EP2720200B1 - Coin sorting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a coin sorting device, comprising a housing and a first turntable arranged in the housing and rotatably drivable by means of a rotary drive for receiving a large number of coins of different diameters to be sorted, the first turntable being at least partially surrounded by a guide wall and one of a wall section limited coin outlet area is provided, through which coins located on the rotatingly driven first turntable reach a coin conveyor track adjoining the coin outlet area, a conveyor device being provided for conveying the coins along the coin conveyor track, the coin conveyor track on its inside and / or outside through a guide edge is delimited along which the coins are conveyed by the conveying device, and wherein at least one opening is provided in and / or next to the coin outlet area and / or along and / or next to the coin conveying path marriage is through which coins can get into an area below the first turntable.

Such a coin sorting device is usually also referred to as a coin recycler. The coin sorting device has a coin inlet through which a large number of unsorted coins can be entered individually or together. From the coin inlet, the coins reach the rotating turntable, which forms a so-called centrifuge. From the rotating turntable, the coins pass under a conveyor and into a coin outlet area. The conveyor device conveys the coins out of the coin outlet area along a coin conveyor track. Different areas are provided along the coin conveyor track, for example a coin testing area and a coin sorting area.

In coin sorting devices of this type, there is basically a need to keep the structure as compact as possible. Due to restrictions in the installation space, among other things, it cannot always be ensured that, for example, the coin return associated with an opening or the coin store associated with an opening is arranged below the respective opening in such a way that the coins can be guided into the coin return or the coin store, for example, driven by gravity.

The U.S. 4,167,949 A discloses a coin sorting device which singles coins by means of a turntable and conveys them from a conveying device over a sorting line. From the sorting line, the coins pass to a plurality of further turntables, which separate the sorted coins again and from which the coins are then conveyed into receptacles.

Proceeding from the explained prior art, the invention is based on the object of providing a coin sorting device of the type mentioned at the beginning, which has a compact structure with a reliable sorting function.

The invention solves the problem by the subject matter of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

The invention achieves the object by a coin sorting device, comprising a housing and a first turntable arranged in the housing and rotatably drivable by means of a rotary drive for receiving a plurality of coins of different diameters to be sorted, the first turntable being at least partially surrounded by a guide wall and a Coin outlet area delimited by a wall section is provided, through which coins located on the rotatably driven first turntable reach a coin conveyor track adjoining the coin outlet area, a conveyor device being provided for conveying the coins along the coin conveyor track, with the coin conveyor track on its inside and / or its outside is limited by a guide edge along which the coins are conveyed by the conveyor, and wherein in and / or next to the coin outlet area and / or along and / or next to the coin conveyor track At least one opening is provided through which coins can reach an area below the first turntable, with at least one further turntable which can be rotated by means of a rotary drive and is designed to return coins to at least one coin in at least one plane below the first turntable and / or to promote at least one coin store.

As mentioned at the beginning, the coin sorting device is a so-called coin recycler. Basically, such coin recyclers can be divided into two modules. A lower module of the coin recycler is formed by a coin storage and a coin payout module for the customer. This module usually includes so-called hoppers that can store and dispense coins. The hoppers usually have a payout disc and a container for coins. The paid out coins can then be transported into a return or dispensing tray, for example by a conveyor belt or the like. Here a customer can receive the change. If necessary, this lower module can also include a coin box.

The upper module of the coin recycler is responsible for receiving coins. During a money transaction or, for example, when filling coins, the upper module accepts, measures and sorts coins according to their value. Foreign objects, liquids or counterfeit money should be rejected and real money should be sorted into the designated coin storage.

The invention is particularly concerned with such an upper module of a coin recycler. As already mentioned above, coins are fed individually or in larger quantities (as so-called bulk) into the coin sorting device through a coin inlet of the coin sorting device, from where they arrive at the rotatingly driven turntable. The coin inlet area can, for example be formed by an input funnel. The rotating turntable acting as a centrifuge moves the coins one after the other to the conveyor in the coin outlet area.

