JP2010238072A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vending machine, in which a user can surely receive coins without omission when the user receives the coins from a coin return part. <P>SOLUTION: The vending machine 1 includes a coin dispensing control unit 30 which controls, when the number of coins to be dispensed from a coin mechanism 15 exceeds a preset set value, the coin mechanism 15 to dispense coils in two or more installments so that the number of coins to be dispensed once does not exceed the set value. The coin dispensing control unit 30 controls to dispense the coins from the coin mechanism 15 when it is determined that no coin is present between a coin output port 15a of the coin mechanism 15 and the coin return part 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine including a coin return unit for a user to receive coins paid out from a coin mechanism.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, coins such as change paid out from a coin mechanism (coin processing device) installed in a vending machine are delivered to a tray-like coin return unit provided on the front surface of an outer door. When the user receives change, the user inserts his / her finger from the return port onto the tray, and squeezes the coins on the tray toward him.

JP 2000-76529 A

  However, if the number of coins returned to the coin return unit is large, there is a problem that when the user receives a coin from the coin return unit, the user may miss the coin and drop the coin.

  An object of this invention is to provide the vending machine which can receive reliably, without dropping a coin, when a user receives a coin from a coin return part in view of said point.

  The vending machine according to claim 1 of the present invention is a vending machine provided with a coin return unit for a user to receive coins paid out from a coin mechanism. A coin payout control unit for controlling the coin mechanism so as to pay out coins in a plurality of times so that the number of payouts per time does not exceed the set value when exceeding a set value; The control unit pays out coins from the coin mechanism when it is determined that no coin exists between the coin payout exit of the coin mechanism and the coin return unit in each of the plurality of times. .

  The vending machine according to claim 2 of the present invention is the vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the coin payout control unit is configured such that, at each of the plurality of times, the number of coins to be paid out exceeds the set value. While the set number of coins are paid out, when the number of coins to be paid out does not exceed the set value, all the remaining coins are paid out.

  The vending machine according to claim 3 of the present invention is the vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coin return portion has a cylindrical shape with an open bottom, and a payout position communicating with the coin mechanism; Arranged on the front surface of the outer door so as to be movable between the coin mechanism and a non-payout position, and when coins are paid out from the coin mechanism, the coin return portion is moved to the payout position. By doing so, the coin is fed out from the opening.

  The vending machine according to claim 4 of the present invention is the vending machine according to claim 3, further comprising detecting means for detecting that the coin return part is located at a non-payout position, wherein the coin payout control part is the detection unit. When it is detected by the means that the coin return part is located at the non-payout position, it is determined that no coin exists between the coin payout exit of the coin mechanism and the coin return part, and the coin is removed from the coin mechanism. It is characterized by paying out.

  In the vending machine of the present invention, the number of coins to be paid out at one time is set in advance to a number that can be grasped by one user (for example, 3 to 5), and the number of coins to be paid out from the coin mechanism. When the value exceeds the set value, the coin payout control unit is configured to pay out coins in a plurality of times so that the number of payouts per time does not exceed the set value. The coin payout control unit controls to pay out the coin from the coin mechanism when it is determined that no coin exists between the coin payout exit of the coin mechanism and the coin return unit at each time of paying out the coin. By configuring as described above, even if the number of change is large, the user can easily hold the coin with one hand each time, so it is difficult to grasp the coin as before. It is possible to prevent situations such as losing coins.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the vending machine shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the coin return unit shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the side, and is a view for explaining the payout of coins. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the coin return unit shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the side, and is a view for explaining the payout of coins. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of coin payout processing executed by the coin payout control unit. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of coin payout processing executed by the coin payout control unit. FIG. 7 is a front view of the vending machine according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the coin return unit shown in FIG. 7 as viewed from the side, and is a view for explaining the coin payout.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a vending machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a front view of a vending machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the vending machine shown in FIG. A vending machine 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is for selling commodities such as a plurality of types of canned beverages and beverages containing plastic bottles, and includes a main body cabinet 2 and an outer door 3. The main body cabinet 2 is configured by combining a plurality of steel plates, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open front surface.

