JP2019139537A - Coin storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a coin storage device capable of storing coins over the entire part of a storage part of the coin storage device while dispersing coins for each kind.SOLUTION: The coin storage device includes a storage box for storing coins thrown into the predetermined dropping direction, an opening part for putting the thrown coins into the storage box, a guide mechanism that is provided in the opening part and can contact with the thrown coins, an optical detection mechanism that is provided in at least one direction of the width direction and the depth direction of the storage box, and a determination part for determining a storage state of coins in the storage box. The guide mechanism changes the moving directions of coins toward the storage box from the dropping direction by contact therewith. The guide mechanism disperses coins, which are brought into contact therewith, inside the storage box. The determination part determines the storage state of coins in the storage box as a full state when the light shielding done by coins stored in the storage box is a predetermined condition at the optical detection mechanism.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin storage device that collects input coins used in vending machines or the like.

  Vending machines and automatic lending machines are installed in various places such as streets, shops, and inside buildings. Although vending machines and lending machines are also installed in foreign countries, there are a large number of vending machines and lending machines in Japan based on circumstances specific to Japan such as security and the stability of monetary value. ing.

  In vending machines, many users insert coins such as banknotes and coins to purchase desired products. Moreover, change is received from a vending machine as needed.

  In addition, amusement arcades where game machines such as pachinko machines and slot machine machines are installed are also widely used. In game halls where these pachinko machines and slot machine machines are installed, automatic lending machines are installed in order for players to rent pachinko balls and coins that are necessary for play. In such an automatic lending machine, a player inserts coins and banknotes and receives a pachinko ball and coins necessary for play.

  Of course, in these vending machines and automatic lending machines, prepaid cards and IC cards are sometimes used, but they are often used in cash. For this reason, there are actual situations in which users and players are using vending machines and automatic lending machines in various places.

  In such vending machines and automatic lending machines, coins are inserted together with banknotes. Also, coins need to be offered as change. For this reason, the vending machine and the automatic lending machine need to be provided with a coin storage device that collects the inserted coins. The coin storage device collects and stores the inserted coins.

  Further, the coins stored in a predetermined case are collected from the coin storage device. For example, coins are collected at regular intervals. Alternatively, coins are collected when it is determined that coins have accumulated at a certain level in the coin storage device. This coin collection may be performed by removing the coin storage device itself from a vending machine or the like, or may be performed by removing the coin from the coin storage device.

  Thus, there is a need for a device for storing coins that allows the collected coins to be collected while storing the inserted coins in devices such as vending machines and automatic lending machines. Of course, other devices may be necessary.

  Here, since the coin storage device is stored in a vending machine or an automatic lending machine, as described above, it is necessary to collect the stored coins when the coin storage device accumulates above a certain level. This is because if it accumulates above a certain level, for example, until it is full, the next user cannot insert coins and make purchases. For this reason, the technique about the coin storage device which can judge a full state is proposed (for example, refer to patent documents 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-215723

  Patent Document 1 discloses that a coin storage device 1500 includes a coin guiding portion 1505 having an inclined portion that guides inserted coins in a predetermined direction, and a coin storage housing 1501 capable of storing coins. A coin placement portion 1502 having a placement surface on which the coins can be placed; one end abuts on the coin placement portion 1502; and the other end abuts on the coin storage housing 1501. Thus, the coin placement unit 1502 is elastically supported, and the height from the bottom surface of the coin storage case 1501 to the top of the coins placed on the coin placement unit 1502 is increased. The elastic member 1503 having an elastic constant that can be maintained at a predetermined upper limit height, and the coin placement unit 1502 on which the coins are placed have moved to a predetermined position in the coin housing case 1501. Detectable, storage It discloses a coin storage device and a 況検 knowledge 1504.

  In Patent Document 1, the elastic body receives the weight of the coins to be stored, thereby determining the full state.

  However, since the coin storage device of Patent Document 1 determines the full state only by the weight, depending on the type of the coin, it is full in volume, but not full in weight. There is also the problem of judging that it is not.

  Moreover, the coin storage apparatus of patent document 1 stores the input coin as it is. The entered coin enters the coin storage device through a route. For this reason, coins accumulate only in a partial area of the coin storage device, and there is a problem that the coins cannot be filled while being dispersed. As a result, an imbalance between fullness determination and storage capacity may occur.

  Moreover, it is also preferable that the coin storage device is in a state in which each is stored to some extent while being dispersed for each type of coin such as a 1-yen coin, a 5-yen coin, and a 10-yen coin in relation to change. This is because change is necessary. Since Patent Document 1 determines fullness only by weight, it is determined that it is not full even if it is biased and stored only on certain types of coins, and it is difficult to deal with changes in relation to the storage state. There is also. If it is not judged that it is full even in this state, there is also a problem that the change from the coin storage device is not performed and the change cannot be handled.

  In view of these problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a coin storage device that can be spread and stored in the entire storage unit of the coin storage device while being dispersed for each type of coin.

