JP2021060960A - Coin delivery device and coin processor - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a coin delivery device and coin processor that deliver coins having different diameters one by one.SOLUTION: There is provided a coin delivery device including a disc 2 having recesses holding a plurality of coins in a storage container 42 one by one, a first recess that holds a coin having at least larger than or equal to a first diameter and a second recess that holds a coin less than a second diameter being provided for the disc 2. In the first recess, a coin having a small diameter is not held or passed to the next step, and in the second recess, a coin having a small diameter is held and passed to the next step. Since two coins are not held in the first recess, and two coins do not enter the second recess, the coins can be suitably passed to the next step one by one.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a coin sending device that sends out coins one by one, and a coin processing device including a coin sending device.

In general, the currency currency issued by the state includes coins of multiple denominations. Since coins have different diameters, thicknesses, materials, and designs for each denomination, anyone can easily identify the denomination. Since each denomination has different characteristics, it is possible to identify the denomination by a machine. However, under exceptional conditions such as two coins overlapping, it is possible to make an erroneous identification. Therefore, it is necessary to separate the coins one by one and transport them to the identification device to identify the denomination.

For example, as a device for sending out coins in a storage container one by one, a coin sending device of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-165003 is known.

Such a coin sending device includes a two-step process. First, a step of sending out a plurality of coins one by one, and then a step of identifying the denomination of the coins to be transported one by one. Further, if a step of separately storing the identified coins for each denomination is provided in the subsequent stage of the coin sending device, the coin processing device can be obtained.

This coin sending device includes discs arranged in an inclined manner. Below this disc, a storage container for storing coins is arranged. Rotate the disc and pick up multiple coins in the storage container one by one. The disc is provided with a recess for inserting one coin. When the recess of the rotating disk passes through the storage container, only one coin accumulated in the storage container enters the recess and is conveyed. Above the disc, there is a mechanism for delivering coins to the next process. The coin is transported above the disc and delivered to the next process. In the next step, the denomination of the coin is identified. The denomination of a coin is identified using a plurality of sensors that detect characteristics such as the size and material of the coin. In this way, the coin sending device takes out one coin from the plurality of coins, sends out the coins one by one to the next process, and identifies the denomination of the coins.

Further, in the coin processing device, after identification, the coin processing device can be further handed over to the next process. In the next step, the coins are carried by the belt. In this step, slides are arranged for each denomination in the middle of the transport path by the belt, and each slide is connected to a coin hopper arranged for each denomination. The denomination-identified coin is dropped onto the corresponding denomination slide during transport. The coins dropped on the slide slide down to the storage container of the coin hopper for each denomination and are stored there.

The coin hopper can eject a desired number of coins. An example of a coin processing device is an automatic change machine. The automatic change machine calculates the denomination and the number of coins to be ejected according to the amount of change, controls the coin hopper corresponding to each denomination, and ejects the necessary coins.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-165003

The size of coins used varies from nation to nation. In many countries, the maximum diameter of coins in circulation is less than twice the minimum diameter. In this case, the disc may be provided with a recess slightly larger than the maximum diameter. Since two coins having the smallest diameter are not inserted in this recess, two coins are not sent to the next process at the same time.

However, the maximum diameter of coins in circulation may be larger than twice the minimum diameter. In this case, it is possible that two or more coins having the smallest diameter can be inserted into the recess corresponding to the maximum diameter of the coin. If two coins are transported to the next process at the same time, there is a risk of erroneous identification of the coin denomination.

The present invention provides a coin sending device capable of appropriately classifying and transporting coins one by one without being affected by the diameter of the coin, and a coin processing device including the coin sending device.

The coin sending device according to the first aspect of the present invention has a disk having a holding portion for holding coins on the upper surface, a storage container for storing a plurality of the coins, and a side surface of the coin held by the holding portion. A support piece that presses to move the coin toward the outer periphery of the disk is provided, the coin in the storage container is held by the holding portion, and the disk is rotated to be arranged on the upper side of the disk. From the delivery port, the coins that move in the outer peripheral direction of the disk by the support piece are sent out one by one toward the next step, and the disk is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. In the coin sending device arranged on the lower side of the disk, the holding unit holds only the coin having the first diameter or more from the delivery port in the next step when the number of coins to be held is one. If the coins smaller than the first diameter are not sent from the delivery port toward the next step and the coins to be held are two at the same time, the two coins to be held are held. A first holding portion that does not send the coin from the delivery port toward the next step, and the coin that exceeds the second diameter that is smaller than the maximum diameter among the coins held by the first holding portion. When holding one coin of the second diameter or less without holding it, the second coin is sent from the delivery port toward the next step and does not hold two coins of the second diameter or less at the same time. It is characterized by having a holding portion of.

The coin processing device of the first aspect of the present invention corresponds to the above-mentioned coin sending device, an identification unit that receives the coin from the coin sending device and identifies the denomination of the coin, and the denomination of the coin. The coin hopper is provided, and the coin hopper has a storage unit for storing the coin, and the coin is stored in the coin hopper corresponding to the denomination identified by the identification unit.

