EP1416445B1 - Coil arrangement for coin validator - Google Patents

Abstract

The coil apparatus has a rectangular transmitter (14) and receiver (16) coil which extend perpendicular to the direction in which the coins travel. The receiver coil is divided into an upper and a lower section (18,22). The upper section extends so far over the lower section that it is only partly covered by the smallest diameter coins. The lower section extends as far as or beyond the track (10) on which the coins (12) travel. The receiver coil has a one piece ferrite shell with a cylindrical core section (24) for the lower section, and an oval or elongate core section above the cylindrical core. An elongate coil body is provided which can be attached to the ferrite shell. The coil winding extends on the elongate coil body over the core section and downwards. A separate round coil body has a coil winding and is arranged within the elongate coil body on the cylindrical core.

Description

The invention relates to a coil arrangement for a coin validator, in particular for testing bicolour coins according to the preamble of claim 1.

As is well known, in the testing of coins, a variety of characteristics of the inserted coins are tested to allow reliable discrimination of counterfeit coins. Among the characteristics of the coins is their diameter, but also a material of particular importance. Particularly problematic is the testing of so-called bi-color coins, which have an inner core and an outer ring wrapped around it. Core and ring are made of different material. In order to be able to carry out a perfect test, it is necessary to test both the material of the core and that of the ring independently of each other.

In the DE 101 40 225.2 For example, there is provided a method and apparatus for measuring the diameter of coins wherein the coins pass through an electromagnetic field that is designed to cover at least the upper portion of the field with the smallest diameter coin. The field is transmitted by a transmit coil and received by a receive coil. The transmission coil is periodically given a short pulse whose duration is small in relation to the coin transit time. The maximum attenuation values are determined for different times of the transmission pulse. The attenuation measurements are extrapolated to time zero. The measured value determined by extrapolation is compared with a predetermined acceptance band or a predetermined characteristic curve for coin diameter for the purpose of comparison with a stored nominal value. In the mentioned patent application is further described to divide the receiving coils into subsections. An upper one Section is arranged so that it is at least partially covered even by coins of the smallest diameter. The lower section is arranged to be covered by the material of the coin in each case. Therefore, with a coil arrangement, both the diameter and the material of the coin can be determined. If bicolour coins are to be tested, such a coil arrangement divides a lower section into two subsections, of which the upper subsection covers the core and the lower subsection the edge of a bicolour coin.

Out US 5,323,891 a coil arrangement has become known for inductive testing of coins. It has two nested coils on each side of the Münzlaufbahn, wherein the coils are arranged coaxially.

Out US 6,398,001 B1 has become known a receiving coil assembly for a coin validation, with an oval coil, which is arranged in an oval space between the edge and core of a one-piece, elongated, shell-shaped ferrite body, which extends down to below the coin track so far up that no complete Coverage is made by the coins. It serves primarily for diameter determination. A circular, relatively small coil is located within the oval coil on a cylindrical ferrite core. With the help of the second coil, the coin thickness should be checked.

The invention has for its object to provide an easy to manufacture, but effective solution for the described receiving coil assembly.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

The coil assembly of the present invention also includes a one-piece, outer wall-containing ferrite shell having a first cylindrical core portion within the shell for a second receive coil and an oval or elongate core portion within the shell above at a vertical distance from the first cylindrical core portion. The elongated bobbin is fitting in the ferrite shell attachable. The coil winding on the elongate bobbin extends downwardly beyond the second cylindrical core portion. A separate bobbin of approximately circular cross-section is disposed on the first cylindrical core portion. The first core section is at the level of the coin's core of bicoloured coins. Another core section is arranged below the first core section, which receives a further bobbin and is located at the level of the respective lower coin edge.

The receiver coils are shorter in the direction of the coins than their diameter.

The manufacture and assembly of such a coil arrangement is extremely simple. The ferrite shell is a pressing part, and the bobbins are one-piece plastic moldings, on which then the coil winding is applied. The bobbins for the core sections are designed as separate parts and are placed separately on the cylindrical core sections of the ferrite shell.

The inventive design of the receiving coil also has the advantage that approximately the same configuration can be used as a transmitting coil. It is only necessary to dispense with the arrangement of the separate bobbin with coil. Thus, the same production and installation measures are required for the formation of the transmitting coil.

With the invention, both the coin core and the edge portion (ring) of a bicolour coin can be tested with regard to the material. The only prerequisite is that the cylindrical core sections or the bobbins are arranged at the correct height above the Münzlaufbahn, so that coins of different value can be tested with different dimensions.

