MULTI-FUNCTIONAL INTEGRATED CAM-GEAR-ENCODER
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a single component that delivers multiple functionalities associated with presentation, retraction, purging and acceptance of a bunch of any uniform media, such as currency notes in cash dispensers and ATM machines. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a compact, low power, cost effective and reliable mechanism that is capable of performing multiple functions in an ATM in relation to presentation, retraction and purging of media-bunches, such as currency notes and the acceptance of deposits in envelopes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
ATMs are commonly used for services, such as banking services, where a number of different types of media may be dispensed from or deposited in the ATM by a user. For example, if a bank customer wishes to deposit some money into their account, they may have the option of depositing single bank notes, multiple bank notes simultaneously, a bunch of bank notes in a deposit envelope or a cheque. Most teller machines are operable to retract cash that is left in the dispensing slot back into the terminal after a pre¬determined time has elapsed. This arrangement is provided because every now and then customers may forget to remove their cash from the machine. In the process of dispensing, valuable media such as currency are picked one-by-one from a cassette and usually assembled at one location within the machine in ATMs and cash dispensers. The bunch of media then needs to be handled in one of the following three different ways
depending upon the context:
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
a) The bunch of media is presented to the user by moving a shutter that opens a slot and then partially advancing the bunch through the slot to make it accessible. After the bunch is collected by the user, the shutter position is restored to shut the slot.
b) In the event of the bunch not being picked up by the user, the bunch needs to be drawn into the machine before the shutter is moved back to secure the slot.
c) If the transaction is to be aborted mid-way for any reason, the bunch is to be
retracted into the machine without opening the shutter.
d) To accept deposits of envelopes containing valuable media, the shutter needs to
be first opened to enable the insertion of the envelope. When the envelope is
placed inside by the user, the shutter is to be closed and the envelope is to be
drawn in by the mechanism.
Accomplishing this involves the fulfillment of the following independent requirements:
a) Actuation of a clamping mechanism to grip the bunch (for presentation or retraction).
b) Actuation of a shutter movement mechanism to open or shut the slot.
c) Sequencing the movement of the said two mechanisms as per the requirements defined by the four different scenarios of operation described above.
d) Ability to sense that the mechanisms have moved as intended, in the sequence intended.
e) Ability to re-initialize the mechanisms by sensing the 'home position' unambiguously.
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
f) Ensuring that the shutter, when shut, is not back-drivable (i.e , manual actuation of the shutter should not cause the mechanism to run in the reverse, leading to opening of the slot)
g) Minimizing the power losses on account of requirement (f); this means that the fulfillment of this requirement should not be based on friction (for instance, a screw-based locking mechanism) or a heavy biasing force, such as by means of a spring.
h) Maximizing the torque delivered to the two mechanisms through suitable leveraging means, so that the peak motor power is minimal and its sizing is compact.
Prior art machines meet these requirements with independent mechanisms, means of actuation and sensing. Many of these involve means like belts and linear slides which are inherently expensive to manufacture and prone to failure. The mechanism for dispensing cash is typically separate from the mechanism for accepting deposits of envelopes. Several prior arts are discussed hereunder:
US4624359 describes a system to transport packs of currency from a secure storage position to a "presenting" position in which the currency is made available to a customer who is operating the machine; or to a "purge" position where the currency pack is disposed internally. The system involves moving the pack over distances much longer than the span of the currency and hence entails flexible drive elements guided on tracks, with gripper means actuated by cam mechanism to hold or release the pack at pre¬determined positions along the path.
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
IJS4936564 uses a plurality of pulley;* diving resiliently stretchable belts to convey stacks of currency, with the positioning of pulleys being configurable to adapt to presenting the stack from either side (front or back),
US5267826 relates to a pivotally mounted arm with pulleys on either side to grip the stack between a pair of flexible belts at the exit port.
As is well known in the prior art, a grooved cam profile with a pin-follower constrains the follower mechanism without need for a biasing spring or any expenditure of power. Further, if the direction of contact between the groove and the pin (i.e., the normal to the groove profile) passes through the axis of rotation of cam, the follower mechanism is self-locking - i.e., exerting a force on the mechanism cannot cause the cam to move. These well known principles of mechanical design have been employed in US5721420 to secure the aperture through which a data card may pass in an ATM.
US20050284925 seeks to secure the cash-presenting aperture by a pair of mechanisms -one to move the shutter blade to cover the aperture; another to secure it in position by a locking-pin.
US7322528 disclosed a self-locking geometry of a cam-groove with pin-follower to secure the cash aperture. However, this patent employs a pair of cam-followers which are to be positioned co-planar with the shutter-blade. This limits the flexibility of the design in working around space constraints.
