EP2764500B1 - Device for handling coins, comprising a temporary store - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for handling coins with a buffer. A device for handling coins, with the help of which supplied coins are singled, is known for example from the document AT 413 006 B. However, this device does not have a buffer for buffering coins. In the case of coin handling devices, it is desirable to re-issue, if necessary, the coins last fed to the device, for example if a difference between a total value of coins fed by the device and a total value determined by a user and / or entered via an operating unit of the device is determined. Then the total value of the reissued coins can be determined again. Even if a user desires to pay out the same total amount and the same denomination after a deposit, the coins supplied for the deposit of the device can be returned to him, so that an exchange of the coins is avoided.

The EP 2 131 334 A1 discloses an apparatus for handling coins with a cache. In this case, the temporary storage is movably mounted on a retaining unit, a coin storage and a return unit.

It is an object of the invention to provide a coin handling apparatus which can buffer coins entered into the apparatus 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 buffer for sorted reception of sorted supplied coins, and a retaining unit for retaining the coins received in the buffer, wherein the retaining unit and the buffer in a feed position in which the retaining unit and the buffer have a first position relative to each other, such arranged that the retaining unit closes a discharge opening of the buffer, wherein the retaining unit and the buffer in a transfer position, in which the retaining unit and the buffer have a second position relative to each other, are arranged such that coins stored in the buffer are fed to a coin storage, and wherein the restraint unit and the buffer store are arranged in a return position, in which the restraint unit and the buffer store have a third position relative to one another, such that in Z. stored in a memory hopper memory, and wherein the buffer has a plurality of juxtaposed compartments. This ensures that the device stores the supplied coins in the feed position, in the transfer position the coins can be fed to the coin store and in the return position to the return tray. The invention is based on the recognition that the relative arrangement of the buffer having the output opening to the retaining unit can be used to either temporarily store the supplied coins return the return tray or store it in the coin store. Thus, the device can pay out or store the cached coins.

According to a preferred embodiment is in the operating position of the device, the output port of the buffer at the lower end and is closed in the feed position by the retaining unit.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the retaining unit is stationary and the buffer between the feed position, the transfer position and the return position displaceable. Preferably, the feed unit is between the three positions, ie the Zuführposition, the transfer position and the return position is arbitrarily displaced. In this way, it is achieved that the device can be transferred in a simple manner from any of the three named positions into the two remaining positions, namely by displacement of the buffer relative to the stationary retaining unit. This is particularly preferably done in a horizontal plane. This has the advantage that the displacement can be accomplished with very little effort and is easy to handle for a user.

In providing a manually operable by an operator mechanism to move the cache memory, the handling of the device is then very simple. Alternatively or additionally, a drive unit, in particular an electric motor for moving the buffer is provided, wherein the buffer by means of the drive unit preferably moved horizontally. The electric motor may be a stepping motor, a linear motor or a spindle motor. In this case, a spindle motor is understood as meaning a threaded spindle or an electric motor having a movement screw. In this case, a rotating movement of the electric motor is converted into a translational movement, which preferably moves the buffer horizontally. The advantage of this is that the buffer is movable by means of the electric motor, preferably horizontally, in both a forward and a reverse direction.

In a further preferred embodiment, the retaining unit comprises a retaining element for retaining the coins received in the buffer and a first guide element for transporting the sorted coins from the buffer to the coin storage and a second guide for transporting the sorted coins from the buffer into the return pocket and being the first Guiding element disposed on a first side of the retaining element and the second guide element on a second side of the retaining element, wherein the second side is preferably arranged opposite to the first side. This has the advantage that the retaining element of the retaining unit in the feed position retains the coins supplied to the buffer in the buffer store, the first guide element in the transfer position of the retaining unit can transport the coins stored in the buffer from the buffer into the coin store, in particular sorted, and that second guide element in the return position the entered sorted coins from the cache can transport in the return tray. In this case, the guide elements can be arranged on different sides of the retaining element. Furthermore, it is possible that the first guide element and the second guide element are identical and a separation of the coins to be transported in the return tray or the coin storage takes place only after the coins have already left the buffer. In a further embodiment, the buffer has a folding mechanism at the discharge opening, which supplies the input coins to the first or the second guide element as required. Preferably, the second guide element is arranged on an opposite side of the first guide element. This has the advantage that by moving the buffer horizontally in two opposite directions it can be achieved that the coins stored in the buffer are transported either in the direction of the coin store or in the direction of the return slot as soon as the buffer reaches the transfer position or the return position. Preferably, this is done by the coins in the respective positions leave the buffer by the discharge opening either guided over the first guide element in the coin storage or on the second guide element in the return tray or transported.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to carry out the retaining element and the first and second guide element in one piece. This has the advantage that the retaining unit can be produced easily, for example by pressing metal parts, in particular metal sheets. Further, a such integrally manufactured component less susceptible to wear and thus more robust.