The rotatingly driven turntable can be circular, for example circular. The coin conveyor track and the conveyor device can also run in a circle. In a manner known per se, at least one coin checking area and at least one coin sorting area can be provided downstream of the coin outlet area along the coin conveying path with the output hole, viewed in the conveying direction of the coins. The coin checking area can comprise one or more detectors for checking the coins that are guided past. The coin sorting area can e.g. comprise a passive or active sorting of the coins, for example by means of a plurality of sorting holes which are arranged one after the other in the conveying direction of the coins and which gradually become larger.

In the invention, at least one further turntable which can be driven in rotation by means of a rotary drive is arranged in at least one plane below the first turntable. A guide device is provided which is designed to guide coins that have passed through the at least one opening to the at least one further turntable. The coins guided by the guide device of the coin sorting device to the at least one further turntable are then conveyed through the at least one further turntable to at least one coin return and / or to at least one coin store.

The at least one coin return and / or the at least one coin store can be part of the coin sorting device according to the invention. You can create any return or storage container. Coin returns can, for example, form a return to a customer or to a cash register.

Coin stores can be provided for long-term storage, in particular until the store is emptied manually or operationally. However, it can also be a sorting memory for coins, from which coins are then paid out for further payment processes. The coin stores can therefore be so-called coin tubes into which the coins are sorted depending on their size, in particular their diameter or their value.

According to the invention, a "stacked" arrangement of rotating disks forming centrifuges is thus provided. With the at least one further turntable below the first turntable, coins that have passed through the at least one opening can be fed to the coin sorting device in a structurally particularly compact manner, coin returns or coin stores at largely any location. It is therefore not necessary for the coin return assigned to an opening or the coin store assigned to an opening to be located vertically or largely vertically below the respective opening. With a compact design of the coin sorting device, great flexibility is achieved with regard to the arrangement of the openings on the one hand and the coin returns and coin stores on the other hand, and thus with regard to the sorting process.

According to one embodiment, the turntable can have a circular central part raised by an annular disc area and opposite the bottom of the annular disc area, the central part likewise being drivable in rotation or being stationary. The middle part can be driven to rotate by the same rotary drive as the annular disk area or independently of it. However, it can also be designed to be stationary. Coins located on the rotatingly driven turntable hit the raised central part as they are conveyed by the turntable, so that the central part conveys the coins, for example together with a wall section of the coin outlet area, to the conveying device and thus out of the turntable. The Coin outlet area can be wedge-shaped at least in sections, one wall of this wedge being formed by the conveyor device, for example an inner flank of a conveyor belt, and the other wall being formed by the central part of the turntable. A coin reaching this wedge-shaped coin outlet area is then picked up by the conveying device, for example the inner flank of a conveyor belt, and pressed against the opposite side of the central part of the turntable. The coin then rolls off the central part, being pressed further towards the conveyor device, in particular under a conveyor belt, as a result of the wedge that tapers to that extent. In order to prevent two or more coins lying one above the other from being pressed under the conveyor belt, the height of the central part relative to the bottom of the annular disk area of the turntable can be limited to a height which is lower than the thinnest coin to be sorted. In a manner known per se, the at least one opening can be a hole into which the coins can fall, in particular as a result of gravity.

Several openings are provided, the openings each being provided for coins of different diameters and / or different types or values. The coins are thus sorted depending on their size, in particular their diameter, or their value. The multiple openings are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction of the coins along the coin conveying path. The openings can be of different sizes. In this way, a known passive sorting is possible, in which the openings are designed as simple holes. In the conveying direction of the coins along the conveyor track, the openings become larger so that the coins automatically fall into the appropriate opening depending on their diameter, namely the smallest coins first and then the larger coins successively.

It is also possible that at least one sensor device is provided by means of which the diameter and / or the type of the coins can be determined, and that at least one actuation device is provided with which the coins depending on their diameter and / or their type in one of the Openings can be directed. The at least one opening can be closed by a flap in an idle state. The actuating device can then be designed to move the flap (s) of the opening (s) in a targeted manner into an open state in order to guide the coins into one of the openings depending on their diameter and / or their type. The actuation device can also comprise an actuation element, for example an actuation pin, through the actuation of which coins can be guided into one of the openings depending on their diameter and / or their type. It is also possible, for example, for the coins to be deflected out of their path by the actuating element, for example an actuating pin, in such a way that they fall into one of the openings. Thus, the coins can be pushed through the actuating element, for example the actuating pin, for example from the coin conveyor track into openings, in particular holes, arranged next to the coin conveyor track, or they can be guided into one of the openings by other deflection. In these different and practical configurations, the coins are actively sorted, usually based on measurement results from suitable sensors, as are known per se to the person skilled in the art.

