JP2002008092A - Coin hopper - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent paying-out trouble of coins caused by a bridge phenomenon and a biting phenomenon of the coins as much as possible in a coin hopper. SOLUTION: In this coin hopper, while agitating the coins supplied onto a rotating disc 52 having a coin passing hole by the rotation, dropping the coins into the coin passing hole 53, a cylindrical agitator 10 rotating integrally with the rotating disc is mounted on a rotation axial center part of the rotating disc, and the circumferential surface of the agitator is positioned near the upper side of the coin passing hole, and the circumferential surface comes into surface- contact with the coins.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coin hopper. In particular, the present invention has a rotating disk having a coin through-hole, and a stirrer fixed to the axis of the rotating disk, and stirs the coin supplied onto the rotating disk with the stirring body and the rotating disk. The present invention also relates to an improvement in a coin hopper which is dropped into the coin through hole. More specifically, the present invention relates to a coin hopper which solves a coin payout failure due to a coin bridge or biting. Note that “coin” used in this specification is a general term for medals and tokens of game machines in addition to coins, which are currencies.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The structure of a conventional coin hopper is shown in FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. 50 is a coin hopper. The tank 51 is entirely cylindrical, but the upper part 51U has a rectangular cylindrical shape,
The lower part 51L is formed in a small diameter cylindrical shape.

The upper part 51U and the lower part 51L are connected by an intermediate part 51M formed on a downward slope. The rotating disk 52 is located in the cylindrical lower part 51L. A plurality of coin through holes 53 having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the coin to be paid out are formed in the rotating disk 52 at equal intervals.

[0004] These coin through holes are formed in a tapered shape so as to taper downward from the upper side to the lower side as shown in FIG. The rib L is located between the coin through holes 53. Reference numeral 54 denotes a triangular stirring protrusion protruding from the upper surface of the rotating disk 52. The rotating disk 52 has a mounting portion 56 protruding in the shape of a truncated cone at the axis of the upper surface.

[0005] Reference numeral 57 denotes a collar fitted to the output shaft 59 of the speed reducer 58 and fixed by a push screw 60. The rotary disk 52 is fitted with an output shaft 59 of a speed reducer 58 through a through hole 61 formed in a mounting portion 56, and is positioned on the upper surface of the collar 57. Screw hole 6 in the head of output shaft 59
2, a screw 64 portion of a fastening body 63 having a cylindrical shape with a bottom at the top is screwed.

By this screwing, the step 6 of the tightening body 63
The rotating disk 52 is fixed to the output shaft 59 by pressing the upper surface 56U of the mounting portion 56 with 3A. In this fixed state, the rotating disk 52 is arranged horizontally. The outer diameter of the bottomed cylindrical portion 63U of the tightening body 63 is formed smaller than the upper surface 56U of the mounting portion 56.

On the back surface of the rotary disk 52, a ridge is formed to feed the coin passing through the coin through hole 53 to a payout opening (not shown) while sliding on the base 65. 66 is a motor for driving the speed reducer 58. 67 is a frame that supports the base 52. Reference numeral 68 denotes a spindle-shaped coil.
Elastic rod 7 with the lower end inserted in and fixed with split pin 69
0 is fixed to the upper end by tightening the upper end.

The lower end of the spindle coil 68 is similarly fixed to the elastic rod 70. The coins are put into the tank 51 in a bulk state, and the lowermost coin is placed on the rotating disk 52.

Next, the operation of the conventional device will be described. By the rotation of the motor 66, the rotating disk 52 is also rotated at a predetermined speed. By this rotation, the coin placed on the rotating disk 52 is moved to the coin through hole 53 or the spindle coil 6.
8 with stirring. As a result of this agitation, when the coin becomes almost parallel to the rotary disk 52 immediately above the coin through hole 55, the coin falls into the coin through hole 53 and the base 65
Reach Thereafter, the coin is pushed by a not-shown ridge on the back surface of the rotating disk 52 and is sent out to the payout port.

