JP2024056467A - Coin processing device and automatic transaction device - Google Patents

Abstract

To appropriately remove foreign matter.
[Solution] The coin processing device 10 is provided with a conveying path 42 including a front conveying path 42F for conveying coins CN in an up-down direction, a lower conveying path 42L for conveying coins CN in a front-to-rear direction intersecting the up-down direction, and a curved conveying path 42C formed between the front conveying path 42F and the lower conveying path 42L and for conveying the coin CN so that the conveying direction thereof changes between up-down and front-to-rear directions, and a pin belt 37 for conveying coins CN in the conveying path 42, and the curved conveying path 42C has a curved conveying section outer periphery guide 46o that abuts against the peripheral side of the coin CN and guides the coin CN so that the conveying direction thereof changes between up-down and front-to-rear directions, and a foreign object removal hole 50 formed in the curved conveying section plate surface guide surface 46BS that abuts against one side of the coin CN and allows foreign objects falling toward the curved conveying section outer periphery guide 46o to enter.
[Selected figure] Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a coin processing device and an automatic transaction device, and is suitable for use in, for example, an automatic teller machine (ATM) that allows customers to insert bills and coins to carry out desired transactions.

Conventionally, automated teller machines used in financial institutions, supermarkets, etc. have been widely used to allow customers or store clerks to deposit cash such as bills and coins, and to dispense cash to customers or store clerks, depending on the content of the transaction with the customer.

Some of these automated teller machines have a built-in coin processing device that processes coins. The coin processing device has, for example, a deposit/withdrawal section that receives and delivers coins to and from customers or store clerks, a stacking/separation section that stacks coins and separates the stacked coins one by one and pays them out, a transport section that transports the coins, an identification section (also called a recognition section) that identifies the coin's denomination and authenticity, and a storage section that stores coins by denomination.

As for the conveying section, a system has been proposed in which the front lower part, lower side, rear side and upper side of the storage section are respectively surrounded by a front conveying section, a lower conveying section, a rear conveying section and an upper conveying section, forming a ring-shaped conveying path along which coins are conveyed, with the coins being conveyed downward by the front conveying section, then conveyed backward by the lower conveying section, then conveyed upward by the rear conveying section, and then conveyed forward by the upper conveying section (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2020-86583 A

In such coin processing devices, if foreign matter such as pieces of paper or lint inserted into the coin processing device along with coins, or coin powder generated by the coins themselves being transported, enters the transport section, it may cause coin jams or malfunction of the coin processing device. In particular, in this coin processing device, foreign matter is likely to accumulate in a concentrated manner at the connection between the front transport section running in the vertical direction and the lower transport section running in the front-to-rear direction, and at the connection between the rear transport section running in the vertical direction and the lower transport section running in the front-to-rear direction. For this reason, it is desirable for the coin processing device to properly remove foreign matter that has entered the transport section.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above points, and aims to propose a coin processing device and an automatic transaction device that can properly remove foreign objects.

In order to solve this problem, the coin processing device of the present invention is provided with a coin transport section including a first transport path that transports coins in a vertical direction, a second transport path that transports coins in a cross direction that crosses the vertical direction, and a curved transport path formed between the first and second transport paths that transports coins so that the transport direction of the coin switches between the vertical direction and the cross direction, and a transport means that transports coins in the coin transport section, and the curved transport path has an outer periphery guide section that contacts the peripheral side of the coin while guiding the coin so that the transport direction of the coin switches between the vertical direction and the cross direction, and a foreign object removal hole that is formed in the transport surface that contacts one side of the coin and allows foreign objects that fall toward the outer periphery guide section to enter.

The automated transaction device of the present invention is provided with an operation unit that accepts user operations, a coin transport unit including a first transport path that transports coins in a vertical direction, a second transport path that transports coins in a cross direction that crosses the vertical direction, and a curved transport path formed between the first and second transport paths and that transports the coins so that the transport direction of the coins switches between the vertical direction and the cross direction, and a transport means that transports coins in the coin transport unit, and the curved transport path has an outer periphery guide portion that contacts the peripheral side of the coin while guiding the coin so that the transport direction of the coin switches between the vertical direction and the cross direction, and a foreign object removal hole formed in the transport surface that contacts one side of the coin and that allows foreign objects that fall toward the outer periphery guide portion to enter.

The present invention allows foreign matter falling from the first transport path toward the outer circumferential guide section to enter the foreign matter removal hole and be removed.

According to the present invention, foreign objects falling from the first transport path toward the outer circumferential guide section can be removed by entering the foreign object removal hole, thus realizing a coin processing device and an automatic transaction device that can properly remove foreign objects.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an automated teller machine. FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the internal configuration of the coin processing device. 13 is a right side view showing the configuration of a front pin belt conveying section, a curved conveying section, a lower pin belt conveying section, and a foreign object removal hole according to the first to third embodiments. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3 , showing the configuration of a curved transport section and a foreign object removal hole according to the first embodiment. 13 is a right side view showing a state in which a foreign object falls into a foreign object storage section in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5 , illustrating how a foreign object falls into a foreign object storage portion in the first embodiment. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3 , showing the configuration of a curved transport section and a foreign object removal hole according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3 , showing the configuration of a curved transport section and a foreign object removal hole according to a third embodiment. 13 is a right side view showing the configuration of a front pin belt transport section, a curved transport section, a lower pin belt transport section, and a foreign object removal hole according to a fourth embodiment. FIG.

Below, the form for implementing the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiment) will be explained with reference to the drawings.

1. First embodiment
[1-1. Configuration of an automated teller machine]
As shown in FIG. 1 , an automated teller machine 1 as an automatic transaction device is composed mainly of a box-shaped housing 2 and is installed in, for example, financial institutions or various commercial facilities, and performs cash-related transactions such as deposit and withdrawal processing between the machine and users (i.e., customers of the financial institution or commercial facility, bank employees, maintenance personnel, etc.).

The housing 2 has a reception section 3 at the front where the user can easily insert banknotes and operate the touch panel while facing the front. The reception section 3 is provided with a passbook slot 4, a card slot 5, a coin slot 6, a banknote slot 7, and an operation display section 8, and is used to directly exchange cash, cards, etc. with the user, as well as to notify the user of transaction-related information and accept operation instructions.

The passbook slot 4 is where passbooks are inserted or ejected. At the back of the passbook slot 4 is a passbook processing unit (not shown) that reads magnetic information from a magnetic recording unit provided on the back cover or other part of the passbook and records the details of transactions in the passbook. The card slot 5 is where various cards such as cash cards are inserted or ejected. At the back of the card slot 5 is a card processing unit (not shown) that reads account numbers and the like magnetically recorded on various cards.

The coin deposit/withdrawal port 6 is the section where coins are inserted by the user and where coins are ejected to be dispensed to the user. The paper money deposit/withdrawal port 7 is the section where paper money is inserted by the user and where paper money is ejected to be dispensed to the user. The coin deposit/withdrawal port 6 and paper money deposit/withdrawal port 7 are each opened or closed by driving a shutter. The operation display unit 8 as an operation unit is a touch panel that integrates a liquid crystal display panel that displays the operation screen and transaction details during a transaction, and a touch sensor that detects input operations by the user.

