JP2017084428A - Coin handling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coin handling apparatus in which a cost of the apparatus can be reduced and space efficiency of the apparatus can be improved.SOLUTION: A coin handling apparatus includes: an upstream side transport direction light guide plate part 93 (U) for guiding light emitted from an upstream side light source 67 (U) in a coin transport direction and irradiating a coin C with the light from an upstream side of the transport direction; a one side light guide plate part 100 (U) extending from a side part of the upstream side transport direction light guide plate part toward a downstream side of the transport direction, converting a direction of light emitted from the upstream side light source 67 (U) into a direction crossing the coin transport direction at an upstream side light path conversion part 105 (U) and irradiating the coin C with the light from one side; a downstream side transport direction light guide plate part 93 (L) for guiding the light emitted from a downstream side light source 67 (L) in the coin transport direction and irradiating the coin C with the light from the downstream side of the transport direction; and the other side light guide plate part 100 (L) extending from a side part of the downstream side transport direction light guide plate part toward the upstream side of the transport direction, converting a direction of the light emitted from the downstream side light source 67 (L) into a direction crossing the coin transport direction at a downstream side light path conversion part 105 (L), and irradiating the coin C with the light from the other side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin processing device.

  In a coin discriminating apparatus, an apparatus is known in which a large number of light emitting elements are arranged so as to surround a line sensor, and light is emitted from these light emitting elements to a coin (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-33210 A

  The above device can irradiate the coins with light from all directions, thus improving the discrimination accuracy. However, since the number of light sources increases, the number of parts increases, the structure becomes complicated, and the cost increases. End up. In addition, the installation space for the light source is particularly required in the width direction of the passage, and thus there is a problem that the space efficiency at the time of mounting is poor.

  Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide the coin processing apparatus which can reduce cost and can improve space efficiency.

  The invention which concerns on Claim 1 comprises the conveyance board which comprises a conveyance path and guides a coin by the conveyance surface of an upper surface, the irradiation part which irradiates light to the coin which moves on the coin identification position of the said conveyance board, and the said conveyance board An identification unit that identifies a coin moving on the coin processing device, wherein the irradiating unit applies light to the light, and the light from the light source is applied to a coin at a coin identifying position by the identifying unit. A first light guide plate portion that emits light toward the first light guide plate portion, and a second light guide plate portion that projects from a side portion of the first light guide plate portion and emits light from the light source toward the coin at the coin identification position. It is characterized by having.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the first light guide plate portion guides light from the light source in a first direction toward the coin at the coin identification position. Irradiating, the second light guide plate unit converts light from the light source into a second direction intersecting the first direction by an optical path conversion unit, and irradiates the coin at the coin identification position It is characterized by doing.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1 or 2, at least one irradiating portion is arranged at the coin identification position.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, cost can be reduced and the coin processing apparatus which can improve space efficiency can be provided.

It is a top view which shows the coin processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the identification apparatus part of the coin processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the identification apparatus part of the coin processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the identification apparatus part of the coin processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the identification apparatus part of the coin processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a three-plane figure which shows the principal part of the assembly of the coin processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: The optical path of the light on the optical axis of LED is demonstrated. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the principal part of the assembly of the coin processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: The optical path of the light on the optical axis of LED is demonstrated. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the principal part of the assembly of the coin processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: The optical path of the light on the optical axis of LED is demonstrated. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the principal part of the assembly of the coin processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: The optical path of the light on the optical axis of LED is demonstrated.

A coin processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The coin processing device according to the present embodiment is a coin processing device that counts while identifying loose coins that are input from outside the machine and stores them in denominations. As shown in FIG. 1, the coin processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a coin insertion / feeding unit 10 into which a coin is inserted from the outside.

  The coin throw-in / feed-out unit 10 includes a rotating disk 12 disposed horizontally, a substantially cylindrical side wall part 13 that is vertically raised from the outer edge of the rotating disk 12, and a rotating disk 12. It has a separation ring 14 provided in a notch portion of the side wall portion 13 with a gap for one coin in between.

  A loose coin is thrown into the coin throw-out portion 10 from outside the machine. When the rotating disk 12 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 in this state, the coin is carried along the inner peripheral surface of the side wall portion 13 by the centrifugal force. Further, the coins are separated one by one through a gap between the rotary disk 12 and the sorting ring 14 and are sequentially fed out from the coin insertion / feeding unit 10.

  At the coin feeding position of the coin insertion / feeding unit 10, a conveyance path 20 that guides the coins fed from the coin insertion / feeding part 10 in a line and a feed unit 21 that conveys the coins on the conveyance path 20 are provided. Yes.

  The conveyance path 20 includes a first conveyance unit 23 disposed along a tangential direction of the rotary disk 12 and a second conveyance unit 24 extending in the orthogonal direction from the opposite side of the first conveyance unit 23 to the rotation disk 12. And a third transport unit 25 extending in the orthogonal direction from the opposite side of the second transport unit 24 to the first transport unit 23. The first transport unit 23 is provided with an identification device unit 27 that counts while identifying the denomination of the coin being transported.

  The second transport unit 24 allows the coins that can be dropped and guide the dropped coins so that they can be taken out of the machine, and the coins that are identified as unidentifiable by the discriminator unit 27 are dropped into the reject port 28. A reject unit 29 is provided. Coins that have fallen from the reject port 28 are discharged into a reject box (not shown).

  The third transport unit 25 is provided with a sorting unit 32 that sorts the coins counted by the identification device unit 27 into denominations. The sorting unit 32 includes denomination sorting ports 32 a to 32 f that can drop coins, and the sorting ports 32 a to 32 f are arranged in the extending direction of the third transport unit 25. The sorting ports 32a to 32f are configured to drop coins from a small outer diameter, the most upstream sorting port 32a is a 1-yen coin, and the downstream sorting port 32b is a 50-yen coin. The downstream sorting port 32c is a 5-yen coin, the downstream sorting port 32d is a 100-yen coin, the downstream sorting port 32e is a 10-yen coin, and the downstream sorting port 32f is a 500-yen coin. Are to be dropped separately. Coin detection sensors 33a to 33f for detecting coins are provided immediately before the sorting ports 32a to 32f, and the sorting ports 32a to 32f are determined based on the difference in the number of detected coin detection sensors 33a to 33f. It counts the number of coins dropped from those in between.

