JP2006309468A - Change dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a change dispenser having a reduced height of casing, capable of returning a coin and capable of checking the coin. <P>SOLUTION: A tentative reserving part 20 is arranged between a coin conveying part for payment and a coin sorting mechanism 30, and the coins identified as a true coin are tentatively reserved therein. A coin stopper mechanism 22 and a coin returning mechanism 23 are provided in a conveying-directional terminal end side of an inclined belt 211. A stopper 222 serving as a guide driven vertically on an upper face of the tentative reserving part 20 opens and closes a space communicated with the coin sorting mechanism 30, in the coin stopper mechanism 22. The coin returning mechanism 23 opens and closes a space communicated with a returning port by a cancel gate 231. When the stopper mechanism 22 is released, the coins CN tentatively reserved are paid to the coin sorting mechanism 30, and are returned to the returning port, as the coins, when the coin returning mechanism 23 is operated together with the stopper mechanism 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a change dispenser that temporarily holds a coin that has been inserted into an insertion slot, accommodates it in a denomination, and dispenses it as a change to a dispensing outlet.

  2. Description of the Related Art Recently, cashiers such as supermarkets and convenience stores have a change dispenser that can be connected to a host device such as a point-of-sale (POS) system to reuse coins received together with banknote processing devices as change. Has been introduced.

  In general, the change dispenser is a coin storage function that automatically takes inserted coins inside and stores them in a coin storage, and transmits the deposit information to an external host device. In response to a change dispensing request from an external host device, it has a recycling function that sends deposit information on the stored coins and pays out the corresponding amount of change with the stored coins (for example, a patent Reference 1).

  Such a change dispenser automates the dispensing and storage of money, as with a banknote processing device, to reduce the burden of cash handling for cashiers and increase the efficiency of checkout operations. It is introduced mainly for the purpose not to occur.

  On the other hand, a coin processing device that accepts coins and pays out changes is also used in vending machines. However, since there are many crimes in which vending machines throw in fake coins and get them back by performing return operations, counterfeit coins generated in the market are used in vending machine coin handling equipment. It was necessary to prevent change of change using. Therefore, in the coin identification device described in Patent Document 1, the coins put into the vending machine are temporarily held, and the held coins themselves are returned in response to the return operation by the return lever (actual thing) A system with an escrow function is provided.

For example, a circulating coin depositing / dispensing apparatus is known in which a deposited coin can be used as a dispensing coin and an escrow function is added (for example, see Patent Document 2). According to this device, when a deposit stop command is issued for a held coin, the coin transport belt is reversely rotated, and the coins on the coin transport belt are discharged from the discharge port provided at the rear end.
JP 2004-341792 A (paragraph numbers [0022] to [0041], FIGS. 1 to 4) JP 05-274517 A (paragraph numbers [0034] to [0053] and [0085] to [0087])

  However, in the conventional change dispenser, since the inserted coins are stored in the storage as they are from those whose denominations are determined, it is not possible to return in-kind like the vending machine described above. . Therefore, when the amount received from the customer is different from the displayed amount, it is necessary to return the coins that have already been thrown into the change dispenser by the customer's request such as “the amount is different”. Even so, it could not be easily handled.

  Therefore, it is also conceivable to apply the in-kind return mechanism of the circulating coin depositing and dispensing device described in Patent Document 2 to the change dispensing machine described in Patent Document 1 described above. However, since the device of Patent Document 2 is not supposed to be used at a store cash register such as a supermarket or a convenience store, a coin is placed on the upper end side of the conveyor belt inclined upward in the coin conveyance direction. While providing the sorting means and providing a discharge port on the lower end side, the actual return of coins is performed. For this reason, there is a problem that the height of the housing becomes large in order to use the cash drawer box for depositing and withdrawing money.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a change dispenser that can return an actual item using a temporary holding means and has a low casing height.

