WO2005004068A1

WO2005004068A1 - Input unit for automatic coin-handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2005004068A1
Application number: PCT/SE2004/001053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leif Nordqvist
Original assignee: Cashguard Ab
Priority date: 2003-07-02
Filing date: 2004-06-30
Publication date: 2005-01-13
Also published as: SE526494C2; SE0301952D0; SE0301952L

Abstract

Input unit for separating coins (5), which input unit (1) comprises a transport surface (9) that interacts with a feeder wheel (3) to transport the coins (5) from a coin hopper (7), arranged for more coins (5) than one, at a first position (L1), to a second position (L2) for issuing coins (5). With a direction of rotation (R1), the said feeder wheel (3) is arranged to take up one coin (5) for separation at a time from the said transport surface (9) to an upper position (OL) located above the axis of rotation (r) of the said feeder wheel (3), where the said coin (5) is caused to fall down to the said second position (L2).

Description

Input unit for automatic coin-handling apparatus

BACKGROUND ART

The invention relates to an input unit for separating coins in accordance with the preamble to claim 1. The invention also relates to an automatic coin- handling apparatus for an automatic cash register apparatus in a shop in accordance with the preamble to claim 14. The present invention can relate to cash register systems in shops, but is not limited to these.

Automatic cash register apparatuses comprising automatic coin-handling apparatuses for paying in and issuing coins have currently the disadvantage that a customer has to feed coins for payment into the hopper of the automatic coin-handling apparatus one by one. This is time-consuming for a customer and results in longer checkout queues, which is also expensive for a shopkeeper.

US 5 195 626 describes an input unit for checking coins with an integrated separating and detecting function. The design has a horizontal conical wheel which is provided with teeth for separating round discs, such as coins, the inclined surface of the wheel being used as a transport surface. The disadvantages of such a design are that it takes up a lot of space in a sideways direction, the difference in height between a first position for feeding in coins and a second position where the separated coin leaves the wheel is too large and the speed of the coin at the second position is insufficient. In order to use known designs in automatic coin-handling apparatuses designed for automatic cash register apparatuses, considerable and expensive modifications of these designs are required. The input units that are available today require a lot of space. The space at a checkout is limited and it is desirable for the input unit for coins to take up as little space as possible.

The object of the present invention is thus to avoid the said disadvantages and other disadvantages of known automatic coin-handling apparatuses and feeder units.

An additional object of the present invention is to simplify existing input units.

Another object is to make the operation of an input unit on an automatic coin-handling apparatus more reliable and to simplify the feeding of coins into an automatic coin-handling apparatus at a checkout in a shop.

An object is also to achieve as high a speed as possible for the separated coin when it leaves the input unit.

These objects can be achieved by the input unit described in the introduction and in the characterising part of Claim 1. In this way, an input unit comprising a coin hopper for more coins than one is achieved, which input unit separates coins one by one in the automatic cash register apparatus and which input unit can be fitted into an automatic coin-handling apparatus at a checkout in the space available at the checkout. That is to say, the automatic coin-handling apparatus can be made to take up less space than known technology. In addition, a coin-sorting apparatus comprising an identification unit for detecting coins can be placed in association with the input unit. The transport surface preferably comprises a chute, which is funnel-shaped in such a way that each coin for separation falls in towards the feeder wheel with its flat side.

In this way, the coins for separation can be taken up by the feeder wheel without being turned around or knocked away.

The transport surface suitably comprises a separation chute designed with a supporting wall supporting each coin for separation against the feeder wheel, in order to ensure a reliable taking up of the coins.

By this means, the coins for separation align themselves one by one prior to being taken up by the feeder wheel.

Alternatively, the axis of rotation is oriented horizontally and located at a level below an upper part of the separation chute designed for supporting each coin.

By means of this arrangement, it is ensured that each coin is held against the feeder wheel so that the coin is lifted up to the upper position and so that a minimal space is required in a vertical direction for the design of the input unit.

Alternatively, the axis of rotation is inclined in relation to a horizontal plane.

By this means, the taking up of the coin for separation can be adapted optimally to prevailing conditions.

A control device is preferably arranged so that it causes the said chute to be opened to eject coins and objects that are not accepted, when the feeder wheel is turned in the opposite rotational direction.

By this means, the input unit can be emptied in a simple way of non-desirable objects that have been fed in. The emptying is carried out by a control unit changing the direction of rotation of the feeder wheel, which simplifies the function and construction of the input unit.

The control device suitably comprises a knuckle joint that is operated by the feeder wheel for opening and closing the chute.

