EP0316226B1 - Device to detect the replenishment of a coin receptacle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for detecting the filling of a container with coins or tokens.

There are many machines which are operated by coins or tokens and which have a container for collecting the coins or tokens. Examples include coin-operated telephones, coin-operated dispensers, or coin-operated parking kiosks.

In these machines the coins are introduced into one or more slots and they pass through a coin selector, more or less elaborate, which verifies that they are indeed authentic coins and which verifies their value. The rejected parts are returned to the user while the accepted parts are sent by a chute to a storage container. In some cases, the chute can be equipped with a so-called pre-collection device which temporarily retains the accepted coins until the user activates a collection command which allows the coins to go into the storage container. . As long as the user has not activated the collection command, he can recover the coins he has introduced.

The machine manager must periodically collect the parts contained in the container. In some cases, the container is fixed in the machine and the collection is done by opening a hatch or a door communicating with the container. In other cases, the container, which is presented as a chest, is removable. The collection then consists of removing the container full of coins and replacing it with an empty container. European patent 44 754 in the name of the company FLONIC describes a parking terminal equipped with the first type of parts storage container.

One of the problems for the management of such machines is to define the moment when it is necessary to proceed with the collection. In fact, if the collection is carried out too frequently in relation to the actual capacity of the container, there follows an excessively high management cost. On the contrary, if the collection is carried out too rarely, the container may overflow. This overflow is always harmful either that it leads to a loss of parts, or that it disturbs the overall operation of the circuit of parts of the machine. In the case of a removable container, an overflow of the parts can cause the container to jam and block its extraction. In the case of a fixed container, the overflowing of the parts can lead to engorgement of the inlet chute of the parts and disturb the functioning of the systems arranged upstream of the chute. It is therefore always desirable to provide a device for detecting the filling of the container in the machine.

A possible detection system consists in taking advantage of the fact that the coin selector, when electronic, counts the coins. However, this solution is unsatisfactory because the pieces have different dimensions and the way that the pieces pile up in the container is random. To carry out the detection by counting of the parts, it would therefore be necessary to provide a large margin of security with respect to the optimal filling.

Document US-A-3,091,663 describes a device for controlling the level of parts in a container. The device includes a movable flap in contact with the stack of parts. However, the flap is not in the passage for introducing the parts and the detection is therefore not faithful.

To overcome these drawbacks, an object of the invention is to provide a device for detecting the filling of the storage container which detects the effective filling level of the container regardless of the nature of the coins stored.

To achieve this goal, the device for controlling the filling of the coin storage container, comprising a movable member and means for controlling a position of this movable member, is characterized in that the movable member is disposed in the passage arrival of parts in the container and has a rest position in the absence of the passage of parts, that the movable member moves away from this rest position to let the parts pass to the container, as return means return the movable member to its rest position after the passage of the parts and that the means for controlling a position of the movable member check that the movable member is in its rest position in the absence of passage of parts .

It is understood that there is thus an effective detection of the filling of the container since it is only if the container is already full that parts which cannot penetrate into the container, will prevent the mobile element from returning to its rest position.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the movable element is a tilting flap disposed across the opening for the arrival of parts in the container, at rest said flap being brought into a position for closing off said opening by the return means, said return means being such that the weight of a part is sufficient to move said flap from its rest position, and the flap control means consist in detecting the position of said flap in its position rest.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the machine in which said detection device is mounted comprises a pre-collection system and the movable member is the pre-collection component and the control device is a detector return to the closed position of the pre-casing flap or rest position.

• La figure 1 est une vue en coupe verticale d'un premier mode de réalisation du dispositif de détection de remplissage;
• La figure 2 est une vue d'ensemble simplifiée d'une machine commandée par pièces équipée du dispositif de détection de remplissage; et
• La figure 3 est une vue de détails en perspective du dispositif de détection équipant la machine de la figure 2.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which guides several embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples. The description refers to the attached drawing in which:

• Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a first embodiment of the filling detection device;
• Figure 2 is a simplified overview of a parts-controlled machine equipped with the filling detection device; and
• FIG. 3 is a detail view in perspective of the detection device fitted to the machine of FIG. 2.

Referring first to Figure 1, we will describe a first embodiment of the filling detection device according to the invention.

In Figure 1, there is shown a storage container 10 for collecting coins 12. The container 10 is removed from the machine for collecting coins. The container 10 is arranged below a chute 14 for guiding the parts. The coins are introduced into the machine through a slot 16. They pass through a coin selector 18 which is used to check the authenticity of the coins introduced and to determine the value of these coins. If the coins introduced are not authentic or do not correspond to the accepted values, the selector 18 directs these by the channel 20 towards a slot 22 for returning coins. On the contrary, if the coins are accepted, they are directed towards the chute 14 via a channel 24. Thus the coins accepted are directed towards the container 10.

