EP1968019A1 - Münzsortiervorrichtung - Google Patents

Münzsortiervorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1968019A1
EP1968019A1 EP07425135A EP07425135A EP1968019A1 EP 1968019 A1 EP1968019 A1 EP 1968019A1 EP 07425135 A EP07425135 A EP 07425135A EP 07425135 A EP07425135 A EP 07425135A EP 1968019 A1 EP1968019 A1 EP 1968019A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coin
sorting
coins
inlet
management unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07425135A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Davide Chionna
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Comestero Group Srl
Original Assignee
Comestero Group Srl
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Comestero Group Srl filed Critical Comestero Group Srl
Priority to EP07425135A priority Critical patent/EP1968019A1/de
Publication of EP1968019A1 publication Critical patent/EP1968019A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • G07D3/14—Apparatus driven under control of coin-sensing elements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for sorting coins.
  • the invention is to be employed in sorting coins that have been already recognised based on an identification parameter such as value, size, weight or component material.
  • coin dispensers such as gambling machines, parking meters, moneychangers, drink or food dispensers or in general in devices capable of emitting or paying out coins in the form of change or wins, for example.
  • token machine a device capable of validating the coins
  • Similar devices are also able to recognise the coin value based on an identification parameter such as the diameter, shape, weight or type of material of which the coin is made.
  • the machine associates the inserted coin with a given value.
  • Some types of machines are not designed for emitting money to the user. Therefore, once the coin has been inserted and recognised by the "token machine", it runs along a channel conveying the coin to a collection container where coins of any value are stored in an indiscriminate manner or, should the coin be judged as non valid, it will take a reject path to be returned to the user.
  • machines such as videogames present in bars or in playrooms, or machines for carrying out payments, such as those present in motorway tollbooths or parking meters, or also machines for buying assets of various kinds such as dispensers of travel tickets, drinks, snacks, newspapers, or yet coin-operated public telephones or moneychanging devices, involve return of an exact amount of money in the form of coins.
  • These collecting containers can be periodically supplied manually by an operator, or supplied in an automatic manner by the "token machine" placed upstream of the collecting containers, through a sorting device.
  • the sorting device generally has two inlet sections, one for the accepted coins and one for the coins to be rejected, and three or more outlet sections, of which one is dedicated to return of the coins that are not accepted and the others are intended for collecting the coins in suitable collecting containers, based on their value.
  • the inlet and outlet sorting means is interposed that, based on the command received by the "token machine", is such arranged as to define a precise path along which the coin must run to reach the correct outlet and therefore the exact collecting container.
  • This sorting means can take different configurations; it can be chutes defining channels, against which the coin rebounds until it reaches the correct outlet section and is gathered with the other coins having the same value.
  • the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a device for sorting coins capable of obviating the above mentioned drawbacks.
  • the main aim of the present invention is to make available a device for sorting coins which has a high reliability in sorting.
  • Another aim of the invention is to make available a device for sorting coins which is capable of signalling possible sorting errors, and therefore enabling an efficient control on the correct conveyance of the coins.
  • a device for sorting coins in accordance with the invention is identified with reference numeral 1 in the accompanying figures.
  • the sorting device 1 comprises at least one inlet section 2a; 2b, suitable for receiving an already recognised coin, i.e. of which an identification parameter is known which is determined upstream of the whole travel covered by the coin, by a device of known type and commonly referred to as "token machine" G, which is capable of validating and discriminating the coins.
  • this device is able to recognise whether the coin is valid and consequently to identify the respective value based on an identification parameter such as the diameter, shape, weight or type of material of which the coin is made.
  • the sorting device 1 further comprises at least two outlet sections 3a, 3b of which preferably at least one is a reject section 3a directly communicating with the outside through a channel of fixed geometry 4a for return of the non-accepted coins.
  • a sorting device comprising a single inlet section and a plurality of outlet sections, none of which is a reject section.
  • This device is also devoid of the channel of fixed geometry through which the coins that are believed to be non-valid by the "token machine" are returned to the user. In fact, in this case the non-accepted coins are conveyed to the outside through a duct directly connected to the "token machine" without therefore passing through the sorting device.
  • inlet sections 2a and 2b and four outlet sections 3a and 3b are instead present.
  • a first inlet section 2b is intended for admission into the sorting device 1 of the validated coins to be sorted, while the second inlet section 2a is used for introduction into the sorting device of the coins to be rejected and to be returned to the user.
  • outlet sections comprise a reject section 3a receiving through the fixed channel 4a, the coins to be rejected that have been selected by the "token machine” G and sent therefrom to inlet 2a, and directly sending them to the outside thereby allowing return to the user of the non-accepted coins.
  • the other outlet sections 3b each communicate, through respective sorting channels 4b defined by sorting means 5, with a coin-collecting container R or collecting magazine, each dedicated to one type of coin alone.
  • Said sorting means 5 is interposed between the inlet sections 2b and the outlet sections 3b and defines the path that the coin must follow, in a selective manner depending on the identification parameter.
  • the sorting means 5 comprises a plurality of movable bodies adapted to take at least one first and one second operating position to define different sorting paths 4a; 4b.
  • Said movable bodies comprise rotating elements or slidable partitions or swinging walls, for example.
