EP1006488B1 - Method and device for determining the diameters of coins - Google Patents

Method and device for determining the diameters of coins Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1006488B1
EP1006488B1 EP99250428A EP99250428A EP1006488B1 EP 1006488 B1 EP1006488 B1 EP 1006488B1 EP 99250428 A EP99250428 A EP 99250428A EP 99250428 A EP99250428 A EP 99250428A EP 1006488 B1 EP1006488 B1 EP 1006488B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coin
coins
ferrite core
coil
detect
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EP99250428A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1006488A1 (en
Inventor
Wolfgang Rompel
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Scan Coin Industries AB
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Scan Coin Industries AB
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D3/00—Sorting a mixed bulk of coins into denominations
    • G07D3/16—Sorting a mixed bulk of coins into denominations in combination with coin-counting
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D5/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of coins, e.g. for segregating coins which are unacceptable or alien to a currency
    • G07D5/02—Testing the dimensions, e.g. thickness, diameter; Testing the deformation

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for determining the diameter of coins which are conveyed in random sequence on a guideway along the leading edge and to an apparatus for carrying out the method.
  • the invention has for its object to simplify the method and apparatus for determining the diameter of coins.
  • the invention provides a method according to claim 1 and an apparatus according to claim 2.
  • the reflux of the magnetic field of the U-shaped ferrite core is influenced to varying degrees during the passage of a coin, with a withdrawal of energy takes place.
  • the energy withdrawal is lower in small diameter coins with a small depth of immersion than in large diameter coins with a large immersion depth in the U-shaped ferrite core.
  • the return of the magnetic field or the amount of energy removal is determined, since the electronic evaluation unit measures the lying on the coil, generated by AC voltage energy. The more energy removed from the coil, the lower the signal of the magnetic field at the coil.
  • the signal varies with the different immersion depths of the coins and thus indicates the diameter of the coins, which can therefore be determined by their diameter in the value.
  • the coin counting machine shown in plan view in Fig. 1 comprises a box-shaped, rectangular housing 1 with a arranged on the top flat turntable 2, which is rotationally driven about a vertical axis 3 in the direction of arrow 4 by a drive motor, not shown, a horizontal, flat guideway 5 with vertical standing on this Leading edge 6 and a starter ball bearing 7 for the coins, as well as a marked by failure openings 9 different widths sorting distance for the coins in the region of the guideway 5.
  • An electronic detection device 8 is located at the beginning of the guide track 5 near the mounted close to the turntable 3 thrust ball bearing 7.
  • the electronic recognition module 8 also includes a device 11 with connected electronic evaluation unit 12 (FIG. 4) for determining the diameter of the coins 9.
  • the device 11 comprises a U-shaped ferrite core wound with a coil 14 15, which is directed with the free ends 16 of its poles 17,18 perpendicular to the leading edge 6 and arranged at a defined distance D to the leading edge 6.
  • the one pole 18 is located in the guide track 5 such that its surface is flush with the surface the guideway 5 is located, as can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3.
  • the other pole 17 is located The distance W of the air gap of the U-shaped ferrite core 15 above the guide track 5.
  • the width W of the air gap is at least as large as the largest thickness of the thickest coin 9.
  • the coil 14 is located on the two poles 17, 18 connecting base legs 19 of the U-shaped ferrite core 15th
  • a coin 9 which is conveyed by the turntable 2 coming around the thrust ball bearing 7 by means of the conveyor belt 13, rests with its edge on the leading edge 6 and is constantly pressed against the leading edge 6 under the action of the conveyor belt 13.
  • the coin 9 of a certain diameter dips into the air gap of the U-shaped ferrite core 15 by a precisely defined immersion depth T a.
  • the coil 14 of the U-shaped ferrite core 15 is an AC voltage of several 100 Khz, wherein the coil 14 between the legs, ie poles 17, 18 of the U-core 15 generates an electromagnetic alternating field.
  • the coin 9 dips between the U-legs or poles 17, 18 of the U-shaped ferrite core 15, energy is extracted from the electromagnetic ferrite part due to the eddy current effect.
  • the amount of energy removal is approximately proportional to the immersion depth T of the coin 9 in the U-shaped ferrite core 15 and is only slightly influenced by the alloy and the thickness of the coin 9.
  • the electronic evaluation unit 12 which is able to provide a proportional output signal in accordance with the energy withdrawal, the diameter of the coin 9 can be determined directly.
  • the block diagram shown in Fig. 4 of the electronic evaluation unit 12 comprises an RF generator 20, a connected amplifier / driver 21, which are connected via a line 22 directly to the coil 14 of the U-shaped ferrite core 15. The other end of the coil winding 14 is grounded.
  • the parallel connection of the slow peak detect and hold device 23 and the downstream amplifier 24 generates an idle value 30 which is subtracted from the measured value 29 at the output of the other parallel circuit from the fast peak detect and hold device 25 together with the downstream amplifier 26.
  • the sensor consists of the U-shaped ferrite core 15, which is wound with a coil 14 of HF strand. Since ferrite is fragile, the sensor is preferably inserted into a suitable plastic mold.
  • the ferrite core 15 is used to detect the diameter of the Coin 9 shown in FIG. 2 and 3 used in the running plate of the guideway 5 of coin counting machines. The sensor is aligned so that when passing a coin 9 to a reference point, the coin 9 is immersed according to its diameter in the sensor, as shown in Fig. 3.