  In the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problem, in the change dispenser that temporarily holds the coins inserted into the insertion slot and then stores them in the denominations and also pays out the change as a change to the discharge outlet, A depositing conveying means having an identification part for identifying fake and denominations, and a conveying belt inclined upward from the vicinity of the dispensing port of the depositing conveying means, and on the conveying belt as a genuine coin by the identifying part A coin holding means for temporarily holding the identified coins, a coin sorting means for selecting the coins withdrawn from the coin holding means and counting the number of the money types, and the coin shaking Coins selected by the dispensing means are stored in denominations, and coin storage means comprising a plurality of coin storage / dispensing units to be paid out based on a predetermined withdrawal command, and a predetermined amount corresponding to the amount of change from the coin storage means A dispensing means for withdrawing as many coins that have been dispensed as change from the dispensing outlet, and the coin holding means is configured to distribute the coins conveyed to the upper end side by the conveyor belt. There is provided a change dispenser characterized by having a first switching gate section for switching whether to withdraw money to the means or to return the goods to a predetermined return port.

  According to such a change dispensing machine, the coin temporarily held in the coin holding means is withdrawn at the first switching gate portion provided on the upper end side of the conveying belt inclined upward, and the predetermined condition is satisfied. Is returned to the return slot in kind.

  According to the change dispenser of the present invention, the coin temporarily held in the coin holding means is returned in-kind to the predetermined return port from the upper end side of the conveyor belt inclined upward. For this reason, the return port can be arranged at a position equal to or higher than the payout port. That is, since it is not necessary to provide a return opening below the payout port, the height of the case of the change dispenser can be reduced.

Hereinafter, a change dispenser of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a change dispenser according to the embodiment.
The change dispenser 1 is provided with a coin insertion slot 3 on the front right side of the upper surface of the housing 2 through which a plurality of coins can be simultaneously inserted. A display 4 and a plurality of operation buttons are provided on the left side of the coin insertion slot 3. The operation panel 5 provided with is arranged. In addition, a coin payout exit 6 and a coin return opening 7 are provided on the front surface of the housing 2. When used in a supermarket or a convenience store, the change dispenser 1 is a cash register where cash is delivered, and a cashier or the like can be placed on the upper lid 2a of the housing 2.

  Here, the coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 3 are temporarily held inside the housing 2, and after the amount is fixed, they are stored in an internal denomination storage. At that time, the input amount is displayed on the display 4 or the like. The display 4 of the change dispenser 1 can display not only the input amount but also its operating state and operation instructions. Also, coins to be paid out as change are conveyed to the coin payout exit 6. Furthermore, when the coin temporarily held inside the housing 2 is returned in kind, it can be taken out from the return port 7.

(Schematic hardware configuration)
Next, a schematic configuration of hardware of the change dispenser 1 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view showing the internal configuration of the change dispenser. The change dispensing machine 1 includes a deposit coin transport mechanism 10 for transporting coins inserted into a coin slot 3, a temporary storage unit 20 for temporarily storing coins identified as genuine coins, and a coin swing for selecting coins. The dispensing mechanism 30 is composed of a storage 40 composed of six coin storages 40a to 40f for storing coins by denomination, and a dispensing coin transport mechanism 50 for dispensing change to the coin payment outlet 6. Yes.

  A plurality of coins of different denominations are simultaneously input from the coin insertion slot 3 to the coin transfer mechanism 10 for deposit. The transport belt mechanism 11 transports the inserted coins in the left hand direction of the figure, and the transport belt mechanisms 12 and 13 sequentially transport the coins transported from the transport belt mechanism 11 in the left hand direction of the figure. Yes. The coin check unit 14 disposed in the center of the coin transport mechanism 10 constitutes an identification unit that identifies the authenticity and denomination of the inserted coin, and the coin is discharged from the coin payout outlet 6 or temporarily according to the identification result. It is configured to be sent out to any of the holding units 20. The detailed configuration and operation of the coin transfer mechanism 10 for deposit will be described later.

