EP0278216A1 - Automatic dispenser with change return - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic dispenser comprising a coin-operated device for acquiring coins and returning money and is characterized in that it comprises, at the output of a coin recognition selector (3), a pre-cash (5) forming a temporary store for storing the parts introduced into the device by the user. This store includes a circular magazine without bottom or ceiling comprising P + 2 radiating cells, delimited by radial walls, placed in a cassette. The cassette has at its bottom an opening corresponding to the width of two cells and this opening is provided with a lock (36) which can either completely close the opening, or close it, either the right part or the left part of the opening. A stepping motor allows to move the charger in its cassette. N identical reserves (6 to 11) are located one under the other and are used to make change and are themselves fed by the pre-cash (5). Below the assembly there is in parallel a base (4) and a box (12). The lock movement control (36) makes it possible, depending on the case, to send the parts, either in a sieve (4), in a crate (12), or even from the pre-crate (5) in a reserve (6 to 11) as desired, each reserve being assigned to a specific category of parts.

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic cash dispenser.

There are known automatic dispensers of various objects or tickets, such as tickets; such devices either need to be supplemented or can make change. In the latter case, there are different reserves in the device according to the categories of parts. These reserves are fed by the operator and are replaced or replenished when they are used up. Experience shows that unless you have very large but bulky reserves, they run out quickly and therefore require frequent refilling.

The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks and relates to an automatic cash dispenser comprising a single slot for inserting coins, followed by a channel for guiding the coins towards the entry of a selector , characterized in that it further comprises a pre-cash followed by N reserves under which are located a case and a coin resting bowl, the pre-cash and each reserve each comprising a charger, without bottom or ceiling, in the form of a circular crown of vertical axis, comprising P + 2 radial cells delimited by vertical radial walls, arranged in a fixed cassette comprising at least one bottom and a circular lateral wall, the pre-crate and each reserve each comprising a motor for driving in rotation step by step not of said magazine inside said cassette, the N reserves being located one below the other under the pre-crate and coaxially, the bottom of each cassette being per a radial opening under said cells, said opening extending over a circular width corresponding to two cells of said magazine, said openings of all said cassettes being aligned on the same vertical, the motors of each magazine always stopping them in a position where two consecutive cells are located opposite said opening, the outlet of said selector being located opposite a first vertical row of cells of the pre-crate and N reserves allowing the fall of a piece from said selector to said retaining bowl, through said openings, a second consecutive vertical row of cells of the pre-crate and of the reserves allowing the drop of a part from said pre-crate to said box through said openings , said opening of each cassette being provided with a latch provided with a control motor allowing the latch to assume a first position completely closing said opening, a second position closing part of said opening corresponding to said first vertical row of cells and a third position closing off the other part of said opening and corresponding to said second row of cells, each cassette comprising means for detecting the position of the magazine and of the lock, the assembly further comprising electronic and computer means for control of the drive motors for the loaders and locks and management of all the pre-crate, d es reserves and cash.

Advantageously, each cassette also includes an upper cover pierced with an opening situated vertically from said bottom opening.

According to another characteristic, the insertion slot is followed by a shutter flap preceded by a first part presence detector controlling the opening of the shutter and followed by a second detector, the first and the second detector allowing to check the direction of passage of the parts.

The invention also relates to a method of using the dispenser, characterized in that during use by a user, all the parts introduced, whatever their category, among the parts recognized and accepted by the selector , are deposited one by one in consecutive cells of the pre-container, by successive rotation step by step of the loader in the pre-container cassette, and in that as soon as the displayed amount of the requested service is reached, the service is performed, money being returned only from the different reserves, the cash being emptied into the different reserves, each reserve being assigned to a single category of coins.