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
US7249761 describes a groove in the form of an inclined slot (with horizontal 'dwell' at either end of the slot) that is cut in a cam that is translated in a direction normal to the shutter blade. A follower-pin integral to the shutter is thus actuated vertically, causing the blade to lift or fall as required.
Stack is conveyed between a set of belts that are above the stack, and rails below that have springy elements at the end of the transport path. The belts are tensioned between rollers, which are vertically movable to accommodate varying stack sizes. The shafts of these rollers are biased against the rails below by spring-loading.
There has thus been a need in the art to develop a compact, low power, cost effective ATM which would overcome all the problems stated above and to provide for a single mechanism that can be used for providing multiple functionalities in relation to presentation, retraction and purging of media, such as currency notes and the acceptance of deposits in envelopes.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The basic object of the present invention is thus directed to providing a low power, compact, cost-effective and reliable mechanism that is capable of performing multiple functions in cash dispensers and ATM machines in relation to presentation, retraction and purging of media, such as currency notes and the acceptance of deposits in envelopes.
Another object of the present invention is directed to providing for a single multi¬functional component in an ATM which, in combination with appropriate mechanisms, actuation means and sensors, is able to simultaneously fulfill the following independent
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
requirements of an ATM machine for presentation, retraction and purging of media such as currency notes and the acceptance of deposits in envelopes:
1. Actuation of a clamping mechanism to grip the bunch (for presentation or retraction or deposit acceptance).
2. Actuation of a shutter movement mechanism to open or shut the slot.
3. Sequencing the movement of the said two mechanisms as per the requirements defined by the four different scenarios of operation described above.
4. Ability to sense that the mechanisms have moved as intended, in the sequence intended.
5. Ability to re-initialize the mechanisms by sensing the 'home position' unambiguously.
6. Ensuring that the shutter, when shut, is not back-drivable (i.e., manual actuation of the shutter should not cause the mechanism to run in the reverse, leading to opening of the slot)
7. Minimizing the power losses on account of requirement (6); this means that the fulfillment of this requirement should not be based on friction (for instance, a screw-based locking mechanism) or a heavy biasing force, such as by means of a spring.
8. Maximizing the torque delivered to the two mechanisms through suitable leveraging means, so that the peak motor power is minimal and its sizing is compact.
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus according to the basic aspect of the invention there is provided a mechanism adapted for presentation, retraction, purging and acceptance of a bunch of media in ATMs and cash dispensers comprising:
a. A presentation roller over which media items are deposited
sequentially;
b. A clamping means pivotally rotatable to clamp the said media against
said presentation roller;
c. A gate shutter that is pivotally rotatable to open or close the exit slot to
permit movement of said media across said slot;
d. A multi-functional component that integrates the functionalities of
cams, gear and encoder; and
e. Two or more sensors,
wherein one of the said sensors is adapted to sense incremental positions that signal
successive states of the mechanism,
wherein another of the said sensors is adapted to sense the initial state of the mechanism
that is designated as 'home position',
wherein said presentation roller is capable of being rotated in either direction to convey a
media bunch placed on top of it,
wherein said clamping means is pivotally rotatable with pinch rollers integral to it that are
capable of engaging said media bunch against the presentation roller to reliably convey
said media bunch while allowing easy withdrawal of said media bunch by a customer,
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
wherein said multi-functional component that integrates the functionalities of cams, gear and encoder actuates the said shutter and clamp means in any of the desired sequences and activates said sensors to enable monitoring of the positional-status of the whole mechanism, and
wherein said media-bunch includes currency notes, bank notes and the acceptance of deposits in envelopes.
It is another aspect of the present invention to the mechanism, wherein a tray is provided
just beneath the top of said presentation roller, said tray comprising:
suitable openings to allow the media-gripping surfaces of said roller to be in contact with
the lowest media item in said media-bunch; and
open slots at its leading-edge to accommodate, without contact, tabbed projections from
the vertical blade of said gate-shutter to ensure there is no straight-line clearance between
them that is long enough for a media item to slip through,
wherein said tray is adapted to support the media-bunch.
It is a further aspect of the present invention, wherein said clamping means has overhanging arced fingers that present convex surfaces to the top-most media item when said clamping means is in clamped condition, to allow said media bunch to be conveyed smoothly without the media bunch fraying up.
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein said clamping means is provided with a follower pin that is integral to it anc: actuated by said multifunctional component to rotate said clamping means over a defined arc-span.
