JP2004157791A - Coin slot device for vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coin slot device of a vending machine capable of irradiating not only a ring body but also a recessed coin slot part itself with light. <P>SOLUTION: A ring body 7 having translucency arranged in the outer periphery of a coin slot part 2 is integrally formed with an extended part 7b extended so that a portion of a central part 2b recessed like the curved recession of the coin slot part 2 can be covered, and a portion of outgoing light L from a light source 8 is introduced through the extended part 7b of the ring body 7 to the central part 2b of the coin slot part 2, and reflected on the surface of a central part 2b of the coin slot part 2, and emitted to the front side of the vending machine. Thus, the recessed coin slot part 2 itself is brightly illuminated with the light L from the light source 8 so that the coin slot 2a can be satisfactorily visualized by a user even in a dark environment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coin slot device of a vending machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As shown in FIG. 5, a coin insertion slot 2 formed with a coin insertion slot 2 a for inserting coins and a coin or bill for returning coins or bills are formed on a service surface 1 a of a front door 1 of a vending machine. A refund lever 3 and the like are provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a coin slot 2 in which a central portion is formed into a curved concave shape in order to easily introduce coins into the coin slot 2a is already known. .
[0003]
Also, as one of the techniques for improving the convenience of the coin insertion operation even in darkness at night, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the location of the coin insertion slot 2 is easily identified. A light transmitting ring 4 is disposed around the coin slot 2. A plurality of light sources 5 such as LEDs are provided in the ring 4, and the light from the light source 5 is applied to the ring 4. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 11-120417 and 10-289351 (Patent Document 2) disclose devices configured to emit light.
[0004]
As shown in FIG. 7B (FIG. 1 in Patent Document 1), the light source 5 is disposed at a position behind the coin insertion slot 2 in the ring body 4 (however, However, in Patent Document 2, the position of the light source 5 in the front-back direction is unknown).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-120417
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-10-289351
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the configuration as shown in FIG. 7B, since the light source 5 is disposed at a position behind the coin insertion slot 2, the light is emitted from the light source 5 in a dark environment. The ring body 4, that is, a portion on the outer peripheral side of the coin insertion slot 2 is illuminated by light and is easily visible, but the coin insertion slot 2 itself is not illuminated, and the coin insertion slot of the coin insertion slot 2 depending on the situation. 2a may be dark. In particular, when the coin insertion slot 2 as shown in FIG. 6 is used in which the central portion is formed into a curved concave shape, the curved concave central portion is used. Becomes a shadow, making it difficult for light to reach, so that the coin insertion slot 2a tends to be dark.
[0008]
It is also conceivable that the coin insertion slot 2 provided with the coin insertion slot 2a is made of a translucent plastic or the like, and light is emitted from the back of the coin insertion slot 2 to emit light. In this case, the strength of the coin insertion slot 2 itself is reduced, which is not preferable for crime prevention.
[0009]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a coin insertion slot device of a vending machine which can irradiate not only a ring body but also a recessed coin insertion slot itself with light.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a coin insertion slot device of a vending machine according to claim 1 of the present invention has a coin insertion slot portion in which a central portion is depressed in a curved concave shape and a coin insertion slot is opened at this position. A light-transmitting ring body is provided on the outer periphery, and the ring body is integrally formed with an extension part that extends so as to cover at least a part of the curved concave portion of the coin insertion slot. A light source for causing the ring body to emit light is provided in the ring body, and a part of the light emitted from the light source is introduced into the curved concave portion of the coin insertion slot through the extension of the ring body, It is characterized in that it is configured to be reflected on the surface of the curved concave portion of the input port and emitted to the front side of the vending machine.
[0011]
According to this configuration, not only the ring body emits light by the light from the light source, but also the light is emitted to the curved concave portion of the coin insertion slot through the extending portion of the ring body, and the recessed coin insertion slot itself also becomes Since it is brightly illuminated, the user can easily recognize the coin slot even in a dark environment.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the coin slot apparatus of the vending machine according to the first aspect, the light source is disposed at a position before the outer peripheral portion of the coin slot.
[0013]
According to this configuration, since the light source is disposed at a position in front of the outer peripheral portion in the coin insertion slot, that is, at a position very close to the extending portion, light from the light source is introduced into the extending portion of the ring body. As a result, the illuminance for illuminating the coin slot can be increased. In addition, since the light from the light source easily reaches the outer peripheral portion of the coin insertion slot, the light can be reflected by the outer peripheral portion itself of the coin insertion slot, and the coin insertion slot can be further reflected to the user. Good visibility can be achieved.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the coin insertion slot device for a vending machine according to the second aspect, a plurality of light sources are provided, and these light sources are attached to a single circular substrate provided in a ring body; The substrate and the light source are disposed at a position on the near side of the outer peripheral portion of the coin insertion slot.