In another preferred embodiment, a side of the retaining element facing the buffer in the feed position is planar and arranged in a horizontal plane in the operating position of the device. This advantageously, in particular in the event that the dispensing opening is arranged at the lower end of the buffer, ensures that the flat, the buffer memory facing side of the retaining element can hold back the coins recorded in the buffer in a simple manner and is easily displaced in the horizontal plane , In this case, the retaining element is preferably dimensioned such that in the feed position no coins can leave the buffer, upon release of the retaining element in the forwarding position or in the return position, the output port of the buffer is released and the coins received therein the coin storage or the return tray can be fed ,

In a further preferred embodiment, the first and the second guide element each have a planar guide region, which each define an angle α, β between 200 ° and 260 ° with the side of the retaining element facing the buffer in the feed position. As a result of this arrangement of the guide regions of the guide elements relative to the retaining element or its side facing the intermediate memory in the feed position, it is advantageously achieved that the coins received in the intermediate position in the feed position are displaced of the temporary storage in the transfer position or in the return position to the respective guide areas are guided and there due to the downward angle (α - 90 °, β - 90 °) automatically slip into the coin storage or the return tray. According to the invention, the buffer has a plurality of juxtaposed compartments. This has the advantage that the cache can store several coins separately. The compartments of the buffer store preferably have the same dimensions. In this case, it is further preferred if each compartment is provided for storing only one, in particular different, denomination. This has the advantage that each denomination can be processed separately without mixing with different denominations.

In a further preferred embodiment, the compartments are open on a first side and / or on a second side, wherein the second side faces the retaining element in the feed position and is preferably arranged on an end of the compartment opposite the first side. In this way, it is achieved that the coins can be fed into and out of the temporary storage both via the first side and via the second side. Furthermore, this can advantageously be achieved by the retaining element holding the coins in the buffer on the second side. In the preferred embodiment, the first side faces the second side, thereby making the coins simple from the input side to the output side, in this case the second side.

Further, it is advantageous if the subjects each have a vertical longitudinal axis in the operating position of the device, wherein the longitudinal axis connects a center of the first side with a center of the second side. Thus, in operational position, the first side of each compartment is at the top and the second side of each compartment is at the bottom so that the second side is located opposite the retention element. This has the advantage that the coins fed in through the top first side automatically fall by gravity to the second side and are stopped there in the feed position by the retaining element of the retaining unit. After shifting the buffer to the transfer position or to the return position, the discharge opening is released and the coins can fall into the coin storage or the return tray due to gravity.

It is also advantageous if the first guide element has a plurality of separate guideways for sorted guidance of the coins from the buffer into the coin store, each compartment being assigned a guideway. The guideways are in this case arranged so that it is possible to transport the sorted in the cache coins in the same sorting from the buffer in the coin storage. Here, the coins stored in a compartment can be easily transported via the guideway associated with the compartment into a compartment of the coin store assigned to this guideway.

It is advantageous if the coin storage has as many compartments as the cache.

In a preferred embodiment, the return tray has only one compartment. The cached coins are issued to a customer on request. Since it does not depend on the sorting of the coins, a single compartment is sufficient for this purpose. In another preferred embodiment, the return tray on several subjects, in particular as many subjects as the cache. This has the advantage that the coins returned to the customer are sorted and taken sorted by the customer, in particular into a further coin store for sorted receiving coins can be transferred.

It is also advantageous if the first guide element with the coin store and the second guide element are connected to the return tray. This has the advantage that the coins can slide or be transported from the buffer store via the first guide element or the second guide element without an intermediate step directly into the coin store or into the return tray.

In a further preferred embodiment, the retaining unit with the retaining element, the first and the second guide element, the coin storage and the return tray is made in one piece. This has the advantage that the retaining unit is easy to manufacture, for example, formed from a press-formed metal part. Furthermore, coins can be transported further by means of the retaining unit or stored in the coin storage or returned to the return tray.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an arrangement for handling coins having an input unit for inputting coins, a singulating unit for singling the coins, a sorting unit for sorting the coins and a coin handling apparatus as described above, wherein the singulating unit the coins entered via the input unit are separated, and the sorting unit sorts the individual coins and supplies them sorted to the buffer. As a result, it is advantageously achieved that the entire process from the entry of a coin to the intermediate storage and return or storage of the coins is realized by a single device.

