JP2011212400A - Bill identifying device incorporating spherical body counting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bill identifying device capable downsizing and of preventing outflow of Pachinko balls.SOLUTION: The bill identifying device is provided with: a bill identification part 52; a spherical body counting device 10 counting Pachinko balls 16; an emergency stop part stopping flow-down of the Pachinko balls by acting on the spherical body counting device; and a control part. The spherical body counting device has a separation wheel 25 successively receiving the Pachinko balls supplied from a path 12 and discharging them to a discharge path, and the emergency stop part is provided with: a Pachinko ball detection part detecting flow of the Pachinko balls in the path; and an emergency stop member stopping a rotation of the separation wheel directly or indirectly.

Description

  The present invention relates to a bill discriminating device incorporating a sphere counting device in the same casing, and more specifically, a sphere counting device that counts pachinko balls using the gravity of pachinko balls regardless of power, and the same casing of the bill discriminating apparatus. Built-in to reduce the size, banknote identification with a built-in sphere counting device equipped with an emergency stop mechanism when a so-called pachinko ball drifts due to a failure of the counting locking portion of the sphere counting device Relates to the device.

In order to play a game with a pachinko machine, an interbank ball lending machine equipped with a ball counting device is installed between the game machines. In addition to the ball counting device (including a passage from the pachinko ball storage tank above the taima ball lending machine to the pachinko ball storage tray of the gaming machine), A device, an IC card reader / writer, a control unit, and the like are installed, and the interior space is fully packed. Conventionally, the various devices and devices having a single function are generally installed at respective positions.
As the counting device, many devices that use a motor for the counting mechanism are used as disclosed in JP-A-10-277249. In addition, many devices that do not depend on a power source such as a motor, such as Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-112581, have been proposed.

  However, the sphere counting devices according to the prior art are both large in size because the outer diameter of the drive unit cannot be reduced, and the weight of the pachinko balls that fall continuously and require strength to withstand impact. There was a limit to the reduction in the thickness direction. On the other hand, in game halls, in order to reduce the interval between gaming machines due to demands for installing more gaming machines with respect to the floor area, the interbank ball lending machine installed between each gaming machine is the current limit. In the sphere counting device according to the prior art, the internal thickness space of the inter-bed ball lending machine is almost exclusively occupied, and it is not thick enough to fit inside the banknote recognition device. As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-218739, an apparatus provided with a pachinko ball counting unit in the same housing as the banknote recognition apparatus has also been proposed. As a separate body at a position opposite to, it has been necessary to add a function of taking over banknotes between the two transport paths.

Therefore, as a result of intensive studies, the inventor developed a gravity-type sphere counter that does not use power, and applied for a patent (Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-3363).
This gravity-type sphere counter reduces the weight and impact of the pachinko balls that fall almost vertically as described above, reducing the thickness of the components that make up the sphere counter mechanism. In addition, the thickness of the main mechanism portion can be accommodated within the same range as the outer diameter of the pachinko ball (about 11 mm), and the thickness is less than half to one third of the thickness of the bill validator. As a result, the main mechanism of the conventional banknote recognition apparatus was successfully changed without being changed.

JP-A-10-277249 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-112581 JP 2005-218739 A

However, there is no resistance member such as a drive motor in the method of stopping the counting by obtaining the rotational force of the counting mechanism only by the gravity of the pachinko ball without using power and locking the rotating part. Therefore, when the locking mechanism that locks the rotating portion and stops counting fails, there is a problem that the pachinko balls are in a state of drifting.
When such a so-called pachinko ball spilling state is reached, the player will leave the spilling state until the clerk at the game store rushes to open and responds according to the player's declaration. Pachinko balls overflow in the aisle, causing danger, and in the ball handling process, it is difficult to verify how many customers have ownership and what number is due to failure, and it is difficult to verify by computer analysis There is a problem such as taking too much time, and in order to respond quickly, everything is provided to the customer and processed as a loss on the amusement store side.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a sphere counting device that counts pachinko balls using the gravity of the pachinko balls regardless of power, the same as the banknote recognition device. Incorporated in a housing, and miniaturized, built-in sphere counting device equipped with an emergency stop mechanism when a so-called pachinko ball spilled due to failure of the counting locking part of the sphere counting device It is in providing a banknote identification device.

  The banknote discriminating device incorporating the sphere counting device according to the present invention includes a bill discriminating unit, a sphere counting unit that counts pachinko balls, and an emergency that acts on the sphere counting unit to prevent the pachinko balls from flowing down. A banknote recognition device comprising a stop unit and a control unit, wherein the banknote recognition unit is transported by a transport mechanism that transports a banknote inserted into a banknote insertion slot toward a banknote discharge port, and the transport mechanism. An identification unit provided with a sensor unit for identifying the authenticity of a bill, and the sphere counting unit includes a path for allowing the pachinko balls to continuously fall by gravity, and a protrusion and a pachinko ball on the outer periphery. A plurality of recesses for alternately receiving each one, the recesses sequentially facing into the passage by rotating about a rotation axis, and a separation wheel for sequentially receiving pachinko balls supplied from the passage and discharging them to the discharge path; release A counting unit that calculates the number of pachinko balls released to the door, a locking member that locks the separation wheel or a member related to the separation wheel, and stops the rotation of the separation wheel, and drives the locking member, A drive unit that stops or allows rotation of the separation wheel, and controls the drive unit to stop the rotation of the separation wheel by the locking member when a predetermined number of pachinko balls are counted by the counting unit. The emergency stop unit is configured to directly or indirectly rotate the separation wheel separately from the pachinko ball detecting unit that detects the flow of the pachinko ball in the passage and the locking member. An emergency stop member for stopping the pachinko ball detecting unit, although the control unit commands the drive unit to stop the rotation of the separation wheel. When detecting the falling of the ball, the determining that the spherical counter fails, by the emergency stop unit, characterized by stopping the rotation of the separator wheel.