  The feed unit 21 has a plurality of conveyor belts 35 and 36, and these conveyor belts 35 and 36 convey the coins fed from the coin insertion and feeding unit 10 by pressing them against the conveyance path 20 from above. During this conveyance, coins are first identified and counted by the identification device unit 27. Coins that could not be identified by the identification device unit 27 are dropped from the reject port 28 by the reject unit 29, and other coins are dropped from the corresponding ones of the sorting ports 32 a to 32 f of the sort type 32. .

  In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, it stores in the temporary storage part by the temporary storage part of the money type which stores temporarily the coin which fell from the selection ports 32a-32f so that it can return to the exterior of the machine under the selection openings 32a-32f. And a withdrawal storage unit for each type of coin that stores the received coins so as to allow withdrawal.

  The identification device unit 27 is provided in the first transport unit 23 of the transport path 20. Assuming that the horizontal direction orthogonal to the coin conveyance direction in the first conveyance unit 23 is the passage width direction, the first conveyance unit 23 is linear in the tangential direction of the rotating disk 12 with the conveyance surface 39 on the upper surface disposed horizontally. And the side wall portions 41 and 42 that are provided on both sides of the passage portion 40 in the passage width direction and extend in the same direction as the passage portion 40. The passage portion 40 supports the lower surface of the coins fed from the coin insertion / feeding portion 10 with the transport surface 39 and guides the movement thereof, and the side walls 41 and 42 are arranged such that the coins are arranged in a line at that time. Guide the outer peripheral surface of the coin.

  The identification device section 27 has a transport plate 45 that constitutes a part of the passage section 40. As for the conveyance board 45, the conveyance surface 46 of the upper surface comprises a part of conveyance surface 39, and guides the lower surface of a coin like other parts of the conveyance surface 39. The transport plate 45 is made of a light-transmitting material, specifically a glass plate.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the identification device section 27 has guide members 48 and 49 on both sides of the upper side of the transport plate 45 in the passage width direction. The guide member 48 constitutes a part of the side wall part 41 shown in FIG. 1, and the guide member 49 constitutes a part of the side wall part 42 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance plate 45 has a conveyance surface 46 for guiding the coin C between the guide members 48 and 49 on the upper surface thereof.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the identification device unit 27 irradiates light onto the above-described transport plate 45 and the coins C provided on the lower side of the transport plate 45 and moving on the transport surface 46. Part 51 and an identification part 52 for identifying a coin C provided on the lower side of the conveying plate 45 and moving on the conveying surface 46.

  The identification unit 52 includes a cell hook lens 55 as a light collecting unit disposed below the conveyance plate 45 and a line sensor 56 as an image detection unit disposed below the cell hook lens 55. Yes. The cell hook lens 55 and the line sensor 56 are disposed so as to extend in the passage width direction of the transport surface 46, and the positions of the coin transport direction on the transport surface 46 are made to coincide with each other. The identification unit 52 detects line images along the passage width direction of the coin C at the coin recognition position directly above by the cell hook lens 55 and the line sensor 56, and connects the line images in time series to detect the coin C By simply detecting the outer diameter and the pattern, the authenticity, damage, denomination, etc. are identified.

  The irradiating unit 51 is directly above the cell hook lens 55 and the line sensor 56, and is positioned upstream and downstream in the coin conveyance direction with respect to the coin identifying position of the coin by the identifying unit 52 (hereinafter referred to as a coin identifying position). It has the assemblies 61 and 61 which are the common components arrange | positioned. In the following description, (U) is added to the reference numerals of the assembly 61 and its component parts provided on the upstream side in the coin conveyance direction with respect to the coin identification position, and provided on the downstream side in the coin conveyance direction with respect to the coin identification position. (L) is added to the reference numerals of the assembly 61 and its component parts to distinguish them.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the assembly 61 (U) is an upstream assembly provided on the upstream side in the coin conveyance direction among the pair of assemblies 61 (U) and 61 (L). The assembly 61 (U) includes a substrate 65 (U), a light source 67 (U) including a plurality of LEDs 66 (U) mounted on the substrate 65 (U), and a conductor placed on the substrate 65 (U). The light plate 68 (U), the reflection plate 69 (U) attached to the upper surface of the light guide plate 68 (U), and the light absorbing sheet 70 disposed below the coin recognition position side of the light guide plate 68 (U). (U), and these are assembled and integrally configured. The reflection plate 69 (U) is an upstream reflection plate provided in the assembly 61 (U) on the upstream side in the coin conveyance direction among the assemblies 61 (U) and 61 (L), and the light absorption sheet 70 (U). These are the upstream light absorption sheets provided in the assembly 61 (U) on the upstream side in the coin conveyance direction.

  The substrate 65 (U) of the upstream assembly 61 (U) has a downstream side from the upstream side in the coin conveyance direction to the conveyance surface 46 around a virtual axis parallel to the passage width direction from the state parallel to the conveyance surface 46. It is inclined to approach.

  The light source 67 (U) mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 65 (U) is an upstream light source disposed on the upstream side in the coin conveyance direction with respect to the coin identification position. A plurality of (specifically, eight) LEDs 66 (U) constituting the light source 67 (U) all have the same position and height in the coin conveyance direction, and are arranged in a line at equal intervals in the passage width direction. Has been. These LEDs 66 (U) have the optical axis direction parallel to the upper surface of the substrate 65 (U) and parallel to the coin transport direction in plan view, and are directed to the downstream side of the coin transport direction, that is, toward the coin recognition position. .

  The light guide plate 68 (U) is made of a transparent acrylic plate, and an arrangement hole 91 (U) penetrating in the thickness direction is formed in an intermediate portion. The light guide plate 68 (U) is placed on the substrate 65 (U) and attached to the substrate 65 (U) so that the plurality of LEDs 66 (U) are arranged in the arrangement hole 91 (U). . The light guide plate 68 (U) has a flat plate portion 92 (U) placed on the substrate 65 (U).

