EP2695144B1 - Device for handling coins - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for handling coins, which has a conveyor unit with a plurality of receiving compartments for receiving in each case at least one coin to be conveyed and a sensor unit for determining the denomination of the coins. The conveying unit transports the coins received in the receiving areas past the sensor unit in order to determine the denomination. Furthermore, the apparatus has a first and at least one second receptacle for accommodating coins and a sorting unit arranged downstream of the sensor unit for supplying coins received in the receiving areas of the conveyer unit to the receptacles and a control unit for controlling the sorting unit which controls the sorting unit such that this supplies the coins to the first and the second receptacle depending on the determined denomination of a coin.

In known devices for handling coins, the coins, after the conveyor unit has passed them to determine the denomination of the sensor unit, taken from the receiving areas of the conveyor unit and fed to a separate sorting unit, which then the coins in dependence their denomination to receptacles. The problem with this is that this much space is required and the transfer of the coins between the conveyor unit and the sorting unit is error-prone. In particular, when transferring the coins may fall into existing gaps and slots between the sorting unit and the conveyor unit.

A device for separating coins is for example from the document EP 1 450 314 B1 known.

From the document US 2006/019591 A1 a device for handling coins is known in which the coins are arranged during their transport through the device in receiving compartments of the transport unit. Here, the coins are arranged both in the determination of their denomination and in the subsequent sorting in the same storage compartments.

From the document GB 2 254 419 A a device for handling coins is known in which the coins remain both in the determination of the denomination and in the sorting in the same receiving compartments of the conveyor unit.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for handling coins, which is simple and compact and is less prone to failure.

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, a coin remains until removal with the aid of the sorting unit for supplying to one of the receptacle in the receiving area of the conveyor unit remains, in which it has already been transported past the sensor unit. It is not necessary to transfer the coin from the conveyor to a separate sorting unit. Thus, a simple construction is achieved. Furthermore, thus also the number of possible disturbances are reduced. The coin is supplied by the sorting unit in particular from the receiving area of the conveyor unit out of one of the two receptacle.

The apparatus comprises in particular an input unit for inputting a coin quantity of coins and a feed unit for feeding coins received in the input unit to the receiving areas of the conveyor unit in a transfer area. Thus, the coins remain from their entry into the device up to their storage in the receptacles in a receiving area of the conveyor unit, so that a particularly compact design is achieved. Furthermore, it is thus not necessary that the coin is transferred between different transport units and / or conveyor units, so that the loss of coins within the device and thus disturbances are avoided.

Upstream of the sensor unit, in particular a separating unit is arranged, which singulates the coins entered via the input unit in such a way that in the receiving areas of the conveying unit in each case at most one coin is arranged when the receiving areas are transported past the sensor unit. Thus, the denominations of the isolated coins can be determined via the sensor unit in a simple manner, since the coins do not overlap in the receiving areas.

In particular, the sensor unit determines the diameter of the coins accommodated in the receiving areas and / or their material via an inductive sensor and determines the denomination of the respective coin via the comparison with currency rates stored in the control unit. Alternatively or additionally, for example, the sensor unit may also comprise an image acquisition unit which takes at least one image with an image of each coin and determines the denomination of the coin via stored image processing algorithms.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the sensor unit not only determines the denomination of the coins transported past it, but also checks whether it is at all a coin and whether the coins are genuine. Alternatively, the determination of the denomination and the determination of the authenticity of the coins can also take place via separate sensor units.

The conveying unit preferably comprises a first and a second conveying path adjoining the first conveying path. The first and the second conveyor line are arranged at an angle to one another, ie angled relative to each other, so that a more compact design of the conveyor unit is achieved compared to a linear design. The sensor unit is in this case arranged in particular in the first conveying path and the sorting unit in the second conveying path.