It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein said vertical blade of gate shutter is substantially parallel to the exit slot, which is supported pivotally on two arms integral to it and perpendicular to it,
wherein at least one of said arms is provided with said follower pin that is actuated by said multi-functional component to rotate said gate shutter over a defined arc-span.
It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein said clamping means and said gate
shutter are engaged in respective grooves in said multi-functional component, wherein
their positions are uniquely defined by the angular position of said multi-functional
component,
wherein said multifunctional component may be rotated to different angular positions by
means of a motor, whose pinion engages with gear teeth integral to said multifunctional
component,
wherein said angular position of said multi-functional component is detected by a series
of sensor-triggers (holes) that are on a common pitch-circle on it, by one of said sensors
which thereby signals the incremental position of the said component, and
wherein said home position of the mechanism is sensed by another of said sensors, where
said gate shutter is closed and said clamping means is at a position that permits sequential
deposition of said media-items.
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein said multi-functional component is adapted to be driven by other slip-free drive systems in lieu of said gear-pinion arrangement.
It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein said groove-profiles are offset to act in tandem, in order to minimize the peak-load on the system and
wherein the follower-pins are held in circular dwell zones when the mechanism is not in transition, to make the position self-locking, to secure the mechanism against forced opening from the outside.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide the mechanism adapted for presentation, retraction, purging and acceptance of a bunch of media in ATMs and cash dispensers, where in one mode of operation, said multi-functional component is rotated from said "home position" in first (say, clockwise) direction to cause said clamping means to rotate to clamp against said presentation roller, a position recognized as "clamped position" by one of said sensors which is activated (illuminated) by the next sensor-trigger (hole) in the said multi-functional component in this position; wherein further movement of the said multi-functional component in the same direction actuates said gate shutter to move to its open position, a position recognized as "presentation position" by one of said sensors which is activated (illuminated) by the next concentric sensor-trigger (hole) in the said multi-functional component in this position; wherein further movement of the said multi-functional component in the same direction is restrained by the termination of the span of said grooves which prevent further movement of the respective said follower pins;
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
wherein moving the said multi-functional component in the reverse direction from the "presentation position" first causes said gate shutter to close when "clamped position" is sensed and then causes said clamping means to revert to home position when "home position" is sensed.
It is yet another aspect of the present invention, where in other mode of operation, said multi-functional component (4) is rotated from said "home position" in second (say, anti-clock wise) direction to cause said clamping means (2) to move to an intermediate position towards said presentation roller (1), to enclose the top edge of the exit slot (30), a position recognized as "deposit position" by one of said sensors (9) which is activated (illuminated) by the next sensor-trigger (40) (hole) in the said multi-functional component (4) in this position;
wherein further movement of the said multi-functional component in the same direction actuates said gate shutter to move to its open position, a position recognized as "accept position" by one of said sensors which is activated (illuminated) by the next sensor-trigger (hole) in the said multi-functional component in this position; wherein further movement of the said multi-functional component in the same direction is restrained by the termination of the span of said grooves which prevent further movement of the respective said follower pin;
wherein moving the said multi-functional component in the reverse direction from the "accept position" first causes said gate shutter to close when "deposit position" is sensed and then causes said clamping means to revert to home position when "home position" is sensed.
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein said entire mechanism is always
initialized to be in its "home position", m -vUich condition said gate shutter is closed and
said clamping means is farthest from said presentation roller , a position that is uniquely
identifiable by the said sensors,
wherein said media items are sequentially deposited on said presentation roller to form
said bunch that is ready to be presented to a customer,
wherein said rotation of the said multi-functional component in the first of said two
directions causes said bunch to be clamped, said gate shutter to be opened and signal
given to said presentation roller to advance said bunch by a pre-defined extent to make it
accessible to the customer, while retaining grip on the media bunch,
wherein if customer picks said bunch within reasonable time, said multi-functional
component is rotated in reverse direction to cause closing of said gate shutter and moving
of said clamping means back to "home position",
wherein if customer does not pick said bunch within reasonable time, said presentation
roller is rotated in reverse to draw said bunch back to be retracted, followed by rotation of
said multifunctional component in reverse to cause closing of said gate shutter and
moving of said clamping means back to "home position",
wherein a bunch of media in an envelope can be accepted as deposit from a customer by
rotation of said multi-functional component in the second of two directions, to cause said
clamping means to move to "deposit position", followed by opening of said gate shutter
to the "accept position", and
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
wherein when the envelope is inserted by ^e customer, said multi-functional component is rotated in the reverse direction to close the exit slot by moving back the gate shutter, followed by rotation of the said presentation roller in the inward direction to draw it in.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Figure 1: is a schematic illustration of the multi-functional component.
