JP2024088291A - Cash dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cash dispenser that allows an agitator mechanism not to be easily damaged by attaching or detaching a storage unit that holds the cash.

SOLUTION: A cash dispenser includes a coin storage unit and a main unit. The coin storage unit stores coins. The main unit houses the coin storage unit and inserts and removes coins from the coin storage unit. The coin storage unit has a plurality of storage vaults and an agitator 23. The plurality of storage vaults store coins of different denominations and can be attached to and detached from the main unit. The agitator 23 is provided in at least one of the plurality of storage vaults 1A and agitates coins stored in the at least one storage vault 1A.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5A

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a currency teller device.

Gas stations and other facilities have traditionally been equipped with change machines that automatically deposit and dispense coins and bills. Patent Document 1 discloses such a change machine. This change machine is provided with a refill/recovery cassette that can be attached to and detached from the change machine and that stores currency.

Patent No. 5432485

When coins are inserted into a change machine such as that described in Patent Document 1, and the coins are unevenly piled up in the cassette that stores the coins, clogging of the coins is likely to occur. For this reason, a stirring mechanism that stirs the coins in the cassette to prevent them from being concentrated and piled up in one place is sometimes provided. Because the cassette is removable, it is desirable that the stirring mechanism is not easily damaged by removing and attaching the cassette.

The present invention aims to provide a currency teller and dispenser whose stirring mechanism is less likely to be damaged by the attachment and detachment of a storage unit that stores currency.

The currency teller device according to the present invention comprises a coin storage unit and a main body unit. The coin storage unit stores coins. The main body unit houses the coin storage unit and inserts and removes coins from the coin storage unit. The coin storage unit comprises a plurality of storage cabinets and a stirring unit. The plurality of storage cabinets store coins of different denominations and are detachable from the main body unit. The stirring unit is provided in at least one of the plurality of storage cabinets and stirs the coins stored in the at least one storage cabinet.

The currency teller/dispensing device of the present invention makes it difficult for the stirring mechanism to be damaged by attaching and detaching the storage cabinet that holds the currency.

FIG. 1 is a view of a currency teller device according to an embodiment as viewed from one side. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the coin depositing and dispensing device of the currency teller apparatus is removed. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of the currency teller device. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the currency teller device. FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the coin storage vault with the top part closed. FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing the coin storage vault with the top open. FIG. 5C is a schematic diagram showing the coin storage vault shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B as viewed from one side. FIG. 5D is a diagram showing the coin depositing and dispensing device shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B with one side surface removed. FIG. 5E is a schematic diagram of the coin storage vault shown in FIG. 5B as viewed from above. FIG. 5F is a schematic diagram showing the inside of the coin storage vault. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a coin storage vault according to this modified example. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of the coin storage vault shown in FIG. 6A as viewed from above.

The following describes a currency teller/dispenser according to an embodiment, with reference to the drawings. Note that in the drawings, the same or equivalent parts are given the same reference symbols and descriptions will not be repeated.

Figure 1 is a view of a currency teller device 100 according to an embodiment, seen from one side. The currency teller device 100 is installed, for example, at a gas station. The configuration of the currency teller device 100 is described below.

(Currency teller device 100)
1, the currency teller device 100 includes a housing 100a (an example of a main body) having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Money is inserted into and dispensed from both sides (X-axis direction) of the housing 100a.

The currency teller device 100 also includes a coin deposit/withdrawal device 1 (an example of a coin storage section) and a paper money deposit/withdrawal device (not shown) within the housing 100a. The coin deposit/withdrawal device 1 includes coin storage vaults 1A-1C (an example of a coin storage section), and stores inserted coins in the coin storage vaults 1A-1C and dispenses coins stored in the coin storage vaults 1A-1C. For example, 1 yen coins and 5 yen coins are stored individually in the coin storage vault 1A, 10 yen coins and 50 yen coins are stored individually in the coin storage vault 1B, and 100 yen coins and 500 yen coins are stored individually in the coin storage vault 1C.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the state in which the coin depositing and dispensing device 1 of the currency teller device 100 shown in Figure 1 has been removed. As shown in Figure 2, the currency teller device 100 has an opening 100b on one side of a housing 100a, and has a storage space 100c in which the coin depositing and dispensing device 1 is stored within the opening 100b of the housing 100a.

