FI96146B - Method and apparatus for sorting circular objects in the form of a disc, in particular coins - Google Patents

Abstract

An arriving coin (10') of too large a diameter runs with one edge onto a run-on ramp (44). The raising of the coin (10') also causes the raising of the lower strand (12'') of a conveyor band (12') conveying a stream of coins. The raising brings about a lateral deflection of the lower strand (12'') in the direction of the arrow, the coin (10') to be separated out also being displaced laterally, thereby slipping off from the left-hand supporting edge (22) and tipping into a sorting-out orifice (14). The conversion of the raising movement of the lower strand (12'') into a lateral deflection is brought about by a guide roller (28) which is mounted on an arm (26) pivotable about an axis (50) and which is prestressed against the lower strand (12'') by means of a spring (30). Because the coin (10') to be separated out runs onto the ramp (44), a build-up of coins conveyed thereafter is prevented, thereby guaranteeing a high uniform output of the apparatus. The apparatus makes it possible to separate out coins of too small and of too large a diameter. <IMAGE>

Description

96146

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

In a device of this type 10, known exclusively for coin sorting, known from DE-OS 35 18 268, the coins pass through a coin recognition device which controls an outward pusher which engages the coins to be separated from the side. The ejector pushes the coin to the side so that it slides off the edge of the base and swings into the sorting opening. In this case, the movement 15 transverse to the direction of transport causes the coin in question to be braked and the resulting, subsequent, coins to be dammed. Damming prevents a continuous workflow and creates the risk of causing malfunctions. In addition, it develops an out-pusher shock-like motion with considerable noise, followed by 20 increased strain and intense consumption. The invention is further based on the object of providing, in addition to the method, a device which makes it possible to separate circular objects in the form of a disc at a high transport speed without damming.

The set task is solved by means of the features of the characterizing part of claims 1 and 3. The solution according to the invention makes it possible to distinguish both objects that are too small in diameter and those that are too thick by the same means. Objects that are too small in diameter fall through a correspondingly sized sorting opening 30. Too thick objects cause the means of transport to move away from the transport plane and thus to be laterally deflected, by which an object that is too thick is pulled away from the edge of the base until it swings into the sorting opening. This step does not take place in the manner of an impact, as in the out-35 pusher, but extends some distance along the transport area so that the separation takes place "softly". During the temporary rise of the means of transport, by means of an object which is too thick to be separated V, the conveying devices of adjacent objects not intended for separation are temporarily lowered so that these objects cannot be pulled in from the side. Continuous transport of objects is not prevented by separating the "wrong" object because no 5 sudden braking occurs. In addition, damming is excluded.

Continuous conveying has also ensured that there is virtually no slippage between the objects to be conveyed and the conveyor belt in the separation. There is no increased stress and noise generation during separation. As soon as the object has been swung into the transport opening, it is accelerated downwards by the return force of the ejected means of transport, so that the transport path 15 is again free for the next object.

According to a preferred embodiment according to claim 2, not only objects that are too small or too thick in diameter are gripped, but also objects that are determined to be distinguished on the basis of other criteria.

The device according to claim 3 is based on the inventive idea of not making the separation of non-uniform objects dependent on the elevation of the transport means, which are then guided to the side so as to lead to the sorting opening of the object to be separated.

Although it is also conceivable to use a number of rollers as a means of transport, the embodiment according to claim 4 is to be regarded as particularly advantageous.

In the embodiment of claim 5, the pivotable arm provides the required lateral deflection as soon as it is moved up. Although such an arm 35 is also functional due to its gravity, the embodiment according to claim 6 proves to be advantageous, since the spring not only accelerates the return force, but also leads the accelerated object away from the conveyor track.

According to a preferred embodiment according to claim 7, it is possible to convert the impact movement into a lateral deflection movement without a pivoting element.

The preferred embodiment according to claim 8 indicates how, on the basis of other criteria, such objects can be distinguished whose thickness does not exceed the permitted thickness.

The embodiment as claimed in claim 9 in the all too large in diameter to separate the articles, which during transport along the transport path 15 extend on one side of the solid liukumistasoa and thus provide a similar means of transport sivuunohjäämisen. With such an embodiment, it is possible to separate both too small and too large objects through the same sorting opening without additional control means, while the non-separable objects cross the sorting opening, lying on the edge of the base.

In the embodiment according to claim 10, the removal element can be moved to the conveyor track depending on the desired criteria, so that e.g. objects 25 whose dimensions are not outside the permissible limits can also be distinguished.

According to claim 11, the discharge element is a pivotable sliding plane to achieve a relatively soft discharge movement.

In the embodiment according to claim 12, palpation and separation take place at spaced stations. In addition, it is possible, for example, to identify the 35-Telia alloy of individual objects and to make the separation dependent on a non-uniform alloy.