In view of the above problems, the coin storage device of the present invention includes a storage box for storing coins to be thrown in a predetermined falling direction,
An opening for inserting the coins to be inserted into the storage box;
A guide mechanism provided in the opening and capable of contacting a coin to be inserted;
A light detection mechanism provided in at least one of the width direction and the depth direction of the storage box;
A determination unit for determining a storage state of coins in the storage box,
The guide mechanism changes the moving direction of the coin to the storage box from the falling direction by contact,
The guide mechanism disperses the coins in contact within the storage box,
In the light detection mechanism, the determination unit determines that the storage state of the coins in the storage box is full when light shielding by the coins stored in the storage box is a predetermined condition.

  The coin storage device of the present invention can store coins to the depth of the storage box, and can effectively utilize the depth direction of the storage box to store coins. Since the coins are efficiently stored, the storage capacity of the storage box can be exhibited.

  Moreover, it can also disperse | distribute to the width direction of a storage box for every kind of coin, and the state which accommodated a fixed quantity for every kind of coin can be made. Moreover, it can be adapted to the structure of a vending machine or the like that is dispersed for each type of coins after insertion.

  Since the full state can be detected by the optical sensor, it is possible to detect the full state suitable for the storage capacity of the storage box, not the weight but the volume. At this time, as much as possible, coins are distributed and stored in the storage box so that the full state can be detected by the volume storage state.

It is a perspective view of the coin storage device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a front view of the coin storage apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the coin storage device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a perspective view of a coin storage device showing change of a movement direction of a coin in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of a coin storage apparatus after the coin in Embodiment 1 of this invention is thrown in. It is a photograph which shows the result at the time of throwing a coin into the prior art coin storage device which does not have a guide mechanism. It is a photograph which shows the result at the time of throwing a coin into the coin storage apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view of the coin storage device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a one part perspective view of the guide mechanism 4 in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the coin storage apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention.

A coin storage device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a storage box for storing coins to be thrown in a predetermined falling direction,
An opening for inserting the coins to be inserted into the storage box;
A guide mechanism provided in the opening and capable of contacting a coin to be inserted;
A light detection mechanism provided in at least one of the width direction and the depth direction of the storage box;
A determination unit for determining a storage state of coins in the storage box,
The guide mechanism changes the moving direction of the coin to the storage box from the falling direction by contact,
The guide mechanism disperses the coins in contact within the storage box,
In the light detection mechanism, the determination unit determines that the storage state of the coins in the storage box is full when light shielding by the coins stored in the storage box is a predetermined condition.

  With this configuration, when storing coins thrown into a vending machine or an automatic payment machine, the coins can be dispersed inside the storage box. As a result, the full state can be determined appropriately, and the storage efficiency can be increased.

In the coin storage device according to the second invention of the present invention, in addition to the first invention, the coin has a plurality of types,
In the opening, the fall position reached by multiple types of coins is different,
The guide mechanism has a guide member at each of the drop positions corresponding to a plurality of types of coins in the opening.

  With this configuration, dispersion according to the type of coins to be inserted can be performed. In particular, when it is incorporated into a vending machine that grasps and stores the type of coins, it can cope optimally.

  In the coin storage device according to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the second aspect, the guide mechanism includes at least one of the first guide member, the second guide member, the third guide member, and the fourth guide member. Each of the first guide member, the second guide member, the third guide member, and the fourth guide member protrudes at the opening.

  With this configuration, it is possible to reliably contact the coins that arrive. Moreover, the coin which contacted can be moved away from a fall position.

In the coin storage device according to the fourth invention of the present invention, in addition to the third invention, the coin has at least one kind of a first coin, a second coin, a third coin, and a fourth coin,
The first guide member is provided at a first drop position corresponding to the first coin,
The second guide member is provided at a second drop position corresponding to the second coin,
The third guide member is provided at a third drop position corresponding to the third coin,
The fourth guide member is provided at the fourth drop position corresponding to the fourth coin.

  With this configuration, it is possible to cope with the distribution of each coin type according to the specifications of the vending machine or the like.

In the coin storage device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the fourth aspect, the first guide member mainly comes into contact with the first coin that reaches the first drop position, and changes the moving direction to the drop direction. Change from
The second guide member mainly contacts the second coin that reaches the second drop position, changes the moving direction from the drop direction,
The third guide member mainly contacts the third coin that reaches the third drop position, changes the moving direction from the drop direction,
The fourth guide member mainly contacts the fourth coin that reaches the fourth drop position and changes the moving direction from the drop direction.

  With this configuration, each of the coins can be dispersed and stored so as to be away from the opening. As a result, each of the coins can be dispersed as a whole.

In the coin storage device according to the sixth invention of the present invention, in addition to any of the third to fifth inventions, the storage box has a width direction and a depth direction,
The opening is provided along the width direction on the first end side in the depth direction,
The second guide member, the third guide member, and the fourth guide member are provided along the width direction at the opening,
The first guide member is provided along the depth direction in the opening.

  With this configuration, it is possible to further promote dispersion for each type of coin.

In the coin storage device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the sixth aspect, the second guide member, the third guide member, and the fourth guide member receive the second coin, the third coin, and the fourth coin, respectively. , Leading from the opening to the second end side (the side opposite to the first end side) in the depth direction of the storage box,
The first guide member guides the first coin to the opposite side of the first guide member in the width direction.

  With this configuration, it is possible to guide the coins falling into the opening to the far side from the opening and disperse the coins inside the storage box.