Figures 2(a) and 2(b): illustrate the movement of the clamping means governed by a
follower pin located in a grooved track in the multi-functional component.
Figure 3(a): illustrates the swiveling movement of the gate shutter across the exit slot in
the multi-functional component.
Figure 3(b): illustrates the swiveling movement of the gate shutter across the exit slot
and the positioning of the exit slot on the secure container, in relation to the mechanism.
Figure 4(a): illustrates the mechanism held in "home position" by the multi-functional
component.
Figure 4(b): illustrates another view of the mechanism in "home position" when a media
item is being assembled on the tray.
Figures 5(a) and 5(b): illustrate the mechanism approaching "clamped position" where
the media-bunch is clamped and the gate-shutter is in closed position
Figure 6(a): illustrates the mechanism in "presentation position" when the media-bunch is
clamped and the gate-shutter is in open position
Figure 6(b): illustrates the mechanism in relation to the exit slot when the bunch is
partially exposed to present itself to the user.
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
Figure 7: is the schematic illustration of the home position of the multi-functional component when both sensors are activated (illuminated) by sensor-triggers (in this case, a wide hole).
Figure 8: illustrates the follower pin of the gate-shutter located in a self-locking position at the circular 'dwell' position of the groove in the multi-functional component.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The present invention as discussed hereinbefore relates to a low power, cost effective and reliable mechanism that is capable of performing multiple functions in ATMs and cash dispensers in relation to presentation, retraction and purging of media-bunch, such as currency notes and the acceptance of deposits in envelopes.
Reference is first invited to accompanying Figure 1 that illustrates the schematic illustration of multipurpose integrated cam-gear-encoder component which is a single component for use in ATMs and cash dispensers which, in combination with appropriate mechanisms, actuation means and sensors, is able to simultaneously fulfill the following independent requirements of an ATM machine for presentation, retraction and purging of media such as currency notes and the acceptance of deposits in envelopes:
a. Actuation of a clamping means to grip the bunch (for presentation or retraction or
deposit acceptance).
b. Actuation of a gate shutter to open or shut the exit slot.
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
c. Sequencing the movement of the said two mechanisms as per the requirements
defined by the four different scenarios of operation, namely, presentation,
retraction, purging and acceptance of deposits in envelopes.
d. Ability to sense that the mechanisms have moved as intended, in the sequence
intended.
e. Ability to re-initialize the mechanisms by sensing the 'home position'
unambiguously.
f. Ensuring that the shutter, when shut, is not back-drivable (i.e., manual actuation
of the shutter should not cause the mechanism to run in the reverse, leading to
opening of the slot)
g. Minimizing the power losses on account of requirement (f); this means that the
fulfillment of this requirement should not be based on friction (for instance, a
screw-based locking mechanism) or the action of a biasing force such as that from
a spring.
h. Maximizing the torque delivered to the two mechanisms through suitable leveraging means, so that the peak motor power is minimal and its sizing is compact. The mechanism adapted for presentation, retraction and purging of a bunch of valuable media comprising:
a. A presentation roller (1) with gripping wheels (101) over which the said bunch is built by sequential deposition of single media items (8), and which is capable of being rotated in either direction.
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
b. A clamping means (2) involving z pivotally rotatable clamping member to
clamp the media-bunch (80) against said presentation roller (1).
c. A gate shutter (3) that is pivotally rotatable to open or close the exit slot
(30) to permit movement of media across it.
d. A multi-functional component (4) that integrates the functionalities of
cams, gear and encoder.
e. Two sensors (9, 10) - for instance, optical slotted sensor with light-source
and sensor being in-line - that are positioned across the path of sensor-
triggers (e.g., holes) integral to the multifunctional component (4) such
that they are simultaneously activated (illuminated) only at one position -
designated the "home position" - of the said multi-fiinctional component.
According to the present invention, the presentation roller (1) is close to the exit slot, so that when media items (8) are deposited over it sequentially, the greater span of the media items is behind the roller, supported by a smooth presentation tray (15). Conveying the media-bunch (80) past the exit slot (30) by rotating the roller allows adequate advancement of the media-bunch (80) for it to be accessible to the customer without the roller losing grip over the tailing side of the media bunch (80). The presentation tray (15) is positioned just beneath the top of the gripping wheels (101) of the presentation roller (1) to support the weight of media in the bunch, with suitable openings to allow the roller to be in direct contact with the lowest media item in the bunch. The tray (15) extends close to the vertical blade (31) of the gate shutter (3) and has slots (102) to accommodate, without contact, tabbed projections (32) from the vertical blade (31) to ensure there is no
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
straight-line clearance between them that is long enough for a media item (8) to slip through.