The currency teller device 100 has three motors M and three drive gears G in the storage space 100c. The three motors M and three drive gears G are provided corresponding to each of the coin storage vaults 1A, 1B, and 1C. By driving the motors M and drive gears G, coins stored in each of the coin storage vaults 1A to 1C are dispensed.

The transportation of currency in the currency teller device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the configuration of the currency teller device 100. Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of the currency teller device 100.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the currency teller device 100 includes, in addition to the coin deposit/withdrawal device 1, motor M, and drive gear G described above, a spare storage box 2, a coin insertion port 101, a coin recognition mechanism 102, a coin transport mechanism 103, a coin payout port 104, a control device 105, a banknote recognition mechanism 106, and a banknote transport mechanism 107.

Each of the coin storage vaults 1A to 1C of the coin deposit and withdrawal device 1 has two first storage chambers and a second storage chamber. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the coin storage vault 1A includes a first storage chamber 1Aa and a second storage chamber 1Ab. The first storage chamber 1Aa and the second storage chamber 1Ab store 1 yen coins and 5 yen coins, respectively. The coin storage vault 1B includes a first storage chamber 1Ba and a second storage chamber 1Bb. The first storage chamber 1Ba and the second storage chamber 1Bb store 10 yen coins and 50 yen coins, respectively. The coin storage vault 1C includes a first storage chamber 1Ca and a second storage chamber 1Cb. The first storage chamber 1Ca and the second storage chamber 1Cb store 100 yen coins and 500 yen coins, respectively.

The coin storage vaults 1A to 1C each include an agitation unit 23 for agitating the coins stored in the first storage chamber (1Aa, 1Ba, 1Ca). The agitation unit 23 rotates inside the first storage chamber under the control of the control device 105. A more specific configuration of the coin deposit and withdrawal device 1 and the agitation unit 23 will be described later.

The control device 105 is electrically connected to the motor M, the coin identification mechanism 102, the coin transport mechanism 103, the coin deposit and withdrawal device 1, the banknote identification mechanism 106, and the banknote transport mechanism 107. The control device 105 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and memory (ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory)). The control device 105 controls the operation of each part electrically connected to the control device 105 by the CPU executing a control program stored in the ROM.

Specifically, the control device 105 controls the coin transport mechanism 103 according to the denomination of the coin (currency) K inserted into the coin insertion slot 101, and transports the coin K to one of the coin storage vaults 1A-1C. Furthermore, when change is needed, the control device 105 drives the motor M corresponding to a specific coin storage vault 1A-1C, and dispenses the coin to the coin dispensing outlet 104. The control device 105 calculates the amount of the inserted coin according to the denomination and number of inserted coins, and compares it with the purchase price to determine whether change is needed.

The coin identification mechanism 102 includes a sensor that identifies the denomination of the coin (currency) K inserted into the coin slot 101. The coin identification mechanism 102 identifies the denomination from, for example, the size (including thickness), weight, and/or material of the coin, and outputs the identification result to the control device 105.

The coin transport mechanism 103 includes a transport path 1031 and a transport path switching mechanism 1032. The transport path 1031 includes, for example, a transport belt, a transport motor, and a transport drive gear (all not shown). The transport belt has communication holes (not shown) that lead to the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber of each of the coin storage vaults 1A to 1C. The transport path switching mechanism 1032 includes a shutter S1 and a solenoid S2. The shutter S1 opens and closes the communication hole on the transport belt. The solenoid S2 closes and opens the communication hole by changing the position of the shutter S1.

Under the control of the control device 105, the coin transport mechanism 103 drives the transport drive gear by the power of the transport motor (not shown) in the transport path 1031, and transports the coins on the transport belt (not shown) whose denomination has been identified in the direction of arrow A. Then, by opening and closing the shutter S1 in the transport path switching mechanism 1032, the transported coins are stored in the first or second storage chamber of any of the coin storage vaults 1A to 1C. For example, if the coin identification mechanism 102 identifies coin K as a 1-yen coin, the control device 105 controls the transport path switching mechanism 1032 to operate the solenoid S2 and shutter S1 corresponding to the first storage chamber 1Aa of the coin storage vault 1A, and the coin K (1-yen coin) on the transport path 1031 falls into the first storage chamber 1Aa and is stored therein.

