Token-Operated Lock Rotary Checker Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deposit lock systems are not sufficiently accurate in checking deposits and are not tamper-proof, leading to security concerns and inefficiencies in securing shopping carts or similar items.
Innovation Solution
The deposit lock system incorporates a rotary checker hidden inside the housing, which provides enhanced checking accuracy by translating deposit scanning into rotary movements, preventing manipulation attempts and allowing for precise coin testing across various sizes, with adjustable components for cost-effective production and wide applicability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a deposit lock system uses a simple deposit checking mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the measurement precision of deposit verification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary checker is pre-configured with specific rotational positions corresponding to different valid deposit sizes. The deposit scanning movement is preliminarily converted into rotary movement through a transmission mechanism, so that when the deposit is scanned, it automatically rotates the checker to the appropriate position for verification, eliminating the need for complex electronic processing during the checking operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A transmission mechanism acts as an intermediary between the linear deposit scanning motion and the rotary checker motion. This intermediary converts the scanning movement into rotary movement with a specific transmission ratio, enabling the rotary checker to be driven by the scanning mechanism without requiring direct complex coupling between the scanning system and the verification system.
2Reliability
If the rotary checker is exposed outside the housing for easier access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability against tampering deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary checker is nested inside the deposit lock housing, with only the deposit insertion slot exposed on the outside. The scanning and verification components are arranged in a nested configuration where the rotary checker is positioned within the housing and driven by the scanning mechanism through internal transmission elements, protecting the critical verification components from external tampering while maintaining functional accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the deposit lock is designed to accept only one specific deposit size, then the measurement precision for that size is maximized, but the adaptability to different deposit sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary checker is designed with multiple marked rotational positions, each corresponding to a different valid deposit size. The transmission mechanism is configured to rotate the checker to different positions depending on the size of the deposited object. This allows a single device to verify multiple deposit sizes with equal precision, making the system universal rather than size-specific.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a token-operated lock (3) for shopping carts, which is to receive a coupling part (3). Said token-operated lock (2) comprises a lock part (4), a token holder (5), a token examining device (6) with a token scanner (9) for detecting the token size, and a rotation tester (10) that is coupled to the token scanner (9). The rotation tester (10) which is connected to a triggering mechanism for releasing or blocking the coupling part (3) releases or blocks the triggering mechanism (7) in accordance with the rotational position of the rotation tester (10).