Preferably, the coin handling device now mentioned also has a coin recognition unit and / or authentication unit, wherein the coin recognition unit and / or authentication unit detects the separated coins, and wherein the sorting unit sorts the separated coins as a function of the detection result of the coin recognition unit and / or authenticity checking unit and sorted into the cache. The coin recognition and / or authenticity checking unit advantageously achieves that the denomination of the coins and / or further features of the coins, in particular the authenticity of the coins, can be detected.

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 Anordnung zur Handhabung von Münzen;

Figur 2

eine dreidimensionale Darstellung eines Zwischenspeichers;

Figur 3

eine Aufsicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Handhabung von Münzen mit einem Zwischenspeicher und einer Rückhalteeinheit sowie einem Münzspeicher und einem Rückgabefach in einer Zuführposition;

Figur 4

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung nach Figur 3;

Figur 5

die Vorrichtung nach den Figuren 3 und 4 in einer Weitergabeposition; und

Figur 6

die Vorrichtung nach den Figuren 4 bis 6 in einer Rückgabeposition.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of an arrangement for handling coins;

FIG. 2

a three-dimensional representation of a cache;

FIG. 3

a top view of a device according to the invention for handling coins with a buffer and a retaining unit and a coin storage and a return tray in a feed position;

FIG. 4

a side view of the device according to FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5

the device according to the FIGS. 3 and 4 in a transfer position; and

FIG. 6

the device according to the FIGS. 4 to 6 in a return position.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement 52 for handling coins 12. In the arrangement 52 coins 12 can both be entered and re-issued. The arrangement 52 has an input unit 40 for input of coins 12 and one with the input unit 40 connected singulation unit 42 for separating the entered coins on. The singulated coins 12 are detected in a subsequent coin recognition unit and / or authentication unit 50. In this case, in particular, the denomination of the coins 12 can be detected. Furthermore, the authenticity, the currency and other properties of the coins 12 can be recognized. In a next step, the coins 12 are fed to a sorting unit 44, in which the singulated coins 12 are sorted as a function of the detection result of the coin recognition unit and / or authenticity checking unit 50. In the event that only coins 12 of one and the same currency are detected, the sorting takes place here in particular after the denomination of the coins 12. In a final step, the sorted coins 12 are fed to a device 12 for handling coins 12, as they are in general Part of the description has been described and subsequently in conjunction with the FIGS. 2 to 6 for an embodiment will be described in more detail. The device 10 has in particular a buffer for sorted receiving sorted fed coins and a retaining unit for retaining the coins recorded in the buffer.

FIG. 2 shows a buffer 14 of the device 10 with a plurality of juxtaposed compartments, which preferably have identical dimensions. One of the subjects is exemplified by the reference numeral 16. Each compartment 16 has a first side 46 at the top and a second side 48 at the bottom of the buffer 14. Further, each compartment 16 is open at the upper side 46 and at the lower side 48 and has identical rectangular floor and ceiling surfaces. The height of each compartment 16 is greater than its depth and width so that each compartment 16 is elongate along the vertical. About the first page 46 coins 12 can be entered into each tray 16 and the respective tray 16 are supplied. The compartments 16 are each dimensioned so that the coins 12 can stand or lie in the respective compartments 16. The coins 12 are retained in the compartments 16 on the second side 48 by a retaining unit (not shown) in the buffer 14. In the respective compartments 16 identical denominations, but also several different denominations can be stored. In particular, different denominations can be stored in the compartments 16. In the latter case one speaks of a sort-pure storage.

FIG. 3 shows the apparatus 10 for handling coins 12 with a buffer 14 and a retaining unit 18 in a plan view. In the central area of FIG. 3, the buffer 14 with a plurality of compartments 16 can be seen. The coins 12 stored in the compartments 16 are retained on the second side 48 of the compartments 16 by the retention unit 18 in the buffer 14. In the present case, the retaining unit 18 has a retaining element 22, a first guide element 24, a second guide element 26, a coin store 32 and a return pocket 34. Here, the retaining unit 18 is designed in one piece with said elements. In other embodiments, the retaining unit 18 may also be designed in several parts. In particular, each named Element of the retaining unit 18 may be formed by a separate component.