  The flat plate portion 92 (U) includes a front light guide plate portion 93 (U) located on the downstream side in the coin conveyance direction of the arrangement hole 91 (U) and side plate portions 94 located on both sides in the passage width direction of the arrangement hole 91 (U). (U), 95 (U) and a back plate portion 96 (U) located upstream of the arrangement hole 91 (U) in the coin conveyance direction. The flat plate portion 92 (U) is placed on the substrate 65 (U) so as to be inclined like the substrate 65 (U). That is, the flat plate portion 92 (U) is disposed so as to be inclined so that the downstream side is closer to the transport surface 46 than the upstream side in the coin transport direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the flat plate portion 92 (U) is inclined in a range where the angle θ1 (U) formed with the conveyance surface 46 is greater than 0 degree and 15 degrees or less, specifically, θ1 ( U) = tilted at 10 degrees. Therefore, the flat plate portion 92 (U) forms an acute angle with respect to the transport surface 46, and the distance from the transport surface 46 is equal if the position in the coin transport direction is the same.

  The front light guide plate portion 93 (U) is disposed on the upstream side in the coin conveyance direction with respect to the coin identification position. The front light guide plate portion 93 (U) has a front end face 98 (U) and a rear end face 99 (U) parallel to the plate thickness direction and parallel to the passage width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the light guide plate 68 (U) extends from one side portion in the passage width direction downstream of the front light guide plate portion 93 (U) in the coin transport direction to the downstream side in the coin transport direction. It has an optical plate 100 (U). The front light guide plate portion 93 (U) and the extended light guide plate portion 100 (U) serve as the upstream light guide plate portion 101 (U) disposed on the coin recognition position side of the light source 67 (U).

  The extended light guide plate portion 100 (U) is arranged on the same plane as the front light guide plate portion 93 (U) so that the downstream side is inclined closer to the transport surface 46 than the upstream side in the coin transport direction. The proximal end plate portion 102 (U) and the distal end side distal end plate portion 103 (U) bent with respect to the proximal end plate portion 102 (U) so as to be parallel to the transport surface 46 are provided. . The base end plate portion 102 (U) is an upstream inclined plate portion that is inclined with respect to the transport surface 46 in the upstream light guide plate 68 (U). The distal end plate portion 103 (U) is a one side parallel plate portion that is parallel to the transport surface 46 on one side in the passage width direction.

  The leading end plate portion 103 (U) of the extended light guide plate portion 100 (U) has an inclined surface 105 (outside in the passage width direction, parallel to the plate thickness direction and inclined with respect to the coin conveyance direction in plan view. U) is formed. The front end plate portion 103 (U) is formed with an end face 106 (U) that is parallel to the plate thickness direction inside the passage width direction and parallel to the coin transport direction in plan view. The end face 106 (U) is a main light emitting surface that mainly emits light in the extended light guide plate portion 100 (U). The center position of the end face 106 (U) in the coin transport direction coincides with the positions of the cell hook lens 55 and the line sensor 56, that is, the coin identification position.

  Among the plurality of LEDs 66 (U) constituting the light source 67 (U), one LED 66 (U) on the most extended light guide plate 100 (U) side is connected to the extended light guide plate 100 (U) and the passage width. The remaining plural (specifically seven) LEDs 66 (U) are aligned in the direction, and the extended light guide plate portion 100 (U) of the front light guide plate portion 93 (U) is not formed. And the position in the passage width direction. The front light guide plate portion 93 (U) is disposed between the plurality of LEDs 66 (U), that is, the light source 67 (U), and the coin identification position.

  The front light guide plate portion 93 (U) guides light from the plurality of LEDs 66 (U) aligned with the position in the passage width direction along the coin conveyance direction, and the coins of the front light guide plate portion 93 (U). Light is emitted from the front end face 98 (U) shown in FIG. 4 on the downstream side in the transport direction, and the coin C at the coin identification position is irradiated from the upstream side in the transport direction. The front light guide plate portion 93 (U) is an upstream conveyance direction light guide plate portion upstream of the coin recognition position.

  The front light guide plate portion 93 (U) guides light on the optical axis of each of the plurality of LEDs 66 (U) in a direction orthogonal to the plate thickness direction and in a direction parallel to the coin transport direction in plan view. become. Since the front light guide plate portion 93 (U) is inclined so that the downstream side is closer to the transport surface 46 than the upstream side in the coin transport direction, the light on the optical axis from each of the plurality of LEDs 66 (U) is planarized. Irradiation is performed in parallel to the coin transport direction from the upstream side and the lower side toward the downstream side and the upper side. The irradiation angle at this time is larger than 0 degree and not more than 15 degrees (specifically, 10 degrees) with respect to the conveyance surface 46, similarly to the inclination of the front light guide plate portion 93 (U).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the extended light guide plate unit 100 (U) receives light on the optical axis from the LED 66 (U) aligned with the extended light guide plate unit 100 (U) in the passage width direction. The base end plate portion 102 (U) guides light so as to be orthogonal to the plate thickness direction and parallel to the coin transport direction in plan view, similarly to the front light guide plate portion 93 (U) (see FIGS. 6 to 9). After that, the tip plate portion 103 (U) is reflected by the inclined surface 105 (U) provided on the tip plate portion 103 (U) to be converted into a direction intersecting with the coin transport direction, and the coin recognition position is obtained. A certain coin C is irradiated from the lower side of one side toward the upper side of the other side along the passage width direction (see optical paths X3 to X5 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9). That is, the extended light guide plate portion 100 (U) is a one side light guide plate portion located on one side in the passage width direction, and the inclined surface 105 (U) extends from the upstream light guide plate 68 (U). It is an upstream optical path conversion part formed in the light guide plate part 100 (U).

