JP2017102884A - Coin hopper, and coin diameter determining method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately determine the diameters of coins paid out.SOLUTION: A coin hopper is equipped with a rotating disk that rotates around a prescribed axis and feeds out coins in a bulk state one by one separately, a coin path that the coins fed out of the rotating disk pass, coin detecting means having first detecting means and second detecting means arranged at prescribed intervals in the extending direction of the coin path and detect the passage of the coins, and a controller that determines the diameters of the coins on the basis of the period from the change of the first detecting means from a detecting state to a non-detecting state until the change of the second detecting means from a non-detecting state to a detecting state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin hopper and a coin diameter determination method having a function of separating and paying out coins in a stacked state one by one. In this specification, the coin is a general term for game media, medals, coins in circulation, tokens (alternative currency), and the like used in gaming machines and the like.

  As a first prior art, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a feeding port through which a disc-shaped medium is fed, a disc-shaped medium feeding unit that feeds the disc-shaped medium to the feeding port, and the disc-shaped medium feeding unit. A first sensor and a second sensor for detecting a disk-shaped medium fed out from the feeding port to the feeding port, and the first sensor and the second sensor are arranged to face both sides of the feeding port. And the detection method is different. The output signal when the first sensor detects the disk-shaped medium is H level, the output signal when the non-disk-shaped medium is detected is L level, and the second sensor detects the disk-shaped medium. Output signal from the first sensor and the second sensor at the time of detecting the disk-shaped medium, a sensor unit in which the output signal at the time is L level and the output signal at the time of detecting the non-disk-shaped medium is H level Output from the second sensor. And a control unit that determines that an abnormality occurs when the signal continues for a predetermined time or more and when the count value of the first sensor is different from the count value of the second sensor by a predetermined number or more. A disk-shaped medium lending device is disclosed.

  However, in the disk-shaped medium lending device of Patent Document 1, a disk-shaped medium (hereinafter, referred to as an illegal coin) having a different size such as a diameter from a disk-shaped medium (hereinafter referred to as a regular coin) that is originally paid out. Is included, there is a problem that regular coins and illegal coins are not distinguished, and illegal coins are counted as regular coins.

  As a second prior art, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses an introduction path that guides inserted medals to a hopper, a sending unit that sends out medals in the hopper one by one, and all medals sent out by the sending unit. A first detection means for detecting the first detection means, a second detection means for detecting a regular medal whose diameter is not less than a predetermined value among the medals sent out by the sending means, and a first count for counting the number of times the first detection means has detected. 1 counting means, a second counting means for counting the number of times detected by the second detecting means, and a count value by the first counting means and a count by the second counting means when a predetermined abnormality determination condition is satisfied. An abnormality determination means for determining an abnormality on the condition that an abnormality index that is a difference or a ratio with a numerical value has reached a predetermined abnormality determination value, and a notification for notifying the abnormality when the abnormality determination means determines an abnormality Medal counting apparatus characterized by comprising: a stage, is disclosed.

  In the medal counting device of Patent Document 2, all medals are detected by the first detection unit, but the second detection unit is configured not to detect medals having a diameter equal to or smaller than a predetermined value. Are detected as regular coins, and medals with a diameter equal to or smaller than a predetermined value are detected as illegal coins. In the medal counting device of Patent Document 2, the second detection means is configured to include a leaf spring and a second sensor that are arranged so as to protrude from the medal passage, and the leaf spring is pushed by a regular medal (regular coin). By retreating from the medal passage, the passage of the medal is detected. However, in the case of a fraudulent coin having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the regular coin, there is a problem that the leaf spring is pushed by the fraudulent coin and the passage of the fraudulent coin is detected by the second detection means, like the regular coin. Further, when the illegal coin collides with the leaf spring of the second detection means, the leaf spring moves in the direction of retreating from the medal path, and as a result, there is a problem that the illegal coin is detected by the second detection means.

Japanese Patent No. 5296976 (FIG. 4, FIG. 7, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, paragraph numbers 0070, 0077) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-33916 (FIGS. 4, 7, 11, 12, paragraph numbers 0024, 0026 to 0077)

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a coin hopper and a coin diameter determination method capable of accurately determining the diameter of a coin to be paid out. There is. Other objects of the present invention which are not specified here will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

  In order to achieve this object, a coin hopper and a coin diameter determining method according to the present invention are configured as follows.

  (1) A coin hopper of the present invention rotates around a predetermined axis, and separates and feeds coins in a stacked state one by one, a coin passage through which coins fed from the rotating disk pass, Coin detection means disposed at a predetermined interval along the direction in which the coin passage extends and having the first detection means and the second detection means for detecting the passage of the coin, and the first detection means is in the detection state And a control unit that determines a diameter of the coin based on a time from when the second detection unit changes from the non-detection state to the detection state after the change from the non-detection state to the non-detection state.