  In the temporary storage unit 20, the coins identified as regular coins by the check unit 14 are temporarily stored and then withdrawn to the coin distribution mechanism 30. The temporary holding unit 20 is provided with a transport belt mechanism 21 in parallel with the coin transport direction of the transport belt mechanisms 11, 12, 13 in the coin transport mechanism 10. The transport belt mechanism 21 transports coins in the direction of the coin slot 3, and is provided with a coin stopper mechanism 22 and a coin return mechanism 23 (first switching gate portion) at a front portion in the transport direction. ing. In the coin stopper mechanism 22, it is determined whether to temporarily hold the coin from the temporary holding unit 20 or to withdraw the coin to the coin distribution mechanism 30. In addition, the coin return mechanism 23 controls opening and closing of a withdrawal port for returning the temporarily held coin to the return port 7 shown in FIG. The detailed configuration and operation of the temporary storage unit 20 will be described later.

  Moreover, the upper cover 2a of the change dispenser 1 is configured to be slidable in the direction of arrow S in FIG. Accordingly, when a bar metal coin or the like is inserted in advance as change, it is not necessary to insert change from the coin insertion port 3 via the coin transfer mechanism 10 for payment, but by sliding the upper lid 2a, Coins can be directly and quickly put into the temporary storage unit 20. In this case, the upper lid 2a may be opened, or the internal device may be pulled out to expose the temporary storage unit 20 so that coins can be inserted.

  The coin distribution mechanism 30 sorts out coins withdrawn from the temporary storage unit 20 and is arranged along the right side surface of the housing 2 from the front of the change dispenser 1 to the rear. Yes. The denomination storage 40 includes, for example, six coin storages 40a to 40f that store 1 yen, 50 yen, 5 yen, 100 yen, 10 yen, and 500 yen coins, respectively, and the coin distribution mechanism 30 side. The formed deposit port has a counter (not shown).

  The coin distribution mechanism 30 is provided with a transport belt mechanism 31 so as to transport coins from the temporary storage unit 20 one by one to the deposit ports of the coin storage units 40a to 40f. In addition, each deposit port of the storage 40 is designed to accept coins that are formed in different sizes for each denomination and have a diameter that increases in order from the front side of the transport belt mechanism 31. Therefore, the coins conveyed by the conveyor belt mechanism 31 are sorted at each deposit port of the coin sorting mechanism 30 according to the diameter. Moreover, after counting the coins of the money type | mold thrown in in each deposit opening, it accommodates in each coin storage 40a-40f.

  Each of these coin storages 40a to 40f includes a front belt mechanism 41, a rear belt mechanism 42, and a withdrawal belt mechanism 43. The withdrawal belt mechanism 43 further includes an optical sensor or a magnetic sensor (not shown). A sensor is arranged, and is configured to detect coins passing therethrough and to count the number of coins fed out.

  The dispensing coin transport mechanism 50 takes out change from the storage 40 and withdraws it to the coin dispensing outlet 6, and is arranged along the left side surface of the housing 2 in the change dispensing machine 1. A transfer belt mechanism 51 for conveying coins to be forwarded, and a switching gate 52 (second second) for selecting and dispensing either the coin payout outlet 6 or the temporary storage unit 20 at the rear end of the conveyor belt mechanism 51. Switching gate portion).

(Coin transport mechanism for deposit)
Next, the configuration and operation of the coin transfer mechanism 10 for deposit will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a coin transport mechanism for depositing, and FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the coin transport mechanism for depositing.
The depositing coin transport mechanism 10 includes a transport belt mechanism 11 having an inclined belt 111 disposed under the opening of the coin insertion slot 3, and a transport belt mechanism 12 for transporting coins to the check section 14 by the belt 121. And a conveyor belt mechanism 13 for feeding coins to the temporary storage unit 20 by means of a belt 131. The inclined belt 111 of the transport belt mechanism 11 is stretched around the rollers 112 and 113 and is driven by the drive motor M1. Further, the belts 121 and 131 of the conveyor belt mechanisms 12 and 13 are stretched around rollers 122 and 123 and rollers 132 and 133, respectively.

  The shaft 134 of the roller 133 is rotationally driven by the drive motor M2 via the conductive belt V1, and the belt 131 of the transport belt mechanism 13 is driven. When the belt 131 is driven, the roller 123 attached to the same shaft 135 as the roller 132 is rotationally driven, and the belt 121 is also driven.

