GB2501968A - Disk-type coin separator - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for separating coins of at least one set of coins of different sizes and thicknesses comprises a base plate 2, a carrier disk 4 rotatably mounted on the base plate, and a dispensing bar 8 for guiding coins into an outlet. The carrier disk has carrier bars 7 for forming carrier compartments which conveying coins from a reservoir. The dispensing bar is arranged on a plate-shaped dispensing element 22 that is mounted in a support 11 connected to the base plate. There is a predefined distance from the base of a respective carrier compartment to the dispensing bar, the distance being equal to or slightly larger than the height of the carrier bar, meaning that the carrier bars may pass beneath the dispenser bar as the carrier disk is rotated. Low carrier bars may be used, such that the height of the carrier bars may be less than the smallest thickness of the thinnest coin in the set of coins. The dispensing element can be mounted on the support at a number of bearing positions which define the distance from the dispensing bar to the base of the carrier disk.

Description

Coin sorting device The invention relates to a device for separating coins of a set of coins of different sizes and thicknesses, according to the preamble of the main claim.

It is known to use, e.g., in pay stations so-called hoppers in which money in the form of coins is filled into a receiving container or reservoir in an irregular and unsorted manner and is separated out of the reservoir by means of a device and is fed to a coin checker and/or a pay-out unit.

From EP 0 957 456 A], a pay-out unit for paying stations is known that has a reservoir with a partition wall, wherein a rotating disk is mounted in said wall, which rotating disk is provided with carrier means for the coins corresponding to a circular path. This circular path is interrupted by an arm or a thin bar along which die edges of the coins run and which guide the coins to a radial outlet. The carrier means for the coins are formed by retractable blades which, in their extended position, project preferably in the radial direction through the surface of said disk. A spring pushes the blade into the extended position while the mechanism, which is arranged in the region of the dispensing bar, pushes the blade into the retracted state.

US 7,628,685 B2 discloses a hopper with a rotating disk which has a plurality of radially arranged stoppers delimiting the coin compartments and which is provided with a dispensing unit for removing the coins received in the individual compartments in the radially outward direction. The dispensing unit is arranged in a spring-loaded manner such that it is in contact with the base of the coin compartment that receives the respective coin and moves against the spring and away from said base in the vertical direction so as to let the coin stopper pass through.

IL is an objecL of Lhe invenLion Lo provide a device for separating coins of at least one set of coins of different sizes and thicknesses, which device securely and reliably separates all coins independent of size and thickness, in which during separating no empty positions remain in the carrier compartments, and which allows a high speed when dispensing the coins after the separation.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the characterizing features of the main claim in connection with the features of the preamble.

Through the measures specified in the sub-claims, advantageous refinements and improvements are possible.

According to the invention, the device for separating coins is provided with a carrier disk that is rotatably mounted in a base plate, and with a dispensing bar for guiding coins into an outlet. The carrier disk has stationarily arranged carrier bars for forming carrier compartments serving for conveying coins from a reservoir. The dispensing bar is an integral part of a plate-shaped dispensing element that is mounted in a support connected to the base plate in such a manner that the dispensing bar has a predefined distance from the base of the respective carrier compartment, wherein said distance is egual to or slightly larger than the height of the carrier bar. Slightly means here in the range of approximately 10% maximally of the distance. Due to the fact that the dispensing element or the dispensing bar has a predefined distance from the base of the carrier disk or, respectively, the carrier compartments, which distance is so small that even the thinnest coin of the set of coins of different sizes and thicknesses is securely guided to Lhe ouliel and LhaL, on Lhe ojher hand, Lhe reepecLive carrier bar, which protrudes the base of the carrier compartment with a height depending on the thinnest of the coins to be transported only to a minor extent, can dip below the dispensing bar and the plate-shaped dispensing element, the speed of separation can be increased and the structure of the device can be simplified.

Tn a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the carrier bars are arranged stationarily in the carrier disk in such a manner that their height with regard to the base of the respective carrier compartment is equal to or smaller than the smallest thickness of the coins of the set of coins. Preferably, the height of the carrier bars is »= 10% smaller than the smallest thickness of the coins of the set of coins and is approximately 1 mm for a set of Euro coins. With the mentioned dimensions with regard to the height of the carrier elements, on the one hand, guiding the coin with the smallest thickness toward the outlet is still securely ensured by the dispensing bar and the carrier element and, on the other, the carrier element can securely dip below the dispensing bar and the dispensing element. This feature according to the invention contributes also to the speed of the separation and, in addition, empty spaces in the carrier compartments are avoided since it has been found that if the height of the carrier element is too large, the coins do not reach the carrier position in a fast and secure manner.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, according to the invention, at least one spring is arranged between the plate-shaped dispensing element and the support, which spring pushes the dispensing element against bearing positions. Here, the plate-shaped dispensing element is mounted at a plurality of bearing posiLions which define Lhe disLance of Lhe dispensing elemenL or the dispensing bar from the base of the respective carrier compartment of the carrier disk. Through the spring force generated by the at least one spring, the distance can be securely maintained and tolerances in the support, which preferably consists of plastic, can be compensated. In this connection, the at least one spring can be a leaf spring or also one or a plurality of spiral springs.