Under the control of the control device 105, the coin dispensing outlet 104 dispenses coins discharged from the coin deposit/withdrawal device 1 as change by rotating the drive gear G via the motor M.

The spare storage box 2 stores coins that overflow from the coin deposit/withdrawal device 1. Although not shown, in the currency teller device 100, the coin deposit/withdrawal device 1 may be provided with a coin count sensor (not shown) that counts the coins stored in the coin deposit/withdrawal device 1 by denomination. Under the control of the control device 105, the transport path switching mechanism 1032 operates, and coins that overflow from the coin deposit/withdrawal device 1 are transported to the spare storage box 2 based on the output result of the coin count sensor.

The banknote identification mechanism 106 includes a sensor that identifies the denomination of the banknote. The banknote identification mechanism 106 identifies the denomination from, for example, the printing pattern (including watermark), the material of the printing ink, and/or the dimensions of the banknote, and outputs the identification result to the control device 105.

The banknote transport mechanism 107 includes a banknote transport path, transport rollers, and a banknote transport motor (all not shown). Under the control of the control device 105, the banknote transport mechanism 107 drives the banknote transport motor to rotate the transport rollers, and transports banknotes identified by the banknote recognition mechanism 106 along the banknote transport path. Although not shown, the currency teller machine 100 includes banknote storage vaults for each denomination connected to the banknote transport path. The banknotes transported along the banknote transport path are stored in the banknote storage vaults for each denomination.

(Structure of the coin depositing and dispensing device 1)
The structure of the coin depositing and dispensing device 1 will be specifically described with reference to Figs. 5A to 5F. Figs. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the coin storage vault 1A according to this embodiment. Fig. 5A shows a state in which the upper part of the coin storage vault 1A is closed, and Fig. 5B shows a state in which the upper part of the coin storage vault 1A is open. Fig. 5C is a schematic diagram of the coin storage vault 1A shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, seen from one side. Fig. 5D is a diagram showing a state in which one side of the coin depositing and dispensing device 1 shown in Figs. 5A and 5B has been removed. Fig. 5E is a schematic diagram of the coin storage vault 1A shown in Fig. 5B, seen from above. Fig. 5F is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the interior of the coin storage vault 1A. Although Figs. 5A to 5F show the coin storage vault 1A, the structures of the other coin storage vaults 1B and 1C are similar to that of the coin storage vault 1A.

As shown in Figures 5A, 5B, and 5D, the coin storage vault 1A includes a storage box 10, a lid portion 20, and a connecting portion 30. The storage box 10 and the lid portion 20 are connected by the connecting portion 30. The lid portion 20 is supported by the connecting portion 30 so as to be rotatable relative to the storage box 10.

(Storage box 10)
The storage box 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a side surface 10b (one surface on the X-axis positive side), a top surface 10u (a surface on the Z-axis positive side), and a bottom surface 10d (a surface on the Z-axis negative side) (an example of a bottom). The top surface 10u has a rectangular opening 10a that communicates with the outside of the storage box 10. When the lid 20 is closed, a portion of the opening 10a of the top surface 10u is covered by the lid 20. As shown in FIG. 5C , the side surface 10b has parallel front (Y-axis negative) and rear (Y-axis positive) sides with heights H1 and H2 (H2<H1), respectively, and a step T is formed on the bottom surface 10d.

As shown in Figures 5C and 5D, a first storage chamber 1Aa and a second storage chamber 1Ab are formed inside the storage box 10. In this example, the volume of the first storage chamber 1Aa is larger than the volume of the second storage chamber 1Ab. The first storage chamber 1Aa stores about 250 coins randomly, and the second storage chamber 1Ab stores about 50 coins stacked one by one (flat stack).

As shown in Figs. 5D and 5E, the storage box 10 has an inclined plate 40 on the top surface 10u that is inclined toward the first storage chamber 1Aa. The inclined plate 40 guides coins that have fallen from the conveyor belt (not shown) of the conveyor passage 1031 (see Fig. 3) to the first storage chamber 1Aa.