  In the coin hopper of the present invention, the coins separated one by one by the rotating disk and sent out toward the coin passage are detected by the first and second detection means arranged in the coin passage. The diameter of the coin passing through the coin passage (hereinafter referred to as the coin diameter) is from the time when the first detection means changes from the detection state to the non-detection state until the second detection means changes from the non-detection state to the detection state. This time is determined based on the time (hereinafter referred to as standby time). Since the time when the coin is detected by the first detection means depends on the coin diameter, the timing at which the first detection means changes from the detection state to the non-detection state becomes earlier as the coin diameter becomes smaller. On the other hand, since the coin is sent out toward the coin passage by the rotating disk rotating at a constant speed, the timing at which the second detection means changes from the non-detection state to the detection state is constant regardless of the coin diameter. Therefore, the standby time depends on the coin diameter of the coin, and the standby time becomes longer as the coin diameter becomes smaller. Therefore, the coin diameter of the coin can be accurately determined based on the standby time.

  (2) In a preferred example of the coin hopper of the present invention, the control unit is configured to perform the process from the time when the first detection unit changes from the detection state to the non-detection state until the second detection unit changes from the non-detection state to the detection state. When the time is equal to or less than the threshold, the coin is determined to be a first coin having a first diameter, and the time is the threshold. In the above case, the coin is determined as the second coin having the second diameter. Since the standby time depends on the coin diameter of the coin, the first and second coins can be accurately determined by comparing the standby time with a predetermined threshold value.

  (3) In a further preferred example of the coin hopper of the present invention, the control unit is configured such that the first detection means does not change from the non-detection state to the detection state, and the second detection means changes from the non-detection state to the detection state. If changed, the coin is determined as a third coin having a third diameter.

  (4) In a further preferred example of the coin hopper of the present invention, the control unit determines that the coin is abnormal when it is determined that the coin is either the first coin or the second coin.

  (5) In a further preferred example of the coin hopper of the present invention, the control unit determines that the coin is abnormal when it is determined that the coin is at least one of the first to third coins.

  (6) In a further preferred example of the coin hopper according to the present invention, when the control unit determines that there is an abnormality, the control unit stops sending out the coin by the rotating disk.

(7) The coin diameter determining method of the present invention is a coin diameter determining method for determining the diameter of a coin that is separated and sent one by one by a rotating disk that rotates about a predetermined axis and passes through a coin passage. A step of detecting the coin by the first detection means disposed in the coin passage, and a second detection disposed at a predetermined interval from the first detection means along a direction in which the coin passage extends. Detecting the coin by means, and detecting a time from when the first detection means changes from the detection state to the non-detection state to when the second detection means changes from the non-detection state to the detection state; Comparing the time with a predetermined threshold, and determining that the coin is a first coin having a first diameter when the time is less than or equal to the threshold, and the time is the threshold. And determining a second coin with the coin in the case of more than the value a second diameter, a coin diameter determination method comprising a.

  In the coin diameter determining method of the present invention, the first and second detection means detect the coins separated one by one by the rotating disk and sent to the coin passage, and the first detection means is not detected from the detection state. A step of detecting a standby time which is a time from when the second detection means changes to a detection state from the time when the state changes to a state, a step of comparing the standby time with a predetermined threshold, and a standby time Determining that the coin is the first coin when the value is equal to or less than the threshold value, and determining the coin as the second coin when the standby time is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Since the time when the coin is detected by the first detection means depends on the coin diameter, the timing at which the first detection means changes from the detection state to the non-detection state becomes earlier as the coin diameter becomes smaller. On the other hand, since the coin is sent out toward the coin passage by the rotating disk rotating at a constant speed, the timing at which the second detection means changes from the non-detection state to the detection state is constant regardless of the coin diameter. Therefore, the standby time depends on the coin diameter of the coin, and the standby time becomes longer as the coin diameter becomes smaller. Therefore, the coin diameter of the coin can be accurately determined based on the standby time, and the first and second coins can be accurately determined by comparing the standby time with a predetermined threshold value.

  (8) In a preferred example of the coin diameter determination method of the present invention, when the first detection means does not change from the non-detection state to the detection state, and the second detection means changes from the non-detection state to the detection state. The coin is determined as a third coin having a third diameter.

  (9) In a further preferred example of the coin diameter determining method of the present invention, when the coin is determined to be either the first coin or the second coin, it is determined to be abnormal.

  (10) In a further preferred example of the coin diameter determining method of the present invention, when the coin is determined to be at least one of the first to third coins, it is determined to be abnormal.

  (11) In a further preferred example of the coin diameter determining method of the present invention, when it is determined that there is an abnormality, the coin feeding by the rotating disk is stopped.

  According to the coin hopper of the present invention, the coins separated one by one by the rotating disk and fed toward the coin path are detected by the first and second detection means, and the first detection means is detected from the detection state to the non-detection state. The coin diameter is determined based on the waiting time from when the second detection means changes to the detection state from the non-detection state. Since the standby time depends on the coin diameter of the coin, the coin diameter of the coin can be accurately determined based on the standby time.

