EP2525330B1 - Device for handling coins with a separation centrifuge - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a coin handling apparatus comprising an input unit for inputting coins and a sorting unit for feeding coins to a first receptacle and at least one second receptacle for storing coins. Furthermore, the device has a conveyor unit which transports the coins from the input unit in the direction of the sorting unit.

There are known devices for handling coins, in which only coins can be deposited, these paid-in coins are not available for a withdrawal again. Such devices usually have an input unit and a conveyor unit which conveys the input coins past a sensor unit, with the aid of which the authenticity of the coins is checked. Subsequently, all coins entered, unless they have been classified as suspected of being forged or as foreign objects, are fed to a receptacle located downstream of the sensor unit. The conveyor unit comprises in particular a plurality of guided over pulleys rotating belt on which the coins rest. The coins fall automatically when the deflection of the belt around one of these pulleys in the receptacle.

Furthermore, devices for handling coins are known in which the paid-in coins can also be issued again. For this purpose, it is necessary that the deposited coins are recorded in different receptacles depending on their denomination, so that they can be reassembled accordingly for the payment and issued via an output tray. For this purpose, in particular, a sorting unit is provided, which supplies the coins as a function of their denominations to the different receiving containers. In the case of the known devices, a transfer interface is provided for this purpose, via which the coins received in the receiving compartments of the delivery unit are transferred to receiving areas of the sorting unit. For this purpose, it is necessary that the separation of the coins is retained, since otherwise a control unit can not control the sorting unit accordingly. To ensure this, the transfer interface is complex and complex. Furthermore, the transfer of coins is error prone.

From the document US 5,366,407 A a device for sorting coins is known, in which fed via an input tray coins are fed via a conveyor unit arranged directly in front of the sorting unit separating centrifuge. After singulation via the singling centrifuge, the coins are distributed to different receptacles according to their denomination.

From the document EP 1 450 314 A2 a device for separating coins is known in which coins supplied in a feed area are singled out by way of a singling unit such that only one coin is received in each receiving compartment of the conveying unit.

Another device for separating coins is from the document US 5,163,868 A known.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for handling coins, which is simple and with the help of the sorting of the coins is possible in a simple manner.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the device comprises a separating centrifuge for separating coins, which is arranged downstream of the conveying unit and upstream of the sorting unit. The conveying unit transports the coins from the input unit to the separating centrifuge, which singulates the coins and feeds these individual coins to the sorting unit.

This ensures that the separation during the transfer between the conveyor unit and the sorting unit does not have to be maintained. In particular, can be used by the provision of the singulation centrifuge the same conveyor unit and the same transfer interface as in the pure deposit machines. Instead of the receptacle in which all not classified as counterfeit suspect coins are promoted in a pure deposit machine, the separating centrifuge is arranged, which separates the coins and passes it on to the sorting unit, which then carries the individual coins according to their denomination in different receptacles. Thus, a simple construction is achieved. In particular, existing pure deposit machines can thus be easily converted into recycling machines, i. Automata, with the help of coins entered can also be reissued, be rebuilt, without the need for a great effort is necessary.

The conveying unit preferably comprises a plurality of receiving compartments, wherein the input unit feeds the entered coins in a feeding area to these receiving compartments. Downstream of the feed area, a separating unit is arranged, which separates the coins in such a way that in each case a maximum of one coin is received in a receiving compartment of the conveyor unit. Downstream of the singulation unit, a sensor unit for determining the authenticity of coins is arranged in particular. The conveying unit transports the separated coins past the sensor unit, which ascertains the authenticity of the coins during this on their transporting past. By separating the input coins upstream of the sensor unit, it is ensured that the authenticity of the coins can be checked reliably with the aid of the sensor unit. In particular, the sensor unit comprises an image acquisition unit, with the aid of which images with images of the coins conveyed past it can be detected, wherein the authenticity of the coins can be determined with the aid of an image processing algorithm stored in a control unit in dependence on these images. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor unit may also comprise at least one inductive sensor for determining a magnetic property of the coins passed to it, whereby the material of the coins is preferably determined by means of these magnetic properties. Downstream of the sensor unit, in particular, a removal element is arranged, which removes coins and / or foreign bodies classified as being suspect of forgery from the receiving compartments of the conveyor unit and feeds them to a receptacle for accommodating counterfeit coins and / or foreign bodies. The removal element is designed in particular in the form of an electrically driven lifting magnet, wherein the armature of this lifting magnet is moved out of the coil of the lifting magnet to remove a coin classified as being suspect of forgery or a foreign body and thus pushes the coins out of the receiving compartment. Thus, it is ensured that the separating centrifuge no counterfeit coins and no foreign bodies are supplied, so that they can not lead to disturbances within the centrifuge and / or arranged downstream of the centrifuge sorting unit.