  More specifically, the distal end plate portion 103 (U) is light on the optical axis parallel to the transport direction in plan view along the proximal end plate portion 102 (U) from the LED 66 (U) (the optical path shown in FIGS. 6 to 9). X1) is reflected by the upper surface 107 (U) (see the optical path X2 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9), and converted into a direction parallel to the passage width direction in plan view by the inclined surface 105 (U) (see FIGS. 6 to 9). By reflecting on the lower surface 108 (U) (see the optical path X4 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9), the posture from the end face 106 (U) along the passage width direction is maintained in plan view. Irradiate from one side and the lower side to the other side and the upper side in the passage width direction (see optical path X5 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9. The optical path X5 is arranged in a plane orthogonal to the coin transport direction. ). Note that, after the emission, the film is inclined further upward than immediately before the emission due to the difference in refractive index when emitted from the end face 106 (U) to the atmosphere. As shown in FIG. 5, the angle θ2 (U) of the emitted light with respect to the transport surface 46 is set to be greater than 0 degree and 20 degrees or less (specifically, 15 degrees). The extended light guide plate portion 100 (U) is directed from the end of the conveyance surface 46 in the passage width direction on the side of the extended light guide plate portion 100 (U) toward the position of 1/4 of the passage width W, that is, the position of W / 4. Light on the optical axis from the LED 66 (U) is irradiated.

  The reflection plate 69 (U) shown in FIG. 3 covers the entire upper surface of the flat plate portion 92 (U) of the light guide plate 68 (U) and closes the upper opening of the arrangement hole 91 (U). The extended light guide plate 100 (U) is not covered with a reflector. Further, the light absorbing sheet 70 (U) is attached to the substrate 65 (U) via a support member (not shown), and is parallel to the lower side of the front light guide plate portion 93 (U) on the coin recognition position side. It arrange | positions and is arrange | positioned under the extended light-guide plate part 100 (U).

  The assembly 61 (L) is a downstream assembly provided on the downstream side in the coin transport direction of the pair of assemblies 61 (U) and 61 (L). The assembly 61 (L) includes a substrate 65 (L), a light source 67 (L) composed of a plurality of LEDs 66 (L) mounted on the substrate 65 (L), and a conductor placed on the substrate 65 (L). The light plate 68 (L), the reflection plate 69 (L) attached to the upper surface of the light guide plate 68 (L), and the light absorbing sheet 70 disposed below the coin recognition position side of the light guide plate 68 (L). (L), and these are assembled and configured integrally. The reflection plate 69 (L) is a downstream reflection plate provided in the assembly 61 (L) on the downstream side in the coin conveyance direction among the assemblies 61 (U) and 61 (L), and the light absorption sheet 70 (L). These are the downstream light absorption sheets provided in the assembly 61 (L) on the downstream side in the coin conveyance direction.

  The substrate 65 (L) of the downstream assembly 61 (L) is closer to the transport surface 46 from the state parallel to the transport surface 46 than the downstream side in the coin transport direction with a virtual axis parallel to the passage width direction as a center. It is inclined like so.

  The light source 67 (L) mounted on the upper surface of the board 65 (L) is a downstream light source disposed on the downstream side in the coin transport direction with respect to the coin identification position. A plurality (specifically, eight) of LEDs 66 (L) constituting the light source 67 (L) are all aligned in the coin conveyance direction in position and height, and are arranged in a line at equal intervals in the passage width direction. Has been. These LEDs 66 (L) have the direction of the optical axis parallel to the upper surface of the substrate 65 (L) and parallel to the coin transport direction in plan view, and are directed upstream in the coin transport direction, that is, toward the coin recognition position. .

  The light guide plate 68 (L) is made of a transparent acrylic plate, and an arrangement hole 91 (L) penetrating in the thickness direction is formed in an intermediate portion. The light guide plate 68 (L) is placed on the substrate 65 (L) and attached to the substrate 65 (L) so that the plurality of LEDs 66 (L) are arranged in the arrangement hole 91 (L). . The light guide plate 68 (L) has a flat plate portion 92 (L) placed on the substrate 65 (L).

  The flat plate portion 92 (L) includes a front light guide plate portion 93 (L) located on the upstream side of the arrangement hole 91 (L) in the coin conveyance direction, and side plate portions 94 located on both sides of the arrangement hole 91 (L) in the passage width direction. (L), 95 (L) and a back plate portion 96 (L) located on the downstream side of the arrangement hole 91 (L) in the coin conveyance direction. The flat plate portion 92 (L) is placed on the substrate 65 (L) so as to be inclined like the substrate 65 (L). That is, the flat plate portion 92 (L) is disposed so as to be inclined so that the upstream side is closer to the transport surface 46 than the downstream side in the coin transport direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the flat plate portion 92 (L) is inclined in the range where the angle θ1 (L) formed with the conveyance surface 46 is greater than 0 degree and 15 degrees or less, specifically, θ1 (L ) = Tilted at 10 degrees. Therefore, the flat plate portion 92 (L) forms an acute angle with respect to the transport surface 46, and the distance from the transport surface 46 is equal if the position in the coin transport direction is the same.

  The front light guide plate portion 93 (L) is disposed on the downstream side in the coin conveyance direction with respect to the coin identification position. The front light guide plate portion 93 (L) has a front end surface 98 (L) and a rear end surface 99 (L) parallel to the plate thickness direction and parallel to the passage width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the light guide plate 68 (L) is opposite to the one side portion in the passage width direction upstream of the front light guide plate portion 93 (L) in the coin conveyance direction (the extended light guide plate portion 100 (U). A light guide plate portion 100 (L) extending from the side portion to the upstream side in the coin conveyance direction. The front light guide plate portion 93 (L) and the extended light guide plate portion 100 (L) form the downstream light guide plate portion 101 (L) disposed on the coin recognition position side of the light source 67 (L).