In the following, the side of the automated teller machine 1 that the user faces will be referred to as the front side, and the opposite side as the rear side, and the left and right sides as seen from the user facing the front side will be referred to as the left and right sides, respectively, with further definitions of upper and lower sides for explanation.

Inside the housing 2, there are provided a main control unit 9 which controls the entire automated teller machine 1, a coin processing device 10 which performs various processes related to the coins that are the subject of transactions, and a banknote processing device (not shown) which performs various processes related to banknotes. The main control unit 9 is composed mainly of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) which is not shown, and performs various processes such as deposit processing and withdrawal processing by reading and executing predetermined programs from a ROM (Read Only Memory) or flash memory which are not shown. The main control unit 9 also has an internal memory unit which is made up of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, flash memory, etc., and stores various information in this memory unit.

The coin processing device 10 is configured in an overall rectangular parallelepiped shape and is attached to the housing 2 via a slide rail (not shown). An openable door (not shown) is provided on the front or rear side of the housing 2. Therefore, when maintenance work or the like is performed on the automated teller machine 1, the door on the front or rear side of the housing 2 is opened, and the coin processing device 10 is slid forward or backward to position the coin processing device 10 outside the housing 2 and store it inside the housing 2.

[1-2. Configuration of coin processing device]
As shown in FIG. 2, the coin processing device 10 has a plurality of parts built in the coin processing device housing 11 for carrying out various processes related to coins. The coin is made of a non-magnetic material having sufficient strength, such as an alloy of copper and nickel or aluminum, and is formed in a thin plate shape. Incidentally, the coin processing device 10 is assumed to handle a plurality of types of coins having different diameters and thicknesses. In the following, the coin with the largest diameter handled by the coin processing device 10 is referred to as the maximum diameter coin, and the coin with the smallest diameter is referred to as the minimum diameter coin. In the following, the coin with the thickest thickness handled by the coin processing device 10 is referred to as the thickest coin, and the coin with the thinnest thickness is referred to as the thinnest coin. In the coin processing device 10 installed in Japan, the maximum diameter coin and the thickest coin are 500 yen coins, the smallest diameter coin is 1 yen coins, and the thinnest coins are 1 yen coins, 5 yen coins, and 10 yen coins. Incidentally, the thickness of the 1 yen coin, the 5 yen coin, and the 10 yen coin is approximately 1.5 mm.

Inside the coin processing device housing 11, provided relatively at the top or near the center are a deposit/withdrawal section 13, a chute section 14, an upper separation section 15, a recognition and transport section 16, a delivery section 17, a pin belt transport section 18, six stacker sections 21, a withdrawal transport section 22, and a temporary holding section 23. Also provided relatively at the bottom inside the coin processing device housing 11 are a coin control section 12, a replenishment recovery storehouse 24, a first replenishment reject storehouse 25, a second replenishment reject storehouse 26, a reject storehouse 27, a forgotten coin collection storehouse 28, and a lower separation section 29.

Like the main control unit 9, the coin control unit 12 is configured around a CPU (not shown) and performs various processes related to deposit transactions, withdrawal transactions, etc. by reading and executing specific programs from ROM, flash memory, etc. (not shown), thereby providing overall control over the coin processing device 10. The coin control unit 12 also has an internal memory unit consisting of RAM, flash memory, etc., and stores various information in this memory unit.

The deposit/withdrawal unit 13 receives and delivers coins to and from a user, allowing the user to deposit or withdraw coins. The deposit/withdrawal unit 13 has a container 13A with an opening on the upper side for storing coins, a shutter 13B for opening and closing the opening, and a sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of coins in the container 13A.

When the user inserts a coin into the container 13A with the shutter 13B open, the deposit/withdrawal unit 13 closes the shutter 13B, delivers the coin from the container 13A to the chute unit 14, and causes the coin to descend through the chute unit 14 and reach the upper separation unit 15. When the deposit/withdrawal unit 13 closes the shutter 13B and a coin is transported from the pin belt transport unit 18 (described below), the deposit/withdrawal unit 13 stores the coin in the container 13A and then opens the shutter 13B to allow the user to receive it.

The upper separation section 15 is composed of an accumulation/separation section 15A, which is a portion that occupies a relatively large volume on the lower side, and a separation/transport section 15B formed to protrude upward from the accumulation/separation section 15A. The upper separation section 15 accumulates coins in the accumulation/separation section 15A, separates the coins one by one, transports them upward by the separation/transport section 15B, and further transports them backward along the transport path to hand them over to the recognition/transport section 16.

The recognition and transport unit 16 is located to the right of the chute unit 14, and takes images of coins as it transports them, and uses the image signals obtained to determine whether the coin can be handled or not based on the denomination, authenticity, and degree of damage of the coin. The recognition and transport unit 16 then notifies the coin control unit 12 of the obtained determination result as the recognition result of the coin, and transfers the coin to the delivery unit 17. The delivery unit 17 transfers the coin received from the recognition and transport unit 16 to the pin belt transport unit 18.

The pin belt conveying section 18 surrounds the lower front, lower, rear and upper sides of the stacker section 21 with the front pin belt conveying section 18F, the lower pin belt conveying section 18L, the rear pin belt conveying section 18R and the upper pin belt conveying section 18U, respectively, forming a conveying path along which coins are conveyed.

A curved conveying section 34C1 is provided between the front pin belt conveying section 18F and the lower pin belt conveying section 18L. The curved conveying section 34C1 switches the direction of travel of the coins conveyed downward by the front pin belt conveying section 18F to the rear direction, and conveys them to the lower pin belt conveying section 18L. A curved conveying section 34C2 is provided between the lower pin belt conveying section 18L and the rear pin belt conveying section 18R. The curved conveying section 34C2 switches the direction of travel of the coins conveyed backward by the lower pin belt conveying section 18L to the upward direction, and conveys them to the rear pin belt conveying section 18R. A curved conveying section 34C3 is provided between the rear pin belt conveying section 18R and the upper pin belt conveying section 18U. The curved conveying section 34C3 switches the direction of travel of the coins conveyed upward by the rear pin belt conveying section 18R to the forward direction, and conveys them to the upper pin belt conveying section 18U. Hereinafter, curved conveying sections 34C1, 34C2, and 34C3 will be collectively referred to as curved conveying section 34C.

The pin belt transport unit 18 is composed of a transport guide 36 (Fig. 3) that contacts the face of the coin and guides it along the transport path, and a pin belt 37 (Fig. 3) that runs roughly along the transport path. This pin belt 37 is provided with a pin 38 (Fig. 3) that contacts the tail end of the coin and pushes it in the transport direction. By running the pin belt 37, the pin belt transport unit 18 transports the coin received from the delivery unit 17 along the transport path and releases it into the container 13A of the deposit/withdrawal unit 13. The transport guide 36 has a groove (not shown) formed along the transport direction into which the pin 38 fits.

In addition, the pin belt transport unit 18 is provided with branching units 19 that branch the coin transport path at multiple locations in the lower front and lower parts of the stacker unit 21. A guide unit 30 that guides the coins is provided on the left side of each branching unit 19.

Each branching section 19 has a rotatable guide plate and an actuator (neither shown), and by rotating the guide plate under the control of the coin control section 12, the coin is switched between continuing to proceed along the pin belt transport section 18 or branching to each guide section 30. Each guide section 30 advances the coin to the replenishment recovery box 24, the first replenishment reject box 25, the second replenishment reject box 26, the temporary holding section 23, the reject box 27, the forgotten coin collection box 28, etc.