  3 and 4, a return chute 15 is formed at the leftmost end of the coin transport mechanism 10. A transfer gate 16 having gate plates 16 a and 16 b positioned on the left and right sides of the belt 131 and a solenoid 17 for controlling the transfer gate 16 are disposed below the belt 131 of the transport belt mechanism 13. The transfer gate 16 is configured such that the gate plates 16a and 16b and the arm 161 orthogonal thereto are integrally rotated about the shaft 160. The arm 161 is coupled to the control shaft 171 of the solenoid 17 and is configured to control the direction in which coins are transported by the transport belt mechanism 13. That is, when the solenoid 17 is turned off, the coin is guided to the return chute 15 through the gate plates 16a and 16b. On the other hand, when the solenoid 17 is turned on, the transfer gate 16 rotates and the gate plates 16a and 16b are lifted, so that the coins fall into the openings formed on the lower surfaces of these gate plates and are temporarily retained. Leading to 20.

  A restricting roller 18 is provided at a position near the roller 113 in the coin slot 3 so as to face the inclined belt 111. The regulating roller 18 rotates in the direction opposite to the coin conveyance direction, and is used to swing the upper coin backward when a plurality of coins conveyed to the inclined belt 111 overlap. . Thereby, the coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 3 are conveyed one by one to the conveying plate 19 side.

  Normally, the solenoid 17 is turned on as shown in FIG. 3, and the coins transported on the transport plate 19 by the belt 131 hit the gate plates 16 a and 16 b of the transfer gate 16, and the direction of the temporary holding unit 20. It is pushed out (upward in FIG. 3). However, when the coin conveyed to the check unit 14 is identified as an improper coin, the solenoid 17 is turned off and the coin CN passes over the gate plates 16a and 16b. That is, since the coin CN goes straight without being blocked by the gate plates 16 a and 16 b of the transfer gate 16, the coin CN is sent out from the transport plate 19 to the return chute 15.

(Configuration of temporary holding section)
Next, the configuration of the temporary storage unit 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the configuration of the temporary storage unit, and FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of the temporary storage unit.

  The temporary storage unit 20 is disposed between the coin transfer mechanism 10 and the coin distribution mechanism 30 for depositing in the housing 2, and has a planar rectangular shape like the coin distribution mechanism 30. ing. Here, the bottom surface of the coin storage unit 20 a in the temporary storage unit 20 is defined by the top surface of the inclined belt 211 of the transport belt mechanism 21, and both side surfaces thereof are defined by the side plates 201 and 202. In the coin storage unit 20a, the coins identified as regular coins by the check unit 14 of the depositing coin transport mechanism 10 are temporarily held.

  The inclined belt 211 of the transport belt mechanism 21 is stretched around a pair of rollers 212 and 213, and is driven so as to transport coins placed thereon from the lower left to the upper right in FIG. Both the coin stopper mechanism 22 (first gate member) and the coin return mechanism 23 (second gate member) are provided as the first switching gate portion on the end side in the conveyance direction of the inclined belt 211, and the coin stopper mechanism 22. Is driven up and down on the upper surface of the inclined belt 211 to open and close the space leading to the coin sorting mechanism 30. Further, the coin return mechanism 23 is configured to open and close a space leading to the return port 7. When the coin stopper mechanism 22 is released, the coins temporarily held in the coin storage portion 20a are withdrawn to the coin sorting mechanism 30. Returned in kind.

  Further, immediately before the coin stopper mechanism 22, a regulating roller 24 is disposed away from the upper surface of the inclined belt 211 by a distance corresponding to one coin. The regulating roller 24 rotates in the direction opposite to the coin conveying direction, and is used to swing the upper coin backward when a plurality of coins conveyed to the inclined belt 211 overlap. . Thereby, the coin of the coin storage part 20a is conveyed to the coin stopper mechanism 22 side one by one.

Next, the specific configuration of the first switching gate unit will be further described.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first switching gate portion.
The first switching gate portion includes a coin stopper mechanism 22 including a coin stopper member 220 including an arm 221 and a guide / stopper 222 that can be rotated about an axis orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt mechanism 21. It is comprised from the coin return mechanism 23 provided with the cancellation gate 231 driven reciprocally. In this coin stopper member 220, the arm 221 is connected to the stopper solenoid 25, and when the stopper solenoid 25 is turned on and off, the guide / stopper 222 and the surface of the inclined belt 211 are brought into contact with and separated from each other, and are conveyed by the inclined belt 211. The movement of the coin CN is controlled.