Abstract

The method involves passing the coins (9) through the air gap of a U-shaped ferrite core (15) associated with the edge of the conveyor path (5) with a coil (14) subjected to an AC voltage. The coin diameter are derived from the return flux of the magnetic field at the immersion depth associated with each coin. An Independent claim is also included for an arrangement for implementing the method.

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung des Durchmessers von Münzen, die in regelloser Folge auf einer Führungsbahn entlang der Führungskante gefördert werden und auf eine Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens.The invention relates to a method for determining the diameter of coins which are conveyed in random sequence on a guideway along the leading edge and to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Eine Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens ist aus der DE 2547685 C2 vorbekannt. Hierbei befindet sich ein Lichttastkopf mit senkrecht zur Führungskante und in unterschiedlichen Abständen zu dieser angeordneten Lichtleitfasern in der Ebene der Führungsbahn, wobei die von der entlang der Führungskante auf der Führungsbahn geförderten Münzen abgedeckten Lichtleitfasern ein Maß für den Durchmesser der Münzen abgeben. Nachteilig hierbei ist, daß für jede Münze, die gezählt werden soll, eine Faser vorhanden sien muß. Damit ist diese Vorrichtung währungsspezifisch auszubilden, da für jede zu zählende Münze mindestens eine Faser benötigt wird. Nachteilig ist ferner, daß der Lichttastkopf mit seinen einzelnen Lichtleitfasern hochpräsise hergestellt und genauestens gegenüber der Führungskante in der Führungsbahn justiert werden muß, da andernfalls Fehler in Anordnung und Montage des Lichttastkopfes zu ungenauen Meßergebnissen führen können.An apparatus for carrying out the method is known from DE 2547685 C2 previously known. In this case, there is a light probe with perpendicular to the leading edge and at different distances to this arranged optical fibers in the plane of the guideway, the emitted from the along the leading edge on the guideway coins covered optical fibers provide a measure of the diameter of the coins. The disadvantage here is that for each coin that is to be counted, a fiber must exist sien. Thus, this device is currency-specific form, since for each coin to be counted at least one fiber is needed. A further disadvantage is that the light probe with its individual optical fibers hochpräsise produced and must be precisely adjusted relative to the leading edge in the guideway, otherwise errors in arrangement and assembly of the light probe can lead to inaccurate measurement results.

