JP2005284687A - Coin conveying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distribute coins to a plurality of destinations whose distances in one direction from a coin conveying device are only different. <P>SOLUTION: The coin conveying device comprises a mechanism 20 for sending accumulated coins C sequentially and a conveying mechanism 50 for sorting sent coins into at least two or more exits 69 and 70. The conveing mechanism is provided with a guide frame 60 which has a slant path 61 for rolling the coins sent from a sending mechanism side to send them and at least one or more branching paths 62 that branch in a fall direction from the middle of the slant path and leads to the exits; and a shutter mechanism 80 for opening and closing an entrance to the branching path. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin transport device that selectively transports coins to a plurality of outlets.

The coin transport device is used for the operation of selectively transferring coins used in a change machine, a gaming machine, or the like to two or more transport destinations sequentially.
Such a conventional coin transport device includes a feed mechanism that sequentially feeds coins accumulated in a coin hopper one by one, a guide frame that guides the fed coins upward in a continuously aligned state, and along the guide frame. And a dispensing mechanism that selectively pays out the first coin pushed up by the sequentially fed coins in either the left or right direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the payout device, a roller that contacts the coin is elastically supported at the exit of the coin, and when the leading coin is pushed out by the conveying force of the payout mechanism, the coin can be ejected by a return force due to the elastic support. . The roller is arranged so as to be switchable between a left position and a right position. By placing the roller at the left position, the coin can be sent to the right side, and by placing the roller at the right position, the coin can be sent to the left side.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-293305

However, since the conventional coin transfer device has a structure in which the coin transfer destination is switched by switching the payout direction from the device, the coin can be distributed only to both sides of the device. was there.
That is, coins could not be distributed to a plurality of destinations that differ only in distance from the coin transport device in the same direction.
An object of the present invention is to transport coins to a plurality of destinations in the same direction at different distances from a coin transport device.

  The invention described in claim 1 includes a delivery mechanism that sequentially sends out the accumulated coins, and a transport mechanism that selectively distributes the coins sent out from the delivery mechanism side to at least two or more outlets. A guide frame formed with an inclined path that rolls and sends coins fed from the mechanism side, and at least one branch path that branches from the middle of the inclined path in the falling direction to the outlet, and an entrance of the branch path It is configured to include a shutter mechanism that opens and closes.

  In the above configuration, the coins fed out from the feeding mechanism side roll along the inclined path of the transport mechanism and move toward the lower gradient. When the entrance of the branch path is opened by the shutter mechanism, the coin enters the branch path from the inclined path and is guided to the exit connected to the branch path. Further, when the entrance of the branch path is closed by the shutter mechanism, the coin passes through the entrance of the branch path and still proceeds on the inclined path.

One or more branch paths may be provided along the inclined path. The coin can be guided to the destination by opening only the shutter mechanism provided at the entrance of the branch path connected to the exit serving as the destination.
Moreover, it is good also as a structure which the end of an inclination path | route leads to the exit (conveyance destination) of a coin. As a result, coins can be distributed to the number of branch paths plus one exit.

  The invention according to claim 2 has the same configuration as that of the invention according to claim 1, the guide frame has side walls on both sides of the inclined path of the coin, and the shutter mechanism has an opening provided on one side wall. The structure is provided with a shutter plate that enters the inclined path from the outside of the side wall and opens and closes the entrance of the branch path.

In the above configuration, when the coin is guided to the branch path, the shutter plate is retracted outside the side wall to open the entrance of the branch path, and the coin is guided into the branch path and guided to the exit.
When the coin is not guided to the branch path, the shutter plate enters the inclined path from the opening and closes the entrance of the branch path to prevent the entry. As a result, the coin advances downstream without deviating from the inclined path.

The invention described in claim 3 has the same configuration as that of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, and for the inclined path, the bottom surface height downstream of the branch path is set to the bottom surface height upstream of the branch path. On the other hand, it is configured to be high.
“The bottom surface height downstream of the branch path is formed higher than the bottom surface height upstream of the branch path” means that the bottom surface of the inclined path upstream (slope upper side) of the branch path Is extended to the downstream side, it indicates that the bottom surface of the inclined path on the downstream side (lower gradient side) is higher than the branch path.