According to a further embodiment it can be provided that several further turntables which can be driven in rotation by means of a rotary drive are arranged in different planes below the first turntable, the further turntables being designed to convey the coins to different coin returns and / or different coin stores, and wherein the guide device is designed to guide the coins to one of the further turntables depending on the opening through which they have passed. It is with this one In the embodiment, a plurality of turntables arranged one above the other in stacks are provided below the first turntable in different planes. The coins falling through the openings are fed, depending on their diameter or their type, to one of these further turntables under the first turntable, which then sorts them into the appropriate coin return or the appropriate coin store. The coins are fed through the different turntables to different coin returns or coin stores. It is possible that only one type of coin is fed to each of the further turntables for further sorting. Each turntable can then, for example, be connected to only one coin return and / or only one coin store for the respective coin type. However, it is also conceivable to feed several different coin types to one or more of the further turntables for further sorting. For example, a first type of coin could be fed to a first section, in particular a first half of the turntable, and a second different type of coin could be fed to a second section, in particular a second half of the turntable. The different sections, in particular the two halves, of the turntable would then be connected to different coin returns and / or different coin stores for the different coins to which they feed the different coins.

In principle, all of the turntables or some of the turntables of the coin sorting device according to the invention can be driven to rotate by the same rotary drive. But it is also possible that individual or all turntables are driven in rotation by individual rotary drives. For example, the first turntable can be driven faster than the one or more further turntables. This can be ensured by different rotary drives or, in the case of a common rotary drive, by a suitable gear.

The guide device can comprise one or more guide tracks for the coins. The guide device can also comprise one or more conveyor belts for the coins. About e.g. Slanted guideways (so-called chutes) can hold the coins that have fallen through the openings e.g. be guided by gravity to the respective turntable. If, on the other hand, driven conveyor belts are provided, they ensure an active transport of the coins to the respective turntable, for example if sufficiently inclined guide tracks are not possible due to the installation space. If there are several openings, several guide tracks or conveyor belts can be provided accordingly. If there are several openings, the guide tracks or conveyor belts can each connect an opening with a coin return or a coin store. Thus, depending on their opening and thus their diameter or their type, the coins are each fed to one of the turntables, which in turn sorts the coins into the corresponding coin returns or coin stores.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one further turntable can be assigned at least one coin deflector which is fixed above its surface and through which coins located on the at least one further turntable are directed to the at least one coin return and / or to the at least one coin store. This enables sorting in a particularly simple manner. The coin deflectors serve as scrapers under which the turntables turn. The coins are then stripped from the respective surface of the turntable by the, for example, sickle-shaped coin deflector and sorted into the corresponding coin returns or coin stores. If there are several further turntables, such a coin deflector is assigned to each of the further turntables. Each of the coin deflectors then guides the coins into a coin return or coin store. Provided one or more of the other turntables for inclusion and sorting of different coins are provided in different sections, these different sections can be assigned corresponding coin deflectors for sorting the different coin types.

The conveying device comprises a rotatingly driven conveyor belt arranged above the coin conveying path for conveying the coins along the coin conveying path. The conveyor belt can run in sections above the turntable. The leading edge of the coin conveyor track can have a spiral shape, such that it approaches the conveyor belt in the conveying direction of the coins. The coin conveyor track and the conveyor belt run eccentrically to the turntable. The coin conveyor track and the conveyor belt have a larger diameter than the turntable.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Münzsortiervorrichtung in einer teiltransparenten ausschnittsweisen Ansicht von oben,

Fig. 2

einen ausschnittsweisen Querschnitt der Münzsortiervorrichtung aus Fig. 1 und

Fig. 3

eine zur Veranschaulichung teiltransparente Ansicht eines Teils der Münzsortiervorrichtung aus den Fig. 1 und 2 von oben.