  According to the present invention, since the ball counting device counts the pachinko balls using the gravity of the pachinko balls regardless of the power, the ball counting device can be thinned, and the same casing of the banknote recognition device It is possible to reduce the size of the entire bill discriminating device, and on the other hand, if the gravity-type sphere counting device breaks down, the pachinko ball tends to drift, but the pachinko ball is forced to drift. Since the emergency stop part which stops automatically is provided, the malfunction can be eliminated.

It is a side view which shows the outline | summary of the whole banknote identification device. It is a front view of a bill identification device. It is a top view of a counting part. It is a side view of a counting part. It is a top view of a bill recognition part. It is a top view which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship between a banknote identification part and a counting part. It is a side view which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship between a banknote identification part and a counting part. It is a front view which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship between a banknote identification part and a counting part. It is explanatory drawing of the principal part of a sphere counting part. It is explanatory drawing in case a separation wheel serves as a latching | locking part. It is explanatory drawing of an emergency stop part. It is a side view of a bill identification device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the parameter | index confirmation mechanism of an emergency stop member. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the parameter | index is corresponding to the confirmation window. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which exists in the position from which the parameter | index removed from the confirmation window. It is explanatory drawing which shows the various examples of the latching | locking part provided in the separation wheel. It is explanatory drawing which shows other embodiment of an emergency stop part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the further another embodiment of an emergency stop part. It is a top view which shows other embodiment of an emergency stop part. It is a side view of the emergency stop part of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the further another embodiment of an emergency stop part. It is explanatory drawing which shows other embodiment of an emergency stop part. It is explanatory drawing which shows embodiment which stops the abnormal flow of a pachinko ball manually using a pin. It is explanatory drawing which shows other embodiment which stops the abnormal flow of a pachinko ball manually using a pin.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 1 is a side view (with the cover removed) of a banknote discriminating apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a banknote discriminating apparatus) 50 incorporating a sphere counting device, and FIG. 2 is a front view.
The banknote identification device 50 is arranged between adjacent pachinko machines (not shown), and also serves as a ball lending machine.
The banknote identification device 50 includes a banknote identification unit 52, a ball counting unit (counting device) 10 that counts pachinko balls, and an emergency that acts on the ball counting unit 10 to prevent the pachinko balls from flowing down. And a stop unit (FIG. 11) 54.
In addition, the banknote recognition device 50 includes a control unit 56, a card reader / writer 58, a card collection unit 60, and the like in the housing 51.
61 is a bill insertion slot, 62 is a card insertion slot, and 63 is a ball nozzle. From the ball nozzle 63, the pachinko balls are supplied to the tray of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the main part of the sphere counter 10, and FIG. 4 is a side view. Details of the sphere counting unit 10 will be described later.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a main part of the banknote recognition unit 52.
6 to 8 are a plan view, a side view, and a front view, respectively, showing an arrangement relationship between the banknote recognition unit 52 and the sphere counting unit 10. In these drawings, illustration of the emergency stop unit 54 is omitted for easy understanding of the drawings.
As will be described later, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the sphere counting unit 10 can be reduced to almost the same as the diameter of the pachinko ball. Thereby, as shown in FIG.6 and FIG.7, the banknote identification part 52 and the spherical body counting part 10 can be arrange | positioned in the state which overlapped partially, Thereby, size reduction of the banknote identification apparatus 50 can be performed now. Yes.

First, the banknote identification part 52 is demonstrated easily.
The banknote identification part 52 can employ | adopt the thing of a well-known mechanism.
As shown in FIG. 6, two rows of endless belts 68a and 68b are disposed between the bill insertion slot 61 side and the bill discharge port 65 side. The endless belt 68a is stretched over four pulleys 69a to 69d (FIGS. 5 and 6). A pulley 69a is formed on the drive pulley.
The endless belt 68b is stretched over three pulleys 70a to 70c. A pulley 70a is formed on the drive pulley (FIG. 7).
Both drive pulleys 69a and 70a are fixed to a common drive shaft 71, and drive force is transmitted from the drive motor 72 through gears 73 and 74.

Each pulley is appropriately pressed by an urging member (not shown) via an endless belt, and the bill 64 is conveyed by sandwiching the bill 64 with the pulley.
An entrance sensor 76 is disposed near the bill insertion slot 61, and an exit sensor (not shown) is disposed near the bill discharge outlet 65. Further, a magnetic banknote identification sensor 78 is disposed in the middle of the banknote transport path.

  When the entrance sensor 76 detects that the banknote 64 has been inserted into the banknote insertion slot 61, the control unit 56 controls the drive motor 72 to be driven, and the drive pulleys 69a and 70a are rotated to cause the banknote 64 to rotate. Is transported. In the middle of banknote conveyance, the banknote identification sensor 78 identifies the authenticity of the banknote 64, the type of the banknote 64, etc., and in the case of a genuine banknote, the banknote 64 is sent to the banknote outlet 65 and collected by a collection unit (not shown). Is done. Further, the card reader / writer 58 writes the amount of money on the inserted card. When the bill is not a genuine bill or when the bill type is different, the drive motor 72 is rotated reversely and the bill 64 is sent back to the bill insertion slot 61. In addition, since the function of this banknote identification device 52 is well-known, further description is abbreviate | omitted. Moreover, the banknote identification device 52 is not limited to the above.

Next, the sphere counting device 10 will be described.
FIG. 9 is a partially broken side view of the sphere counter 10.
In FIG. 9, reference numeral 12 denotes a passage, which is fixed to the base 14 in the vertical direction. The passage 12 continuously allows the pachinko balls 16 inserted from the upper insertion port 15 to continuously fall by gravity, and has a pipe shape.

