkage(20) having a driver arm(41) that is separably pushed by head(16) in the same rotational direction as head (16) swings to expand X-linkage(20), to thereby move pusher plate(18) from the initial position to the extended position and to stow the document within interim chamber(24) into storage(7).