In this way, a control device is achieved at low cost, which control device is cheap and simple to maintain.

Alternatively, the feeder wheel can be designed with a conical surface arcanged with a plurality of pockets for taking up coins, with each pocket being arranged to take up one coin at a time and comprising a sliding surface for coins.

In this way, an input unit is achieved which is arranged to release the coin separated by the feeder wheel from the upper position to the second position in a simple way. The feeder wheel can advantageously be inclined slightly, as a result of which additional desirable effects are obtained, relating to taking up coins and releasing coins, etc.

The feeder wheel preferably comprises a plurality of pockets, each with a depth that is smaller than the thinnest coin for separation. In this way, separation can be achieved in the separation chute by the subsequent coins for separation in the separation chute been prevented from falling down into the chute, while at the same time the supporting walls of the separation chute make it possible to guide each coin for separation into the take-up pocket on the feeder wheel.

Each pocket in the feeder wheel is suitably designed with a take-up edge comprising a supporting surface for coins, arranged at a distance from the sliding surface.

By this means, it is ensured that each coin for separation is forced towards the sliding surface when it is taken up, by subjecting each coin to a turning moment when it is taken up.

Alternatively, each pocket in the feeder wheel is designed with a take-up edge with an extent such that the coin for separation that is largest in diameter can be taken up and such that only one of the two coins for separation that are smallest in diameter in a denomination can be taken up.

By this means, it is achieved that one coin at a time is separated.

A supporting edge is preferably arranged between the position for taking up coins and the upper position.

In this way, the coins for separation are retained until a required position for release above the axis of rotation of the feeder wheel.

A device, such as a permanently projecting part of the feeder wheel, is suitably arranged, when the feeder wheel rotates, to pass the area for taking up coins in order to adjust the position of any coins that have jammed.

By this means, it is ensured that "bridging" coins or any coins that have jammed in some other way or other unwanted objects are caused to be released.

Alternatively, the feeder wheel is fixed in such a way that it can be removed and replaced by a feeder wheel with a different size of pocket for the separation of coins.

By this means, an automatic coin-handling apparatus at a cash register apparatus can easily be adjusted to suit the currency of the country or region in question.

These objects can be achieved by the automatic coin-handling apparatus described in the introduction and in the characterising part of Claim 14. In this way, the handling of the automatic coin-handling apparatus is simplified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described in the following with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows schematically components in an input unit according to a first embodiment viewed obliquely from the side;

Figure 2 shows schematically a part of the feeder wheel in figure 1; Figure 3 shows schematically components in an input unit according to a second embodiment;

Figure 4 shows schematically a view I - 1 from in front of the feeder wheel in Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows schematically a part of a feeder wheel according to a third embodiment;

Figure 6 shows schematically a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 shows schematically the width of a take-up edge in relation to different diameters of coin; and

Figure 8 shows schematically an automatic coin-handling apparatus for an automatic cash register apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures. For the sake of clarity, details which are not of significance for the invention are not included.

Figure 1 shows schematically an input unit 1, according to a first embodiment, with a casing 2. Inside the casing is an inclined feeder wheel 3 arranged to rotate around an axis of rotation r for taking up coins 5. The rotation of the feeder wheel 3 is achieved by means of an electric motor (not shown). The input unit 1 is arranged for separating coins 5 one by one, which are placed simultaneously in the coin hopper 7. The coin hopper 7 is designed in the shape of a bowl to receive more coins 5 than one. The input unit 1 comprises, in addition, a transport surface 9 that interacts with the feeder wheel 3 to transport the coins 5 from the coin hopper 7, arranged for more coins 5 than one, at a first position LI, to a second position L2 at a level below the lowest level of the feeder wheel 3 for issuing the coins 5. The second position L2 is thus situated below the first position LI. With a direction of rotation Rl, the feeder wheel 3 is arranged to take up one coin 5 for separation at a time from the transport surface 9 to an upper position OL located above the axis of rotation r of the feeder wheel 3 according to the arrow p for release to the second position L2 via a guide track 6. The axis of rotation r is inclined in relation to a horizontal plane hp. The coin 5 for separation is lifted up by a height s above the axis of rotation r of the feeder wheel 3, from where the coin 5 is caused to fall down to the second position L2. The separated coin 5 falls under the action of gravity from the upper part of the inclined feeder wheel 3 and past the feeder wheel 3 via the guide track 6 and down to an identification unit 11, a so-called coin reader or validation unit, in a coin-sorting apparatus 13, which is arranged to sort the separated coins 5 into storage boxes (not shown), while the speed of the separated coin 5 is arranged to be sufficiently high via the guide track 6 for further transportation to the coin-sorting apparatus 13. An example of such a coin-sorting apparatus of the CashGuard type (registered trademark) is shown in the international application no. PCT/SE02/00604.