  Further, the passage 12 is formed in a bent path 18 that is bent vertically downward from the insertion port 15 (vertical path 17), and then bent diagonally downward to the left in FIG. ) Contrary to the curved path 18, it is formed in an approach path 20 that bends diagonally downward to the right, and further formed in a discharge path 22 that extends downward diagonally to the left, after descending substantially vertically (communication path 21). Further, it is formed in a vertical path 23 through which the pachinko balls 16 are dropped onto a tray (not shown) of a pachinko machine (not shown).

The pachinko ball 16 falling on the vertical path 17 hits the inner wall (lower wall) of the curved path 18 and is reduced in speed, then hits the inner wall (opposite wall) of the vertical path 19 and reduced in speed. Hit the inner wall (lower wall) to reduce the speed.
Although the length of the approach path 20 is not specifically limited, About 1 to 3 pachinko balls 16 may exist. Further, the bending path 18 is not necessarily provided.

Next, reference numeral 25 denotes a separation wheel, which is provided on the base 14 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 26.
The separation wheel 25 has a sprocket shape in which a plurality of recesses 28 that alternately receive the protrusions 27 and the pachinko balls 16 one by one are formed on the outer periphery. In the present embodiment, ten protrusions 27 and ten recesses 28 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. The separation wheel 25 is made of polyacetal resin, polycarbonate resin, or the like having lightweight wear resistance and impact resistance, but may be made of other materials or metal.
The separation wheel 25 is provided such that a part of the outer periphery thereof enters the passage 12 near the boundary between the entrance passage 20 and the communication passage 21 from a slit 29 provided in the passage 12.

  The approach path 20 extends obliquely downward toward the separation wheel 25 immediately before the separation wheel 25. Specifically, when the pachinko ball 16 is fed into the recess 28, the approach path 20 has the locus P of the center of gravity of the pachinko ball 16 above the tangent line Q below the separation wheel 25 parallel to the locus P (separation). The separation wheel 25 is turned downward (counterclockwise in FIG. 9) when viewed from the pachinko ball 16 due to the gravity of the pachinko ball 16. The pachinko balls 16 received in the recesses 28 circulate from the approach path 20 to the communication path 21 as the separation wheel 25 rotates, and are further discharged toward the discharge path 22 and are supplied from the vertical path 23 into the tray of the pachinko machine. Is done. Note that the tangent line Q is defined as a tangent line of a circle including the center of gravity of the pachinko ball 16 in a state where the pachinko ball 16 is received in the recess 28 while being in contact with the bottom of the recess 28.

  In order for the separation wheel 25 to be rotated downward by the gravity of the pachinko ball 16 received in the recess 28 (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9), the direction toward the separation wheel 25 of the approach path 20 (approach path) (The extension line direction of the line P connecting the center of gravity of the two pachinko balls 16 positioned at 20) is directed in a direction coinciding with the axis of the rotation shaft 26 of the separation wheel 25 or passes below the rotation shaft 26. Thus, it is necessary to set the angle (entrance angle) of the approach path 20. The direction of the approach path 20 is set so that the extended line of the line P passes above the rotation axis 26 because the pachinko balls 16 bridge around the outer periphery of the separation wheel 25 and the separation wheel 25 rotates. 9 or a force that rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 9 is received, and the pachinko balls 16 do not fall down the passage 12 and are prohibited.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the approach path 20 itself is not formed on the vertical path, but is provided so as to be inclined obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal, so that the pachinko ball 16 falling on the vertical path 17 is provided. The fall speed of is reduced. In addition, since the approach path 20 extends obliquely downward toward the separation wheel 25 from a direction above the tangent line Q on the lower side of the separation wheel 25, the pachinko ball 16 supplied to the recess 28 from the approach path 20 Is received by hitting the bottom of the recess 28, which also reduces the drop speed. In other words, when the pachinko ball 16 enters the separation wheel 25, a component force is generated from the pachinko ball 16 toward the rotation center of the separation wheel 25 with respect to the separation wheel 25. Thus, since the falling speed of the pachinko ball 16 is reduced, the impact on the separation wheel 25 is reduced. Further, since the rotational force of the separation wheel 25 is reduced accordingly, the separation wheel 25 is forcibly rotated (idled) due to the falling impact of the pachinko balls or the weight of the plurality of pachinko balls waiting in the passage or the falling impact. And erroneous counts can be eliminated.

  As described above, in order to reduce the falling speed of the pachinko ball 16 and, on the other hand, to obtain the gravitational force of the pachinko ball 16 necessary to rotate the separation wheel 25 downward, The inclination angle (entrance angle) with respect to the horizontal plane is preferably about 5 to 45 ° (2 to 45 ° when the entrance angle can be accurately set), more preferably 15 to 40 °. By setting the inclination angle (entrance angle) of the approach path 20 to about 5 to 45 °, the pachinko balls 16 continuously flow as the rotational force applied to the separation wheel 25 from the pachinko balls 16 supplied from the approach path 20. Even if there is an influence from the subsequent pachinko balls 16, it is considered that the weight of the pachinko balls 16 is at most about 1 (total of about 2 at most). Because of this, there are no pachinko balls waiting at the upper part of the ball passage, and even if one or several pieces are dropped while the ball passage is empty, there is almost no influence by the impact force due to the fall. The supply amount setting of the balls 16 can be accurately counted from one.

Further, by adjusting the inclination angle (entrance angle) of the approach path 20 in the range of 2 to 45 °, the speed at which the pachinko balls 16 are directed toward the recesses 28 is changed, so that the counting speed can be adjusted.
Further, the counting speed can be adjusted by adjusting the inclination angle (entrance angle) of the approach path 20 and the length of the approach path 20 (distance to the recess 28). Therefore, the length of the approach path is not limited to this embodiment and can be adjusted as appropriate.
In addition, although the upper limit of the said inclination angle (entrance angle) is 45 degrees, it is not restricted to this, For example, it is good also as 60 degrees or more. The reason why the angle is 45 ° is a range in which the counting interval for each pachinko ball is stable, and if the counting time and the stability are ignored, or corresponding to a sphere different from the pachinko ball, As long as the rotational force of the separation wheel can be obtained to separate the spheres, the angle is not limited.