  In the coin storage device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any of the fourth to seventh aspects, the protrusion length of the fourth guide member is the protrusion length of the second guide member and the third guide member. Bigger than

  With this configuration, the dispersion method can be more varied.

  In the coin storage device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any of the sixth to eighth aspects, at least one of the second guide member to the fourth guide member has its tip inclined in the depth direction. Has a slope.

  With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably move the coins in contact in the depth direction.

  In the coin storage device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any of the fourth to ninth aspects, at least one of the first guide member to the fourth guide member has a plurality of protruding members.

  With this configuration, contact with coins can be more reliably performed.

In the coin storage device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the light detection mechanism may include one or a plurality of irradiations that irradiate light along the depth direction of the storage box. And a light receiving part or a plurality of light receiving parts for receiving light from the irradiation part,
The determination unit determines that the storage box is full when the corresponding light receiving unit cannot receive the light from the irradiation unit.

  With this configuration, the full state can be determined by reflecting the storage degree of coins. Combined with the distribution of coins by the guide mechanism, fullness determination in a more appropriate state can be made.

In the coin storage device according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the eleventh aspect, the light detection mechanism comprises:
A first irradiation unit that irradiates light along the depth direction of the storage box;
A second irradiation unit that irradiates light along a depth direction of the storage box at a position different from the first irradiation unit;
A first light receiving unit capable of receiving light from the first irradiation unit;
A second light receiving unit capable of receiving light from the second irradiation unit;
And having
The determination unit determines that the storage box is full when at least one of light from the first irradiation unit to the first light receiving unit and light from the second irradiation unit to the second light receiving unit is shielded. .

  With this configuration, it is possible to determine fullness with high accuracy.

  In the coin storage device according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the eleventh aspect, the determination section includes light from the first irradiation section to the first light receiving section and from the second irradiation section to the second light receiving section. If both of the lights are blocked, the storage box is determined to be full.

  With this configuration, it is possible to determine fullness in a more appropriate state.

  In the coin storage device according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the eleventh aspect, the determination unit includes light from the first irradiation unit to the first light receiving unit and light from the second irradiation unit to the second light receiving unit. The storage box is determined to be full when at least one of the light is blocked more than once.

  With this configuration, it is possible to determine fullness in a more appropriate state. In particular, the determination of fullness that is too early is suppressed.

  In the coin storage device according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any of the sixth to fourteenth aspects, the storage box is inclined so as to descend from the opening toward the opposite side along the depth direction. Has a slope.

  By this structure, the dispersion | variation in the coin accommodated in a storage box can further be advanced.

  In the coin storage device according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, a vibration imparting section for vibrating the storage box is further provided.

  With this configuration, the coins in the storage box can be further dispersed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  (Embodiment 1)

(Overview)
A general outline of the coin storage device will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin storage device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the outside of the coin storage device 1, but there is a coin storage space inside. The coin storage device 1 is used by being incorporated in a vending machine, an automatic lending machine, or the like. Vending machines and automatic lending machines are used to sell and rent products installed in the city, and can be used as payment machines such as gas stations and car wash stations. Or the automatic lending machine etc. which were installed in the playground may be sufficient.

  When a coin is inserted when a vending machine or an automatic lending machine is used, this coin storage device 1 stores the inserted coin.

  The coin storage device 1 includes a storage box 2, an opening 3, a guide mechanism 4, a light detection mechanism 5, and a determination unit 6.

  The storage box 2 is a main body that actually stores coins put into a vending machine or an automatic lending machine when the coin storage device 1 is incorporated in a vending machine or an automatic lending machine. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the inside of the storage box 2 is not visible, but an internal space is formed inside the storage box 2, and coins can be stored in this internal space.

  Moreover, the coin storage device 1 is incorporated in a vending machine or an automatic lending machine. For this reason, the coins thrown into the vending machine or the like fall into the incorporated coin storage device 1. The storage box 2 stores falling coins. That is, a coin that is thrown in a predetermined falling direction (in other words, a coin that is thrown in and dropped in a predetermined falling direction) is stored.

  The opening 3 is a portion where a part of the outside of the storage box 2 is open. In FIG. 1, the opening 3 is in a state in which the outer plate is open and connected to the internal space of the storage box 2, although it appears to be blocked by a small difference in color from the surroundings.

  The opening 3 puts coins to be inserted into the internal space of the storage box 2. At this time, the opening 3 is opened in accordance with the coin dropping direction. For this reason, coins that are thrown in and fall into the storage box 2 from the opening 3.

  The guide mechanism 4 is provided in the opening 3. The guide mechanism 4 can contact a coin to be inserted. The guide mechanism 4 comes into contact with coins that are thrown in and dropped. At this time, since the guide mechanism 4 is provided in the opening 3, the guide mechanism 4 can contact the coin that has reached the opening 3. That is, the guide mechanism 4 can come into contact with coins until it reaches the opening 3 and reaches the internal space of the storage box 2.

  When the guide mechanism 4 comes into contact with the coin, the guide mechanism 4 changes the movement direction before and after the coin enters the internal space. That is, the falling direction and the moving direction when entering the internal space are changed. By this change, the guide mechanism 4 disperses the coins that come into contact with the inside of the storage box 2.

