DK2498228T3 - The supply device for filling the coin unit with coins - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a supply device for filling a coin module with coins according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

It is known from DE 10 2007 002 892 A1 that coin modules which serve to receive coins and to pay coins to a customer, which can for example be a part of a cash till system or a self-service terminal, can on the operator side be supplied with coins by means of a so-called supply cassette. The supply cassette comprises a coin storage means for storing coins and a shell with typically two apertures. A first aperture is designed as a charge aperture. It serves to fill the coin storage means with coins. The supply cassette is usually filled in a coin discharge station outside of the sales rooms. The first aperture will typically be designed as a closable aperture. A second aperture is designed as a discharge aperture. It serves to remove coins from the coin storage means. The discharge aperture can only be opened when the supply cassette is directly attached to a filling aperture of the coin module, or is firmly bolted to the coin module. When the discharge aperture is opened, the coins fall directly out of the coin storage means of the supply cassette, e.g. into the funnel-shaped filling aperture of the coin module, and from there are brought into a separate coin storage means of the coin module. In the coin storage means of the supply cassette, the coins are usually stored unsorted. The supply cassette is fed a coin mixture which is oriented towards the typical coins needed by the coin module, and is designed to ensure that the coin module can be operated independently over a specified period of time. This is the case when at any point in time the required change can be paid out to the customer. A transfer of coins from the stock storage compartment to the dispensing storage department is not provided.

In general, the use of supply cassettes for filling the coin modules has been proven to be of value. However, with a supply cassette, only one single coin module can be filled in each case, since the coin storage means in the supply cassette is fully emptied into the coin module. For this reason, a separate supply cassette must repeatedly be filled with coins for each coin module. In large retail trade companies with multiple cash desk systems in particular, this procedure costs a great deal of time. Additionally, considerable costs ensue from the transportation of the supply cassettes by cash-in-transit companies.

Supply devices are known from US 2003/0079662 A1 and US 2006/0054455 Al, in which a lock unit is provided between a supply storage compartment and a filling storage compartment. A portioned filling of the dispensing storage compartment is not disclosed. A supply device for filling a coin module with coins is known from WO 2007/146705 A2, which comprises a supply storage compartment and a dispensing storage compartment. The two compartments are coupled with each other via a lock unit. The lock unit comprises adjustment elements for opening or closing a passage opening, which can be brought into an open position, into a closed position or into an intermediate position in which it is closed due to the clamping arrangement of the coins.

The object of the present invention is thus to further develop a supply device for filling a coin module with coins in such a manner that a plurality of coin modules can be filled with one single supply device.

In order to achieve the object, the invention comprises the features described in patent claim 1.

According to the invention, a coin storage means with two coin storage compartments is provided in the shell, wherein only one dispensing storage compartment of the coin storage means is emptied into the coin module and the coins stored in a stock storage compartment of the coin storage means remain in the supply device while the coin module is being filled. Advantageously, as a result, several coin modules can be filled with one single supply device. Additionally, the space requirement is reduced due to the single supply device, which in turn leads to a reduction in transport costs, for example.

The supply device is no longer fully emptied when filling a first coin module. In order to supply a further coin module with coins after the first coin module, coins stored in the stock storage compartment can be brought into the dispensing storage compartment. For this purpose, a lock unit is arranged between the two coin storage compartments, which separates the compartments from each other in a closed position and which otherwise creates a passage opening between the coin storage compartments. Coins from the stock storage compartment can travel into the dispensing storage compartment through the passage opening. When the dispensing storage compartment is again filled with coins, a further coin module can be supplied.

According to the invention, the lock unit comprises at least one adjustment element which is movably arranged with respect to the shell. The adjustment element completely seals the passage opening in the closed position. In an open position of the lock unit, the passage opening is completely exposed. In an intermediate position, the adjustment element clamps coins in the passage opening. Advantageously, the lock unit can be particularly simply designed due to the provision of the movably arranged adjustment element, and can for example be actuated by means of an actuator. The adjustment element can be triggered in such a manner that the passage opening is completely closed or completely exposed. Furthermore, the lock unit can be brought into an intermediate position in which the coins are clamped in the passage opening. In the closed position of the lock unit, the coin storage compartments are separated, and no coins can travel from the stock storage compartment into the dispensing storage compartment. In the open position, the passage opening adopts its maximum size, with the result that coins travel from the stock storage compartment into the dispensing storage compartment. In the intermediate position, coins provided in an effective range of the lock unit are clamped by the at least one adjusting element, so that the passage opening is sealed and no coins can travel from the stock storage compartment into the dispensing storage compartment. To this extent, the lock unit acts as a dosing device, wherein via the position of the adjustment element and the duration of actuation, at least a rough influencing of the coin quantity transported from the stock storage compartment into the dispensing storage compartment is possible. In particular, it is possible to only partially empty the stock storage compartment and to repeatedly fill the dispensing storage compartment with coins. As a result, it is possible to fill a plurality of coin modules with one single supply device.