  A product storage 17 is provided in the main body cabinet 2. The product storage 17 is for storing beverage cans and PET bottles in a state maintained at a desired temperature, and a plurality of column-shaped racks 18 are arranged in the upper part. Each rack 18 stores the products input from the upper product input port 18a, and cuts out and carries out the lowermost products one by one. Below each rack 18, a shooter 19 is provided for carrying the product carried out from the rack 18 to the front of the product storage 17. The product storage 17 is opened and closed by a heat-insulating inner door 5a in which a product inlet 18a is divided into upper and lower parts, and a lower part thereof is opened and closed by the heat-insulating inner door 5a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the outer door 3 is supported on one side edge of the main body cabinet 2 and closes the front opening of the main body cabinet 2. A transparent lighting plate 4 is fitted on the front surface of the outer door 3, and an exhibition room 6 is defined by the lighting plate 4 and a heat insulating middle door 5 b provided on the inner side surface of the outer door 3. is doing. In the exhibition room 6, a product sample 7 of the product sold by the vending machine 1 is displayed, and on the lighting panel 4, a selection button 8 associated with the product sample is arranged. When money exceeding the price of the product to be sold is inserted, pressing of the selection button 8 becomes effective.

  In the vicinity of the exhibition room 6 in the outer door 3, a coin insertion slot 10, a coin return unit 11, a bill insertion slot 12, a display 13, a return lever 14, and the like are arranged.

  The coin insertion slot 10 communicates with a coin mechanism (coin processing device) 15 disposed on the back side of the outer door 3 and is a part that receives coins. The coin mechanism 15 discriminates the authenticity and denomination of the coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 10 and accommodates each denomination. The coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 10 are authenticated by the coin mechanism 15. After identifying the fake and the denomination, the coins that are stored for each denomination and cannot be identified are returned from the coin return unit 11 to the user. Further, the coin mechanism 15 subtracts the product price from the amount of money to be charged when the product is selected after the user inserts the money more than the product price from the coin insertion slot 10 or the bill insertion slot 12 by the user. Pay out as change.

  The coin return unit 11 is a part provided with a return port 25 that returns change or a coin that the coin mechanism 15 could not identify to the user, and is disposed below the coin insertion port 10. The detailed configuration of the coin return unit 11 will be described later.

  The banknote insertion slot 12 communicates with a bill validator (banknote identification device) 16 disposed on the back side of the outer door 3 and is a part that accepts banknotes. The bill validator 16 identifies the banknote inserted from the banknote insertion slot 12 and accommodates the banknote when the banknote is identified as a regular banknote. Returned to the outside of the machine 1. The display 13 displays the total amount of coins received from the coin insertion slot 10 into the coin mechanism 15, the total amount of banknotes received from the banknote insertion slot 12 into the bill validator 16, and the like. The return lever 14 is a part for inputting a sales stop instruction. When a sales stop command is input by the return lever 14, the accepted money is returned.

  3 and 4 are longitudinal sectional views of the coin return unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the side. Hereinafter, the coin return unit 11 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the coin return unit 11 includes an outer cylinder part 21, an inner cylinder part 22, and an elastic body 23.

  The outer cylinder portion 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape such as a cylinder or a square tube having an open bottom, and is spaced from the front surface 3a of the outer door 3 with a predetermined space therebetween. It is attached to 3a. A through hole is formed in a predetermined portion facing the front surface 3a of the outer door 3 on the peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical portion 21, and a coin returned from the above-described coin mechanism 15 is inserted into the through hole. 11 is connected to an outlet 26b of the coin shooter 26 that leads to the No. 11.

  The inner cylinder part 22 is a cylindrical member having an inner diameter larger than that of the 500-yen coin having the largest diameter among the coins, and the bottom part thereof is opened, and a return port 25 for receiving a coin by the user is formed. ing. The inner cylinder portion 22 is disposed inside the outer cylinder portion 21 so as to be movable up and down, and a through hole 24 having a size sufficient to allow coins to pass therethrough is formed on the peripheral surface thereof. The through hole 24 is formed at a position that overlaps the through hole of the outer cylinder portion 21 (that is, the outlet 26b of the coin shooter 26) when the inner cylinder portion 22 moves upward.

