Electrical generator for a coin mechanism and coin mechanism with an electrical generator and metal detection and release system
First Claim
1. A generator for a coin mechanism, comprising a stator, a rotor positioned to rotate within or about the stator, one of the rotor and the stator comprising at least one magnetic element and the other of the rotor and the stator comprising at least one coil, and a drive wheel being biased to a rest position by a biasing element and rotatable to a release position, the drive wheel being selectively rotationally coupled to the rotor such that when the drive wheel is rotated to the release position and released, the drive wheel drives the rotor as the drive wheel returns to the rest position, whereby as the rotor rotates the generator generates an electric current.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical generator in a coin mechanism supplies enough current to operate an electronic device or an electromagnetic device such as a solenoid, by providing a stator mounted about a rotor and driven by a spring-loaded drive wheel. The drive wheel rotates with the coin mechanism up to a release position, loading the spring. At the release position the drive wheel is released and snaps back to the rest position, driving the rotor and causing the rotor to rotate rapidly within the stator, generating an electric pulse. The electrical signal can be used to pulse a counter, electronic tag or other tracking device, and to recharge a small battery which may be provided as a backup or auxiliary power source. In one embodiment the invention further provides a means for determining whether a deposited coin is composed of metal or form a non-conductive material such as plastic or cardboard.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A generator for a coin mechanism, comprising
a stator, a rotor positioned to rotate within or about the stator, one of the rotor and the stator comprising at least one magnetic element and the other of the rotor and the stator comprising at least one coil, and a drive wheel being biased to a rest position by a biasing element and rotatable to a release position, the drive wheel being selectively rotationally coupled to the rotor such that when the drive wheel is rotated to the release position and released, the drive wheel drives the rotor as the drive wheel returns to the rest position, whereby as the rotor rotates the generator generates an electric current.
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13. A coin mechanism, comprising
a rotatable handle, a coin carrier rotatable with the handle when a particular type of coin or token is deposited into the coin carrier, coupled to a first driving member, and a generator comprising a stator and a rotor positioned to rotate within or about the stator, one of the rotor and the stator comprising at least one magnetic element and the other of the rotor and the stator comprising at least one coil, and a drive wheel being biased to a rest position by a biasing element and rotatable to a release position by a second driving member cooperating with the first driving member, the drive wheel being selectively rotationally coupled to the rotor such that when the drive wheel is rotated to the release position and released, the drive wheel drives the rotor as the drive wheel returns to the rest position, whereby as the rotor rotates the generator generates an electric current.
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25. A method of generating an electric current using a generator comprising a stator and a rotor positioned to rotate within or about the stator, one of the rotor and the stator comprising at least one magnetic element and the other of the rotor and the stator comprising at least one coil, comprising the steps of:
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a. biasing a drive wheel to a rest position, b. rotating the drive wheel to a release position, c. before, during or after steps a. and b., coupling the drive wheel to the rotor, and d. releasing the drive wheel, whereby after release the drive wheel drives the rotor as the drive wheel returns to the rest position.
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26. A metal detection and release system for a coin mechanism having a rotatable handle and a coin carrier rotatable with the handle when a particular type of coin or token is deposited into the coin carrier, comprising
a rotating member that rotates with the coin carrier, a rocker arm biased to a locking position latched to the rotating member to prevent rotation of the coin carrier, one of an electromagnet or a permanent magnet on the rocker arm, the other of the electromagnet or a permanent magnet disposed adjacent to the rocker arm in a position such that when the electromagnet is activated the rocker arm can be attracted to the permanent magnet, and a contact adjacent to the coin carrier, whereby when a metal coin or token is deposited into the coin carrier the contact touches the coin and closes a circuit which activates the electromagnet to attract the rocker arm to the permanent magnet and draw the rocker arm away from the rotating member to release the coin carrier and allow the coin mechanism to be rotated.
Specification