• 4 96146

According to claim 13, the side guide element has no moving parts.

According to claim 14, the device can be adapted to objects with a diameter of 5.

In connection with the drawing, embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail below.

10 shows: Fig. 1 a side view of a device for separating thick coins, Fig. 2 a top view of the device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a sectional view III-III from Fig. 2, 15 Fig. 4 a device according to Fig. 2 separating an excessively thick coin, Fig. 5 a sectional view VV from Fig. 4, Fig. 6 cross-sections of a device with a stationary conveyor belt separator, 20 Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a device with a rotating conveyor belt separator, Fig. 8 is a plan view of a device for separating coins that are too small and too large in diameter, Fig. 9 , Fig. 11 when the device according to Fig. 8 is separated from a coin too small in diameter, Fig. 12 is a sectional view XII-XII from Fig. 11, Fig. 13 is when the device according to Fig. 8 is separated from a coin too large, Fig. 14 is a sectional view XIV-XIV from Fig. 13, Fig. 15 is electromagnetically adjustable device as a side view when separating a coin Fig. 16 is a plan view of the device of Fig. 15, Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the detail of Fig. 16 when passing the "right" coin, Fig. 18 9666 Fig. 18 as Fig. 17, but distinguishing the "wrong" coin, and Fig. 19 is a block diagram; from the device of Figure 15.

5

Figure 1 shows a device in a side view in a basic embodiment for separating coins that are too small in diameter, in particular coins that are too thick. an endless conveyor belt, a means of transport operating October 12, 12 'rotates two, 46 and 46 in the direction of the arrow of the rotating intermediate roll "round. The lower bifurcation 12 "of the conveyor belt 12 'grips the coin 10 from above by means of gripping friction, which is conveyed in the conveying plane 20 along the conveying path 18.

Two spring-loaded pressure rollers 48 ensure that the lower leg 12 "of the conveyor belt 12 is on the coin 10 to be transported throughout the transport distance. For the sake of clarity, only one coin 10 is shown in Figure 1. However, since it is a high power device, the coin is next to the coin.

20

Also, a conveyor roller 28 gripping the lower branch 12 "of the conveyor belt 12 'as a side guide element is mounted on a pivot arm 26 about one side about the pivot axis 50. The bottom 52 of the conveyor track 18 has a sorting opening 25 14.

The top view of Figure 2 shows how the non-separable coins 10 ”are transported out over the sorting opening 14. As the conveyor belt 12 'engages the center of the graft-30 course, the coin 10' is that during transportation from one side of the conveyor rail 16. The transport rail 16 and a sorting opening 14 has a narrow peripheral edge 22. The illustrated slot 10 "has a diameter so large that it extends beyond the sorting opening 14 directly. It can also be deduced from the representation 35 that a coin of smaller diameter on the conveyor rail 16 falls into the sorting opening 14. Of the two intermediate rollers 46 and 46 ', the first intermediate roller 46 is driven by a motor 54.

• · · 6 96146

In particular, the sectional view of Figure 3 shows the extent to which the pivot shaft 50 is arranged offset from the transport roller 28. The pivot shaft 50 is located in a bracket 58 arranged in the wall 56. The arm 26 and thus the conveyor roller 28 are under the action of the tension spring 30 up to the projection 36, so that the conveyor roller 28 is on the lower branch 12 "of the conveyor belt 12 '.

Figure 4 shows that the conveyor roller 28 and thus the lower branch 12 "of the conveyor belt 12 'is guided on the opposite side of the conveyor rail 16 when the lower branch 12" is lifted e.g. by a coin too thick. Through the deflection, the coin 10 'is pulled to the side so that it slides off the edge 22 of the base and swings into the sorting opening 14.

15

In the sectional view of Fig. 5, the lateral displacement of the coin 10 'in steps is clearly visible. By raising the lower branch 12 ", it is further ensured that the next and above coins bounded by the separable coin 10 'do not become laterally snatched because the lower branch is temporarily lowered by the thinner coins provided for separation. Due to the action of the tension spring 30, the conveyor roller 28 to the normal position as shown in Figure 3. Thus, the coin 10 keikautettua 25 'is accelerated in the direction of the arrow 60, so that the lower bifurcation 12 "comes back on the other coins and against.

As described above, the separation of the coins 10 ', the thickness of which is 30 above the thickness of the coins to be counted, does not in any way prevent the continuous transport of the coin stream, since the separation step extends some distance above the conveying path 18 according to the rail switch principle. In addition, the separation 35 takes place without straining the control device. The side guide element comprising a transport roller performs both functions, namely gripping and separating a coin that is too thick.