It is the (a) perspective view and (b) top view of the coin hopper of the present invention. It is the (a) perspective view, (b) front view, and (c) bottom view of the 1st detection means of the coin hopper of FIG. It is a figure which shows the payment state of the large diameter coin of the coin hopper of FIG. It is a figure which shows the payout state of the medium diameter coin of the coin hopper of FIG. It is a figure which shows the payment state of the small diameter coin of the coin hopper of FIG. It is a block diagram of the coin hopper of FIG. It is a wave form diagram which shows an example of the output signal of the 1st detection sensor at the time of coin payout of the coin hopper of FIG. 1, and a 2nd detection sensor. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the coin hopper of FIG. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the coin hopper of the modification of this invention. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the coin hopper of the modification of this invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A coin hopper 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The coin hopper 100 has a function of separating and feeding the coins C in a stacked state one by one. The coin hopper 100 includes a base 220, a rotating disk 240 that separates and sends the coins C in bulk, and first detection means 270 and second detection means 280 that detect the coins C sent out from the rotating disk 240. And a drive source 230 that passes through the base 220 and is connected to the rotary disk 240 and rotates the rotary disk 240.

  On the upper surface of the base 220, a substantially circular recess 222 and a substantially linear coin passage 224 provided continuously to the recess 222 are formed. In the recess 222, the rotating disk 240 is disposed so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis L 1 perpendicular to the bottom surface of the recess 222. The rotating disk 240 has a plurality of through holes 242 formed concentrically around the rotation axis L1. As a result, the bulky coins C are guided to the bottom surface of the recess 222 of the base 220 through the through hole 242. On the back surface of the rotating disk 240, a pushing portion (not shown) protruding from the back surface of the rotating disk 240 is formed between the adjacent through holes 242. As the rotary disk 240 rotates, the pushing portion (not shown) rotates in the recess 222. As a result, the coin C guided onto the bottom surface of the concave portion 222 through the through hole 242 holds the plane of the coin C on the bottom surface of the concave portion 222, and the peripheral surface of the coin C is guided to the peripheral surface of the concave portion 222. At the same time, it is pushed by a pushing portion (not shown) that rotates and moves as the rotating disk 240 rotates.

  A pair of pins 228 that protrude from the bottom surface of the recess 222 and are configured to advance and retract are disposed on the bottom surface of the recess 222 in the vicinity of a delivery device 260 described later. As the rotary disk 240 rotates, the coin C conveyed to the pair of pins 228 contacts the peripheral surfaces of the pair of pins 228 and then moves toward the coin path 224.

  In the coin passage 224, a guide 250 and a delivery device 260 are arranged with the coin passage 224 interposed therebetween. The guide 250 and the delivery device 260 are arranged at a predetermined interval so that the coin C can move between the guide 250 and the delivery device 260. A guide 250 is disposed on the upstream side in the normal rotation direction R1 of the rotary disk 240 in the coin passage 224, and a delivery device 260 is disposed on the downstream side in the normal rotation direction R1 of the rotary disk 240 in the coin path 224.

  The guide 250 is disposed adjacent to the rotating disk 240. A side surface 252 of the guide 250 facing the rotating disk 240 is connected to the peripheral surface of the recess 222, and is configured to continuously move away from the rotating disk 240 as it approaches the delivery device 260.

  The delivery device 260 rotates about a roller 262 configured to rotate around a rotation axis perpendicular to the bottom surface of the recess 222 of the base 220 and a rotation shaft 264 perpendicular to the bottom surface of the recess 222 of the base 220. And a lever 268. The roller 262 is connected to one end of the lever 268 on the back side of the base 220. An arc-shaped through hole 266 that penetrates the base 220 is formed at a position adjacent to the rotating disk 240. The roller 262 is inserted into the through hole 266 from the back side of the base 220. In the through hole 266, the roller 262 has a standby position P1 in which the distance between the end portion 254 of the side surface 252 of the guide 250 and the peripheral surface of the roller 262 is smaller than the diameter of the coin C, and the end portion 254 and the roller. The distance to the peripheral surface of 262 is configured to be reciprocally movable between the movement position P2 that is larger than the diameter of the coin C. The roller 262 is urged by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown) toward the end 254 of the guide 250 and is maintained at the standby position P1.

  The coin C conveyed to the guide 250 by the rotating disk 240 is pushed by a pushing portion (not shown) of the rotating disk 240 while the peripheral surface of the coin C is guided by the side surface 252 of the guide 250, and is positioned at the standby position P1. It contacts the roller 262 of the delivery device 260. Further, when the coin C is pushed by a pushing portion (not shown) of the rotating disk 240, the coin C pushes the roller 262 and pushes the gap between the end 254 of the guide 250 and the roller 262. . In other words, the coin C moves the roller 262 from the standby position P1 toward the movement position P2. When the roller 262 moves to the moving position P2 and the diameter portion of the coin C passes between the end portion 254 of the guide 250 and the roller 262, the roller 262 returns to the standby position P1 by the urging force of the urging member (not shown). To do. Therefore, the coin C is flipped by the guide 250 and the roller 262 and moves in the coin path 224.