The conveyor unit preferably has at least one circulating belt driven in a conveying direction, on which a plurality of receiving area limiting elements are arranged, which separate the receiving areas of the conveyor unit and hold the coins to be conveyed in the respective receiving area during transport through the conveyor unit. These receiving area limiting elements are in particular designed as pins fastened to the belt, the longitudinal axis of which is preferably arranged orthogonal to the surface of the belts on which the coins rest.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the conveyor unit comprises two belts which are in the conveying direction at the same speed are driven. Both on the first and on the second belt, a plurality of Aufnahmebereichbegrenzungselementen are arranged, which separate the receiving areas from each other and hold the coins to be conveyed during transport through the conveyor unit in the respective receiving area. Thus, a secure promotion of the coins is achieved.

The two belts are preferably arranged at a preset distance from each other, this distance being preset in particular such that the distance between a pin adjacent to the first belt and a pin adjacent to the second belt and defining the same receiving area is less than that Diameter of the smallest coin to be transported. Thus, it is achieved that the coins are securely received and can not fall through between the two pins from the receiving areas.

In particular, the separating unit comprises a raising element, which is arranged between the two belts and lifts a coin received in a receiving region, when transported in the receiving region over the elevating element, transversely to the conveying direction in the axial direction of the pins. Here are the pins and elevation element such that the elevating element lifts the coins in such a way that the coin facing away from the elevating element is lifted above the pins, and thus out of the receiving area, and the coin resting on the elevating element still acts on the pins in the receiving region is held. Thus, it is achieved that only one coin remains in the receiving area.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the separating unit comprises a sensor arranged downstream of the elevating element for determining the number of coins received in a receiving area. Furthermore, the separating unit has a removal element arranged downstream of this sensor, which, when the sensor has determined that more than one coin is received in a receiving region, removes these two coins from the receiving region and transports them back into the transfer region.

The sorting unit preferably comprises a first ejection element for ejecting a coin, which has been received in a receiving region and is to be supplied to the first receiving container, out of this receiving region. The ejection element is in particular for ejecting the coins between the two belts, wherein the ejection element is preferably arranged in a first position such that it does not protrude between the two belts and is arranged in a second position such that it at least partially protrudes between the two belts in the receiving area and a in this receiving area received coin from this brought out.

The ejection element is designed in particular in the form of an electrically driven lifting magnet, wherein the armature of this lifting magnet is movable between the first and the second position. Thus, a simple, inexpensive and robust construction of the ejection element is achieved.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the sorting unit comprises a second ejection element for ejecting a coin received in a receiving area and to be supplied to a second receiving bin. The second ejection element is in particular constructed identically to the first ejection element. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, only one ejection element can be provided which removes the coins to be supplied to the first receptacle from the receiving areas. The other, to be supplied to the second receptacle coins remain there in the receiving areas and fall in a deflection of the belt to a deflection automatically in the second receptacle.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the first belt or the first and the second belt are guided over three deflecting elements, wherein these three deflecting elements are arranged in the form of a triangle. In the arrangement of the deflecting elements in the form of a triangle is understood in particular that the centers of the deflecting elements form the corners of a triangle and thus span a triangle. Through the three sides of this triangle, a first conveying path, a second conveying path adjoining the first conveying path, and a third path of the conveying unit adjoining the second conveying path are defined. Through this triangular-shaped conveyor unit a very compact construction is achieved. The deflection elements are in particular in the form of deflection rollers, are guided over the belt. At least one deflection roller, preferably all deflection rollers, are preferably driven at the same speed via a central drive unit.

In a very particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, this is spanned by pulleys Triangle isosceles, preferably equilateral, formed.