The coins accommodated in the receiving compartments are supplied in a transfer region of the singling centrifuge in such a way that the separation of the coins achieved with the aid of the singling unit is lost again. By providing the singling centrifuge, it is not necessary to maintain this singulation, so that the transfer region between the conveying unit and the sorting unit can be easily formed. In particular, an existing transfer interface can be used by the deposit machine without constructive changes.

In the transfer area, an ejection element is provided which ejects coins received in the receiving compartments. The singulation centrifuge is arranged so that the ejected coins are received in it. For this purpose, the singling centrifuge is arranged in particular below the ejection element, so that the ejected coins into a receiving area of the singling centrifuge fall in. The ejection element is designed in particular in the form of a lifting magnet.

Alternatively, the ejection element can eject the coins received in the receiving compartments from these onto a collecting element, wherein the collecting element is connected to a supply element which feeds the coins to the separating centrifuge. The feeding element is designed in particular like a slide, wherein the coins to be fed to the separating centrifuge slide along this slide-like feeding element. Alternatively, the feed element can also be designed, for example, in the form of a channel through which the coins to be fed to the singling centrifuge are transported. By means of such a feed element, in particular a channel, a secure guidance of the coins from the delivery unit to the singling centrifuge is achieved.

The conveyor unit comprises, in particular, two circulating, endless belts, which are guided over at least two deflecting elements, for example rollers. On the belt a plurality of pins are each arranged, which limit the receiving compartments and hold the coins to be conveyed in the receiving compartments. In this way, a simply constructed conveyor unit is achieved.

The separating centrifuge can be arranged in particular below one of the deflecting elements of the conveying unit. The coins received in the storage compartments fall during the Redirecting the belt around this deflecting element automatically due to their gravity into a collecting area of the singling centrifuge. Thus, feeding of all the coins conveyed via the conveyer unit, which have not been removed by the removal member as counterfeit suspect coins or foreign matter, to the singulator unit is easily ensured.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a collecting element may also be provided, which is arranged below the deflection roller and catches the coins. The collected coins are fed to the singling centrifuge via a feed element, for example a chute and / or a channel.

The singling centrifuge preferably comprises a rotating disc on which the coins to be separated rest. Furthermore, the singling centrifuge has a stationary boundary element which is adjacent to the pane in the radial direction and surrounds the pane and has at least one opening for passing coins supplied by the sorting unit. In particular, the limiting element abuts directly against the disk, so that the coins moved away from the center of the disk in the radial direction due to the centrifugal force do not fall off the disk but are held on the disk by the limiting element. Due to the rotation of the disc, the coins are separated. During the rotation of the disc, the coins resting against the limiting element are moved in the direction of rotation of the disc, until they are arranged in the region of the opening and are transported away from it through the disk and are fed to the sorting unit. The coins also move through the opening, in particular due to the centrifugal force, so that no separate elements have to be provided for this purpose.

The limiting element is in particular circular in shape, so that it optimally encloses the likewise circular rotating disk. The opening is correspondingly formed in the form of a circular arc, wherein the length of the chord defined by this circular arc is at least as large as the diameter of the largest coin to be separated and smaller than twice the diameter of the smallest coins to be separated. This ensures that all the coins to be separated pass reliably through the opening, but that at most one coin can be moved through the opening at the same time. This ensures that even the smallest coins to be separated can not tilt and thus close the opening.

In particular, the height of the opening directed orthogonally to the length is at least as great as the thickness of the thickest coin to be singled and less than twice the thickness of the thinnest coin to be singled. Thus, not two coins lying on top of each other can pass through the opening at the same time, so that a reliable separation is ensured. In particular, only the coin contacting the disc moves through the opening, whereby the falls onto its resting coin on the disc and then also individually through the opening is movable.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least one guide element is provided which feeds the coins separated by the singling centrifuge to the sorting unit in a preset orientation, whereby this preset orientation is in particular preset in such a way that the singulated coins are further processed by the sorting unit and supplied to different receptacles according to their denomination can be. The guide element is designed in particular in the form of a sprung guide element, against which the separated coins are conveyed and through which the coins are brought into a preset orientation due to the contact with a guide surface of this guide element. Due to the suspension, the guide element adapts to the diameter of the coin, so that all coins, regardless of their diameter, are aligned in the pre-set orientation.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sorting unit comprises a stationary support element and a transport element driven in a circumferential direction and movable relative to a support surface of the support element. The support element has in the support surface a first opening with a transverse to the direction of rotation directed first width and a downstream of the first opening arranged second opening with a transverse to the direction of rotation second width. The first width is less as the second width. The transport element transports the coins resting on the support surface in such a way along a transport path of the sorting unit, that the coins are supplied as a function of their diameter through the first opening to the first receptacle or through the second opening to the second receptacle. Thus, a sorting of the coins is achieved due to their diameter, without the need for a sensor unit for determining the denomination of the coins and a control unit for controlling electrical elements of a sorting unit are necessary. By such a passive, purely mechanical sorting a particularly simple structure and reliable sorting can be achieved. In particular, no software manipulations and / or errors are possible.