  The extended light guide plate portion 100 (L) is arranged on the same plane as the front light guide plate portion 93 (L), so that the upstream side is inclined closer to the transport surface 46 than the downstream side in the coin transport direction. A proximal end plate portion 102 (L) and a distal end side distal end plate portion 103 (L) bent with respect to the proximal end plate portion 102 (L) so as to be parallel to the transport surface 46 are provided. . The base end plate portion 102 (L) is a downstream inclined plate portion that is inclined with respect to the transport surface 46 in the downstream light guide plate 68 (L). The distal end plate portion 103 (L) is the other side parallel plate portion parallel to the transport surface 46 as shown in FIG. 4 on the other side opposite to the distal end plate portion 103 (U) in the passage width direction. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the distal end plate portion 103 (L) of the extended light guide plate portion 100 (L) is parallel to the plate thickness direction on the outer side in the passage width direction and is parallel to the coin conveyance direction in plan view. An inclined surface 105 (L) that is inclined is formed. The front end plate portion 103 (L) is formed with an end face 106 (L) that is parallel to the plate thickness direction inside the passage width direction and parallel to the coin transport direction in plan view. The end face 106 (L) is a main light emitting surface that mainly emits light in the extended light guide plate portion 100 (L). The center position of the end face 106 (L) in the coin transport direction coincides with the positions of the cell hook lens 55 and the line sensor 56, that is, the coin identification position. The end surface 106 (L) of the front end plate portion 103 (L) and the end surface 106 (U) of the front end plate portion 103 (U) are parallel to each other and are aligned in the coin transport direction. In other words, the end face 106 (L) and the end face 106 (U) face each other in the passage width direction.

  Of the plurality of LEDs 66 (L) constituting the light source 67 (L), one LED 66 (L) closest to the extended light guide plate portion 100 (L) is connected to the extended light guide plate portion 100 (L) and the passage width. The remaining plurality (specifically seven) of LEDs 66 (L) are aligned in the direction, and the extended light guide plate portion 100 (L) of the front light guide plate portion 93 (L) is not formed. And the position in the passage width direction. The front light guide plate portion 93 (L) is disposed between the plurality of LEDs 66 (L), that is, the light source 67 (L), and the coin identification position.

  The front light guide plate portion 93 (L) guides light from the plurality of LEDs 66 (L) aligned with the position in the passage width direction along the coin transport direction, and the coins of the front light guide plate portion 93 (L). Light is emitted from the front end surface 98 (L) on the upstream side in the transport direction, and the coin C at the coin identification position is irradiated from the downstream side in the transport direction. The front light guide plate portion 93 (L) is a downstream conveyance direction light guide plate portion downstream of the coin recognition position.

  The front light guide plate portion 93 (L) guides light on the optical axis of each of the plurality of LEDs 66 (L) in a direction orthogonal to the plate thickness direction and in a direction parallel to the coin transport direction in plan view. become. Since the upstream side is inclined so that the upstream side is closer to the conveyance surface 46 than the downstream side in the coin conveyance direction, the front light guide plate portion 93 (L) planarizes the light on the optical axis from each of the plurality of LEDs 66 (L). Irradiate from the downstream side and the lower side to the upstream side and the upper side in parallel with the coin conveyance direction. The irradiation angle at this time is larger than 0 degree and equal to or smaller than 15 degrees (specifically, 10 degrees) with respect to the conveyance surface 46, similarly to the inclination of the front light guide plate portion 93 (L).

  The extended light guide plate portion 100 (L) transmits light on the optical axis from the LED 66 (L), which is aligned with the extended light guide plate portion 100 (L) in the passage width direction, to the base end plate portion 102 ( L), like the front light guide plate portion 93 (L), guides light so as to be orthogonal to the plate thickness direction and parallel to the coin transport direction in plan view (see optical paths X1 and X2 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9). Thereafter, the tip plate portion 103 (L) is reflected by the inclined surface 105 (L) provided on the tip plate portion 103 (L), so that the tip plate portion 103 (L) is extended to the coin C at the coin identification position by being converted into a direction intersecting the coin conveyance direction. Irradiate from the lower side of the other side opposite to the outgoing light guide plate 100 (U) toward the upper side of one side extending along the passage width direction on the side of the extended light guide plate 100 (U) ( (See optical paths X3 to X5 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9). That is, the extended light guide plate portion 100 (L) is the other light guide plate portion located on the other side opposite to the extended light guide plate portion 100 (U) in the passage width direction, and the inclined surface 105 (L). Is a downstream side optical path conversion part formed in the extended light guide plate part 100 (L) of the light guide plate 68 (L) on the downstream side.

  More specifically, the distal end plate portion 103 (L) is light on the optical axis parallel to the transport direction in plan view along the proximal end plate portion 102 (L) from the LED 66 (L) (the optical path shown in FIGS. 6 to 9). X1) is reflected by the upper surface 107 (L) (see the optical path X2 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9), and converted into a direction parallel to the passage width direction in plan view by the inclined surface 105 (L) (see FIGS. 6 to 9). By reflecting on the lower surface 108 (L) (see the optical path X4 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9), the posture from the end surface 106 (L) along the passage width direction is maintained in plan view. Irradiate from the other side and the lower side to the one side and the upper side in the passage width direction (see the optical path X5 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9. The optical path X5 is arranged in a plane orthogonal to the coin conveyance direction. ). Note that, after the emission, the light is inclined further upward than immediately before the emission due to the difference in refractive index when emitted from the end face 106 (L) to the atmosphere. As shown in FIG. 5, the angle θ2 (L) of the emitted light with respect to the transport surface 46 is set to be greater than 0 degree and 20 degrees or less (specifically, 15 degrees). The extended light guide plate portion 100 (L) is directed from the end of the conveyance surface 46 in the passage width direction on the side of the extended light guide plate portion 100 (L) toward the position of 1/4 of the passage width W, that is, the position of W / 4. Light on the optical axis from the LED 66 (L) is irradiated.

  The reflective plate 69 (L) shown in FIG. 3 covers the entire upper surface of the flat plate portion 92 (L) of the light guide plate 68 (L) and closes the upper opening of the arrangement hole 91 (L). The extended light guide plate portion 100 (L) is not covered with a reflector. The light absorbing sheet 70 (L) is attached to the substrate 65 (L) via a support member (not shown), and is disposed below the coin recognition position side of the front light guide plate portion 93 (L). It arrange | positions under the extended light-guide plate part 100 (L).