A conventional coin hopper has a spindle coil 68.
Rotates integrally with the rotating disk 52, and the rotating disk 52
The coin that has entered the space between the windings of the coil 68 in a state parallel to the above is pushed up by the spiral winding and agitated. Also,
When a part of the coin is engaged with the coin through hole 53, the coin is pushed out by its rotation and stirred.

As described above, since the coins in the tank 51 are forcibly agitated, the frequency of occurrence of a payout failure (payout is not performed) is significantly reduced as compared with a coin hopper having no coins. That is, the bridging phenomenon and the biting phenomenon of the coin which cause the dispensing failure are reduced.

However, even if the spindle-shaped coil 68 is rotated integrally with the rotating disk 52 as shown in FIG.
As shown by a dashed line, the plurality of coins C may start to rotate integrally with the rotating disk 52 in a line with the plurality of coins C standing on the rib L between the coin through holes 53.

In this state, a bridging phenomenon occurs in which several rows of coins C are arranged on the rotating disk 52 with the row as a base point, thereby closing the coin through hole 53. In addition, a row of coins C is sandwiched between the rotary disk 52 and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 51L, and the row of coins C acts as a stick bar to prevent the rotation of the rotary disk 52 from being bitten. Occurs.

Therefore, unless a coin row causing this is generated, a bridging phenomenon or a biting phenomenon does not occur. However, in the conventional spindle-shaped coil 68, when the coins C are erected on the rotating disk 51 to form a row as shown in FIG. 8, a part of the coins C does not enter between the windings.

The coins C may be rubbed around the outer periphery of the spindle-shaped coil 68 when they are inclined. However, since the coins are coils, they come into line contact with the coins C, and since the frictional force is small, they come in rows and come into pressure contact with each other. No force is generated until the coin C is shifted. For this reason, a row of coins grows, and a bridging phenomenon and a biting phenomenon occur as described above.

Further, it is conceivable to dispose the lower end of the conventional spindle-shaped coil 68 near the upper surface 56U of the mounting portion 56. However, since the spindle-shaped coil 68 and the coin C are in line contact, the frictional force is reduced as described above. It is small and does not generate enough force to shift coin C.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to prevent a coin payout defect due to a coin bridging phenomenon and a biting phenomenon as much as possible.

[0018]

In order to achieve this object, the present invention has the following arrangement. A rotating disk having a coin through hole, and a stirrer fixed to the axis of the rotating disk, so that the coin supplied on the rotating disk is dropped into the coin through hole while being stirred by their rotation. In the coin hopper described above, the agitator has an outer periphery located near the extension of the coin through hole and is formed in a planar shape.

According to this configuration, the agitator is pressed against the end of the row of coins standing in a row on the rotating disk. In this state, when the other end or the middle part of the coin row receives a braking force by the peripheral wall of the tank or another coin, the agitating body is rotated integrally with the rotating disk, so that the coin in contact with the rotating disk is rotated by frictional force. Act to

Thus, the coins that are in contact with each other are displaced from the row so that the row does not collapse and grow, so that the bridging phenomenon and the biting phenomenon do not occur. Further, it is more preferable that the agitator is rotatable around the axis of the rotating disk, braked by a braking means, and rotated when a predetermined external force is applied.

According to this configuration, when the frictional resistance between the coin and the stirrer is large, the stirrer rotates so as not to be displaced from the coin, so that the stirrer can be prevented from sliding under pressure. That is, wear of the stirring body can be reduced.

Further, it is more preferable that the stirring member is formed of urethane rubber. Urethane rubber is advantageous because high friction can be obtained and wear resistance can be obtained. Further, the stirring body may be formed of a rod-shaped metal, and its peripheral surface may be formed in a high friction shape.

According to this configuration, since the agitator in contact with the coin is made of metal, the abrasion resistance is greatly improved. Furthermore, a coiled spring is externally mounted on a rod body erected at the axis of the rotating disk, and the upper end is fixed to the rod body, and the lower end is a free end movable along the rod body, It is preferable that the stirrer is pressed against the rotating disk at its free end to impart rotational resistance to the stirrer so as to rotate integrally with the rotating disk.