  The elastic body 23 is a spring member that is interposed between the upper inner wall surface of the outer tube portion 21 and the upper outer wall surface of the inner tube portion 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner cylinder portion 22 is supported by the elastic body 23 with respect to the outer cylinder portion 21 such that a lower portion of the inner cylinder portion 22 protrudes from the bottom opening of the outer cylinder portion 21.

  In the state shown in FIG. 3, the inner cylinder portion 22 is held at the lowermost position by the elastic force of the elastic body 23. In this state, the through hole 24 formed in the peripheral surface of the inner cylinder portion 22 is positioned below the outlet 26 b of the coin shooter 26, and the outlet 26 b of the coin shooter 26 is the peripheral surface of the inner cylinder portion 22. It is blocked by. That is, the coin return unit 11 and the coin mechanism 15 (coin shooter 26) are blocked. Therefore, the coin C paid out from the coin mechanism 15 to the coin shooter 26 is not paid out to the inner cylinder portion 22 of the coin return portion 11. Below, the position of the inner cylinder part 22 shown by FIG. 3 is called "non-payout position."

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the user pushes up the bottom of the inner cylinder part 22 with the palm of the hand, the inner cylinder part 22 is pushed into the outer cylinder part 21 against the elastic force of the elastic body 23. At this time, a stopper (not shown) is provided so that the inner cylinder portion 22 stops when the through hole 24 of the inner cylinder portion 22 matches the outlet 26b of the coin shooter 26. That is, in the state illustrated in FIG. 4, the coin return unit 11 is in communication with the coin mechanism 15 (coin shooter 26). As a result, the coin C paid out from the coin mechanism 15 to the coin shooter 26 is paid out from the through hole 24 to the inner cylinder portion 22 and falls to the palm of the user pushing up the inner cylinder portion 22. Below, the position of the inner cylinder part 22 shown by FIG. 4 is called "payout position."

  When the user removes the hand from the return port 25 after receiving the coin from the return port 25, the elastic body 23 returns in the direction opposite to the pushing-up direction of the inner tube unit 22, so that the inner tube unit 22 is shown in FIG. 3. Return to the “non-payout position” shown.

  In the coin mechanism 15 described above, the number of coins to be paid out to the coin return unit 11 is controlled by a coin payout control unit 30 described below. When the number of coins to be paid out from the coin mechanism 15 exceeds a preset set value N, the coin payout control unit 30 divides the coin into a plurality of times so that the number of coins to be paid out does not exceed the set value N. The coin mechanism 15 is controlled so as to be paid out. Here, the set value N is the number of sheets (for example, about 3 to 5 sheets) that the user can easily hold with one hand, and is previously input and set by the operator of the vending machine.

  Here, an example of coin payout when the set value N is set to 5 will be described. The number M to be paid out at one time is a number not exceeding the set value of 5 sheets. For example, when the total number of coins to be paid out from the coin mechanism 15 is 12, 5 pieces are paid out at the first time, 5 pieces at the second time, and 2 pieces are paid out at the third time. In this way, by dividing the coin to be paid out and returning it to the dispenser, the user can easily hold the coin with one hand at the time of each payout and recognize the number of coins at a glance. Can do.

  Also, if the change amount to be paid out from the coin mechanism 15 is 390 yen, the coins to be paid out are 8 coins: 3 100 yen coins, 1 50 yen coin and 4 10 yen coins. Pay out 3 cards for the second time. In addition, when 390 yen is set to be paid out from a large amount of coins, a total of 5 coins, 3 100 yen coins, 1 50 yen coin and 1 10 yen coin, are paid out for the second time. Pay out three 10-yen coins. In this way, when it is set to pay out from a coin with a large amount of money, or when it is set to pay out according to the type of coin, how much each type of coin is paid out compared to when randomly paying out several types of coins? It becomes easier for the user to know whether it has been returned.

  Here, if the coins paid out for the first time remain in the coin shooter 26, the coins for the second time will be paid out to the return port 25, and the user will receive the coins. There is a risk that you will miss it. In order to prevent such a situation, the coin dispensing control unit 30 issues a coin dispensing instruction to the coin mechanism 15 only when it is determined that no coin exists in the coin shooter 26 at each of the plurality of dispensings described above. Send. That is, when it is determined that coins are present in the coin shooter 26 each time, no coin payout command is transmitted to the coin mechanism 15.