In an alternative embodiment, the first belt or the first belt and the second belt may also be guided over four deflecting elements, wherein a first, a second and a third deflecting element of these four deflecting elements are likewise arranged in the form of a triangle. In this embodiment too, a first side of this triangle defines a first conveying path and a second side of the triangle defines a second conveying path adjoining the first conveying path. In particular, the first conveying path can be limited by the third deflecting element and the first deflecting element and the second conveying path by the first and the second deflecting element. The fourth deflecting element is arranged within the triangle defined by the three other deflecting elements. The first belt and the second belt are guided in such a way around the deflecting elements that, viewed in the conveying direction, the belt or belts first contact the first deflecting element, then the second deflecting element, then the fourth deflecting element and then the third deflecting element. Thus, the deflection in the direction of rotation of the first belt seen in the order first deflecting element, second deflecting element, fourth deflecting element, third deflecting element arranged. By this embodiment, a particularly space-saving compact construction of the conveyor and Sorting unit achieved because of the fourth deflection of the belt is not straight from the second to the third deflection, but is stretched in the direction of the first deflection, so that space for other components can be used. Furthermore, thus, for assembly and disassembly, for example during maintenance, the first and the second conveyor line can be folded towards each other, so that an easy handling is achieved. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the triangle is a first triangle and the fourth deflecting element is arranged such that the second deflecting element, the fourth deflecting element and the third deflecting element define a second triangle. It is particularly advantageous if both triangles are formed isosceles. The first triangle is preferably formed on the same side.

A particularly compact embodiment can be achieved in that the second triangle is at least partially, preferably completely, disposed within the first triangle. The complete arrangement of the second triangle within the first triangle means that at most the sides defined by the deflection rollers coincide, but that the sides of the second triangle are by no means outside the first triangle.

The third deflecting element and the first deflecting element define in particular a first side of the first triangle, the first deflecting element and the second deflecting element a second side of the first triangle, the second deflecting element and the third deflecting element a third side of the first triangle, the third deflecting element and the fourth Deflecting a fourth side of the second triangle, the fourth deflecting element and the second deflecting a fifth side of the second triangle and the second deflecting element and the third deflecting a sixth side of the second triangle. This ensures that the third side of the first triangle and the sixth side of the second triangle coincide, in particular are identical. Thus, a particularly simple and compact construction is achieved. The distance of the first deflecting element from this common side of the first and the second triangle is in particular greater than the distance of the fourth deflecting element to this common side.

The first, the second and the third deflection element in particular contact a first side of the first belt or respectively a first side of the first and the second belt. The fourth deflecting element is arranged such that the one of the first side opposite second side of the first belt and the first and the second belt contacted. Thus, a particularly simple compact design is achieved.

In a further embodiment, the first belt or the first and the second belt can also be guided over more than four deflecting elements, wherein in particular in each case again the first, the second and the third deflecting element are arranged in the form of a triangle and the other deflecting elements all are arranged within this triangle. In this way, more complex forms of conveying and sorting unit can be achieved, so that it can be optimally adapted to the limited space of the device.

The first sensor unit is arranged in particular in the region of the first conveying path and the sorting unit in the region of the second conveying path. The transfer area and / or the singling unit are preferably likewise arranged in the area of the first conveying path.

In a transition region between the first conveying path and the second conveying path, at least one limiting element is provided which prevents the coins from slipping transversely to the conveying direction of the belt or the two belts. In particular, two lateral stop elements are provided, which are arranged on the opposite sides of the two belts are and thus limit in the transition region, the receiving areas in addition to the pins with respect to the conveying direction laterally.

The third conveyor line is in particular arranged horizontally in the scheduled operation of the device, so that in this area no coins can be transported in the receiving areas.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if, downstream of the sensor unit and upstream of the sorting unit, a sorting unit for sorting out counterfeit coins is arranged. In particular, this sorting unit likewise comprises a lifting magnet, which conveys coins classified as being suspect of forgery out of the receiving area of the conveyor unit and thus supplies the rejected coins to a receptacle for accommodating counterfeit coins.

It is also advantageous if more than two receptacles are provided. In particular, the number of receptacles corresponds to the number of different denominations of a preset currency rate. The control unit controls the sorting unit such that in each receptacle Coins are taken exactly one denomination, so that a varietal storage of the coins takes place in the receptacles. This will ensure that the coins are readily available for payment via the device again.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, mixed storage may also be used, i. that in at least one of the receptacles coins of at least two different denominations are recorded. In particular, these coins are not used for withdrawals.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the device comprises at least one dispensing unit for dispensing coins to an operator. Thus, a recycling of the coins is achieved, so that the coins entered can also be issued again and the time interval between a filling and / or emptying of the device can be extended.