The transport path is limited in particular on a first side by the support surface and on a second side opposite the second side by the transport element, so that the coins are guided both from its front and its back during transport along the transport path in the sorting unit and Thus, a reliable leadership of the coins is done to the receptacles.

The coins slide during transport along the transport path, in particular with a first side on the support surface and contact with the second side opposite the first side a contact region of the transport element. The coins are here via the contact with the contact area of the transport element transported in the direction of rotation.

The first width of the first opening of the support surface preferably corresponds at least to the diameter of coins of a first denomination. Further, the first width is preferably smaller than the diameter of coins of a second denomination. Thus, it is achieved that the coins of the second denomination can not fall through the first opening, but only the coins of the first denomination fall through this opening and are received in the first receptacle.

Accordingly, the second width of the second opening is at least as large as the diameter of the coins of the second denomination so that the coins of the second denomination are receivable in the second receptacle by falling through the second opening.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first width of the first opening corresponds to the diameter of coins of a first denomination and is smaller than the diameter of coins of all other denominations to be handled. Thus, only the coins of the first denomination fall through the first opening, so that a sorted storage of coins of the first denomination in the first receptacle takes place.

The openings are in particular rectangular. The length directed in the direction of rotation is preferably greater than the width of the opening. In particular, the length of the openings corresponds to 1.1 times to 1.7 times, preferably 1.3 times to 1.6 times the respective width of the opening. This ensures that a coin reliably falls in the intended opening, even at high transport speeds in the direction of rotation, provided that its diameter is at most as great as the width of this opening.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the support surface has a plurality of openings arranged one behind the other in the direction of rotation, wherein the width of the openings directed transversely to the direction of circulation increases in the direction of rotation from opening to opening. Each opening is connected to a separate receptacle via a respective transport path for transporting coins. The number of openings here corresponds in particular to the number of different denominations of a predetermined currency rate, so that a sorted storage of these coins is possible. Under a single-variety storage is understood that in a receptacle only coins of a denomination are stored. In the case of a euro-currency rate, seven receptacles are accordingly provided so that all euro coins, with the exception of special coins, can be stored in one piece.

Furthermore, the sorting unit has in particular a direction of rotation extending, the support surface transverse to the direction of rotation one-sided limiting contact element. The transport element transports the coins, in particular with their edge on the contact element fitting over the support surface. Thus, a pre-set alignment of the coins on this abutment element is easily achieved so that they are transported in the preset orientation across the openings and reliably fall into an opening, provided that their diameter is smaller than this opening.

The guide element is arranged in particular in such a way that the isolated coins transferred by the separating centrifuge are guided by the guide element in such a way that they abut with their edges against the bearing surface.

Additionally or alternatively, the support surface may also be inclined towards the contact surface, so that the coins automatically slip on the support surface in such a way that they lie with their edges against the contact surface.

The openings are arranged in particular in such a way in the support surface, that they all have the same distance to the contact surface. The openings are in particular rectangular, wherein the edges of the openings facing the contact element in this case have the same distance to the contact element. Thus, a narrow web between the openings and the contact surface is formed, on which rest the transported coins in the direction of rotation. By This jetty avoids tilting of the coins in the openings. In an alternative embodiment, the openings may also be arranged directly adjacent to the contact surface.

Furthermore, it is alternatively possible that the coins to be separated are deflected by means of a switch from the rotating disk and thus fed to the sorting unit. It is also possible that such a switch is provided which closes the opening of the limiting element. Through the switch can be done a targeted removal of the isolated coins from the singling centrifuge. The switch comprises, in particular, a switch element which can be adjusted by a drive unit and projects into a region in which the coins rest on the pane for withdrawing coins in a removal position and which at least partially closes the opening in a closed position. The drive unit is preferably controlled in accordance with a control unit.

Furthermore, a removal element may also be provided which projects into the area of the disc of the singling centrifuge in such a way that coins transported in the direction of rotation at the edge of the disc are conveyed against this removal element and deflected by the contact to the removal element from the disc and fed to the sorting unit.