In the present invention, of the first holding portion and the second holding portion of the holding portion of the disc, the first holding portion that holds the coin having the largest diameter delivers only coins having the first diameter or more. It is sent to the next process through the mouth. It is assumed that the first holding portion holds two or more coins having a diameter smaller than that of the first diameter. In such a case, the first holding unit can return the held small-diameter coin to the storage container without sending it from the delivery port toward the next process. The function of sending only coins having a diameter of the first diameter or larger from the first holding unit toward the next process can be realized by, for example, the following configuration. That is, a configuration that prevents the sending of coins having a small diameter from the first holding portion toward the next process, and a small diameter until the first holding portion is moved to a position facing the delivery port as the disk rotates. The coin is slid off from the first holding portion. With these configurations, it is possible to prevent one or two or more coins held in the first holding portion from being handed over to the next step. The coins can be divided one by one and sent out to the next process. Further, since the coins can be sorted and sent out one by one from the storage container, the denomination of the coin can be preferably identified.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin sending device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the coin processing device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the coin processing device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the disk portion of the coin sending device. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the disk unit. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the delivery of coins. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first example in the case of holding a coin having a large diameter. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second example in the case of holding a coin having a large diameter. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which two or more coins having a small diameter are held. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first example of operation when a coin having a small diameter is held. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second example of operation when a coin having a small diameter is held.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Each figure is only schematically shown to the extent that the present invention can be fully understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. Further, in each figure, common components and similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

First, the coin processing device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the coin processing device. There are multiple denominations of commonly used coins. Coins have different elements such as size, material, and design for each denomination. The coin processing device can identify coins and store them separately for each denomination. In addition, the stored coins are reused for payouts.

For example, an example of the coin processing device 69 is an automatic change machine, an automatic change machine, and the like. The coin processing device 69, which is inserted in a state where coins of a plurality of denominations are mixed, divides coins one by one, identifies the denomination of the divided coins, and stores the identified coins for each denomination. Further, the coin processing device 69 can pay out coins corresponding to a desired amount of coins from the stored coins.

The coin processing device 69 is roughly divided into three parts. That is, the sending unit 37 that divides and sends out the inserted coins one by one, the identification unit 38 that identifies the denomination of the coin, and the storage unit 39 that stores the coins separately for each denomination. The coin sending device 1 may include a sending unit 37 and may include other functions such as an identification unit 38. Here, the coin sending device 1 will be described as a device having a configuration including a sending unit 37 and an identifying unit 38.

The coin 70 inserted into the coin slot 40 passes through the coin passage 41 and is stored in the storage container 42. The coin slot 40, the coin passage 41, and the storage container 42 are shown by broken lines in FIG. Further, a plurality of coins 70 can be put into the storage container 42 without dividing the denomination.

A storage container 42 is arranged on the lower side of the disk 2. The storage container 42 is formed with a bottom having a shape along the outer circumference of the disk 2. The storage container 42 covers about one-third from the lower half of the disk 2. Further, the disc 2 is arranged diagonally so that the coin leans against the disc 2 side. A plurality of coins lean against the disc 2 side, and the disc 2 rotates, so that the coins enter the recess described later and are conveyed.

The disc 2 can hold the coin 70. The disc 2 is provided with a recess that is recessed in the thickness direction of the disc, and the coin 70 is held in the recess. The bottom surface of the recess is flat. The inner wall of the recess is formed by the side walls of the convex portions (first arm 4, second arm 5, third arm 6, sorting portion 13) protruding from the flat bottom surface of the recess, and is an area on the outer peripheral side of the disk 2. It is interrupted at. The side surface of the coin 70 that has entered the recess abuts on the inner wall of the recess (the side wall of the convex portion). The disc 2 is arranged so as to take an oblique posture with respect to the horizontal direction. The disc 2 is inclined so that the coin 70 can be suitably inserted into the recess of the disc 2. As the inclination angle, about 30 to 80 degrees can be exemplified. 40 degrees to 50 degrees is more preferable. If the inclination angle is small, the unnecessary coin 70 cannot be slid off from the recess, and if the inclination angle is large, it becomes difficult for the coin to enter the recess.

The coin 70 is held in the recess in a posture in which the front surface or the back surface of the coin 70 faces the flat bottom surface of the recess. Further, the inner wall of the recess is interrupted in the region on the outer peripheral side of the disc 2, and the coin 70 passes through the interrupted region and is passed to the next process. A guide surface for guiding the coin in the direction of rotation of the disc is arranged on the outside of the outer circumference of the disc 2. The coin 70 is conveyed with the side surface of the coin 70 in contact with the inner wall of the recess and the guide surface.

By rotating the disc 2 in the direction of the disc rotation direction 33 indicated by the arrow, the coins 70 stored in the storage container 42 can be picked up one by one by the recesses. Since the disc 2 is arranged obliquely with respect to the horizontal direction, the coin 70 in the storage container 42 enters the recess which is the area for holding the coin 70 of the disc 2. The coin 70 is held and conveyed by the bottom surface, the wall portion, and the guide surface of the disc 2.

The coin 70 is delivered at a position that is the upper part of the sending unit 37 and the lower part of the identification unit 38. The coin 70 carried upward by the disc 2 is sent from the disc 2 to the identification unit 38. The disk 2 can take out a plurality of coins 70 stored in the storage container 42 one by one and pass them to the next process.

In the identification unit 38, the receiving wheel 27 arranged on the flat receiving base (32 in FIG. 1 described later) of the base of the coin sending device 1 is rotating in the receiving wheel rotation direction 44 indicated by the arrow. .. The receiving wheel 27 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the disc 2. The coin 70 sent out from the identification unit 38 has its side surface abutted against the receiving wheel 27 and is pushed to move on the receiving base. The identification unit 38 detects features such as the size and material of the coin 70 moving on the receiving base with a sensor, and identifies the denomination of the coin 70 by a control unit (not shown). Since the coins 70 are separately transported one by one, the identification unit 38 can suitably identify the denomination of the coin 70. The coin 70 moves along the guide path 43 with the front surface or the back surface in contact with the above-mentioned receiving base and the side surface in contact with the guide path 43, and is delivered to the storage unit 39 in the next process. Is done.

In the storage unit 39, a transport path 68 connected to the guide path 43 is arranged. The coin 70 is transported along the transport path 68. A belt 46 is arranged along the transport path 68. Conveying pins 47 are arranged at equal intervals on the belt 46. One coin 70 is inserted between the transport pins 47 and is pushed by the transport pins 47 to be transported. The belt 46 is an endless belt and rotates in the direction of the belt rotation direction 45 indicated by the arrow in conjunction with the disc 2 and the receiving wheel 27. The storage unit 39 can hold and transport the coins 70 one by one in the area of the belt 46 divided by the transport pins 47.