  Further, as described above, since the force for rotating the separation wheel 25 from the pachinko ball 16 becomes small, the penetrating force of the separation wheel 25 becomes small, and the idling of the separation wheel 25 can be prevented. For example, even when the pachinko ball 16 is lost in the approach path 20, the separation wheel 25 stops rotating due to frictional resistance on the rotating shaft 26 and resistance from a swinging member described later, and the idle wheel is caused to idle by the penetrating force. No miscounting is prevented. In order to set the frictional resistance of the rotating shaft 26 to a predetermined value, a bending washer or the like is interposed in the bearing portion, the position or weight of the weight 39 of the swing member 36 is changed, or a biasing member such as a spring. The urging force may be changed.

  The discharge path 22 may be formed in a vertical path, but if the slant is inclined obliquely to the left as described above, the pachinko ball 16 falls along the sloping wall, so that it follows more or less. It can be said that the flow rate of the pachinko balls 16 is affected, and this can also reduce the falling speed of the pachinko balls 16. The falling speed of the pachinko ball train may be adjusted by adjusting the inclination angle of the discharge path 22. Furthermore, you may make it adjust fall speed together with adjustment of the inclination angle (entrance angle) etc. of the approach path 20 and the approach path 20.

Next, in FIG. 9, reference numeral 30 denotes a locking portion provided coaxially with the separation wheel 25, and rotates integrally with the separation wheel 25. Concave portions 31 are provided on the peripheral surface of the locking portion 30 at positions corresponding to the respective concave portions 28 of the separation wheel 25.
Reference numeral 32 denotes a locking member, which is driven by an electromagnetic solenoid (drive unit) 33, and is normally projected by a biasing member such as a spring built in the drive unit 33, and engages with the recess 28 of the separation wheel 25 to be separated. The rotation of the wheel 25 is prevented.

The electromagnetic solenoid 33 is controlled by the control unit 56 and is energized to retract the locking member 32 against the urging force of the urging member, and release the locking of the locking member 32 to the separation wheel 25. As a result, the separation wheel 25 can rotate.
In addition, the drive part 33 should just be what can drive the latching member 32 by electromagnetic force. In the case of an electromagnetic solenoid, a plunger type solenoid, a movable iron piece type solenoid or the like, and a self-holding type solenoid or the like can be used.

Next, the detection unit 35 will be described.
Reference numeral 36 denotes a swinging member which can swing around the rotation shaft 37.
The swing member 36 has two contacts 38, 38 provided at a predetermined interval, and these contacts 38, 38 can come into contact with the concave surface reaching the protrusion 27 of the recess 28 of the separation wheel 25. It has become. A weight 39 for urging the swinging member 36 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 9 is attached to a portion of the swinging member 36 opposite to the contact 38 with respect to the rotating shaft 37.

In the stationary state of FIG. 9, the contactor 38 on the left side is in a position where it enters toward the bottom of the recess 28.
When the separation wheel 25 starts rotating, the left contactor 38 is pressed outward by the wall surface of the protrusion 27, and the swing member 36 is rotated counterclockwise. The left contactor 38 gets over one protrusion 27 and the right contactor 38 enters the recesses 28 at positions different from the recesses 28 in which the left contactor 38 has entered (in FIG. 9, a plurality of alternating contacts are formed. The recessed portion 28 is a portion of the recessed portion 28 in which the left contactor 38 has entered, and is swung one counterclockwise as viewed from the recessed portion 28). While being pressed outward by the wall surface of the projecting portion 27, it is urged by the weight 39 and rotated clockwise, returning to the state of FIG. That is, the swinging member 36 swings back and forth once each time the separation wheel 25 rotates 36 ° to release one pachinko ball 16. The structure in which the swing member 36 swings accurately in this way is an application of the principle of an escapement mechanism in a mechanical timepiece.

  A detection plate 40 is provided on the front side of the weight 39 of the swing member 36 so as to swing together with the swing member 36. A transmission sensor 41 is provided on the swing path of the detection plate 40 so that the swing of the swing member 36 can be detected. The swing member 36, the sensor 41, the control unit, and the like constitute a counting unit.

The present embodiment is configured as described above.
In the control unit 56, the number of payouts of the pachinko balls 16 is input or set. When the banknote 64 is inserted into the banknote recognition unit 52 and a payout signal is input to the control unit 56, the control unit 56 commands the energization of the electromagnetic solenoid 33, whereby the electromagnetic solenoid 33 is driven and the locking member 32. Is pulled against the urging force of the urging member, the separation state of the separation wheel 25 is released, the separation wheel 25 starts to rotate by the gravity of the pachinko ball 16, and the pachinko ball 16 passes through the discharge path 22. Released downwards.

  The swing of the swing member 36 is detected by the sensor 41, and this detection signal (ON / OFF signal of the sensor 41) is input to the control unit 56, and the control unit 56 swings the swing member 36, and accordingly, pachinko. The number of balls 16 discharged is counted. When the number of the pachinko balls 16 released reaches a predetermined number, the control unit 56 instructs to stop driving the electromagnetic solenoid 33. When the electromagnetic solenoid 33 is stopped, the locking member 32 is driven by the biasing force of the biasing member. Since the locking member 32 acts in the direction in which the locking member 32 enters the recess 31 of the locking portion 30 to lock the rotation of the separation wheel 25, the series of pachinko balls 16 is paid out.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the approach path 20 is provided so as to be inclined obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal. Specifically, when feeding the pachinko ball 16 into the recess 28 through the approach path 20, the locus P of the center of gravity of the pachinko ball 16 is above the tangent line Q on the lower side of the separation wheel 25 parallel to the locus P, In addition, since the separation wheel 25 is directed to rotate downward due to the gravity of the pachinko ball 16, the falling speed of the pachinko ball 16 is reduced and the impact on the separation wheel 25 is reduced, so the pachinko ball 16 As described above, it is possible to eliminate the false count.
Further, in the present embodiment, when the protruding portion 27 of the separation wheel 25 enters the slit 29 provided in the passage 12 in the vicinity of the boundary portion between the entrance passage 20 and the communication passage 21 of the passage 12, the bottom surface of the recess 28. Can be prevented from projecting from the wall surface of the communication path 21. As a result, the collision of the pachinko ball 16 that reaches the recess 28 through the approach path 20 can be received by the wall surface of the communication path 21 and the impact on the separation wheel 25 can be further mitigated.