• - La figure 1 est une vue schématique générale de la partie monnayeur d'un distributeur selon l'invention ;
• - La figure 2 est une vue partielle en perspective montrant un chargeur de la précaisse ou d'une réserve et des parties mécaniques liées à la cassette non représentée ici, dans laquelle se trouve le chargeur ;
• - La figure 3 montre la précaisse ou une réserve, c'est-à-dire une galette complète comprenant le chargeur dans sa cassette ;
• - La figure 4 est une vue selon la flèche IV de la figure 3 ;
• - Les figures 5A, 5B et 5C montrent, dans trois positions distinc­tes, le verrou d'obturation partielle ou totale de l'ouverture du fond d'une cassette ;
• - La figure 6 est une vue partielle en coupe selon VI-VI, de la figure 3 montrant le verrou en bout dans la position telle que représentée figure 5A ;
• - Les figures 7A à 7D sont des schémas illustrant la position des verrous du monnayeur dans son état de repos hors tension ;
• - Les figures 8A à 8D illustrent le fonctionnement du monnayeur dans sa fonction acquisition de pièces dans la précaisse ;
• - Les figures 9A à 9D illustrent un rendu de monnaie à partir de la réserve 8 ;
• - Les figures 10A à 10 D illustrent une mise en réserve d'une pièce de la précaisse 5 dans la réserve 8 ;
• - Les figures 11A à 11D illustrent un encaissement en provenance de la réserve 7 pleine.

We will now give the description of an example of implementation of the invention with reference to the appended drawing in which:

• - Figure 1 is a general schematic view of the coin-operated part of a dispenser according to the invention;
• - Figure 2 is a partial perspective view showing a feeder of the precash or a reserve and mechanical parts linked to the cassette not shown here, in which the feeder is located;
• - Figure 3 shows the precash or a reserve, that is to say a complete wafer comprising the charger in its cassette;
• - Figure 4 is a view along arrow IV of Figure 3;
• - Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show, in three separate positions, the partial or total closure lock of the opening of the bottom of a cassette;
• - Figure 6 is a partial sectional view along VI-VI, of Figure 3 showing the end latch in the position as shown in Figure 5A;
• - Figures 7A to 7D are diagrams illustrating the position of the coin mechanism locks in its idle off state;
• - Figures 8A to 8D illustrate the operation of the coin mechanism in its function of acquisition of coins in the pre-cash;
• - Figures 9A to 9D illustrate a change of money from the reserve 8;
• - Figures 10A to 10 D illustrate a reserve of a part of the pre-crate 5 in the reserve 8;
• - Figures 11A to 11D illustrate a collection from the full reserve 7.

Referring to Figure 1, we see an apparatus which constitutes the coin-operated part of an automatic distributor, such a distributor can be a distributor of any product, of a ticket ... It has on its front indications of operation, with different access keys, display lights etc ... all things known per se and which are not strictly linked to the coin mechanism, that is to say to a device which receives money from customers to pay for a requested service, collects it and gives change.

Below, we will only describe the coin mechanism knowing that the envelope 1 in which it is located can also enclose other parts of the dispenser.

The assembly is therefore located in an envelope 1 which has a slot 2 for inserting coins, located at the top of the coin mechanism. This slot is unique and is used to insert coins regardless of their value. A guide channel, not shown, extends this slot and leads the parts introduced towards the input of a selector 3, of a type known per se, which distinguishes and recognizes different categories of parts. This selector is of course connected to electronic control and management of the entire device. If a coin is not recognized by the selector 2 it immediately falls into a restitution bowl 4 located at the bottom of the coin mechanism.

Below the selector 2 is located a pre-cash 5 then, below the pre-cash 5, a series of N reserves, six in number in the example described, and referenced from 6 to 11.

The pre-crate 5 and the six reserves 6 to 11 are identical and interchangeable. The pre-stock and the reserves being identical in their structure, Figures 2 to 7, described below, represent them interchangeably.

The precast and the reserves are in the form of superimposed and coaxial circular patties.

Under the sixth reserve 11 there is on the one hand the return sebille 4 and on the other hand the case 12.

A guide member 13 makes it possible, at the outlet of the reserve 11, to direct the parts, depending on their outlet point 14 or 15, towards the base 4 or towards the body 12.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 4 we will describe the pre-cash 5 or a reserve 6 to 11. For the convenience of description, in order to name by reference the pre-cash or the reserve described we will arbitrarily say that it s is the precast 5.

Thus, the pre-drum 5, in the general shape of a circular wafer, comprises a charger 16 arranged in a fixed cassette 17.