In another embodiment of the invention it is provided that the bottom of the ferrite shell has an opening for the passage of two connection contacts for the coil of the round bobbin.

In another embodiment of the invention it is provided that the oval or elongated core portion is hollow. As a result, the production is facilitated, since in a massive core of greater length cracks or other impairments may occur during sintering of the ferrite shell.

The coil winding on the bobbins is known to be connected to the electrical circuit for testing the coins. In this connection, an embodiment of the invention provides that the bobbins have a radial projection with two parallel openings whose axis is parallel to the axis of the coil windings and the openings each receive an angled pin whose vertical leg with one end of the coil winding and the other Thigh forms a connection for a circuit. The angled pins are preferably formed from a rectangular cross-section wire while the openings are round. In this way, a pressing fixing of the wires in the openings can be achieved.

Fig. 1

zeigt äußerst schematisch eine Spulenanordnung zum Prüfen des Durchmessers und des Werkstoffs von Münzen.

Fig. 2

zeigt perspektivisch eine Ferritschale einer Spulenanordnung nach der Erfindung.

Fig. 3

zeigt perspektivisch einen Spulenkörper für die Spulenanordnung nach der Erfindung.

Fig. 4

zeigt perspektivisch die Verbindung des Spulenkörpers nach Fig. 3 mit der Ferritschale nach Fig. 2.

Fig. 5

zeigt perspektivisch einen weiteren Spulenkörper für die Spulenanordnung nach der Erfindung.

Fig. 6

zeigt perspektivisch aus einer anderen Sicht den Zusammenbau von Ferritschale und Spulenkörpern.

Fig. 7

zeigt zwei Darstellungen übereinandergelegter Euromünzen.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1

shows very schematically a coil arrangement for checking the diameter and the material of coins.

Fig. 2

shows in perspective a ferrite shell of a coil assembly according to the invention.

Fig. 3

shows in perspective a bobbin for the coil assembly according to the invention.

Fig. 4

shows in perspective the connection of the bobbin Fig. 3 with the ferrite shell after Fig. 2 ,

Fig. 5

shows in perspective another bobbin for the coil assembly according to the invention.

Fig. 6

shows in perspective from another point of view, the assembly of ferrite shell and bobbins.

Fig. 7

shows two representations of superimposed euro coins.

In Fig. 1 is a coin tray 10 of a coin validator, not shown, on which a bicolour coin 12 rolls along. The coin moves through a coil assembly consisting of a transmitting coil 14 and a receiving coil 16. The coil assemblies 14, 16 are rectangular and shorter in the direction of the coin 12 than the diameter thereof. The receiving coil 16 is divided into three sections 18, 20 and 22. The subdivision is in height. It is such that the portion 18 is in any case temporarily at least partially covered by the upper portion of the coin, regardless of its diameter. The coin 12 consists of an inner core 24 and a ring 26 around the core 24 (bicoloured coin). The upper portion 18 is arranged to be normally is not covered by the core 24 of the coin as it passes through the coil assembly. The portion 20 is designed to substantially engage the core portion of a bi-color coin. The lower portion 22 substantially covers the lower portion of the rim or ring 26. The section 18 is used for the diameter determination, while the sections 20 and 22 serve the material determination, for example by a method as described in the DE 197 26 449 previously described or in the DE 101 40 225.2 is proposed.

The following description of FIGS. 2 to 6 refers primarily to the design of the receiver coil assembly, it being already noted that the portions 18, 20 and 22 in FIG Fig. 1 need not be realized that, for example, the coil for the section 18 only has to run in the upper area.

In Fig. 2 In general, a ferrite shell 30 can be seen. It consists of a bottom 32 and parallel spaced side walls 34, 36, which are bent towards one another at the ends, but each leave a gap 38 or 40 for the terminals of the coil 60. To the bottom 32 longitudinally spaced cylindrical core portions 42, 44 are integrally formed. Each above a core portion 42, 44, an elongated transverse slot 46 and 48 in the bottom 32 is formed. Above the transverse slot 46 is a hollow oval core portion 50.