The coins are picked up by the conveyor belt and conveyed through the coin outlet area along the coin conveyor track. The conveyor belt is made of a material with high friction, e.g. rubber, TPU, PU, rubber, etc. and has, for example, continuous slats that can be perpendicular or at an angle between 0 ° and 90 ° with respect to a carrier belt for the slats. The elastic lamellas ensure that coins of different diameters and thicknesses can be safely conveyed through the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt also ensures that the coins are separated and thus guided one after the other along the coin conveyor track. A spiral-shaped course of the leading edge of the coin conveying path achieves a particularly compact design of the coin sorting device while at the same time guiding the coins safely along the coin conveying path. An embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to figures. It show very schematically:

Fig. 1

a coin sorting device according to the invention in a partially transparent detail view from above,

Fig. 2

a partial cross section of the coin sorting device Fig. 1 and

Fig. 3

a partially transparent view of a part of the coin sorting device from FIGS Figs. 1 and 2 from above.

Unless stated otherwise, the same reference symbols in the figures denote the same items. The coin sorting device according to the invention has a housing (not shown in the figures) with a coin inlet area, for example in the form of an input funnel, also not shown. In addition, a first turntable 10, which can be driven in rotation by means of a rotary drive (not shown), is arranged in the housing for receiving a large number of coins of different diameters to be sorted. The turntable 10 has a circular disc area 12 and a circular central part 14, which is delimited by the disc area 12 and is elevated relative to the bottom of the disc area 12. The central part 14 can likewise be driven in rotation or be stationary. In the example shown, the turntable 10 is driven to rotate in a clockwise direction. Reference number 16 shows a wall section which forms a delimitation of a coin outlet area 18. On the side opposite the coin outlet area 18, the turntable 10 is surrounded in sections by a guide wall 19. Coins conveyed by the turntable 10 acting as a centrifuge pass under a conveyor belt of a conveyor device shown at reference number 20. In particular, the coins are by the turntable 10 on the one hand against the inner flank 22 of the conveyor belt 20 and on the other hand against the opposite edge 24 of the Mitteilteils 14 pressed. The flank 22 and the edge 24 form a wedge-shaped inlet of the coin outlet area 18. The coins are grasped by lamellae provided on the underside of the conveyor belt 20 and carried along into the coin outlet area 18. It can be seen in the figure that the conveyor belt 20 runs in sections above the turntable 10.

Underneath the conveyor belt 20, which is driven to rotate along a circular path, a likewise circular coin conveyor path 26 for the coins runs. The coin conveyor 26 is through a in the Figure 1 Guide edge, not shown, limited on its inside or on its outside, along which the coins are conveyed by the conveyor belt 20 along the coin conveyor track 26. Along the coin conveying track 26, for example, a not shown, known coin testing area can be provided in which conveyed coins are checked with regard to their diameter and / or their type or value or with regard to their authenticity. Furthermore, a coin sorting area is provided along the coin conveyor track 26, likewise in a manner known per se. In the in Fig. 1 In the example shown, the coin sorting area comprises several openings in the form of sorting holes, one of which is in FIG Fig. 1 three are shown at reference numerals 28, 30, 32. The sorting holes 28, 30, 32 can also be assigned flaps, which are opened depending on a measurement result of suitable sensors of the coin checking area so that coins of one diameter or one type are fed to each sorting hole 28, 30, 32. The coins can then fall down through the sorting holes 28, 30, 32, for example driven by gravity. But it is also possible that the sorting holes 28, 30, 32 are open at all times and in the conveying direction of the coins, in the Fig. 1 that is to say in a clockwise direction along the coin conveyor track 26, so that a passive sorting of the coins into the sorting holes 28, 30, 32, known per se, takes place. In Fig. 1 it can also be seen that the coin conveyor track 26 and the conveyor belt 20 have a larger diameter than the turntable 10 and are arranged eccentrically to the turntable 10. The leading edge of the coin conveyor track 26 can have a spiral shape such that it approaches the conveyor belt in the conveying direction of the coins.