With such a configuration, when a coin is guided to the exit leading to the branch path, even if the coin advances vigorously or has bounced, it may pass through the entrance without entering the branch path. Suppressed and distributed more reliably.
When multiple branch paths are provided, it is possible to adopt the same structure before and after some of the branch paths. However, it is possible to ensure the distribution reliability by adopting the same structure for all the branch paths. It is more desirable from the viewpoint of improvement.

The invention described in claim 4 has the same configuration as that of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, and, regarding the inclined path, the height of the downstream end from the branch path is higher than the height of the upstream end from the branch path. It is configured to be higher than the height.
The above-mentioned “the height of the downstream end portion of the branch path is higher than the height of the upstream end portion of the branch path” means that the boundary position between the inclined path and the branch path (route and path) It is shown that the height of the corner on the upstream side is lower than the height of the corner on the downstream side.

With such a configuration, when a coin is guided to the exit leading to the branch path, even if the coin advances vigorously or has bounced, it may pass through the entrance without entering the branch path. Suppressed and distributed more reliably.
When multiple branch paths are provided, it is possible to adopt the same structure before and after some of the branch paths. However, it is possible to ensure the distribution reliability by adopting the same structure for all the branch paths. It is more desirable from the viewpoint of improvement.

The invention described in claim 5 has the same configuration as that of the invention described in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, and the inclined path has an inclination that is lower than the entire inclined path at the upstream end of the branch path. The structure that the part was provided is taken.
An inclined part is provided at the upstream corner of the boundary position between the inclined path and the branch path (the corner at the intersection of the path and the path), and the inclined part draws a downward gradient rather than the gradient of the entire inclined path. Therefore, even if there is a drop between the coin traveling direction by the inclined path and the coin traveling direction by the branch path, the coin traveling direction can be gradually switched at the inclined portion between them, and the exit leading to the branch path Even when coins are moving forward vigorously or bounced, they are prevented from passing through the entrance without entering the branch path, so that the coins can be distributed more reliably. .

  The invention according to claim 1 can guide the coin along the inclined path and selectively guide the coin to the branch path provided in the middle thereof, so that a plurality of positions having different distances in the direction along the inclined path. It becomes possible to distribute coins.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the entrance of the branch path is opened and closed by the shutter plate that enters and retreats from the opening portion of the side wall that forms the inclined path, the entire shutter mechanism can be disposed outside the inclined path. In addition, the shutter plate can be retracted out of the inclined path when not in use. Therefore, factors that may hinder the progress of coins on the inclined path are reduced, and the coins can be transported smoothly.

  In the invention according to claim 3, since the bottom surface height on the downstream side of the branching path is formed higher than the bottom surface height on the upstream side of the branching path, the inclined path has an outlet that leads to the branching path. When guiding a coin, even if the coin is moving forward vigorously or bounced, it is suppressed from passing through the entrance without entering the branch path, and the certainty and reliability of distribution Can be improved.

  The invention according to claim 4 leads to the branch path because the height of the downstream end of the inclined path is higher than the height of the upstream end of the branch path. When guiding the coin to the exit, even if the coin is moving forward or bounced, it is suppressed from passing through the entrance without entering the branch path, the reliability of distribution, Reliability can be improved.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since an inclined portion having a descending gradient than the entire inclined path is provided at the upstream end of the branch path, the coin traveling direction by the inclined path and the coin traveling direction by the branch path are large. In different cases, it is possible to gradually switch the direction of coin movement in the inclined part between them, and when the coin is led to the exit leading to the branch path, the coin progresses vigorously or has bounced Even in this case, it is possible to suppress the passage through the entrance without entering the branch path, and it is possible to further improve the reliability and reliability of distribution.