A shop customer (not shown) can select to feed one coin at a time into an additional hopper 15 if he or she only intends to pay with one or a few coins 5. These coins fall past the feeder wheel 3 and are fed via a chute 17 straight to the identification unit 11.

Figure 2 shows schematically pickup lugs 23 and a guide rail 25 for taking up coins 5. The transport surface 9 comprises a chute 19 shaped in such a way that each coin 5 for separation falls in towards the feeder wheel 3 with its flat side 21. That is to say that the walls 27 of the chute are inclined sufficiently for a tipping of the coins 5 to be achieved.

Figure 3 shows schematically components of an input unit 1 according to a second preferred embodiment. The input unit 3 is designed as a conical wheel, that is to say is designed with a conical surface 29 (see also Figure 4), arranged with a plurality of pockets 31 for taking up coins 5, with each pocket 31 comprising a sliding surface 33 for coins 5. The sliding surface 33 is arranged to enable the coin 5 for separation to slide off the feeder wheel 3 under its own power.

A supporting edge 35 is arranged between the position U for taking up the coin 5 and the upper position OL. When the coin 5 for separation reaches the upper position OL, it slides down to the opening 36 of the guide track 6 and falls down to the second position L2 due to the force of gravity and the lack of a supporting edge. From the second position L2, the coin 5 falls down into a coin sorter ms via a coin validator mv arranged in association with the coin sorter mv.

The chute 19 comprises a separation chute 37 designed with a supporting wall 39 supporting each coin 5 for separation against the feeder wheel 3, in order to ensure that coins 5 are taken up reliably. The axis of rotation r is oriented horizontally and located at a level below an upper part 41 of the separation chute 37 to support each coin. The upper part 41 is designed as an extension of the supporting wall 39 of the separation chute 37. In this way, the coin 5 does not fall out of the pocket 31 when it is taken up.

Different sizes of coin in combination with each other pile up, fall down and behave in different ways. Angles and dimensions of the transport surface 9, the chute 19 and the separation chute 37 are shown in Figure 3. These differ depending upon the currency used.

The designation A is the smallest angle of inclination of the transport surface for satisfactory transportation of coins. This depends upon the coefficient of friction between the coin 5 and the material of which the transport surface is made.

The designation B is the smallest angle that enables the coin 5 to tip inwards towards the sliding surface 33 of the pocket 31 on the feeder wheel 3. The designation C is the smallest angle between the upper part 41 of the separation chute 37 and the axis of rotation r that ensures that the coin follows the feeder wheel 3 and ensures that the coin lies against the sliding surface 33 of the pocket 31. The designation D shows the length of the chute 19 and corresponds to the smallest distance in order for coins 5 to be able to be separated. The designation E shows the width of the chute 19 and corresponds to the smallest distance in order for coins 5 to be unable to create a "bridge". The designation F shows the opening of the chute 19 and corresponds to the smallest distance that enables coins 5 to be able to fall down.

Figure 4 shows schematically a view I - 1 shown in Figure 3. This shows the extent of the supporting edge 35, which supporting edge 35 holds the coin 5 from the position U for taking up coins until it reaches the upper position OL. There the coin 5 slides off the sliding surface 33 and falls down via the guide track 6 to the second position L2.

Figure 5 shows schematically a part of a feeder wheel 3 in an input unit 1 according to a third embodiment, which feeder wheel 3 comprises a plurality of pockets 31 with a depth d which is smaller than the thinnest coin 5 for separation. In this way, a separation of the coins 5 is achieved and only one coin 5 at a time is taken up by a pocket 31. Each pocket 31 on the feeder wheel 3 is designed with a take-up edge 43 comprising a supporting surface 45 for coins 5 arranged at a distance from the sliding surface 33 in the direction away from the axis of rotation r. In this way, a turning moment M is achieved for each coin 5 that is taken up. A device 46 is arranged as a projecting fixed part of the feeder wheel 3, such as a pin, which device 46 passes the area for taking up coins 5 when the feeder wheel 3 rotates, to adjust the position of any coins 5 that have jammed in the chute 19.