The reference numerals 34, 36 and 38 in Fig. 1 Sorting paths for coins that have fallen through the individual sorting holes 28, 30, 32 are indicated by dashed lines. These sorting paths 34, 36, 38 can, for example, be guide tracks (chutes) inclined with respect to the horizontal, along which the coins that have fallen through the sorting holes 28, 30, 32 are guided by gravity.

The sorting of the coins should be based on the Figures 2 and 3 are explained in more detail. In Fig. 2 on the one hand is the in Fig. 1 The first turntable 10 shown with its annular disk area 12 and the raised central part 14 can be seen. In addition, it can be seen that in the example shown, three further turntables 40, 42, 44, which can also be driven in rotation by means of a suitable rotary drive, are arranged in three planes arranged below the first turntable 10. The further rotating disks 40, 42, 44 each also have an annular disk surface. In the example shown, the annular disk surfaces are delimited by a central support 45. A drive shaft of a rotary drive can also be integrated into the support 45. In the Fig. 1 The guide tracks 34, 36, 38 shown each end on one of the further turntables 40, 42, 44 and guide coins that have fallen through the sorting holes 28, 30, 32 to the further turntables 40, 42, 44 accordingly. Such coins are shown in FIG Fig. 2 shown schematically at the reference numerals 46, 48, 50. In Fig. 3 is a partially transparent view of the inventive coin sorting device from FIG Figures 1 and 2 shown. A view from above is shown, the first turntable 10 not being shown. For the sake of illustration, the further turntables 40, 42, 44 are shown in FIG Fig. 3 shown transparently. Of course, the coins 46, 48, 50 are not on the same one of the further rotating disks 40, 42, 44 promoted, but in each case on one of the further turntables 40, 42, 44 arranged one above the other as in FIG Fig. 2 to recognize. In Fig. 3 the guide tracks 34, 36, 38 are also shown schematically, from which the coins 46, 48, 50 reach the further turntable 40, 42, 44 assigned to them. The first coin 46 that has passed through the first sorting hole 28 and over the guide track 34 is then placed on the further turntable 40 assigned to it along the path shown in FIG Fig. 3 conveyed at the conveying path shown at the reference numeral 52. The second coin 48 which has passed through the second sorting hole 30 and via the second guide track 36 is then placed on the further turntable 42 assigned to it along the in FIG Fig. 3 conveyed at the second conveying path shown at 54. The third coin 50 which has passed through the third sorting hole 32 and via the third guide track 38 is then placed on the further turntable 44 assigned to it along the path shown in FIG Fig. 3 conveyed at the reference numeral 56 shown third conveying path.

Each of the further turntables 40, 42, 44 is assigned a coin deflector arranged essentially directly above its surface. The coin deflector assigned to the first further turntable 40 is shown in FIG Fig. 3 shown at 58. The coin deflector assigned to the second further turntable 42 is shown in FIG Fig. 3 shown at 60. The coin deflector assigned to the third further turntable 44 is shown in FIG Fig. 3 shown at reference numeral 62. The coin deflectors 58, 60, 62 are held on the central support 45 in the example shown and each serve as a scraper. They wipe the coins 46, 48, 50 from the surface of the respective further turntable 40, 42, 44, in the example shown for a coin store, for example a coin tube, which is assigned to the respective diameter or coin type. This is done in Fig. 3 illustrated by the conveying paths shown at 52, 54, 56. As mentioned, these coin stores can be coin tubes from which coins can then be paid out specifically to a customer in a further payment process.

The coin sorting device according to the invention allows a reliable and flexible sorting of the coins with a compact construction at the same time.