(Overall configuration of the embodiment)
Hereinafter, a coin transfer device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a front view of the coin transport device 10.
The coin transport device 10 includes a feeding mechanism 20 that sequentially feeds the accumulated coins C, a guide frame 30 that guides the sent coins C in a continuously lined state, and guidance at the upper end of the guide frame 30. A release mechanism 40 that releases the coin C to the outside of the frame 30 and a transport mechanism 50 that selectively distributes the coin C released by the release mechanism 40 to two outlets are provided.
Hereinafter, each part will be described in detail.

(Feeding mechanism)
As shown in FIG. 1, the feed mechanism 20 includes a coin hopper 21 that accumulates coins C, and a disk provided on the inner bottom surface of the coin hopper 21 is rotationally driven by a drive motor, and is provided on the back surface of the disk. The coin C, which is locked by the stop member and rotates, is guided from the disc to the exit side by the guide member in the vicinity of the feed outlet of the housing 22 so that the coin C is fed out.
That is, the coins C are conveyed by being pushed out one by one in order by the rotational driving force of the disk provided by the drive motor.

(Guide frame)
The guide frame 30 includes a long front plate and a back plate, and two side plates that are sandwiched between them to form a gap space, and the formed gap space functions as a coin conveyance path. Yes.
The lower end of the guide frame 30 is supported by the delivery mechanism 20. The guide frame 30 is supported by the feeding mechanism such that the feeding path is along the vertical vertical direction in a state where the feeding mechanism 20 is placed on a horizontal plane (normally used state), and the coin C is conveyed from below to above. It has become so.
The distance between the two side plates can be changed by loosening the set screw, and the distance between the two side plates can be adjusted according to the diameter of the coin C to be conveyed. That is, the coins C sent out from the sending-out mechanism 20 are lined up in a row and sequentially pushed from the bottom to be conveyed upward.

(Release mechanism)
The discharge mechanism 40 is provided at the upper end of the guide frame 30. The discharge mechanism 40 includes a roller 41 that abuts on the outer periphery of the leading coin C sent in a row, an arm 42 that supports the roller 41, and a swing that swings the arm 42 toward the transport mechanism 50. And a spring.
The roller 41 is in a standby position at a position where the coin C is passed by being urged by a swinging spring and having a width smaller than the outer diameter of the coin C. When the coin C passes, the roller 41 is pushed back against the elastic force of the swinging spring. When the coin C further advances, the roller 41 returns to the standby position by the elastic force, and the coin C is armed at that time. It is ejected according to the swing of 42 and released.

(The whole transport mechanism)
The transport mechanism 50 includes an inclined path 61 that rolls and sends the coin C fed from the feed mechanism 20 through the guide frame 30 and the discharge mechanism 40 and a branch path 62 that branches from the middle of the tilt path 61 in the falling direction. And a shutter mechanism 80 that opens and closes the entrance of the branch path 62.

(Transport mechanism: guide frame)
2 is an exploded perspective view of the transport mechanism 50, FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view showing a state in which the coin C is guided to a second outlet 70 described later, and FIG. 4 is a guide of the coin C to a first outlet 69 described later. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the branch path 62. 3 and 4, the first side wall plate 63 described later is not shown.
As shown in FIG. 2, the guide frame 60 is disposed opposite to each other, and the first and second side wall plates 63 and 64 in which the inclined path 61 is formed therebetween, and the first and second side walls that form the bottom surface of the inclined path 61. A second bottom plate 65, 66, a restriction plate 67 that is disposed at the upstream end of the inclined path 61 and restricts the upward movement of the coin C discharged from the discharge mechanism 40, and the guide frame 60 is connected to the guide frame 30. And a connecting plate 68 connected to the upper end.

  The upstream end portion of the guide frame 60 is connected to the upper end portion of the guide frame 30 via the connecting plate 68. In the state where the delivery mechanism 20 is placed on the horizontal plane, the inclined path 61 is inclined downward (upstream side). It is connected to the guide frame 30 so as to draw a state in which the end is higher than the downstream end.

