AU2003200087B2 - Coin hopper and processor - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): ASAHI SEIKO KABUSHIKI KAISHA Invention Title: COIN HOPPER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 COIN HOPPER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a coin hopper of the type used for vending machines to process coins, tokens, chips and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Vending machines are widely available in the form of food vending machines, currency exchange machines, gaming machines, and the like. Most vending machines have a return feature which returns an inserted coin if the return button is pressed and a purchase has not been made.

Further, vending machines typically include coin identifiers and selectors for distinguishing denominations of money, different currencies and damaged or false money.

The coins are stored in hoppers from which they are eventually dispensed.

The problem with many vending machines is that firstly, the hoppers are large and occupy much space in the vending machine. Figure A illustrates a typical hopper. Secondly, when a coin is inserted into the vending machine it is sent directly to a hopper. This is a problem if the inserted coin is counterfeit, or in some other way unacceptable, and the return button is pressed. Rather than returning the originally inserted coin, the vending machine returns a real coin from a pre-prepared coin reserve. Thus, an unacceptable coin is exchanged for a true coin.

\\melb_files\homeS\MCooper\Keep\Speci\55969-99 divisional.doc 13/01/2003 3 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a coin hopper device including: an electric motor having a rotated axis projection end and having an upper part with a top end, said projection end of a rotated axis being located at a hopper device lower side; a hopper which stores coins, a top edge of said hopper being provided adjacent to said top end of said motor; a rotated disk for discharging coins one by one, said rotated disk being disposed at said bottom of said hopper, said rotated disk having a side part; and said rotated axis projection end of said electric motor being arranged near to said side part of said rotated disk.

Preferably, the coin hopper device further including: a first gear mechanism connected to said motor; a second gear mechanism connected to said rotated disk; and a gear train mechanism including a plurality of gears, each of said plurality of gears, said first gear mechanism and said second gear mechanism being arranged flatly in one of a first gear level below said rotated disk and a second gear level adjacent to said first gear level.

Preferably, the coin hopper device wherein said electric motor has an outer surface arranged closely spaced to said side part of said disk.

Preferably, the coin hopper device wherein said first gear mechanism is coaxial with said motor axis and said second gear mechanism is coaxial with said rotated disk, with an outer periphery of said first gear mechanism being spaced from an outer periphery of said second gear mechanism by a H:\flanagan\keep\SPECIFICATIONS\55969-99 divisional.doc 13/01/2003 4 greater distance than a spacing between said outer surface of said electric motor and said side part of said disk.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment, incorporating all aspects of the invention, will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coin hopper; Figure 2 is a view of figure 1 with the upper part of the hopper removed; Figure 3 is an exploded view of figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a coin processor; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the operating components of a hopper of figure 4; Figure 6 is an alternative view of a hopper in figure 4; Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of the coin processor; and Figure 8 is a sectional front view of third embodiment of the coin processor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In this specification it is understood that the term "coin" also includes tokens, medals, chips and the like.

A coin hopper 10 is illustrated in figures 1, 2 and 3 and includes a rectangular resin moulded baseboard 11. An electric connector 12 is fixed at one end of the baseboard 11 by means of screws 13. An electric motor 15 is mounted upright on the baseboard at the opposite end to the electric connector 12. Figure 3 shows a small driving gear 16 fitted onto a projected rotating shaft of electric motor Intermediate gear 17 meshes with the driving gear 16 and is mounted on an upstanding pivot on the baseboard 11.

H:\fanaga\keep\SPCIFICATIONS\55969-99 divisional.doc 13/01/2003 5 Slider 19 is provided under intermediate gear 17.

Coaxially formed on the upper surface of intermediate gear 17 is small gear 21. Small gear 21 meshes with adjacent horizontal gear 22 also provided on a mounted pivot with a slider 19. Coaxially formed on the underside of gear 22 is small gear 23 which meshes with a large gear 25 provided substantially central of the baseboard 11. Large gear has an axial stem 26 which is rotatably inserted into baseboard 11 with a slider 19. Figure 2 illustrates the meshing arrangement of the gears. Wiring 14 for the electric motor 15 runs to electric connector 12 which includes an electric connector for a sensor 9.

Mounted on the gear arrangement, and coaxial with stem 26, is a rotating disc 41. This is illustrated in figure i.

An assembly cover 31 made of a resin moulded product fits on baseboard 11 and covers the gear arrangement. A circular metallic plate 33 is fixed on cover 31 but beneath rotating disc 41. Formed with the cover 31 is a ring with surrounds electric motor 15. Between ring 35 and disc 41, a guide 36 is fixed on plate 33 for guiding coins.