  In the coin return mechanism 23, the cancel gate 231 is reciprocated in the vertical direction by the cancel solenoid 26, and is configured to open and close an opening (not shown) formed in the side plate 202 of the coin storage portion 20a. The side plate 202 of the coin storage unit 20a is provided with a return chute 27 that guides the coins returned from the coin return mechanism 23 to the return port 7.

  A transfer roller 28 supported by a swing arm 281 on a roller 213 is provided at the exit of the transport belt mechanism 21 on the guide / stop stopper 222 side so as to contact the inclined belt 211. The transfer roller 28 is for transferring coins from the temporary storage unit 20 to the transport belt mechanism 31 of the coin sorting mechanism 30. The inclined belt 211, the regulating roller 24, and the transfer roller 28 are driven by the drive motor 29 of the temporary storage unit 20.

(Details of coin stopper mechanism)
FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views showing a coin stopper that constitutes the coin stopper mechanism, and a connection state between the stopper solenoid and the coin stopper, respectively. FIGS. The operation of the coin stopper mechanism according to the ON / OFF state of the stopper solenoid will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the coin stopper member 220 of the coin stopper mechanism 22 has an arm 221 and a guide / stopper 222 integrally formed, and a shaft is inserted into the lower end of the arm 221. A possible shaft hole 220 a is formed, and a groove 221 a that engages with the control shaft 251 of the stopper solenoid 25 is formed at the tip of the arm 221. Further, a guide and stopper 222 is provided from the lower end of the arm 221 so as to extend substantially perpendicular to the arm 221, and the side surface of the arm 221 has an angle of approximately 45 ° with respect to the shaft hole 220 a and the inclined belt 211. A coin guide surface 222a arranged perpendicular to the surface is formed.

  The coin stopper member 220 is assembled as a coin stopper mechanism 22 on the end side in the conveying direction of the inclined belt 211 in a state where the groove 221a of the arm 221 is engaged with the control shaft 251 of the stopper solenoid 25. Now, when the stopper solenoid 25 is turned on, the control shaft 251 is drawn inside, and the coin stopper member 220 rotates around the shaft inserted through the shaft hole 220a in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 8B. . When the stopper solenoid 25 is turned off, the control shaft 251 is pushed out, so that the arm 221 is rotated in the direction of the arrow b in FIG. 8B.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the stopper solenoid 25 is in the ON state, the guide / stopper 222 comes into contact with the surface of the inclined belt 211, and the coin CN is the coin guide surface 222a of the guide / stopper 222. Are pushed in the direction of the cancel gate 231 (front side in FIG. 9). At this time, if the cancel gate 231 of the temporary storage unit 20 is closed, the coin CN is stored in the coin storage unit 20a even if the inclined belt 211 is driven. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the stopper solenoid 25 is held off, the guide / stopper 222 of the coin stopper member 220 is held up from the surface of the inclined belt 211. Accordingly, the coins CN conveyed there are sequentially fed into the coin sorting mechanism 30 by the transfer roller 28.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a coin is conveyed to a coin distribution mechanism. Here, the relationship between the coin stopper member 220 and the coin CN is clearly shown by omitting the stopper solenoid 25 and the cancel solenoid 26.

(Details of coin return mechanism)
FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective views showing a connection state between a cancel gate constituting the coin return mechanism and a cancel solenoid and the cancel gate, respectively. FIGS. The operation | movement of the coin return mechanism according to ON / OFF of a coin return mechanism is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the cancel gate 231 of the coin return mechanism 23 is formed with dovetail grooves 232 that open upward in the center and slits 233a and 233b that extend in the vertical direction on the left and right end surfaces, respectively. Yes. The cancel gate 231 is assembled in a state where the control shaft 261 of the cancel solenoid 26 is engaged with the dovetail groove 232 and the side plate 202 of the coin storage portion 20a is engaged with the vertical slits 233a and 233b. Now, if the cancel solenoid 26 is turned on, the control shaft 261 is drawn into the interior, and the cancel gate 231 is pulled up in the direction of arrow a in FIG. Further, when the cancel solenoid 26 is turned off, the control shaft 261 is pushed out, so that the cancel gate 231 is pushed down in the direction of arrow b in FIG.