It is advantageous if at least one reject container is provided, in which coins to be dispensed again to the operator who has entered the coins via the input unit are transported by the conveyor unit. These recorded in the reject container Coins are then issued via an output unit to the operator. In this case, the coins can be dispensed in particular via the same dispensing unit, via which coins to be paid out are also paid to the operating person.

The reject container is arranged, in particular, at the end of the second conveying path, so that all coins which have not been fed to the receiving container by the sorting unit deflect the belts about the deflecting element which forms the transition between the second conveying path and the third conveying path defined to fall into the reject container due to its gravity. This ensures that all coins which have not been supplied to any of the receptacles are automatically fed to the reject container and reissued.

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 gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Figur 2

eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts der Vorrichtung nach Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer ersten Förderstrecke einer Fördereinheit der Vorrichtung nach den Figuren 1 und 2;

Figur 4

eine schematische Darstellung einer zweiten Förderstrecke der Fördereinheit nach Figur 3; und

Figur 5

eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts einer Vorrichtung zur Handhabung von Münzen gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of a device for handling coins according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2

a schematic representation of a section of the device according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3

a schematic representation of a first conveying path of a conveyor unit of the device according to the FIGS. 1 and 2 ;

FIG. 4

a schematic representation of a second conveyor section of the conveyor unit according to FIG. 3 ; and

FIG. 5

a schematic representation of a detail of a device for handling coins according to a second embodiment.

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

The device 10 comprises an input unit 14, via which the coins 12 in the form of a coin quantity are simultaneously entered into the device 10 by an operator. From the input unit 14, the coins 12 are transferred into a transfer area 16 to a conveyor unit 18. This conveyor unit 18 transports the coins 12 in a conveying direction P1 past a sensor unit 20, with the help of which the denomination of each coin 12 passed to it is determined. Furthermore, the sensor unit 20 checks the authenticity of the coins 12 transported past it. 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. The sensor unit 20 comprises, for example, an image acquisition unit for acquiring at least one image of the coin, the diameter of the coins 12 preferably being determined from this image by means of corresponding image processing algorithms by a control unit 22. Furthermore, the control unit 22 has in particular an inductive sensor, with the aid of which a material property of the coins 12 is determined.

The conveyor unit 18 conveys the coins 12 in the direction of a sorting unit 24, by means of which the coins 12 can be supplied to receiving containers 26. For this purpose, the control unit 22 controls the sorting unit 24 in particular in such a way that the coins 12 are supplied as a function of their denomination different receptacles 26. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the number of receptacles 26 corresponds to the number of different denominations of a preset currency rate, and the control unit 22 controls the sorting unit 24 to supply the coins 12 to a denomination receptacle 26 associated with that denomination so that it is sorted the coins 12 takes place in the receptacles 26. For the sorting of euro coins 12, in particular, seven receptacles 26 are provided for a sorted storage of EURO standard coins, i. without special coins, provided.

Alternatively, a mixed storage can take place, ie, coins 12 of different denominations are received in at least one receptacle 26. Furthermore, it is alternatively possible that for a Denomination several receptacles 26 are provided. In particular, a plurality of receptacles 26 are arranged for denominations, which are frequently 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 before output via the output tray 30 by means of the extraction unit 28 to a coin package. In particular, the coins 12 are summarized in plastic bags, so-called sachets, so that the operator has to remove only a single container from the output compartment 30. Alternatively, the coins 12 can 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 integrally formed as a common input and output tray. In the case where the device 10 is a pure deposit device the device 10 no extraction unit 28 and also no output tray 30th

In FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a section of the device 10 is shown. In FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a first conveyor line 32 of the conveyor unit 18 and in FIG. 4 a schematic representation of a conveyor line 34 of the conveyor unit 18 is shown.