  On the back side of the base 220, first detection means 270 for detecting whether or not the coin C is sent out from the rotating disk 240 is disposed. The first detection means 270 indirectly detects whether the coin C has been sent out from the rotating disk 240 by detecting the operation of the sending device 260. The first detection means 270 includes a first detection sensor 274 and a detected member 272. The first detection sensor 274 is attached to the base 220 via a bracket 276 on the back side of the base 220 and on the side of the delivery device 260. The first detection sensor 274 has a U-shaped groove. The first detection sensor 274 is configured such that a light emitting element and a light receiving element respectively provided on both side surfaces of the U-shaped groove are opposed to each other. The light emitting element of the first detection sensor 274 always emits light when the coin hopper 100 is operating. In the first detection sensor 274, the U-shaped groove portion is disposed relative to the delivery device 260, in other words, the lever 268 of the delivery device 260.

  The detected member 272 is formed of a non-transparent plate member. The detected member 272 is configured integrally with the lever 268 of the delivery device 260. The detected member 272 is a height that can be advanced and retracted into the U-shaped groove of the first detection sensor 274, and is first detected. Projecting toward the sensor 274. When the roller 262 is positioned at the standby position P1, the detected member 272 is configured to be positioned at the non-detection position P3 retracted from the U-shaped groove of the first detection sensor 274. Thus, when the roller 262 is positioned at the standby position P1, the optical axis from the light emitting element of the first detection sensor 274 to the light receiving element is not blocked by the detected member 272, and is irradiated from the light emitting element of the first detection sensor 274. The received light is received by the light receiving element. At this time, the output signal of the first detection sensor 274 is at the H level. On the other hand, when the roller 262 is positioned at the movement position P2, the detected member 272 is configured to be positioned at the detection position P4 that has entered the U-shaped groove of the first detection sensor 274. As a result, when the roller 262 is located at the movement position P2, the optical axis from the light emitting element of the first detection sensor 274 to the light receiving element is blocked by the detected member 272 and irradiated from the light emitting element of the first detection sensor 274. Light is not received by the light receiving element. At this time, the output signal of the first detection sensor 274 is at the L level.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the detected member 272 blocks the optical axis from the light emitting element to the light receiving element of the first detection sensor 274, thereby detecting that the coin C is sent out from the rotating disk 240. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in conjunction with the movement of the roller 262 from the standby position P <b> 1 toward the movement position P <b> 2, the detected member 272 moves out of the U-shaped groove of the first detection sensor 274, and the first detection sensor 274. The light emitted from the light emitting element may be received by the light receiving element so that the coin C is sent out from the sending device 260. The first detection sensor 274 may be a micro switch or a magnetic sensor. Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first detection means 270 detects whether or not the coin C has been sent out from the rotating disk 240 by detecting the operation of the sending device 260. It is not limited. For example, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like may be disposed in the coin path 224 so that the coin C moving in the coin path 224 may be directly detected.

  A second detection means 280 is disposed in the coin passage 224. The second detection means 280 is disposed on the downstream side of the coin passage 224 in the traveling direction of the coin C with respect to the delivery device 260. The second detection means 280 is configured by a second detection sensor 282 disposed above the coin passage 224. In the embodiment of the present invention, the second detection sensor 282 is a reflective light having a light emitting unit that emits light toward the coin C on the coin path 224 and a light receiving unit that receives the light reflected by the coin C. It consists of sensors. The second detection sensor 282 is configured to determine whether or not there is a coin C passing through the coin passage 224 depending on a difference in intensity of light received by the light receiving unit between when the coin C is positioned in a light irradiation area from the light emitting unit and when the coin C is not positioned. Is detected. Note that the second detection unit 280 is not limited to this, and for example, the second detection sensor 282 may be configured by a transmissive optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like. Further, like the first detection means 270, the coin C may be detected via a movable member that is movable by the coin C passing through the coin passage 224.

(Control part)
The control unit 160 of the coin hopper 100 has a configuration as shown in FIG. The control unit 160 includes a coin diameter determination unit 162, a drive control unit 164, and a notification control unit 166. The coin diameter determination unit 162 determines the coin diameter based on the detection result of the coin C by the first and second detection sensors 274 and 282. In other words, the coin diameter determination unit 162 includes the first detection signal D1 output from the first detection sensor 274 of the first detection unit 270 and the second detection signal output from the second detection sensor 282 of the second detection unit 280. Based on D2, the coin diameter of the coin C detected by the first and second detection means 270, 280 is determined. The drive control unit 164 outputs a drive control signal D3 that controls the drive state of the drive source 230.