  Therefore, the slits 233a and 233b of the cancel gate 231 are fitted into the opening 202a formed in the side plate 202 of the coin storage portion 20a, and the cancel solenoid 26 is disposed above the upper direction as shown in FIG. If fixed, the opening 202a is closed by the cancel gate 231 that descends when the cancel solenoid 26 is in the OFF state. However, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the cancel solenoid 26 is turned on, the cancel gate 231 is held at the raised position, and the opening 202a is opened. At this time, if the stopper solenoid 25 is in the ON state, the guide / stopper 222 comes into contact with the surface of the inclined belt 211, and the coin CN conveyed thereto is applied to the coin guide surface 222 a of the guide / stopper 222. It is guided and returned to the return port 7 sequentially from the return chute 27 through the opening 202a.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing how the coins are conveyed to the return chute, and similarly to FIG. 10, the stopper solenoid 25 and the cancel solenoid 26 are omitted so that the coin stopper member 220, the cancel gate 231 and the coin CN are omitted. Clarified the relationship with.

(Summary of operation of temporary holding section)
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which coins are temporarily held.
The coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 3 are temporarily held in the temporary holding unit 20 as described above. In the change dispenser 1 in a state where coins are being transported to the temporary storage unit 20, only the stopper solenoid 25 is on, and the guide / stopper 222 of the coin stopper mechanism 22 is connected to the cancel gate 231 as shown in FIG. In cooperation, the movement of coins on the inclined belt 211 is prevented. Thereafter, when the deposit to the change dispenser 1 is instructed and both the stopper solenoid 25 and the cancel solenoid 26 of the temporary storage unit 20 are turned off, the transfer belt mechanism 21 sends the coin to the coin sorting mechanism 30 (FIG. 10). . Further, when both the stopper solenoid 25 and the cancel solenoid 26 are turned on by the deposit stop command, the actual product is returned to the return port 7 (FIG. 13).

(Coin physical return)
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the return chute.
The return chute 27 is disposed below the coin insertion slot 3, and the return slot 7 is provided on the front right side of the housing 2. In the temporary storage unit 20, when the cancel gate 231 is opened by the cancel solenoid 26 and the coin CN is sent out, the return chute 27 returns the actual product to the return port 7. In FIG. 15, the depositing coin transport mechanism 10 disposed on the front surface of the housing 2 is omitted.

  In the change dispenser 1, a coin transfer mechanism 10 for deposit and a temporary storage unit 20 are provided in parallel to each other in front of the housing 2, and a coin transfer path is folded back in the left-right direction. Yes. Further, the coin CN returned from the temporary storage unit 20 of the change dispenser 1 is lifted to a high position of the temporary storage unit 20 by the inclined belt 211 of the transport belt mechanism 21 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. ing. Therefore, when the coin CN temporarily suspended from the coin return mechanism 23 is returned to the return port 7 in kind, the return chute 27 can be configured to be short. Further, even if the housing 2 of the change dispenser 1 is not configured to be high, the return chute 27 can be dropped and discharged to the return port 7 provided on the front surface of the change dispenser 1 with only the weight of the coin CN.

  As described above, in the change dispenser 1, since the first switching gate unit including the coin stopper mechanism 22 and the coin return mechanism 23 is provided in the temporary storage unit 20 including the transport belt mechanism 21, the structure is compact. A large-capacity temporary holding unit 20 can be realized. Moreover, since the return port 7 for the actual thing return is provided in the same direction as the conveyance direction of the coins to be deposited, the space of the switching gate portion can be reduced. Furthermore, since the return port 7 is provided at the height side of the transport belt mechanism 21, the return port 7 can be arranged at a height position equivalent to the coin payout port 6. That is, since it is not the structure which provides a return port further below the coin payment outlet 6, the height of the housing | casing 2 of the change dispenser 1 can be made low.