The device 30 for controlling the filling of the container 10 comprises a flap 32 mounted pivoting about an axis 34 secured to the lower end of the chute 14. The flap 32 is associated with a return spring 36. the end 36 a the spring 36 is fixed, for example integral with the chute 14 while the end 36 b of the spring is secured to the periphery of the shutter 32. in the absence of passing of coins, the flap 32, under the action of the return spring 36, closes the lower end 14 a of the chute 14. In Figure 1 the flap 32 is shown in dotted lines in this position. The flap 32 has an extension 38 beyond the pivot axis 34. The extension 38 cooperates with the movable part 40 of a micro contact 42. As soon as the flap 32 is no longer in the rest position, it is ie in the closed position of the chute 14, the micro contact 42 is open.

A processing circuit 44 verifies the position of the microswitch 42 according to methods which will be described later.

The operation of the detection device is as follows. In the absence of any passage of parts in the chute 14, the flap is in the rest position closing the chute, and the microswitch 42 is closed. When a piece enters the chute 14, it comes strike the upper face 32 of the flap 32. The spring 36 is calibrated such that under the impact of the lightest coin is accepted, the flap 32 is lowered at least in normal conditions. The part slides on the face 32 a and falls into the container 10. During the entire time when the flap is in the open position, the microswitch 42 is also open. The processing circuit 44 receives a signal F when the part introduction phase is finished. This signal F can be issued when the user validates his introduction of coins. The circuit 44 comprises a time delay circuit T, a duration which is substantially greater than the time which normally elapses between the validation of the operation and the effective introduction of the parts into the storage container. At the end of the time T following the appearance of the signal F, the circuit 44 tests the position of the blade 40 of the micro-contact 42. If the micro-contact is open, the circuit 44 emits an alarm signal A. In the otherwise, no signal is emitted since operation is normal.

If, when a part arrives in the chute 14, the container 10 is already full, the flap 32 is lowered but the part present on the upper face 32 a of the flap 32 cannot fall into the container 12. It remains on the shutter now open it. The microswitch 42 remains open after the time T and the circuit 44 delivers an alarm signal A indicating that the container 10 is filled. Signal A can control an indicator light on one side of the machine to indicate that the container must be emptied. The signal A can also interrupt the operation of the machine, for example by controlling the closing of the slot 16 for inserting parts. We see that the filling detector controls the actual filling of the container by integrating all the random parameters which can intervene in the filling of the container 10, in particular the different dimensions of the parts and the coefficients of friction which determine the method of stacking the parts in the container.
Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which the machine comprises a pre-collection system and the coin storage container is secured to the machine. The machine comprises one or more coin insertion slots associated with a coin selector 102. The coin selector 102 communicates with a chute 104 which routes the coins to a pre-collection device 106. The pre-collection device allows temporarily retaining the coins introduced into the slot 100 and directing them either to a slot 108 for returning coins via the channel 109 or to a storage container 110.

The pre-collection device 106 comprises a casing 112 open at its ends, the upper end at 112 a communicating with the trough 104. The casing 112 comprises two flaps 114 and 116 mounted pivoting on two parallel axes 118 and 120. At rest the flaps 114 and 116 are inclined, as shown in FIG. 2, so that they completely close the passage in the casing 112. The lower end of the casing 112 defines two passages respectively 112 b and 112 c . The passage 112 b is arranged below the shutter 114 called "return" and communicates with the channel 109, itself connected to the slot 108 for the return of parts, while the passage 112 c has below the shutter 116 said d cashing communicates directly with an opening 122 formed in the top wall 110 of the container 110. the shutter 114 may be controlled by a not shown to come into vertical position actuator as shown in Figure 2 by the arrow f. The actuator controls this movement if the user of the machine renounces to obtain the service provided by the machine and wants to recover the coins that it has introduced into the slot 100 or if the machine orders it itself. The flap 116 can also be controlled by an actuator to come to the vertical position as indicated by the arrow f ′. The movement of shutter 116 is controlled each time that the user of the machine has confirmed that he wanted to obtain the service delivered by the machine. The container 110 being fixed, the parts can be collected by operating the slider 124 which normally closes the orifice 126.

The filling detection device 130 is very similar to that of FIG. 1. The flap 116 is extended beyond the axis 120, by a finger 132 secured to the flap 116. The finger 132 can cooperate with the movable element 134 a micro contact 136. When the flap 116 is at rest (position shown in FIG. 2), the micro contact 136 does not deliver any signal. When the shutter is no longer in its rest position, the finger 132 acts on the movable element 134 of the microswitch 136 and the latter remains open. This position of the microswitch is detected by the processing circuit 44 ′ identical to the circuit 44 in FIG. 1.

The operation of the detection device is as follows. When parts must be introduced into the container 110, the actuator controls the pivoting of the flap 116, for a predetermined time T 1 to allow the parts to fall into the container 110. The time T already defined is of course greater than T1. During this lapse of time, the micro contact 136 remains open. The circuit 138 tests the position of the microswitch at the end of the time T. If the container 110 is not full, the flap 116 effectively returns to its rest position at the end of the time T 1 less than T. On the contrary if the container 110 is already filled with parts, after the pivoting of the flap 116, parts will remain inside the casing 112 in a position which will prevent the flap 116 from returning to its rest position after time T 1 . The circuit 138 detects that the microswitch 136 is still open after time T. The circuit 138 emits an alarm signal A ′. In turn, the alarm signal A ′ can command an indicator light for filling the container 100 and put the machine out of service.

