Trifurcate Intersection Deflector for Document Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bill validators lack the capability to selectively transfer documents through a trifurcate intersection of three pathways, and there is no mechanism for storing and dispensing documents from a recycle box.
Innovation Solution
A conveyance control device with a turning mechanism featuring a trifurcate intersection, a deflector with rotatable vertices, and an actuating device that allows documents to be smoothly transferred between shuttle, reserve, and recycle pathways, along with a document validator device that includes a recycle box for storing and dispensing documents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a turning device with trifurcate intersection is added to enable selective transfer between three pathways, then the adaptability and routing capability of the document handling system is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turning device is segmented into three independent deflectors (first, second, and third deflectors) that can be controlled separately. Each deflector manages a specific pathway connection, allowing independent control of document routing to different pathways (shuttle, reserve, or recycle) without requiring complex coordinated movement of a single mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflectors are designed to be movable rather than fixed, enabling dynamic routing decisions. Each deflector can change position to open or close gates between pathways, allowing the system to adapt routing in real-time based on operational needs while maintaining a relatively simple structural foundation.
2Ease of operation
If a deflector mechanism with movable gates is implemented for smooth document transfer, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gate control is segmented into three separate deflectors that independently manage connections between different pathway pairs. This segmentation allows each deflector to be operated simply to control its specific gate, avoiding the need for complex coordinated control mechanisms while achieving smooth document transfer between any required pathways.
3Productivity
If a recycle box with storage and dispensing capability is added, then the productivity of the bill handling system is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recycle box is designed as a multi-functional unit that can both store validated documents and dispense them back into the handling system. The recycle pathway connects the recycle box to the trifurcate intersection, allowing the same infrastructure to serve both storage and redistribution functions, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If three separate pathways with selective routing are created, then the adaptability of the document handling system is improved, but the loss of time for routing decisions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The three pathways (shuttle, reserve, and recycle) are pre-configured with their respective deflectors and gates in place before operation begins. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for dynamic pathway creation or complex routing calculations during document handling, allowing rapid switching between pathways by simply moving individual deflectors, thus maintaining high adaptability while minimizing routing time.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A conveyance control device is provided to comprise a turning device (13) that has a trifurcate intersection (7) and a deflector (20) of three vertexes (21, 22, 23) rotatably supported in trifurcate intersection (7), an actuating device (30) for moving each of three vertexes (21, 22, 23) of deflector (20) to open gates (27, 28, 29) defined between vertexes (21, 22, 23) and related inner surfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) of trifurcate intersection (7), and a conveyance device (9) for transporting a document along shuttle, reserve and recycle pathways (5, 10, 11) and for transporting the document through each gate (27, 28, 29) from one to another of the shuttle, reserve and recycle pathways (5, 10, 11).