As shown in FIG. 5F, the bottom of the first storage chamber 1Aa has a coin discharge mechanism 50. The coin discharge mechanism 50 discharges the coins stored in the first storage chamber 1Aa to the outside one by one in response to the rotation of the drive gear G (see FIG. 2) caused by the motor M (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

(Cover portion 20)
As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5D, and 5E, the cover unit 20 includes a cover 21, a stirring gear 22, and a stirring unit 23.

The lid 21 is rotatably connected by a connecting part 30 at the rear end (positive Y-axis side) of the top surface 10u of the storage box 10, and covers part of the opening 10a of the top surface 10u, i.e., part of the first storage chamber 1Aa.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5E, the lid 21 has one side that is approximately parallel to the side of the opening 10a in the X-axis direction and has the same length L as the side of the opening 10a in the X-axis direction. The lid 21 also has a pair of sides that are approximately parallel to the side of the opening 10a in the Y-axis direction. The lengths W11 and W12 of these sides are shorter than the length W2 of the side of the opening 10a in the Y-axis direction. When the lid 21 overlaps the top surface portion 10u, the lid 21 is separated from the second storage chamber 1Ab and the inclined plate 40. In other words, a portion of the opening 10a in the top surface portion 10u above the first storage chamber 1Aa is covered by the lid 21, and the other portion is exposed.

The lid 21 also has a through hole (not shown) through which the stirring unit 23 is attached.

As shown in Figures 5D to 5F, the stirring unit 23 includes a stirring member 231 and a support member 232.

The stirring member 231 is composed of, for example, a flexible flat plate-shaped member. The stirring member 231 rotates by the power transmitted via the support member 232, and stirs the coins in the first storage chamber 1Aa.

The support member 232 is, for example, a rod-shaped member. The support member 232 is inserted into a through hole (not shown) in the lid 21, and the stirring gear 22 is attached to it.

The stirring gear 22 is engaged with a support member 232 inserted into a through hole (not shown) on the upper surface of the lid 21. The stirring gear 22 is engaged with a coin transport drive gear (not shown) of the coin transport mechanism 103 (see Figures 3 and 4).

In other words, the stirring gear 22 rotates using the rotational force of the coin transport drive gear (not shown) in the coin transport mechanism 103 as power. The rotational force of the stirring gear 22 is then transmitted to the stirring member 231 through the support member 232, causing the stirring member 231 to rotate. In this way, the stirring member 231 stirs the coins in conjunction with the coin transport, so that coins are less likely to accumulate unevenly in the first storage chamber, and clogging of coins is prevented.

In the above-described embodiment, the coin deposit and withdrawal device 1 is detachably provided to the main body of the currency teller device 100, and the stirring member 231 (stirring unit 23) is provided on the back side of the lid 21 that covers the first storage chamber of the coin storage vaults 1A to 1C in the coin deposit and withdrawal device 1, and the stirring member 231 is not provided on the front side of the coin storage vaults 1A to 1C. Therefore, the coin deposit and withdrawal device 1 can be attached and detached without the stirring member 231 coming into contact with the inside of the main body of the currency teller device 100, and the stirring unit 23 is less likely to be damaged.

In addition, since the stirring unit 23 rotates in conjunction with the transport of coins in the currency teller device 100, there is no need to provide a separate power source to rotate the stirring unit 23.

In addition, the bottom surface 10d of the coin storage vaults 1A-1C has a step T (see FIG. 5C, etc.) formed so that the first storage chamber side is recessed more than the second storage chamber side. When the coin storage vaults 1A-1C are removed from the main body of the currency teller device 100, only the bottom surface 10d (FIGS. 5A-5C) on the second storage chamber side of the storage box 10 comes into contact with the floor surface. Therefore, the coin storage vaults 1A-1C tend to tip over toward the first storage chamber due to the weight of the coins in the first storage chamber of the storage box 10, causing the coins to easily fly out. However, the first storage chamber side of the opening 10a in the coin storage vaults 1A-1C is covered by the lid 21, and the agitator 231 is provided on the back side of the lid 21, so that coins are less likely to fly out even if the coin storage vaults 1A-1C tip over.