The conveying unit 18 comprises two endless belts 36, 38 which are driven in rotation in the conveying direction P1 and which are guided over three deflection rollers 40 to 44. At least one of the deflection rollers 40 to 44 is driven by means of a drive unit, not shown, for example, an electric motor, such as a stepper motor, so that the two belts 36, 38 are driven at the same speed in the conveying direction P1.

The deflection rollers 40 to 44 are arranged such that they span a triangle 46, which in FIG. 2 is indicated by the dashed line designated by the reference numeral 46. In this case, the axes of rotation of the deflection rollers 40 to 44 in particular form the vertices of the triangle 46 FIG. 2 shown embodiment this triangle 46 is in the form of an equilateral triangle 46. In an alternative embodiment, the triangle 46 may also be isosceles, in which case in particular the side located between the deflection rollers 44 and 40 and the side located between the deflection roller 40 and the deflection roller 42 have the same length. In a further alternative embodiment, the triangle 46 may also be formed neither isosceles nor equilateral, but have a deviating shape.

Due to the triangular shape, the conveyor unit 18 is divided into three sections 32, 34, 48, namely the first conveyor section 32, the second conveyor section 34 and a third section 48. Thus, with a small space requirement in a very compact design and as long as possible total conveyor line over the coins 12 can be conveyed on the conveyor unit 18 reached. Preferably, the coins 12 are transported only along the first and second conveyor line 32, 34. The limited space available in the device 10 in this way effectively utilized.

Attached to the belts 36, 38 are a plurality of pins, one of which is exemplified by the reference numeral 50 is designated. Here, a pin of the first belt 36 and an adjacent pin 50 of the second belt 38 are arranged so that they are arranged parallel to one another in the conveying direction P1, ie a virtual line connecting the two pins 50 is oriented orthogonal to the conveying direction P1 , Two such pins arranged parallel to one another are also referred to as a pair of pins, wherein two of these pairs of pins each delimit a receiving region 52 of the delivery unit 18.

From the input unit 14, the coins 12 of the entered coin quantity 54, as already described, are applied to the parallel belts 34, 36 of the conveyor unit 18 in the transfer area 16. The transfer region 16 is arranged, in particular, on an end region of the first conveying path 32 facing the third stretch 48. Upstream of the input unit 14 of the transfer area 16, ie seen in the conveying direction P1 after this transfer area 16, a separating unit 56 is arranged, with the help of which in the transfer areas 16 of the conveyor unit 18 supplied coins 12 are separated such that in a receiving area 52 each have at most one coin 12 is arranged. For this purpose, the separating unit 56 comprises in particular a raising element 58, by which the coins 12 are lifted off the belts 36, 38 in the direction of the arrow P2. Here, the coins 12 become such raised, that when two coins 12 are arranged one above the other in the direction of the arrow P2, only one of these coins is retained by the pins 50 and resting on this coin 12 other coin 12 due to its gravity over the receiving area 52 limiting pins 50 away slips in the direction of conveyance P1 subsequent receiving area 52 and is held in this, if in this receiving area 52 no coin 12 is arranged.

The separating unit 56 further comprises a sensor 60, which is arranged downstream of the elevating element 58 and is used to determine whether more than one coin 12 has been received in the receiving region 52 when the sensor 60 is moved past. In this case, the coins 12 received in the receiving compartment 52 are removed from the receiving compartment 52 by an ejection element 62 and transported back again in the direction of the transfer area 16.

The sensor unit 20 is arranged downstream of the singulation unit 56 in the region of the first conveying path 32. The singulation unit 56 ensures that in the receiving region 52, when it is moved past the sensor unit 20, at most one coin 12 is arranged in each case, so that the determination of the authenticity and / or the denomination of this coin 12 can be made reliably by the sensor unit 20.

Downstream of the sensor unit 20 in the region of the first conveying path 32, two further ejection elements 64, 66 are arranged, on which the control unit 22 as counterfeit suspect classified coins 12 removed from their respective receiving area 52 and a receptacle, not shown, for receiving counterfeit coins 12 are supplied. Furthermore, two further sensors 68, 70 are arranged, which determine whether a counterfeit-suspect coin 12 has actually been removed from the receiving region 52.