According to this configuration, the upper coin is stirred by the coil spring and also by the stirrer as described above, so that there is a further stirring effect. Further, the braking means for the agitator can be simply configured.

Further, it is preferable that the spring has a spindle shape in which an intermediate portion is swollen. According to this configuration, the coin inserted between the windings of the coil can be forcibly moved greatly, so that the stirring effect is large.

The stirring body may be fixed to a rotating disk. Further, the stirrer may have a star shape in addition to the cylindrical shape. With such a star shape, the coins can be effectively agitated by the arms.

Furthermore, the rotating disk is not horizontal,
It may be arranged at an angle of up to degrees.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the stirring body. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the stirrer. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the stirrer. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the third embodiment of the stirrer. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a coin hopper in which a part of a conventional tank is cut away. Is a sectional view of a conventional example.

Since the present invention is mounted on the same coin hopper as the conventional device, the same parts as those of the conventional device are denoted by the same reference numerals, and different configurations will be described. Reference numeral 10 denotes a stirrer, which comprises an engaging body 11 formed in a disc shape from polyurethane rubber, and a cylindrical bush 12 inserted into the axial center of the engaging body 11 and baked.

The upper and lower peripheral edges of the engaging body 11 are chamfered, and the central portion 11M is cylindrical. That is, the peripheral surface S of the central portion 11M is a surface that is substantially parallel to the axis of the rotating disk 52 and has a width in the height direction. The bush 12 is rotatably fitted to the fastening body 63.

The spindle-shaped coil 68 has its upper end 68U pressed against and fixed to the rod 70, and the inner diameter of the lower end 68L is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rod 70. Thus, the lower end portion 68L can slide along the rod 70. The lower end portion 68L presses the upper surface of the stirring body 10 by the spring force of the spindle coil 68.

By this pressing, the lower end portion 68L and the stirrer 1
Friction acts between the upper surface of the stirrer 10 and the upper surface of the mounting portion 56 and the lower surface of the stirrer 10, and the stirrer 10 rotates around the tightening member 63 when a rotational force of a predetermined value or more is applied by an external force. . The lower end of the spindle coil 68 and the upper surface of the stirring body 10 constitute the first braking means 15.

The upper surface of the mounting portion 56 and the lower surface of the agitator 10 constitute the second braking means 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the peripheral surface S of the stirrer 10 is located on a perpendicular line T extending upward from an edge F of the coin through hole 53 on the axial center side of the rotating disk 52.

The position of the peripheral surface S may be in the vicinity of the perpendicular T. The length of the peripheral surface S in the up-down direction is located near a horizontal line portion passing through the center of the coin while standing on the rotating disk 52, that is, near a portion where the diameter portion contacts. The length of the peripheral surface S in the up-down direction is preferably long so as to be compatible with a plurality of types of coins having different diameters.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Similar to the conventional device, when the rotating disk 52 rotates, the coin C in contact with the rotating disk 52
A part of the coin C is forcibly pushed out by the coin through hole 53 and the protrusion 51T, and a part of the coin C between the windings of the spindle coil 68 is moved upward to be stirred.

As described above, when the coins C stand on the ribs L of the rotary disk 52 in a row, the coins C come into contact with the peripheral surface S of the stirring body 10. In the row of coin C,
In the course of rotating in the direction of arrow U integrally with the rotating disk 52, the rotating disk 52 comes into contact with another coin which is placed almost in a stationary state or the cylindrical portion 51 </ b> L of the fixed tank 51 to rotate. A blocking force O acts.

For this reason, the coin C1 which is in surface contact with the peripheral surface S of the stirring body 10 is dragged by the stirring body 10 due to a large frictional force with the peripheral surface S (in FIG. 3, the dashed line). , And other coins C are left behind by the force O for preventing rotation.