The charger 16 is constituted by a circular crown of radiating vertical walls 18, connected to each other on the internal side by a connecting wall 19, free on the side of their radial end furthest from the center and delimiting between them individual cells 20 for storing parts. This charger has neither bottom nor ceiling and is therefore presented as a sort of circular comb. This charger 16 includes P + 2 cells 20, for example one hundred and two, allowing P parts to be stored, that is to say one hundred in the example chosen.

Che loader is thus placed in the fixed cassette 17 which comprises a bottom 21, a circular side wall 22 and also, in the example described, a cover 23 making it possible to transport, out of the distributor, the precash or a reserve, even loaded with rooms.

Cassette 17 comprises means for driving the magazine 16 step by step inside its cassette 17. These means comprise a stepping motor 24 comprising on its output shaft a bevel gear 25 meshing with a bevel gear 26 whose axis 27 is linked to the bottom of the cassette.

Solid with the bevel pinion 26, the axis 27 also carries a pinion 28 which meshes with a toothed crown 29 solid with the connecting wall 19. In order to ensure the correct centering of the loader 16 in the cassette 17, two other pinions 30 and 31 also mesh with the ring gear 29. The three pinions 28, 30, and 31 have their axes respectively located at one hundred and twenty degrees from each other relative to the axis of the pre-crate.

The bottom 21 of the cassette 17, in its part located under the cells 20, is pierced with a radial opening 32, visible in FIG. 8 and also in FIG. 4, to which also corresponds an opening 33 made in the cover 23 , visible in Figure 3.

These radial openings 32 and 33 produced respectively in the bottom and in the cover of the cassette 17 have a circumferential width covering two consecutive cells 20. The openings 32 and 33 of all the reserves 6 to 11 and of the pre-drum 5 are exactly aligned vertically . Furthermore, the drive motors 24 of the chargers 16 always stop the chargers so that two consecutive cells 20 are perfectly centered opposite the openings 32, 33 thus constituting, when the latches described below are open, two vertical channels free 34 and 35 allowing parts, brought by rotation of the magazine vertically from one or other of these channels, to fall to the base 4 for channel 34 or to the body 12 for channel 35 or only to that of the lower reserves for which the opening 32 would be closed by the bolt described below.

In the following, the channel 34 will be called the first vertical row of cells and the channel 35 will be called the second vertical row of cells, knowing that these vertical rows 34 and 35 of cells always exist, but that they are not always constituted by the same cells since the magazines can rotate in their respective cassettes, and since the channels formed by these rows can be closed or not by latches at the level of the opening 32 of the bottom of each reserve and the precash. The output of the selector 3 opens above the opening 33 of the pre-crate 5, vertically above the first vertical row 34 of cells 20.

The opening 32 at the bottom of each cassette is associated with a lock 36, shown on a large scale in FIGS. 5A to 5C and seen at the end in FIG. 6, allowing, according to its three possible positions, either to completely close the opening 32 of the bottom 21 of the cassette through the central part 39 of the latch (FIG. 5B), or of partially closing this opening: FIGS. 5A and 5C. In the position corresponding to FIG. 5A, the latch 36, by its part 37 furthest from the center of the cassette, partially closes the opening 32 in its part corresponding to the channel or first row 34, that is to say that leading to the sebille 4.

In the position corresponding to FIG. 5c, the latch 36, through its part 38, partially closes the opening 32 in its part corresponding to the channel or second row 35, that is to say that leading to the body 12.

As clearly shown in FIG. 6, the upper surface 40 of the bottom 21 of the cassette and the upper surface 41 of the lock 36 are exactly at the same level so as to allow the passage of the parts, without locking by sliding on this bottom 21, of the bottom 21 on the lock 36 or vice versa, when the parts are driven by the rotation of the loader 16.

In FIGS. 5A and 6, a part 42 has been shown in a cell marked 20A. This part 42 no longer having a bottom for retaining it, taking into account the position of the lock, drops as indicated by arrow 43 and will pass into the next reserve where it will remain or not depending on the position of the lock.