  The coin payout control unit 30 determines whether or not coins are present in the coin shooter 26 based on the detection result of the position detection means 40 that detects the position of the inner cylinder portion 22 (payout position / non-payout position). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the position detection means 40 includes a member 40 a provided on the front surface 3 a side of the outer door 3 and a member 40 b on the inner cylinder portion 22 side provided to face the member 40 a. The position of the member 40b on the inner cylinder portion 22 side relative to the member 40a on the outer door 3 side is detected. The position detecting means 40 has moved so that the inner cylinder portion 22 once reaches the payout position and then returns to the non-payout position (that is, the user pushes up the inner cylinder portion 22 with the palm and receives a coin). )).

  Hereinafter, the detection of the position detection means 40 will be described with a specific example. In the following example, the set value N is 5 and the number of coins paid out from the coin mechanism 15 is 9.

  In the sales standby state, the inner cylinder portion 22 of the coin return portion 11 is located at the non-payout position. When money equal to or higher than the commodity price is input by the user and the commodity is selected, the commodity is unloaded from the rack 18. The coin mechanism 15 calculates a change amount by subtracting the commodity price from the inserted amount, and pays out the first five coins to the coin shooter 26. At this time, by displaying on the display 13 that “five coins will be paid out by the first change return”, the user is prompted to receive change. When the user places his / her palm on the return port 25 of the coin return unit 11 and pushes up the inner cylinder part 22 to the payout position, the coin shooter 26 and the inner cylinder part 22 communicate with each other, and the coin shooter 26 communicates with the inner cylinder part 22. Five coins are paid out and fall into the palm of the user. When the user grasps five coins and releases his hand from the return port 25, the inner cylinder portion 22 moves downward by the elastic force of the elastic body 23. When the inner cylinder part 22 returns to the non-payout position, the coin return part 11 and the coin shooter 26 are disconnected.

  The position detection means 40 detects that the movement of returning to the non-payout position after the inner cylinder portion 22 once reached the payout position is performed during the above. After the position detecting means 40 detects that no coins remain in the coin shooter 26, the coin mechanism 15 pays out the second four coins, and the display 13 displays “the second change in coins The user is prompted to receive change again. When the user again places his / her palm on the return opening 25 of the coin return unit 11 and pushes up the inner cylinder part 22 to the payout position, the coin shooter 26 and the inner cylinder part 22 communicate with each other, and the coin shooter 26 communicates with the inner cylinder part 22. 4 coins are paid out and fall into the palm of the user. When the user grasps four coins and releases his hand from the return opening 25, the inner cylinder portion 22 returns to the non-payout position by the elastic force of the elastic body 23, and the return of the change is completed. At this time, the display 13 displays that “change has been returned”.

  Next, FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the flow of coin payout processing executed by the coin payout control unit 30. Hereinafter, an example of the control of the coin payout control unit 30 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In the following, the set value N is set to 5 sheets.

  When a product is selected after money that exceeds the price of the product sold by the user is selected, the coin mechanism 15 subtracts the product price from the amount inserted, and transmits the change amount to the coin payout control unit 30. To do. The coin payout control unit 30 determines whether or not a coin can be paid out based on the detection signal from the position detection unit 40 described above, that is, whether or not a coin exists in the coin shooter 26. When it is determined that no coin exists in the coin shooter 26 (step S01: Yes), the coin payout control unit 30 calculates the payout number M (SUB1).

  The calculation of the payout number M is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. First, when the number P of coins to be paid out is larger than the set value N (step S02: Yes), the first payout number M is set to the set value N (step S03), and the number P of coins to be paid out is set. From this, the present payout number M is subtracted (step S04). For example, when the number P of coins to be paid out is 9, the first payout number M is set to 5. On the other hand, when the number P of coins to be paid out is smaller than the set value N (step S02: No), the number M to be paid out is set to P (step S05), and the current number of coins to be paid out from the number P of coins to be paid out M is subtracted (step S04). For example, when the number P of coins to be paid out is 3, the first payout number is set to 3.