The coins 12, which have not been classified as suspected of being counterfeit, remain in the receiving area 52, in which they have already passed the sensor unit 20, and are supplied to the sorting unit 24. For this purpose, the coins are conveyed in a transition region 72 of the first conveyor line 32 together with the belt 36, 38 received in their respective receiving area 52 to the second conveyor line 34. In the transition region 72, two limiting elements 74, 76 are preferably arranged laterally, by which the coins 12 in the transition region 72 are prevented from being laterally, ie transversely to the conveying direction P1 slip out of the receiving areas 52.

The sorting unit 24 is arranged in the region of the second conveying path 34 and comprises a plurality of ejection elements, one of which is denoted by the reference numeral 78 by way of example. By means of the ejection elements 78, the coins 12 accommodated in the receiving regions 52 of the delivery unit 18, when this receiving region 52 is arranged in the region of the ejection element 78, can be ejected out of this receiving region 52 in the direction of the arrow P3 onto a delivery element 80. In this case, each ejection element 78 is assigned exactly one feed element 80. Each of the feeding members 80 is connected to one of the receptacles 26 and supplies the coin 12 fed thereto through the ejection member 78 to this receptacle 26. The feed elements 80 are designed in particular in the form of slides on which the coins 12 ejected by the ejection elements 78 of the sorting unit 24 slide in the associated receptacles 26.

In particular, a feed element 80 and thus also an ejection element 78 are provided for each receptacle 26. The control unit 22 controls the ejection elements 78 of the sorting unit 24 such that that ejection member 78 which ejects the coin bin 12 for receiving coins 12 of that denomination having the coin 12 to be sorted.

The ejection elements 62, 64, 66, 78 are in particular in the form of lifting magnets, which are arranged between the two belts 36, 38. In a first operating state, the armatures of the lifting magnets are arranged such that they do not protrude into the receiving areas 52, i. do not protrude from the area defined by the two belts 36, 38. In contrast, in a second position, the armatures of the lifting magnets are extended in such a way that they project into the receiving region 52 between the two belts 36, 38. By moving the armature of a lifting magnet from the first to the second position, a coin 12 arranged in a receiving region 52 arranged in the region of the lifting magnet is ejected from the receiving region 52.

At the end of the second conveying path 34, as viewed in the conveying direction P1, a reject container 82 is arranged, into which those coins 12 fed to the second conveying path 34 but not supplied to any of the receiving containers 26 by the sorting unit 24 are received. This reject container 82 is such arranged that the coins to be supplied to him 12 automatically fall into it due to their gravity. The coins 12 received in the reject container 82 are in particular output via the output tray 30 to the operator of the device 10 again.

Furthermore, the sorting unit 24 in particular comprises a plurality of sensors, one of which is designated by the reference numeral 84 by way of example. In this case, a sensor 84 is preferably arranged downstream of each ejection element 78, so that it can be checked with this sensor 84 whether the coin 12 has been removed from the receiving compartment 52 with the aid of the ejection element 78 arranged immediately upstream of this sensor 84, if this was intended.

By means of the conveying unit 18 described above and the arrangement of the separating unit 56, the sensor unit 20 and the sorting unit 24, a particularly compact construction of the device 10 is achieved. Furthermore, the conveying unit 18 designed according to the embodiment described above allows the coins 12 to remain in a receiving compartment 52 of the conveying unit 18, from the supply via the input unit 14 to the supply to the receiving containers 26. In particular, the coins 12 are after passing not removed from the conveyor unit 18 at the sensor unit 20 and fed to the separate sorting unit 24. By avoiding this transfer between the conveyor unit 18 and a separate sorting unit 24, the susceptibility to interference is also reduced.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the conveyor unit 18 may also have a deviating from the triangular shape. In particular, the conveyor unit 18 may also have a linear shape, i. that only two deflecting elements 40, 44 are provided, around which the belts 36, 38 are guided.