In the plan view of Fig. 3 one recognizes the retaining element 22 below the buffer 14 in the form of a rectangular metal plate or metal sheet, the longer side is the same or substantially the same length as the extension of the buffer 14 between the two outer compartments of the buffer 14. The retaining element 22 has an in Fig. 3 visible, in the feed position the latch 14 facing surface 23, which is flat and is arranged horizontally. As a result, the coins 12 stored in the compartments 16 of the intermediate storage 14 can be held in a simple manner in the interior of the intermediate storage 14. On the left side of the retaining element 22, the first guide member 24 connects to a plurality of coin stores 32, one of which is exemplified by the reference numeral 32. The first guide element 24 has a plurality of mutually separate guideways over which the coins 12 are transported to compartments 16 separated from the compartments 16 in the coin storage 32 in the transfer position. Each guideway 38 has at both lateral ends in each case two, first lateral limiting elements 28 for the sorted guiding of the coins 12 stored in the compartments 16 into the coin stores 32. Two adjacent guide tracks 38 are separated from each other by a first lateral limiting element 28. The first lateral boundary elements 28 are manufactured in such a way that coins 12 stored in the compartments 16 can be transferred from the compartments 16 into the respective coin storages 32, without that the coins 12 leave the respective guideway 38.

On the right side of the retaining element 22, the second guide element 26 with the return pocket 34 attached thereto adjoins the retaining element 22. The return tray 34 is a rectangular tray which is closed at the bottom. The return tray 34 is integrally connected via the second guide member 26 with the retaining element 22. In this case, the second guide element 26 tapers from the retaining element 22 to the return pocket 34. Furthermore, the second guide element 26 has a second lateral limiting element 29 on the two edges, so that the second guide element 26 is brought together in a funnel shape towards the return pocket 34. As a result, the coins 12 falling out of the compartments 16 in the return position of the intermediate storage device 14 can be reliably fed to the return compartment 34.

The angle in the first guide element 24 is in FIG. 4 with α and the angle between the in the feed position the latch 14 facing surface 23 and the second guide member 26 is in FIG. 4 denoted by β. The angles are the same in the present case and each amount to 225 °.

The coin storages 32 are cylindrical with a respective diameter corresponding to the denomination to be stored. In another embodiment, all diameters of the coin storage are identical or only coin store are provided with rectangular cross-section.

The cylinders of the coin storages 32 are connected to the retaining element 22 at an upper end via the first guide element 24. Here, in each case a guide track 38 connects a coin store 32 with a left edge of the retaining element 22.

In the following FIGS. 4 to 6 For example, three different positions of the buffer 14 relative to the retaining unit 18 will be described. FIG. 4 shows the feed position, FIG. 5 the transfer position and FIG. 6 the return position.

In FIG. 4 the supply position is shown, in which the retaining unit 18 and the buffer 14 are arranged to each other such that the retaining unit 18 closes a discharge opening 36 of the buffer 14. The closing takes place through the horizontally arranged surface 23 of the retaining element 22 facing the buffer 14. The retaining element 22 is arranged so that the second sides 48 of all compartments 16 of the buffer 14 are so completely closed that no coins 12 from the compartments 16 can escape via the lower side 48. The over the latch 14 on the left and right sides of the latch 14 protruding parts of the retaining element 22 are each equally far above. The transfer position and return position of the FIGS. 5 and 6 arise due to shifts of the buffer 14 to the left or right, which is due to the in FIG. 4 shown arrows P1 and P2 is indicated.

The arrangement of FIG. 5 arises from the FIG. 4 by horizontal displacement of the latch 14 to the left in the representation of FIG. 4 ie in the direction of the arrow P1. As a result of the displacement, the dispensing opening 36 of the intermediate store 14 is released, so that the coins 12 received in the temporary store 14 slide through the dispensing opening 36 onto a flat guide area 25 of the first guide element 24 divided by webs 28 into guideways 38 and from there into the Coin memory 23 fall. The transport of the coins 12 from the compartments 16 of the buffer 14 is done here sorted. The coins 12 contained in the compartments 16 slip over the respective guide tracks 38 of the first guide element 24 into the respective coin stores 32.