Figure 6 shows schematically a feeder wheel 3 in an input unit 1 comprising a control device 47 arranged to cause the chute 19 to be opened to eject coins and objects (not shown) that are not accepted when the feeder wheel 3 turns in an opposite direction of rotation R2. The input unit 1 comprises a first position LI located below the second position L2. The control device 47 comprises a knuckle joint 49 that is operated by the feeder wheel 3 for opening and closing the chute 19. An arm 51 provided with two hooks 53', 53" facing towards each other is held in contact with the feeder wheel 3 by means of a spring 55. The walls 27 of the chute 19 can pivot around a hinge 57 and can pivot between a closed (solid line) and an open position. When the feeder wheel turns in the direction of rotation Rl for separating coins 5, the hook 53' slides over the take-up edge 43 of each pocket 31, whereby the knuckle joint 49 remains in its retracted position (solid line) by means of a spring-back mechanism (not shown) in the hinge 57. In the case, for example, of rubbish entering the chute 19, the input unit 1 is caused to change the direction of rotation of the feeder wheel 3. The direction of rotation is changed when a sensor (not shown) sends a signal to a control unit (not shown) that unwanted objects have entered the chute 19. When the feeder wheel turns in the opposite direction of rotation R2, the hook 53' engages in an edge 59 that is opposite to the take-up edge 43, whereupon the arm 51 causes the knuckle joint 49 to adopt a locked position for opening the walls 27 (broken line) of the chute 19. The hook 53" now slides over the pockets 31 as the arm 51 has been displaced in the direction of the arrow 61. When the chute 19 has been emptied of unwanted objects and these have slid down into a return bowl 63, the input unit 1 is caused to change to normal operation, that is to say to drive the feeder wheel 3 in the direction of rotation Rl, whereupon the hook 53" engages in the take-up edge 43 and the arm 51 causes the knuckle joint 49 to adopt its retracted position (solid line) and the walls 27 of the chute 19 resume their original position in a closed state. According to this embodiment, the input unit 1 does not comprise any guide track 6. The separated coin 5 falls off the sliding surface (corresponding to reference 33, see Figure 4) and leaves the feeder wheel 3 at the second position L2. The separated coin 5 falls down from the second position L2 straight into the coin validator mv.

Figure 7 shows schematically the width of a take-up edge 43 on a pocket 31 in relation to the different widths of coins 5. Each pocket 31 on the feeder wheel 3 is designed with a take-up edge 43 with an extent such that the coin 5' for separation that is largest in diameter within a denomination can be taken up, and that only one of the two coins 5" for separation that are smallest in diameter within the same denomination can be taken up. In this way, only one coin is taken up at the time by the feeder wheel.

The feeder wheel 3 is fixed in such a way that it can be removed and replaced by a feeder wheel (not shown) with a different size of pocket for the separation of coins. The abovementioned take-up edge 43 can thus have a different extent when comprised in another wheel and the depth d can be different for different feeder wheels. At the same time, in other respects this replaceable feeder wheel has the same dimensions and diameter as the original one. In this way, automatic cash register apparatuses comprising the input unit 1 can be adapted in a cost-effective way to suit the currency of the country or region and following changes to the size of coins.

Figure 8 shows schematically an automatic coin-handling apparatus 67 in an automatic cash register apparatus 65. The automatic coin-handling apparatus 67 is particularly designed for the automatic cash register apparatus 65, which automatic coin-handling apparatus 67 comprises a hopper 69 for coins 5, a coin input device 71, such as an input unit 1, a sorting unit 73, a storage unit 75 and an issuing unit 77 comprising an opening 79 for issuing coins 5. The hopper 69 is arranged to receive several coins 5 simultaneously. The hopper 69 is designed as a bowl, whereby a shop customer does not need to put coins into the automatic cash register apparatus 65 one by one, but can put a handful of coins into the hopper 69 and get back change automatically from the opening 79 on the basis of the calculations carried out by the automatic cash register apparatus 65.

The automatic cash register apparatus 65 can be connected to a cash register 81 and also comprises a control unit 83 for issuing coins from the automatic coin-handling apparatus and notes from an opening 85 arranged in an automatic note-handling apparatus 87.

The automatic cash register apparatus is defined as a so-called self-contained note- and coin-handling apparatus in a shop, the task of which is to handle, that is to say receive and evaluate notes and coins so that the correct change is provided to the customer (not shown).

According to the second preferred embodiment, the function of the input unit described above is as follows: When coins 5 are placed in the coin hopper 7, they fall down and partially spread out on a first part of the transport surface 9, such as a coin channel. The coins then pass across the transport surface 9 down into a chute 19, where they are arranged standing on edge in the separation chute 37 and are then taken up one at a time by the pockets 31 in the feeder wheel 3.