Aus der DE2420458 A1 ist ein Verfahren gemäß des Oberbegriffs des Anspruchs 1 sowie eine Vorrichtung gemäß des Oberbegriffs des Anspruchs 2 vorbekannt.From the DE2420458 A1 a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device according to the preamble of claim 2 is previously known.

Aus der US4579217 A ist weiterhin ein Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung der Echtheit von Münzen vorbekannt, wobei eine Prüfmessung mit münzspezifischen, in Peakdetect- und Hold-Bauelementen gespeicherten Leerlaufmessungen mittels münzspezifischer Komparatoren verglichen wird.From the US4579217 A Furthermore, a method and apparatus for determining the authenticity of coins is previously known, wherein a test measurement is compared with coin-specific, stored in Peak Detect and Hold components idle measurements by means of coin-specific comparators.

Des Weiteren ist aus der DE2547761 A1 ein Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung der Echtheit von Münzen vorbekannt, wobei die Differenz zwischen einer Prüfmessung und einer Referenzspannung über einen Peakdetect- und Hold-Schaltkreis eine Münzweiche steuert.Furthermore, from the DE2547761 A1 a method and apparatus for determining the authenticity of coins previously known, wherein the difference between a test measurement and a reference voltage via a Peakdetect and hold circuit controls a Münzweiche.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, das Verfahren und die Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung des Durchmessers von Münzen zu vereinfachen.The invention has for its object to simplify the method and apparatus for determining the diameter of coins.

Zur Lösung dieser Aufgabe sieht die Erfindung ein Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 1 und eine Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 2 vor.To solve this problem, the invention provides a method according to claim 1 and an apparatus according to claim 2.

Der Rückfluß des magnetischen Feldes des U-förmigen Ferritkernes wird beim Durchgang einer Münze unterschiedlich stark beeinflußt, wobei ein Energieentzug erfolgt. Der Energieentzug ist bei im Durchmesser kleinen Münzen mit geringer Eintauchtiefe niedriger als bei im Durchmesser großen Münzen mit großer Eintauchtiefe in den U-förmigen Ferritkern. In einer angeschlossenen elektronischen Auswerteeinrichtung wird der Rückfluß des magnetischen Feldes bzw. die Menge des Energieentzuges ermittelt, da die elektronische Auswerteeinheit die an der Spule liegende, von Wechselspannung erzeugte Energie mißt. Je mehr Energie der Spule entzogen wird, um so niedriger ist das Signal des magnetischen Feldes an der Spule. Das Signal variiert mit den unterschiedlichen Eintauchtiefen der Münzen und gibt damit den Durchmesser der Münzen an, die somit aufgrund Ihres Durchmessers in der Wertigkeit bestimmt werden können.The reflux of the magnetic field of the U-shaped ferrite core is influenced to varying degrees during the passage of a coin, with a withdrawal of energy takes place. The energy withdrawal is lower in small diameter coins with a small depth of immersion than in large diameter coins with a large immersion depth in the U-shaped ferrite core. In a connected electronic evaluation device, the return of the magnetic field or the amount of energy removal is determined, since the electronic evaluation unit measures the lying on the coil, generated by AC voltage energy. The more energy removed from the coil, the lower the signal of the magnetic field at the coil. The signal varies with the different immersion depths of the coins and thus indicates the diameter of the coins, which can therefore be determined by their diameter in the value.