Along the transport path 68, the first slide 48, the second slide 50, the third slide 52, the fourth slide 54, the fifth slide 56, the sixth slide 58, the seventh slide 60, the eighth slide 62, the ninth slide. 64 are arranged. These slides are connected to a coin hopper of a predetermined denomination. The coin 70 identified by the identification unit 38 is dropped on the slide of the corresponding denomination and stored in the coin hopper of the corresponding denomination.

The coin 70 identified by the identification unit 38 is dropped on any slide. That is, the first slide 48 is on the first coin hopper 49, the second slide 50 is on the second coin hopper 51, the third slide 52 is on the third coin hopper 53, the fourth slide 54 is on the fourth coin hopper 55, and the fifth slide 56. Is on the 5th coin hopper 57, the 6th slide 58 is on the 6th coin hopper 59, the 7th slide 60 is on the 7th coin hopper 61, the 8th slide 62 is on the 8th coin hopper 63, and the 9th slide 64 is on the collection container 65. ,It is connected.

The collection container 65 is used, for example, to collect old coins whose distribution is desired to be suppressed so as not to be reused.

Each coin hopper is arranged along the payout belt 66. By driving the payout belt 66, the storage unit 39 can convey the coins discharged from each coin hopper to the payout tray 67. The storage unit 39 of the coin processing device 69 according to the embodiment can correspond to eight different denominations.

The coins 70 entered from the coin slot 40 are separated and transported one by one. The denomination of the coin 70 is identified, and the coin 70 is stored in the coin hopper corresponding to the identification result. Further, each coin hopper can pay out to the payout tray 67 by ejecting a required number of coins. In this way, the inserted coin 70 can be reused for payout.

Next, the coin sending device 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin sending device. It is a perspective view of the state in which the storage container 42 is removed from the delivery part 37.

A transmission unit 37 and an identification unit 38 are arranged on the frame 25. The disc 2 rotates about the disc rotation axis 3. The receiving wheel 27 rotates about the wheel rotation shaft 26. The disc rotation shaft 3 and the wheel rotation shaft 26 are rotated by the motor 24. The motor 24 and the disk rotation shaft 3 are connected by a train wheel (not shown). Further, the motor 24 and the wheel rotation shaft 26 are connected by a train wheel (not shown). The motor 24 and the train wheel (not shown) constitute a drive unit for rotating the disc 2 and the receiving wheel 27.

The holding base 17 of the disc 2 forms a flat bottom surface on which coins are placed and held. The receiving base 32 of the identification unit 38 forms a flat bottom surface for holding coins. The receiving wheel 27 is rotatably arranged so as to face the receiving base 32. The holding base 17 and the receiving base 32 are arranged without a step, and the coin can be slid and moved.

The upper surface of the disc 2 is provided with a holding portion which is an area for holding coins. A plurality of holding bases 17 are provided on the upper surface of the disc 2 at equal angles about the disc rotation shaft 3. For example, it is provided at three places at intervals of 120 degrees.

The first arm 4, the second arm 5, and the third arm 6 extend radially around the disk rotation shaft 3. Each arm is provided so as to project from the holding base 17. As a holding portion for holding the coin, a recess is formed by each arm arranged around the holding base 17 which is the bottom surface. That is, the disc 2 is provided with three holding portions for holding coins. A part of the first arm 4, the second arm 5, and the third arm 6 can be said to be a convex portion constituting the holding portion. It can be said that an upstream convex portion is provided on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the holding portion, and a downstream convex portion is provided on the downstream side. That is, the first holding portion has a first upstream convex portion and a first downstream convex portion, and the second holding portion has a second upstream convex portion and a second downstream convex portion, and a third holding portion. The holding portion has a third upstream convex portion and a third downstream convex portion.

In each arm, the portions of the disc rotation shaft 3 side in the extending direction are connected to each other and integrated. The tip of each arm is arranged along the same circumference centered on the disk rotation axis 3. Each arm is provided so as to project from the holding base 17. Then, the holding base 17 is arranged at a position sandwiched between the arms. Coins are placed on the holding base 17 and transported.

The first elongated hole 10, the first support piece 7, the second elongated hole 11, the second support piece 8, the third elongated hole 12, and the third support piece 9 are arranged in the three holding bases 17, respectively. .. The first support piece 7 moves along the longitudinal direction of the first elongated hole 10. The second support piece 8 moves along the longitudinal direction of the second elongated hole 11. The third support piece 9 moves along the longitudinal direction of the third elongated hole 12. The first support piece 7, the second support piece 8, and the third support piece 9 move in conjunction with the rotation of the disc 2 by the groove cam described later.

The holding base 17 on which the second support piece 8 is arranged and the surrounding area of the holding base 17 are the second holding portions. The holding base 17 described above is sandwiched between the fourth side wall 18 of the second arm 5 and the fifth side wall 19 of the third arm 6. When the disc 2 is rotating in the direction of the disc rotation direction 33, the side surface of the coin comes into contact with the fourth side wall 18 or the fifth side wall 19. The fourth side wall 18 and the fifth side wall 19 are also convex portions forming a part of the second holding portion. The holding base 17 on which the second support piece 8 is arranged can be said to be a second holding base forming the bottom surface of the recess.

The holding base 17 on which the third support piece 9 is arranged and the area around the holding base 17 are the third holding portion. The holding base 17 is sandwiched between the sixth side wall 20 of the third arm 6 and the seventh side wall 21 of the first arm 4. When the disc 2 is rotating in the direction of the disc rotation direction 33, the side surface of the coin comes into contact with the sixth side wall 20 or the seventh side wall 21. The sixth side wall 20 and the seventh side wall 21 are also convex portions forming a part of the third holding portion. The holding base 17 on which the third support piece 9 is arranged can be said to be a third holding base forming the bottom surface of the recess.