  Next, the coin payout control unit 30 transmits a control signal for paying M coins to the coin mechanism 15 (step S06). When the coin mechanism 15 receives the control signal from the coin payout control unit 30, the coin mechanism 15 pays out the first coin. The M coins paid out from the coin mechanism 15 are supplied to the coin shooter 26 as shown in FIG. Here, when the user pushes up the inner cylinder part 22 in the coin return part 11, as shown in FIG. 4, the inner cylinder part 22 and the coin shooter 26 are in communication with each other, and the M coins are It is sent out to the inner cylinder part 22 and falls into the palm of the user and collected.

  After the first payout, the coin payout control unit 30 determines whether or not the remaining number of coins P calculated in step S04 is 0 (step S07). If the remaining number of coins P is not 0 (step S07: No), the process returns to step S01 to determine again whether or not coins can be paid out. For example, when the remaining number of coins P is 4 (9−5 = 4), it is determined whether or not the first coin remains in the coin shooter 26 in order to perform the second payout. When the coin payout control unit 30 determines that the coins paid out for the first time do not remain in the coin shooter 26 (step S01: Yes), the coin payout control unit 30 calculates the second payout number M (SUB1). Thereafter, the same processing as the first time is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the remaining number of coins P calculated in step S04 is 0 in step S07 (step S07: Yes), the payout process is terminated.

  As described above, the vending machine according to the first embodiment presets the number of coins to be paid out at one time to a number that can be held by a user with one hand (for example, 3 to 5). A configuration including a coin payout control unit 30 for paying out coins in a plurality of times so that the number of coins to be paid out does not exceed the set value when the number of coins to be paid out from the coin mechanism 15 exceeds the set value. It is said. The coin payout control unit 30 controls to pay out coins from the coin mechanism 15 when it is determined that no coin exists in the coin shooter 26 at each time of paying out coins. By configuring as described above, even if the number of coins for change is large, the user can easily hold the coin with one hand at each time, so it is difficult to grasp the coin as before. It is possible to prevent the situation of losing coins.

  Moreover, the inner cylinder part 22 of the coin return part 11 in the vending machine which concerns on this Embodiment has the return port 25 in the bottom part, and between the payout position connected to the coin mechanism 15, and the coin mechanism 15 is. It has the structure arrange | positioned by the front surface of an outer door so that it can move up and down between the non-payout positions interrupted | blocked. When the user receives a coin, the return port 25 is pushed up with the palm, and the inner cylinder portion 22 is moved up to the payout position, thereby dropping the coin paid out from the coin shooter 26 into the palm. By configuring the coin return unit 11 as described above, it becomes easier to grip the coin as compared to a conventional tray-type coin return unit, and it is possible to reliably prevent coins from being overlooked.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, the vending machine according to the second embodiment will be described. In addition, about the same structure as the vending machine of Embodiment 1, the same code | symbol is used and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  7 is a front view of the vending machine 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the coin return unit 11 in the vending machine 1 shown in FIG. . The vending machine 1 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except that the coin return unit 11 and the coin detection unit 50 are provided in place of the position detection unit 40. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the coin return unit 11 according to the second embodiment is disposed inside the return port 3 b formed in the front surface 3 a of the outer door 3, and the coin supplied from the coin shooter 26. Receiving portion 27a and a flapper 28 supported by a support shaft 28a above the return port 3b and closing the return port 3b. As shown in FIG. 8, a side wall portion 27b is provided so as to extend upward from the side of the tray portion 27a, and a through hole 29 formed in the side wall portion 27b is connected to an outlet 26b of the coin shooter 26. It has a configuration.

  The coins paid out from the coin payout exit 15 a of the coin mechanism 15 are guided to the coin shooter 26 and are paid out to the tray part 27 a of the coin return part 11. When the coin C paid out to the tray part 27a is taken out, the flapper 28 is pushed open from the state shown in FIG. 8 toward the inside of the return port 3b, the fingers are inserted into the tray part 27a, and placed on the tray part 27a. Grab the coin C.