In this embodiment, the separation wheel 25 and the locking portion (member related to the separation wheel) 30 are provided separately. However, as shown in FIG. If a small concave portion that can enter is provided, the separation wheel 25 can also serve as the locking portion 30.
Further, the shape of the swinging member, the position and shape of the detection unit, or the detection means in the counting unit 35 are not limited to this as long as the same effect can be obtained.
Moreover, you may make it provide the detection sensor (not shown) which detects or counts the presence or absence of the pachinko ball which passes the upstream of the isolation | separation wheel 25 of the channel | path 12. FIG.
In addition, a detection sensor that detects or counts pachinko balls passing through the discharge path 22 may be provided.

  The gravity-type sphere counting unit 10 according to the present embodiment constitutes the mechanism of the sphere counting unit 10 by almost eliminating the weight and impact of the pachinko balls that are continuously falling vertically as described above. Thinning of the parts is realized and no motor is used to drive the separation wheel 25, so that the thickness of the main mechanism can be kept within the same range as the outer diameter of the pachinko ball (about 11mm). The thickness was less than half of the thickness of the conventional banknote recognition device to one third.

  Thereby, the banknote identification part 52 can be arrange | positioned so that the banknote conveyance mechanism may overlap with the rotation surface of the separation wheel 25 on the separation wheel 25 of the spherical body counting part 10, and the banknote identification apparatus 50 of FIG. Miniaturization is now possible. That is, conventionally, the separation wheel had to be disposed at a position that does not overlap with the banknote transport mechanism, but the separation wheel can be disposed so as to overlap with each other, so that as shown in FIG. A marginal area (vacant space) is formed in the body 51, and other members can be arranged in the vacant space, or downsizing can be achieved by eliminating the vacant space.

  However, when the sphere counting unit 10 is a simple gravity type as described above, if the electromagnetic solenoid 33 or the like in the sphere counting unit 10 malfunctions, the separation wheel 25 is not braked and the pachinko ball is There is a risk of a drifting state. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the emergency stop unit 54 is provided so as not to cause a slacking state of the pachinko balls in such an emergency.

For this purpose, it is necessary to provide an abnormality detection sensor (pachinko ball detection sensor: not shown).
That is, the control unit 56 counts and releases a predetermined number of pachinko balls in the sphere counting unit 10 and releases a pachinko ball flowing state even though it issues a stop command for the separation wheel 25 (OFF signal of the electromagnetic solenoid 33). It is necessary to provide an abnormality detection sensor for detecting an abnormal flow-down state of this pachinko ball when a problem occurs.
This abnormality detection sensor may use the detection sensor described above in the sphere counting unit 10, but separately from this detection sensor, an abnormality that detects only the flow-down state of the pachinko balls in the passage 12 downstream from the separation wheel 25. A detection sensor may be provided.
The detection of the slinging state of the pachinko balls can be performed with reference to one or both of the detection sensor and the abnormality detection sensor in the sphere counting unit 10.
Alternatively, the abnormality detection sensor may be a sensor that detects abnormal rotation of the separation wheel 25.

Next, the emergency stop unit 54 will be described.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the emergency stop unit 54. FIG. 12 is a side view of the banknote recognition apparatus 50 provided with the emergency stop unit 54. However, since the members overlap, a part of the members is omitted (FIG. 7 omits the emergency stop unit 54). It is a figure).
In FIG. 11, 80 is an emergency stop member, which is provided between the drive pulleys 69 a and 70 a on the drive shaft 71 in the bill recognition unit 52 and is rotatable about the drive shaft 71. ing. The emergency stop member 80 has a cylindrical part 81 and an action part 82 extending laterally from the cylindrical part 81, and the drive shaft 71 passes through the cylindrical part 81. A coil spring (biasing member) 83 is elastically mounted between one end surface of the cylindrical portion 81 and the end surface of one drive pulley 70a, and urges the emergency stop member 80 in the direction of the other drive pulley 69a. The end surface of the cylindrical portion 81 is pressed against the end surface of the drive pulley 69a.

  As described above, the bill transport mechanism of the bill recognition unit 52 is arranged so as to overlap the separation wheel 25 of the sphere counting unit 10, and the emergency stop member 80 is close to the separation wheel 25. And when it turns to the separation wheel 25 direction (A direction of FIG. 11), the action part 82 latches on the rib (locking part) 85 provided in the surface of the separation wheel 25, and rotation of the separation wheel 25 is carried out. It can be stopped.

The present embodiment is configured as described above.
The emergency stop member 80 is in the forward direction (X direction in FIG. 11) when the banknote recognition unit 52 recognizes the banknote, that is, the drive pulley 69a, 70a conveys the banknote from the banknote insertion port 61 to the banknote discharge port 65 by the drive motor 72. ) Due to the frictional force between the driving pulley 69a and the end surface of the drive pulley 69a, the action portion 82 comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the casing 51 and the like at this predetermined retracted position. It idles with respect to the drive pulley 69a. Therefore, the action part 82 does not hinder the rotation of the separation wheel 25, and the subsequent counting operation can be performed without any trouble.

