Drive Transmission Switching for Single-Motor Paper Sheet Circulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing banknote processing devices require two motors to drive two circulation drums, leading to increased size, weight, and cost, as well as reduced banknote storage capacity.

Innovation Solution

A drive transmission switching mechanism that allows a single motor to drive two circulation units by selectively switching and transmitting the drive force, activated in conjunction with the operation of a sorter that changes the posture of transported paper sheets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two motors are provided to drive two circulation drums, then each circulation drum can be driven independently, but the size, weight, and cost increase, and the number of banknotes stacked in each circulation drum decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent drive capabilityVSAvoidweight of circulation storage unit
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two separate drive systems into one by providing a single drive motor that can selectively drive either the first or second circulation drum through a drive transmission switching mechanism. This combining approach reduces the total number of motors from two to one, thereby decreasing the weight, size, and cost while maintaining the capability to independently operate both circulation drums when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic switching capability through a drive transmission switching mechanism that can dynamically change the connection between the single drive motor and the two circulation drums. This allows the system to adapt between different operational modes: driving one drum at a time or switching between drums, providing independent drive capability on demand without requiring two permanently connected motors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If two motors are provided to drive two circulation drums, then each circulation drum can be driven independently, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent drive capabilityVSAvoidmotor configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two separate drive systems into one by providing a single drive motor that can selectively drive either the first or second circulation drum through a drive transmission switching mechanism. This combining approach reduces the total number of motors from two to one, thereby decreasing the weight, size, and cost while maintaining the capability to independently operate both circulation drums when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a drive transmission switching mechanism as an intermediary component between the single drive motor and the two circulation drums. This intermediary mechanism enables the motor to selectively transmit power to either drum, providing independent drive capability without requiring two separate motor installations, thus simplifying the overall system configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If two motors are provided to drive two circulation drums, then each circulation drum can be driven independently, but the number of banknotes stacked in each circulation drum decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent drive capabilityVSAvoidbanknote storage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two separate drive systems into one by providing a single drive motor that can selectively drive either the first or second circulation drum through a drive transmission switching mechanism. This combining approach reduces the total number of motors from two to one, thereby decreasing the weight, size, and cost while maintaining the capability to independently operate both circulation drums when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables efficient switching and driving of two circulation units with a single motor, simplifying the hardware configuration, reducing costs, and maintaining banknote storage capacity.

Implementation Method 1

an activation mechanism that activates the pressurizing member, including a cam gear that rotates upon reception of a drive force from another drive gear member, and a cam portion that activates the pressurizing member by rotating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentEP3757048B1Drive transmission switching mechanism, corresponding paper sheet storage unit, and corresponding paper sheet processing device
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 JAPAN CASH MASCH CO LTD
  • EP3757048B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3757048B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3757048B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Provided is a drive transmission switching mechanism that can switch and drive two circulation units by one motor in response to a switching operation of a paper sheet transport direction. A paper sheet storage unit includes a first circulation unit 100 and a second circulation unit 200 that respectively receive transported paper sheets upon reception of a drive force from a single motor 302 and feed paper sheets stored therein, a sorter 310 that sorts paper sheets to either one of the circulation units, and a drive transmission switching mechanism 400 that transmits a drive force from the motor to either one of the circulation units. The drive transmission switching mechanism is activated in conjunction with an operation to change the posture of the sorter, thereby switching and transmitting the drive force to either one of the circulation units.