Furthermore, the possibilities described above for removing the separated coin from the singling centrifuge can also be combined.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which illustrates the invention with reference to embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Handhabung von Münzen;

Figur 2

einen Ausschnitt der Vorrichtung nach Figur 1; und

Figur 3

einen Ausschnitt einer Sortiereinheit der Vorrichtung nach den Figuren 1 und 2.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of a device for handling coins;

FIG. 2

a section of the device according to FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 3

a section of a sorting unit of the device according to the FIGS. 1 and 2 ,

In FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a device 10 for handling coins 12 is shown. In particular, the device 10 is a device into which both coins 12 can be entered and returned. In particular, coins can 12, which were previously entered, are also reissued by the apparatus 10. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the device 10 may also be a device 10 into which only coins 12 can be entered, but can not be returned to an operator.

The device 10 comprises an input unit 14, via which the coins 12 can be entered as a coin quantity at the same time into the device 10 by an operator. From the input unit 14, the coins 12 are transferred in a transfer area 16 to a conveyor unit 18. This conveyor unit 18 transports the coins 12 in a conveying direction P1 along a separating unit 32 (FIG. FIG. 2 ), which separates the coins 12. Downstream of the singulation unit 32, a sensor unit 20 is arranged, wherein the feed unit 18 transports the coins 12 to be transported past this sensor unit 20. With the aid of the sensor unit 20, the authenticity of the coins 12 transported past it is determined. For this purpose, the sensor unit 20 preferably determines the diameter of the coins 12 transported past it and / or the material of the coins 12. The sensor unit 20 comprises, for example, an image acquisition unit for acquiring at least one image of the coin 12, said image being processed by means of corresponding image processing algorithms by a control unit 22 preferably the diameter of the coins 12 is determined. Furthermore, the sensor unit 22 in particular has an inductive sensor, with the aid of which the material of the coins 12 is determined via at least one magnetic property.

The conveying unit 18 conveys the coins 12 to a separating centrifuge 23. The coins 12 are thereby transferred in particular from the conveying unit 18 to the separating centrifuge 23 in such a way that the separation achieved by the separating unit 32 is lost again. In the separating centrifuge 23, the supplied coins 12 are then separated again before they are then transferred to a sorting unit 24 with the aid of which the coins 12 can be supplied to receiving containers 26.

This ensures that the existing structure of pure deposit devices can remain unchanged, if instead of a receptacle 26 such a pure deposit device in which are included in such pure deposit devices all coins 12 all denominations, the singulation centrifuge 23 is arranged. Thus, only a few changes need to be made to existing devices. In particular, a pure deposit device can thus be easily converted into a recycling machine 10.

The sorting unit 24 supplies the coins 12 to different receptacles 26 depending on their respective denominations. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the number of receptacles 26 corresponds to the number of different denominations of a preset currency rate, and the sorting unit 24 sorts them Coins 12 such that coins 12 denomination are always fed to a receptacle 26, so that a sorted storage of coins 12 takes place in the receptacles 26. For sorted storage of euro coins 12 seven receptacles 26 are provided so that euro coins 12 can be stored sorted with the exception of special coins.

Alternatively, mixed storage may also be used, i. that coins 12 of at least two different denominations are received in at least one receptacle 26. Furthermore, it is alternatively possible that a plurality of receptacles 26 are provided for a denomination. In particular, a plurality of receptacles 26 are provided for the denominations that are commonly entered by experience.

Furthermore, the device 10 has a removal unit 28, with the help of the receiving containers 26 coins 12 can be removed. The withdrawn coins 12 are transported for payment to an operator of the device 10 to an output tray 30 from which the operator removes the coins 12. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the coins 12 are summarized prior to output via the output tray 30 in the removal unit 28 to a coin package. In particular, the coins 12 are summarized in plastic bags, so-called sachets, so that the operator must remove only a single container from the output tray 30. Alternatively, the coins 12 be issued via the output tray 30 also loose as a coin.

In an alternative embodiment, the input unit 14 and the output tray 30 may also be formed as a common input and output tray. In the case that the device 10 is a pure deposit device, the device 10 does not comprise a removal unit 28 and also no output compartment 30.

In FIG. 2 is a side view of a section of the device 10 according to FIG. 1 shown. The conveyor unit 18 comprises two circulating belts 34 driven in the conveying direction P1, of which in FIG. 2 only one belt 34 is visible. The second belt is hidden by this visible belt 34. The belts 34 are guided over two driven deflection rollers 38, 40. Alternatively, only one of the deflection rollers 38, 40 may be driven.

On the belt 34 a plurality of pins 42 are fixedly arranged, whose longitudinal axes are respectively directed transversely to the conveying direction P1 and on the surface of the belt 34 on which the coins rest 12, are orthogonal. Here, the pins 42 are arranged on the belt 34, that two adjacent pins 42 of the two belts 34 are arranged parallel to each other, that is, a line connecting these two pins 42 is directed perpendicular to the conveying direction P1.