The fourth side wall 18 or the fifth side wall 19 is placed against 17 on a flat holding base to allow the coins to be held by the diagonally arranged holding base 17 and the fourth side wall 18 or the fifth side wall 19. It is preferably arranged vertically. Alternatively, it may be tilted slightly, but the angle should be such that the coin does not slip off. The same applies to the sixth side wall 20 and the seventh side wall 21, and the first side wall 14 and the third side wall 16 described later.

The holding base 17 on which the first support piece 7 is arranged and the surrounding area of the holding base 17 are the first holding portions. The holding base 17 is sandwiched between the sorting portion 13 of the first arm 4 and the third side wall 16 of the second arm 5. On the left side of the first arm 4 in the drawing, a sorting portion 13 is arranged so as to project from the holding base 17. The sorting unit 13 has a first side wall 14 provided vertically facing the holding base 17. The first side wall 14 is provided on the root direction side of the first arm 4. Further, the sorting unit 13 has a second side wall 15 provided so as to project toward the holding base 17. The second side wall 15 is provided on the tip end side of the first arm 4. The second side wall 15 includes a slope portion that gradually increases in height from the holding base 17 toward the upstream direction of the disk rotation direction 33. On the left side of the first arm 4 in the drawing, that is, on the downstream side in the disk rotation direction 33, a sorting portion 13 having a second side wall 15 on the tip side of the first arm 4 and a first side wall 14 on the root side is provided. When the disc 2 is rotating in the direction of the disc rotation direction 33, the side surface of the coin comes into contact with the sorting portion 13 or the third side wall 16. The holding base 17 on which the first support piece 7 is arranged can be said to be the first holding base forming the bottom surface of the recess. The first side wall 14 is also a support portion that comes into contact with the side surface of the coin and supports and conveys the coin.

The holding portion has convex portions (arms or sorting portions 13) on the upstream side and the downstream side of the holding base 17 in the disk rotation direction 33, respectively. The coin is held by a holding portion (also referred to as a concave portion) having the convex portion and the holding base 17.

In addition to the portion where coins are delivered from the disc 2 to the identification unit 38, a guide unit is arranged on the outside of the outer circumference of the disc 2 to guide the transportation of coins. The guide portion is in contact with the side surface of the coin and serves as a guide surface for transporting the coin. The guide portion is provided so as to project vertically with respect to the holding base 17.

The disc 2 rotates in the direction of the disc rotation direction 33 indicated by the arrow. Each support piece moves toward the outer peripheral side of the disc 2 in order to deliver the coin to the identification unit 38. The coin is pushed out by each support piece, abuts on the knife tip 23 arranged at the tip of the receiving knife 22, and rides on the tip of each arm. Then, it is pushed by the receiving wheel 27 and moves on the receiving base 32. Since the receiving base 32 and the holding base 17 are configured flush with each other, they can be delivered smoothly.

The identification unit 38 detects the coins moving in the guide unit 31 one by one by the identification sensor 36, and identifies the denomination.

On the receiving wheel 27, a plurality of receiving bodies are arranged at equal angles in a radial shape with the wheel rotation shaft 26 as the center. In the coin processing device 69 according to the embodiment, the first receiver 28, the second receiver 29, and the third receiver 30 are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees. A coin is inserted between each receiver, and the coin slides and moves on the receiving base 32. Each receiver is provided with a push wall 35 that abuts on the side of the coin. That is, when the receiving wheel 27 rotates, the pushing wall 35 pushes and moves the coin on the receiving base 32. The receiving wheel 27 rotates in the direction opposite to that of the disc 2.

Further, the manual knob 34 can rotate the disc 2 and the receiving wheel 27 in conjunction with each other. The manual knob 34 can rotate the disc 2 and the receiving wheel 27 in the forward or reverse direction.

Next, the main part of the coin processing device 69 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the coin processing device.

In the sending unit 37, the plurality of coins 70 contained in the storage container 42 are separated one by one as the disk 2 rotates and passed to the identification unit 38. The identification unit 38 divides the coins 70 one by one by the receiving wheel 27, moves them on the receiving base 32, and hands them to the storage unit 39. The coin 70 is conveyed along the guide path 43 including the guide portion 31. In the storage unit 39, one coin 70 is inserted between the plurality of transport pins 47 arranged on the belt 46. The rotation of the belt 46 causes the transport pin 47 to move, and the coin 70 is pushed by the transport pin 47 to move on the transport path 68. The belt 46 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the disc 2 and the receiving wheel 27 so that only one coin 70 is inserted between the transport pins 47. Each slide is provided with a bar 71, and depending on the state of the bar 71, whether or not to drop the coin 70 onto the slide is controlled by a control unit (not shown). That is, when the coin 70 reaches the position of the slide corresponding to the denomination of the coin 70, the state of the bar 71 is changed and the coin 70 is dropped to the corresponding slide. The coin 70 dropped on the slide is stored in the coin hopper of the corresponding denomination.

Next, the details of the disc 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the disk portion of the coin sending device.

The first arm 4, the second arm 5, and the third arm 6 are integrally molded and fixed to the disc 2. The sorting unit 13 is preferably molded integrally with the disc 2. When molding into a separate body, a recess is provided on the flat surface of the disc 2 and the sorting portion 13 of the separate body is fixed therein. The edge of the coin is prevented from hanging on the boundary between the sorting unit 13 and the disc 2.

The bent portion 78 prevents a plurality of coins from being connected to each other starting from the receiving knife (22 in FIG. 1) and hindering the rotation of the disc 2. Therefore, the coins on the upstream side in the direction of rotation are raised so that they are not connected.