According to the invention, an actuating unit is assigned to the adjustment element of the lock unit in order to bring the adjustment element into the open position, the closed position or intermediate position. The actuating unit can be controlled by a control unit, wherein on the shell, an interface for entering actuation commands to the control unit can be provided. Advantageously, through the provision of an actuating unit, a control unit and an interface for entering actuation commands, the opportunity is created for implementing predefined program routines for filling the dispensing storage compartment with coins. For example, an opening period interval of the lock unit can be selected such that the coin requirement of the coin module to be filled next is covered in a particularly advantageous manner. The interface can for example comprise manual actuating elements. It is also possible to design the interface as an electronic interface. For example, after the supply device has been set to the coin module to be filled, actuation commands can be transmitted from the coin module to the control unit. The actuation command can for example specify the coins required, wherein on the basis of the coins required, a program routine which corresponds to this, which is stored in the control unit, can be implemented.

According to a further development of the invention, the control unit interacts with a detector unit for recording a closed position of the first closing element and a closed position of the second closing element and with a locking unit which locks the second closing element in the closed position of the same such that the second closing element only exposes the discharge aperture in the closed position and/or in the intermediate position of the lock unit. Advantageously, this avoids a situation in which when the lock unit is in the open position, all the coins stockpiled in the stock storage compartment are accidentally filled into the coin module to be filled. The discharge aperture can only be exposed when the lock unit is closed, or - in the intermediate position - coins clamped in the lock unit block the passage opening. To this extent it is ensured that only the coins stockpiled in the dispensing storage compartment are removed from the supply device.

According to a further development of the invention, the stock storage compartment is arranged in the housing above the dispensing storage compartment. Advantageously, due to the vertical arrangement of the coin storage means, the coins pass from the stock storage compartment into the dispensing storage compartment automatically.

Further advantages of the invention are described in the further subclaims.

The invention will now be explained in greater detail below with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a principle drawing of a first exemplary embodiment of the supply device according to the invention, and

Figure 2 shows a principle drawing of a second exemplary embodiment of the supply device according to the invention. A supply device according to the invention as shown in figure 1 consists essentially of a coin storage means compiled of a stock storage compartment 1 and a dispensing storage compartment 2, of a shell 3 surrounding the stock storage compartment 1 and the dispensing storage compartment 2 with a charge aperture 5 which is closable by means of a first closing element 4 and with a discharge aperture 7 which is closable by means of a second closing element 6, and of a lock unit 8 which is arranged between the stock storage compartment 1 and the dispensing storage compartment 2. The first closing element 4 which is assigned to the charge aperture 5 and the second closing element 6 which is assigned to the discharge aperture 7 are arranged on opposite external sides of the shell 3. The first closing element 4 and the second closing element 6 are for example shown as rotatably mounted closing flaps on the shell 3.

Through the charge aperture 5 - so long as the charge aperture 5 is not closed by the first closing element 4 - coins 9 can be filled into the stock storage compartment 1 of the supply device. The discharge aperture 7 serves - if it is not closed by the second closing element 6 - to remove coins 9 from the dispensing storage compartment 2. A locking unit, not shown, can be assigned to at least one aperture 5, 7, by means of which the respective closing element 4, 6 is locked in the closed position of the same.

The supply device according to the invention can for example be used instead of the supply cassettes used today in order to supply a coin module of a cash till system, a self-service terminal or similar with coins 9.

The stock storage compartment 1 of the supply device is for this purpose filled with coins 9 - generally in a specially secured coin discharge station. The supply device is then set to a filling aperture of a coin module not shown. A portion of the coins 9 stockpiled in the stock storage compartment 1 travels through the lock unit 8 into the dispensing storage compartment 2. The coins 9 stockpiled in the dispensing storage compartment 2 are then emptied into the filling aperture of the coin module when the discharge aperture of the supply unit is exposed. From the filling aperture of the coin module, the coins 9 travel into a coin storage means of the coin module. In the coin storage means, the coins 9 are typically stockpiled sorted according to coin types - e.g. in different coin magazines.