In order to allow movement of the lock, the latter is provided with an internal extension 44 carrying a rack on which a pinion 45 engages in rotation by a motor 46 linked to the bottom 21 of the cassette.

For guiding the lock 36, the latter carries lugs 46 sliding in U-shaped profiles 47 and 48. These lugs 46 have not been shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C.

The fixed part of the pre-stock and the reserves also comprises an electro-optical detector of the position of the magazine 16 relative to the fixed cassette 17. This detector comprises an electro-optical transmitter 49 mounted on a bar 50 fixed to the profiles 47 and 48 by screw 51 through oblong holes 52 allowing the position of the transmitter 49 to be adjusted, and a receiver 53 also mounted on a bar 54 fixed to the profiles 47 and 48. Each cassette further comprises a detector 55 of the lock position.

The motors 24 and 46 as well as the detectors 49, 53 and 55 are electrically connected to an electronics and a computer for command and management of the whole apparatus.

To avoid the introduction of certain objects likely to cause a jam, the insertion slot 2 is immediately followed by a first part presence detector controlling the opening of a shutter flap which is followed by a second detector. The combination of the two detectors makes it possible to check the direction of passage of the parts and to avoid certain frauds. The first detector, controlling the opening of the shutter avoids the introduction of non-metallic or metallic objects not recognized as parts such as paper clips for example.

These bodies have not been shown in the drawings.

Referring now to Figures 7 to 11 which are only diagrams, we will describe the operation of the device.

In these figures, the pre-crate and the reserves have been identified with the same references as in the previous figures, that is to say from 5 to 11.

FIGS. 7B to 11B are seen from the axis of the distributor looking towards the latches 36, which explains the inversion between the figures of indices B and the figures of index D of the references of the channels 34 and 35.

The figures of index C correspond to a top view with respect to the figures of index A.

Figures 7 correspond to a de-energized state of the device or to a state where a part being inserted into the insertion slot, it is not part of one of the parts recognized and accepted by the selector 3. In this case, all the locks 36 are in the position where the channel 34 is nowhere closed and the part therefore falls directly into the base 4.

In FIGS. 8, the acquisition of the coins is shown: the user sees the sum displayed for the service requested, and the coin mechanism is waiting to receive coins. The lock 36 of the pre-crate 5 is placed in the middle position, that is to say closing the two channels 34 and 35. The part falls into the pre-crate 5 in a cell 20 located in the channel 34.

At each piece drop, the pre-advance advances by one step in the direction indicated by the arrows F, that is to say in the anticlockwise direction, seen from above.

If a part is not recognized as valid by the selector 3, the latch 36 of the pre-crate 5 returns to the position shown in FIGS. 7 and the part falls into a sack.

As soon as the amount displayed is reached, the service is carried out and the change is immediately returned if the value of the last coin inserted has exceeded the amount requested.

Figures 9 illustrate a change of money from the reserve 8, which contains only coins of a single determined value.

The lock 36 of the pre-crate 5, marked 36-5, has returned to its position where the channel 34 is free so that if a new part is introduced, it falls directly into a sebille 4.

To make change from the reserve ^No. 8, the charger of said reserve 8 rotates one step in the direction of clockwise: F₁ arrows (that is to say in the opposite direction feeder of the precaisse 5 at the time of acquisition) driving a part of the reserve 8 vertically of the channel 34 entirely free: the part falls into the bowl 4.

Once the service has been carried out, the pieces, temporarily stored in the pre-cash 5, are distributed in the different reserves 6 to 11, according to their value. FIGS. 10 illustrate the placing in reserve, in reserve 8, of the last part, marked 42A, introduced into the device. For this, the lock 36-8 is actuated in the middle position and the pre-crate 5 is withdrawn by an alveolus (arrows F₂ clockwise: reverse of the acquisition process). Once the coin has fallen into the reserve 8, the loader of this reserve is advanced by one step in the direction of acquisition: arrows F₃.