  The guide frame 60 includes a first bottom plate 65 and a second bottom plate 66 sandwiched between the first and second side wall plates 63 and 64 disposed opposite to each other, and lower portions of the side wall plates 63 and 64. The inclined path 61 is formed by the inner space extending in the longitudinal direction of the side wall plates 63, 64. Further, the downstream end portion of the inclined path 61 is a first outlet 69 which is one transport destination of the coin C.

The first side wall plate 63 and the second side wall plate 64 are elongated, and the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the conveying direction of the inclined path 61. Then, the first bottom plate 65 and 66, which are also elongated, are along the longitudinal direction of the side wall plates 63 and 64. The bottom plate 66 is disposed on the downstream side.
The upper surface of the first bottom surface plate 65 and the upper surface of the second bottom surface plate 66 constitute the bottom surface of the inclined path. The upper surface of the first bottom surface plate 65 and the upper surface of the second bottom surface plate 66 are parallel to each other and are held by the side wall plates 63 and 64 so as to draw a descending gradient that descends downstream in the transport direction. Accordingly, the coin C rolls on the upper surfaces of the first and second bottom plates 65 and 66 by gravity and moves.

  Further, a gap wider than the diameter of the coin C that is normally conveyed is formed between the downstream end of the first bottom plate 65 and the upstream end of the second bottom plate 66. Such a gap constitutes the branch path 62. When the branch path 62 is opened, when the coin C rolls on the upper surface of the first bottom plate 65 and reaches the entrance of the branch path 62, the coin C falls and enters the branch path 62. It becomes. The lower end portion of the branch path 62 is a second outlet 70 that is the other transfer destination of coins.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper surface of the first bottom plate 65 and the upper surface of the second bottom plate 66 are parallel as described above, but their heights are different. That is, the upper surface of the second bottom plate 66 on the downstream side is set to be higher than the upper surface of the first bottom plate 65.
Furthermore, the upstream end 72 (the end on the downstream side of the branch path 62 in the inclined path 61) of the upper surface of the second bottom plate 66 is the downstream end 71 (the inclined) of the upper surface of the first bottom plate 65. It is set to be at a higher position with respect to the upstream end of the branch path 62 in the path 61.
In this way, by setting the downstream side higher than the upstream side across the branch path 62, the release mechanism 40 releases the force vigorously and the coin C rolls at a high speed or the upper surface of the first bottom plate 65. When the vehicle bounces up and rolls over, it is prevented from passing above without entering the entrance of the open branch path 62. That is, even if the coin C travels along the upper surface of the first bottom plate 65, it collides with the upstream end 72 of the upper surface of the second bottom plate 66 and is guided to the branch path 62.

  Further, an inclined portion 73 is formed in front of the downstream end portion 71 of the first bottom plate 65 so as to have a further downward gradient than the entire upper surface of the first bottom plate 65. Due to the inclined portion 73, the coin C rolling on the upper surface of the first bottom surface plate 65 proceeds in the downward direction on the upper surface of the inclined portion 73, and thus easily enters the branch path 62. For this reason, even if the inclined path 61 and the branch path 62 intersect at a large intersection angle, the coin C can be guided to the branch path 62 stepwise by the inclined portion 73.

  Further, the inclined path 61 is open at the top thereof except for the portion covered with the restriction plate 67. In this way, by opening the upper part of the inclined path 61, it is possible to easily perform a recovery operation and maintenance for a malfunction such as a clogged coin C. Further, when the upper side is blocked by the ceiling, the coin C rolling on the inclined path 61 comes into contact with the ceiling, so that the moving speed is lowered, and it interferes with the following coin C to cause clogging or conveyance. Although it may cause a defect, the coins C can be sequentially and smoothly conveyed by opening the top. Furthermore, the state of the coin C being transported can be easily observed from the outside, and it becomes possible to grasp the state and quickly recognize the occurrence of an abnormality.