Further in the present invention, the clamping means (2) has a clamping member (5) substantially parallel to the exit slot, mounted with spring-loaded rollers (6) so that when the media-bunch (80) is clamped, the said spring-loaded rollers (6) press the bunch (80) against the gripping wheels (101) to ensure slip-free movement of the bunch (80) in cooperation with the presentation roller (1) and easy withdrawal of the bunch (80) by the customer when it is partially exposed. The clamping member (5) has overhanging arced fingers (24) whose convex surfaces face the top-most media item when the member (5) is in clamped condition, thereby offering little frictional resistance to a media item (8) in the bunch (80) if it were come in physical contact with the fingers (24). The lowest points of the fingers (24) in this clamped condition are below the top edge of the exit slot (30), to ensure that the edge of the top media item (8) in the bunch (80) does not get entangled with the top edge of the exit slot (30) when the bunch (80) is conveyed past the slot for presentation to the customer. The clamping member (5) is supported pivotally on two arms (25) integral to it and perpendicular to it, with at least one of the arms (25) provided with a follower pin (7) that may be actuated by said multi functional component (4) to rotate the clamping means (2) over the intended angular-span.
The gate shutter (3) of the present invention has a vertical blade (31) substantially parallel to the exit slot (30) which is supported pivotally on two arms (35) integral to it and perpendicular to it, with at least one of the arms (35) provided with a follower pin (7) that may be actuated by said multi functional component (4) to rotate the gate shutter over the
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
intended angular-span. The vertical blade (31) has tabbed projections (32) on its inner surface that locate inside matching clearance slots (102) in the tray (15) supporting the media-bunch (80) so that no media item (8) slips past the clearance between the said vertical blade (31) and the media tray (15).
The clamping means (2) and the gate shutter (3) are engaged in respective grooves (200 and 300) in the multi-functional component (4), where their position is uniquely defined by the angular position of the multi-functional component (4). The angular position is detected by a series of sensor-triggers (40) (e.g., holes) positioned on the same pitch-circle about the centre of rotation of the multifunctional component (4), by one of said sensors (9) that is positioned across the path of the holes such that it is sequentially activated (illuminated) by each of the sensor-triggers (40) when the multi-functional component (4) rotates and thereby signals its incremental. The absolute position of the multi-functional component (4) is sensed by another of said sensors (10) that is positioned across the path of sensor-triggers (40) such that both the sensors (9,10) are simultaneously activated only at one position of the multi-functional component, designated as "home position", at which position the gate shutter (3) is closed and the clamping means (2) is at a position that does not interfere with the sequential deposition of single media-items (8) on the tray (15) and roller (1). The circular dwell of the groove profiles in the multi-functional component ensures that the gate shutter and the clamping means are self-locking without expenditure of any energy to maintain such a locked engagement, when the follower-pins (7) are located at those positions. The outer periphery of the multi-functional component (4) has gear-teeth (41) whose pitch circle is centered on the axis of rotation to enable the component (4) to be driven by a motor (13).
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
The groove-profiles (200, 300) are staggeiei' ir» *uch a way that at least one of them is in dwell at every position of the multi-functional component, thereby actuating no more than one of the two follower pins (7) at any instance, in order to minimize the peak-load on the system.
Reference is now invited to accompanying Figures 2(a) & 2(b). A clamping member (5) mounted with pinch rollers (6) is free to swivel about a pivot so that at one extreme of its movement, it clamps on the bunch of media (80) assembled on a presentation roller (1). The clamped bunch may then be moved in either direction by actuating the presentation roller (1) suitably by means of a motor (13). The movement of the clamping means (2) is governed by a follower pin (7) located in a grooved track (200) in the multi-functional component (4). The gear teeth (41) on the periphery of the component (4) engage with the pinion mounted on the shaft of the motor (13) to maximize the torque.