A first support piece 7 is arranged between the first arm 4 and the second arm 5. The first support piece 7 can reciprocate and is located at the rear end position of the movement range in FIG. The first support piece 72, which is shown separately from the first support piece 7, is at the tip position of the moving range. In FIG. 4, two first support pieces are drawn, but the first support piece 72 at the tip position is only shown for explaining the movement range of the first support piece 7.

The cam follower (not shown) fixed to the first support piece 7 moves along the groove cam described later, so that the first support piece 7 reciprocates. The first support piece 7 is formed in an arc shape in which both ends in the disk rotation direction are projected toward the tip side as they approach the tip side (disc outer peripheral side). Further, a pushing portion 73 that comes into contact with the coin and pushes the coin is arranged on the tip end side of the first support piece 7. Further, a first slope portion 74 and a second slope portion 75 are provided in the central portion thereof. The first slope portion 74 and the second slope portion 75 are provided so as not to convey coins having a predetermined diameter or less toward the next step (identification portion 38). When the first support piece 7 moves toward the outer circumference of the disc 2 and the receiving knife 22 comes into contact with the coin, the coin is lifted from the disc 2 by the first slope portion 74 or the second slope portion 75 and is lifted from the disc 2 to be a storage container. By sliding down to 42, it is prevented from being passed to the next process. That is, when the first holding portion holds a coin having a diameter smaller than that of the first diameter, it moves to a position facing the delivery port (101 in FIG. 1) as the disc 2 rotates. , The held small-diameter coin is slid off by the support piece slope portion including the first slope portion 74 and the second slope portion 75. By moving the coin having a small diameter by the first support piece 7 toward the outer peripheral side of the disc 2, the coin can be reliably brought into contact with the first slope portion 74 and the second slope portion 75 and slid off.

The edge 79, which is the tip of each arm, is on the same circumference. In FIG. 4, a dotted line 76 showing the outline of the circumference is shown in the portion where each arm is not arranged. When the first support piece 7 moves to the tip position like the first support piece 72, a gap of a distance 77 to the contour portion indicated by the bidirectional arrow is formed. It can be said that whether or not the coin can be moved to the receiving base 32 is determined based on the distance 77 and the diameter of the coin used (the coin distributed in the country where the coin processing device 69 is sold). If the diameter is large, the lower side of the coin comes into contact with the receiving knife 22 or the receiving wheel 27, so that the coin can move to the receiving base 32. If it hits above the coin, it is difficult for the coin to move to the receiving base 32.

A coin having the maximum diameter to be used is inserted in the first holding portion including the holding base 17 on which the first support piece 7 is arranged and the first side wall 14 and the third side wall 16 sandwiching the holding base 17. That is, coins of all denominations to be used are entered. However, coins having a predetermined first diameter or more are delivered from the first holding portion to the identification unit 38, while coins smaller than the first diameter are dropped from the first holding portion into the storage container 42. .. Coins having a diameter of the first diameter or larger are held in the first holding portion and handed over to the next step. Coins smaller than the first diameter are returned from the first holder to the storage container 42. Further, the second holding portion can hold coins having a second diameter or smaller, which is smaller than the coin having the maximum diameter that can be held by the first holding portion. Coins smaller than the first diameter are delivered to the next step by a second holding portion or a third holding portion described later. There is a coin size that can be handed over to the next process only by the first holding part or the second holding part. In addition, there is a coin size that can be delivered to the next process by both the first holding portion and the second holding portion. This is to improve the processing efficiency of coins.

A second support piece 8 is arranged between the second arm 5 and the third arm 6. The second support piece 8 moves to the position (tip position) of the second support piece 82, which is shown separately from the second support piece 8. In FIG. 4, the second support piece 82 at the tip position is merely illustrated for explaining the movement range of the second support piece 8.

The cam follower (not shown) fixed to the second support piece 8 moves along the groove cam described later, so that the second support piece 8 moves to the rear end near the roots of the second arm 5 and the third arm 6. It moves back and forth between the position and the tip position. The tip end side of the second support piece 8 is formed in an arc shape so as to project toward the tip end side as both ends in the disk rotation direction are brought closer to the tip end side. Further, on the tip side of the second support piece 8, a support side surface 80 that comes into contact with the coin and pushes the coin, and a tip 81 formed in a shape along a dotted line 76 that indicates an extension of the edge 79 are arranged. Has been done. The support side surface 80 and the tip 81 can be said to be a pushing portion for pushing the coin. Further, since the support side surface 80 and the tip 81 are brought into contact with the side surface of the coin, it is preferable that the support side surface 80 and the tip 81 are formed perpendicular to the holding base 17. The slope may be slightly sloped, but it is preferable that the coin is in contact with the side surface of the coin so that the coin can be pushed reliably.

When the second support piece 8 moves to the position (tip position) of the second support piece 82, the tip 81 is located at the position of the dotted line 76 showing the contour which is an extension of the edge 79.

A coin having at least the maximum diameter to be used is provided in the second holding portion (recess) including the holding base 17 on which the second support piece 8 is arranged and the fourth side wall 18 and the fifth side wall 19 sandwiching the holding base 17. Does not enter.

A third support piece 9 is arranged between the third arm 6 and the first arm 4. The shape and moving range of the third support piece 9 are the same as those of the second support piece 8. Further, a coin having at least the maximum diameter to be used is inserted in the third holding portion including the holding base 17 on which the third support piece 9 is arranged and the sixth side wall 20 and the seventh side wall 21 sandwiching the holding base 17. Absent.

The first holding portion including the first support piece 7 holds a coin of one denomination including the coin of the maximum diameter, or a coin of a plurality of denominations including the coin of the maximum diameter and not including the coin of the minimum diameter. , Can be handed over to the next process. For example, two types of coins, the maximum diameter and the coin with the next largest diameter, are handed over to the next process, and coins with a smaller diameter are dropped into the storage container 42. Further, the second holding portion or the third holding portion including the second support piece 8 or the third support piece 9 holds coins of one denomination or a plurality of denominations not including coins having the maximum diameter, and the next step Can be handed over to. For example, a coin with a diameter smaller than or equal to the diameter of the coin next to the maximum diameter is delivered to the next process.