(Modification)
FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the chute from the temporary storage unit.
Here, instead of the return chute 27 from the temporary holding unit 20 to the return port 7, the receiving unit 228 that receives the coin CN immediately below the cancel gate 231, and the rolling unit that rotates and conveys the coin CN of the receiving unit 228. A conveyance path 229 is provided. When the cancel gate 231 is opened by the cancel solenoid 26, the coin CN is sent out sideways. However, the receiving unit 228 provided immediately below the cancel gate 231 rotates the coin CN 90 ° and receives it in the vertical position. The rolling conveyance path 229 is disposed between the receiving unit 228 and the coin payout exit 6 and is inclined at a predetermined angle so that the coin CN is conveyed while rolling in the vertical position.

In this case, unlike the return chute 27 reaching the return port 7 of FIG. 15, the coin CN returned in-kind can be received at the coin payout exit 6, so that the return port 7 is not necessary.
(Coin flow)
Next, the flow of coins inside the change dispenser 1 will be described.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of coins thrown into the change dispenser. Here, only main components of the change dispenser 1 are shown, and correspond to a plan sectional view showing the internal configuration of FIG.

  As shown by the arrow A, the coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 3 are fed into the coin transport mechanism 10 for depositing. The coins of the coin transport mechanism 10 are transported to the temporary storage unit 20 (arrow B) or discharged to the coin payout exit 6 (arrow C). The coins in the temporary holding unit 20 are sent to the coin distribution mechanism 30 and sorted (arrow D) or returned in-kind (arrow E). In the coin distribution mechanism 30, coins are sorted by denomination and stored in the six coin storage units 40a to 40f of the denomination storage unit 40 (arrows F1 to F6), respectively, based on a withdrawal instruction or a scrutiny instruction. Then, it is taken out to the coin transfer mechanism 50 for dispensing (arrows G1 to G6). The coins taken out to the withdrawal coin transport mechanism 50 are transported to the temporary holding unit 20 when an inspection is instructed (arrow H), and if the withdrawal command is issued, they are withdrawn to the coin payout outlet 6 as change. (Arrow I).

  Therefore, the coin received by the cashier person is deposited from the coin insertion slot 3 through the paths of arrows A, B, D, and F1 to F6, and is put into the storage 40 from the coin sorting mechanism 30. At this time, the number of coins to be inserted is counted according to the denomination at each deposit port of the coin storages 40a to 40f.

  In addition, when the change payable to the customer is withdrawn from the change dispenser 1, the designated number of coins is withdrawn from the coin transfer mechanism 50 for withdrawal (arrow G1). To G6), it is possible to withdraw money to the coin payout exit 6 through the route of arrow I.

  Furthermore, when coins stored in the storage 40 are scrutinized, the coins stored in the six coin storages 40a to 40f are scrutinized for each denomination. That is, first, after confirming that the temporary storage unit 20 is empty, all coins stored in any of the coin storage units are moved to the temporary storage unit 20 (arrow H). The fact that the coins in each coin storage are emptied can be determined by the fact that no coins were detected for a predetermined time by the counting sensor.

  And when the coin of a corresponding coin storage becomes empty, the coin of the temporary storage part 20 will be carried out to the coin distribution mechanism 30. FIG. The unloaded coins are stored again in the corresponding coin storage, and at that time, the number of coins deposited is counted by a counter provided at the deposit port of the coin storage. By performing such an operation for all of the six coin storage units 40a to 40f, the examination of the coins stored in the storage unit 40 is completed. Thus, the amount of money for every denomination can be grasped | ascertained by circulating a coin for every denomination between each coin storage and the temporary storage part 20. FIG.

  In addition, you may make it closely examine the total amount of all the denominations instead of the amount for every denomination by doing as follows. That is, coins are withdrawn in order from the six coin storage boxes 40a to 40f (arrows G1 to G6). At this time, the counting sensor 45 counts the amount of the denomination and continues to withdraw until the coins in the coin storage boxes 40a to 40f are empty in the temporary storage unit 20 (arrow H). And you may make it return a coin to the same coin storage 40a-40f withdrawn by the path | route of the arrow D and the arrow F1-F6 from the temporary storage part 20. FIG.