  • the sorting means 5 comprises a fixed wall 6 separating the reject channel 4a from the sorting channels 4b, and a plurality of movable bodies each consisting of two partitions 7; the movable bodies are selectively shiftable between at least a first and a second operating positions so as to define said sorting paths 4b.
  • These bodies 7 therefore are positioned between the second inlet section 2b and the outlet sections 3b communicating with the coin-collecting containers R or coin-collecting magazines.
  • the first one of the two partitions 7 is at a backward location and fully buried in a bottom wall 8 so that it does not interfere with the path of the coin passing through the sorting device, thereby enabling passage thereof; conversely, the second one 7b of the two partitions 7 defines an abutment surface emerging in cantilevered fashion from the bottom wall 8 so as to intercept and deviate the coin passing therethrough.
  • the movable bodies are translated by suitable actuating means 11 so that the first one 7a of the two partitions 7 emerges in cantilevered fashion from the bottom wall 8 thereby intercepting and deviating the coin along its path; conversely, the second one 7b of the two partitions 7 further emerges from the bottom wall 8 from which it moves away, thereby defining a passage between the bottom wall itself and the partition. Therefore in this configuration the coin can cross the passage without being intercepted by the second partition 7b.
  • the validated coins entering section 2b can be addressed to three different outlets 3b.
  • the sorting device 1 also has a plurality of passage detectors 9 adapted to control passage of the coin at each outlet section 3a and 3b, or at least at the only outlet sections 3b for coin collection.
  • the passage detectors 9 can comprise optical target sensors or reflection sensors, provided with compensation (via software, for example) of the variations introduced by possible dirt present therein; alternatively Hall-effect sensors can be provided.
  • the passage detectors 9 may also comprise sensors of the capacitive type.
  • the passage detectors 9 will have the only function of signalling transit of the coin since in this step no recognition of the latter is required.
  • a management unit 10 co-operating with the coin-recognising device G and adapted both to drive the sorting means 5 through the actuating means 11, and to receive information from the passage detectors 9.
  • the actuating means 11 by way of example comprises solenoids or electric motors designed to move the movable bodies between the two above described operating positions.
  • this actuating means 11 consists of solenoids piloted by the management unit 10 depending on an addressing signal that the management unit 10 receives as an input by the coin-recognising device G. Following this addressing signal, solenoids 11 selectively move partitions 7 defining the correct sorting path 4b that the coin must take for being addressed to the desired outlet section 3b.
  • the passage detector 9 positioned at this outlet emits a control signal (occurred passage) that is sent to the management unit 10.
  • the management unit 10 verifies such a signal and controls its correspondence with the expected signal (correct addressing of the coin).
  • the management unit 10 is applied onto a support 12 and is connected through connectors 16 both to the coin-recognising device G from which it will receive at least information concerning recognition of the coin for correct addressing of same, and to other control units of the machinery incorporating the "token machine” and sorting device.
  • the management unit 10 is also able to monitor the sorting device 1 with a programmed check and to detect possible malfunctions, in particular through verification of the correct operation of the actuating means 11.
  • the management unit will be able to carry out current measurement in the solenoid windings detecting possible short-circuits, circuit breaks and/or incomplete or missed mechanical stroke of the actuator of the solenoid (i.e. malfunctions).
  • the sorting device 1 further comprises a supporting frame 13 including a seat 14 designed to house the coin-recognising device G. At an intermediate region of the supporting frame 13, located under the seat 14, there is a partition 15 in which the inlet sections 2a and 2b of the sorting device 1 are formed and through which the coin-recognising device G is brought into direct communication with the sorting device 1.
  • the user introduces a coin into the machine, which coin is recognised by the coin-recognising device or "token machine” G. If the coin is believed to be non-valid, it is addressed to the inlet section 2a and directly to the reject outlet 3a. If on the contrary the coin is valid, the coin-recognising device G sends an addressing signal to the management unit 10 for activation of the actuating means 11, i.e. the solenoids. The latter are selectively activated and consequently move the sorting means 5 depending on the identification parameter, thereby generating the correct arrangement of partitions 7a, 7b delimiting the correct sorting path 4b, capable of connecting the second inlet section 2b with the desired outlet 3b.
  • the actuating means i.e. the solenoids
  • the present invention achieves the intended purposes.
  • the management unit 10 receives the control signal from the passage detector 9 corresponding to the outlet established by the coin-recognising device G, checking correct addressing of the coin.
  • the management unit 10 receives the control signal from the wrong passage detector 9, i.e. the one placed at an outlet through which no passage of coin was expected; as a consequence of this, the management unit 10 signals the occurred error to a unit designed for that function. Signalling of mistakes in sorting enables an efficient control on the correct addressing of the coins.
  • the passage detectors 9 also have the function to inform the management unit 10 about the occurred transit of the coin through the outlet section, so as to be sure that the coin has completed its path from the coin-recognising device G to the sorting device. This information guarantees that the coin did not stop at some point inside the machine and that therefore the whole path is clear and ready for passage of another coin.
  • the passage detectors 9 are also able to supply the management unit 10 with the information concerning the instant at which the coin comes out of the sorting device, so as to optimise and close the operating cycle of the sorting device 1.
  • Detection of the instant at which the coin is ready for coming out of the sorting device enables the operating cycle of the solenoids to be fed back, closing it typically in advance relative to the timed command used in the machines currently on the market. This feature allows an improvement of the whole transit time in the coin-recognising device.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
EP07425135A 2007-03-07 2007-03-07 Münzsortiervorrichtung Withdrawn EP1968019A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07425135A EP1968019A1 (de) 2007-03-07 2007-03-07 Münzsortiervorrichtung

