EP2017798B1 - Device for counting out coins from a pair of adjacent coin tubes - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a disbursing element (54) movable in a base of a coin tube during angular rotation of a disbursing disk (20) along a curved slot in order to detect and push the lower coin. An electrical drive motor has a control device for controlling the drive motor such that the disbursing disk is twisted from a resting position to an end position around a defined rotation angle and afterwards turned back to the resting position. The disbursing element has an extension in rotation direction, and a coin support rests on the disbursing element in the end position of the disbursing disk.

Description

The invention relates to a device for paying out coins from a pair of adjacent coin tubes according to the preamble of claim 1.

Coin dispensers equipped with changers have so-called coin stack tubes or simply coin tubes in which coins to be dispensed are stored in value. The coin columns inside the tubes are supported by the bottom of the coin tubes. A payout device removes the coins one by one at the bottom of the tubes via a side slot in accordance with a payout order. It is known to use electromagnets or electric motors for this purpose, which with the aid of a pay-out element push out the respective lower coin and, for example, direct it to an output channel.

Out DE 38 10 074 It has become known to associate a pair of coin tubes with a payout unit. It contains an electric motor, which drives two freewheel each one coin associated Auswerfelemente. Depending on the direction of rotation of the electric motor, one of the two coin tubes is driven by the associated ejection element. Out DE 42 14 366 a coin dispensing apparatus has become known in which a reversible drive motor is associated with a pair of coin tubes, which drives a single cam via a gear arrangement, which pushes out the respective lower coin through an exit slot of a coin tube, wherein the rotational movement of the cam is controlled depending on the direction of rotation, that the cam in a 360 ° turn out of a first tube pushes out a coin and the second tube goes under. The only ejection element is formed by a spring-loaded pin, which in the Release position is biased and is lifted by a control cam when it is to be brought into the ejection position.

Out DE 33 15 982 C2 a device has become known in which each coin tube is associated with a rotor disc with a single cam. For the payout, the disc must therefore make a 360 ° turn to get into the open position.

Out DE 44 26 585 C2 or DE 44 26 193 C2 It has also become known to have a pay-out rotor or a pay-out disc with one or two height-adjustable cams only perform a 180 ° rotation. During the payout process, the payout disc makes a 180 ° turn either in one direction or the other. When returning to the rest position, the payout cam or the payout element must be lowered so that it can reach the rest position below the tube bottom or the lower coin.

Out EP 1 302 909 A1 It is known to connect with a motor driven payout disc a club-like payout. The extension of the payout element in the direction of rotation is such that the coin column rests thereon when the payout element is moved to eject a coin from its rest position to an end position.

The invention has for its object to provide a device for paying out coins from a pair of adjacent coin tubes, the equipment cost can be reduced while faster Auszahlmöglichkeit and a long service life.

This object is solved by the features of patent claim 1.

Also in the device according to the invention, the payout element in the direction of rotation on an extension, which causes the coin column rests on the payout element in the end position of the payout disc.

If the pay-out disc is rotated in one direction or the other with the aid of the drive motor, the pay-out element, as in the prior art, pushes the lowest coin out in the direction of the payout or return channel. However, the payout element is designed so that even if the lowest coin is pushed out, it is still possible to return to the rest or initial position without changing the height of the payout element. For this typically only a rotation angle of about 120 ° is required. It is therefore in the control device to ensure that the rotation angle is maintained. This angle of rotation is in any case smaller than in known pay-out devices, so that the payout process is much faster than in the prior art. Another advantage of the invention is that the payout element need only be an elevation on the payout disk. A complicated kinematics for raising and lowering a Auszahlstiftes, as is the case in the prior art, can be omitted. As a result, the wear in the inventive payment device is significantly reduced. The service life of the payout device is significantly extended.

As already mentioned, care must be taken in the end position of the payout element that it simultaneously supports the coin column. This can be done by having the payout element consist of two or more or less spaced sections. However, it is advantageous if the upper side of the payout element has a continuous plane surface.

It should also be noted that the payout disc does not necessarily have to be a continuous more or less plane-parallel disc, but sufficient is a substantially flat rotor, which can be driven by the drive motor and carries the mentioned Auszahlelement.

The control device ensures that with appropriate control of the coin device, the payout disc covers the angle in the desired direction of rotation to push out a coin. The control device also ensures that upon reaching the end position of the drive motor reverses its direction of rotation to return the payout disc in the rest position. In order to ensure this process, in particular to avoid that the payment disc is rotated beyond the end position, a stop element is provided in the invention at the bottom of the drive pulley, which cooperates near the end positions, each with a fixed stop. This prevents the payout disc from being rotated beyond the end position, which would cause the coin column to touch the bottom of the coin tube. In this case, the payout disc can not be moved back to the rest position. In this context, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the stop element is attached in a yielding manner. This is done according to a further embodiment, for example, characterized in that the payout disc molded plastic and the stopper member is formed on an elastically pivotable, preferably radial fingers. If the payment disc is not stopped in time, it is thus braked resiliently. The spring effect ensures that the drive motor or the transmission is not damaged by excessive braking effect.