In Fig. 3 an oval bobbin 60 can be seen. It is integrally formed of plastic material and formed like a frame with a first flange 62 and a second flange 64, which have a distance from each other to form a winding space for the coil winding, which is not shown here. The flange 62 has a radial upwardly facing shoulder 66, from which an axially parallel projection 68 goes off. In this approach, parallel holes are formed to receive angled pins 70 and 72, respectively. The horizontal leg of the pins 70, 72 extends through the holes, the holes being circular in cross-section and the wires for the pins 70, 72 rectangular. By pressing down a secure attachment of the pins 70, 72 is achieved. The vertical legs of the pins 70, 72 are received by recesses 74, 76 fitting, so that the pins 70, 72 are prevented from pivoting or rotation. The ends of the vertical legs extend beyond the radial extension 68. With the vertical legs of the pins 70, 72, the ends of the coil winding, not shown, are connected, for example by soldering. The horizontal legs of the pins 70, 72 serve to connect to a, not shown, circuit board for the circuit for operating the coil assembly.

In Fig. 5 a further bobbin 80 is shown with a flange 82 and a lug 84 at a parallel distance therefrom, between which sections a winding space for the coil winding, not shown, is formed. The projection 84 is similar to the approach 86. In an axis-parallel section 86, in turn, two parallel openings are formed for receiving wire pins 88, 90 which are formed at right angles. The attachment of the pins 88, 90 is the same as that of the pins 70, 72 in the neck 66. Therefore, it will not be discussed in detail.

In Fig. 4 the arrangement of the bobbins 60 and 80 in the ferrite shell 30 is shown. The bobbin 60 is disposed between the side walls 34, 36 and abuts against the bottom 32 of the ferrite shell 30 at. The inner sides of the frame-shaped bobbin 60 are therefore on the sides of the longitudinal sides of the core portion 50 and extend to both sides of the flanges 82 of the two bobbin 80, which are pushed onto the core portions 42, 44. The facing side of the walls 34, 36, the core portion 50, the cylindrical core portions 42, 44 and the flanges 82 are all in one plane.

In Fig. 6 is the opposite side of the coil assembly after Fig. 4 shown in perspective. It can be seen that the lugs 86 of the bobbin 80 fit are received by the slots 46, 48. The projection 68 extends above the ferrite shell 30 in the gap between the ends of the side walls 34, 36.

In Fig. 7 are a 10 cent and a 50 cent coin shown in side view. In addition, a 1 Euro and a 2 Euro coin are shown next to it, which are known to be Bicolor coins. One recognizes the arrangement of the cores or the rings around the cores. The bobbins 80 on the core portions 42, 44 are in accordance with the Münzlaufbahn 10 according to Fig. 1 arranged so that the received in this area field of the transmitting coil is essentially covered only by the core of the coins or their edge. The winding of the bobbin 60 after Fig. 3 Although extends around all core portions of the ferrite shell 30, but evaluated only the signal component, which is influenced by the oval core portion 50. Its cover allows a statement about the diameter of the tested coin.

Claims (5)

1. A coil arrangement of sending and receiving coils on both sides of a coin runway (10) for a coin validator for examining bicolor coins (12) having a coin core and an edge portion, with an one-piece longitudinal ferrite shell (30) which matchingly accommodates a first longitudinal or oval, respectively, receiving coil on a longitudinal coil body (60) extending downward up to the coin runway or somewhat beyond of it, and which features an oval or longitudinal core portion and a first cylindrical core portion (42) onto which a second receiving coil is applied with a second coil body, wherein the first receiving coil extends as far above the coin runway (10) that it is only partially covered up by the coins (12), irrespective of the diameter thereof, and the second receiving coil is situated above the coin runway (10), characterised in that the width of both receiving coils is smaller than the diameter of the coins (12), the oval or longitudinal core portion (50) is disposed at a vertical distance above the first cylindrical core portion (42) and is partly still covered up by coins having the smallest diameter and not by the coin core, a further cylindrical core portion (44) is provided below the second core portion (42) on which a further coil body (80) is disposed, wherein the upper cylindrical core portion (42) is situated at about the height of the coin core (24) of the coins (24), and the lower cylindrical core portion (44) at the height of the coin edge of the edge portion of the coins (24).
2. A coil arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the bottom (32) of the ferrite shell (30) features a breakthrough (46, 48) for leading through two connection contacts (88, 90) for the coil of the round coil body (80).
3. A coil arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the oval or longitudinal core portion (50) is hollow-shaped.
4. A coil arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the coil bodies (68, 80) feature a radial shoulder (66, 84) with two parallel openings whose axes run parallel to the axis of the coil windings and that the openings each at a time accommodate an angular pin (70, 72 or 88, 90, respectively), whose vertical leg is connected to one end of the coil winding and whose horizontal leg forms a connector for a circuit arrangement.
5. A coil arrangement according to claim 4, characterised in that the wire of the pins (70, 72 or 88, 90, respectively) have a rectangular cross section and the openings have circular cross sections.

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