The disc 2 has three holding portions. If one of them handles only coins with the maximum diameter, the efficiency of sending out coins will be poor. When a small coin enters its holding, it is returned to the storage container 42. Therefore, in order to improve efficiency, it is possible to handle coins of a plurality of sizes including coins having the maximum diameter. Further, if the diameter of the disk 2 is increased, it is possible to provide a large number of holding portions, but there arises a problem that the device becomes large.

Next, the reciprocating movement of the first support piece 7, the second support piece 8, and the third support piece 9 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the disk unit. On the back surface side of the disc 2, a groove cam 86 shown by a dotted line on the frame (25 in FIG. 1) is arranged. A cam follower (not shown) that moves along the groove cam 86 is arranged on each of the first support piece 7, the second support piece 8, and the third support piece 9. When the disc 2 rotates, the cam follower moves along the groove cam, and each support piece moves according to the movement. Each support piece moves along each elongated hole. The first support piece 7 reciprocates between both ends of the first movement path 83 along the first elongated hole 10 provided in the disk 2. Similarly, the second support piece 8 is between both ends of the second moving path 84 along the second elongated hole 11, and the third support piece 9 is between both ends of the third moving path 85 along the third elongated hole 12. Each moves back and forth.

It is preferable that the groove cam 86 is formed so as to hold each support piece in the central direction of the disk 2 for a predetermined period of time when it is moved to a position corresponding to at least the storage container 42. This is because each support piece is fixed to one end of each movement path to facilitate coin entry into the holding portion. Then, at the position where the holding portion moves upward and the coin is delivered, the support piece moves so as to be located at the other end of the moving path. That is, the groove cam 86 is formed so as to hold the support piece at the other end for a predetermined period of time. This is to deliver coins from the disc 2 to the next process. The rotation angle and the timing and position of the reciprocating motion are determined by the shape of the groove cam 86.

Next, the delivery of coins from the sending unit 37 to the identification unit 38 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the delivery of coins. The case where the coin 70 is delivered by the second support piece 8 will be described.

The disc 2 rotates in the direction of the disc rotation direction 33 indicated by the arrow. The receiving wheel 27 rotates in the direction of the receiving wheel rotation direction 44 indicated by the arrow. When the disc 2 rotates, the coin 70 enters the second holding portion including the second support piece 8, and the coin moves upward as the disc 2 rotates. Above the sending unit 37, there is a delivery port (101 in FIG. 1) for passing the coin 70 to the identification unit 38. The second support piece 8 moves in the direction of the outer peripheral side of the disc 2 in the vicinity of the delivery port. At this time, a part of the coin 70 enters the receiving base 32. When the coin 70 comes into contact with the receiving knife 22 or the receiving wheel 27, the coin 70 separates from the second support piece 8. The coin away from the second support piece 8 moves along the movement direction 87 indicated by the arrow and enters between the second receiver 29 and the third receiver 30. The pushing wall (35 in FIG. 1) of the second receiver 29 abuts on the coin 70 in the direction of the contact direction 89 of the receiving wheel indicated by the arrow, and flips the coin 70. The flipped coin 70 moves completely onto the receiving base 32, as indicated by the moved coin 88 indicated by the dotted line. After that, the coin 88 is pushed by the second receiver 29, and the denomination is identified in the process of moving along the guide portion 31.

The rotations of the disc 2 and the receiving wheel 27 are synchronized. The coin sending device 1 rotates the disc 2 and passes it through the storage container 42 to hold coins one by one in the holding portion of the disc 2. The disc 2 moves each support piece at an upper position in the rotation orbit so that a part of the coins it holds is hung on the receiving base 32. When the coin comes into contact with the receiving knife 22 or the receiving wheel 27, it moves onto the receiving base 32 while being flipped. After that, the coin is delivered from the sending unit 37 to the identification unit 38.

Since the moving distance of the first support piece 7 is short, even if the small coin comes into contact with the receiving knife 22 or the receiving wheel 27, it may be returned to the storage container 42 without getting on the receiving base 32 side.

Next, the coin held by the disc 2 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a disc 2 holding a large-diameter coin. The disc 2 rotates in the direction of the disc rotation direction 33 indicated by the arrow. When the three holding portions of the disc 2 pass through the storage container (42 in FIG. 2) arranged below the disc 2, coins can be held in the holding base (17 in FIG. 4). However, the diameter of the coin that can be held is predetermined. For example, only one holding portion can hold the maximum diameter coin 91 having the maximum diameter among the coins to be used. In the coin sending device 1 according to the embodiment, only the first holding portion in which the first support piece 7 is arranged holds the maximum diameter coin 91. The second holding portion on which the second support piece 8 is arranged and the third holding portion on which the third support piece 9 is arranged are as shown by the shadow 90 of the maximum diameter coin shown by the broken line. In addition, the maximum diameter coin 91 cannot be held. The maximum diameter coin 91 is conveyed while being supported by the first side wall 14 or the third side wall 16. Further, the maximum diameter coin 91 is conveyed in a state where it does not abut on the second side wall 15 which is a slope portion.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the disc 2 in a state of holding a large-diameter coin. The disc 2 rotates in the direction of the disc rotation direction 33 indicated by the arrow. The disc 2 of the second example includes a fourth support piece 92 whose tip is enlarged to a position corresponding to the first side wall (14 in FIG. 4) as compared with the first support piece 7 shown in FIG. As a result, the sorting portion 13 has a shape in which the portion of the first side wall 14 is not provided and the portion of the second side wall 15 remains. In the first example of FIG. 7, the maximum diameter coin 91 was supported by the first side wall 14, but in the second example of FIG. 8, the maximum diameter coin 91 is supported by the fourth support piece 92. The sorting unit 13 may include only the portion of the second side wall 15 including the slope portion. The maximum diameter coin 91 is conveyed while being supported by the fourth support piece 92 or the third side wall (16 in FIG. 4). Further, the maximum diameter coin 91 is conveyed without contacting the second side wall 15. The upstream side of the fourth support piece 92 in the rotational direction can be treated as a portion where the third side wall 16 is extended, and the downstream side can be treated as a portion where the first side wall 14 is extended. In this case as well, the small-diameter coin slides down by the sorting unit 13.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which two or more coins having a small diameter are held in the disc 2 provided with the first support piece 7. When a small-diameter coin having a diameter of half or less of the maximum-diameter coin is used, a plurality of small-diameter coins may be inserted in the first holding portion that can hold the maximum-diameter coin.