A coin exit 37 in the form of a ramp is formed adjacent ring 35. At each side of the exit 37 are spring-mounted rollers 39. Two pins 32 for guiding coins are provided near rollers 39 and freely rise and fall on a springboard (not shown).

Disc 41 is provided with four equally spaced holes 42 adapted to receive flat coins. Two or more elongate nails 43 project under disc 41 and are adapted to urge coins out of the holes 42.

A large rectangular hopper trough 45 having a funnelshaped base is mounted on cover 31 and is adapted to store coins and direct them to the disc 41. Figure 1 illustrates the resin moulded hopper trough 45 in chain line. One H:\flanagan\keep\SPECIFICATIONS\55969-99 divisionaldoc 13/01/2003 6 corner of the hopper trough 45 is formed around the upstanding electric motor 15. Hooks (105 in figure 5) on the underside of trough 45 are inserted into corresponding holes 47 on cover 31. To further secure the assembly, clips 49 on cover 31 snap into corresponding openings (not shown) on trough 45. The clips are spring mounted. An Fshaped sensor 8 is positioned near the coin exit 37 for detecting coins as they exit.

I

For dispensing coins stored in the hopper, electric motor is turned on which effects rotation of intermediate gear 17 by way of driving gear 16. This in turn rotates small gear 21, gear 22, small gear 23 and finally large gear Upon rotation of large gear 25, disc 41 rotates in the direction of the arrow illustrated in figure 1. By rotation of disc 41, coins in the hopper trough 45 slide into and through holes 42 and onto the surface of metal plate 33 underneath disc 41. Since elongate nails 43 are provided on the underside of disc 41, they rotate with disc 41 to guide a coin on plate 33 against the inner wall of hopper 45 and guide 36, towards the exit 37. Upon reaching the exit the coin is fully pushed out of hole 42 by nails 43 and pins 32. The coin then slides past spring mounted rollers 39 and are detected by sensor 8.

The coin hopper described above is smaller and lower than typical coin hoppers. This is achieved by a more compact arrangement of working parts.

Figure 4 illustrates five hoppers 51, 52, 53, 54 and arranged one on top of another in a vertical stack.

Hoppers 52, 53 and 54 are illustrated in ghost lines.

Above the uppermost hopper 15 is an upright box-shaped coin selector 56. Selector 56 electronically distinguishes coins inserted into a vending machine (not shown) associated with the coin processor. Coins inserted into the vending machine are guided downwardly to slot 57 in 5 9 6 9 9 9 divisionaldoc 13/01/2003 7 selector 56. Once in selector 56, the diameter, thickness and material of the coin are distinguished by, for instance, three pairs of magnetic sensors (not shown). If the coin is identified as an acceptable coin, it is then guided by a solenoid (not shown) and other guide means to fall into the hopper trough 65 of the uppermost hopper If an inserted coin is not identified as an acceptable coin, it is forwarded to fall through passage 58 where it is rejected and returned to the exterior of the vending machine.

Figure 6 illustrates the lower most hopper device 51 shown in figure 1 in full assembly including the hopper trough 62. At a front end of hopper trough 62 there is provided a notch Nl. A T-shaped guide board G1 is located in front of notch N1 and pivots to open and close the notch. The lower end of guide board G1 is pivoted under hopper device 51, that is, under baseboard 61. A solenoid S1 arranged under baseboard 61 operates guide board G1 to open and close notch N1.

If an inserted coin is identified as being acceptable it is temporarily stored in uppermost hopper device Therefore, if the return button of the vending machine is pushed, electric motor 75 drives the hopper to discharge the coin into passage 58. See figure 4. In this way, the same coin which is inserted into the vending machine is returned to the exterior.

If, on the other hand, a product purchase button of the vending machine is pressed, the electric motor drives the hopper to discharge the coin into vertical passage 58 where it passes sensor 95 along the way. Sensor 95 identifies the specific denomination of the coin. Each hopper device in the coin processor stack corresponds to a particular denomination or currency. Sensor 95 signals the solenoid H,\flanagan\keep\SPECIFICATIONS\55969-99 divisionaldoc 13/01/2003 8 in the hopper corresponding to the denomination of coin just detected. If, for example, solenoid S1 is signalled, guide board G1 pivots away from the hopper 51, into passage 58 thus opening notch NI. The coin discharged into passage 58 falls onto guide board G1 which directs the coin through notch N1 into the hopper.

Sensor 95 will detect a coin and forward a signal to the appropriate solenoid when the purchase button is pressed but also when the return button is pressed. Therefore, when the return button is pressed the electric motor is driven at high speed to ensure that the return coin is not collected by opening guide boards of any of the hoppers.