  When the coin diameter determining unit 162 determines that the coin diameter of the coin C passing through the coin path 224 is within a predetermined range, in other words, when determining that the coin C is the regular coin TC, the external device 400 The count signal D5 is output to the control unit 402. The control unit 402 of the external device 400 counts the number of payouts of the regular coin TC based on the reception of the count signal D5. In the embodiment of the present invention, the payout number of the regular coin TC is performed by the external device 400. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the regular coin TC is configured to be performed by the control unit 160 of the coin hopper 100. It doesn't matter.

  When the coin diameter determining unit 162 determines that the coin diameter of the coin C passing through the coin passage 224 is not within the predetermined range, in other words, the coin diameter determining unit 162 determines that the coin C is an illegal coin FC that is not a regular coin TC to be paid out. In this case, the error signal D4 is output to the drive control unit 164. In response to receiving the error signal D4, the drive control unit 164 outputs a drive control signal D3 to stop the drive source 230 in order to stop paying out the coin C.

  Note that the control associated with receiving the error signal D6 is not limited to the embodiment of the present invention. For example, a notification unit may be provided in the coin hopper 100 and an error may be notified from the notification unit. In addition, an error signal D4 may be output to a control unit of an external device (not shown) and notified from the external device.

(Coin detection)
Next, detection of the coin C by the first detection means 270 and the second detection means 280 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 and FIG. The detection by the first detection means 270 and the second detection means 280 will be described for each of the large-diameter coin LC that is the regular coin TC and the medium-diameter coin MC and the small-diameter coin SC that are illegal coins.

  When the coin C is pushed by the rotary disk 240 and moved to the coin path 224, the peripheral surface of the coin C comes into contact with the end portion 254 of the guide 250 and the peripheral surface of the roller 262 of the delivery device 260. When the coin C is further pushed by the rotating disk 240, the coin C passes between the end 254 and the roller 262 while moving the roller 262 from the standby position P1 toward the moving position P2. When the diameter portion of the coin C passes between the end 254 and the roller 262, the roller 262 is moved from the moving position P2 toward the standby position P1 by an elastic member (not shown). As a result, the circumferential surface of the coin C is pushed by the roller 262, and the coin C moves through the coin path 224 toward the second detection means 280 through the coin path 224.

  First, the detection of the large-diameter coin LC will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 7A. When the large-diameter coin LC is pushed by the rotary disk 240 and moved to the coin path 224, the peripheral surface of the large-diameter coin LC is in contact with the end portion 254 of the guide 250 and the peripheral surface of the roller 262 of the delivery device 260, respectively. Contact. At this time, the first detection sensor 274 of the first detection means 270 is in a non-detection state where the large-diameter coin LC is not detected, and the output signal of the first detection sensor 274 is at the H level. Further, the second detection sensor 282 of the second detection means 280 is in a non-detection state where the large-diameter coin LC is not detected, and the output signal of the second detection sensor 282 is at the L level.

  When the large-diameter coin LC is further pushed by the rotary disk 240 and moves toward the coin path 224, the roller 262 is pushed by the peripheral surface of the large-diameter coin LC and moves from the standby position P1 toward the movement position P2. The detected member 272 moves from the non-detection position P3 toward the detection position P4. At timing t11, the optical axis of the first detection sensor 274 is blocked by the detected member 272, the output signal of the first detection sensor 274 becomes L level, and the first detection unit 270 does not detect the large-diameter coin LC. It changes from a non-detection state to a detection state in which the large-diameter coin LC is detected.

  When the diameter portion of the large-diameter coin LC passes between the end portion 254 and the roller 262, the roller 262 moves from the moving position P2 toward the standby position P1 by the urging force of an elastic member (not shown), and the detected member 272 Moves from the detection position P4 toward the non-detection position P3. Then, at time t12 when time T11 has elapsed from time t11, the detected means 272 moves to a position where the optical axis of the first detection sensor 274 is not blocked, and the output signal of the first detection sensor 274 becomes H level, The detection means 270 changes from a detection state in which the large-diameter coin LC is detected to a non-detection state in which the large-diameter coin LC is not detected.

  The large-sized coin LC is pushed by the roller 262 moving from the moving position P2 toward the standby position P1, moves in the coin path 224, and reaches the second detection sensor 282 at timing t13. Thereby, the light irradiated from the light emitting part of the second detection sensor 282 is reflected by the surface of the large-diameter coin LC, the output signal of the second detection sensor 282 becomes H level, and the second detection means 280 is in the non-detection state. Changes to a detection state. Then, at time t14 when time T12 has elapsed from timing t13, the large-diameter coin LC passes through the second detection sensor 282, the output signal of the second detection sensor 282 becomes L level, and the second detection means 280 is moved from the detection state. Change to non-detection state.