Il 7 96146

In Fig. 6, the side guide element 24 'is a conveyor belt remover 42 with an inclined fixed discharge surface 42'. Viewed in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor, the discharge surface 5 'extends arcuately to achieve soft lateral deflection of the lower branch 12 ". In the same way as in the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, an excessively thick coin 10' is separated by raising the lower branch 12" by means of an outlet surface 42 '. In addition, the separable coin 10 'is pulled away from the edge 22 of the base so that it swings into the sorting opening 14.

The embodiment of Fig. 7 comprises a conical side guide roller 32 fixedly mounted in place as a side guide element 15 ". The operation of this side guide roller substantially corresponds to the side guide surface 42 '. The bearing sleeve 62 supporting the conveyor belt 42 and the conical side guide roller 32 of Fig. 6 is closed. Compared to the separable overly thick coins 10 ', a coin 10 "of normal thickness is shown in both Figures 6 and 7. Sorting holes 14 are provided in the base plate 64.

shown at 25 in Figure 8 top plan apparatus is different from the above-described devices so that the transport path 18 ', which is opposite to the side of the transport rails 16' of the delivery orifice-direction before the sorting aperture 14 or the adjacent is arranged to be sorted coins from one side of the lifting poistoele-30 element 44 in the form of 34 liukumistason. The sliding plane 44 is formed in a pusher 66 having a second sliding plane 8 opposite the guide rails 16. In the illustrated embodiment, there is just an indistinguishable coin 10 "above the sorting opening 14 on both sides over and against the edges 22 35 and 68 of the base.

To fit the respective 10 "coin 10", the pusher 66 must be adjusted to 96 966 by loosening the thumbscrew 70. For this purpose, the pusher 66 is connected to two transport rods 74, each of which is inserted into the pusher guide 72. Opposite the pusher 66 are transport rods 74 connected to a strip 76 to which the wing screw 70 is screwed 5 and moves in a longitudinal hole 78 arranged in the base plate 64.

Fig. 9 shows a longitudinal section IX-IX in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 shows a section X-X in Fig. 8. In particular, it can be seen from Fig. 10 that the adjusting elements 72, 74 and 76 for the pusher 66 are located below the base plate 64. Furthermore, it can be clearly seen that the width of the sorting opening 14 is adjustable by means of the pusher 66. The arrangement of the transport roller 28 corresponds to the descriptions given in connection with Figures 1-5. 15

Figures 11-14 show the same device as Figures 8-10. It can then be seen from Figures 11 and 12 how coins with too small a diameter immediately fall into the sorting opening 14.

20

Referring to Figures 13 and 14, it is shown in successive views how an oversized coin 10 'slides over a sliding plane 44 acting as an ejection element 34, thereby causing the feed roller 28 to rise and guide 25, slide from the base edge 22 and swing in the sorting opening 14, spring-loaded transport roller • m 28 also yields.

Figures 15-19 show an apparatus for separating non-uniform coins 30 regardless of their diameter and thickness. It can be seen from Figures 15 and 16 that the side guide element 24 "is a conical side guide roller 32, as already shown in Figure 7. The other elements arranged above the base plate 64 substantially correspond to the embodiment 35 of Figures 1 and 2. Below the base plate 64 in the conveying direction before the sorting opening 14 at least one coin a detection device 80 having a sensor 40, which device is connected to the signal conductors 82 with a control switch.

I! 96146 9

The removal element 34 'is a sliding platform 38 operated by an electromagnet 84 / pivotable on the conveyor track 18. The electromagnet 84 is actuated depending on the previously sensed properties of the transported coins 5 when the coin 10 just passed was identified as false and ordered to be separated. The electromagnet 84 is connected to said control circuit via connecting lines 86 and has a pusher 88 and a return spring 90 to provide a sliding level 38. By means of a holder 92, the electromagnet 84 is connected to the base plate 64. The sliding plane 38 to be actuated by the magnets 84 is pivotable about a pivot axis 94. To limit both end positions of the pivot area, a stop 96 formed through the holder 92 operates.

15

Figures 17 and 18 show the operation of the pivoting sliding plane 38. In the rest position of Fig. 17, the coin 10 can cross the sorting opening 14 without hindrance. However, if the sliding plane 38 is turned according to Fig. 18 while the coin 10 'is immediately above it, the coin 10' is pulled out of the base edge 22 by the side guide roller 32. by means of the lower branch 12 "of the conveyor belt 12 'and is wound into the sorting opening 14.

25

While Figs. 17 and 18 show the conveying path in cross section, the figures inside the circle also show the respective position of the sliding plane 38 in a side view. In the rest position according to Fig. 17, the upper surface of the sliding plane 38 30 is bound to the conveyor track 18. The arrows below the sliding level 38 indicate the direction of action in each case. In Fig. 17, the direction of operation is determined by the restoring force of the spring 90. Figure 18 shows the direction of action by the magnets 84.