In contrast, when the purchase button is pressed, the electric motor is driven at low speed to give the guide board on the respective hopper time to open and prepare for catchment of the coin.

The holding capacity of the hoppers are proportional to the size of coin to be stored in the hopper. For example, the hopper device 54 below reserve hopper 55 could be used to store Y500 coin of Japanese currency. Hopper device 53, could be used for Y100 coin, hopper 52 in respect of coin and hopper 51 in respect of Y10 coin. Since the Y500 coin is the largest coin in the Japanese currency, hopper 54 would have a larger capacity than the other hoppers.

Capacities of hoppers are determined by the height of the trough casing. Adapting hopper capacity to the coin intended to be stored can reduce the space taken by the coin processor in the vending machine.

In use a coin is deposited through slot 57. When, for instance, a Y500 coin is deposited into the vending machine, it is identified by magnetic sensors as it drops through selector 56. The Y500 coin will be distinguished as an acceptable coin and sent to hopper device 55 where it is temporarily reserved. When the purchase button of, for 96 9 99 divisional.doC 13/01/2003 9 example, a Y300 product of the vending machine is pressed, electric motor 75 drives hopper device 55 to direct the Y500 coin into passage 58. As the coin is discharged from hopper device 55 it passes sensor 95 and falls into passage 58. Sensor 95 identifies the coin type and signals solenoid S4 in the Y500 hopper to open guide board G4.

Guide board G4 opens into passage 58 and the falling Y500 coin is caught and directed into hopper device 54.

Meanwhile, the Y300 product is dispensed from the vending machine by means of a signal processor, such as CPU, which is not shown. A signal from the CPU indicates that change of Y200 is to be dispensed from the vending machine. The electric motor of the third hopper device 53, is signalled to start dispensing a Y100 coin. A 100 coin passes the hopper sensor and falls into a passage 59 located on the other side of the hopper to passage 58. Passage 59 leads to the coin return exit of the vending machine. The electric motor of hopper device 53 is driven further to discharge another Y100 coin to bring the total of change to Y200. As the second Y100 coin passes the hopper sensor, a detection signal is transmitted to the signal processor to confirm the completion of change of money of Y200.

Although not illustrated, another solenoid and guide gate is provided at the lower end of passage 58 such that if any of the guide gates Gl-G4 fail to operate, the solenoid at the lower end of passage 58 ensures the coin is directed to a storage chamber and remains within the vending machine rather than returning to the exterior. Gate failure may also occur if hopper devices 51-54 are full of coins.

A hopper device 50 illustrated in figure 7 is the subject of a second example of use. The hopper device 50 is almost the same as hopper device 55 in figure 4 (that is, hopper device 10 in figure Hopper 50 has an electric motor which drives a gear train. However, electric motor 70 is H:\flanagan\keep\SPECIFICATIONS\55969-99 divisional .doc 13/01/2003 10 able to rotate in a forward and a reverse direction.

Consequently, rotating disc 40 is able to rotate in a forward and reverse direction. The gear train in enclosed in flat case 60 which comprises a baseboard and cover. A discharge entrance 6 for coins is located near electric motor 70 and a further discharge entrance 7 is located on the opposite side of the hopper. Sensor 90 detects coins discharging from entrance 7. Sensor 90 consists, for example, of a magnetic sensor and detects money by diameter, etc. Two rollers are pinned at either side of each coin discharge entrance 6 and 7. The rollers are free to move as they are mounted on springs. The hopper 50 has the usual guide pins and nails under the disc to push coins outwardly of the hopper.

When hopper 50 illustrated in figure 7 is activated, electric motor 70 runs in a reverse direction which effects counterclockwise rotation of disc 40. Coins in hopper case are thereby dispensed one by one from discharge entrance 6. Each coin is guided on the surface of metal plate 33 towards exit 6. When electric motor 70 is forwardly rotated, disc 40 rotates clockwise. This results in the discharge of coins in the hopper trough 20 from the other discharge exit 7.

Replacing the above described dual rotation hopper 50 in place of uppermost hopper 55 illustrated in figure 4, provides a coin processor illustrated in ghost form in figure 7. Similar to the embodiment of figure 4, a coin is inserted in slot 57 of selector 56 where it is distinguished for acceptability. If the coin is not able to be distinguished by selector 56, it is immediately rejected and dropped into passage 59 where it is returned to the exterior of the vending machine.

If the coin is not rejected it is deposited into hopper device 50 where it is temporarily stored until either the H:\flanagan\keep\SPECIICATIONS\55969-99 divisional.doc 13/01/2003 11 return button on the vending machine is pressed or a product purchase button is pressed.