  Next, detection of the medium-diameter coin MC will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 7B. When the medium-diameter coin MC is pushed by the rotary disk 240 and moved to the coin path 224, the peripheral surface of the medium-diameter coin MC is in contact with each of the end portion 254 of the guide 250 and the peripheral surface of the roller 262 of the delivery device 260. Contact. At this time, the first detection sensor 274 of the first detection means 270 is in a non-detection state in which the medium-diameter coin MC is not detected, and the output signal of the first detection sensor 274 is at the H level. Further, the second detection sensor 282 of the second detection means 280 is in a non-detection state in which the medium-sized coin MC is not detected, and the output signal of the second detection sensor 282 is at the L level.

  When the medium-diameter coin MC is further pushed by the rotary disk 240 and moves toward the coin path 224, the roller 262 is pushed by the peripheral surface of the medium-diameter coin MC and moves from the standby position P1 toward the movement position P2. The detected member 272 moves from the non-detection position P3 toward the detection position P4. At timing t21, the optical axis of the first detection sensor 274 is blocked by the detected member 272, the output signal of the first detection sensor 274 becomes L level, and the first detection means 270 does not detect the medium-sized coin MC. The state changes from the non-detection state to a detection state in which the medium-sized coin MC is detected.

  When the diameter portion of the medium-sized coin MC passes between the end portion 254 and the roller 262, the roller 262 moves from the moving position P2 toward the standby position P1 by an urging force of an elastic member (not shown), and the detected member 272 Moves from the detection position P4 toward the non-detection position P3. Then, at time t22 when time T21 has elapsed from time t21, the detected means 272 moves to a position that does not block the optical axis of the first detection sensor 274, and the output signal of the first detection sensor 274 becomes H level. The detection means 270 changes from a detection state in which the medium-diameter coin MC is detected to a non-detection state in which the medium-diameter coin MC is not detected.

  The medium-sized coin MC is pushed by the roller 262 moving from the movement position P2 toward the standby position P1, moves in the coin path 224, and reaches the second detection sensor 282 at timing t23. As a result, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the second detection sensor 282 is reflected by the surface of the medium-sized coin MC, the output signal of the second detection sensor 282 becomes H level, and the second detection means 280 is in the non-detection state. Changes to a detection state. Then, at time t24 when time T22 has elapsed from time t23, the medium-sized coin MC passes through the second detection sensor 282, the output signal of the second detection sensor 282 becomes L level, and the second detection means 280 is moved from the detection state. Change to non-detection state.

  Next, detection of the small-diameter coin SC will be described with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. When the small-diameter coin SC is pushed by the rotary disk 240 and moved to the coin path 224, the peripheral surface of the small-diameter coin SC comes into contact with the end portion 254 of the guide 250 and the peripheral surface of the roller 262 of the delivery device 260, respectively. . At this time, the first detection sensor 274 of the first detection means 270 is in a non-detection state in which the small-diameter coin SC is not detected, and the output signal of the first detection sensor 274 is at the H level. Further, the second detection sensor 282 of the second detection means 280 is in a non-detection state in which the small-diameter coin SC is not detected, and the output signal of the second detection sensor 282 is at the L level.

  When the small-diameter coin SC is further pushed by the rotary disk 240 and moves toward the coin path 224, the roller 262 is pushed by the peripheral surface of the small-diameter coin SC and moves from the standby position P1 toward the moving position P2, The detection member 272 moves from the non-detection position P3 toward the detection position P4. However, the first detection means 270 is configured so that the small-diameter coin SC is not detected in the process in which the small-diameter coin SC passes between the end 254 and the roller 262. In other words, when the small-diameter coin passes between the end 254 and the roller 262, the detected member 272 does not move to the detection position P4 and does not block the optical axis of the first detection sensor 274. Has been. Thus, when the small-diameter coin SC passes between the end 254 and the roller 262, the output signal of the first detection sensor 274 is maintained at the H level, and the first detection means 270 does not detect the small-diameter coin SC. Maintain state.

  The small-diameter coin SC is pushed by the roller 262 moving from the movement position P2 toward the standby position P1, moves in the coin path 224, and reaches the second detection sensor 282 at timing t33. Thereby, the light emitted from the light emitting unit of the second detection sensor 282 is reflected by the surface of the small-diameter coin SC, the output signal of the second detection sensor 282 becomes H level, and the second detection means 280 is moved from the non-detection state. Change to detection state. Then, at time t24 when time T22 has elapsed from time t23, the small-diameter coin SC passes through the second detection sensor 282, the output signal of the second detection sensor 282 becomes L level, and the second detection means 280 is not detected. Change to detection state.

(Determination of coin diameter)
Next, a method of determining the coin diameter of each of the large coin LC, the medium coin MC, and the small coin SC will be described. The large coin LC and the medium coin MC are detected by the first detector 270 and the second detector 280, respectively, and the small coin SC is detected only by the second detector 280. Therefore, a coin C that is not detected by the first detection means 270 but is detected only by the second detection means 280 is determined to be a small-diameter coin SC.