  The restricting plate 67 is attached by a set screw at the upstream end portion of the second side wall plate 64, and is disposed on the upper side of the inclined path 61. The bottom surface of the regulation plate 67 is substantially parallel to the top surface of the first bottom surface plate 65 and forms a gap as long as the coin C can pass. The upstream end portion of the regulation plate 67 extends to the upper part of the discharge mechanism 40. Even when the coin C is released somewhat upward from the discharge mechanism 40 by the restricting plate 67, the bottom surface of the restricting plate 67 and the top surface of the first bottom surface plate 65 repeatedly collide, and the coin C is moved in the vertical direction. When the moving component is absorbed and passes through the regulating plate 67, a state of stably rolling along the inclined path 61 is formed.

(Transport mechanism: shutter mechanism)
6 is a perspective view of the shutter mechanism 80, and FIG. 7 is a side view.
The shutter mechanism 80 is provided on the surface of the second side wall plate 64 that is outside the inclined path 61. The shutter mechanism 80 is a shutter that enters into the inclined path 61 from the outside of the side wall plate 64 and opens and closes the entrance of the branch path 62 by a slit-like opening 74 provided in a penetrating manner on the second side wall plate 64. A plate 81, an original position return spring 82 that urges the shutter plate 81 in a direction to retract the shutter plate 81 from the inclined path 61, an electromagnet 83 that causes the shutter plate 81 to enter the inclined path 61 against the original position return spring 82, A shutter sensor 84 that detects that the shutter plate 81 is in a position that closes the entrance of the branch path 62 and a stopper 85 that restricts the movement range of the shutter plate 81 are provided.

The shutter plate 81 is supported so that the base end portion thereof is swingable with respect to the second side wall plate 64, and the distal end portion is bent so as to face the direction in which the opening portion 74 can enter. .
As shown in FIG. 5, the opening 74 is formed between the inlet of the branch path 62 (from the downstream end 71 on the top surface of the first bottom plate 65 to the upstream end 72 on the top surface of the second bottom plate 66. ) Is formed so as to penetrate through the second side wall plate 64. As described above, the upstream end 72 of the upper surface of the second bottom plate 66 is set to be higher than the downstream end 71 of the upper surface of the first bottom plate 65, so that the slit The shape of the opening 74 is also formed so as to have a rising gradient with respect to the traveling direction of the coin C.
On the other hand, the front end portion of the shutter plate 81 that enters and retreats from the opening 74 into the inclined path 61 is set to a width close to the width of the opening 74, and the plate surface of the front end portion of the shutter plate 81 is the opening 74. It is provided to have the same gradient. As a result, in the state in which the front end portion of the shutter plate 81 has entered the inclined path 61 from the opening 74, the top surface of the first bottom plate 65 having a different height is blocked while covering almost the entire width of the entrance of the branch path 62. The downstream end 71 and the upstream end 72 of the upper surface of the second bottom plate 66 can be connected by a sloped surface, and the second bottom plate 66 can be connected to the second bottom plate 66 from the upper surface of the first bottom plate 65. The coin C can be smoothly conveyed to the upper surface.

The original position return spring 82 applies tension to the base end portion of the shutter plate 81 in the direction in which the tip end is retracted from the opening 74 to the outside of the inclined path 61.
On the other hand, the electromagnet 83 is provided on the outer side surface of the second side wall plate 64, and makes it possible to attract the shutter plate 81 made of a magnetic material toward the second side wall plate 64 when energized.
Therefore, when the coin C is transported to the first outlet 69, the electromagnet 83 is energized to cause the shutter plate 81 to enter the inclined path 61 from the opening 74 against the original position return spring 82. When C is transported to the second outlet 70, the electromagnet 83 is turned off, and the shutter plate 81 is returned to the retracted position by the original position return spring, so that the transport destination of the coins C can be arbitrarily distributed.

  The shutter sensor 84 includes an LED light source and a light receiving element arranged to face each other, and a tongue piece 81a provided in the vicinity of the tip of the shutter plate 81 enters between the LED light source and the light receiving element, thereby blocking light detection. Thus, it is detected that the shutter plate 81 has swung to the proper closing position at the entrance of the branch path 62. The shutter sensor 84 outputs a detection signal to a control circuit that controls the operation of the coin transport device 10, and the control circuit determines normal operation and abnormal operation of the shutter mechanism 80 from the signal. When an abnormality is detected, for example, an error display or notification means is activated to notify the surroundings of the occurrence of inappropriate coin C distribution.