Claims (15)

1. Coin sorting apparatus comprising a housing and a first rotary disc (10), which is arranged in the housing and is rotationally drivable by means of a rotary drive, for receiving a multiplicity of coins of different diameter to be sorted, wherein the first rotary disc (10) is surrounded at least partially by a guide wall (19) and wherein a coin outlet region (18) bounded by a wall portion (16) is provided, through which coin outlet region (18) coins located on the first rotationally driven rotary disc (10) pass to a coin conveying path (26) adjoining the coin outlet region (18), wherein a conveying device is provided for conveying the coins along the coin conveying path (26), wherein the coin conveying path (26) is bounded on its inner side and/or its outer side by a guide edge along which the coins are conveyed by the conveying device, and wherein at least one opening (28, 30, 32) is provided in and/or next to the coin outlet region (18) and/or along and/or next to the coin conveying path (26), through which opening (28, 30, 32) coins can pass into a region beneath the first rotary disc (10), characterized in that the coin conveying path (26) has a larger diameter than the rotary disc (10), the coin conveying path extends eccentrically with respect to the rotary disc, the conveying device comprises a rotationally driven conveyor belt (20), arranged above the coin conveying path (26) and the first rotary disc (10), for conveying the coins along the coin conveying path (26), in that a plurality of openings (28, 30, 32) that are arranged one after another along the coin conveying path (26) in the conveying direction of the coins are provided, wherein the openings (28, 30, 32) are each provided for coins of different diameters and/or of different types, and in that at least one further rotary disc (40, 42, 44) that is rotationally drivable by means of a rotary drive is arranged in at least one plane beneath the rotary disc (10), said further rotary disc (40, 42, 44) being configured to convey coins to at least one coin return and/or to at least one coin store, wherein a stacked arrangement of the rotary discs (10, 40, 42, 44) is formed.
2. Coin sorting apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that a guide device is provided, which is configured to guide coins that have passed through the at least one opening (28, 30, 32) to the at least one further rotary disc (40, 42, 44).
3. Coin sorting apparatus according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that, as seen in the conveying direction of the coins, at least one coin checking region and at least one coin sorting region are provided after the coin outlet region (18) along the coin conveying path (26).
4. Coin sorting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first rotary disc (10) has a circular central part (14) that is bounded by an annular disc region (12) and is elevated compared with the base of the annular disc region (12), wherein the central part (14) is likewise rotationally drivable or stationary.
5. Coin sorting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one opening (28, 30, 32) comprises a hole (28, 30, 32) into which the coins can drop.
6. Coin sorting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the openings (28, 30, 32) have different sizes.
7. Coin sorting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sensor device is provided, by means of which the diameter and/or the type of the coins is able to be determined, and in that at least one actuating device is provided, with which the coins can be guided, in accordance with their diameter and/or their type, into one of the openings (28, 30, 32).
8. Coin sorting apparatus according to Claim 7, characterized in that the at least one opening (28, 30, 32) is closed by a flap in a rest state, wherein the actuating device is configured to move the flaps of the openings (28, 30, 32) specifically into an open state in order in this way to guide the coins, in accordance with their diameter and/or their type, into one of the openings (28, 30, 32).
9. Coin sorting apparatus according to Claim 7, characterized in that the actuating device comprises an actuating element, as a result of the actuation of which coins can be guided, in accordance with their diameter and/or their type, into one of the openings (28, 30, 32).
10. Coin sorting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of further rotary discs (40, 42, 44) that are rotationally drivable by means of a rotary drive are arranged in different planes beneath the first rotary disc (10), wherein the further rotary discs (40, 42, 44) are configured to convey the coins to different coin returns and/or different coin stores, and wherein the guide device is configured to guide the coins, depending on the opening (28, 30, 32) through which they have passed, to one of the further rotary discs (40, 42, 44).
11. Coin sorting apparatus according to one of Claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the guide device comprises one or more guide paths (34, 36, 38) for the coins.
12. Coin sorting apparatus according to one of Claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the guide device comprises one or more transport belts for the coins.
13. Coin sorting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one further rotary disc (40, 42, 44) is assigned at least one coin deflector (58, 60, 62), arranged in a stationary manner above its surface, said coin deflector (58, 60, 62) being used to guide coins located on the at least one further rotary disc (40, 42, 44) to the at least one coin return and/or the at least one coin store.
14. Coin sorting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor belt (20) extends partially above the rotary disc (10).
15. Coin sorting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide edge of the coin conveying path (26) has a spiral course such that it approaches the conveyor belt (20) in the conveying direction of the coins.

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