Es ist zwar bereits aus der DE 4224204 A1 ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung der Echtheit von Münzen vorbekannt, bei dem eine mit einem Eisenkern versehene Spule zu einem Zeitpunkt, in dem sich eine Münze im Bereich eines Poles der Spule befindet, mit einem Stromimpuls beaufschlagt und aus dem Vergleich der selbstinduzierten Abklingspannung mit für die zu prüfenden Münzen typischen Werten der Abklingspannung die Echtheit dieser Münzen bestimmt wird. Dabei wird die Spule mit einem Stromimpuls typischer Länge beaufschlagt und für jede der zu bestimmenden Münzen wird die Zeit bestimmt, zu der die Abklingspannung den Wert einer vorgegebenen Referenzspannung erreicht hat, wobei geprüft wird, ob zu den bestimmten Zeiten die Abklingspannung mit dem Wert der Referenzspannung übereinstimmt. Mit diesem vorbekannten Verfahren nebst zugehöriger Vorrichtung kann nur die Echtheit von Münzen bestimmt werden, nicht jedoch deren Durchmesser, selbst wenn dort mit einem U-förmigen Eisenkern gemessen wird, dessen Spule klein gegenüber dem Durchmesser der zu messenden Münze ist.It is already out of the DE 4224204 A1 a method and apparatus for determining the authenticity of coins previously known, in which a coil provided with an iron core at a time, in which a coin is in the region of a pole of the coil, applied to a current pulse and from the comparison of the self-induced Abklingspannung with the authenticity of these coins is determined for the coins to be tested for typical values of the decay voltage. In this case, the coil is subjected to a current pulse of typical length and for each of the coins to be determined, the time is determined at which the Abklingspannung has reached the value of a predetermined reference voltage, wherein it is checked whether the certain times the Abklingspannung coincides with the value of the reference voltage. With this prior art method and associated apparatus, only the authenticity of coins can be determined, but not their diameter, even if measured there with a U-shaped iron core whose coil is small compared to the diameter of the coin to be measured.

Die Erfindung ist nachfolgend anhand einer Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung des Durchmessers von Münzen näher erläutert. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
die Draufsicht auf eine Münzzählmaschine mit der Vorrichtung,
Fig. 2
die vergrößerte Darstellung der Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung des Durchmessers von Münzen,
Fig. 3
eine der Fig. 2 entsprechende Darstellung mit eingezeichneter Münze und
Fig. 4
ein Blockdiagramm der elektronischen Auswerteschaltung.
The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a device for determining the diameter of coins. Show it:
Fig. 1
the top view of a coin counting machine with the device,
Fig. 2
the enlarged view of the device for determining the diameter of coins,
Fig. 3
one of the Fig. 2 corresponding representation with marked coin and
Fig. 4
a block diagram of the electronic evaluation circuit.

Die in Fig. 1 in Draufsicht dargestellte Münzzählmaschine umfaßt ein kastenförmiges, rechteckiges Gehäuse 1 mit einem auf dessen Oberseite angeordneten flachen Drehteller 2, der um eine vertikale Achse 3 in Richtung des Pfeiles 4 von einem nicht dargestellten Antriebsmotor drehangetrieben ist, eine horizontale, flache Führungsbahn 5 mit senkrecht auf dieser stehender Führungskante 6 und ein Anlaufkugellager 7 für die Münzen, sowie eine durch Ausfallöffnungen 9 verschiedener Weiten gekennzeichnete Sortierstrecke für die Münzen im Bereich der Führungsbahn 5. Eine elektronische Erkennungseinrichtung 8 ist am Anfang der Führungsbahn 5 nahe dem, dicht am Drehteller 3 gelagerten Anlaufkugellager 7 angeordnet. Auf dieser Münzzählmaschine werden die zu zählenden Münzen auf den von einem Rand 10 umgebenen Drehteller 2 aufgebracht und von einem Transportriemen 13, der sich ausgehend vom Bereich oberhalb des Drehtellers 3 über die gesamte, tangential an den Drehteller 3 anschließenden Führungsbahn 5 parallel zu und in einem kleinen Abstand von der Führungskante 6 erstreckt, vom Drehteller 2 abgezogen und in regelloser Folge entlang der Führungskante 6 der Führungsbahn 5 gefördert und mittels des der Führungsbahn 5 zugeordneten elektronischen Erkennungsmoduls 8 erkannt und gezählt.The coin counting machine shown in plan view in Fig. 1 comprises a box-shaped, rectangular housing 1 with a arranged on the top flat turntable 2, which is rotationally driven about a vertical axis 3 in the direction of arrow 4 by a drive motor, not shown, a horizontal, flat guideway 5 with vertical standing on this Leading edge 6 and a starter ball bearing 7 for the coins, as well as a marked by failure openings 9 different widths sorting distance for the coins in the region of the guideway 5. An electronic detection device 8 is located at the beginning of the guide track 5 near the mounted close to the turntable 3 thrust ball bearing 7. On this coin counting machine to be counted coins are applied to the surrounded by an edge 10 turntable 2 and of a transport belt 13, starting from the area above the turntable 3 over the entire tangential to the turntable 3 subsequent track 5 parallel to and in one extends small distance from the leading edge 6, subtracted from the turntable 2 and conveyed in random sequence along the leading edge 6 of the guideway 5 and detected and counted by means of the guideway 5 associated electronic detection module 8.