[0015]
According to this configuration, even when there are a plurality of light sources, it is only necessary to dispose the substrate on which these light sources are mounted in the ring body, and the work of mounting the light sources on the ring body becomes extremely easy. Further, since the substrate and the light source are arranged at a position on the near side of the outer periphery of the coin insertion slot, the coin insertion slot is smaller than when the substrate and the light source are arranged outside the coin insertion slot. The installation space as a part and a ring body can be reduced.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a coin insertion slot device of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those of the conventional vending machine are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in this vending machine also, a coin insertion slot 2 in which a coin insertion slot 2 a for inserting coins is formed on a customer service surface 1 a of a front door of the vending machine, or a coin insertion slot. A coin insertion / return unit 6 provided with a refund lever 3 for returning coins and bills is provided. The coin slot 2 is formed by pressing a circular stainless steel plate to open the coin slot 2a, and the central portion 2b has a curved concave shape so that coins can be easily introduced into the coin slot 2a. It is formed in a concave shape. In addition, the coin insertion slot 2 has a central portion 2b and each surface of an outer peripheral portion 2c on the outer peripheral side with respect to the central portion 2b is formed with a fine surface processing roughness enough to reflect light. . 1 and 2 is a unit cover of the coin insertion / return unit 6.
[0018]
On the outer periphery of the coin slot 6, a light-transmitting ring 7 is provided. The ring body 7 includes a main body 7a provided at a position before the outer peripheral portion 2c of the coin insertion slot 2, and a central portion 2b recessed into a curved concave shape of the coin insertion slot 2 from inside the main body 7a. And a wiring guide portion 7c for guiding connection wiring to the substrate 9 described later to the inside of the front door of the vending machine, and these are integrated. It is formed.
[0019]
A storage recess 7d is formed in a substantially circular groove shape on the back side of the main body portion 7a in the ring body 7, and a plurality of LEDs (in this embodiment) for causing the ring body 7 to emit light are formed in the storage recess 7d. In this embodiment, three (3) light sources 8 and a disk (ring) -shaped substrate 9 mounted so that these light sources 8 face forward are accommodated. The substrate 9 is formed to have a narrow width substantially equal to the diameter of the light source 8, and the light L from the light source 8 (see FIG. It is configured to be emitted also to the side.
[0020]
The ring body 7 has its outer peripheral edge covered with a ring-shaped projection 6b of the unit cover 6a, and is attached to the customer service surface 1a. That is, the holding member 11 for holding the coin insertion / return unit 6 is locked to the support frame 10 fixed at a predetermined position inside the front door, and a panel forming the customer service surface 1a of the vending machine is The unit cover 6a is covered in a state where the coin insertion slot 2 and the ring 7 are fitted and the coin insertion slot 2 and the ring 7 are sandwiched, and formed on the unit cover 6a through the holding material 11. By screwing the connecting screw 12 into the support boss 6c, the coin insertion / return unit 6 provided with the coin insertion slot 2, the refund lever 3, and the like is attached.
[0021]
In the above configuration, when the light source 8 is energized, the light L is not only emitted forward through the ring body 7 to emit light, but also emitted from the extension 7b through the ring body 7. In addition, the light is reflected to the outer peripheral portion 2c of the coin insertion slot 2 through the main body portion 7a of the ring 7, or to the curved concave central portion 2b of the coin insertion slot 2 through the extended portion 7b of the ring 7. I do. Therefore, light is emitted not only from the main body portion 7a of the ring body 7 but also from the extended portion 7b that has entered the curved concave central portion 2b of the coin insertion slot 2, and furthermore, through the extended portion 7b of the ring body 7, The light L reflected by the curved concave central portion 2b of the body 7 is also emitted forward.
[0022]
As a result, not only the ring body 7 but also the central portion 2b of the recessed coin insertion slot 2 is brightly illuminated, and even in a dark environment, the user can operate the central portion of the coin insertion slot 2 where the coin insertion slot 2a is formed. 2b can be visually recognized well.
[0023]
Further, in this case, since the light source 8 is arranged at a position closer to the front than the coin insertion slot 2, the light L emitted obliquely rearward from the light source 8 also has an outer peripheral portion 2 c and a central portion of the coin insertion slot 2. 2b, the user can give a feeling that the coin insertion slot 2 itself shines, and the visibility is further improved. In addition, since the light source 8 and the extending portion 7b of the ring 7 are disposed very close to each other, the light L from the light source 8 is easily introduced into the extending portion 7b of the ring 7, and the coin insertion slot Illumination for illuminating 2 increases.