There are different drive options for the payout disc conceivable. One provides according to the invention, that the payout disc at the bottom of a Sprocket has, which cooperates with a drive pinion of the drive motor. The sprocket may be formed on the inside of a circumferential collar of the payout disc. The drive pinion lies eccentrically with its axis within the collar and engages in the ring gear.

It is conceivable to provide the electric drive motor as a stepping motor or as a position drive. Such drives are very expensive. According to one embodiment of the invention, therefore, a conventional simple DC motor is used. In order to be able to use this, the invention provides that the pay-out disc has a first mark detectable by two sensors, the pay-off disc also has on each side of the pay-off element a second mark detectable by a sensor, the first mark being in the region of the sensor is located when the payout disc is in the rest position and wherein the second markers are in the range of the sensor when the payout disc is in one of the end positions and the sensors are connected to the control device. The sensors are seen in the direction of rotation of the working disk two sensors arranged side by side, wherein according to another embodiment of the invention, the extension of the first mark in the direction of rotation of the payout disc is slightly larger than the distance of the sensors. When the payout disk is moved in one direction of rotation by means of the drive motor, the associated second mark reaches the sensor when a shift-out operation is just completed. This is followed by a reversal of the direction of rotation of the drive motor and the pay-out disc returns to the rest position, which is monitored by the first mark from the sensor. Two sensors arranged next to each other allow precise adjustment of the rest position. In addition, in the invention, the first sensor, which is achieved when approaching the Auszahlelements to the sensors, the drive motor is switched to a lower speed, so that in the reversal direction no to abrupt speed change occurs when the second mark reaches the second sensor.

If the first mark does not cover both sensors in the home position of the payout disc, it can be readjusted by reversing the drive motor again and turning the payout disc until both sensors are covered by the first mark.

As sensors, any sensors can be used which are able to detect marks applied to the pay-off disc. These include in particular optical or Hall sensors.

Fig. 1

zeigt perspektivisch in Explosionsdarstellung eine Vorrichtung nach der Erfindung.

Fig. 2

zeigt perspektivisch vergrößert das Gehäuse der Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1 nach dem Einbau der Auszahlscheiben.

Fig. 3

zeigt schematisch in Draufsicht eine Auszahlscheibe zur Erläuterung ihrer Funktion.

Fig. 4

zeigt ein Diagramm in Verbindung mit der Auszahlscheibe nach Fig. 3.

Fig. 5

zeigt vergrößert perspektivisch eine Auszahlscheibe für die Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1.

Fig. 6

zeigt perspektivisch die Unterseite der Auszahlscheibe nach Fig. 5.

Fig. 7

zeigt äußerst schematisch die Draufsicht auf den Gehäuseabschnitt unterhalb einer Auszahlscheibe mit zwei Festanschlägen.

Fig. 8

zeigt eine Schnittdarstellung einer Münztube eines Münzwechslers, dessen Auszahlvorrichtung in Figur 1 angedeutet ist und mit der eine Auszahlscheibe nach der Erfindung zusammenwirkt.

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

Fig. 1

shows a perspective exploded view of a device according to the invention.

Fig. 2

shows in perspective enlarged the housing of the device according to Fig. 1 after installing the payout discs.

Fig. 3

shows schematically in plan view a payout disc to explain its function.

Fig. 4

shows a diagram in connection with the payout disc Fig. 3 ,

Fig. 5

Enlarged perspective shows a payout disc for the device Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 6

shows in perspective the underside of the payout disc Fig. 5 ,

Fig. 7

shows very schematically the plan view of the housing portion below a payout disc with two hard stops.

Fig. 8

shows a sectional view of a coin tube of a coin changer, the payout in FIG. 1 is indicated and cooperates with the payout disc according to the invention.