If the return button is pressed, electric motor 70 of hopper device 50 reverses rotation of the hopper and discharges the coin through exit 6 and into passage 59 where it is returned to the exterior of the vending machine.

If a product purchase button on the vending machine is pressed, electric motor 70 forwardly rotates disc 40 in hopper 50 to discharge the coin through exit 7 and into passage 58. The coin passes sensor 90 as it falls into passage 58. The remaining process of distributing the coin into the appropriate hopper is similar to the embodiment of figure 4. That is, the solenoid in the appropriate hopper opens a gate to direct the coin falling in passage 58 into the hopper.

Figure 8 illustrates a cross-section of a third embodiment of a coin processor having a stack of coin hoppers, the uppermost of which is the above described dual rotation hopper V10. The coins are stored in the storage area Vl of hopper V10 and disc V2 at the lower end of the storage area is capable of forward and reverse rotation. Dispensing exit V6 for cancelled coins is provided on one side of the hopper V10 and dispensing exit V7 for accepted coins is located on the opposite side. Sensor V9 for detecting the type of accepted coin is located at dispensing exit V7.

Activating the electric motor in a reverse direction rotates disc V2 counterclockwise which dispenses coins in storage area V1 through exit V6 for cancellation if the return button is pressed on the vending machine. Forward rotation of electric motor forwardly rotates disc V2 to dispense coins through exit V7. As coin C5 is dispensed through V7 it is electronically identified by sensor V9.

H:\flanagan\keep\SPECIFICATIONS\55969-99 divisional.doc 13/01/2003 12 This embodiment operates similar to the embodiment of figure 7. Coin C1 is deposited in the vending machine through slot 57 of selector 56. Inserted coin C2 is analysed by selector 56 to distinguish as an accepted coin.

If the coin is not able to be distinguished it is guided directly into passage 59 for rejection and return to the exterior of the vending machine. If the coin is distinguished as an accepted coin it enters hopper V10. If the return button on the vending machine is pressed, disc V2 is reversely rotated to discharge the coin through exit V6 and into the cancellation passage 59. If a product purchase button on the vending machine is pressed, disc V2 is forwardly rotated and coin C3 is discharged through exit V7 into passage 58 for coin processing. A signal from sensor V9 is delivered to the solenoid corresponding to the appropriate hopper, in this example VS4, to open gate VG4 to intercept falling coin C5 and deliver it into hopper device V14. The coin processor returns change money in the manner described in the second embodiment.

By creating a temporary reserve for a deposited coin, the present coin processor is able to return to the exterior of a vending machine the same coin which was inserted. This avoids the problem of exchanging an unacceptable or false coin for a true coin. Coins are irreversibly accepted into the coin processor only after a product purchase button has been pressed.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For the purposes this specification the words "comprising", "comprise" or "comprises" are understood to mean the inclusion of a feature but not exclusion of any other feature.

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Claims (5)

1. A coin hopper device including: an electric motor having a rotated axis projection end and having an upper part with a top end, said projection end of a rotated axis being located at a hopper device lower side; a hopper which stores coins, a top edge of said hopper being provided adjacent to said top end of said motor; a rotated disk for discharging coins one by one, said rotated disk being disposed at said bottom of said hopper, said rotated disk having a side part; and said rotated axis projection end of said electric motor being arranged near to said side part of said rotated disk.

2. A coin hopper device as claimed in claim 1, further including: a first gear mechanism connected to said motor; a second gear mechanism connected to said rotated disk; and a gear train mechanism including a plurality of gears, each of said plurality of gears, said first gear mechanism and said second gear mechanism being arranged flatly in one of a first gear level below said rotated disk and a second gear level adjacent to said first gear level.

3. A coin hopper device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said electric motor has an outer surface arranged closely spaced to said side part of said disk.

4. A coin hopper device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first gear mechanism is coaxial with said motor axis and said second gear mechanism is coaxial with said rotated disk, with an outer periphery of said first gear mechanism being spaced from the outer periphery of said second gear mechanism by a greater distance than a spacing between said \\melbfiles\homeS\fanagan\keep\SPECIFICAIOS\55969-99 divisionaldoc 13/01/2003 14 mechanism by a greater distance than a spacing between said outer surface of said electric motor and said side part of said disk.

5. A coin hopper substantially as herein described with reference to figures 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6 of the accompanying drawings. Dated this 13th day of January 2003 ASAHI SEIKO KABUSHIKI KAISHA By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia H:\flanagan\keep\SPECIFICATIONS\55969-99 divisional.doc 13/01/2003