  The stopper 85 described above is such that the tongue piece 81 a stops just at the detection position of the shutter sensor 84 when the front end of the shutter plate 81 swings in the direction of entering the inclined path 61 and closes the branch path 62. Further, the swing range of the shutter plate 81 is restricted. The stopper 85 restricts the shutter plate 81 from excessively swinging in the retracting direction by the original position return spring 82.

(Explanation of operation of coin transfer device)
The overall operation of the coin transport apparatus 10 having the above configuration will be described.
When the drive motor is driven in the delivery mechanism 20 and the disk is driven to rotate, the coin C in the hopper 21 is fed into the guide frame 30 from the outlet of the housing 22 in accordance with the rotation of the disk. In the guide frame 30, a plurality of coins C are sequentially conveyed in a line.
Further, each coin C is pushed away by the succeeding coin C and conveyed to the discharge mechanism 40. At this time, the leading coin C is caused to swing the arm 42 of the roller 41 against the elastic force of the swinging spring by the conveying force of the subsequent coin C. Then, after passing a certain passing point, the arm is swung by the restoring force of the swinging spring, and the coin C is flipped off by the roller 41 and released to the transport mechanism 50 side.

The coin C released from the discharge mechanism 40 is moved in the guide frame 60 of the transport mechanism 50 so that its movement direction is corrected along the inclined path 61 by the restriction plate 67 and rolls on the upper surface of the first bottom plate 65. To do.
At this time, when the coin C is conveyed to the second outlet 70, the shutter plate 81 is retracted to the retracted position without energizing the electromagnet 83 of the shutter mechanism 80. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the entrance of the branch path 62 is opened, and the coin C that has rolled on the upper surface of the first bottom plate 65 falls into the branch path 62 and enters the second outlet 70. Be transported.
Further, when the coin C is transported to the first outlet 69, the electromagnet 83 of the shutter mechanism 80 is energized, and the tip of the shutter plate 81 enters the inclined path 62 from the opening 74. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the entrance of the branch path 62 is closed by the shutter plate 81, and the coin C rolling on the upper surface of the first bottom plate 65 passes through the upper surface of the shutter plate 81, Furthermore, it moves to the upper surface of the 2nd path | route formation member 66, and continues rolling. Then, it is conveyed to the first outlet 69 at the end of the inclined path 61. When the shutter plate 81 swings to the closed position, the tongue portion 81a of the shutter plate 81 is detected by the shutter sensor 84, and it is recognized that the shutter sensor 84 has been properly closed at the output destination of the shutter sensor 84.

(Effect of embodiment)
Since the coin transfer device 10 is provided with the branch path 62 in the middle of the inclined path 61 and can selectively guide the coin C to each of the paths 61 and 62 by the shutter mechanism 80, the distance varies in the direction along the inclined path 61. Coins C can be distributed to the plurality of outlets 69 and 70.
For this reason, it is possible to distribute coins C to a plurality of transport destinations having different distances on the same line starting from the coin transport device 10.

  Further, since the coin transport device 10 opens and closes the entrance of the branch path 62 by the shutter plate 81 that enters and retracts from the opening 74 of the second side wall 64 of the guide frame 60, the entire shutter mechanism 80 is inclined. It is possible to dispose outside the path 61 and the branch path 62 and to retract the shutter plate 81 outside the inclined path 61 and the branch path 62 when not in use. Therefore, factors that may hinder the progress of the coin C in the inclined path 61 and the branch path 62 are reduced, and the coin C can be transported smoothly.