  According to the present embodiment described above, the coins inserted into the coin insertion / feeding unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 are fed out from the coin insertion / feeding unit 10, driven by the feed unit 21, and arranged in a line on the conveyance path 20. Lined up and transported. Then, in the identification device unit 27, as shown in FIG. 3, the coin C moves on the conveyance surface 46 during conveyance, and the identification unit 52 is moved on the lower surface of the coin C by the line sensor 56 at the coin identification position. The image will be captured.

  At this time, in the irradiation unit 51, the front light guide plate portion 93 (U) of the light guide plate 68 (U) guides light from the light source 67 (U) along the coin transport direction to the coin C at the coin identification position. In contrast, irradiation is performed obliquely from the upstream side and the lower side in the transport direction to the downstream side and the upper side in the transport direction. At the same time, the extended light guide plate portion 100 (U) extending from the side portion of the front light guide plate portion 93 (U) to the downstream side in the transport direction guides light from the light source 67 (U) along the coin transport direction. Light and inclined surface 105 (U) is converted into a direction intersecting the coin conveyance direction, and obliquely from one side and the lower side to the other side and the upper side with respect to the coin C which is also in the coin identification position. Irradiate. In addition, the front light guide plate portion 93 (L) of the light guide plate 68 (U) guides light from the light source 67 (L) along the coin transport direction, and is downstream in the transport direction with respect to the coin C that is also in the coin identification position. Irradiate obliquely from the side and the bottom to the upstream and the top in the transport direction. At the same time, the extended light guide plate portion 100 (L) extending from the side portion of the front light guide plate portion 93 (L) to the upstream side in the transport direction guides light from the light source 67 (L) along the coin transport direction. The light is inclined and converted to a direction intersecting the coin conveyance direction at the inclined surface 105 (L), and obliquely from one side and the other side to the one side and the upper side with respect to the coin C which is also in the coin identification position. Irradiate.

  As described above, the light source 67 (U), the light guide plate portion 101 (U) including the front light guide plate portion 93 (U) and the extended light guide plate portion 100 (U), the light source 67 (L), and the front light guide plate. With the light guide plate portion 101 (L) including the portion 93 (L) and the extended light guide plate portion 100 (L), the front and rear direction (vertical direction) and the left and right direction in the transport direction with respect to the coin C at the coin identification position ( Light can be irradiated from diagonally lower sides in the four directions (lateral direction). Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, the structure can be simplified, and the pattern of unevenness of the coin C becomes clear by irradiating the coin C with light from four directions, so that the pattern of the unevenness of the coin C becomes clear. Identification accuracy can be improved. Since the extended light guide plate 100 (U) and the extended light guide plate 100 (L) irradiate the coin C with light from both sides in the passage width direction, a light source installation space in the passage width direction becomes unnecessary, and mounting This improves the space efficiency.

  The front light guide plate portion 93 (U) irradiates light from the light source 67 (U) from the upstream side and the lower side to the downstream side and the upper side, and the extended light guide plate portion 100 (U) is irradiated with the light source 67. The light from (U) is irradiated from one side and from the lower side to the other side and the upper side, and the front light guide plate portion 93 (L) downstream the light from the light source 67 (L). Irradiation is performed from the side and the lower side toward the upstream side and the upper side, and the extended light guide plate portion 100 (L) irradiates from the other side and the lower side toward the one side and the upper side. Accordingly, the light guide plate portion 101 (U) including the front light guide plate portion 93 (U) and the extended light guide plate portion 100 (U), and the front light guide plate portion 93 (L) and the extended light guide plate portion 100 (L). It is possible to easily reduce the light irradiation angle from the four directions to the coin C of the light guide plate portion 101 (L), and the shadow caused by the unevenness of the coin C can be made more conspicuous. Therefore, the identification accuracy by the identification unit 52 can be further improved.

  In addition, the end face 106 (U) mainly emitting light of the front end plate 103 (U) and the end face 106 (L) mainly emitting light of the front end plate 103 (L) are parallel to each other and positioned in the coin transport direction. Therefore, the coin C can be irradiated with light from both sides in the passage width direction while suppressing irradiation unevenness. Therefore, the identification accuracy by the identification unit 52 can be further improved.

  Moreover, since the center position of the end surfaces 106 (U) and 106 (L) of the front end plate portions 103 (U) and 103 (L) in the coin transport direction coincides with the coin identification position of the coin C by the identification unit 52, The identification accuracy by the identification unit 52 can be further improved.

  Further, the extended light guide plate portion 100 (U) emits light from the end of the conveyance surface 46 in the passage width direction on the side of the extended light guide plate portion 100 (U) toward the position of ¼ of the passage width. The extended light guide plate 100 (L) irradiates light from the end of the conveyance surface 46 in the passage width direction on the side of the extended light guide plate 100 (L) toward the position of ¼ of the passage width. Light can be radiated satisfactorily in the entire passage width direction of the lower surface of the coin C while suppressing uneven irradiation. Therefore, the identification accuracy by the identification unit 52 can be further improved.

  In addition, since the light guide plate portion 101 (U) is provided with the reflection plate 69 (U) on the upper side and the light absorption sheet 70 (U) on the lower side, the upper side of the light from the light source 67 (U). Is suppressed by the reflecting plate 69 (U), and the light absorbing sheet 70 (U) suppresses the light from the light source 67 (U) from reaching the identification unit 52 directly. Therefore, the light from the light source 67 (U) can be efficiently applied to the coin C, and the influence of the light from the light source 67 (U) on the identification accuracy of the identification unit 52 can be reduced. Similarly, the light guide plate portion 101 (L) is provided with the reflection plate 69 (L) on the upper side and the light absorption sheet 70 (L) on the lower side, so that the light from the light source 67 (L) is transmitted. While suppressing upward diffusion by the reflection plate 69 (L), the light absorbing sheet 70 (L) suppresses light from the light source 67 (L) from reaching the identification unit 52 directly. Therefore, the light from the light source 67 (L) can be efficiently applied to the coin C, and the influence of the light from the light source 67 (L) on the identification accuracy of the identification unit 52 can be reduced.