Um den Durchmesser der Münzen 9 zu bestimmen, gehört zum elektronischen Erkennungsmodul 8 auch eine Vorrichtung 11 mit angeschlossener elektronischer Auswerteeinheit 12 (Fig. 4) zur Bestimmung des Durchmessers der Münzen 9. Die Vorrichtung 11 umfaßt einen mit einer Spule 14 umwickelten U-förmigen Ferritkern 15, der mit den freien Enden 16 seiner Pole 17,18 senkrecht zur Führungskante 6 gerichtet und in einem definierten Abstand D zu der Führungskante 6 angeordnet ist.Der eine Pol 18 befindet sich in der Führungsbahn 5 derart, daß seine Oberfläche bündig mit der Oberfläche der Führungsbahn 5 liegt, wie es in Fig. 2 und 3 ersichtlich ist. Der andere Pol 17 befindet sich im Abstand der Weite W des Luftspaltes des U-förmigen Ferritkernes 15 oberhalb der Führungsbahn 5. Die Weite W des Luftspaltes ist mindestens so groß wie die größte Dicke der dicksten Münze 9. Die Spule 14 befindet sich am die beiden Pole 17, 18 verbindenden Basisschenkel 19 des U-förmigen Ferritkernes 15.In order to determine the diameter of the coins 9, the electronic recognition module 8 also includes a device 11 with connected electronic evaluation unit 12 (FIG. 4) for determining the diameter of the coins 9. The device 11 comprises a U-shaped ferrite core wound with a coil 14 15, which is directed with the free ends 16 of its poles 17,18 perpendicular to the leading edge 6 and arranged at a defined distance D to the leading edge 6.The one pole 18 is located in the guide track 5 such that its surface is flush with the surface the guideway 5 is located, as can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3. The other pole 17 is located The distance W of the air gap of the U-shaped ferrite core 15 above the guide track 5. The width W of the air gap is at least as large as the largest thickness of the thickest coin 9. The coil 14 is located on the two poles 17, 18 connecting base legs 19 of the U-shaped ferrite core 15th

Eine Münze 9, die vom Drehteller 2 kommend um das Anlaufkugellager 7 herum mittels des Transportriemens 13 gefördert wird, liegt mit ihrem Rand an der Führungskante 6 an und wird unter Wirkung des Transportriemens 13 ständig gegen die Führungskante 6 gedrückt. Die Münze 9 eines bestimmten Durchmessers taucht in den Luftspalt des U-förmigen Ferritkernes 15 um eine genau definierte Eintauchtiefe T ein.A coin 9, which is conveyed by the turntable 2 coming around the thrust ball bearing 7 by means of the conveyor belt 13, rests with its edge on the leading edge 6 and is constantly pressed against the leading edge 6 under the action of the conveyor belt 13. The coin 9 of a certain diameter dips into the air gap of the U-shaped ferrite core 15 by a precisely defined immersion depth T a.