As a result, one coin C1 is eliminated from the row of coins C, and the degree of freedom of movement of the coins C in the row is increased. It does not grow until a biting phenomenon occurs. . When the coin C1 is not friended in the above state, a rotational force equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied to the stirring body 10 from the coin C1 via the peripheral surface S.

In this case, since the braking force of the first braking means 15 and the second braking means 16 is exceeded, the stirring body 10 is rotated around the tightening body 63 in the direction of arrow O. Therefore,
Since no slip occurs in the high pressure contact state between the stirrer 10 and the coin C1, wear of the stirrer 10 is prevented and the stirrer 1
0 service life can be extended.

If the friend cannot be formed at once, the coin C1 is friended at the timing when the pressure between the coins C becomes weaker during the repetition several times. Next, a second embodiment of the stirring member shown in FIG. 4 will be described. The stirrer 20 includes the engaging body 11
Uses a rod-shaped stainless steel material. The peripheral surface S is knurled to form fine irregularities R in order to increase the friction.

Even when the metal is used as described above, the peripheral surface S comes into surface contact with the coin C1, and the frictional power is large due to the fine irregularities R. As a result, the coin C1 at the end of the row can be brought together as in the first embodiment. And since the engaging body 11 is a metal, wear hardly occurs.

In order to increase the frictional force of the peripheral surface S, the engaging body 11 may be formed in a star shape when viewed in plan.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of the stirring body. The engaging body 11 uses a rod-shaped metal material such as stainless steel. Ring-shaped grooves 31A, 31B, 31C on the peripheral surface S
Is formed. Rings 32A, 32B and 32C made of polyurethane rubber are fitted into these grooves.

The rings 32A, 32B and 32C are
A, 31B, and 31C are set so that the outer peripheral edge slightly protrudes from the peripheral surface S of the engagement body 11 in a state of being fitted in the engagement members 11A, 31B, and 31C. According to this configuration, when the coin C1 comes into pressure contact, the rings 32A, 32B, and 32C elastically deform and become flush with the peripheral surface S of the engaging body 11, and the pressing force is received by the engaging body 11.

Since the coin C1 is in surface contact with the peripheral surface S of the engagement body 11 and the rings 32A, 32B, 32C, the friction transmission force is large. As a result, the coin C1 can be brought together as in the first embodiment. The rings 32A, 32B,
Although 32C is elastically deformed, the pressure contact force of the coin C1 is received by the peripheral surface S of the engagement body 11, so that there is an advantage that the amount of wear is small even when slipping.

Although a cylindrical coil spring may be used instead of the spindle coil, the spindle type is preferable because the effect of stirring the coin in the horizontal state is large.

[0047]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a stirring body.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the stirrer.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the stirring body.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the stirring body.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional coin hopper with a part of a conventional tank cut away.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 20, 30 Stirring body 15 First braking means 16 Second braking means 52 Rotating disk 53 Coin through hole 63 Fastening body 68 Spindle type coil C Coin S Peripheral surface T Perpendicular line of coin through hole

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A rotating disk having a coin through hole, and a stirrer fixed to an axis of the rotating disk, wherein the coin supplied to the rotating disk is stirred while being rotated by the rotation of the coin. In a coin hopper which is dropped into a hole, the stirring body has an outer periphery located near an extension of the coin through hole and is formed in a planar shape. 2. The coin hopper according to claim 1, wherein the agitator is rotatable around the axis of the rotating disk and is braked by a braking means. 3. The coin hopper according to claim 1, wherein the agitator is formed of urethane rubber. 4. The coin hopper according to claim 1, wherein the stirring body is formed of a rod-shaped metal, and a peripheral surface thereof is formed in a high friction shape. 5. A coil-shaped spring is mounted on a rod standing on the axis of a rotating disk, and an upper end is fixed to the rod, and a lower end is a free end movable along the rod. ,
5. The coin hopper according to claim 1, wherein the agitator is pressed against the rotating disk at the free end to impart rotational resistance to the agitator and rotate integrally with the rotating disk. 6. The coin hopper according to claim 5, wherein the coil-shaped spring has a spindle shape with an expanded middle portion.