  The light detection mechanism 5 is provided in at least one of the width direction and the depth direction of the storage box 2. The light detection mechanism 5 can detect the storage state of coins in the storage box 2 by using light irradiation and light reception.

  The determination unit 6 is interlocked with the light detection mechanism 5. In FIG. 1, the determination unit 6 is shown as a block outside the storage box 2. However, the determination unit 6 may be provided integrally with a part of the storage box 2 or may be an element provided outside. Good. Since the determination unit 6 is an element that performs determination in conjunction with the light detection mechanism 5, it may be configured by a processor and a software program that operates on the processor. In this case, the determination unit 6 may be realized in an existing external element (such as a control unit or a processor unit) that is electrically connected to the coin storage device 1.

  In the light detection mechanism 5, the determination unit 6 determines that the storage state of the coins in the storage box 2 is full when light shielding by the coins stored in the storage box 2 is a predetermined condition. That is, when a large number of coins are stored in the storage box 2 and the light irradiation and light reception in the light detection mechanism 5 are under predetermined conditions, a sufficient amount of coins is stored in the storage box 2. Judge that it has accumulated. Thereby, it determines with being full.

  Here, when the guide mechanism 4 changes the moving direction of the falling coins, the coins are easily dispersed when entering the inside of the storage box 2. Due to this dispersion, the coins are easily stored in the storage box 2 evenly. As a result, the problem that the storage box 2 is determined to be full only by collecting coins only in the vicinity of the opening 3 is solved.

  Of course, since the full state is determined by the light detection mechanism 5 and the determination unit 6 based on the amount of coins stored in the storage box 2, it is difficult to cause a problem that the coins are stored until the full state. .

  These relatively combine to increase the storage efficiency of the storage box 2. If the storage efficiency is increased, the frequency and labor of the exchange operation of the coin storage device 1 can be reduced, and the operating efficiency of the vending machine can be increased.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the coin storage device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the same coin storage apparatus 1 as FIG. 1 from the front.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the coins inserted into the vending machine fall into the coin storage device 1 in a predetermined drop direction. An arrow A in FIG. 2 indicates this falling direction. The coin storage device 1 is incorporated in a vending machine or the like. A vending machine or the like is provided with a portion for inserting coins, and the coins are guided from the input portion to the coin storage device 1. For example, a taxiway is provided.

  The coin 100 that is guided and dropped by the guide path reaches the coin storage device 1. The guiding direction on this guiding path is the falling direction of the arrow A. In addition, although it has a fall, it has the same meaning as guidance.

  The inserted coin 100 reaches the storage box 2 provided in the coin storage device 1 in the falling direction of the arrow A as shown in FIG. The guide mechanism 4 described with reference to FIG. 1 can contact the falling coin 100 and changes the falling direction of the arrow A by the contact. The storage box 2 is changed in the direction toward the depth direction or the width direction.

  The coin 100 has a plurality of types. Various types of coins are used in various countries, and vending machines (including automatic payment machines, automatic lending machines, automatic payment machines, etc.) also need to support multiple types of coins. Because. In Japan, the coins are 1 yen coin, 5 yen coin, 10 yen coin, 50 yen coin, 100 yen coin and 500 yen coin.

  FIG. 2 shows a 10-yen coin 104, a 50-yen coin 103, a 100-yen coin 102, and a 500-yen coin 101 that are often used in vending machines or the like. These plural types of coins 100 fall and arrive at the coin storage device 1. In the process up to dropping into the coin storage device 1, each of the plurality of types of coins 100 is usually in the same dropping direction.

  Here, when the coin storage device 1 is incorporated in a vending machine, an automatic payment machine, or the like, the drop position differs depending on the plurality of types of coins 100 depending on the configuration of the guide path of the vending machine or the like. That is, each of the plurality of types of coins 100 falls and reaches the opening 3. At this time, the drop position reached in the opening 3 is different for each type of coin 100.

  FIG. 2 shows a state where the drop positions of the 500-yen coin 101, the 100-yen coin 102, the 50-yen coin 103, and the 10-yen coin 104 are different. The 500-yen coin 101 reaches the drop position 11. The 100-yen coin 102 reaches the drop position 12. The 50-yen coin 103 reaches the drop position 13. The 10-yen coin 104 reaches the drop position 14.

(Direction change by guide member)
Here, the guide mechanism 4 is provided in the opening 3. The guide mechanism 4 has a guide member at a position corresponding to each of the drop positions 11 to 14 of the type of the coin 100.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the coin storage device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The inside of the coin storage device 1 is shown as a see-through state.

  The guide mechanism 4 has a plurality of guide members 41 to 44. At least one of the first guide member 41, the second guide member 42, the third guide member 43, and the fourth guide member 44 is provided.

  The first guide member 41 to the fourth guide member 44 are members that protrude at the opening 3.

  The first guide member 41 is provided at a position corresponding to the drop position 11 and can contact the 500-yen coin 101. The second guide member 42 is provided at a position corresponding to the drop position 12 and can contact the 100-yen coin 102. The third guide member 43 is provided at a position corresponding to the drop position 13 and can contact the 50-yen coin 103. The fourth guide member 44 is provided at a position corresponding to the drop position 14 and can contact the 10-yen coin 104.