According to the invention it is provided that the carrier bars have a ride-on slope on their surface facing away from the base of the carrier compartments, which ride-on slope is inclined in the direction toward the center of the carrier disk and, together with the dispensing bar, provides a scissor action during the rotation of the carrier disk. Since the dispensing bar forms an acute angle with the carrier bar that is the nearest during the rotation of the carrier disk in such a manner that a coin lying in the carrier compartment is conveyed out of the carrier compartment through the interaction of the dispensing bar with the carrier bar, the dispensing bar reaches first that height of the respective carrier bar that is the smallest due to the ride-on slope, so that during the further rotation of the carrier disk and through the scissor action, if necessary, the plate-shaped dispensing element is slightly tilted within the bearing tolerance in the support and against the spring action.

In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the plate-shaped dispensing element is mounted in the support at a plurality of, preferably four, points in such a manner that it is able to carry out tilting movements about at least one, preferably three axes. Furthermore, this mounting ensures the cerLainLy LhaL even Lhe LhinnesL coin is guided Lo die ouLleL point because the slight tilting movement reduces the distance of the dispensing bar from the base of the carrier compartment in the direction toward the dispensing point. Here, at least two bearing positions fix the dispensing element in a manner that the dispensing element can carry out a movement path in the bearing positions between 10 and 20% of the distance of the dispensing bar from the base of the carrier compartment. Thereby, tolerances of the support are compensated, removing the coin radially toward the outlet opening is facilitated, and dipping of the carrier bars is improved.

In the center, i.e., extending from the center, the carrier disk has a cone that widens toward the base plate and is configured such that on the surface thereof, coins can roll off in a carrier compartment in the case that a plurality of coins are received. This improves the separation of coins. In a preferred manner, the base of each carrier compartment is provided adjacent to the carrier bar with a curved, raised structure which receives the rounded shape of coins. This structure improves also the rolling or sliding of so-called double coins, i.e., coins lying on top of each other in a carrier compartment, when the respective carrier compartment reaches the position of the upper region, i.e., approaches the dispensing position. This too improves the separation of coins.

Another improvement of the separation provides that on the oone, adjacent to its largest base area, in each case one projection is arranged that extends over a partial segment with regard to the respective carrier compartment, preferably concentric to the compartment, which projection faces toward the carrier comparLmenLs. By Lhia projecLion, a coin, even Lhe smaliceL coin, is retained in the compartment, while during the rotation, sliding of double coins is facilitated so that finally only one coin is placed in the carrier compartment nearest to the dispensing point.

An exemplary embodiment is illustrated in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the following description. In the figures: Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention with a reservoir in a perspective view, Fig. 2 shows the device according to the invention without the reservoir in a perspective view, Fig. 3 shows a top view on the base plate with carrier disk of the device according to the invention, and Fig. 4 shows a perspective view and a side view of a carrier bar used in a device according to the invention, and a partial view on the carrier disk in the installed state of the carrier bar of the device according to the invention.

The device according to the invention for separating coins of at least one set of coins of different sizes and thicknesses, illustrated in the Figs. 1 and 2, has a base plate 2 which is arranged on a housing 1 and on which a reservoir 3 is attached in which a cover 3' for the base plate 2 is pivotably mounted, which cover forms a partition wall of the reservoir 3 toward the base plate. In the lower region of the reservoir 3, no cover 3' is provided 30 LhaL Lhe coins can collie inLo cof-lLacL wiLh a carrier disk 4 which is rotatably mounted in the base plate 2 and is illustrated in more detail in Fig. 3, and which is driven via a tooth system 5 by a non-illustrated drive, optionally via a gear unit, so as to rotate around a center axis.