The pin belt conveying section 18 is further provided with six stacker branching sections 20 at six locations above the six stacker sections 21. A guide section 31 that guides coins to the stacker section 21 is provided on the left side of each stacker branching section 20. Each stacker branching section 20 is configured in the same manner as each branching section 19, and by rotating a guide plate based on the control of the coin control section 12, it switches between allowing the coins to continue traveling along the pin belt conveying section 18 or branching to each stacker section 21.

The stacker units 21 are each associated with a coin of a specific denomination, and each have a guide unit 31 provided on the upper side, a stacking unit 32 that stacks coins in a vertical direction below the guide unit 31, and a payout unit 33 that pays out coins from below the stacking unit 32. When the stacker unit 21 receives coins transported by the pin belt transport unit 18 from the stacker branch unit 20, the guide unit 31 guides the coins to the stacking unit 32 for stacking. Based on the control of the coin control unit 12, the stacker unit 21 also pays out the coins accumulated in the stacking unit 32 one by one using the payout unit 33, and drops them into the withdrawal transport unit 22 or temporary storage unit 23 below.

The withdrawal conveying unit 22 is located to the right of the pin belt conveying unit 18, and is configured as a hollow rectangular parallelepiped with the top and front open, forming a space inside that can store coins. The withdrawal conveying unit 22 also has a belt conveying mechanism consisting of a belt and pulleys built into the bottom, and places or accumulates coins dispensed from the stacker unit 21 on the belt. With coins placed or accumulated on the belt, this withdrawal conveying unit 22 runs the upper part of the belt forward, causing the coins to drop into the temporary holding unit 23 at the front.

The temporary holding section 23 is configured such that the rear end of the dispensing conveying section 22 is lowered and the front end is raised, and the left and right side panels are triangular in shape, forming a space inside for storing coins, and a belt conveying mechanism is built into the bottom. Therefore, the temporary holding section 23 places or accumulates coins dispensed from the stacker section 21 or coins conveyed from the dispensing conveying section 22 on the belt in the internal space. In addition, with coins placed or accumulated on the belt, the temporary holding section 23 runs the upper part of the belt diagonally upward toward the front, thereby dispensing the coins to the front upper separation section 15 and dropping them into it.

The replenishment and recovery store 24 has an internal stacking section for stacking coins, and a transport mechanism for transporting the coins stacked in the stacking section. This replenishment and recovery store 24 stacks coins guided by the guide section 30, and also pushes coins stacked inside forward and delivers them to the lower separation section 29. The first replenishment and reject store 25 and the second replenishment and reject store 26 each have a space internally for stacking coins, and stack the coins guided by the guide section 30. The reject store 27 and the forgotten coin collection store 28 each have a space internally for stacking coins, and stack the coins guided by the guide section 30.

The lower separation section 29 is disposed adjacent to the rear side of the refill/recovery box 24. The lower separation section 29 has a similar configuration to the upper separation section 15, but its mounting direction to the coin processing device housing 11 is different from that of the upper separation section 15. The lower separation section 29 is composed of an accumulation/separation section 29A and a separation/transport section 29B that correspond to the accumulation/separation section 15A and the separation/transport section 15B, respectively. The lower separation section 29 receives coins from the refill/recovery box 24 and accumulates them therein, and also separates the accumulated coins one by one, transports them upwards one by one, and releases them into the temporary holding section 23.

[1-3. Coin transportation in various processes]
Next, various processes involving the transportation of coins in the coin processing device 10, i.e., the transportation and stacking of coins in deposit processing, withdrawal processing, etc. will be described. Here, each process in the coin processing device 10 when a deposit transaction and a withdrawal transaction are performed between the automated teller machine 1 and a user will be described.

When a deposit transaction is made between the automated teller machine 1 (Figure 1) and a user, the coin processing device 10 counts the number of coins deposited by the user while recognizing the denomination of the coins in a first-stage deposit counting process, and then transports and stores each coin in an appropriate storage location in a second-stage deposit storage process. Specifically, when the user inserts coins into the deposit/withdrawal section 13 in the first-stage deposit counting process, the coin processing device 10 stores the coins in the temporary holding section 23 via the chute section 14, upper separation section 15, recognition and transport section 16, delivery section 17, and pin belt transport section 18 in that order.

At this time, the coin processing device 10 tallies the deposit amount based on the recognition results of each coin by the recognition and transport unit 16, displays this on the operation and display unit 8 (Figure 1), and allows the user to select whether to continue or cancel the deposit transaction. If the user selects to continue, the coin processing device 10 performs the subsequent deposit storage process, whereas if the user selects to cancel, the coin processing device 10 cancels the deposit transaction and transports the coins to the deposit and withdrawal unit 13 to return them, in the same manner as in the withdrawal process described below.

In the later stage of the deposit storage process, the coin processing device 10 transports coins from the temporary holding section 23 to the stacker section 21 via the upper separation section 15, the recognition and transport section 16, the delivery section 17, the pin belt transport section 18, and the stacker branch section 20 in sequence, and accumulates them. At this time, the coin processing device 10 transports the coins to the stacker section 21 according to their denomination, based on the recognition results of each coin by the recognition and transport section 16.

When a withdrawal transaction is made between the automated teller machine 1 (FIG. 1) and a user, the coin processing device 10 conveys coins of the amount specified by the user to the deposit/withdrawal unit 13 and dispenses them by the withdrawal process. Specifically, when the coin processing device 10 receives an operation input from the user via the operation display unit 8 (FIG. 1) indicating that a withdrawal transaction is to be started and the amount to be dispensed, the coin processing device 10 starts the withdrawal process, and feeds out coins of a denomination and number corresponding to the amount to be dispensed from each stacker unit 21, and accumulates them in the temporary holding unit 23 via the withdrawal conveying unit 22. The coin processing device 10 then conveys the coins to the deposit/withdrawal unit 13 via the temporary holding unit 23, upper separation unit 15, recognition conveying unit 16, delivery unit 17, and pin belt conveying unit 18 in that order, stores them, and allows the user to receive them.

Incidentally, in addition to deposit and withdrawal processing, the coin processing device 10 is also capable of carrying out a replenishment process in which coins are replenished from the replenishment and recovery box 24 to the stacker unit 21, and a recovery process in which coins are recovered from the stacker unit 21 to the replenishment and recovery box 24.

[1-4. Configuration of front pin belt conveying section]
3 and 4, the front pin belt conveying section 18F is mainly composed of a front conveying section conveying guide 36F and a pin belt 37. The front conveying section conveying guide 36F is a part of the conveying guide 36, and is composed of a front conveying section board surface guide 40B, a front conveying section front guide 40F, and a front conveying section rear guide 40R, and forms a front conveying path 42F that conveys coins CN downward.

The front conveying section board surface guide 40B is formed as a plate that is long in the vertical direction, slightly short in the front-to-back direction, and thin in the left-to-right direction, and its flat right side, the front conveying section board surface guide surface 40BS, is a right-downward inclined surface with the upper side inclined slightly to the left from the vertical direction. This front conveying section board surface guide 40B abuts the front conveying section board surface guide surface 40BS against the board surface of the coin CN being conveyed.