  It should be noted that the positional relationship between the drop position and the guide member may be interchanged as described above, and which type of coin 100 comes into contact with which guide member, may fall into which drop position, The above is an example and may be replaced. It is an illustration for description.

  That is, the first guide member 41 is provided at the first drop position 11. The first guide member 41 can mainly contact a first coin that is one of the types of coins 100. At this time, since the first coin arrives at the first drop position 11, the first guide member 41 can contact the first coin by this arrival.

  The 1st guide member 41 mainly contacts with the 1st coin which reaches the 1st fall position 11, and changes the movement direction of the 1st coin from the fall direction. That is, the moving direction is changed from the falling direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 2 toward the plane direction inside the storage box 2. It is changed in the moving direction toward the arrow X (width direction of the storage box 2) shown in FIG. Due to this change, the first coin that has contacted the first guide member 41 is stored in the storage box 2 in the direction of the arrow X.

  A second guide member 42 is provided at the second drop position 12. The second guide member 42 can mainly contact a second coin that is one of the types of coins 100. At this time, since the second coin arrives at the second drop position 12, the second guide member 42 can contact the second coin by this arrival.

  The 2nd guide member 42 mainly contacts with the 2nd coin which reaches the 2nd fall position 12, and changes the movement direction of the 2nd coin from the fall direction. That is, the moving direction is changed from the falling direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. It is changed in the moving direction toward the arrow Y (the depth direction of the storage box 2) shown in FIG. Due to this change, the second coin contacting the second guide member 42 is stored in the storage box 2 in the direction of the arrow Y (the depth of the storage box 2).

  A third guide member 43 is provided at the third drop position 13. The third guide member 43 can mainly contact a third coin, which is one of the types of coins 100. At this time, since the third coin arrives at the third drop position 13, the third guide member 43 can come into contact with the third coin by this arrival.

  The 3rd guide member 43 mainly contacts with the 3rd coin which reaches the 3rd fall position 13, and changes the movement direction of the 3rd coin from the fall direction. That is, the moving direction is changed from the falling direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 2 toward the plane direction inside the storage box 2. It is changed in the moving direction toward the arrow Y (the depth direction of the storage box 2) shown in FIG. Due to this change, the third coin that has come into contact with the third guide member 43 is stored in the storage box 2 in the direction of the arrow Y (the depth of the storage box 2).

  A fourth guide member 44 is provided at the fourth drop position 14. The fourth guide member 44 can mainly contact a fourth coin, which is one of the types of coins 100. At this time, since the fourth coin arrives at the fourth drop position 14, the fourth guide member 44 can come into contact with the fourth coin by this arrival.

  The 4th guide member 44 mainly contacts with the 4th coin which reaches the 4th fall position 14, and changes the movement direction of the 4th coin from the fall direction. That is, the moving direction is changed from the falling direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 2 toward the plane direction inside the storage box 2. It is changed in the moving direction toward the arrow Y (the depth direction of the storage box 2) shown in FIG. Due to this change, the fourth coin contacting the fourth guide member 44 is stored in the storage box 2 in the direction of the arrow Y (the depth of the storage box 2).

  The falling position is a position with respect to the opening 3 of the coin guided through the guide path or the like, and is a position where the coin is guided and is inserted into the opening 3. It is not intended to be limited to physically falling into the opening 3. What is necessary is just to consider that it is the arrival position to the opening part 3. FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the coin storage device showing a change in the coin moving direction in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows the inside in a transparent state, similar to FIG. The code | symbol is abbreviate | omitted about the element which overlaps with FIGS.

  The coin 100 reaches the fourth drop position 14 according to the drop direction of the arrow A. A fourth guide member 44 is provided at the fourth drop position 14. The coin 100 is in contact with the fourth guide member 44. The fourth guide member 44 is a protruding member in the opening 3.

  For this reason, the coin 100 which contacted becomes a moving direction which changes from the fall direction. In the opening 3, the fourth guide member 44 protrudes in the depth direction (arrow Y) of the storage box 2. For this reason, the coin 100 which contacted changes in the moving direction toward the depth direction of the storage box 2. The arrow B in FIG. 4 shows the movement direction after this change.

  In this way, the coins 100 come into contact with the fourth guide member 44 and are distributed in the depth direction of the storage box 2. Without the fourth guide member 44, the coins 100 are only collected at the fourth drop position 14, and the light detection mechanism 5 immediately blocks light. As a result, the full determination is immediately made.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the coins 100 are easily distributed and stored in the depth direction of the storage box 2 by being guided in the depth direction by the fourth guide member 44. As a result, the storage efficiency of the storage box 2 is increased.

  Other guide members also exhibit the same function.

  As described above, the first guide member 41 guides the coin 100 in the width direction (arrow X direction) of the storage box 2.

  The storage box 2 has a width direction (arrow X) and a depth direction (arrow Y). The opening 3 is provided on the first end side in the depth direction. 3 and 4 show a state in which the opening 3 is provided on the first end side which is one end of the storage box 2 in the depth direction.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second guide member 42 to the fourth guide member 44 are provided in the opening 3 along the width direction. On the other hand, the first guide member 41 is provided in the opening 3 along the depth direction. As described above, by dividing the guide member provided along the width direction and the guide member provided along the depth direction, the coins 100 inside the storage box 2 can be more easily dispersed.