Referring now to Figure 3, we will describe in more detail a particular mode of implementation of the invention in the case of Figure 2, that is to say in the case where the parts storage container is surmounted by a pre-collection device.

The pre-collection device 200 comprises a box 202 open at its upper and lower ends. In the passage limited by the housing 202 are mounted two flaps 204 and 206 pivoting respectively around the axes 208 and 210, the axes being respectively mounted near the first ends of the flaps respectively referenced 204 a and 206 a . The flaps have a length such that, when the second ends of the flaps 204 b and 206 b are in contact, (rest position) the flaps are inclined relative to the horizontal. In this position, the flaps 204 and 206 completely block the passage limited by the box 202. The flap 204 is disposed above the zone 212 which includes the orifice of the parts storage container while the flap 206 is located above the chute 214 for returning parts. The shutters 204 and 206 are controlled by means of two cams 220 and 222 which respectively cooperate two pins 224 and 226 which are mounted respectively on the edges 204C and 206C of the shutters 204 and 206 and which pass through the wall of the housing 202.

More precisely, each cam 222, 220 has a slot, respectively 228, 230. One forming a ramp for the corresponding lug 224 or 226. Each slot comprises a locking zone 228 a and 230 a respectively and a shaped opening zone half moon, 228b and 230b respectively the two cams 220 and 222 are controlled by the rotation of a shaft, not shown. Depending on the direction of rotation of the shaft, the cam 220 or 222 is caused to rotate. At rest, each lug 224, 226 is engaged in the locking zone 228 a and 230 a of the ramp, respectively. When it is desired to open the collection flap 204, the cam 222 is pivoted. This pivoting, by means of the pin 224, which then enters the zone 228b of the slot 228, in turn controls the pivoting of the shutter 204. When the action on the pivoting control shaft ceases, a return spring 234 brings the cam 222 and therefore the shutter 204 into its rest position shown in FIG. 3. The opening of the shutter 206 return is obtained similarly but by causing the rotation of the control shaft in the opposite direction.

To detect the filling of the coin storage container, we will control the return to its rest position of the collection flap 204. For this a micro contact 240 is mounted on the housing 202. The flexible blade 242 of the micro- contact 240 cooperates with one end of the cam 222. When the flap 204 is open or partially open, the blade 242 is not in contact with the cam 222 and the microswitch is open. It is only when the flap 204 is in its rest position that the cam 222 is in contact with the flexible blade 242 which closes the micro-contact 240.

As already explained, when the flap 204 opening control is released, the flap 204 must return normally to its rest position under the effect of the return spring 234. That is to say that normally, after during the opening phase of the collection flap 204, the microswitch 240 must open. On the other hand, if the storage container is full, as has already been explained, the flap 204 cannot completely return to its rest position, and the microswitch 240 remains open. The detection of this situation makes it possible to trigger an alarm or to carry out the operations already described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2.

It follows from the preceding description that the invention, thanks to the addition of a very simple detection system, makes it possible to carry out an effective control of the filling of the container, ie a control which takes account of the difference dimensions of coins and contingencies in the filling of the storage container.

Claims (3)

1. Device to detect the replenishment of a receptacle (10, 110) for storing coins comprising a movable element (32, 116, 204) and means (42, 134, 240) for detecting a position of this movable element, characterised in that the movable element is disposed in the inlet passage for the coins (14, 106) into the receptacle and has a rest position when no coins pass through, that the movable element moves out of this rest position to allow for the passage of the coins towards the receptacle, that return means (36, 234) return the movable element to its rest position after the passage of the coins and that the moans for detecting a position of the movable element detect that the movable element is in its rest position when no coins pass through.
2. Detection device according to claim 1, characterised in that the said movable element is a tilting flap (32, 116, 204) disposed across the inlet opening for the coins (14, 106) into the said receptacle, at rest the said flap normally being returned to the position in which it covers the said opening by the return means (36, 234), the said return means being such that the weight of a coin is sufficient to move the said flap into its rest position, and in that the detection means (42, 134) consist of means for detecting the position of the said flap.
3. Detection device according to claim 1, for detecting the replenishment of a receptacle for storing coins associated with a device for the pro-collection of coins (200), the said pre-collection device comprising a movable flap (204), an external control system (220) for opening the said flap, in order to bring the said flap into a position in which it allows for the passage of the coins, and a return system (234) for returning the said flap to a closed position in which it prevents the passage of the coins towards the said receptacle, characterised in that the said movable element is the said movable flap (204) of the pre-collection device, and in that the detection means consist of means (240) for detecting the return of the said movable flap to the closed position.

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