Accumulation Table Detector Optical Path Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medium accumulating devices in automatic transaction machines face challenges in determining whether a medium is accumulated on the accumulation table regardless of its position, leading to increased costs due to the need for sensitive sensors and potential interference with the optical path.
Innovation Solution
A medium accumulating device with an accumulation table detector and a medium detector using light-emitter and optical sensor sets that form optical paths intersecting the lifting and lowering direction of the table, along with a determiner to assess the detection results, allowing for accurate determination of medium presence regardless of the table's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the light emitter and optical sensor are separated by a longer distance to form an optical path in the same direction as the moving direction of the accumulation table, then a bill can be sensed whatever position the accumulation table may occupy, but the sensor becomes more expensive and requires higher sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical path direction from parallel to the table movement (vertical dimension) to perpendicular to the table movement (horizontal dimension). This dimensional change allows the optical sensor to detect the table's presence without requiring the sensor to track the table's vertical position, thereby reducing sensor complexity and cost while maintaining detection reliability.
2Device complexity
If the optical sensor is provided so as to form its optical path in a direction different from the moving direction of the accumulation table, then the distance between the light emitter and the optical sensor is reduced, but the accumulation table may take its position such that the accumulation table does not interfere with the optical path of the sensor, thus the sensor failing to sense the accumulation table
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the optical path to be perpendicular to the table movement, creating a universal detection method that works regardless of the table's vertical position. The optical sensor detects the table's presence through its shadow effect on the light path, which remains consistent across all table positions, providing multi-position detection capability with a single sensor configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an assembly of light emitter-optical sensor that forms an optical path in the same direction as the moving direction of the accumulation table is provided, then a bill can be sensed whatever position the accumulation table may occupy, but the light emitter and optical sensor are separated by a longer distance requiring an expensive, higher-sensitive sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the optical path from the vertical dimension (parallel to table movement) to the horizontal dimension (perpendicular to table movement). This allows the sensor to detect the table's presence through lateral light blocking rather than requiring longitudinal separation, achieving position adaptability with reduced sensor distance and lower sensitivity requirements.
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 solution simplifies the configuration, reduces costs by using fewer and less expensive sensors, and ensures accurate detection of media presence on the accumulation table, even when the table is in varying positions.
Implementation Method 1
an accumulation table detector detecting lowering of the accumulation table... configured to detect whether or not the accumulation table lowers below a predetermined position... a medium detector that can detect whether or not the medium is accumulated on the accumulation table
Data Source
AI summary
A medium accumulating device has an accumulation table on which a medium is accumulated, an elastic member that supports the accumulation table, and an accumulation table detector that detects lowering of the accumulation table. The accumulation table is sensed to determine whether the accumulation table lowers below a predetermined position to thereby determine whether or not a medium is accumulated on the accumulation table.