The sliding movement of the gate shutter (3) across the exit slot (30) is approximated by a swiveling motion to enable opening or closing of the slot (30). This movement is governed by a follower pin (7) located on another grooved track (300) in the multi¬functional component (4) as depicted in Figures 3(a) & 3(b). The sequencing of the two movements is achieved by suitably offsetting the two grooved tracks and providing for additional dwell durations in each of the tracks so that rotation of the multi-functional component causes only one of the two mechanisms to be actuated at any moment. This asynchronous movement ensures that the peak rating of the motor needs to match the loads of either of the mechanisms, but not their sum. This ensures that a low-torque motor is sufficient to drive the mechanism. Further, the offset between the two tracks is
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
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such that for one direction of rotation of the multi-functional component from the home position, the clamping member (5) moves first to grip the bunch; further rotation causes the shutter (3) to open. Rotating the multi-functional component in the reverse direction causes these mechanisms to be actuated in the reverse sequence, leading to the shutter (3) closing first, followed by releasing of the clamping member (5). As can be readily seen, sequencing for three scenarios of operation - presentation, purging and retraction - can be achieved by rotating the multi-functional component suitably in conjunction with actuation of the presentation roller in either direction.
The movement of the multi-functional component is sensed by recognizing three distinct states: (i) Home position as depicted in Figures 4(a) & 4(b) (ii) Bunch is clamped but shutter is closed as depicted in Figures 5(a) & 5(b) and (iii) Bunch is clamped and shutter is open as depicted in Figures 6(a) & 6(b). This is achieved by placing one of said sensors (9) across the pitch circle of the sensor-triggers (40) (viz., holes) in the multi¬functional component (4), with the angular positions of the triggers (40) corresponding to the three transition-positions of interest.
To recognize the home position unambiguously (as distinct from the other transition-positions), an additional sensor (10) is placed alongside the said sensor (9) such that both the sensors are simultaneously activated (illuminated) by a pair of sensor-triggers (wide hole) (40) only when the multi-functional component (4) is in home position as depicted in Figure 7.
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
The mechanism may be operated in either of two modes of operation, which are qualified with the under mentioned aspects:
One mode of operation: The multi-functional component (4) is initially at "home position" and rotating it from there in first (say, clockwise) causes the clamping means (2) to move to clamp against the presentation roller (1), a position that is recognized as "clamped position" by the first one of said sensors (9) which is activated (illuminated) by the next sensor-trigger (hole) (40) in the multi-functional component (4) at this position. Further movement of the multi-functional component (4) in the same direction actuates the gate shutter (3) to move to its open position; a position that is recognized as "presentation position" by one of said sensors which is activated (illuminated) by the next sensor-trigger (hole) (40) in the multi-functional component (4) at this position. Further movement of the multi-functional component in the same direction is restrained by the termination of the span of the grooves (200, 300) which prevent further movement of the respective follower pins (7). The movement of the multi-functional component (4) in the reverse direction from the "presentation position" first causes the gate shutter (3) to close when "clamped position" is sensed and then causes the clamping means (2) to revert to home position when "home position" is sensed.
Other mode of operation: Further rotating the multi-functional component from the "home position" in second (say, anti-clock wise) direction causes the clamping means to move to an intermediate position towards the presentation roller, to enclose the top edge of the gate slot, a position recognized as "deposit position" by the first of said sensors (9) which is activated (illuminated) by the next sensor-trigger (hole) (40) in the multi-
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
functional component (4) in this position. Further movement of the multi-functional component (4) in the same direction actuates the gate shutte: (1) to move to its open position, a position recognized as "accept position" by the first of said sensors (9) which is activated (illuminated) by the next sensor-trigger (hole) (40) in the multi-functional component (4) at this position. Further movement of the multi-functional component (4) in the same direction is restrained by the termination of the span of the grooves (200, 300) which prevent further movement of the respective follower pins (7). The movement of the multi-functional component (4) in the reverse direction from the "accept position" first causes the gate shutter (3) to close when "deposit position" is sensed and then causes the clamping means (2) to revert to home position when "home position" is sensed. Thus according to the present invention, the entire mechanism is always initialized to be in its "home position", in which condition the gate shutter (3) is closed and the clamping means (2) is farthest from the presentation roller (1) a position that is uniquely identifiable by the said sensors (9, 10). The media items (8) may be sequentially deposited by a media dispenser on the presentation roller to form a bunch (80) that is ready to be presented to a customer. The rotation of the multi-functional component (4) in the first of two directions (i.e., clockwise direction) causes the bunch (80) to be clamped, gate shutter (3) to be opened and signal given to the presentation roller (1) to advance the bunch (80) by a pre-defined extent to make it accessible to the customer. If customer picks the bunch (80) within reasonable time, the multi-functional component (4) is rotated in reverse direction to cause closing of gate shutter (3) and moving of clamping means (2) back to "home position". If customer does not pick the bunch within reasonable time, the presentation roller (1) is rotated in reverse to draw the bunch (80)
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
back to be retracted, followed by followed by rotation of said multifunctional component (4) in reverse to cause closing of the gate shutter (3) and moving of the clamping means (2) back to "home position". A bunch of media in an envelope may be accepted as deposit from a customer by rotation of the multi-functional component (4) in the second of two directions (i.e., anticlockwise direction), to cause the clamping means (2) to move to "deposit position", followed by opening of the gate shutter (3) to the "accept position". When the envelope is inserted by the customer, the multi-functional component (4) is rotated in the reverse direction to close the exit slot (30) by moving back the gate shutter (3), followed by rotation of the presentation roller (1) in the inward direction to draw it in.