By four of these pins 42, a receiving compartment 44 of the conveyor unit 18 is limited, which serves to receive a coin 12. For this purpose, the distance between the belts 34 is preset such that the distance of the adjacent pins 42 is less than the diameter of the smallest coin 12 to be conveyed, so that the coin 12 can not slip between the pins 42.

The coins 12 are fed to the conveyor unit 18 in the transfer area 16 in such a way that they rest on the belt 34 and are held in the storage compartments 44 by the pins 42. In this case, it may happen that more than one coin 12 is arranged in a receiving compartment 44. Therefore, a separating unit 32 is arranged downstream of the transfer area 16, which separates the coins 12 in such a way that at most one coin 12 is accommodated in a receiving compartment 44. For this purpose, the separating unit 32 comprises an elevation element 46 which protrudes transversely to the conveying direction P1 from the plane defined by the belts 34. Via the elevating element 46, the coins 12 conveyed along the elevating element 46 via the conveying unit 18 are lifted relative to the belts 34 so that, when several coins 12 rest on each other, only the coin 12 which contacts the elevating element 46 passes through the pins 42 in FIG the receiving tray 44 is held and the other resting on this coin 12 coins 12 are transported over the pins 42 away from the receiving tray 44.

Downstream of the elevation element 46, a sensor 48 is arranged, with the aid of which it can be determined whether more than one coin 12 is arranged in the receptacle 44. Should this be the case, the control unit 22 controls an ejection element 50, which is arranged downstream of this sensor 48 and upstream of the sensor unit 20, such that all of the coins 12 accommodated in this receptacle 44 or at least all but one coin 12 are ejected from the coin Removed tray 44. The ejection element 50 is designed in particular in the form of an electrically driven lifting magnet, wherein for ejecting the coins 12, the armature of the lifting magnet is moved into the receiving compartment 44 between the two belts 34 and thus the coin 12 accommodated in the receiving compartment 44 this receptacle 44 pushes out.

The singulation unit 32 ensures that only isolated coins 12 are guided past the sensor unit 20, i. that in the receiving compartment 44, when this moves past the sensor unit 20, at most one coin 12 is received.

Downstream of the sensor unit 20, an ejection element 90 is arranged, with the aid of which coins 12 accommodated in the receiving compartments 44 are removed from these receiving compartments 44 and fed to the singling centrifuge 23. The ejection element 90 can be designed, for example, as a punch movably arranged in the direction of the double arrow P5, which can be moved between the two belts 34 of the conveying unit 18 into the receiving compartments 44 is. Alternatively, the ejection element 90 can also be designed as an electrically driven lifting magnet, wherein the armature of the lifting magnet is arranged in a first position below the transport plane defined by the belts 34 and in a second position between the belts 34 into the receiving compartment 44 protrudes. When moving from the first to the second position, the armature ejects the coin 12 from the exception tray 44.

The separating centrifuge 23 comprises a disk 92 rotating in the direction of the arrow P4, the disk 92 being driven by a drive unit (not shown). This drive unit is in particular an electric motor which drives the disc 92 in the direction of the arrow P4. Furthermore, the separating centrifuge 23 comprises a delimiting element 94, which adjoins the disc 92 in the radial direction of the disc 92 and which, together with the disc 92, delimits a receiving region for receiving the coins 12. The separating centrifuge 23 is arranged such that the coins 12 ejected via the ejection element 90 land in this receiving region of the singling centrifuge 23 and thus rest on the disc 92.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, other in FIG. 2 Guide elements not shown may be provided, over which the ejected over the ejection element 90 from the receiving compartments 44 coins 12 are guided in their transfer from the conveyor unit 18 to the separating centrifuge 23. Thus, a secure leadership reaches the coins 12, so that the coins 12 can not be lost in the transfer. This guide element can be designed, for example, in the form of a channel, through which the coins 12 are transported to the singulation centrifuge 23 after being removed from the receiving compartments 44. Alternatively, this guide element may also be formed like a slide, with the ejected coins 12 landing on this slide-like element and sliding along this element to the separating centrifuge 23.

Furthermore, it is alternatively possible that the coins 12 are not actively ejected by an ejection element 90, but that the separating centrifuge 23 is disposed below the guide roller 38, so that the coins 12 in the deflection of the belt 34 about the guide roller 38 due to their gravity automatically fall out of the receiving compartments 44 and land in the receiving area of the separating centrifuge 23. Alternatively, the coins 12 may also be guided by guide elements in this embodiment as described above.

As a result of the rotation of the disk 92, the coins 12 received in the receiving area are moved outwards, ie away from the center of the disk 92, so that they rest against the limiting element 94 and are moved adjacent to this limiting element 94 in the direction of rotation P4.