An der Spule 14 des U-förmigen Ferritkernes 15 liegt eine Wechselspannung von mehreren 100 Khz an, wobei die Spule 14 zwischen den Schenkeln, d.h. Polen 17, 18 des U-Kernes 15 ein elektromagnetisches Wechselfeld erzeugt. Wenn die Münze 9 zwischen die U-Schenkel bzw. -Pole 17, 18 des U-förmigen Ferritkernes 15 eintaucht, wird aus dem elektromagnetischen Ferritteil aufgrund des Wirbelstromeffektes Energie entzogen. Die Höhe des Energieentzugs ist in etwa proportional der Eintauchtiefe T der Münze 9 in den U-förmigen Ferritkern 15 und wird nur in geringem Maße von der Legierung und der Dicke der Münze 9 beeinflußt. Mittels der elektronischen Auswerteeinheit 12, die in der Lage ist, entsprechend dem Energieentzug ein proportionales Ausgangssignal zur Verfügung zu stellen, kann direkt der Durchmesser der Münze 9 bestimmt werden.On the coil 14 of the U-shaped ferrite core 15 is an AC voltage of several 100 Khz, wherein the coil 14 between the legs, ie poles 17, 18 of the U-core 15 generates an electromagnetic alternating field. When the coin 9 dips between the U-legs or poles 17, 18 of the U-shaped ferrite core 15, energy is extracted from the electromagnetic ferrite part due to the eddy current effect. The amount of energy removal is approximately proportional to the immersion depth T of the coin 9 in the U-shaped ferrite core 15 and is only slightly influenced by the alloy and the thickness of the coin 9. By means of the electronic evaluation unit 12, which is able to provide a proportional output signal in accordance with the energy withdrawal, the diameter of the coin 9 can be determined directly.

Das in Fig. 4 dargestellte Blockdiagramm der elektronischen Auswerteeinheit 12 umfaßt einen HF-Generator 20, einen angeschlossenen Verstärker/Treiber 21, die über eine Leitung 22 direkt mit der Spule 14 des U-förmigen Ferritkernes 15 verbunden sind. Das andere Ende der Spulenwicklung 14 ist geerdet.The block diagram shown in Fig. 4 of the electronic evaluation unit 12 comprises an RF generator 20, a connected amplifier / driver 21, which are connected via a line 22 directly to the coil 14 of the U-shaped ferrite core 15. The other end of the coil winding 14 is grounded.

An die Verbindungsleitung 22 zwischen HF-Generator 20 bzw. Verstärker/Treiber 21 und Spule 14 des U-förmigen Ferritkernes 15 ist eine Parallelschaltung aus einem langsamen Peakdetect- und Hold-Bauelement 23 nebst nachgeschaltetem Verstärker 24 und einem schnellen Peakdetect- und Hold-Bauelement 25 nebst nachgeschaltetem Verstärker 26 angeschlossen, die jeweils mit einem Mikrocontroller 27 verbunden sind, welcher der Datenausgabe 28 dient.To the connecting line 22 between the RF generator 20 and amplifier / driver 21 and coil 14 of the U-shaped ferrite core 15 is a parallel circuit of a slow peak detect and hold device 23 together with a downstream amplifier 24 and a fast Peakdetect- and hold device 25 together with the downstream amplifier 26, which are each connected to a microcontroller 27, which serves the data output 28.

Die Parallelschaltung aus dem langsamen Peakdetect- und Hold-Bauelement 23 und dem nachgeschaltetem Verstärker 24 erzeugt einen Leerlaufwert 30, der vom Meßwert 29 am Ausgang der anderen Paralellschaltung aus dem schnellen Peakdetect- und Hold-Bauelement 25 nebst nachgeschaltetem Verstärker 26 subtrahirt wird.The parallel connection of the slow peak detect and hold device 23 and the downstream amplifier 24 generates an idle value 30 which is subtracted from the measured value 29 at the output of the other parallel circuit from the fast peak detect and hold device 25 together with the downstream amplifier 26.