[0024]
In addition, since the three light sources 8 are mounted on one substrate 9, the work of assembling the light sources 8 to the ring body 7 also requires the substrate 9 on which the light sources 8 are mounted to the storage recess 7 d of the ring body 7. It only needs to be fitted and can be easily performed. That is, when the board is arranged at a separate location and the three light sources connected from this location via the connection wiring are individually fitted into the separately provided storage locations, it takes much time and effort. Since the light source itself is small, it is easy to handle it, but such a problem does not occur.
[0025]
Further, since the substrate 9 and the light source 8 are arranged at a position on the near side of the outer peripheral portion 2c in the coin insertion slot 2, the case where the substrate and the light source are arranged outside the coin insertion slot 2 is different from the case where the substrate 9 and the light source are arranged outside the coin insertion slot 2. In comparison, there is an advantage that the installation space as the coin insertion slot 2 and the ring body 7 can be reduced.
[0026]
Further, when the substrate 9 and the light source 8 are disposed at a position on the near side of the outer peripheral portion 2c in the coin insertion slot 2, the extending portion 7b extending toward the inner peripheral side of the ring body 7 is formed, so that the ring body 7 itself is formed. Can be formed wider, so that a space for embedding the substrate 9 and the light source 8 can be obtained with a margin.
[0027]
In addition, a polyhedral cutting process (so-called diamond cutting) is performed on the inner surface of the recess 7d of the ring body 7 in which the light source 8 is stored, so that the light L from the light source 8 is easily diffused in multiple directions. According to this, the light L from the light source 8 is more likely to enter the coin slot 2 and be easily reflected, whereby the coin slot 2 becomes conspicuous.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a light-transmitting ring disposed on the outer periphery of the coin insertion slot is extended so as to cover at least a part of the curved concave portion of the coin insertion slot. The extended portion is integrally formed, a part of the light emitted from the light source is introduced into the curved concave portion of the coin slot through the extended portion of the ring body, the curved concave portion of the coin slot. Since the light is reflected from the surface and emitted to the front side of the vending machine, the light from the light source also illuminates the recessed coin slot itself brightly. Can be visually recognized well. Further, since the same metal plate having no translucency as in the related art can be used as the coin insertion slot, problems such as a decrease in the strength of the coin insertion slot do not occur.
[0029]
Further, by disposing the light source at a position just before the outer peripheral portion of the coin slot, light from the light source is easily introduced into the extended portion of the ring body, and the illuminance for illuminating the coin slot is increased. In addition, light can be reflected by the outer periphery of the coin insertion slot itself, and the coin insertion slot can be more visually recognized by the user.
[0030]
Further, a plurality of light sources are mounted on a single circular substrate provided in the ring body, and the substrate on which these light sources are mounted is arranged in the ring body. Installation work becomes extremely easy, and work efficiency is improved. Further, since the substrate and the light source are arranged at a position on the near side of the outer peripheral portion in the coin insertion slot, the installation space as the coin insertion slot and the ring body can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a coin insertion slot device of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the coin insertion slot device.
3A is a front view of a coin slot of the coin slot apparatus, FIG. 3B is a front view of a ring body of the coin slot apparatus, and FIG. 3C is a coin slot of the coin slot apparatus. It is a front view of the place where a mouth part is provided.
4A and 4B are an exploded cross-sectional plan view and an assembled cross-sectional plan view of a coin slot, a substrate, a light source, and a ring body of the coin slot apparatus.
FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view of a conventional vending machine.
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a coin insertion slot device of a conventional vending machine.
7 (a) and 7 (b) are a front view and a side sectional view of a conventional coin insertion slot device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1a Customer service surface 2 Coin slot 2a Coin slot 2b Central portion 2c Outer periphery 6 Coin insertion return unit 6a Unit cover 6b Unit cover 7 Ring body 7a Main body 7b Extension 7c Wiring guide 7d Storage recess 8 Light source 9 Substrate L Light

Claims (3)

The central portion is depressed in a curved concave shape, and a ring body having a light transmitting property is arranged on the outer periphery of the coin insertion opening portion where the coin insertion opening is opened at this position,
In this ring body, integrally formed an extending portion extending so as to cover at least a part of the curved concave portion of the coin insertion slot portion,
A light source for emitting light from the ring body is disposed in the ring body,
A part of the light emitted from the light source is introduced into the curved concave portion of the coin slot through the extending portion of the ring body, and is reflected on the curved concave portion of the coin slot to reflect the light from the vending machine. A coin insertion slot device for a vending machine, wherein the coin insertion slot device is configured to be emitted to the front side. 2. The coin insertion slot device of a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the light source is disposed at a position before the outer peripheral portion of the coin insertion slot. A plurality of light sources are provided, and these light sources are mounted on a single circular substrate provided in the ring body, and these substrates and the light sources are arranged at a position on the near side of the outer peripheral portion in the coin insertion slot. The coin insertion slot device of a vending machine according to claim 2, characterized in that:

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