Further, in the coin transport device 10, the upper surface height of the second bottom surface plate 66 is set higher than the upper surface height of the first bottom surface plate 65. At the same time, the height of the upstream end 72 of the second bottom plate 66 is set higher than the height of the downstream end 71 of the first bottom plate 65.
Thus, when the coin C is guided to the branch path 62, the second bottom plate 66 passes through the upper part of the entrance of the branch path 62 even if the coin C advances vigorously or has bounced. It is suppressed to go to the upper surface, the coin C can be more reliably guided to the branch path 62, and the reliability and reliability of distribution can be improved.

Further, since the coin transport device 10 is provided with the inclined portion 73 that is inclined downward from the entire upper surface of the first bottom plate 65 at the downstream end portion 71 of the first bottom plate 65, the coin C by the inclined path 61 is provided. And the traveling direction of the coin C by the branch path 62 are greatly different, and the traveling direction of the coin C can be gradually switched at the inclined portion 73 between them. When guiding, even if the coin C advances vigorously or bounces, it is suppressed from passing through the entrance without entering the branch path 62, and the certainty and reliability of distribution Can be further improved.
Further, the coin C can be quickly guided to the branch path 62 without reducing the traveling speed of the coin C, avoiding interference with the subsequent coin C, suppressing a conveyance failure such as clogging, and stable coin conveyance. Can be done.

(Other)
In addition, although the coin conveying apparatus 10 of the said embodiment has provided only one branch path 62 along the inclination path | route 61, when distributing coin C to more conveyance destinations, according to the number. (Since one exit 69 is provided at the end of the inclined path 61, the number of branch paths = the number of transport destinations −1), more branch paths 62 may be provided in the middle of the inclined path 61. Needless to say. In this case, it is desirable to provide a shutter mechanism 80 for each entrance of the branch path.
In this case, for each branch path, the height of the bottom surface of the inclined path is preferably set to be higher on the downstream side before and after the branch path.
In addition, for each branch path, it is desirable to set the height of the downstream end to be higher than that of the upstream with respect to the end of the inclined path before and after the branch path.
Further, for each branch path, it is desirable to provide an inclined portion having a downward gradient from the inclined path at the downstream end of the inclined path before the branch path.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the coin transport device. It is a disassembled perspective view of the conveyance mechanism disclosed by FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the state by which a coin is guided to the 2nd exit. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the state by which a coin is guided to the 1st exit. It is an enlarged view around a branch path. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the shutter mechanism disclosed in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a side view of the shutter mechanism disclosed in FIG. 5.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Coin conveying apparatus 20 Delivery mechanism 50 Conveying mechanism 60 Guide frame 61 Inclined path 62 Branch path 63 1st side wall 64 2nd side wall (one side wall)
65 First bottom plate 66 Second bottom plate 69 First outlet 70 Second outlet 71 Downstream end of the first bottom plate (upstream end relative to the branch path of the inclined path)
72 The upstream end of the second bottom plate (the end on the downstream side of the branch path of the inclined path)
73 Inclined portion 74 Opening portion 80 Shutter mechanism 81 Shutter plate C Coin

Claims (5)

A delivery mechanism that sequentially sends out the accumulated coins;
A transport mechanism that selectively distributes coins fed from the feed mechanism side to at least two or more outlets;
The transport mechanism is
A guide frame formed with an inclined path that rolls and sends coins fed from the feeding mechanism side, and at least one branch path that branches from the middle of the inclined path in the falling direction to the outlet;
And a shutter mechanism that opens and closes the entrance of the branch path. The guide frame has side walls on both sides of the inclined path of the coin,
2. The shutter mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising: a shutter plate that enters into the inclined path from the outside of the side wall by an opening provided on one side wall to open and close the entrance of the branch path. Coin transport device. 3. The coin conveyance according to claim 1, wherein the inclined path is formed such that a bottom surface height downstream of the branch path is higher than a bottom surface height upstream of the branch path. apparatus. The height of the downstream end of the inclined path is higher than the height of the upstream end of the branch path, according to claim 1 or 2. Coin transport device. 5. The coin transport device according to claim 1, wherein the inclined path is provided with an inclined portion having a lower gradient than the entire inclined path at an upstream end of the branch path.

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