  Of course, the position of the 1st guide member 41-the 4th guide member 44 is an example, and may be arranged in positions other than this. All of the first guide member 41 to the fourth guide member 44 may not be provided, and a fifth guide member may be further provided.

  With such a structure, the second guide member 42 guides and distributes the second coins in the depth direction of the storage box 2. The third guide member 43 guides and disperses the third coin in the depth direction of the storage box 2. The fourth guide member 44 guides and disperses the fourth coin in the depth direction of the storage box 2. The first guide member 41 guides and disperses the first coin in the width direction of the storage box 2.

  These are combined, and the coins 100 that reach the opening 3 are easily distributed and stored in the storage box 2.

  Further, there may be a case where the guide member cannot be contacted depending on the falling state of the coin 100. There is also a possibility that other kinds of coins come into contact. In this regard, each of the first guide member 41 to the fourth guide member 44 can mainly contact a corresponding coin.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the inside of the coin storage device after the coins according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are inserted. A state in which the coin 100 is stored to some extent inside the storage box 2 is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the coins 100 are dispersed and varied by the function of the guide mechanism 4 (first guide member 41 to fourth guide member 44). By realizing such variation, the storage efficiency in the storage box 2 is increased.

(Confirmation experiment by the inventor)
The inventor made a prototype of the coin storage device 1 described in the first embodiment and confirmed it by actually conducting an experiment. FIG. 6 is a photograph showing the result when coins are inserted into a conventional coin storage device having no guide mechanism. FIG. 7 is a photograph showing the results when coins are inserted into the coin storage device of the present invention.

  In each of FIGS. 6 and 7, the left side is a photograph showing the inside of the storage box after inserting 50 sheets from 500 yen coins to 10 yen coins. In each of FIGS. 6 and 7, the right side is a photograph showing the inside of the storage box after 50 sheets have been inserted from 100 yen coins to 500 yen coins.

  In FIG. 6, the inserted coins are concentrated at the dropping position. In addition, the first type of coins is below and the last type of coins is above and is not distributed in either the plane or vertical direction.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 7, each coin is dispersed to some extent regardless of the insertion order. Since the dispersion state is completed, the coins in the storage box vary and the storage efficiency increases. If it is dispersed, it becomes difficult for the light detection mechanism 5 to determine fullness too early, and the exchange frequency of the coin storage device 1 can be reduced.

  In this way, the guide mechanism 4 is provided, and by providing members corresponding to the type of coins such as the first guide member 41, the coins are dispersed inside the storage box 2 as shown in FIG. Experiments have also confirmed that this can be done easily.

(Full judgment)
As described above, the coin storage device 1 includes the light detection mechanism 5 and the determination unit 6. In FIG. 8, the structure about the light detection mechanism 5 is shown. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the coin storage device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is shown in a transparent state so that the mode of the light detection mechanism 5 can be understood.

  The light detection mechanism 5 includes one or more irradiation units 51 and one or more light receiving units 52. The irradiation unit 51 irradiates light toward at least one of the width direction and the depth direction of the storage box 2. In FIG. 8, light is irradiated in the depth direction.

  In addition, the light receiving unit 52 receives light from the irradiation unit 51. In FIG. 8, a plurality of irradiation units 51 and a plurality of light receiving units 52 corresponding to the respective irradiation units 51 are shown. Each of the irradiation part 51 and the light-receiving part 52 performs light irradiation and light reception correspondingly. The arrow from the irradiation part 51 of FIG. 8 to the light-receiving part 52 shows this light irradiation and light-receiving path.

  The light emitted from the irradiation unit 51 is received by the light receiving unit 52 if there is no shielding object. The determination unit 6 determines that the storage box 2 is not full if the light receiving unit 52 can receive light without any problem.

  On the other hand, when the coin 100 accumulates inside the storage box 2, the coin 100 may block the irradiation path from the irradiation unit 51 to the light receiving unit 52. When the coin 100 blocks the irradiation path, the light receiving unit 52 cannot receive light from the irradiation unit 51.

  The determination unit 6 determines that the storage box 2 is full when the corresponding light receiving unit 52 cannot receive the light from the irradiation unit 51. At this time, there may be variations when the light receiving unit 52 cannot receive light.

(Variation 1)
The determination unit 6 confirms whether or not the light receiving unit 52 has received the light from the irradiation unit 51 a plurality of times at time intervals. In the plurality of confirmations, if light is not received after a predetermined number of times, it may be determined that the state is full. Alternatively, when light is not received continuously for a predetermined number of times or more, it may be determined as being full.

(Variation 2)
As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of irradiation units 51 and a plurality of light receiving units 52 may be provided. One of the plurality of irradiation units 51 is a first irradiation unit, and the other is a second irradiation unit. The 1st irradiation part and the 2nd irradiation part are provided in a different position. It is assumed that the first light receiving unit receives light emitted from the first irradiation unit, and the second light receiving unit receives light emitted from the second irradiation unit. The first light receiving part and the second light receiving part are also provided at different positions.