  Further, an assembly 61 (U) including a light guide plate 68 (U) including the light guide plate portion 101 (U), a light source 67 (U), a reflection plate 69 (U), and a light absorption sheet 70 (U), and a light guide The light guide plate 68 (L) including the light plate portion 101 (L), the light source 67 (L), the reflection plate 69 (L), and the assembly 61 (L) including the light absorption sheet 70 (L) are common components. Therefore, the manufacturing efficiency can be improved and the parts management becomes easy.

  The first aspect of the embodiment is a translucent transport plate that constitutes a transport path and guides coins on the transport surface on the upper surface, and a coin that is provided on the lower side of the transport plate and moves on the transport surface. A coin processing apparatus, comprising: an irradiating unit that irradiates light; and an identifying unit that is provided on a lower side of the conveying plate and identifies a coin that moves on the conveying surface, wherein the irradiating unit includes the identifying unit An upstream light source disposed upstream in the coin conveyance direction with respect to the coin identification position according to the above, an upstream light guide plate portion disposed on the coin identification position side of the upstream light source, and conveyance with respect to the coin identification position A downstream light source disposed on the downstream side in the direction, and a downstream light guide plate portion disposed on the coin recognition position side of the downstream light source, the upstream light guide plate portion from the upstream light source Light to the coins in the coin conveying direction An upstream conveyance direction light guide plate that irradiates from the upstream side in the feeding direction, and extends from the side of the upstream conveyance direction light guide plate to the downstream side in the conveyance direction and guides light from the upstream light source along the coin conveyance direction. A first light guide plate portion that illuminates and irradiates the coins at the coin identification position from one side with a direction that intersects the coin conveyance direction at the upstream optical path conversion unit, and the downstream The side light guide plate portion guides light from the downstream light source along the coin transport direction and irradiates the coin at the coin identification position from the downstream side in the transport direction, and the downstream transport direction light guide plate portion, Downstream transport direction Extends from the side of the light guide plate portion upstream in the transport direction, guides light from the downstream light source along the coin transport direction, and crosses the coin transport direction at the downstream optical path conversion unit. Convert and irradiate the coin at the coin identification position from the other side And the other side light guide plate unit that is characterized by having a.

  The second mode is the first mode, wherein the upstream transport direction light guide plate portion is inclined so that the downstream side is closer to the transport surface than the upstream side in the coin transport direction, and the upstream light source from the upstream light source. The light along the side conveyance direction light guide plate portion is irradiated from the upstream side to the downstream side and the upper side so that the one side light guide plate portion is closer to the conveyance surface on the downstream side than the upstream side in the coin conveyance direction. An upstream inclined plate portion that is inclined, and a one-side parallel plate portion that is disposed in parallel to the transport surface and includes the upstream-side optical path conversion portion, and the one-side parallel plate portion from the upstream light source The light along the upstream inclined plate portion is reflected on the upper surface, converted by the upstream optical path changing portion, and reflected on the lower surface, thereby being directed from the one side and the lower side toward the other side and the upper side. Irradiate and the downstream conveyance direction light guide plate part is more downstream than the coin conveyance direction downstream side. The flow side is inclined so as to approach the transport surface, and irradiates light from the downstream light source along the downstream transport direction light guide plate portion from the downstream side to the upstream side and the upper side, and the other side. The light guide plate portion includes a downstream inclined plate portion that is inclined so that the upstream side is closer to the conveyance surface than the downstream side in the coin conveyance direction, and the other side parallel that is disposed in parallel to the conveyance surface, including the downstream optical path conversion unit. The other parallel plate portion reflects light from the downstream light source along the downstream inclined plate portion on the upper surface, converts it on the downstream optical path changing portion, and reflects it on the lower surface. Thus, the irradiation is performed from the other side and the lower side toward the one side and the upper side.

  According to a third aspect, in the second aspect, the main light emitting surface of the one side parallel plate portion and the main light emitting surface of the other side parallel plate portion are parallel to each other and are aligned in the coin transport direction. It is characterized by that.

  The fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the third aspect, a center position of the main light emitting surface is coincident with the coin identification position in the coin transport direction.

  According to a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the one-side light guide plate portion is ¼ of the passage width from the end on the one-side light guide plate portion side in the passage width direction of the transport surface. Light is emitted toward the position, and the other side light guide plate portion emits light from the end on the other side light guide plate portion side in the passage width direction of the transport surface toward a position of ¼ of the passage width. Irradiating.

  A sixth aspect is any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the upstream side light guide plate part is provided with an upstream side reflection plate on the upper side and an upstream side light absorption sheet on the lower side, The downstream light guide plate portion is provided with a downstream reflection plate on the upper side and a downstream light absorption sheet on the lower side.

  According to a seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, an upstream assembly including the upstream light source, the upstream light guide plate, the upstream reflector, and the upstream light absorbing sheet, and the downstream light source; The downstream side light guide plate portion, the downstream side reflection plate, and the downstream side assembly having the downstream side light absorption sheet are common parts.

  According to the 1st aspect, an upstream conveyance direction light-guide plate part guides the light from an upstream light source along a coin conveyance direction, and irradiates the coin in a coin identification position from the conveyance direction upstream. In addition, the one side light guide plate portion extending from the side portion of the upstream side transport direction light guide plate portion to the downstream side in the transport direction guides light from the upstream light source along the coin transport direction, and the upstream side optical path conversion unit. It changes to the direction which cross | intersects with a coin conveyance direction, and irradiates from one side with respect to the coin in a coin identification position. Further, the downstream conveyance direction light guide plate part guides light from the downstream light source along the coin conveyance direction and irradiates the coin at the coin identification position from the conveyance direction downstream side. In addition, the other side light guide plate portion extending from the side portion of the downstream side conveyance direction light guide plate portion to the upstream side in the conveyance direction guides light from the downstream light source along the coin conveyance direction, and the downstream side optical path conversion portion. It changes to the direction which cross | intersects a coin conveyance direction, and irradiates from the other side with respect to the coin in a coin identification position. In this way, the coin can be irradiated with light from four directions by the upstream light source, the upstream light guide plate portion, the downstream light source, and the downstream light guide plate portion. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, the structure can be simplified, and the pattern of the coin becomes clear by irradiating the coin with light from four directions, and the identification accuracy by the identification unit can be improved. Since the light is irradiated onto the coin from both sides in the passage width direction by the one side light guide plate portion and the other side light guide plate portion, the installation space for the light source in the passage width direction becomes unnecessary, and the space efficiency at the time of mounting is improved.