A front conveying section front guide 40F is provided in front of the front conveying section surface guide 40B, extending from the upper end to the lower end of the front conveying section surface guide 40B. The front conveying section front guide 40F protrudes to the right beyond the front conveying section surface guide surface 40BS, and restricts the forward movement of coins CN with the front conveying section front guide surface 40FS, which is a flat, vertically extending inner surface (the rear surface on the side of the front conveying section surface guide surface 40BS).

A front conveying section rear guide 40R is provided behind the front conveying section board surface guide 40B (i.e., on the lower pin belt conveying section 18L side) from the upper end to the lower end of the front conveying section board surface guide 40B. The front conveying section rear guide 40R, which serves as the first conveying path guide, protrudes to the right from the front conveying section board surface guide surface 40BS, and restricts the rearward movement of coins CN by the front conveying section rear guide surface 40RS, which serves as the first conveying path guide surface and is a flat inner surface (the front surface on the side of the front conveying section board surface guide surface 40BS) that runs along the vertical direction.

In this way, the front conveying section conveying guide 36F restricts the range of movement of the coin CN in the front-to-rear direction by the front conveying section front guide 40F and the front conveying section rear guide 40R. This allows the front conveying section conveying guide 36F to guide the coin CN in the up-to-down direction in the front pin belt conveying section 18F. Specifically, the movement path of the coin CN in the front pin belt conveying section 18F is a downward direction along the vertical direction when viewed from the right side, and a downward direction toward the right of the vertical direction as it goes from above to below when viewed from the front. Hereinafter, in the front pin belt conveying section 18F, the front-to-rear direction that intersects with the conveying direction (up-to-down direction) of the coin CN is also referred to as the width direction.

[1-5. Configuration of the lower pin belt conveying section]
The lower pin belt conveying section 18L is broadly composed of a lower conveying section conveying guide 36L and a pin belt 37. The lower conveying section conveying guide 36L is a part of the conveying guide 36, and is composed of a lower conveying section board surface guide 44B, a lower conveying section upper guide 44U, and a lower conveying section lower guide 44L, and forms a lower conveying path 42L that conveys coins CN in the rearward direction.

The lower conveying section board surface guide 44B is formed as a plate that is long in the front-to-back direction, short in the up-down direction, and thin in the left-to-right direction, and its flat right side, the lower conveying section board surface guide surface 44BS, is a right-down sloping surface with the upper side tilted slightly to the left with respect to the vertical direction at the same inclination angle as the front conveying section board surface guide surface 40BS. This lower conveying section board surface guide 44B abuts the lower conveying section board surface guide surface 44BS against the board surface of the coin CN being conveyed.

A lower conveying section upper guide 44U is provided above the lower conveying section board surface guide 44B, extending from the front end to the rear end of the lower conveying section board surface guide 44B. The front end of the lower conveying section upper guide 44U is connected to the lower end of the front conveying section rear guide 40R. The lower conveying section upper guide 44U protrudes to the right beyond the lower conveying section board surface guide surface 44BS, and restricts the upward movement of coins CN with the lower conveying section upper guide surface 44US, which is a flat inner surface (the lower surface on the side of the lower conveying section board surface guide surface 44BS) that runs along the front-to-rear direction. The lower conveying section upper guide surface 44US is also a left-downward inclined surface with the left side slightly tilted downward with respect to the horizontal direction so as to be perpendicular to the lower conveying section board surface guide surface 44BS.

Below the lower conveying section board surface guide 44B, a lower conveying section lower guide 44L is provided from the front end to the rear end of the lower conveying section board surface guide 44B. The lower conveying section lower guide 44L protrudes to the right from the lower conveying section board surface guide surface 44BS, and the lower conveying section lower guide surface 44LS, which is a flat inner surface that runs along the front-to-rear direction (the upper surface on the side of the lower conveying section board surface guide surface 44BS), restricts the downward movement of coins CN. The lower conveying section lower guide surface 44LS is also a left-down sloping surface that is inclined slightly downward on the left side with respect to the horizontal direction at the same inclination angle as the lower conveying section upper guide surface 44US so as to be perpendicular to the lower conveying section board surface guide surface 44BS.

In this way, the lower conveying section conveying guide 36L restricts the vertical movement range of the coin CN by the lower conveying section upper guide 44U and the lower conveying section lower guide 44L. This allows the lower conveying section conveying guide 36L to guide the coin CN in the front-to-rear direction in the lower pin belt conveying section 18L.

[1-6. Configuration of curved conveying section]
The curved conveying section 34C1 is broadly composed of the curved conveying section conveying guide 36C and the pin belt 37. The curved conveying section conveying guide 36C is a part of the conveying guide 36, and is composed of the curved conveying section board guide 46B and the curved conveying section outer periphery guide 46o, and forms a curved conveying path 42C that switches the conveying direction of the coin CN moving downward in the front conveying path 42F to the rearward direction and conveys the coin CN in the rearward direction. Hereinafter, the front conveying path 42F, the lower conveying path 42L, and the curved conveying path 42C are also collectively referred to as the conveying path 42.

The curved conveying section board surface guide 46B is formed as a plate that is quadrant-shaped when viewed from the right side and is thin in the left-right direction, and its flat right side, the curved conveying section board surface guide surface 46BS, is a left-downward inclined surface with the upper side inclined slightly to the left with respect to the vertical direction at the same inclination angle as the front conveying section board surface guide surface 40BS and the lower conveying section board surface guide surface 44BS. This curved conveying section board surface guide 46B abuts the curved conveying section board surface guide surface 46BS against the board surface of the coin CN being conveyed.

A curved conveying section outer periphery guide 46o is provided on the front lower side (i.e., outer periphery side) of the curved conveying section board surface guide 46B from the upper end to the lower end at the front side of the curved conveying section board surface guide 46B. The upper end of the curved conveying section outer periphery guide 46o is connected to the lower end of the front conveying section front guide 40F, and the lower end is connected to the front end of the lower conveying section lower guide 44L. Therefore, the upper end of the curved conveying section outer periphery guide surface 46oS (described later) of the curved conveying section outer periphery guide guide 46o is continuous with the front conveying section front guide surface 40FS, and the lower end of the curved conveying section outer periphery guide surface 46oS (described later) is continuous with the lower conveying section lower guide surface 44LS. The curved conveying section outer periphery guide 46o protrudes to the right from the curved conveying section board guide surface 46BS, and restricts the forward and downward movement of the coin CN by the curved conveying section outer periphery guide surface 46oS, which acts as an abutment surface that is the inner surface (the rear upper surface on the side of the curved conveying section board guide surface 46BS) that follows the arc shape (curved shape) at the outer periphery of the quadrant. The curved conveying section outer periphery guide surface 46oS is also a left-downward inclined surface with the lower end tilted slightly downward from the horizontal direction so that it is perpendicular to the curved conveying section board guide surface 46BS.

In this way, the curved conveying section conveying guide 36C restricts the forward and downward movement range of the coin CN by the curved conveying section outer circumferential guide 46o. As a result, the curved conveying section conveying guide 36C can guide the coin CN in the backward direction by switching the conveying direction of the coin CN moving downward in the front conveying path 42F in the curved conveying section 34C1 while abutting the curved conveying section outer circumferential guide surface 46oS against the peripheral side surface of the coin CN.