  Each determination method of the large coin LC and the medium coin MC will be described. Since the movement of the detected member 272 between the non-detection position P3 and the detection position P4 is interlocked with the movement of the roller 262 between the standby position P1 and the movement position P2, the detected member 272 is not detected. The distance (or angle) that moves from P3 toward the detection position P4 depends on the distance (or angle) that the roller 262 moves from the standby position P1 toward the movement position P2. Since the roller 262 is pushed by the circumferential surface of the coin C and moves from the standby position P1 toward the movement position P2, the distance that the roller 262 moves from the standby position P1 toward the movement position P2 depends on the diameter of the coin C. . Therefore, the distance that the detected member 272 moves from the non-detection position P3 toward the detection position P4 depends on the diameter of the coin C. Accordingly, the distance that the detected member 272 moves from the non-detection position P3 toward the detection position P4 is smaller for the medium-diameter coin MC than for the large-diameter coin LC. While the optical axis of the sensor 274 is blocked, in other words, while the first detection sensor 274 is in the detection state, the distance that the detected member 272 moves is that of the medium-sized coin MC with respect to the large-sized coin LC. Is smaller. Accordingly, the time T21 for detecting the medium-sized coin MC by the first detecting means 270 is shorter than the time T11 for detecting the large-sized coin LC by the first detecting means 270, and the first detection sensor 274 is in the detection state. The time when the medium-sized coin MC changes from the non-detected state to the medium-sized coin LC is earlier than the large-sized coin LC (t12> t22).

  Since each of the large-diameter coin LC, the medium-diameter coin MC, and the small-diameter coin SC is paid out one by one by the rotating disk 240 rotating at substantially the same rotational speed, it moves through the coin path 224 at substantially the same speed. Therefore, the timing t13 when the large coin LC reaches the second detection sensor 282, the timing t23 when the medium coin MC reaches the second detection sensor 282, and the timing t33 when the small coin SC reaches the second detection sensor 282. The timing is almost the same (t13 = t23 = t33).

  In each detection of the large coin LC and the medium coin MC, the timings t13 and t23 at which the second detection sensor 282 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state are the same. On the other hand, in each detection of the large coin LC and the medium coin MC, the timings t12 and t22 when the first detection sensor 274 changes from the detection state to the non-detection state are different, and the timing t22 is earlier than the timing t12. Therefore, in the detection of the large-diameter coin LC, the time T13 from when the first detection sensor 274 changes from the detection state to the non-detection state until the second detection sensor 282 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, and the medium diameter In the detection of the coin MC, the time T23 from when the first detection sensor 274 changes from the detection state to the non-detection state until the second detection sensor 282 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state is different, and the time T23 is the time T13. It becomes larger (T23> T13). Thereby, in the detection of the coin C, the time Td from when the first detection sensor 274 changes from the detection state to the non-detection state until the second detection sensor 282 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state is set in advance. By comparing the time (threshold value) T0, it can be determined whether the coin C is a large coin LC or a medium coin MC. In other words, when the time Td is equal to or less than the threshold value T0 (Td ≦ T0), it is determined as a large coin LC, and when the time Td is greater than the threshold value T0 (Td> T0), it is determined as a medium coin MC. Is done.

(Operation)
Next, the operation of the coin hopper 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the coin C is detected by the first detection sensor 274. When the coin C is detected by the first detection sensor 274, the process proceeds to step S2, and the coin C is detected by the second detection sensor 282.

  In subsequent step S3, the time Td from when the first detection sensor 274 changes from the detection state to the non-detection state until the second detection sensor 282 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value T0. It is judged whether there is. When the time Td is equal to or less than the threshold value T0 (Td ≦ T0), the process proceeds to step S4, and it is determined that the coin C is the large coin LC. Then, it progresses to step S5, the count signal D5 is output, and the coin C paid out is counted as the large diameter coin LC. After executing step S5, the process returns to step S1.

  When it is determined in step S3 that the time Td is greater than the threshold value T0 (Td> T0), the process proceeds to step S6, and the coin C is determined to be the medium-sized coin MC. In step S7, an abnormal state is determined and an error signal D4 is output. Then, it progresses to step S8, the drive source 230 is stopped, and the operation | movement of the coin hopper 100 is complete | finished.

  If the coin C is not detected by the first detection sensor 274 in step S1, the process proceeds to step S9, and it is determined whether or not the coin C is detected by the second detection sensor 282. When the coin C is detected by the second detection sensor 282, the process proceeds to step S10 and it is determined that the coin C is the small-diameter coin SC. In step S7, an abnormal state is determined and an error signal D4 is output. Then, it progresses to step S8, the drive source 230 is stopped, and the operation | movement of the coin hopper 100 is complete | finished.

  If the coin C is not detected by the second detection sensor 282 in step S9, the process proceeds to step S11, and whether the time Ts that has elapsed since the first detection sensor 274 changed from the detection state to the non-detection state has passed the predetermined time Ts0. Judgment is made. When the predetermined time Ts0 has not elapsed (Ts ≦ Ts0), the process returns to step S1.