For example, a case where a minimum diameter coin 93 having a diameter of half or less is used with respect to a coin having a maximum diameter will be described. The first holding portion on which the first support piece 7 is arranged can hold a coin having a maximum diameter. Three minimum-diameter coins 93 are inserted in the first holding portion. If these three sheets are delivered to the next process at the same time, a malfunction may occur. On the other hand, in the second holding portion or the third holding portion in which the second support piece 8 or the third support piece 9 is arranged, the minimum diameter coin 93 is as shown by the minimum diameter coin shadow 95. No two coins can be inserted at the same time. The second holding portion or the second holding portion contains only one medium-diameter coin 94 to a minimum-diameter coin 93 having a predetermined diameter smaller than the maximum diameter.

In this way, depending on the size, two or more coins to be used may be sent at the same time. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent two or more sheets from being sent to the next process at the same time. Next, the operation of a small-diameter coin will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first example of the operation of the disc 2 holding a coin having a small diameter. A case where two small-diameter coins 96 are inserted in the first holding portion in which the first support piece 7 is arranged will be described. The disc 2 rotates in the direction of the disc rotation direction 33 indicated by the arrow.

The disc 2 rotates, and the small-diameter coin 96 shifts from the lowest point of the disc 2 to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the disc. In this case, if the diameter of the small-diameter coin 96 is large to some extent, the small-diameter coin 96 is hung on the first side wall 14 and conveyed. However, if the diameter of the small-diameter coin 96 is small, the small-diameter coin 96 hangs only on the second side wall 15 and is conveyed. The second side wall 15 is a slope portion that protrudes toward the upstream side in the rotational direction with respect to the holding base 17. Since the small-diameter coin 96 moves along this slope portion, the first holding portion cannot continue to hold the small-diameter coin 96. That is, the small-diameter coin 96 slides down the second side wall 15. The small-diameter coin 96 that has slipped off is returned to the storage container 42. The first holding portion in which the first support piece 7 is arranged can be returned to the storage container 42 without transporting coins of a predetermined size or smaller. That is, when the first holding portion holds a coin having a diameter smaller than that of the first diameter, it moves to a position facing the delivery port (101 in FIG. 1) as the disc 2 rotates. , It slides down the small-diameter coins it holds. The diameter of the coin to be returned into the storage container 42 can be determined based on the distance from the outer circumference of the disc 2 to the end of the second side wall 15.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the operation of the disc 2 holding a coin having a small diameter. A case where a small-diameter coin 96 having a size that is not originally transported is inserted in the first holding portion where the first support piece 7 is arranged will be described. When the first support piece 7 is conveyed above the disc 2, it moves to the position (tip position) of the first support piece 72. At this time, in the case of the medium-diameter coin 99 indicated by the alternate long and short dash line, it can come into contact with the receiving knife 22 or the receiving wheel 27 and move in the direction of the receiving base 32. However, in the case of a small-diameter coin 96 that is not originally transported to this position, it falls into the storage container 42. When the small-diameter coin 96 is transported to the above-mentioned position, the upper side of the side surface of the small-diameter coin 96 comes into contact with the receiving knife 22. At this time, like the shadow 97 of the small-diameter coin shown by the broken line, the small-diameter coin 96 rides on the first slope portion 74 or the second slope portion 75 and floats up. Then, the coin is dropped back to the storage container 42 in the direction of the coin falling direction 100 indicated by the arrow. The receiving knife 22 functions as a blocking portion that prevents the coins having a diameter smaller than the first diameter held by the first holding portion from being sent from the first holding portion toward the next step. With this blocking portion, only coins having a diameter of the first diameter or larger can be sent out from the first holding portion toward the next process.

By connecting small size coins in a row, it is possible to prevent the rotation of the disc 2 from being hindered. Further, the coins having a predetermined size or larger in the holding unit are delivered to the next process, but the coins having a size smaller than the predetermined size are returned to the storage container 42. By making it impossible to hold two or more coins in this way, one coin can be handed over to the next process. In addition, since only one coin can be inserted in the other holding unit, it can be reliably handed over to the next process one by one.