Furthermore, the separating centrifuge 23 comprises a switch 98 with the aid of which the coins 12 bearing against the limiting element 94 can be removed individually from the receiving region of the separating centrifuge 23 via an opening 96. The switch 98 in particular comprises a switch element which closes the opening 96 in a first position, so that no coin 12 can be transported through the opening 96 and which protrudes into the receiving area in a second position such that there is a coin 12 which abuts the limiting element 94 abuts and rests on the disc 92, moved through the opening 96.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention may be provided instead of a switch 98 and a fixed element which projects into the receiving area and the voltage applied to the limiting element 94 coins 12 through the opening 96 passes.

In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, no element 98 can be provided, which projects into the receiving area. In this embodiment, the coins 12 are moved through the opening 96 due to their centrifugal force.

The opening 96 has, in particular, a width seen in the direction of rotation P4, which is at least as large as the diameter of the largest coin 12 to be singled and smaller than twice the diameter of the smallest coin 12 to be singled. The perpendicular to the width Height is at least as large as the thickness of the thickest coin to be singled 12 and smaller than 2 times the thickness of the thinnest coin to be singled 12. Thus, it is achieved that all the coins 12 to be singled actually pass through the opening 96, but not two coins 12 at a time pass through the opening 96, so that the coins 12 of the sorting unit 24 are fed individually.

The coins 12 moved through the opening 96 are fed to the sorting unit 24 in such a way that their singling is maintained. The area in which the coins 12 are fed from the singling centrifuge 23 to the sorting unit 24 is also referred to as the transfer area 60.

The sorting unit 24 comprises a transport element designed as a belt 62. The belt 62 is guided over two driven deflection rollers 64, 66 and driven in a circumferential direction P2. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, more than one driven belt 62 may be provided, the belts 62 being guided in particular parallel to one another via the deflection rollers 64, 66. Likewise, alternatively, only one of the deflection rollers 64, 66 may be driven.

Furthermore, the sorting unit 24 has a stationary support element 68, which has a support surface 70 on which the coins 12 rest during transport along a transport path 72 of the sorting unit 24. In FIG. 3 is a section the sorting unit 24 shown, wherein the belt 62 and the guide rollers 64, 66 are not shown, so that in particular the support member 68 is clearly visible.

In the support surface 70 of the support member 68 a plurality of openings are provided, one of which is designated by the reference numeral 74 by way of example. The openings 74 are in particular rectangular, wherein the width of these openings 74 directed transversely to the direction of rotation increases in the direction of rotation P2 from the opening 74 to the opening 74.

The width of the openings 74 are in particular preset in such a way that the first opening 74 seen in the direction of rotation P2, i. the opening 74 through which the coins 12 are first transported has a width which is at least as large as the diameter of the smallest coins 12 to be sorted and which is less than the diameter of coins 12 of all others from the denomination of the smallest sorting coin 12 deviating denominations. Accordingly, the widths of the further openings 74 are preset in such a way that they each correspond approximately to the diameter of coins 12 to a denomination of the preset currency rate.

In the direction of rotation P2 seen laterally adjacent to the support surface 70, a contact element 76 is arranged, against which the coins 12 abut with their edge during their transport in the direction of rotation P2. The contact element 76 extends in particular in the direction of rotation P2 and has a contact surface 78, which is directed orthogonal to the support surface 70.

The apertures 74 are arranged such that the apertures 74 are disposed at the same preset distance from the abutment surface 78, i. the edges of the openings 74 facing the abutment element 76 each have the same distance to the contact surface 78. This ensures that the bearing surface 70 of the support element 68 has a contact element 76 adjacent to the web 79, on which the coins 12 rest. By this ridge 79 is a tilting in an opening 74 of the coins 12, whose diameter is greater than the width of this opening 74, avoided.

Alternatively, the openings 74 can be arranged so that they directly adjoin the abutment surface 78, so that the coins 12, which are transported in the direction of circulation P2 and lie on the analaging surface 78, are transported over these openings 74 in a preset orientation. This ensures that the coins 12 fall into that opening 74 which, seen in the transport direction P2, for the first time has at least the width corresponding to the diameter of the coin 12.

Thus, a purely mechanical sorting of the coins 12 is achieved depending on their diameter. Since the diameter of the coin 12 differs from denomination to denomination in the usual currency rates to be sorted, Thus, a sorting of the coins 12 is achieved by denominations.

In particular, each of the openings 74 is associated with one of the receptacles 26, i.e., the coins 12 dropped through an opening 74 are received in and stored in the receptacle 26 associated with that opening 74. Accordingly, preferably seven openings 74 are provided so that a sorted storage of a euro currency rate is possible.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, more or fewer than seven openings 74 may be provided. Likewise, it is alternatively possible that the openings 74 are circular or have another form deviating from the rectangular shape.