When the shutter (3) is closed, the follower pin (7) of the shutter mechanism is located in the circular 'dwell' position (12) of the multi-functional component, where it is not back drivable. Manual actuation of the shutter (3) will cause the pin (7) to press radially on the multi-functional component (4), but this force does not provide any torque to turn the multi-functional component (4), since it is directed towards the center of rotation, as depicted in Figure 8. This inability to back drive the multi-functional component is based upon the geometry of the forces acting and not on frictional or other resistance to movement.
It is thus possible by way of the present invention to provide a low power, cost effective and reliable mechanism that is capable of performing multiple functions in ATMs and cash dispensers in relation to presentation, retraction and purging of media, such as currency notes and the acceptance of deposits in envelopes.
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
I CLAIM:
1. A mechanism adapted for presentation, retraction and purging of a bunch of media in ATMs and cash dispensers comprising:
a. A presentation roller(l) over which media items (8) are deposited sequentially;
b. A clamping means (2) pivotally rotatable to clamp the said media against said
presentation roller;
c. A gate shutter (3) that is pivotally rotatable to open or close the exit slot (30) to
permit movement of said media across said slot;
d. A multi-functional component (4) that integrates the functionalities of cams, gear and
encoder; and
e. Two or more sensors(9 , 10),
wherein one of the said sensors (9) is adapted to sense incremental positions that signal
successive states of the mechanism,
wherein another of the said sensors (10) is adapted to sense the initial state of the
mechanism that is designated as 'home position',
wherein said presentation roller (1) is capable of being rotated in either direction to
convey a media bunch (80)placed on top of it,
wherein said clamping means (2) is pivotally rotatable with pinch rollers (6) integral to it
that are capable of engaging said media bunch against the presentation roller to reliably
convey said media bunch while allowing easy withdrawal of said media bunch by a
customer,
wherein said multi-functional component (4) that integrates the functionalities of cams,
gear and encoder actuates the said shutter (3) and clamp means (2) in any of the desired
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
^.quences and activates said sensors (9, 10) to enable monitoring of the positional-status of the whole mechanism, and
wherein said media-bunch (80) includes currency notes, bank notes and the acceptance of deposits in envelopes.
2. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tray (15) is provided just beneath the
top of said presentation roller (1), said tray comprising:
suitable openings to allow the media-gripping surfaces (101) of said roller (1) to be in
contact with the lowest media item in said media-bunch; and
open slots (102) at its leading-edge to accommodate, without contact, tabbed projections
(32) from the vertical blade (31) of said gate-shutter (3) to ensure there is no straight-line
clearance between them that is long enough for a media item to slip through,
wherein said tray (15) is adapted to support the media-bunch.
3. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said clamping means (2) has
overhanging arced fingers (24) that present convex surfaces to the top-most media item
when said clamping means is in clamped condition, to allow said media bunch to be
conveyed smoothly without the media bunch fraying up.
4. The mechanism as claimed in claims 1 and 3, wherein said clamping means (2) is provided with a follower pin (7) that is integral to it and actuated by said multifunctional component (4) to rotate said clamping means (2) over a defined arc-span
5. The mechanism as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein said vertical blade (31) of gate shutter (3) is substantially parallel to the exit slot (30), which is supported pivotally on two arms (35) integral to it and perpendicular to it,
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
wherein at least one of said arms (35) is provided with said follower pin (7) that is actuated by said multi-functional component (4) to rotate said gate shutter (3) over a defined arc-span.
6.The mechanism as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein said clamping means (2) and said gate shutter (3) are engaged in respective grooves (200, 300) in said multi¬functional component (4), wherein their positions are uniquely defined by the angular position of said multi-functional component (4),
Wherein said multifunctional component (4) may be rotated to different angular positions by means of a motor (13), whose pinion engages with gear teeth (41) integral to said multifunctional component,
Wherein said angular position of said multi-functional component is detected by a series of sensor-triggers (40) (holes) that are on a common pitch-circle on it, by one of said sensors (9) which thereby signals the incremental position of the said component, and Wherein said home position of the mechanism is sensed by another of said sensors (10), where said gate shutter (3) is closed and said clamping means (2) is at a position that permits sequential deposition of said media-items (8).