It is alternatively possible for the conveyor unit 18 to comprise more than two belts 36, 38 or even only one belt 36, 38. Likewise, the conveyor unit 18 instead of the belt 36, 38 also have a band.

In FIG. 5 a section of a coin handling apparatus according to a second embodiment is shown. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the belts 36, 38 are guided over four deflection rollers 40, 42, 44, 90. Here are the first guide roller 40, the second guide roller 42 and the third guide roller 44 arranged in the form of a first triangle 46 as in the first embodiment. The fourth guide roller 90 is disposed within the first triangle 46.

By the second guide roller 42, the fourth guide roller 90 and the third guide roller 44, a second triangle 92 is fixed, this second triangle 92 is disposed within the first triangle 46. This ensures that the space of the second triangle 92 can be used for other components of the device, so that a particularly compact construction of the conveyor unit 18 and the sorting unit 24 is achieved.

The fourth guide roller 90 is in particular arranged such that the belts 36, 38 between the first guide roller 40 and the second guide roller 42 and the fourth guide roller 90 and the second guide roller 42 parallel to each other. Furthermore, the fourth deflection roller 90 is arranged in particular such that the belts 36, 38 also run parallel to one another in the region between the third deflection roller 44 and the first deflection roller 40 and the third deflection roller 44 and the fourth deflection roller 90.

The first deflection roller 40, the second deflection roller 42 and the third deflection roller 44 contact the belts 36, 38 on the side facing away from the pins 50. The fourth guide roller 90, however, contacted the belt 36, 38 on the side on which the pins 50 are arranged. For this purpose, the fourth guide roller 90 is in particular designed such that it contacts the belts 36, 38 only seen laterally in the conveying direction P1 next to the pins 50. Alternatively, the fourth deflection roller 90 may also have recesses into which the pins 50 protrude when they are arranged in the region of the fourth deflection roller 90. In this case, the pins 50 in particular do not contact the fourth deflection roller 90. Alternatively, the pins 50 may also be engaged with these recesses of the fourth diverting pulley 90.

Furthermore, this arrangement in the form of two triangles 46, 92 ensures that the conveying unit 18 and the sorting unit 24, for example for an automatic cleaning cycle, can be easily folded together by moving the third deflecting roller 40 and the second deflecting roller 42 towards each other , Here, a particularly simple handling is achieved.

In an alternative embodiment, within the triangle formed by the first three deflection rollers 40, 42, 44, still further deflection rollers can be arranged, over which the belts 36, 38 are guided. In this way, an even more compact construction can be achieved.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

contraption

12

coin

14

input unit

16

Transfer area

18

delivery unit

20

sensor unit

22

control unit

24

sorting unit

26

receptacle

28

withdrawal unit

30

output tray

32, 34

conveyor line

36, 38

belt

40, 42, 44, 90

deflecting

46, 92

triangle

48

route

50

pen

52

reception area

54

quantity of coins

56

separation unit

58

increasing element

60, 68, 70, 84

sensor

62, 64, 66, 78

ejection member

72

Transition area

74, 76

limiting element

80

feeding

82

Rejectbehälter

P1

conveying direction

P2, P3

direction

Claims (13)