[1-7. Configuration of upper guide]
The front pin belt conveying section 18F, the curved conveying section 34C1 and the lower pin belt conveying section 18L are provided with an upper guide 48 (FIG. 4) on the right side of the front conveying section board surface guide 40B, the curved conveying section board surface guide 46B and the lower conveying section board surface guide 44B, respectively. The upper guide 48 is formed in a thin plate shape so as to cover the front conveying section board surface guide 40B, the curved conveying section board surface guide 46B and the lower conveying section board surface guide 44B from the right side, and its flat left side, the upper guide surface 48S, is a right-downward inclined surface with the upper side slightly inclined leftward with respect to the vertical direction so as to be parallel to the front conveying section board surface guide surface 40BS, the lower conveying section board surface guide surface 44BS and the curved conveying section board surface guide surface 46BS. The distance between the upper guide surface 48S and the front conveying section board surface guide surface 40BS, the lower conveying section board surface guide surface 44BS and the curved conveying section board surface guide surface 46BS is about 2.5 mm. The upper guide 48 restricts the movement of the coin CN to the right by the upper guide surface 48S. The upper guide 48 is provided not only on the front pin belt transport section 18F, the curved transport section 34C1, and the lower pin belt transport section 18L, but also on the entire pin belt transport section 18.

[1-8. Configuration of Foreign Matter Removal Hole]
A foreign object removal hole 50 is formed on the outer periphery of the curved conveying section board surface guide 46B and a part of the lower end of the lower conveying section board surface guide 44B to allow foreign objects FM (FIG. 5) falling toward the curved conveying section outer periphery guide 46o to enter. The foreign object removal hole 50 penetrates from the right side (curved conveying section board surface guide surface 46BS) of the curved conveying section board surface guide 46B to the left side, and connects the right side and the left side of the curved conveying section board surface guide 46B. The foreign object removal hole 50 is recessed from the curved conveying section board surface guide surface 46BS and the lower conveying section board surface guide surface 44BS to the lower left along a slant direction that is inclined downward to the left with respect to the horizontal direction of the curved conveying section outer periphery guide surface 46oS.

The foreign object removal hole 50 is an elongated hole shape (i.e., an annular sector shape (arch shape)) along the curved conveying section outer periphery guide 46o, and is formed on the outer periphery of the curved conveying section surface guide 46B. Specifically, the foreign object removal hole 50 is arranged in a position where the hole outer periphery side end 50o, which is the outer periphery side end of the curved shape located on the lower front side, is flush with the curved conveying section outer periphery guide surface 46oS, and has the same shape as the curved conveying section outer periphery guide surface 46oS when viewed from the right side. In other words, the foreign object removal hole 50 has the hole outer periphery side end 50o located on an extension line of the curved conveying section outer periphery guide surface 46oS. Furthermore, the foreign object removal hole 50 has a straight shape with the hole upper end 50u at the upper end perpendicular to the upper end of the hole outer periphery side end 50o and aligned in the horizontal direction, and is located near the connection point between the front conveying section surface guide 40B and the curved conveying section surface guide 46B.

Furthermore, the foreign object removal hole 50 has a straight line shape in the vertical direction, with the hole rear end 50r at the rear end perpendicular to the rear end of the hole outer peripheral end 50o, and is located rearward (toward the lower pin belt conveying section 18L) from the connection point between the curved conveying section board surface guide 46B and the lower conveying section board surface guide 44B. Specifically, the foreign object removal hole 50 is provided such that the end on the lower conveying path 42L side (rear side) extends beyond the virtual line L1 of the front conveying section rear guide 40R, i.e., the front conveying section rear guide surface 40RS, as shown in FIG. 3.

The distance between the outer peripheral end 50o of the foreign object removal hole 50 and the inner peripheral end 50i of the hole, which is the inner peripheral end of the curved shape located at the rear upper side of the foreign object removal hole 50, is constant at about 2.5 mm from the upper end 50u of the hole to the rear end 50r of the hole. Therefore, the inner peripheral end 50i of the foreign object removal hole 50 has a curved shape that is almost similar to the outer peripheral end 50o of the hole when viewed from the right side.

These foreign object removal holes 50 are arranged, shaped, and sized so that the smallest diameter coin CN among the coins CN handled by the coin processing device 10 will not enter the hole, regardless of its position in the transport path 42. Therefore, the coin processing device 10 allows the coin CN to pass normally over the foreign object removal hole 50, preventing any adverse effects on the transport of the coin CN.

In this configuration, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, when a foreign object FM enters the front pin belt conveying section 18F of the pin belt conveying section 18 together with a coin CN from the recognition conveying section 16 (Figure 2), the front conveying path 42F is aligned in the vertical direction, so the foreign object FM falls freely by its own weight along the front conveying path 42F toward the curved conveying section 34C1 and enters the foreign object removal hole 50. If the foreign object FM comes into contact with a coin CN being conveyed, it is pushed into the foreign object removal hole 50 by the coin CN. On the other hand, the coin CN passes through without entering the foreign object removal hole 50 and is conveyed to the lower pin belt conveying section 18L.

[1-9. Configuration of foreign object storage section]
A foreign object storage section 52 is provided on the left side of the curved conveying section board surface guide 46B. The foreign object storage section 52 has an opening of the same shape as the foreign object removal hole 50 formed on the right side surface, and forms a storage space with the rest of the opening closed. The right end of this foreign object storage section 52 fits snugly into the foreign object removal hole 50, and stores foreign objects FM that have fallen through the foreign object removal hole 50 in the storage space. The depth of the foreign object storage section 52 from the opening to the bottom on the lower left side is a dimension that can store the expected foreign objects FM.

[1-10. Effects, etc.]
In the above configuration, the coin processing device 10 is provided with a foreign object removal hole 50 at the outer peripheral end of the curved conveying portion disc surface guide 46B in the curved conveying portion 34C1. Therefore, when a foreign object FM enters the front pin belt conveying portion 18F of the pin belt conveying portion 18 together with a coin CN from the recognition conveying portion 16, the coin processing device 10 allows the foreign object FM to freely fall by its own weight along the front conveying path 42F toward the curved conveying portion 34C1, and enters the foreign object removal hole 50 and can be stored in the foreign object storage portion 52.

In addition, the coin processing device 10 has the curved transport section outer circumferential guide surface 46oS inclined downward to the left, and the outer circumferential end 50o of the hole of the foreign object removal hole 50 extends along an extension line of the curved transport section outer circumferential guide surface 46oS. Therefore, the coin processing device 10 can guide the foreign object FM that falls onto the curved transport section outer circumferential guide surface 46oS toward the foreign object removal hole 50 while sliding it on the curved transport section outer circumferential guide surface 46oS, and cause it to enter the foreign object removal hole 50.

The coin processing device 10 also has a foreign object removal hole 50 in the curved transport section 34C1 that is located between the front pin belt transport section 18F and the lower pin belt transport section 18L. This allows the coin processing device 10 to remove foreign objects FM upstream of the transport path of the coin CN in the pin belt transport section 18, and prevent the foreign objects FM from entering the transport path of the coin CN beyond the lower pin belt transport section 18L, including the lower pin belt transport section 18L. This allows the coin processing device 10 to efficiently remove foreign objects FM upstream of the transport path of the coin CN before it passes through an optical sensor provided at a branch section 19 or the like in the pin belt transport section 18, and prevents the foreign objects FM from diffusing downstream of the foreign object removal hole 50, thereby preventing coin jams and malfunctions.