The lock unit 8 comprises two adjustment elements 10, 11 which are movably arranged with respect to the shell 3. In a closed position of the lock unit 8, the stock storage compartment 1 and the dispensing storage compartment 2 can be separated from each other by the lock unit 8. Coins 9 cannot travel from the stock storage compartment 1 into the dispensing storage compartment 2. In an open position of the lock unit 8, the adjustment elements 10, 11 - as shown by the broken lines - can be arranged pivoted with respect to the closed position, and a passage opening 12 is formed between the stock storage compartment 1 and the dispensing storage compartment 2. In the open position, coins 9 can travel through the passage opening 12 from the stock storage compartment 1 into the dispensing storage compartment 2.

In the open position, the passage opening 12 adopts its maximum size. The size of the passage opening 12 can be reduced when the lock unit 8 is brought from the open position into the closed position or into an intermediate position. In the intermediate position, the adjustment elements 10, 11 are situated between the closed position and the open position, with the result that the passage opening 12 is smaller in the intermediate position than in the open position. In the intermediate position, coins 9 can be clamped between the adjustment elements 10, 11 of the lock unit 8. As a result, the passage opening 12 is sealed and no coins can travel from the stock storage compartment 1 into the dispensing storage compartment 2.

In order to realise a particularly advantageous clamping effect, the adjustment elements 10, 11 can at least in sections be made of a pliable material. For example, the adjustment elements 10, 11 can have a rubberised surface. As a result, a high friction coefficient between the coins 9 and the surface of the adjustment element 10, 11 is realised, with the result that clamped coins 9 can be securely held in the intermediate position in the lock unit 8.

Generally, the stock storage compartment 1 will be larger in size than the dispensing storage compartment 2. When the stock storage compartment 1 is larger than the dispensing storage compartment 2, more coins 9 can be stockpiled in the stock storage compartment 1 than in the dispensing storage compartment 2. As a result, it is possible to repeatedly fill the dispensing storage compartment 2 with the coins 9 stockpiled in the stock storage compartment 1, with the result that a plurality of coin modules can be filled with a single supply device according to the invention without it being necessary to refill the stock storage compartment 1.

The lock unit 8 can be brought by means of an actuating unit not shown from the closed position into the open position, or from the open position into the intermediate position. The actuating unit serves in particular to automatically actuate the adjustment elements 10, 11 and comprises an electric actuator, for example. The actuating unit is triggered by a control unit, which via the pivot position of the adjustment elements 10, 11 is suitable for varying the size of the passage opening 12 and/or an opening period of the lock unit 8. When the opening duration or size of the passage opening 12 can be specified by means of the control unit, the quantity of coins 9 transferred from the stock storage compartment 1 to the dispensing storage compartment 2 can be at least roughly predetermined and varied. Preferably, the coins 9 are stockpiled unsorted both in the stock storage compartment 1 and in the dispensing storage compartment 2, with the result that a precise determination of the coin denomination and the total value of the coins 9 held in the dispensing storage compartment 2 are not known.

The supply device can have an interface which interacts with the control unit for inputting operating commands. The interface can for example be designed as a mechanically operable interface with operating elements (e.g. rotary switch). Equally, the interface can be designed as an electronic interface. Via the electronic interface, the control unit can for example communicate with the coin module.

The control unit can interact with a detector unit not shown. The detector unit in particular records a closed position of the first closing element 4 and a closed position of the second closing element 6, wherein the first closing element 4 in its closed position closes the charge aperture 5 and the second closing element 6 in its closed position closes the discharge aperture 7. Due to the interaction between the control unit and the detector unit, it can be guaranteed that the lock unit 8 is only actuated and the passage opening 12 is only created when both the first closing element 4 and the second closing element 6 close the charge aperture 5 and the discharge aperture 7. A locking unit which is assigned to the second closing element 6 can also interact with the control unit, so that the second closing element 6 only exposes the discharge opening 7 in the closed position and/or in the intermediate position of the lock unit 8. This ensures that coins 9 from the stock storage compartment 1 cannot directly enter the coin module to be filled.