The arrangement of FIG. 6 , in which the buffer 14 is shown in the return position, takes place from the feed position to FIG. 4 out by horizontally shifting the buffer 14 to the right in the figure FIG. 4 that is, in the direction of the arrow P2. As a result of this displacement, the dispensing opening 36 of the intermediate store 14 is released so that the coins 12 accommodated in the different compartments 16 of the intermediate store 14 slide over the second, planar guide area 27 of the second guide element 26 into the return tray 34. Here, the second guide member 26 is a flat plate or a flat sheet over which the sorted coins 12 are transported unsorted into the return tray 34.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

contraption

12

coin

14

cache

16

subject

18

Retaining unit

22

Retaining element

23

in the feed position the buffer memory facing surface of the retaining element

24

first guide element

25

Guide region of the first guide element

26

second guide element

27

Guide region of the second guide element

28

first lateral boundary elements

29

second lateral boundary elements

30

output tray

32

coin store

34

return specialist

36

discharge opening

38

guideway

40

input unit

42

separation unit

44

sorting unit

46

first page of the subjects

48

second side of the subjects

50

Coin recognition unit and / or authenticity checking unit

52

Arrangement for handling coins

Claims (14)

1. Device (10) for handling coins (12),
   having an intermediate store (14) for receiving in a sorted manner coins (12) that are fed in a sorted manner, and
   having a retention unit (18) for retaining the coins (12) that are received in the intermediate store (14),
   wherein the retention unit (18) and the intermediate store (14) in a feeding position in which the retention unit (18) and the intermediate store (14) have a first mutual relative position are disposed in such a manner that the retention unit (18) closes a dispensing opening (36) of the intermediate store (14),
   wherein the retention unit (18) and the intermediate store (14) in a transferring position in which the retention unit (18) and the intermediate store (14) have a second mutual relative position are disposed in such a manner that coins (12) that are stored in the intermediate store (14) are feedable to a coin store (32), and
   wherein the retention unit (18) and the intermediate store (14) in a returning position in which the retention unit (18) and the intermediate store (14) have a third mutual position are disposed in such a manner that coins (12) that are stored in the intermediate store (14) are feedable to a returning compartment (34),
   characterized in that
   the intermediate store (14) has a plurality of compartments (16) that are disposed beside one another.
2. Device (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the retention unit (18) is locationally fixed, and in that the intermediate store (14) is displaceable between the feeding position, the transferring position, and the returning position.
3. Device (10) according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that a drive unit, in particular a motor, a linear motor, or a spindle motor, is provided for moving the intermediate store (14), wherein the intermediate store (14) is preferably moved horizontally.
4. Device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that the retention unit (18) has a retention element (22) for retaining the coins (12) that are received in the intermediate store (14), and a first guide element (24) for transporting the sorted coins (12) from the intermediate store (14) to the coin store (32), and a second guide element (26) for transporting the sorted coins (12) from the intermediate store (14) to the returning compartment (34), and
   in that the first guide element (24) is disposed on a first side of the retention element (22), and the second guide element (24) is disposed on a second side of the retention element (22), wherein the second side is preferably disposed so as to be opposite the first side.
5. Device (10) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the retention element (22) and the first and the second guide element (24, 26) are embodied so as to be integral.
6. Device (10) according to either of Claims 4 and 5,
   characterized in that a side (23) of the retention element (22) that in the feeding position faces the intermediate store (14) is planar and is disposed in a horizontal plane.
7. Device (10) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the first and the second guide element (24, 26) each have one planar guide region (25, 27), said guide regions (25, 27) conjointly with that side (23) of the retention element (22) that in the feeding position faces the intermediate store (14) in each case defining an angle (α, β) between 200° and 260°.
8. Device (10) according to Claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in that each compartment is provided for storing in each case only one, in particular a different, denomination.
9. Device (10) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the compartments (16) are open on a first side (46) and/or on a second side (48), wherein the second side (48) in the feeding position faces the retention element (22) and is preferably disposed on an end of the compartment (16) that is opposite the first side (46).
10. Device (10) according to Claim 9, characterized in that the compartments (16) in the operating state of the device (10) in each case have a vertical longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis connects a centre of the first side (46) with a centre of the second side (48).
11. Device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 10,
    characterized in that the first guide element (26) has a plurality of mutually separated guide tracks (38) for guiding the coins (12) in a sorted manner from the intermediate store (14) to the coin store (32), wherein each compartment (16) is assigned one guide track (38).
12. Device (10) according to one of Claims 4 to 11,
    characterized in that the first guide element (24) is connected to the coin store (32), and the second guide element (26) is connected to the returning compartment (34).
13. Device (10) according to Claim 12, characterized in that the retention unit (18) is embodied so as to be integral with the retention element (22), the first and the second guide element (24, 26), the coin store (32), and the returning compartment (34).
14. Assembly (52) for handling coins (12), having an input unit (40) for inputting coins (12);
    a singularization unit (42) for singularizing the coins (12);
    a sorting unit (44) for sorting the coins (12); and
    a device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the singularization unit (42) singularizes the coins (12) that are input by way of the input device (40), and the sorting unit (44) sorts the singularized coins (12) and feeds the latter to the intermediate store (14) in a sorted manner.

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