Here, in a coin processing device having a transport section that transports coins with the plate surface placed on the transport guide surface along the horizontal direction, it is also possible to provide a foreign object removal hole in the transport guide surface at the outer periphery of the bent portion of the transport section. However, in such a coin processing device, foreign objects that have entered the transport section cannot move and will remain there unless they are pushed out by the transported coin, or otherwise adhere to the coin, and will not fall into the foreign object removal hole. Also, in such a coin processing device, in order to prevent coins from falling from the transport guide surface, the foreign object removal hole is not formed over the entire width of the transport guide surface, but is formed only in a portion of the outer periphery of the bent portion. Therefore, when a foreign object is transported along the inner periphery of the bent portion, it may pass a position where no foreign object removal hole is formed and not fall into the foreign object removal hole.

In response to this, the coin processing device 10 is arranged such that the foreign object removal hole 50 is located in the curved conveying section 34C1, which is provided between the front pin belt conveying section 18F, which conveys the coins CN downward, and the lower pin belt conveying section 18L, which conveys the coins CN backward, and which switches the conveying direction of the coins CN from downward to backward. Therefore, the coin processing device 10 can make the foreign object FM slide down the front conveying path 42F by gravity and reach the foreign object removal hole 50 without relying on the conveyance of the coins CN.

In addition, the coin processing device 10 is configured so that the rear end 50r of the hole, which is the end on the lower transport path 42L side (rear side) of the foreign object removal hole 50, extends further toward the lower transport path 42L side (rear side) than the front transport section rear guide surface 40RS. Therefore, the coin processing device 10 can cause the foreign object FM to enter the foreign object removal hole 50 even if the foreign object FM falls along the front transport section rear guide surface 40RS, which is the position on the front transport path 42F closest to the lower transport path 42L side (rear side).

Furthermore, the coin processing device 10 is arranged so that the front end of the foreign object removal hole 50 is positioned at the same position in the front-to-rear direction as the front conveying section front guide surface 40FS. Therefore, even if the foreign object FM falls along the front conveying section front guide surface 40FS, which is the frontmost position in the front conveying path 42F, the coin processing device 10 can cause the foreign object FM to enter the foreign object removal hole 50.

In this way, the coin processing device 10 can cause the foreign object FM to enter the foreign object removal hole 50 regardless of the position in the front-to-rear direction in the front conveying path 42F at which the foreign object FM falls.

In addition, coins CN passing through the curved conveying section 34C1 always pass along the curved conveying section outer circumferential guide surface 46oS while contacting the curved conveying section outer circumferential guide surface 46oS due to gravity. In the coin processing device 10, a foreign object removal hole 50 is formed along the curved conveying section outer circumferential guide surface 46oS so as to be adjacent to this curved conveying section outer circumferential guide 46o. Therefore, the coin processing device 10 can push foreign objects FM into the foreign object removal hole 50 by the coins CN passing along the curved conveying section outer circumferential guide surface 46oS.

Furthermore, the coin processing device 10 arranges the hole outer peripheral end 50o of the foreign object removal hole 50 in a position flush with the curved conveying section outer peripheral guide surface 46oS. Therefore, the coin processing device 10 can allow the foreign object FM that has fallen onto the curved conveying section outer peripheral guide surface 46oS to enter the foreign object removal hole 50 directly via the hole outer peripheral end 50o, compared to a case in which the hole outer peripheral end 50o of the foreign object removal hole 50 is arranged above the curved conveying section outer peripheral guide surface 46oS. This allows the coin processing device 10 to prevent the foreign object FM from accumulating between the foreign object removal hole 50 and the curved conveying section outer peripheral guide surface 46oS, making it difficult for the foreign object FM to enter the foreign object removal hole 50.

According to the above configuration, the coin processing device 10 of the automated teller machine 1 includes a conveying path 42 including a front conveying path 42F as a first conveying path that conveys the coin CN in the vertical direction, a lower conveying path 42L as a second conveying path that conveys the coin CN in the front-rear direction as a cross direction that intersects the vertical direction, and a curved conveying path 42C as a curved conveying path that is formed between the front conveying path 42F and the lower conveying path 42L and conveys the coin CN so that the conveying direction of the coin CN switches between the vertical direction and the front-rear direction. 2, a pin belt 37 is provided to transport the coin CN, and the curved transport path 42C has a curved transport section outer periphery guide 46o as an outer periphery guide section that contacts the peripheral side of the coin CN and guides the coin CN to switch between the up-down direction and the front-back direction, and a foreign object removal hole 50 formed in the curved transport section plate guide surface 46BS as a transport surface that contacts one side of the coin CN and allows foreign objects FM that fall toward the curved transport section outer periphery guide 46o to enter.

This allows the coin processing device 10 to remove foreign objects FM that fall from the front conveying path 42F toward the curved conveying section outer periphery guide 46o by causing them to enter the foreign object removal hole 50.

2. Second embodiment
[2-1. Configuration of the automated teller machine and coin handling device]
As shown in FIG. 1, the automated teller machine 101 according to the second embodiment differs from the automated teller machine 1 according to the first embodiment in that it is provided with a coin processing device 110 instead of the coin processing device 10, but is otherwise configured in the same manner.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the coin processing device 110 according to the second embodiment differs from the coin processing device 10 according to the first embodiment in that it is provided with a curved conveying section 134C1 instead of the curved conveying section 34C1, but is otherwise configured in the same way.

[2-2. Configuration of curved conveying section]
As shown in Figure 7, in which the same symbols are used for components corresponding to those in Figure 4, curved conveying section 134C1 according to the second embodiment differs from curved conveying section 34C1 according to the first embodiment in that it is provided with foreign object removal hole 150 in place of foreign object removal hole 50 and foreign object storage section 152 in place of foreign object storage section 52, but is otherwise configured in the same manner.

The foreign object removal hole 150 has an introduction section 54 formed at the hole outer peripheral end 50o, which is the end on the curved transport section outer peripheral guide 46o side, that is inclined downward to the left so as to approach the vertical direction more closely than the inclination angle of the curved transport section outer peripheral guide surface 46oS relative to the horizontal direction. Compared to the foreign object storage section 52, the end of the foreign object storage section 152 on the curved transport section outer peripheral guide 46o side at the end on the curved transport section board guide 46B side (right side) is inclined to match the inclination angle of the introduction section 54 at the foreign object removal hole 150.

As a result, compared to the coin processing device 10, the coin processing device 110 can bring the angle of the end of the foreign object removal hole 150 on the curved transport section outer periphery guide 46o side closer to the vertical direction, and can expand the foreign object removal hole 150 to the curved transport section outer periphery guide 46o. This makes it even easier for the coin processing device 110 to allow the foreign object FM to enter the foreign object removal hole 150.

In addition, the coin processing device 110 according to the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the coin processing device 110 according to the first embodiment.

3. Third embodiment
[3-1. Configuration of the automated teller machine and coin handling device]
As shown in FIG. 1, an automated teller machine 201 according to the third embodiment differs from the automated teller machine 101 according to the second embodiment in that a coin processing device 210 is provided instead of the coin processing device 110, but otherwise is configured similarly.