  In the coin mechanism 15 according to the embodiment, the number of coins paid out to the coin return unit 11 is controlled by the coin payout control unit 30 as in the first embodiment. The payout control method is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, when the number of coins to be paid out from the coin mechanism 15 exceeds a preset set value N, the coin payout control unit 30 divides the coin payout control unit 30 into a plurality of times so as not to exceed the set value N. The coin mechanism 15 is controlled so as to pay out coins. The set value N is the number of sheets (for example, about 3 to 5 sheets) that the user can easily hold with one hand, and is previously input and set by the operator of the vending machine.

  In the vending machine 1 according to the second embodiment, when the second coin is paid out in a state where the coins paid out for the first time remain in the tray part 27a, the coins for two times are collected in the tray part 27a. As a result, there is a risk that the user may miss the coin without being able to grasp it. In order to prevent such a situation, the coin dispensing control unit 30 issues a coin dispensing command to the coin mechanism 15 only when it is determined that no coin is present in the tray part 27a in each of the plurality of dispensings described above. Send. That is, when it is determined that coins are present in the tray part 27 a each time, no coin payout command is transmitted to the coin mechanism 15.

  The coin payout control unit 30 determines whether or not coins are present in the tray part 27a based on the detection result of the coin detection means 50 that detects the presence or absence of coins on the tray part 27a. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the coin detecting means 50 is composed of a weight sensor provided at the bottom of the saucer portion 27a, and detects the weight of an object on the saucer portion 27a. This coin detection means 50 detects the weight change of the object on the saucer part 27a.

  Hereinafter, the detection of the coin detection means 50 will be described with a specific example. In the following example, the set value N is 5 and the number of coins paid out from the coin mechanism 15 is 9.

  When money equal to or higher than the commodity price is input by the user and the commodity is selected, the commodity is unloaded from the rack 18. The coin mechanism 15 calculates the change amount by subtracting the commodity price from the inserted amount, and pays out the first five coins to the tray part 27 a through the coin shooter 26. At this time, by displaying on the display 13 that “five coins will be paid out by the first change return”, the user is prompted to receive change. The user pushes open the flapper 28 from the return port 3b of the coin return unit 11 and grabs five coins.

  The coin detecting means 40 detects that the weight changes to zero after the weight of the object on the tray part 27a once increases during the above. After the coin detection means 40 detects that no coins remain on the tray part 27a, the coin mechanism 15 pays out the second four coins and also displays on the display unit 13 "the second change of return. By displaying “Pay out 4 coins”, the user is prompted to receive change again. When the user pushes open the flapper 28 from the tray portion 27a again and grabs four coins, the change of the change is completed. At this time, the display 13 displays that “change has been returned”.

  Next, the flow of coin payout processing executed by the coin payout control unit 30 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. Here, since the coin payout process executed by the coin payout control unit 30 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the flowchart will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 which are the same as those of the first embodiment. To do. In the following, the set value N is set to 5 sheets.

  When a product is selected after money that exceeds the price of the product sold by the user is selected, the coin mechanism 15 subtracts the product price from the amount inserted, and transmits the change amount to the coin payout control unit 30. To do. The coin dispensing control unit 30 determines whether or not coins can be dispensed based on the detection signal from the coin detecting means 50 described above, that is, whether or not coins exist in the tray part 27a. When it is determined that no coin exists in the tray part 27a (step S01: Yes), the coin payout control unit 30 calculates the payout number M (SUB1).

  The calculation of the payout number M is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. First, when the number P of coins to be paid out is larger than the set value N (step S02: Yes), the first payout number M is set to the set value N (step S03), and the number P of coins to be paid out is set. From this, the present payout number M is subtracted (step S04). For example, when the number P of coins to be paid out is 9, the first payout number M is set to 5. On the other hand, when the number P of coins to be paid out is smaller than the set value N (step S02: No), the number M to be paid out is set to P (step S05), and the current number of coins to be paid out from the number P of coins to be paid out M is subtracted (step S04). For example, when the number P of coins to be paid out is 3, the first payout number is set to 3.

