Rotatable Security Gate Mechanism for Currency Handling Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Currency handling devices face challenges in preventing unauthorized removal of currency, as existing security measures like rotatable gates can be vulnerable to fraudulent extraction methods, such as using strings or fishing elements, and may not effectively deter all attempts to remove currency from within the device.

Innovation Solution

A security gate mechanism featuring a rotatable gate with a slit, actuated by a drive wheel and positioning member, which can rotate to block the passage of currency and detect fraudulent attempts by winding attached strings or elements, ensuring secure storage and retrieval processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rotatable gate is used to prevent currency extraction, then security against string-based fraud is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against string-based fraudVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gate is made rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position between open and closed states. This dynamic element prevents string-based fraud by rotating to block the extraction path while maintaining ease of operation through automated control via the drive wheel and positioning member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The drive wheel and positioning member act as intermediary mechanisms that automate the gate's rotation. These components mediate between the control system and the gate, reducing the complexity burden on the overall system by providing a simple mechanical interface for secure operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a rotatable gate mechanism is added to block currency passage, then unauthorized extraction is prevented, but the ease of operation for legitimate currency handling is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized extraction preventionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gate mechanism is designed to serve itself through automated rotation controlled by the drive wheel and positioning member. The system automatically opens and closes the gate based on operational needs without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning member is configured to preliminarily position the gate in the correct state before currency handling operations begin. This preliminary positioning ensures the gate is ready for either open or closed operation, streamlining the overall process and maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the gate rotates to block the passage, then security is enhanced, but the time required for currency dispensing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity enhancementVSAvoidcurrency dispensing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The gate rotates periodically between open and closed states in synchronization with currency handling operations. This periodic action allows the gate to be open during dispensing to minimize time loss, then close immediately after to maintain security, creating an efficient rhythm that balances both requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The gate rotation is designed to occur rapidly during critical transitions, skipping through the closed position quickly to minimize the time currency is vulnerable. The positioning member enables this rapid transition, rushing the gate into the secure closed position as soon as currency handling is complete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentEP2278560B1Security gate mechanism for a currency handling device
Publication Date: 2013.04.24 MEI INC
  • EP2278560B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2278560B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2278560B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A security gate mechanism for a currency handling apparatus having a currency passageway includes a rotatable gate 100 having a slit 115 therein. The slit 115 is aligned with the currency passageway when the rotatable gate 100 is in an initial position. A drive wheel 60 is coupled to the rotatable gate 100 for driving the rotatable gate 100 in first and second directions, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction. A positioning member is selectively engageable with the drive wheel 60 for positioning the rotatable gate 100 in the initial position such that the slit 115 in the rotatable gate 100 is substantially aligned with the passageway. The positioning member is arranged to be engageable with the drive wheel 60 when the drive wheel 60 rotates the rotatable gate 100 in the second direction, but it is not engageable with the drive wheel 60 when the drive wheel 60 rotates the rotatable gate 100 in the first direction.