As shown in FIG. 8, in which the same reference numerals are used for components corresponding to those in FIG. 7, the coin processing device 210 according to the third embodiment differs from the coin processing device 110 according to the second embodiment in that it is provided with a foreign object storage section 252 instead of the foreign object storage section 152, but is otherwise configured in the same manner.

[3-2. Configuration of foreign object storage section]
The foreign object storage section 252 according to the third embodiment has the same shape as the foreign object storage section 152 according to the second embodiment, and differs in that it is configured to be detachable from the transport guide 36, or more specifically, the curved transport section panel surface guide 46B, but is configured similarly in other respects.

Therefore, the coin processing device 210 allows the operator to easily remove the foreign object FM from the foreign object storage section 252 by having the operator remove the foreign object storage section 252 from the curved conveying section plate surface guide 46B.

In addition, the coin processing device 210 according to the third embodiment can achieve the same effects as the coin processing device 110 according to the second embodiment.

[4. Fourth embodiment]
[4-1. Configuration of the automated teller machine and coin handling device]
As shown in FIG. 1, an automated teller machine 301 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the automated teller machine 1 according to the first embodiment in that a coin processing device 310 is provided in place of the coin processing device 10, but otherwise is configured in the same manner.

As shown in FIG. 2, the coin processing device 310 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the coin processing device 10 according to the first embodiment in that it is provided with a curved conveying section 334C1 instead of the curved conveying section 34C1, but is otherwise configured in the same manner.

[4-2. Configuration of curved conveying section]
As shown in Figure 9, in which the same symbols are used for components corresponding to those in Figure 4, the curved conveying section 334C1 of the fourth embodiment differs from the curved conveying section 34C1 of the first embodiment in that it is provided with a foreign object removal hole 350 instead of the foreign object removal hole 50, but is otherwise configured in the same manner.

The foreign object removal hole 350 is different from the foreign object removal hole 50 (FIG. 3) in that a rib 56 is added to the center of the foreign object removal hole 350 in the front-rear direction, but is otherwise configured in the same manner. The rib 56 as a dividing portion is thin and rod-shaped, and is formed from the hole inner peripheral end 50i to the hole outer peripheral end 50o at the end of the foreign object removal hole 350 on the curved conveying portion surface guide surface 46BS side (right side) so that the right side surface is flush with the curved conveying portion surface guide surface 46BS. Therefore, it can be said that the foreign object removal hole 350 is divided into a first foreign object removal hole 50A on the front side and a second foreign object removal hole 50B on the rear side. In other words, it can be said that the foreign object removal hole 350 is divided into two in the extension direction in which the foreign object removal hole 350 extends. Both the first foreign object removal hole 50A and the second foreign object removal hole 50B are connected to the foreign object storage section 52.

Such a foreign object removal hole 350 may be formed by drilling a first foreign object removal hole 50A and a second foreign object removal hole 50B in the curved conveying section plate surface guide 46B, or may be formed by retrofitting a rib 56 to the foreign object removal hole 350, which is a single hole.

This allows the coin processing device 310 to further prevent coins CN from accidentally entering the foreign object removal hole 350.

In addition, the coin processing device 310 according to the fourth embodiment can achieve the same effects as the coin processing device 10 according to the first embodiment.

5. Other embodiments
In the first embodiment described above, the coin processing device 10 has been described as having the hole inner peripheral end 50i of the foreign matter removal hole 50 curved in a shape substantially similar to the hole outer peripheral end 50o. The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device 10 may have the hole inner peripheral end 50i of the foreign matter removal hole 50 in various shapes, such as a straight shape, and may not have the hole inner peripheral end 50i curved in a shape substantially similar to the hole outer peripheral end 50o, as long as the coin CN does not fall into the foreign matter removal hole 50. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

In the first embodiment described above, the coin processing device 10 has been described as having a constant height from the outer peripheral end 50o of the foreign object removal hole 50 from the upper end 50u to the rear end 50r of the hole. The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device 10 does not need to have a constant height from the outer peripheral end 50o of the foreign object removal hole 50 from the upper end 50u to the rear end 50r of the hole, as long as the coin CN does not fall into the foreign object removal hole 50. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the coin processing device 10 has been described as having the foreign object removal hole 50 provided in the curved conveying section surface guide 46B and the lower conveying section surface guide 44B. The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device 10 may have the foreign object removal hole 50 provided in at least one of the curved conveying section outer periphery guide 46o or the lower conveying section lower guide 44L, in addition to the curved conveying section surface guide 46B and the lower conveying section surface guide 44B. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the coin processing device 10 is described as being provided with the foreign object removal hole 50 so that the end on the lower transport path 42L side (rear side) extends beyond the front transport section rear guide surface 40RS of the front transport section rear guide 40R to the lower transport path 42L side (rear side). The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device 10 may only extend the foreign object removal hole 50 to the extent that the end on the lower transport path 42L side (rear side) extends beyond the front transport section rear guide surface 40RS of the front transport section rear guide 40R to the front transport path 42F side (front side). The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the coin processing device 10 has been described as having the curved transport section outer circumferential guide surface 46oS in an arc shape that follows the outer periphery of a quadrant. The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device 10 may have the curved transport section outer circumferential guide surface 46oS as a bent transport path that is, for example, a combination of multiple linear flat surfaces when viewed from the right side, or as a curved transport path overall. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the coin processing device 10 has been described as being configured so that the foreign object storage section 52 forms a storage space that is closed on all sides except the right side. The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device 10 may connect, for example, the left end of the foreign object storage section 52 to a foreign object recovery section for storing and recovering foreign objects FM, and store foreign objects FM that have fallen through the foreign object removal hole 50 in the foreign object recovery section. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the coin processing device 10 is described as being provided with a foreign object removal hole 50 and a foreign object storage section 52 in the curved transport section 34C1. The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device 10 may be provided with a foreign object removal hole 50 and a foreign object storage section 52 in the curved transport section 34C2 together with the curved transport section 34C1 or instead of the curved transport section 34C1. In that case, the foreign object removal hole 50 and the foreign object storage section 52 in the curved transport section 34C2 may be configured to be symmetrical in the front-to-back direction with the foreign object removal hole 50 and the foreign object storage section 52 in the curved transport section 34C1. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the coin processing device 10 is described as transporting coins CN using a pin belt 37. The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device 10 may transport coins CN using various other transport means, such as rollers. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

Furthermore, in the third embodiment described above, the coin processing device 210 has been described as having a foreign object storage section 252 (Fig. 8) that is shaped the same as the foreign object storage section 152 (Fig. 7) in the second embodiment and is detachable from the curved transport section plate guide 46B. The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device 210 may have a foreign object storage section 252 (Fig. 8) that is shaped the same as the foreign object storage section 52 (Fig. 4) in the first embodiment and is detachable from the curved transport section plate guide 46B.

Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment described above, the coin processing device 310 is described as having one rib 56 and dividing the foreign object removal hole 350 into two in the extension direction. The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device 310 may have any number of ribs 56 greater than or equal to two and divide the foreign object removal hole 350 into various numbers in the extension direction.

Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment described above, the coin processing device 310 has been described as connecting both the first foreign object removal hole 50A and the second foreign object removal hole 50B to the foreign object storage section 52. The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device 310 may be provided with a second foreign object storage section having a storage space independent of the foreign object storage section 52 in addition to the foreign object storage section 52, and the first foreign object removal hole 50A may be connected to the foreign object storage section 52 and the second foreign object removal hole 50B may be connected to the second foreign object storage section.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to the coin processing device 10, 110, 210 or 310 incorporated in the automated teller machine 1, 101, 201 or 301 as an automated transaction device. The present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to various devices that perform coin-related transactions with customers, such as automatic ticket vending machines, cash management devices used by financial institution employees and retail store clerks to manage cash, change dispensers that dispense change, etc.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and other embodiments. In other words, the scope of application of the present invention extends to embodiments in which the above-mentioned embodiments are combined in part or in whole with any of the above-mentioned other embodiments. The scope of application of the present invention also extends to embodiments in which a part of the configuration described in any of the above-mentioned embodiments and other embodiments is extracted and replaced or diverted with a part of the configuration of any of the above-mentioned embodiments and other embodiments, or an embodiment in which a part of the extracted configuration is added to any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the coin processing device 10 is configured as a coin processing device by the conveying path 42 as a coin conveying section and the pin belt 37 as a conveying means. The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device may be configured by a coin conveying section and conveying means having various other configurations.

The present invention can be used, for example, in automated teller machines that process coin transactions between customers or store clerks.

Reference Signs List 1, 101, 201, 301...automated teller machine, 2...casing, 3...reception section, 4...passbook slot, 5...card slot, 6...coin slot, 7...banknote slot, 8...operation display section, 9...main control section, 10, 110, 210, 310...coin processing device, 11...coin processing device housing, 12...coin control section, 13...deposit/withdrawal section, 13A...receptacle, 13B...shutter, 14...chute section, 15...upper separation section, 15A...accumulation/separation section, 15B...separation/transport section, 16...recognition/transport section, 17...delivery section, 18...pin belt transport section, 18F...front pin belt transport section, 18L...lower Pin belt conveying section, 18R... rear pin belt conveying section, 18U... upper pin belt conveying section, 19... branching section, 20... stacker branching section, 21... stacker section, 22... dispensing conveying section, 23... temporary holding section, 24... replenishment recovery storehouse, 25... first replenishment reject storehouse, 26... second replenishment reject storehouse, 27... reject storehouse, 28... forgotten to take in storehouse, 29... lower separation section, 29A... accumulation separation section, 29B... separation conveying section, 30, 31... guide section, 32... accumulation section, 33... pay-out section, 34C1, 34C2, 34C3, 134C1, 334C1... curved conveying section, 36... conveying guide, 36F... front conveying section conveying section conveying guide, 36L...lower conveying section conveying guide, 36C...curved conveying section conveying guide, 37...pin belt, 38...pin, 40B...front conveying section board surface guide, 40F...front conveying section front guide, 40R...front conveying section rear guide, 40BS...front conveying section board surface guide surface, 40FS...front conveying section front guide surface, 40RS...front conveying section rear guide surface, 42...conveying path, 42F...front conveying path, 42L...lower conveying path, 42C...curved conveying path, 44B...lower conveying section board surface guide, 44U...lower conveying section upper guide, 44L...lower conveying section lower guide, 44US...lower conveying section upper guide surface, 44BS... Lower conveying section disc surface guide surface, 44LS...lower conveying section lower guide surface, 46B...curved conveying section disc surface guide, 46o...curved conveying section outer periphery guide, 46BS...curved conveying section disc surface guide surface, 46oS...curved conveying section outer periphery guide surface, 48...upper guide, 48S...upper guide surface, 50, 150, 350...foreign object removal hole, 50i...inner periphery end of hole, 50o...outer periphery end of hole, 50u...upper end of hole, 50r...rear end of hole, 52, 152, 252...foreign object storage section, 54...guiding section, 56...rib, 50A...first foreign object removal hole, 50B...second foreign object removal hole, CN...coins, FM...foreign object.

Claims (13)

a coin transport unit including a first transport path that transports coins in a vertical direction, a second transport path that transports the coins in a cross direction that crosses the vertical direction, and a curved transport path that is formed between the first transport path and the second transport path and that transports the coins such that the transport direction of the coins switches between the vertical direction and the cross direction;
a conveying means for conveying the coins in the coin conveying unit,
The curved transport path is
an outer circumferential guide portion that guides the coin so as to switch the conveying direction of the coin between the up-down direction and the cross direction while contacting the outer circumferential side surface of the coin;
a foreign object removal hole formed on a conveying surface that contacts one side of the coin, for receiving foreign objects that fall toward the outer circumferential guide portion. The first transport path is
a first transport path guide portion provided on the second transport path side of the first transport path and having a first transport path guide surface that regulates movement of the coin in a width direction intersecting with a coin transport direction in the first transport path;
The foreign matter removal hole is
The coin processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer circumferential guide portion has an elongated hole shape, and the end portion on the second transport path side extends to the second transport path side beyond the first transport path guide surface. The outer circumferential guide portion is
The contact surface that contacts the peripheral side surface of the coin is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction,
The foreign matter removal hole is
The coin processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the contact surface has a recessed shape along an inclination direction of the contact surface. The foreign matter removal hole is
The coin processing device according to claim 3, wherein an end portion on the outer circumferential side is located on an extension line of the contact surface. The conveying surface is
The coin processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the coin processing device is provided at an angle to the vertical direction. The outer circumferential guide portion is
The contact surface that contacts the peripheral side surface of the coin is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction,
The foreign matter removal hole is
The coin processing device according to claim 1 , wherein at least the outer circumferential guide portion side is recessed so as to be inclined more vertically than the inclination direction of the contact surface. The coin processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a foreign object storage section that is detachable from the coin transport section and that stores the foreign object that has dropped through the foreign object removal hole. The coin processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the curved transport path further includes a dividing portion that divides the foreign object removal hole in an extension direction. The coin processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the curved transport path has a plurality of the foreign object removal holes along the outer circumferential guide portion. The outer circumferential guide portion is
The coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the coin is guided in the horizontal direction, which is the intersecting direction, while being brought into contact with a peripheral side surface of the coin transported in the downward direction, which is the up-down direction. The coin recognition and conveyance unit further includes a recognition and conveyance unit for recognizing the coin,
The first transport path is connected to the recognition and transport unit, and transports the coin transported from the recognition and transport unit downward toward the curved transport path,
The coin processing device according to claim 10, wherein the second transport path transports the coins transported from the curved transport path in the horizontal direction. The outer circumferential guide portion is
The coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the coin is guided in the upward direction, which is the up-down direction, while being brought into contact with a peripheral side surface of the coin transported in the horizontal direction, which is the intersecting direction. an operation unit that accepts operations by a user;
a coin transport unit including a first transport path that transports coins in a vertical direction, a second transport path that transports the coins in a cross direction that crosses the vertical direction, and a curved transport path that is formed between the first transport path and the second transport path and that transports the coins such that the transport direction of the coins switches between the vertical direction and the cross direction;
a conveying means for conveying the coins in the coin conveying unit,
The curved transport path is
an outer circumferential guide portion that guides the coin so as to switch the conveying direction of the coin between the up-down direction and the cross direction while contacting the outer circumferential side surface of the coin;
a foreign object removal hole formed on a conveying surface that contacts one side of the coin, for receiving foreign objects that fall toward the outer circumferential guide portion.

Images