The coins 12 are transferred in the transfer area 60 in such a way that they rest against the abutment element 76, so that reliable sorting is possible. For this purpose, at least one guide element (not shown) is preferably provided in the transition region 60, which guides the coins 12 during transfer between the singling centrifuge 23 and the sorting unit 24 and aligns them in the desired preset orientation in which the coins 12 bear against the contact surface 78. The guide element is designed in particular as a sprung guide element which is directed in the direction of the support surface 78 and against which the coins 12 to be transferred are conveyed. Due to the suspension it is achieved that the coins 12 are reliably guided by the guide element to the bearing surface 78, irrespective of their diameter.

Additionally or alternatively, the support surface 70 may also be inclined to the abutment surface 78, so that the coins 12 due to their gravity on the support surface 70 slide so far in the direction of the contact element 76 until they lie with its edge against the contact surface 78.

In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, at the surface of the belt 62 facing the support surface 70 in the region of the transport path 72, i. that surface of the belt which does not contact the pulleys 64, 66 may also be provided with a plurality of, for example pin or web-shaped, positioning elements which hold the coins 12 conveyed along the transport path 72 around the direction of rotation P2 in the preset orientation. For this purpose, the positioning elements are arranged in particular obliquely to the circulation direction P2, wherein the end face of each positioning element facing the contact surface 78 is arranged upstream of the remote end region of this positioning element.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the openings 74 may also be arranged such that their centers lie on a common straight line, which coincides with a central axis of the support surface 70. The coins 12 are transported in this embodiment, that they move with their centers over the centers of the openings 74 so that they reliably fall through depending on their diameter by the corresponding, associated with this denomination opening 74. In this embodiment, in particular, corresponding positioning elements are provided on the belt 62, which centrally position the coins 12 to be transported and hold them in this pre-set central orientation.

The belt 62 is particularly in the range of the sorting distance, i. the distance over which the coins to be sorted 12 are transported along the transport path 72, biased by means of several elastic elements, for example via resiliently mounted rollers, on the support surface 70, so that the distance between the contact surface of the belt 62 facing the support surface 70 and the support surface 70 is automatically adapted to the thickness of the coins to be transported 12 and the coins to be transported 12 are pressed against the support surface 70 and thus they are reliably transported in the direction of rotation P2. These elastic elements are arranged in particular on the surface of the belt 62 facing away from the contact surface.

With the help of the sensor unit 12 classified as counterfeit suspect coins 12 and / or foreign bodies are sorted out upstream of the singulation centrifuge 23, so that classified as forgery suspected coins 12 and / or foreign matter not even the singling centrifuge 23 are supplied. Thus, disturbances of the singulation centrifuge 23 are avoided. In particular, it is avoided that the opening 96 is clogged by foreign objects and / or counterfeit coins 12, so that no coins 12 can be promoted through them as planned.

In this embodiment, the delivery unit 18 comprises in particular a further ejection element arranged between the sensor unit 20 and the ejection element 90, which ejects the coins 12 classified as counterfeit suspect and / or the foreign bodies from the receiving compartments 44 and a separate receptacle for receiving counterfeit coins 12 and / or. or foreign bodies. In this case, of the ejection element 90 only the coins 12 classified as not being suspect of forgery are fed to the singling centrifuge 23.

In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the sorting unit 24, unlike in the Figures 2 and 3 also be shown not linear, but be arranged in an arc around the separating centrifuge 23. As a result, a particularly compact construction of the device 10 is achieved. In this embodiment, the support element 68, and thus also the support surface 70 arcuate, in particular annular or annular segment, formed. The contact element 76, against which the coins 12 rest during their transport through the sorting unit 24, is arranged in this case, in particular on the outer diameter of the support surface 70, so that the coins 12 reliably abut the contact surface 78.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

contraption

12

coin

14

input unit

16

Transfer area

18

delivery unit

20

sensor unit

22

control unit

23

separating centrifuge

26

receptacle

28

withdrawal unit

30

output tray

32

separation unit

34, 62

belt

38, 40, 64, 66

idler pulley

42

pen

44

receiving compartment

46

increasing element

48

sensor

50

Hub Magnet

60

Transfer area

68

support element

70

bearing surface

72

transport path

74

opening

76

contact element

78

contact surface

79

web

90

ejection member

92

disc

94

limiting element

96

opening

98

switch

P1

conveying direction

P2

direction of rotation

P4

direction of rotation

P5

direction

Claims (11)