  On the other hand, when the abnormal detection state of the pachinko ball 16 is detected by the abnormality detection sensor or the like, the control unit 56 issues a command to rotate the drive motor 72 in the reverse direction. As a result, the drive pulley 69a is rotated in the Y direction, whereby the emergency stop member 80 is rotated in the A direction, and the action portion 82 is rotated in the direction of the separation wheel 25 and locked to the rib 85. The rotation of the wheel 25 is prevented, and the abnormal flow of the pachinko ball 16 is prevented. When this abnormal state occurs, an abnormal signal is issued from the control unit 56, and an alarm lamp (not shown) is turned on, or a buzzer is sounded to notify the attendant.

  In addition, also in the banknote identification part 52, when it determines with it not being the genuine banknote 64, or when it determines with the kind of banknote 64 being different, the drive motor 72 rotates in the reverse direction, and the banknote 64 is returned. Yes. Even in this case, the action portion 82 is locked to the rib 85 of the separation wheel 25 and prevents the separation wheel 25 from rotating. However, when the bill recognition operation is performed in the program, the counting operation is originally performed. Since it is set not to do so, no problem occurs.

FIGS. 13-15 shows the example of the mechanism for the emergency operation confirmation of the action part 82. FIG.
A confirmation window 86 and a reset hole 87 are provided at predetermined positions of the housing 51. An index 88 is provided at a portion of the emergency stop member 80 corresponding to the confirmation window 86. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, during an emergency operation, when the action portion 82 is rotated and locked to the separation wheel 25 to prevent the separation wheel 25 from rotating, the index 88 is externally provided. It can be visually recognized from the confirmation window 86. This also makes it possible to recognize from the outside that an abnormal condition has occurred and take action. On the other hand, in the normal state, the index 88 is in a position where it cannot be seen from the confirmation window 86 as shown in FIG.

  When returning from the abnormal state, the control unit 56 performs a forward rotation operation of the drive motor 72. The same applies when the banknote 64 is not received by the banknote recognition unit 52, the drive motor 72 is rotated reversely, the banknote 64 is sent back to the banknote insertion slot 61, and the banknote 64 is taken out from the banknote insertion slot 61. It is. A state where the drive motor 72 is slightly forward rotated is a standby state.

  Even when the drive motor 72 is rotated forward, it is conceivable that the action portion 82 is strongly locked to the rib 85 and the emergency stop member 80 does not return to the standby position. At that time, since the confirmation window 86 is in a state in which the index 88 is confirmed, the reset jig 89 is inserted from the reset hole 87 and the lever 90 extending in the direction opposite to the action portion 82 is pushed to make an emergency stop. The member 80 may be forcibly rotated to remove the action portion 82 from the rib 85.

In the said embodiment, although the case where the endless belt 68 in the banknote identification part 52 was two was demonstrated as an example, the case of one may be sufficient. In this case, the coil spring 83 is elastically placed between an appropriate support portion (not shown) provided on the drive shaft 71 and the emergency stop member 80 so as to press the emergency stop member 80 against the drive pulley 69a. Good.
The biasing member is not limited to the coil spring 83, and an appropriate elastic member such as a leaf spring or a rubber material can be used.

  FIG. 16 shows various examples of the locking portions 85 provided on the surface of the separation wheel 25. In FIG. 16A, a plurality of recesses are formed to form a rib-like locking portion 85. In FIG. 16B, a plurality of through holes are formed to form a rib-like locking portion 85. FIG. 16C shows an example in which a wall surface of a recess such as a long hole is used as the locking portion 85. In FIG. 16D, a plurality of convex portions are provided as the locking portion 85. The shape of a convex part is not ask | required.

Further, the emergency stop member 80 does not have to act directly on the locking portion 85 provided on the separation wheel 25.
FIG. 17 shows an example in which the action portion 82 of the emergency stop member 80 is locked to the outside of the contact 38 in the detection portion 35 to prevent the separation wheel 25 from rotating.
Alternatively, the action part 82 may enter the recess 28 on the outer periphery of the separation wheel 25 and be locked to the protrusion 27.
FIG. 18 shows an example in which the action portion 82 of the emergency stop member 80 is engaged with the swing member 36 in the detection portion 35 to prevent the separation wheel 25 from rotating.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the action portion 82 of the emergency stop member 80 is made to be able to enter and exit from the slit 92 provided in the passage 12 in the passage 12 on the downstream side of the separation wheel 25. As a result, the abnormal flow of the pachinko ball 16 is prevented. In this case, the coil spring 83 is elastically mounted between the boss portion of the gear 74 and the emergency stop member 80, and the emergency stop member 80 is pressed against the drive pulley 70a to rotate the emergency stop member 80.

FIG. 21 shows still another embodiment of the emergency stop member 80.
In the present embodiment, the emergency stop member 80 includes a rotation shaft 93, a swing arm 94 extending from the rotation shaft 93, and a link (action portion) 95 pivotally attached to the swing arm 94. The rotational movement of the rotational shaft 93 is converted into the reciprocating linear motion of the link 95 by being inserted into a guide hole 97 provided in the guide member 96.
The tip of the link 95 is locked to the rib 85 of the separation wheel 25 or to the protrusion 27 to prevent the separation wheel 25 from rotating and prevent the pachinko ball 16 from flowing down abnormally. .
The rotation of the rotation shaft 93 may be performed by a separate drive motor (not shown) or the like.

FIG. 22 shows still another embodiment of the emergency stop member 80.
In the present embodiment, the pin 99 that is rotatably connected to the distal end side of the action portion 82 by the shaft 98 is inserted into the guide hole 97 provided in the guide member and guided, thereby rotating the action portion 82. Is converted into a reciprocating linear motion of the pin 99. By causing the tip of the pin 99 to enter and exit through the slit 100 into the passage 12 on the downstream side of the separation wheel 25, an abnormal flow of the pachinko ball 16 can be prevented. The emergency stop member 80 can be rotated by a frictional force with the drive pulley 70a as in the above embodiment.