1. A device for handling coins,
   with a conveying unit (18) for conveying the coins (12) and comprising a plurality of receiving areas (52) for receiving at least one coin (12) each,
   a sensor unit (20) for determining the denomination of the coins (12), wherein the conveying unit (18) transports the coins (12) received in the receiving areas (52) passed the sensor unit (20) for determining the denomination,
   a first receiving container (26) and at least a second receiving container (26) for storing coins (12),
   a sorting unit (24) arranged downstream of the sensor unit (20) for feeding coins (12) received in the receiving areas (52) of the conveying unit (18) to the receiving containers (26), and
   with a control unit (22) for controlling the sorting unit (24), which activates the sorting unit (24) such that the sorting unit (24) feeds a coin (12) dependent on the determined denomination of the coin (12) to the
   first receiving container (26) or the second receiving container (26),
   wherein the coin (12), during the transport from the sensor unit (20) to the sorting unit (24), remains in that receiving area of the conveying unit (18) in which it has been transported passed the sensor unit (20), and wherein the sorting unit (24) removes the coin (12) from this receiving area (52) and feeds it to the respective receiving container (26),
   wherein the conveying unit (18) comprises at least one circulating belt (36) driven in conveying direction (P1),
   wherein on the belt (36) a plurality of receiving area delimiting elements (50) is arranged stationarily, which delimiting elements separate the receiving areas (52) from one another and keep the coins (18) to be conveyed during the transport through the conveying unit (18) in the respective receiving area (52),
   wherein the belt (36) is guided over four deflecting elements (40, 42, 44, 90),
   wherein three of the four deflecting elements (40, 42, 44) are arranged in the form of a triangle (46), wherein a first side of the triangle (46) defines a first conveying path (32), and a second side of the triangle (46) defines a second conveying path (34) connected to the first conveying path (32), that the fourth deflecting element (90) is arranged within the triangle (46), and that the deflecting elements (40, 42, 44, 90), as viewed in the circulation direction of the belt (36), are arranged in the order first deflecting element (40), second deflecting element (42), fourth deflecting element (90), third deflecting element (44).
2. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first conveying path (32) and the second conveying path (34) are angled relative to each other.
3. The device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the sensor unit (20) is arranged in the area of the first conveying path (32) and the sorting unit (24) is arranged in the area of the second conveying path (34).
4. The device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the belt (36) is a first belt, that the conveying unit (18) comprises at least one circulating second belt (38) driven in the conveying direction (P1), that on the second belt (38) a plurality of receiving area delimiting elements (50) is arranged stationarily, which delimiting elements separate the receiving areas (52) from one another and keep the coins (12) to be conveyed during the transport with the aid of the conveying unit (18) in the respective receiving area (52), and that the two belts (36, 38) are driven at the same circulation speed in the conveying direction (P1).
5. The device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the belts (36, 38) are arranged at a preset distance to each other, that the sorting unit (24) comprises a first ejecting element (78) for ejecting from the receiving area (52) a coin (12) received in a receiving area (52) and to be fed to the first receiving container (26), and that the first ejecting element (78) is at least partially movable through between the two belts (36, 38) for ejecting the coin (12).
6. The device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the sorting unit (18) comprises a second ejecting element (78) for ejecting from the receiving area (52) a coin (12) received in a receiving area (52) and to be fed to the second receiving container (26), and that the second ejecting element (78) is movable through between the two belts (36, 38) for ejecting the coin (12).
7. The device (10) according to one of the claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the second belt (38) is guided over the four deflecting elements (40, 42, 44, 90).
8. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the triangle (46) is a first triangle, and that the fourth deflecting element (90) is arranged such that the second deflecting element (42), the fourth deflecting element (90) and the third deflecting element (44) define a second triangle (92).
9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the first triangle (46) and the second triangle (92) are isosceles triangles.
10. The device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the second triangle (92) is arranged at least in part, preferably completely within the first triangle (46).
11. The device according to one of the claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the third deflecting element (44) and the first deflecting element (40) delimit a first side of the first triangle (46), the first deflecting element (40) and the second deflecting element (42) delimit a second side of the first triangle (46), the second deflecting element (42) and the third deflecting (44) delimit a third side of the first triangle (46), the third deflecting element (44) and the fourth deflecting element (90) delimit a fourth side of the second triangle (92), the fourth deflecting element (90) and the second deflecting element (42) delimit a fifth side of the second triangle (46), and the second deflecting element (42) and the third deflecting element (44) delimit a sixth side of the second triangle (46).
12. The device according to one of the claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the first, the second and the third deflecting element (40, 42, 44) contact a first side of the first belt (36) or of the first and of the second belt (36, 38), and that the fourth deflecting element (90) contacts a second side of the first belt (36) or of the first and of the second belt (36, 38) opposite to the first side.
13. The device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third conveying path (48) is oriented horizontally during the planned operation of the device (10).

Images