  Next, the coin payout control unit 30 transmits a control signal for paying M coins to the coin mechanism 15 (step S06). When the coin mechanism 15 receives the control signal from the coin payout control unit 30, the coin mechanism 15 pays out the first coin. The M coins paid out from the coin mechanism 15 are supplied to the tray part 27a through the coin shooter 26 as shown in FIG. The user grabs the coin on the tray part 27a.

  After the first payout, the coin payout control unit 30 determines whether or not the remaining number of coins P calculated in step S04 is 0 (step S07). If the remaining number of coins P is not 0 (step S07: No), the process returns to step S01 to determine again whether or not coins can be paid out. For example, when the remaining number of coins P is 4 (9−5 = 4), it is determined whether or not the first coin remains in the tray part 27a in order to perform the second payout. When the coin payout control unit 30 determines that the coins paid out for the first time do not remain in the tray part 27a based on the detection result of the coin detecting means 50 (step S01: Yes), the second payout number M Is calculated (SUB1). Thereafter, the same processing as the first time is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the remaining number of coins P calculated in step S04 is 0 in step S07 (step S07: Yes), the payout process is terminated.

  As described above, in the vending machine according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the number of coins to be paid out at one time is such that the user can hold it with one hand (for example, 3 To 5 coins), and when the number of coins to be paid out from the coin mechanism 15 exceeds this set value, the coin to be paid out in multiple times so that the number of coins to be paid out does not exceed the set value The payout control unit 30 is provided. The coin payout control unit 30 controls to pay out coins from the coin mechanism 15 when it is determined that no coin is present in the tray part 27a at each time of paying out coins. With the above configuration, even when there are a large number of change coins, the user can easily grab the coins with one hand each time. It is possible to prevent a situation where a coin is lost due to damage.

  Moreover, since the coin return part 11 in the vending machine which concerns on this Embodiment has a general saucer structure, the coin mentioned above at low cost, without changing the structure of the conventional vending machine. The payout control can be performed.

  In the second embodiment, the weight sensor is applied as the coin detecting means 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is good also as a structure which arrange | positions the optical sensor which consists of a light projection element and a light receiving element in the upper and lower sides of the saucer part 27a, and detects a user's hand movement by interrupting | blocking the light to a light receiving element.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vending machine 2 Main body cabinet 3 Outer door 4 Electric light board 5a Middle door 5b Inner door 6 Exhibition room 7 Product sample 8 Selection button 10 Coin insertion slot 11 Coin return part 12 Bill insertion slot 13 Indicator 14 Return lever 15 Coin mechanism 15a Coin payment outlet 16 Bill validator 17 Goods storage 18 Rack 19 Shuter 21 Outer cylinder part 22 Inner cylinder part 23 Elastic body 24 Through hole 25 Return port 26 Coin shooter 26a Coin shooter inlet 26b Coin shooter outlet 27a Receptacle part 27b Side wall Part 28 Flapper 28a Support shaft 29 Through hole 30 Coin dispensing control part 40 Position detection means 50 Coin detection means

Claims (4)

In a vending machine equipped with a coin return unit for the user to receive coins paid out from the coin mechanism,
When the number of coins to be paid out from the coin mechanism exceeds a preset value, the coin mechanism is controlled so that the coin is paid out in multiple times so that the number of coins to be paid out does not exceed the set value. A coin dispensing control unit
The coin dispensing control unit
In each of the plurality of times, when it is determined that no coin exists between the coin payout exit of the coin mechanism and the coin return unit, the vending machine pays out coins from the coin mechanism. The coin dispensing control unit
In each of the plurality of times, when the number of coins to be paid out exceeds the set value, the set number of coins are paid out, while when the number of coins to be paid out does not exceed the set value, the remaining 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein all the coins are paid out. The coin return part has a cylindrical shape with an open bottom, and is movable between a payout position communicating with the coin mechanism and a non-payout position where the coin mechanism is blocked. Arranged in
The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when coins are paid out from the coin mechanism, the coins are sent out from the opening by moving the coin return unit to the payout position. A detecting means for detecting that the coin return unit is located at a non-payout position;
The coin dispensing control unit
When it is detected by the detecting means that the coin return part is located at a non-payout position, it is determined that no coin exists between the coin payout exit of the coin mechanism and the coin return part. 4. The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein coins are paid out.

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