Der Sensor besteht aus dem U-förmigen Ferritkern 15, der mit einer Spule 14 aus HF-Litze bewickelt ist. Da Ferrit bruchempfindlich ist, wird der Sensor vorzugsweise in eine passende Kunststoff-Form eingesetzt. Der Ferritkern 15 wird zur Erfassung des Durchmessers der Münze 9 gemäß Fig. 2 und 3 in die Laufplatte der Führungsbahn 5 von Münzzählmaschinen eingesetzt. Der Sensor wird so ausgerichtet, daß beim Vorbeiführen einer Münze 9 um einen Referenzpunkt die Münze 9 entsprechend ihrem Durchmesser in den Sensor eintaucht, wie es in Fig. 3 dargestellt ist.The sensor consists of the U-shaped ferrite core 15, which is wound with a coil 14 of HF strand. Since ferrite is fragile, the sensor is preferably inserted into a suitable plastic mold. The ferrite core 15 is used to detect the diameter of the Coin 9 shown in FIG. 2 and 3 used in the running plate of the guideway 5 of coin counting machines. The sensor is aligned so that when passing a coin 9 to a reference point, the coin 9 is immersed according to its diameter in the sensor, as shown in Fig. 3.

Die Vorteile des Verfahrens bzw. der Vorrichtung sind:

  1. 1. Es wird ein proportionales, lineares Ausgangssignal zur Verfügung gestellt, aufgrund dessen die Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung des Durchmessers von Münzen 9 in Form des U-förmigen Ferritkernes 15 bei ein- und derselben Bauform auch für unterschiedliche Währungen eingesetzt werden kann.
  2. 2. Das Verfahren und die Vorrichtung sind sehr kostengünstig, weil für die meisten Währungen nur eine Standard-Bauform der Vorrichtung eingesetzt werden muß, da die elektronische Auswerteeinheit 12 nur ein Sensorsignal verarbeiten muß und weil die verwendeten elektronischen Bauelemente der elektronischen Auswerteeinheit 12 kostengünstige Bauelemente sind.
  3. 3. Der Abgleich bzw. die Zuordnung der Münzen 9 zu den Ausgangssignalen erfolgt elektronisch per Software. Aufwendige mechanische Justagen und Einstellungen sind bei dieser Vorrichtung nicht mehr notwendig. Die Vorrichtung kann in Verbindung mit der Führungsbahn 5, in welche diese eingebaut wird, vorabgeglichen werden.Die somit entstandene Baugruppe muß dann nur noch in die Münzzählmaschine montiert werden.
The advantages of the method or device are:
  1. 1. It is provided a proportional, linear output signal, due to which the device for determining the diameter of coins 9 in the form of the U-shaped ferrite core 15 in one and the same design can also be used for different currencies.
  2. 2. The method and the device are very inexpensive, because for most currencies only a standard design of the device must be used, since the electronic evaluation unit 12 must process only one sensor signal and because the electronic components of the electronic evaluation unit 12 are inexpensive components ,
  3. 3. The adjustment or assignment of the coins 9 to the output signals is done electronically by software. Elaborate mechanical adjustments and adjustments are no longer necessary with this device. The device can be pre-adjusted in conjunction with the guideway 5 into which it is installed. The resulting assembly must then only be mounted in the coin counting machine.

BEZUGSZEICHENLISTELIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11
Gehäusecasing
22
Drehtellerturntable
33
Achseaxis
44
Pfeilarrow
55
Führungsbahnguideway
66
Führungskanteleading edge
77
AnlaufkugellagerBall bearing
88th
Erkennungseinrichtungrecognizer
99
Ausfallöffnungdischarge opening
1010
Randedge
1111
Vorrichtungcontraption
1212
Auswerteeinheitevaluation
1313
Transportriemenconveyor belts
1414
SpuleKitchen sink
1515
Ferritkernferrite
1616
EndeThe End
17,1817.18
Polpole
1919
Basisschenkelbase leg
2020
HF-GeneratorRF generator
2121
Verstärker/TreiberAmplifier / Driver
2222
Leitungmanagement
2323
Peakdetect-u.Hold-BauelementPeakdetect-u.Hold component
2424
Verstärkeramplifier
2525
Peakdetect-u.Hold-BauelementPeakdetect-u.Hold component
2626
Verstärkeramplifier
2727
Microcontrollermicrocontrollers
2828
Datenausgabedata output
2929
Meßwertmeasurement
3030
LeerlaufwertIdling value

Claims (2)

  1. A method for determining the diameters of coins (9), which are transported in an irregular sequence on a guide track (5) along a guide edge (6),
    the coins (9) being guided through the air gap of a U-shaped ferrite core (15) assigned to the guide edge (6), to the coil (14) of said ferrite core (15) an a.c. voltage being applied,
    the reflux of the magnetic field being detected at the penetration depth (T) assigned to every coin (9), and the diameter of the coin (9) being determined in an evaluation unit (12) from the reflux of the magnetic field,
    characterized by
    that an idle value (30) generated by means of a slow peak-detect and hold component (23) with an amplifier (24) connected in series is subtracted from a measured value (29), which is generated by means of a fast peak-detect and hold component (25) with an amplifier (26) connected in series in parallel to said slow peak-detect and hold component (23),
    in the evaluation unit (12) from the difference of the measured value (29) and the idle value (30), the diameter of the coin (9) being determined.
  2. A device for carrying-out the method according to claim 1, the ferrite core (15) wrapped with a coil (14) being directed with the free ends (16) of its poles (17, 18) vertically to the guide edge (6) and being arranged at a defined distance (D) therefrom, one pole (18) being arranged in the guide track (5) and the other pole (17) being arranged at the distance of the width (W) of the air gap above the guide track (5), and the width (W) of the air gap corresponding at least to the largest thickness of the thickest coin (9),
    characterized by
    that to the coil (14) of the U-shaped ferrite core (15) a parallel circuit of a slow peak-detect and hold component (23) with an amplifier (24) connected in series and a fast peak-detect and hold component (25) with an amplifier (26) connected in series are connected, which are respectively connected to a microcontroller (27).
EP99250428A 1998-12-01 1999-12-01 Method and device for determining the diameters of coins Expired - Lifetime EP1006488B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19856779 1998-12-01
DE19856779A DE19856779A1 (en) 1998-12-01 1998-12-01 Method and device for determining the diameter of coins

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1006488A1 EP1006488A1 (en) 2000-06-07
EP1006488B1 true EP1006488B1 (en) 2007-08-22

Family

ID=7890502

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99250428A Expired - Lifetime EP1006488B1 (en) 1998-12-01 1999-12-01 Method and device for determining the diameters of coins

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1006488B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE371235T1 (en)
DE (2) DE19856779A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT280669B (en) * 1968-02-15 1970-04-27 Rega Gmbh & Co Kg Device for checking the authenticity of coins
DE2420458A1 (en) * 1974-04-24 1975-10-30 Zimmermann & Co F Totalling value of coins of different denominations - using equipment incorporating single inductive scanning head
DE2713844C3 (en) * 1977-03-26 1981-07-16 F.Zimmermann & Co., 1000 Berlin Device for recognizing the value of coins or the like. Objects
DE4224204C2 (en) 1992-07-22 1998-08-06 Nsm Ag Device for determining the authenticity of coins

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE19856779A1 (en) 2000-06-21
EP1006488A1 (en) 2000-06-07
ATE371235T1 (en) 2007-09-15
DE59914466D1 (en) 2007-10-04

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