FIG. 23 shows still another embodiment of the emergency stop member 80.
In the present embodiment, the pin 101 can be manually moved in and out of the passage 12 on the downstream side of the separation wheel 25 through the slit 100, thereby preventing the pachinko ball 16 from flowing down abnormally. The pin 101 is normally held at a position where the tip does not protrude into the passage 12 by a holder 102 provided outside the passage 12. That is, a groove is formed at two locations on the outer periphery of the pin 101, and the ball 105 urged by the spring 103 so as to protrude into the pin holding hole 104 enters the holder 102. Thus, the pin 101 is held at two positions, a position where the tip protrudes into the passage 12 and a position where the pin 101 does not protrude.

FIG. 24 shows still another embodiment of the emergency stop member 80.
Also in the present embodiment, the pin 101 can be manually moved in and out of the passage 12 on the downstream side of the separation wheel 25 through the slit 100, thereby preventing the abnormal flow of the pachinko ball 16 can be prevented. The pin 101 is not protruded from the position where the tip protrudes into the passage 12 by passing the toggle spring 108 between the protrusion 106 provided on the pin 101 and the protrusion 107 provided on the holder 102. The position is held at two positions.

  In addition, the control part 56 may be a control part which controls both the spherical body counting part 10 and the banknote identification part 52, and may provide a control part separately, respectively, or in the banknote identification apparatus 50, respectively. May be incorporated in a controller that controls the entire gaming machine.

  Moreover, in this specification, the banknote identification device which does not have an emergency stop part, but integrated the banknote identification part and the ball | bowl counter which counts the pachinko ball is also recognized as an independent invention. Is intended).

That is,
(Appendix 1)
A bill recognition device comprising a bill recognition unit, a sphere counting unit for counting pachinko balls, and a control unit in a housing,
The banknote recognition unit
A transport mechanism that transports the bill inserted into the bill insertion slot toward the bill discharge port, and an identification unit that includes a sensor unit that identifies the authenticity of the bill transported by the transport mechanism;
The sphere counter is
A path for allowing the pachinko balls to fall naturally by gravity, and a plurality of protrusions and recesses for receiving the pachinko balls one by one are formed alternately on the outer periphery, and the recesses sequentially pass by rotating around the rotation axis. A separation wheel that sequentially receives pachinko balls supplied from the passage and discharges them to the discharge path, a counting unit that calculates the number of pachinko balls discharged to the discharge path, and the separation wheel or the separation wheel A locking member for locking to the member and stopping the rotation of the separation wheel; a driving unit for driving the locking member to stop or rotate the separation wheel; and a predetermined number of units by the counting unit. Built-in sphere counting device including the control unit that controls the drive unit to stop the rotation of the separation wheel by the locking member when pachinko balls are counted Bill identification device.
(Appendix 2)
The sphere counting device according to claim 1, wherein the banknote recognition unit is arranged so that a banknote transport mechanism overlaps with the rotation surface of the separation wheel on the separation wheel of the sphere counting unit. Bill recognition device with built-in.
(Appendix 3)
The passage is
When the sphere is bent obliquely downward toward the separation wheel immediately before the separation wheel and the sphere is fed into the recess, the locus of the center of gravity of the sphere is above the tangent on the lower side of the separation wheel parallel to the locus, and An approach path that faces the direction of rotating the separation wheel downward by the gravity of a sphere,
The sphere counting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a communication path that allows the sphere fed from the approach path to the recess of the separation wheel to pass from the approach path toward the discharge path by rotating the separation wheel. A bill recognition device with a built-in device.
(Appendix 4)
The direction of the center of gravity of the sphere moving along the approach path is in a direction that coincides with the axis of the rotation axis of the separation wheel, or the direction toward the separation wheel in the entry path so as to pass below the rotation axis. Is set, the bill discriminating device incorporating the sphere counting device according to appendix 3.
(Appendix 5)
The banknote discriminating device with the built-in sphere counting device according to appendix 3 or 4, wherein an inclination angle of the approach path from a horizontal plane is 5 to 45 °.
(Appendix 6)
The sphere counting device according to any one of appendices 3 to 5, wherein the passage has a curved path that bends obliquely downward in the opposite direction to the approach path on the immediate upstream side of the approach path. Banknote recognition device.
Are described as independent inventions herein.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sphere counter 12 Passage 14 Base 15 Insertion port 16 Pachinko ball 17 Vertical path 18 Bending path 19 Vertical path 20 Entrance path 21 Communication path 22 Release path 23 Vertical path 25 Separation wheel 26 Rotating shaft 27 Protrusion part 28 Recess part 29 Slit 30 Stop part 31 Concave part 32 Locking member 33 Electromagnetic solenoid (drive part)
35 Detection unit 36 Swing member 37 Rotating shaft 38 Contact 50 Banknote identification device 51 Housing 52 Banknote identification unit 56 Control unit 58 Card reader / writer 60 Card storage unit 61 Banknote insertion slot 64 Banknote 65 Banknote discharge port 68 Endless belt 69, 70 Pulley 69a, 70a Drive pulley 71 Drive shaft 72 Drive motor 75 Pressure roller 76 Entrance sensor 80 Emergency stop member 81 Cylindrical part 82 Action part 83 Coil spring 85 Locking part 86 Confirmation window 87 Reset hole 88 Index 89 Reset jig 90 Lever 92 Slit 93 Rotating shaft 94 Swing arm 95 Link 96 Guide member 97 Guide hole 98 Shaft 99 Pin 100 Slit 101 Pin 102 Holder 103 Spring 104 Pin holding hole 105 Ball 106, 107 Convex portion 108 Toggle spring

Claims (14)