1. Apparatus for handling coins,
   having an introduction unit (14) for introducing coins (12),
   having a separation centrifuge (23) for separating coins (12),
   having a conveying unit (18), which is arranged upstream of the separation centrifuge (23) and transports the coins (12) from the introduction unit (14) to the separation centrifuge (23), having a first accommodating container (26), and at least one second accommodating container (26), for storing coins (12), and
   having a sorting unit (24), which is arranged downstream of the separation centrifuge (23) and is intended for optionally feeding coins (12) to the first accommodating container (26) and to the second accommodating container (26),
   wherein the conveying unit (18) comprises a multiplicity of accommodating compartments (44), and wherein the coins (12) introduced are fed by the introduction unit (14) to the accommodating compartment (44) in a feed region (16), characterized in that the feed region (16) has arranged downstream of it a separation unit (32), which separates the coins (12) such that in each case at most one coin (12) is accommodated in an accommodating compartment (44) of the conveying unit (18),
   in that the coins (12) accommodated in the accommodating compartments (44) can be fed to the separation centrifuge (23) in a transfer region such that the separation achieved by the separation unit (32) is lost,
   in that an ejecting element (90) is provided, and the coins (12) accommodated in the accommodating compartments (44) are ejected from the latter by said ejecting element, and
   in that the separation centrifuge (23) is arranged such that the ejected coins (12) are accommodated in it.
2. Apparatus (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the separation unit (32) has arranged downstream of it a sensor unit (20) for determining the authenticity of coins (12), in that the conveying unit (18) transports the separated coins (12) past the sensor unit (20), and in that the sensor unit (20) determines the authenticity of the coins (12) transported past it.
3. Apparatus (10) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the sensor unit (20) has arranged downstream of it a removal element, by means of which foreign bodies and/or coins (12) classified as suspected forgeries are removed from the accommodating compartments (44) of the conveying unit (18) and fed to an accommodating container for accommodating coins (12) which are suspected forgeries.
4. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying unit (18) has two circulating endless belts (34), which are guided over at least two deflecting elements (38, 40), in that a multiplicity of studs (42), which bound the accommodating compartments (44), are arranged on each of the belts (34), and in that the separation centrifuge (23) is arranged beneath one of the deflecting elements (38, 40) such that, when the belts (34) are deflected around said deflecting element (38, 40), the coins (12) accommodated in the accommodating compartments (44) fall into an intercepting region of the separation centrifuge (23).
5. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separation centrifuge (23) comprises a rotating disc (92), on which the coins (12) which are to be separated rest, and a fixed-location boundary element (94), which adjoins the disc (92) in the radial direction and encloses the disc (92), and in that the boundary element (94) has an opening (96) through which coins (12) which are to be fed to the sorting unit (24) are guided.
6. Apparatus (10) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the boundary element (94) is circular, in that the opening (96) is in the form of an arc of a circle, and in that the length of the chord defined by this arc of a circle is at least equal to the diameter of the largest coin (12) which is to be separated and smaller than twice the diameter of the smallest coin (12) which is to be separated.
7. Apparatus (10) according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized by the provision of a guide element, which feeds the separated coins (12) to the sorting unit (24) in a pre-set orientation.
8. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sorting unit (24) comprises a fixed-location bearing element (68) and a transporting element (62), which is driven in a direction of circulation (92) and is moved relative to a bearing surface (70) of the bearing element (68), in that, in the bearing surface (70), the bearing element (68) has a first opening (74), with a first width directed transversely to the direction of circulation (P2), and a second opening (74), which is arranged downstream of the first opening (74), as seen in the direction of circulation (P2), and has a second width directed transversely to the direction of circulation (P2), in that the first width is smaller than the second width, in that the transporting element (62) transports the coins (12), in a state in which they rest on the bearing surface (70), along a transporting path (72) of the sorting unit (24) such that, in dependence on their diameter, the coins (12) are fed through the first opening (74) to the first accommodating container (26) or through the second opening (74) to the second accommodating container (26), and in that the transporting path (72) is bounded by the transporting element (62) and the bearing surface (70) .
9. Apparatus (10) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the first width of the first opening (74) in the bearing surface (70) corresponds at least to the diameter of coins (12) of a first denomination, and in that the first width is smaller than the diameter of coins (12) of a second denomination.
10. Apparatus (10) according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the sorting unit (24) comprises an abutment element (76), which extends in the direction of circulation (P2) and bounds the bearing surface (70) on one side transversely to the direction of circulation (P2), and in that the coins (12) are transported, with their edge butting against the abutment element (76), over the bearing surface (70) by the transporting element (62).
11. Apparatus (10) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the coins (12) moving through the opening (96) of the boundary element (94) are pushed against the abutment element (76) in an initial region of the abutment element (76) by a guide element.

Images