  In step S11, when the time Ts has passed the predetermined time Ts0 (Ts> Ts0), the process proceeds to step S8, the drive source 230 is stopped, and the operation of the coin hopper 100 is ended.

  As described above, in the coin hopper 100 of the present invention, the second detection unit 280 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state from the time when the first detection unit 270 changes from the detection state to the non-detection state. It is determined based on the time Td until. Since the time Td changes according to the coin diameter of the coin C, the coin diameter of the coin C can be accurately determined based on the time Td. For this reason, even if a fraudulent coin having a coin diameter different from that of a regular coin is used, the fraudulent act can be detected, and a high detection function effective for the fraud countermeasure can be secured.

(Modification)
The above-described embodiment shows an example in which the present invention is embodied. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations and processing steps as those in the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when it is determined in step S206 that the coin C is a medium-sized coin MC, the paid-out coin C is counted as a medium-sized coin MC in step S207. It doesn't matter. Thereby, each of the large diameter coin LC and the medium diameter coin MC paid out from the coin hopper 100 can be counted, and the small diameter coin SC can be detected as an illegal coin.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, when it is determined in step S309 that the coin C is the small-diameter coin SC, the paid-out coin C may be counted as the small-diameter coin SC in step S320. Absent. Thereby, each of the large diameter coin LC, medium diameter coin MC, and small diameter coin SC paid out from the coin hopper 100 can be counted.

  The present invention can be suitably used for a coin hopper that processes coins such as coins and medals, and is preferably applied to, for example, a money changer, a vending machine, a ticket vending machine, a game machine, and the like.

100 Coin Hopper 160 Control Unit 162 Coin Diameter Determination Unit 164 Drive Control Unit 220 Base 222 Recess 224 Coin Passage 228 Pin 230 Drive Source 240 Rotating Disc 242 Through Hole 250 Guide 252 Side 254 End 260 Delivery Device 262 Roller 264 Rotating Shaft 266 Through Hole 268 Lever 270 First detection means 272 Detected member 274 First detection sensor 276 Bracket 280 Second detection means 282 Second detection sensor C Coin LC Large diameter coin MC Medium diameter coin SC Small diameter coin TC Regular coin FC Illegal coin D1 First coin 1 detection signal D2 second detection signal D3 drive control signal D4 error signal L1 rotation axis P1 standby position P2 movement position P3 non-detection position P4 detection position

Claims (11)

A rotating disk that rotates about a predetermined axis and separates and feeds the coins in bulk, one by one;
A coin passage through which coins fed from the rotating disk pass;
Coin detecting means arranged at a predetermined interval along the direction in which the coin passage extends, and having first detecting means and second detecting means for detecting passage of the coins;
A control unit that determines a diameter of the coin based on a time from when the first detection unit changes from a detection state to a non-detection state to when the second detection unit changes from a non-detection state to a detection state;
Coin hopper with. The controller is
Comparing the time from when the first detection means changes from the detection state to the non-detection state to when the second detection means changes from the non-detection state to the detection state and a predetermined threshold value;
If the time is less than or equal to the threshold, the coin is determined to be a first coin having a first diameter;
The coin hopper according to claim 1, wherein when the time is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the coin is determined as a second coin having a second diameter. The controller is
When the first detection means does not change from the non-detection state to the detection state and the second detection means changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, the coin is changed to a third coin having a third diameter. The coin hopper according to claim 2 to be determined.   The coin hopper according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines that the coin is abnormal when it is determined that the coin is either the first coin or the second coin.   The coin hopper according to claim 3, wherein the control unit determines that the coin is abnormal when it is determined that the coin is at least one of the first to third coins.   The coin hopper according to any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein when the controller determines that there is an abnormality, the coin hopper stops feeding the coin by the rotating disk. A coin diameter determination method for determining the diameter of a coin that is sent one by one by a rotating disk that rotates about a predetermined axis and passes through a coin path,
Detecting the coin by first detecting means disposed in the coin passage;
Detecting the coin by second detection means arranged at a predetermined interval from the first detection means along a direction in which the coin passage extends;
Detecting the time from when the first detection means changes from the detection state to the non-detection state until the second detection means changes from the non-detection state to the detection state;
Comparing the time with a predetermined threshold;
When the time is equal to or smaller than the threshold value, the coin is determined as a first coin having a first diameter, and when the time is equal to or larger than the threshold value, the coin is determined as a second coin having a second diameter. Determining a coin of
A coin diameter determination method comprising:   When the first detection means does not change from the non-detection state to the detection state and the second detection means changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, the coin is changed to a third coin having a third diameter. The coin diameter determination method according to claim 8 for determination.   The coin diameter determination method according to claim 8, wherein when the coin is determined to be one of the first coin and the second coin, an abnormality is determined.   The coin diameter determination method according to claim 9, wherein when the coin is determined to be at least one of the first to third coins, an abnormality is determined. The coin diameter determination method according to claim 10, wherein when the abnormality is determined, the coin feeding by the rotating disk is stopped.

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