According to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention as shown in figure 2, the lock unit 8 comprises two cylindrical adjustment elements 10, 11 which are mounted rotatably with respect to the shell 3 around eccentric rotational axes 13, 14. Due to the cylindrical geometry and eccentric mounting of the adjustment elements 10, 11, a comparatively large passage opening 12 is already realised with low pivot angles of the adjustment elements 10, 11. The second closing element 6 is formed as a trough or ring segment, and is rotatably mounted around a further rotational axis 15. In the closed position, illustrated by unbroken lines, of the second closing element 6, the coins 9 stockpiled in the dispensing storage compartment 2 are themselves held in the trough-shaped closing element 6. By rotating the second closing element 6 around the further rotational axis 15, the discharge aperture 7 is exposed and the coins 9 made available in the dispensing storage compartment 2 travel from the dispensing storage compartment 2 into the coin module not shown. The closing element 6 is then in its open position as shown by a broken line.

The same components and component functions are assigned the same reference numerals.

The coin module not shown can be filled with coins 9 in one or multiple stages. With the single-stage filling of the coin module, the coins 9 stockpiled in the stock storage compartment 2 are emptied into the filling aperture of the coin module and then brought into the coin storage means of the coin module. By contrast, with the multiple stage filling of the coin module with coins 9, a first quantity of coins 9 is first brought from the stock storage compartment 1 to the dispensing storage compartment 2. The dispensing storage compartment 2 is then emptied into the filling aperture of the coin module. The coins 9 brought into the filling aperture are counted and stockpiled in the coin module. As a result of the counting procedure, it is precisely known what value the coins 9 which have been loaded have. If this value is less than a coin requirement of the coin module, the procedure can be repeated. In this case, a second quantity of coins 9 is brought from the stock storage compartment 1 into the dispensing storage compartment 2. From there, they are taken to the filling aperture of the coin module, are counted and then brought into the coin storage means. The procedure can be repeated until the coin requirement of the coin module has been fully covered. Equally, the multiple stage filling procedure can be used to ensure that a minimum number of coins 9 is stockpiled in the coin module for each coin denomination.

Claims (6)

A supply device for filling a coin module with coins (9) containing at least one coin bearing member receiving the coins (9) and containing a housing surrounding the coin storage means, the housing being provided with a drop-in opening (5) for loading coins (9) into the coin bearing member which can be closed by means of a first closure element (4) and a dispensing opening (7) for removing the coins (9) from the coin bearing means which can be closed by a second closure element (6), the coin storage means (1) for storage of coins (1). 9) which can be filled with coins (9) via the throw-in opening (5), the coin storage means comprises a dispensing storage chamber (2) for coins (9) from which coins (9) can be removed via the delivery opening (7) and a locking unit (8) is provided. between the storage storage chamber (1) and the dispensing storage chamber (2), where in a closed position of the locking unit, the coin storage chambers (1, 2) are separated from each other and where the coin storage chambers (1, 2) are otherwise e. r is connected to each other via a passage opening (12), the locking unit (8) comprises at least one adjusting member (10, 11) movably disposed relative to the housing (3) which completely seals the passage opening (12) in the closed position which completely covering the passage opening (12) in an open position of the locking unit (8) and clamping the coins (9) in the passage opening (12) in an intermediate position, a moving unit for moving the adjusting element (10, 11) to an open position, to the closed position position and / or to the intermediate position is assigned to the adjusting element (10, 11), wherein the movement unit is actuated by a control unit for controlling the movement unit, characterized in that the movement unit can be controlled by the control unit thus by an opening period and / or a size of the passage opening (12). of the adjusting element (10, 11) is specified such that any of the coins (9) stored at the end of the storage compartment (1) reaches the dispensing storage chamber (2) through the locking device (8). The supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that a user interface for writing activation commands in the control unit is provided on the housing (3). The supply device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit is actuated by a detector unit to take a closed position of the first locking element (4) and a closed position of the second closing element (6) so that only the locking unit (8) can be brought to an open position or in the intermediate position by means of the moving unit in the closed position of the first closing element (4) and in the closed position of the second closing element (6). The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control unit cooperates with the detector unit and with a locking unit which locks the second closing element in the closed position of the same, so that the second closing element only covers the delivery opening (7) in it. closed position and / or in the intermediate position of the lock assembly (8). The supply device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the storage storage chamber (1) is arranged in the housing (3) above the dispensing storage chamber (2) and / or the inlet opening (5) is arranged on one side of the housing (3). opposite the dispensing opening (7). The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the end of the storage chamber (1) comprises a larger storage volume than the dispensing storage chamber (2).