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07425135A EP1968019A1 (de) 2007-03-07 2007-03-07 Münzsortiervorrichtung

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1968019A1 true EP1968019A1 (de) 2008-09-10

Family

ID=38331739

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07425135A Withdrawn EP1968019A1 (de) 2007-03-07 2007-03-07 Münzsortiervorrichtung

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1968019A1 (de)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2221332A (en) * 1988-06-23 1990-01-31 Ace Coin Equip Coin checking apparatus
EP0447890A2 (de) * 1990-03-09 1991-09-25 Alcatel Citesa, S.A. Einkanalige Vorrichtung zum Prüfen, Speichern und Sammeln von Münzen
JPH0644435A (ja) * 1992-05-26 1994-02-18 Takamisawa Cybernetics Co Ltd 硬貨リジェクト装置
DE4424487A1 (de) * 1994-07-12 1996-01-18 Fmn Fernmeldetechnik Gmbh Nord Verfahren und Einrichtung zum sortierenden Einleiten von Münzen
EP1158468A2 (de) * 2000-05-03 2001-11-28 Vesiel S.p.A. Vorrichtung zum Sortieren von Münzen in eine Vielzahl von Ausgangskanälen, insbesondere für Bezahlautomaten und ähnlichem

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2221332A (en) * 1988-06-23 1990-01-31 Ace Coin Equip Coin checking apparatus
EP0447890A2 (de) * 1990-03-09 1991-09-25 Alcatel Citesa, S.A. Einkanalige Vorrichtung zum Prüfen, Speichern und Sammeln von Münzen
JPH0644435A (ja) * 1992-05-26 1994-02-18 Takamisawa Cybernetics Co Ltd 硬貨リジェクト装置
DE4424487A1 (de) * 1994-07-12 1996-01-18 Fmn Fernmeldetechnik Gmbh Nord Verfahren und Einrichtung zum sortierenden Einleiten von Münzen
EP1158468A2 (de) * 2000-05-03 2001-11-28 Vesiel S.p.A. Vorrichtung zum Sortieren von Münzen in eine Vielzahl von Ausgangskanälen, insbesondere für Bezahlautomaten und ähnlichem

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