The present invention is not to be regarded as being limited by the embodiments described above, combinations of the embodiments described above and similar solutions being possible within the framework of the invention.

Of course, the opening function of the chute can also be achieved by means of a release mechanism mounted on the shaft of the feeder wheel, so that when the feeder wheel turns in the opposite direction, an opening mechanism is engaged and opens the chute. The control of the opening and closing of the chute can be carried out automatically and/or manually. Alternatively, the axis of rotation r can be inclined in relation to a horizontal plane and this can apply for all embodiments.

Of course, other angles and dimensions can be tried out within the framework of the present invention for coins from different countries/regions. The choice of material for the transport surface can be stainless steel, plastic, Teflon, etc. Naturally, the choice of material also affects the abovementioned angles and dimensions.

In addition, the second position where the separated coin is issued from the input unit can be on a level with the axis of rotation or close to the upper position or somewhere in between. The guide track 6 shown in certain embodiments is an alternative.

The separated coin can advantageously be caused to fall from the second position L2 straight down into, for example, a coin sorter. In this way, the input unit can be made to take up less room in a vertical direction.

Claims

1. Input unit for separating coins (5), which input unit (1) comprises a transport surface (9) that interacts with a feeder wheel (3) to transport the coins (5) from a coin hopper (7), arranged for more coins (5) than one, at a first position (LI), to a second position (L2) for issuing coins (5), characterized in that, with a direction of rotation (Rl), the said feeder wheel (3) is arranged to take up one coin (5) for separation at a time from the said transport surface (9) to an upper position (OL) located above the axis of rotation (r) of the said feeder wheel (3) where the said coin (5) is caused to fall down to the said second position (L2).

2. Input unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said transport surface (9) comprises a chute (19) that is funnel-shaped in such a way that each coin (5) for separation falls in towards the said feeder wheel (3) with its flat side (21).

3. Input unit according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the said transport surface (9) comprises a separation chute (37) designed with a supporting wall (39) supporting each coin (5) for separation against the said feeder wheel (3) in order to ensure that coins (5) are taken up reliably.

4. Input unit according to Claims 1-3, characterized in that the said axis of rotation (r) is oriented horizontally and located at a level below an upper part (41) of the said separation chute (37) to support each coin (5).

5. Input unit according to Claim 4, characterized in that the said axis of rotation (r) is inclined in relation to a horizontal plane (hp).

6. Input unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control device (47) is arranged to cause the said chute (19) to be opened to eject coins and objects that are not accepted when the said feeder wheel (3) turns in an opposite direction of rotation (R2).

7. Input unit according to Claim 6, characterized in that the said control device (47) comprises a knuckle joint (49) that is operated by the said feeder wheel (3) for opening and closing the said chute (19).

8. Input unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said feeder wheel (3) is designed with a conical surface (29) arranged with a plurality of pockets (31) for taking up coins (5), with each pocket (31) being arranged to take up one coin (5) at a time and comprising a sliding surface (33) for coins.

9. Input unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said feeder wheel (3) comprises a plurality of pockets (31), each with a depth (d) that is smaller than the thinnest coin (5) for separation.

10. Input unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each pocket (31) on the said feeder wheel (3) is designed with a take-up edge (43) comprising a supporting surface (45) for coins (5) arranged at a distance from the said sliding surface (33).

11. Input unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each pocket (31) on the said feeder wheel (3) is designed with a take-up edge (43) with an extent such that the coin (5') for separation that is largest in diameter within a denomination can be taken up, and that only one of the two coins (5") for separation that are smallest in diameter within the same denomination can be taken up.

12. Input unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a supporting edge (35) is arranged between the position (U) for taking up the coin and the said upper position (OL).

13. Input unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a device (46) is arranged as a projecting fixed part of the said feeder wheel (3), which device (46) passes the area for taking up coins (5) when the said feeder wheel (3) rotates, to adjust the position of any coins (5) that have jammed.

14. Input unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said feeder wheel (3) is fixed in such a way that it can be removed and replaced by a feeder wheel with a different size of pocket (31) for the separation of coins (5).

15. Automatic coin-handling apparatus for an automatic cash register apparatus (65), which automatic coin-handling apparatus (67) comprises a hopper (69) for coins (5), a coin input device (71), a sorting unit (73), a storage unit (75) and an issuing unit (77) comprising an opening (79) for issuing coins (5), characterized in that the said hopper (69) is arranged to receive several coins (5) simultaneously.