1 Coin delivery device 2 Disc 3 Disk rotation shaft 4 1st arm 5 2nd arm 6 3rd arm 7 1st support piece 8 2nd support piece 9 3rd support piece 10 1st long hole 11 2nd long hole 12 3rd Long hole 13 Sorting part 14 1st side wall 15 2nd side wall 16 3rd side wall 17 Holding base 18 4th side wall 19 5th side wall 20 6th side wall 21 7th side wall 22 Receiving knife 23 Knife tip 24 Motor 25 Frame 26 Wheel rotation Axis 27 Receiving wheel 28 1st receiving 29 2nd receiving 30 3rd receiving 31 Guide 32 Receiving base 33 Disk rotation direction 34 Manual knob 35 Pushing wall 36 Identification sensor 37 Transmission 38 Identification 39 Storage 40 Coins Insertion port 41 Coin passage 42 Storage container 43 Guideway 44 Receiving wheel rotation direction 45 Belt rotation direction 46 Belt 47 Conveying pin 48 First slide 49 First coin hopper 50 Second slide 51 Second coin hopper 52 Third slide 53 Third coin hopper 54 4th slide 55 4th coin hopper 56 5th slide 57 5th coin hopper 58 6th slide 59 6th coin hopper 60 7th slide 61 7th coin hopper 62 8th slide 63 8th coin hopper 64 9th slide 65 Collection container 66 Payout belt 67 Discharge tray 68 Transport path 69 Coin processing device 70 Coin 71 Bar 72 First support piece 73 at the tip position Pushing part 74 First slope part 75 Second slope part 76 Dotted line showing contour 77 Distance to contour 78 Bending part 79 Edge 80 Support side surface 81 Tip 82 Second support piece at the tip position 83 First movement path 84 Second movement path 85 Third movement path 86 Groove cam 87 Coin movement direction 88 Coin after movement 89 Contact of receiving wheel Direction 90 Maximum diameter coin shadow 91 Maximum diameter coin 92 4th support piece 93 Minimum diameter coin 94 Medium diameter coin 95 Minimum diameter coin shadow 96 Small diameter coin 97 Small diameter coin shadow 98 Small diameter coin movement direction 99 Medium diameter coin 100 Coin fall Direction 101 Delivery port

Claims (9)

A disk having a holding portion for holding coins on the upper surface, a storage container for storing the plurality of coins, and a side surface of the coin held by the holding portion are pressed to move the coin toward the outer periphery of the disk. The support piece is provided, and the coin in the storage container is held in the holding portion, and the disk is rotated to rotate the disk from a delivery port arranged on the upper side of the disk. The coins that move in the direction are sent out one by one toward the next process.
The discs are arranged at an angle with respect to the horizontal direction.
In a coin sending device in which the storage container is arranged on the lower side of the disk,
When the holding unit holds one coin, only the coin having the first diameter or more is sent out from the delivery port toward the next step, and the coin having a diameter smaller than the first diameter is sent out. If the coins to be held are two at the same time without being sent from the delivery port toward the next step, the two coins to be held are not sent from the delivery port toward the next step. Among the holding portion and the coin held by the first holding portion, the coin having a diameter larger than the second diameter smaller than the maximum diameter is not held, and one coin having a diameter smaller than the second diameter is held. In this case, the coin sending device is characterized by having a second holding portion that sends out the coins from the delivery port toward the next step and does not hold two coins having the second diameter or less at the same time. The first holding portion abuts on the upstream side of the disk in the rotational direction with the side surface of the coin, and the first upstream convex portion that conveys the coin in the rotational direction and the first upstream side. It has a first holding base, which is arranged on the downstream side of the convex portion in the rotational direction and on which the coin is placed.
The second holding portion has a second upstream convex portion that abuts on the side surface of the coin and conveys the coin in the rotational direction on the upstream side in the rotational direction, and the second upstream convex portion. The coin sending device according to claim 1, further comprising a second holding base on which the coin is placed, which is arranged on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the coin. When the coin having a diameter smaller than the first diameter is held by the first holding portion, a blocking portion that prevents the coin from being sent out from the first holding portion toward the next step is provided. The coin sending device according to claim 2, wherein the coin sending device is provided. The position of the second upstream convex portion that abuts on the side surface of the coin and is closest to the outer circumference of the disc is the position of the first upstream convex portion that abuts on the side surface of the coin and is closest to the outer circumference of the disc. The coin sending device according to claim 2, wherein the coin is arranged at a position closer to the outer circumference of the disk. When the first holding portion holds the coin having a diameter smaller than that of the first diameter, the holding portion holds the coin until it moves to a position facing the delivery port as the disk rotates. The coin sending device according to claim 2, wherein the coin is slid down. The first upstream convex portion is arranged between a support portion that abuts on the side surface of the coin and supports the coin, and between the support portion and the outer circumference of the disk, and is arranged in the rotation direction from the first holding base. Has a slope that rises toward the upstream of
The coin sending device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the coin having a diameter smaller than the first diameter is dropped into the storage container by the slope portion. The support piece includes a first support piece provided in the first holding portion and a second support piece provided in the second holding portion.
It has a guide surface that comes into contact with the side surface of the coin and guides the transportation of the coin on the outside of the outer circumference of the disc.
The first holding portion includes a first downstream convex portion that abuts on the side surface of the coin, a first upstream convex portion, and the first holding base on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the first holding base. The coin has the first support piece for moving the coin in the direction of the outer circumference between the downstream convex portions of 1, and the coin has the first upstream convex portion and the first downstream convex portion. And at least three sides are surrounded by the guide surface, and the first support piece moves the coin in the direction of the delivery port.
The second holding portion includes a second downstream convex portion that abuts on the side surface of the coin, a second upstream convex portion, and the second holding base on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the second holding base. The coin has the second support piece for moving the coin in the direction of the outer periphery between the downstream convex portions of 2, and the coin has the second upstream convex portion and the second downstream convex portion. The coin sending device according to claim 6, wherein the coin is conveyed in a state of being surrounded by at least three sides by the guide surface, and is moved in the direction of the delivery port by the second support piece. The first support piece is arranged in a pushing portion that abuts on the side surface of the coin and pushes the coin, and a part of the upstream side in the rotational direction from the central portion of the first support piece. It has a support piece slope portion that becomes thicker in the thickness direction of the first support piece toward the center of the coin, and the coin having a diameter smaller than the first diameter is dropped into the storage container by the support piece slope portion. The coin sending device according to claim 7. The coin sending device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
An identification unit that receives the coin from the coin sending device and identifies the denomination of the coin,
A coin hopper corresponding to the denomination of the coin is provided, and the coin hopper has a storage unit for storing the coin.
A coin processing device characterized in that the coin is stored in the coin hopper corresponding to the denomination identified by the identification unit.

Images