Distributed over its circumferential region, the carrier disk 4 is provided with a plurality of carrier compartments 6 which are formed by carrier bars 7 that are stationarily arranged in the carrier disk 4 and are radially spaced apart from each other. By means of these carrier compartments 6, the coins that are received in the reservoir 3 in an irregular and unsorted manner are carried along in the individual compartments 6 during the rotation of the carrier disk 4 and away from the lower region of the reservoir, which is open toward the carrier disk 4 in this lower region, and are transported upward through the rotational movement of the carrier disk 4 until they reach a disposing bar 8.

During the further rotation of the carrier disk 4 in interaction with the carrier bar 7, a coin 9 is transported beyond the circumference of the carrier disk 4 into an outlet opening 10.

As described below, the dispensing bar 8 is mounted in a support 11 made of plastic, which is fastened on the base plate 2. The transport movement of a coin 9 into the outlet opening 10 is facilitated by a spring-mounted arm 12 that is rotatable about a pivot pin 13 mounted in the base plate 2 and has at its end opposing the pivot pin 13 a roll 12' that rotates as well.

In Fig. 3, the base plate 2 with carrier disk 4 is illustrated in more detail in a top view. The carrier disk 4 is surrounded by a circular web 14 LhaL proLrudes from die base ploWs 2 and is integrally formed thereon. The web 14 serves for radially and externally bordering each carrier compartment 6. Centered around the rotational axis 15 of the carrier disk 4, a cone or a truncated cone 16 is integrally connected to the base plate 2, which cone facilitates the sliding of surplus coins collected in the compartment 6. The rotational axis 15 or an associated attachment 15' has an inclined surface on which a cam (not illustrated) connected to the cover 3' can run, as a result of which the cover 3' is moved up and down and coins located thereon can slide down. At the base of the cone 16, cube-shaped elevations 17 are formed thereon which are arranged approximately concentric to each compartment 6 and form a radially inner border for each compartment and the coins 9 received therein.

The carrier bars 7 are in each case arranged radially on the circumferential region of the carrier disk 4 and are spaced apart from the cone 16 so as to facilitate the sliding of the coins. Adjacent to each carrier bar 7, there is a raised structure 18 that is likewise formed on the base of the carrier disk 4 and has a curved limit stop 19 that points toward the compartment and is inclined toward the base of the compartment 6.

The height of the structure 18 corresponds substantially to the height of the carrier bars 7 or is slightly lower than the carrier bar 7.

Fig. 4 illustrates such a carrier bar 7 and the arrangement of the same in the carrier disk 4, wherein here the tooth system 5 on the lower side of the carrier disk 4 is shown. The carrier bar 7 consists of a hardened spring band steel and is provided at the outer ends in each case with one shoulder 19 which rest in each case on a non-iliusLraLed sLep of Lhe carrier disk 4.

Furthermore, the carrier bar 7 has a latching opening 20 into which a resilient latching hook engages so as to fix the carrier bar 7, which latching hook is made of plastic, i.e., the material of the carrier disk 4, and which is likewise an integral part of the carrier disk. Thus, this carrier bar 7 is inserted into a slot that is incorporated on the circumference of the carrier disk 4 and is fixed by the mentioned latching hook via the latching opening 20. At the inward-facing end of the carrier bar 7, the latter has a ride-on slope 21 on its outward-facing surface, the function of which slope is explained below.

As shown in Fig. 2, the dispensing edge 8, which together with the carrier bar 7 serves for pushing a coin 9 out of the carrier compartment 6, is an integral part of a plate-shaped dispensing element 22 that is configured as a steel sheet. The plate-shaped dispensing element 22 rests at four bearing points 23 on corresponding bearing positions of the support 11 surrounding the dispensing element 22. Here, one bearing position 23 is directed toward the center of the carrier disk 4 while three further bearing positions are arranged near the outer circumference of the carrier disk 4 in such a manner that three bearing axes 24 are obtained. The radially inner bearing position 23 and the central bearing position of the radially outer bearing positions 23 fix the plate-shaped dispensing element 22 in a manner that it can move only insignificantly at -10 -these bearing positions. At the other bearing positions 23, the dispensing element 22 is supported without being fixed in the upward direction, i.e., out of the plane cf projection. The plate-shaped dispensing element 22 is pretensioned by a leaf spring 25 in the direction toward the carrier disk 4, i.e., it is pushed againoL She bearing posiLions 23, wherein She leaf spring 25 is connected to the plate-shaped dispensing element 22 via suitable spring arms.

In the exemplary embodiment, the device according to the invention shall be provided for separating Euro coins, i.e., a set of coins that have different sizes and different thicknesses.