  The first irradiating unit irradiates light toward the first light receiving unit. The second irradiation unit irradiates light toward the second light receiving unit. When the irradiation path of light from the first irradiation unit to the first light receiving unit is blocked by the coin 100, the first light receiving unit cannot receive the light from the first irradiation unit. When the light irradiation path from the second irradiation unit to the second light receiving unit is blocked by the coin 100, the second light receiving unit cannot receive the light from the second irradiation unit.

  The determination unit 6 determines that the storage box 2 is full when at least one of light from the first irradiation unit to the first light receiving unit and light from the second irradiation unit to the second light receiving unit is shielded. May be.

  Alternatively, the determination unit 6 determines that the storage box 2 is full when both the light from the first irradiation unit to the first light receiving unit and the light from the second irradiation unit to the second light receiving unit are shielded. May be.

  As described above, when a set of a plurality of irradiation units and light receiving units is provided, the determination unit 6 may determine a full state when any, a plurality, or all of these are in a shielding state.

(Variation 3)
Moreover, the determination part 6 is the storage box 2 when at least one of the light from a 1st irradiation part to a 1st light-receiving part and the light from a 2nd irradiation part to a 2nd light-receiving part is shielded in multiple times. May be determined as full.

  In this way, the light detection mechanism 5 and the determination unit 6 can appropriately determine fullness by determining the full state with various variations. In particular, in combination with the function of the guide mechanism 4 that disperses the coins 100, fullness can be determined at an appropriate timing with high storage efficiency. It is prevented from being too early or too late, and the collection and exchange time of the coin storage device 1 incorporated in a vending machine or the like can be optimized. As a result, the operating cost of vending machines can be reduced and the convenience for the user is increased.

  (Embodiment 2)

  Next, a second embodiment will be described.

(Guide mechanism variations)
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a part of the guide mechanism 4 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The guide mechanism 4 shown in FIG. 9 includes a second guide member 42, a third guide member 43, and a fourth guide member 44. The second guide member 42 to the fourth guide member 44 have a form protruding at the opening 3.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9, at least one of the second guide member 42 to the fourth guide member 44 preferably includes a plurality of protruding members 400. FIG. 9 shows a state where the fourth guide member 44 includes a plurality of protruding members 400. Similarly, in FIG. 9, each of the second guide member 42 and the third guide member 43 includes a plurality of protruding members 400.

  Of course, only a part of the guide members may include a plurality of protruding members 400.

  When the guide member has a configuration including the plurality of protruding members 400, the direction change of the coin 100 that comes into contact can be made wider. As a result, it becomes easier to disperse the coins 100 inside the storage box 2.

  It is also preferable that the protruding length of the fourth guide member 44 is larger than the protruding lengths of the second guide member 42 and the third guide member 43. FIG. 9 shows this state. This is because the variation of the falling coins 100 can be changed for each type of coins due to the different protrusion lengths. As a result, the variation of the coins 100 in the plane direction of the storage box 2 becomes larger, and the storage efficiency increases.

  Further, at least one of the second guide member 42 to the fourth guide member 44 may have an inclination in which the tip is inclined in the depth direction. FIG. 9 illustrates this. By having such an inclination, it is possible to add variations to the direction change of the falling coin 100. Alternatively, the impact of the coin 100 that falls and fits in the storage box 2 can be reduced.

  As a result, the storage efficiency of the storage box 2 can be increased.

  Thus, the coin storage device 1 according to the second embodiment can improve the storage efficiency of the coin 100 by various variations of the guide mechanism 4.

  (Embodiment 3)

  Next, Embodiment 3 will be described. In the third embodiment, other devices will be described.

(Inclination of storage box)
It is also preferable that the storage box 2 has an inclination that inclines so as to descend from the opening 3 in the depth direction. That is, the bottom surface of the storage box 2 has an inclination. It is also preferable that this inclination is inclined from the opening 3 toward the depth direction.

  As described in the first and second embodiments, the coin 100 enters from the opening 3. At this time, since the bottom surface of the storage box 2 is inclined so as to be lowered in the depth direction, it is possible to reduce the tendency for the coins 100 to easily concentrate on the opening 3. As a result, it can be increased that the coin 100 is likely to vary within the storage box 2.

  As described in the first and second embodiments, the inclination allows the coins 100 entering from the opening 3 to be dispersed inside the storage box 2 together with the dispersion by the guide member 4. As a result, the storage efficiency of the storage box 2 can be further increased.

(Giving vibration)
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a coin storage device in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The coin storage device 1 of FIG. 10 further includes a vibration applying unit 8. The vibration applying unit 8 vibrates the storage box 2. The vibration applying unit 3 may vibrate the storage box 2 at regular intervals, at appropriate time intervals, or when receiving an instruction signal. Or you may vibrate at the timing when the coin 100 was thrown in, and you may always vibrate.

  The vibration imparting unit 8 can vibrate the storage box 2 by having a vibration mechanism. For example, a general-purpose vibration mechanism is provided, and the vibrations thereof may be transmitted to the storage box 2.

  The storage box 2 can disperse the stored coins 100 by receiving this vibration. For example, overlapping coins 100 can be separated, and a useless space generated when overlapping coins 100 can be reduced. The variation in the plane direction can be further advanced.