7. The mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein said multi-functional component (4) is adapted to be driven by other slip-free drive systems in lieu of said gear-pinion arrangement.
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
8.The mechanism as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7, wherein said groove-profiles
(200, 300) are offset to act in tandem, in order to minimize the peak-load on the system
and
wherein the follower-pins (7) are held in circular dwell zones (12) when the mechanism
is not in transition, to make the position self-locking, to secure the mechanism against
forced opening from the outside.
9. The mechanism as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 8, where in one mode of operation, said multi-functional component (4) is rotated from said "home position" in first (say, clockwise) direction to cause said clamping means (2) to rotate to clamp against said presentation roller (1), a position recognized as "clamped position" by one of said sensors (9) which is activated (illuminated) by the next sensor-trigger (40) (hole) in the said multi-functional component (4) in this position;
wherein further movement of the said multi-functional component (4) in the same direction actuates said gate shutter (3) to move to its open position, a position recognized as "presentation position" by one of said sensors (9) which is activated (illuminated) by the next concentric sensor-trigger (40) (hole) in the said multi-functional component (4) in this position;
wherein further movement of the said multi-functional component (4) in the same direction is restrained by the termination of the span of said grooves (200, 300) which prevent further movement of the respective said follower pins (7); wherein moving the said multi-functional component (4) in the reverse direction from the "presentation position" first causes said gate shutter (3) to close when "clamped position"
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
xc sensed and then causes said clamping moans (2) to revert to home position when "home position" is sensed.
10. The mechanism as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 9, where in other mode of operation, said multi-functional component (4) is rotated from said "home position" in second (say, anti-clock wise) direction to cause said clamping means (2) to move to an intermediate position towards said presentation roller (1), to enclose the top edge of the exit slot (30), a position recognized as "deposit position" by one of said sensors (9) which is activated (illuminated) by the next sensor-trigger (40) (hole) in the said multi¬functional component (4) in this position;
wherein further movement of the said multi-functional component (4) in the same direction actuates said gate shutter (3) to move to its open position, a position recognized as "accept position" by one of said sensors (9) which is activated (illuminated) by the next sens or-trigger (40) (hole) in the said multi-functional component (4) in this position; wherein further movement of the said multi-functional component (4) in the same direction is restrained by the termination of the span of said grooves (200, 300) which prevent further movement of the respective said follower pins (7);
wherein moving the said multi-functional component (4) in the reverse direction from the "accept position" first causes said gate shutter (3) to close when "deposit position" is sensed and then causes said clamping means to revert to home position when "home position" is sensed.
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO, 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16,2009
11. The mechanism ac claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 10,
Wherein said entire mechanism is always initialized to be in its "home position", in
which condition said gate shutter (3) is closed and said clamping means (2) is farthest
from said presentation roller (1), a position that is uniquely identifiable by the said
sensors (9, 10),
wherein said media items (8) are sequentially deposited on said presentation roller (1) to
form said bunch (80) that is ready to be presented to a customer,
wherein said rotation of the said multi-functional component (4) in the first of said two
directions causes said bunch (80) to be clamped, said gate shutter (3) to be opened and
signal given to said presentation roller (1) to advance said bunch (80) by a pre-defined
extent to make it accessible to the customer, while retaining grip on the media bunch
(80),
wherein if customer picks said bunch (80) within reasonable time, said multi-functional
component (4) is rotated in reverse direction to cause closing of said gate shutter (3) and
moving of said clamping means (2) back to "home position",
wherein if customer does not pick said bunch (80) within reasonable time, said
presentation roller (1) is rotated in reverse to draw said bunch (80) back to be retracted,
followed by rotation of said multifunctional component (4) in reverse to cause closing of
said gate shutter (3) and moving of said clamping means (2) back to "home position",
wherein a bunch of media in an envelope can be accepted as deposit from a customer by
rotation of said multi-functional component (4) in the second of two directions, to cause
said clamping means (2) to move to "deposit position", followed by. opening of said gate
shutter (3) to the "accept position", and
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NAME OF THE APPLICANT: L. KANNAN
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO. 876/CHE/2009 dated April 16, 2009
wherein when the envelope is inserted by the customer, said multi-functional component is rotated in the reverse direction to close the exit slot (30) by moving back the gate shutter (3), followed by rotation of the said presentation roller (1) in the inward direction to draw it in.
a,

Dated this 09th day of April 2010

P.ILANANGAI [IN/PA-1365] AGENT FOR APPLICANT

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