In a housing 10 for a Münzauszahlvorrichtung three receptacles 12, 14, 16 for three payout discs 18, 20, 24 shown ( Fig. 1 and 2 ). The pay-out discs 18 to 24 are rotatably supported by means of a collar and a corresponding bearing surface in the receptacle. An annular collar 26 can be seen for the receptacle 14 as well as a bearing surface 28. The receptacles 12 and 16 lie in a first plane, and the receptacle 14 in contrast to a base 30 of the housing in an elevated second plane. At the bottom of the housing 10 corresponding brackets 32 and 34 are arranged for driving the payout discs 18 to 24. The holder 34 has a bearing pin 36 for a double pinion 38 with an upper and a lower ring gear. The lower donut ring cooperates with a worm 40 driven by an electric motor 42. The electric motor 42 is held together with the worm 40 of the holder 34, which in turn can be snapped from below into the housing 10 by a clip connection. The holder 32 has further electric motors 44, 46 which, in the same way as described for the holder 34, drive the other pay-out discs. The electric motor 42 thus drives the pay-out disc 20 and the electric motors 44, 46 drive the pay-out discs 18 and 24 at. The holder 32 is clipped into the housing 10.

The payout discs have a build as he gets closer from the FIGS. 5 and 6 evident.

In the FIGS. 5 and 6 For example, the payout disk 20 is reproduced. The remaining payout discs 18 and 24 have an identical structure. The pay-out disc 20 is composed of a thicker outer ring portion 50 and an inner, smaller in thickness, ring portion 52 together. An opening 54 a receives the annular collar 26 of the receptacle 14. On the top of the outer ring portion 50 sits a payout element 54 in the form of a raised ring segment. The ring portion 50 has a sprocket 56 at the bottom inside. In addition, the inner ring portion 52 is formed with an inner annular collar 58 which surrounds the opening 54a in a circle. On the annular collar 58, an outwardly extending finger 60 is radially formed. At the end of the finger 60, a pin 62 is formed, which projects into a slot 64. The pin 62 and the slot 64 are better in Fig. 5 to recognize. The slot 64 has a certain extent in the circumferential direction. The finger 60 is elastic, as well as the plastic material from which the payout disc 20 is integrally molded, has a certain elasticity. The pin 62 can therefore be moved within the slot 64 when a force is generated in the circumferential direction on it.

In Fig. 5 is provided in the form of a ring portion at 66, a first mark. One of two other markings can be seen at 68. In Fig. 6 two second markings 68 are shown.

With the ring gear 56 of the upper ring gear of the pinion 38 cooperates. The electric motor 42 therefore causes a rotation of the pay-out disc 20, wherein its direction of rotation also determines the direction of rotation of the pay-out disc 20.

In Fig. 2 the housing 10 with the recorded payout discs 18, 20 and 24 is shown. One also recognizes at 70 an output for dispensed coins. Like out Fig. 3 recognizable, each payout disc 20 is a pair of coin tubes 72, 74 assigned (dashed lines). They are with their bottom above the payout disc 20. The payout element 54 is drawn for reasons of simplification only as a larger circle. The first and second markings 66, 68 can also be recognized by way of example. The two rotary arrows 76 represent the two possible directions of rotation of the pay-out disc 20. In Fig. 3 the rest position of the payout disc 20 is shown. In this position, the pay-out element 54 is opposed by two sensors S1 and S2. They have in the direction of rotation of the payout disc 20 a certain distance from each other, which is slightly smaller than the extension of the first mark 66 in the direction of rotation.

Based on Fig. 3 the payment of coins should be explained. If, for example, a coin is to be paid out of the tube 74, the control device, not shown, for the electric motors 42, 44 and 46 for the electric motor 42 gives a signal and the pay-out disc 20 rotates in the clockwise direction. In the bottom of the coin tube 74, not shown, is a circular slot through which the payout element 54 enters the coin tube 74 and pushes out the bottom coin. The pay-out disc 20 continues to rotate until the second mark 68 reaches the sensor S2. The sensor S2 causes the electric motor 44 to reduce its speed. When the second mark 68 reaches the second sensor S1, the direction of rotation of the electric motor is reversed and the pay-out disc 20 is turned back. The electric motor is stopped when the first marker 66 covers both sensors S 1 and S2. If this is not completely the case, under certain circumstances the electric motor is operated once again in the opposite direction of rotation until this is the case is. It has already been mentioned above that the payout element 54 is designed so that even in the end position of the payout disc 20, the payout element 54 still supports the coin column, so that the payout element 54 can easily slide along the underside of the lowest coin of the coin column in the Rest position back. When paying out of the coin tube 72, the payout disc 20 is rotated counterclockwise. However, the process is the same as described above.

In Fig. 4 is the diagram for the two sensors S 1 and S2 reproduced. With a rotation of the payout disc 20 in the clockwise direction, the sensor S 1 generates a signal for a longer time than the sensor S2, since the first mark 66 covers the sensor S 1 longer. The first marker 68 first reaches the sensor S2 and only then the sensor S1. When the direction of rotation is reversed, a signal is once again generated by the sensor S2 until the marking 66 reaches the sensors, here first the sensor S 1 and only then the sensor S2, which are then both covered by the marking 66.