  Since the vibration imparting unit 8 is provided, the coins 100 that are dispersed by the guide mechanism 4 and stored in the storage box 2 can be further dispersed and dispersed. As a result, the storage efficiency of the storage box 2 can be further increased.

  As described above, the coin storage device 1 according to Embodiment 3 can further increase the storage efficiency of the storage box 2. By determining that the coin is full in an optimal state, the cost of exchanging and collecting the coin storage device 1 can be reduced.

  In addition, the coin storage apparatus demonstrated in Embodiment 1-3 is an example, and does not exclude the range which does not deviate from the main point of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coin storage apparatus 2 Storage box 3 Opening part 4 Guide mechanism 41 1st guide member 42 2nd guide member 43 3rd guide member 44 4th guide member 5 Light detection mechanism 6 Determination part 8 Vibration provision part

Claims (16)

A storage box for storing coins thrown in a predetermined falling direction;
An opening for inserting the coins to be inserted into the storage box;
A guide mechanism provided in the opening and capable of contacting the coin to be inserted;
A light detection mechanism provided in at least one of a width direction and a depth direction of the storage box;
A determination unit for determining a storage state of coins in the storage box,
The guide mechanism changes the movement direction of the coin to the storage box from the drop direction by contact,
The guide mechanism disperses the coins to be contacted inside the storage box,
The said determination part is a coin storage apparatus which determines the storage state of the coin of the said storage box to be full when the shielding of the light by the said coin stored in the said storage box is a predetermined condition in the said light detection mechanism. The coin has a plurality of types,
In the opening, the falling position reached by the plurality of types of the coins is different,
The coin storage device according to claim 1, wherein the guide mechanism has a guide member at each of drop positions corresponding to the plurality of types of the coins in the opening. The guide mechanism has at least one of a first guide member, a second guide member, a third guide member, and a fourth guide member,
The coin storage device according to claim 2, wherein each of the first guide member, the second guide member, the third guide member, and the fourth guide member protrudes at the opening. The coin has at least one kind of a first coin, a second coin, a third coin, and a fourth coin;
The first guide member is provided at a first drop position corresponding to the first coin,
The second guide member is provided at a second drop position corresponding to the second coin,
The third guide member is provided at a third drop position corresponding to the third coin,
The coin storage device according to claim 3, wherein the fourth guide member is provided at a fourth drop position corresponding to the fourth coin. The first guide member mainly contacts the first coin reaching the first drop position, and changes the moving direction from the drop direction,
The second guide member mainly contacts the second coin reaching the second drop position, and changes the moving direction from the drop direction,
The third guide member mainly contacts the third coin that reaches the third drop position, and changes the moving direction from the drop direction,
5. The coin storage device according to claim 4, wherein the fourth guide member mainly contacts the fourth coin that reaches the fourth drop position to change the moving direction from the drop direction. 6. The storage box has a width direction and a depth direction,
The opening is provided on the first end side in the depth direction and along the width direction,
The second guide member, the third guide member, and the fourth guide member are provided along the width direction in the opening,
The coin storage device according to claim 3, wherein the first guide member is provided along the depth direction in the opening. The second guide member, the third guide member, and the fourth guide member are configured to pass the second coin, the third coin, and the fourth coin in the depth direction of the storage box from the opening. To the side (opposite side to the first end side),
The coin storage device according to claim 6, wherein the first guide member guides the first coin to the opposite side of the first guide member in the width direction.   The coin storage device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein a protruding length of the fourth guide member is larger than a protruding length of the second guide member and the third guide member.   9. The coin storage device according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the second guide member to the fourth guide member has an inclination in which a tip thereof is inclined in the depth direction.   The coin storage device according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein at least one of the first guide member to the fourth guide member has a plurality of projecting members. The light detection mechanism includes one or more irradiation units that irradiate light along the depth direction of the storage box, and one or more light receiving units that receive light from the irradiation unit,
The coin storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the determination unit determines that the storage box is full when the corresponding light receiving unit cannot receive light from the irradiation unit. The light detection mechanism is:
A first irradiation unit that irradiates light along the depth direction of the storage box;
A second irradiation unit that irradiates light along a depth direction of the storage box at a position different from the first irradiation unit;
A first light receiving unit capable of receiving light from the first irradiation unit;
A second light receiving unit capable of receiving light from the second irradiation unit;
And having
The determination unit fills the storage box when at least one of light from the first irradiation unit to the first light receiving unit and light from the second irradiation unit to the second light receiving unit is shielded. The coin storage device according to claim 11, which is determined as being in a state.   The determination unit fills the storage box when both light from the first irradiation unit to the first light receiving unit and light from the second irradiation unit to the second light receiving unit are shielded. The coin storage device according to claim 11, which is determined as being.   The determination unit is configured such that when at least one of light from the first irradiation unit to the first light receiving unit and light from the second irradiation unit to the second light receiving unit is shielded at a plurality of times, The coin storage device according to claim 11, wherein the storage box is determined to be full.   The coin storage device according to any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein the storage box has an inclination that inclines so as to descend from the opening toward the opposite side along the depth direction.   The coin storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a vibration applying unit that vibrates the storage box.