Finally, if a part of the pre-crate must be sent, taking into account its value, to a full reserve, that is to say that all the cells are full except the two corresponding to channels 34 and 35, the lock is actuated of said reserve, for example the reserve 7 in FIGS. 11, in the middle position, then the pre-crate is withdrawn by a cell: said piece falls into the reserve 7 in the cell corresponding to channel 34 then we advance one step, in the direction of acquisition (arrow F₄) the charger of the reserve 7, which places a part of this reserve vertical to the channel 35 since the reserve is full.

The lock 36 of this reserve 7 is then actuated in the position corresponding to FIG. 5A opening the channel 35 as well as all the locks on the lower stages: reserves 8 to 11.

The coin thus falls directly into the box 12.

In the case where the user cancels his request for a service before having introduced a sum reaching the price of the requested service, which can be done by pressing a cancel button, the lock on the pre-payment 5 is reset. fully extended position, that is to say like all the other locks (Figure 7) and the pre-crate feeder moves back step by step, as many successive steps as the user has already inserted coins.

As soon as the displayed amount of the service is reached, there is no longer the possibility of cancellation.

With this device, and if the distributor only accepts coins as payment, the number of reserves is less than one unit than the number of coins accepted by the selector 3. Indeed, in this case, the coin of larger value accepted by the selector will never have to be returned as currency and it will be sent directly to the cash register 12. On the other hand, the distributor may include a device for recognizing and accepting banknotes, separate from the coin-operated device described, but connected to the electronic management of the device and in this case, all the categories of accepted coins can be used to make change and the reserve number is then equal to the number of different coins accepted.

Claims (5)

1 / Automatic cash dispenser comprising a single slot (2) for inserting coins, followed by a channel for guiding the coins towards the inlet of a selector, (3) characterized in that it further comprises a pre-crate (5) followed by N reserves (6 to 11) under which are located a case (12) and a recuperation piece (4), the pre-crate and each reserve each comprising a magazine (16), without bottom or ceiling, in the form of a circular crown with a vertical axis, comprising P + 2 radial cells (20) delimited by vertical radial walls (18), arranged in a fixed cassette (17) comprising at least one bottom (21) and a circular side wall (22), the pre-crate and each reserve each comprising a drive motor (24) in step-by-step rotation of the said magazine inside said cassette, the N reserves being located one below others under the pre-crate and coaxially, the bottom of each cassette being pierced with an opening radial opening (32) under said cells, said opening extending over a circumferential width corresponding to two cells of said charger, said openings of all said cassettes being aligned on the same vertical, the motors of each charger always stopping them in a position where two consecutive cells are located opposite said opening, the outlet of said selector being located opposite a first vertical row (34) of pre-crate cells and N reserves allowing the drop of a part from said selector (3 ) up to said retaining bowl (4), through said openings (32), a second vertical row (35) consecutive of pre-crate cells and reserves allowing the drop of a part from said pre-crate (5) to said body (12) through said openings (35), said opening of each cassette being provided with a lock (36) provided with a control motor (46) allowing the lock to take a first 1st position completely closing said opening, a second position closing part of said opening corresponding to said first vertical row (34) of cells and a third position closing the other part of said opening and corresponding to said second vertical row (35) cells, each cassette comprising means for detection (49, 53, 55) of the position of the magazine (16) and of the lock (36), the assembly further comprising electronic and computer means for controlling the motors (24, 46) driving the magazines (16 ) and locks (36) and management of all the cash, reserves and cash. 2 / A dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that each cassette also comprises an upper cover (23) pierced with an opening (33) located vertically from said opening (32) of the bottom (21). 3 / A dispenser according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the precook and each reserve are interchangeable. 4 / A dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the introduction slot is followed by a shutter shutter preceded by a first detector of the presence of parts controlling the opening of the shutter and followed by a second detector, the first and the second detector making it possible to verify the direction of passage of the parts. 5 / A method of using the dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that during use by a user, all the parts introduced, whatever their category, among the recognized and accepted parts by the selector (3), are deposited one by one in consecutive cells (20) of the pre-container (5) by successive rotation and step by step of the loader in the cassette (17) of the pre-container (5), in that as soon as the displayed amount of the requested service is reached, the service is allocated, the currency being returned only from the different reserves (6 to 11), the pre-payment (5) being emptied in the different reserves, each reserve being allocated to a single category of parts.

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