Since it is a high-power device for sorting coins, the coins are conveyed along the conveying path 18 at a relatively high speed. Therefore, it is necessary that the turning time of the sliding plane 38 according to Fig. 18 be of the order of milliseconds.

Fig. 19 shows the already mentioned control circuit 98, to which the signals of the detectors 40 are fed via lines 82.

An electromagnet 84 is controlled through line 86. Detectors 40 can sense, for example, the inductance of the coins being passed, which allows conclusions to be drawn about their alloy.

10

The embodiments described above should not only be considered as alternatives, but can be meaningfully complemented by one another in succession. Thus, for example, it is possible that the separation first takes place on the basis of different diameters and different thickness, while finally other separation criteria are included, insofar as dimensions such as diameter and over-thickness have not previously led to separation.

20 Although the above description relates to coins, it is entirely possible to sort other round disc-shaped objects, such as washers, according to the same principles.

By corresponding adjustment of the device, it is possible to count through 25 either only a single value of a coin or all coins of a certain currency. All coins that are too small or too large in diameter, as well as coins that are too thick, can be separated by mechanical means only, without electrical or electronic adjustment. Passing a single coin value 30 can serve, for example, to feed coins to the next packaging machine. It is desirable, for example, to pass through all the coins of a given currency when the coins are next fed into a counting or sorting machine.

A common feature of the embodiments described above is that, with the exception of coins that are too small in diameter, all other separable coins provide lateral deflection of the lower branch of the conveyor belt 12 ', allowing the corresponding coin itself to move laterally so as to slide off the base 22. and wraps around the sorting opening 14. Such sorting takes place without delaying the other coin flow and without the effect of the element striking the coins 5. Also, the sliding plane rotating on the conveyor track 18 according to Figs. 15-18 does not strike the coins to be sorted in any way. Despite these "soft" properties, the described device is suitable as a high-power sorting device.

10

Claims (14)

96146 12 A method for sorting disc-shaped round objects, in particular coins (10), the characteristics, including dimensions, of which are outside the predetermined values of non-separable objects, from a stream of such objects transported from above by means of gripping conveying means (12) a conveying rail (16) on a conveyor track (18) having at least one sorting opening (14) remote from the conveyor rail (16) 10 by the edge (22) of the base, characterized in that at least one transverse direction of the sorting opening (14) transverse to the conveying direction the arranged conveying means (12) is guided to the side by means of a displacement caused by one conveyed object (10 ') from the conveying plane laterally, 15 the displacing object (10') being pulled away from the conveyor rail (16) and the edge of the base (22); (14) through. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the objects (10 ') identified as to be sorted are lifted from one side in the region of the sorting opening (14). Apparatus for carrying out the method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus comprises in part conveying devices (12) which, while gripping the objects to be sorted from above (10, 10 ', 10 "), press them on one side against the conveyor rail (16) and move them along the conveyor track (18), and partly in the conveyor track (18) a sorting opening (14) separated from the conveyor rail (16) by a narrow support edge (22), the width of the sorting opening (14) being less than the diameter of the smallest non-separable object (10 "), characterized in that the conveying device (12) in the region of the sorting opening (14) is guided by a lateral guide element to guide it sideways by a displacement from the conveying plane (20) the conveyor rail (16) relative to the direction of the opposite side. Il 96146 13 Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the conveying means (12) comprise a conveyor belt (12 ') which is rotatably driven and which carries the objects (10) to be conveyed by means of gripping friction. 5 Device according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the lateral guide element (24) has a transport roller (28) mounted on the pivot arm (26). Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the arm (26) is prestressed by a retraction spring (30). Device according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the lateral guide element (24 ") is formed in place by means of a permanently mounted conical side guide roller (32). Device according to one of Claims 3 to 7, characterized in that a removal element (34) is arranged on the conveyor track (18) in one direction before the sorting opening (14) or adjacent to the objects (10 ') to be sorted. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the discharge element (34) is formed by a fixed sliding plane opposite the conveyor rail (16), the lateral distance of which from the conveyor rail (16) is slightly greater than through the largest inseparable object (10 "). dimension, and that a second tray edge is formed between the edge of the sorting opening (14) and the sliding plane opposite the first tray edge (22). Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the discharge element (34) is designed to be moved from below to the conveyor track (18). 96146 14 Device according to Claim 10, characterized in that the discharge element (34) is a sliding plane (38) pivotable on the conveyor track (18). Device according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the removal element (34), depending on the characteristics of the transported objects (10) previously sensed by the detector (40), is electromagnetically actuable. 10 Device according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the lateral guide element (24 ') has an inclined, stationary outlet surface (42'). Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the discharge element (34) is formed by a laterally spaced adjustable sliding plane (44) with a second base edge (68) opposite the first base edge (22). 20