  According to the second aspect, the upstream conveyance direction light guide plate portion irradiates light from the upstream light source toward the upstream side and the lower side toward the downstream side and the upper side, and the one side light guide plate portion serves as the upstream light source. Is emitted from one side and the lower side toward the other side and the upper side. Further, the downstream conveyance direction light guide plate part irradiates light from the downstream light source toward the downstream side and the upstream side and the upper side, and the other side parallel plate part emits light from the downstream light source to the other side. Irradiation is performed from the side and the lower side toward the one side and the upper side. Thereby, it becomes possible to make shallow the irradiation angle of the light from four directions to the coin, and it is possible to make the shadow caused by the unevenness of the coin more prominent. Therefore, the identification accuracy by the identification unit can be further improved.

  According to the third aspect, since the main light emitting surface of the one side parallel plate portion and the main light emitting surface of the other side parallel plate portion are parallel to each other and aligned in the coin transport direction, uneven irradiation is suppressed. However, the coin can be irradiated with light from both sides in the passage width direction. Therefore, the identification accuracy by the identification unit can be further improved.

  According to the 4th aspect, since the center position of the main light emission surface in the coin conveyance direction corresponds with the coin identification position of the coin by an identification part, the identification accuracy by an identification part can further be improved.

  According to the fifth aspect, the one-side light guide plate portion emits light from the end on the one-side light guide plate portion side in the passage width direction of the transport surface toward the position of ¼ of the passage width. Since the side light guide plate part emits light from the end on the other side light guide plate part side in the passage width direction of the transport surface toward the position of ¼ of the passage width, the passage width of the lower surface of the coin is suppressed while suppressing irradiation unevenness. Light can be radiated satisfactorily in the entire direction. Therefore, the identification accuracy by the identification unit can be further improved.

  According to the sixth aspect, the upstream side light guide plate part is provided with the upstream side reflection plate on the upper side and the upstream side light absorption sheet is provided on the lower side, so that the light from the upstream side light source is directed upward. While suppressing the diffusion by the upstream reflector, the upstream light absorbing sheet prevents the light from the upstream light source from directly reaching the identification unit. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently irradiate the coin with the light from the upstream light source, and to reduce the influence of the light from the upstream light source on the identification accuracy of the identification unit. Similarly, the downstream side light guide plate portion is provided with the downstream side reflection plate on the upper side and the downstream side light absorption sheet is provided on the lower side, so that the upward diffusion of light from the downstream side light source is reflected on the downstream side. While suppressing with a board, it suppresses that the light from a downstream light source reaches a discrimination | determination part directly with a downstream light absorption sheet. Therefore, the light from the downstream light source can be efficiently irradiated onto the coin, and the influence of the light from the downstream light source on the identification accuracy of the identification unit can be reduced.

  According to the seventh aspect, the upstream assembly having the upstream light source, the upstream light guide plate, the upstream reflector, and the upstream light absorbing sheet, the downstream light source, the downstream light guide plate, and the downstream reflection. Since the downstream assembly having the plate and the downstream light absorbing sheet is a common component, the manufacturing efficiency can be improved and the component management is facilitated.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coin processing apparatus 20 Conveyance path 27 Identification apparatus part 45 Conveyance board 46 Conveyance surface 51 Irradiation part 52 Identification part 61 (U) Upstream assembly 61 (L) Downstream assembly 67 (U) Light source (upstream light source)
67 (L) Light source (downstream light source)
68 (U) Light guide plate (upstream light guide plate)
68 (L) Light guide plate (downstream light guide plate)
69 (U) Reflector (upstream reflector)
69 (L) Reflector (downstream reflector)
70 (U) Light absorption sheet (upstream light absorption sheet)
70 (L) Light absorption sheet (downstream light absorption sheet)
93 (U) Front light guide plate (upstream conveyance direction light guide plate)
93 (L) Front light guide plate (downstream conveyance direction light guide plate)
100 (U) Extending light guide plate (one side light guide plate)
100 (L) Extending light guide plate (other light guide plate)
101 (U) Light guide plate (upstream light guide plate)
101 (L) Light guide plate (downstream light guide plate)
102 (U) Base end plate (upstream inclined plate)
102 (L) Base end plate (downstream inclined plate)
103 (U) Tip plate (one side parallel plate)
103 (L) Tip plate (parallel plate on the other side)
105 (U) Inclined surface (upstream optical path conversion unit)
105 (L) Inclined surface (downstream optical path conversion unit)
106 (U), 106 (L) End surface (main light emitting surface)
107 (U), 107 (L) Upper surface 108 (U), 108 (L) Lower surface C Coin

Claims (3)

A conveying plate that constitutes a conveying path and guides coins on the upper conveying surface;
An irradiating unit for irradiating light to a coin moving on a coin identification position of the transport plate;
An identification unit for identifying coins moving on the transport plate;
A coin processing apparatus comprising:
The irradiation unit is
A light source that emits light;
A first light guide plate that irradiates light from the light source toward a coin at a coin identification position by the identification unit;
A second light guide plate portion projecting from a side portion of the first light guide plate portion and irradiating light from the light source toward the coin at the coin identification position;
A coin processing apparatus. The first light guide plate portion guides light from the light source in a first direction and irradiates the coin at the coin identification position,
The second light guide plate unit converts light from the light source into a second direction intersecting the first direction by an optical path conversion unit and irradiates the coin at the coin identification position. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that:   The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one irradiation unit is disposed for the coin identification position.

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