A bill recognition device comprising a bill recognition unit, a sphere counting unit for counting pachinko balls, an emergency stop unit that acts on the sphere counting unit to prevent the pachinko balls from flowing down, and a control unit. And
The banknote recognition unit
A transport mechanism that transports the bill inserted into the bill insertion slot toward the bill discharge port, and an identification unit that includes a sensor unit that identifies the authenticity of the bill transported by the transport mechanism;
The sphere counter is
A path for allowing the pachinko balls to fall naturally by gravity, and a plurality of protrusions and recesses for receiving the pachinko balls one by one are formed alternately on the outer periphery, and the recesses sequentially pass by rotating around the rotation axis. A separation wheel that sequentially receives pachinko balls supplied from the passage and discharges them to the discharge path, a counting unit that calculates the number of pachinko balls discharged to the discharge path, and the separation wheel or the separation wheel A locking member for locking to the member and stopping the rotation of the separation wheel; a driving unit for driving the locking member to stop or rotate the separation wheel; and a predetermined number of units by the counting unit. When the pachinko ball is counted, the control unit that controls the drive unit to stop the rotation of the separation wheel by the locking member,
The emergency stop is
In addition to the pachinko ball detection unit that detects the flow of the pachinko ball in the passage, and an emergency stop member that stops rotation of the separation wheel directly or indirectly separately from the locking member,
The control unit determines that the sphere counting unit has failed when the pachinko ball detection unit detects the flow of the pachinko ball despite instructing the drive unit to stop the rotation of the separation wheel. And the banknote identification device incorporating the spherical body counting device characterized by stopping rotation of the separation wheel by the emergency stop section. The banknote recognition unit has a drive motor that drives the banknote transport mechanism,
The emergency stop member in the emergency stop unit is disposed on a rotating shaft that is rotated by the drive motor. When the drive motor rotates in a positive direction that is a bill conveyance direction, the emergency stop member idles on the rotating shaft, and the drive motor Is rotated in the reverse direction, rotates with the rotating shaft to stop the rotation of the separation wheel, and idles at the stop position of the separation wheel,
2. The banknote discriminating apparatus with a built-in sphere counting device according to claim 1, wherein, when it is determined that the sphere counting unit has failed, the control unit rotates the drive motor in a reverse direction. The bill transport mechanism in the bill recognition unit is
Pulleys are provided on each of the bill insertion slot side and the bill discharge side, and one of the pulleys is a drive pulley inserted into a drive shaft that transmits power from the drive motor, and the other pulley is driven. A driven pulley inserted into a shaft, an endless belt is stretched between the driving pulley and the driven pulley, and a pressing roller biased toward the pulley is provided at a position facing each pulley; It is comprised so that it may be pinched by the endless belt and the press roller, and a bill may be conveyed,
The emergency stop is
It is provided on the drive shaft or driven shaft in the bill transport mechanism so as to be movable in the axial direction and rotatable on the shaft, and is urged by the urging member to be pressed against the end face of the drive pulley or driven pulley. The emergency stop member
The emergency stop member rotates the separation wheel by a frictional force between the drive pulley and the driven pulley when the drive motor rotates in the forward direction to convey the bill from the bill insertion port to the bill discharge port. It rotates in a direction that does not stop, and is provided so as to idle with respect to the drive pulley or the driven pulley at a predetermined retracted position,
In spite of instructing the drive unit to stop the rotation of the separation wheel, the control unit detects that the pachinko ball detection unit detects the flow of the pachinko ball and determines that the sphere counting unit has failed. In this case, the drive motor is rotated in the reverse direction, whereby the emergency stop member is rotated by a frictional force between the drive pulley and the driven pulley and the separation wheel is rotated by the rotation of the emergency stop member. The bill discriminating apparatus with the built-in sphere counting device according to claim 2, wherein the rotation of the bill counter is stopped.   3. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein when the drive motor is reversely rotated, the drive motor is rotated in the forward direction to return the emergency stop member to the standby position, and the state is set to the standby state. Or the banknote identification device which incorporated the ball | bowl counter of 3 description.   The locking portion is provided on the surface of the separation wheel, and the emergency stop member stops the rotation of the separation wheel when locked to the locking portion. Banknote identification device incorporating a spherical counting device.   The sphere according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein an index is provided on the emergency stop member, and the index is visible from the outside when the emergency stop member is at a position where rotation of the separation wheel is stopped. A bill recognition device with a built-in counting device.   The sphere counting device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising return means for forcibly moving the emergency stop member located at a position where rotation of the separation wheel stops to a position where the separation wheel can rotate. Bill recognition device with built-in.   The banknote recognition part is arranged so that the banknote transport mechanism is overlapped on the separation wheel of the sphere counting part in a state parallel to the rotation surface of the separation wheel. The banknote identification device incorporating the sphere counting device according to claim 1. The passage is
When the sphere is bent obliquely downward toward the separation wheel immediately before the separation wheel and the sphere is fed into the recess, the locus of the center of gravity of the sphere is above the tangent on the lower side of the separation wheel parallel to the locus, and An approach path that faces the direction of rotating the separation wheel downward by the gravity of a sphere,
9. A communication passage for allowing a sphere fed from the approach path to the recess of the separation wheel to pass from the approach path toward the discharge path by rotation of the separation wheel. A bill recognition device incorporating the sphere counting device according to claim 1.   The direction of the center of gravity of the sphere moving along the approach path is in a direction that coincides with the axis of the rotation axis of the separation wheel, or the direction toward the separation wheel in the entry path so as to pass below the rotation axis. Is set, The bill discriminating device incorporating the sphere counting device according to claim 9.   The banknote identification device with a built-in sphere counter according to claim 9 or 10, wherein an inclination angle of the approach path from a horizontal plane is 5 to 45 °.   The sphere counting device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the passage has a curved path that bends obliquely downward in a direction opposite to the approach path on an upstream side immediately adjacent to the approach path. Banknote identification device.   The banknote discriminating apparatus with a built-in sphere counting device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the discharge path is formed as a discharge path that discharges a sphere obliquely downward rather than in a vertical direction.   The banknote discriminating device with the built-in sphere counting device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the control unit prohibits the operation of the sphere counting unit during the operation of the banknote discriminating unit.