In Fig. 7 is the recording 14 according to Fig. 1 shown schematically with the sensors S1 and S2 and the gear 38. On both sides of the gear 38, two pin-shaped fixed stops 80, 82 are formed. They are intended to interact with the pin 62 on the finger 60. The fixed stops 80, 82 are such that in the respective end positions of the pay-out disc 20, the pin 62 approaches the fixed stop 80 or 82. If, for some reason, the direction of rotation reversal for the drive motor 42 does not work, the pin 62 engages the respective stopper 80 and 82, respectively. As a result, the finger 60 is deformed in the circumferential direction or in the direction of rotation until the pin abuts against one end of the slot 64. In this way, there is a yielding catching the rotation of the engine, which this and the transmission protects when the control device is not working properly.

It should again be emphasized that the described operations in connection with the receptacle 14 and the associated parts and drives have been explained. It is understood that this also applies to the receptacles 12 and 16, which is also associated with a Münztubenpaar in the manner described.

As can be seen, the angle of rotation of the payout discs 18 to 24 during the payout process is only about 120 °. In the payout and return operation, therefore, a total of only a rotation angle of 240 ° is required. This, in contrast to conventional pay-out devices, where a total rotation angle of 360 °, namely plus and minus 180 ° is required. The payout process is therefore much faster in the described payment device.

In FIG. 8 a housing 80 of a money changer is indicated, wherein the housing 70 on the housing 10 approximately according to FIG. 1 can be put on. In the housing 80, a coin tube 72 is inserted. At a money changer, as he is in connection with FIG. 1 is described, a total of six such coin tubes are used. One recognizes in FIG. 8 Further, in the coin tube 72, a coin stack 84 is arranged by three coins. In addition, the payout disc 20 is indicated in accordance with the preceding figures with a lower ring gear 56, in which the drive pinion 38 engages, which in turn is driven by the worm 40, which according to FIG. 1 is driven by the motor 42 and motor 44, for example. In FIG. 8 is also the payout element 54 can be seen, which expands a coin 86, which was at the bottom of the stack 84, to a payout 78th

The function of the payout disc 20 has already been explained with reference to the preceding figures.

Claims (8)

1. Device for counting out coins from a pair of adjacent coin tubes (72, 74) in which in each case a stack of coins is supported on a base of the coin tube (72, 74), comprising a dispensing disc (20) below the coin tubes (72, 74) which is rotatably mounted about an axis parallel to the axis of the coin tubes (72, 74) and on the side facing the coin tubes (72, 74) comprises a dispensing element (54), an electrical drive motor (42) for the dispensing disc (20) and a control device which activates the drive motor (42) such that the dispensing disc (20) is selectively rotated by a limited rotational angle from a resting position as far as an end position and is subsequently rotated back into the resting position, the dispensing element (54) comprising an extension in the rotational direction, whereby in the end position of the dispensing disc (20) the stack of coins rests on the dispensing element (54), characterised in that

   - with an angular rotation of the dispensing disc (20) the dispensing element (54) is moved along a curved slot in the base of the relevant coin tube (72, 74) in order to capture and eject the respective lowermost coin,

   - on the underside of the dispensing disc (20) a stop element (62) is provided which cooperates in each case with a fixed stop (80, 82) in the vicinity of the end positions, and

   - on the side opposing the stop element (62) the dispensing disc (20) comprises a first marking (66) which may be detected by two sensors (S1, S2) arranged adjacent to one another, on both sides of the stop element (62) the dispensing disc (20) also comprising one respective second marking (68) which may be detected by the sensors (S1, S2), one of the second markings (68) being located in the region of one of the sensors (S1, S2) when the dispensing disc is located in one of the end positions, and the sensors (S1, S2) are connected to the control device and the control device reduces the speed of the drive motor (42) when one of the second markings (68) reaches the sensor (S1, S2) which is located first in the rotational direction and reverses its rotational direction when it reaches the second sensor (S1, S2).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the upper face of the dispensing element (54) has a continuous planar surface.
3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the stop element (62) is attached in a resilient manner.
4. Device according to Claim 3, characterised in that the dispensing disc (20) is formed from plastics material and the stop element (62) is formed on an elastically pivotable finger (60).
5. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the dispensing disc (20) on the underside comprises a toothed ring (56) which cooperates with a drive pinion (38) of the drive motor (42).
6. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the extension of the first marking (66) in the rotational direction of the dispensing disc (20) is slightly larger than the spacing between the sensors (S1, S2).
7. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the control device reverses the rotational direction of the drive motor (42) for correcting the position when, after reaching the resting position, the first marking (66) is moved out of the region of the sensor (S1, S2) which is located first in the rotational direction.
8. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that an optical sensor or Hall sensor is provided for the sensors (S1, S2).

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