  As described above, since the coins are circulated for each denomination inside the change dispenser 1 using the temporary storage unit 20, since the coins can be automatically scrutinized without taking out the coins, It is possible to quickly perform work when the person in charge changes.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the change dispenser which concerns on embodiment. It is a plane sectional view showing an internal configuration of a change dispensing machine. It is a top view which shows the coin conveyance mechanism for money_receiving | payment. It is front sectional drawing of the coin conveyance mechanism for money_receiving | payment. It is a top view which shows the structure of a temporary storage part. It is front sectional drawing of a temporary storage part. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a 1st switching gate part. (A), (B) is a perspective view which shows the connection state of the coin stopper which respectively comprises a coin stopper mechanism, and a stopper solenoid and a coin stopper. (A), (B) is a figure which shows operation | movement of the coin stopper mechanism according to ON / OFF of a stopper solenoid. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that a coin is conveyed to a coin distribution mechanism. (A), (B) is a perspective view which shows the connection state of the cancellation gate which comprises a coin return mechanism, respectively, and a cancellation solenoid and a cancellation gate. (A), (B) is a figure which shows operation | movement of the coin return mechanism according to ON / OFF of a coin return mechanism. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that a coin is conveyed to a return chute. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the coin is temporarily suspended. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a return chute. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the chute | shoot from a temporary storage part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the coin thrown into the change dispenser.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Change dispenser 2 Housing | casing 3 Coin insertion slot 4 Display 5 Operation panel 6 Coin dispensing outlet 7 Return slot 10 Coin conveyance mechanism 11, 12, 13 conveyance belt mechanism 14 Checking part 20 Temporary reservation part 21 Conveyance belt mechanism DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 Coin stopper mechanism 23 Coin return mechanism 30 Coin distribution mechanism 31 Conveyance belt mechanism 40 Storage 40a-40f Coin storage 41 Pre-stage belt mechanism 42 Subsequent belt mechanism 43 Withdrawal belt mechanism 50 Coin conveyance mechanism 51 for withdrawal Belt mechanism 52 switching gate

Claims (6)

In the change dispenser that temporarily holds the coins inserted into the insertion slot and then stores them in the denominations, and pays them out as change at the outlet.
A depositing conveying means having an identification part for identifying the authenticity and denomination of the coin;
A coin holding means for temporarily holding a coin identified as a genuine coin by the identification unit on the conveyor belt, having a conveyor belt inclined upward from the vicinity of the dispensing port of the depositing conveying means;
While sorting the coins withdrawn from the coin holding means, coin distribution means having a counting unit for counting the number of the money type,
A coin containing means comprising a plurality of coin storing and dispensing units for storing the coins selected by the coin distributing means according to denomination and paying out based on a predetermined withdrawal command;
A delivery means for withdrawing the coins dispensed from the coin outlet as a change from a predetermined number of coins corresponding to the amount of the change;
With
The coin holding means has a first switching gate portion for switching whether the coin conveyed to the upper end side by the conveyor belt is withdrawn to the coin distribution means or returned to a predetermined return port. A change dispenser characterized by In the coin holding means, the bottom surface of the coin holding space is defined by the upper surface of the conveyor belt,
The first switching gate portion is driven up and down on the upper surface of the transport belt to open and close the space leading to the coin sorting means, and the second gate member opening and closing the space leading to the payout opening The change dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the change dispenser is configured as follows.   In the first switching gate portion, the surface of the first gate member that closes the space that communicates with the coin distribution means also serves as a guide surface that guides the coin to the second gate member side on the transport belt. The change dispenser according to claim 2, wherein   The transport belt of the coin holding means is provided in parallel with the coin transport direction in the deposit transport means, and transports coins received from the deposit transport means in the direction of the slot. The change dispenser according to claim 2.   The change dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the payout port also serves as the return port. The delivery means for withdrawal has a second switching gate portion that selects either the payment outlet or the coin holding means and dispenses the coin,
2. The change according to claim 1, wherein coins in said coin storage means are scrutinized by circulating between said coin holding means and said coin storage means via said second switching gate portion. Dispenser.

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