Tn order that even the thinnest coin, in the present case a 10 cent ccin, can still be securely transported from a carrier compartment 6 into the dispensing opening 10, the height of the carrier bar 7 above the base of the compartment 6 is dimensioned such that the coin 9 can still be guided at least over a portion of its edge, i.e., its thickness. The height of the carrier bar 7 shall principally be minimized so that the speed for the separation, i.e., the rotational speed can be increased. It has been found that a height of approximately 1 mm above the base of the compartment 6 meets the requirements in the case of Euro coins.

The distance of the plate-shaped dispensing element 22 from the base of the carrier compartment 6 is dimensioned such that it corresponds substantially to the height of the carrier bars 7 so that dipping of the carrier bars below the dispensing element 22 during the rotation of the carrier disk can be implemented. In order that manufacturing tolerances, in particular of the support 11 and its bearing positions, are also compensated, the bearing positions 23, as described above, are configured such -11 -that they allow a movement or a movement path in the bearing positions of the dispensing element 22 of 10 to 20% of the distance from the base of the carrier compartment 6, e.g., 0.1 to 0.2 rum. The selected distance of the dispensing bar 8 from the base ensures that even the thinnest coin is still guided securely Lo Lhe oulleL opening and Lhe smalleeL or Lhinnesl coin 9 does not slide underneath the dispensing bar 8. In addition, the plate-shaped dispensing element 22 is pretensioned by the spring force of the spring element 25, which spring force, in interaction with the bearing positions 23, determines the distance of the dispensing bar 8 or the plate-shaped dispensing sheet 22.

As shown in Fig. 3, the dispensing bar 8 and the respective approaching carrier bar 7 together form an acute angle which decreases when the dispensing bar 8 is approached so that a present coin 9 that is present here is pushed outward. When the carrier bar 7 reaches the dispensing bar 8, the latter dips underneath the dispensing bar 8. In the process of this, the dispensing element 22 can deflect slightly upward against the spring force of the spring 25 and can move with a tilting movement around the rotational axes 24. The dipping of the carrier bar 7 and the resulting slight tilting movement toward the outer circumference of the carrier disk 4 facilitate that in particular a thin coin 9 is guided in a secure manner to the dispensing opening 10.

In order to facilitate the dipping of the carrier bar 7 below the dispensing bar 8, each carrier element 7 is to be provided with the ride-on slope 21, which results in a scissor action between this ride-on slope 21 and the dispensing bar end -12 -directed toward the inside of the carrier disk 4, which scissor action facilitates the dipping.

When the device for separating coins is activated, the carrier disk 4 is set in rotation, by which means the carrier comparLmenLs 6 Lake along one or a pluraliLy of coins from Lhe lower region of the reservoir 3 and, as illustrated in Fig. 3, transport them upward. In the course of this, the coins are first bounded from outside by the web 15 and then, after reaching a sufficient height, fall inward, wherein a portion of the coins slides downward again and at least one coin is retained inward by the projection. The elevations 18, on which in some cases coins also remain lying, facilitate the sliding.

Finally, only one coin 9 remains in the carrier compartment 6, which coin is then guided to the outlet opening through the interaction of the dispensing bar 8 with the carrier bar 7, as described above.

In the view according to Fig. 3, three possibilities of potential pairs of coins in a carrier compartment 6 are illustrated on the right side. This carrier disk 4 shall take along coins 9 with diameters of 16 -28 mm. Two pairs of in each case 1 cent and a possible 2 coin are shown. In the case of a possible pair of coins lying on top of each in one plane, the lower 1 cent coin rests optimally against the carrier bar 7. The one above is tangential to the coin and rests also against the web 14. As the carrier disk 4 continues to rotate, the upper coin fails down driven by gravity. In the case of the potentially possible further pair of coins, the 1 cent coin rests against the carrier bar 7 and the web 14. The left coin, which is positioned slightly higher, rests tangentially against the aforementioned coin and partially tangentially against the -13 -projection 17 (during the rotation of the disk) During the rotation of the carrier disk 4, the left coin slides off the disk. Furthermore, a 2 coin is shown, which shall illustrate that only one 2 coin at a time can be in a carrier compartment 4. The coin 9 (2 coin) located at the dispensing bar 8, as described above, 13 guided radially ouLward in inLeracLion wiLli the carrier bar 7 during the rotation of the carrier disk 6 and is fed into the outlet opening 10.

Fig. 3 illustrates a leaf spring 25 which pushes the plate-shaped dispensing eLement 22 against its bearing positions 23 in the holder 11. Ihis spring can also be replaced by other springs, for example, by three spiral springs that are arranged between the dispensing eLement 22 and the holder.