The above describes an embodiment of the currency teller/dispenser according to the present invention with reference to the drawings (Figs. 1 to 5F). However, the currency teller/dispenser is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the invention. The drawings are mainly schematic, showing each component, for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiment are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible without substantially departing from the effects of the present invention.

[Modification]
(1) Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a coin storage vault 1A_1 according to this modified example. Fig. 6B is a schematic view of the coin storage vault 1A_1 shown in Fig. 6A as viewed from above. In Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B, the same components as those in the coin storage vault 1A in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Below, the components different from the embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, coin storage vault 1A_1 differs from coin storage vault 1A (Figures 5A to 5F) in that it has a cover portion 201 that is shaped differently from cover portion 20 in the embodiment, and does not have connecting portion 30 in the embodiment.

The lid portion 201 includes a lid 211, an agitating gear 22, and an agitating portion 23. The lid 211 is fixed to approximately the center of the top surface portion 10u of the storage box 10 and covers a portion of the opening 10a of the top surface portion 10u, i.e., a portion of the first storage chamber 1Aa.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6B, the lid 211 has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. The lid 211 has a pair of long sides that are approximately parallel to the sides of the opening 10a in the X-axis direction, and a pair of short sides that are approximately parallel to the sides of the opening 10a in the Y-axis direction. The pair of long sides has a length L that is approximately the same as the side of the opening 10a in the X-axis direction, and the pair of short sides has a length W3 that is shorter than the length W2 of the side of the opening 10a in the Y-axis direction. The lid 211 is spaced apart from the second storage chamber 1Ab and the inclined plate 40, and is spaced apart from the rear end 10r of the storage box 10, and is fitted into the approximately center position of the opening 10a. In other words, the lid 211 covers the opening 10a of the storage box 10 except for the area between the lid 211 and the second storage chamber 1Ab and the inclined plate 40, and the area between the lid 211 and the rear end 10r of the storage box 10. In this case, the area of the opening 10a covered by the lid 211 is smaller than in the above-described embodiment, but compared to when the lid 211 is not provided, coins are less likely to fly out when the coin storage vaults 1A-1C tip over.

(2) In the embodiment, an example was shown in which the agitation unit 23 is provided in each of the coin storage vaults 1A to 1C, but it is sufficient that the agitation unit 23 is provided in at least one of the coin storage vaults.

(3) The combination of coins stored in the first and second storage chambers of coin storage vaults 1A-1C, and the shapes and sizes of the first and second storage chambers are arbitrary and are not limited to those shown in the embodiment. Also, in the embodiment, the bottom surface 10d of coin storage vaults 1A-1C has a step T that is recessed on the first storage chamber side from the second storage chamber, but the bottom surface 10d may be flat.

The present invention can be used in change dispensers that deposit and dispense coins.

1: Coin deposit and withdrawal device 1A to 1C, 1A_1: Coin storage 1Aa, 1Ba, 1Ca: First storage chamber 1Ab, 1Bb, 1Cb: Second storage chamber 10: Storage box 10a: Opening 10d: Bottom surface 10u: Top surface 20, 201: Lid portion 21, 211: Lid 22: Stirring gear 23: Stirring portion 100: Money teller device 100a: Housing 103: Coin transport mechanism

Claims (4)

a coin storage section for storing coins;
a main body portion that houses the coin storage portion and that inserts and removes the coins into and from the coin storage portion,
The coin storage unit includes:
A plurality of storage containers that store the coins of each denomination and are detachable from the main body;
A currency teller device comprising: a stirring unit provided in at least one of the plurality of storage compartments and configured to stir the coins stored in the at least one storage compartment. Each storage has a top surface portion having an opening through which the coins are transported from the main body portion, and a lid portion covering at least a part of the opening,
The currency teller device according to claim 1 , wherein the stirring unit is provided on the lid of the at least one storage cabinet. Each of the storage vaults has a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber for storing coins of different denominations, and a bottom portion provided on the opposite side to the top surface portion,
The bottom portion has a step that is recessed from the second storage chamber side to the first storage chamber side,
The currency teller device according to claim 2 , wherein the cover portion is disposed on the top surface portion on a side of the first storage chamber. The main body includes a coin transport mechanism that transports the coins of each denomination to the multiple storage vaults,
The currency teller device according to claim 1 , wherein the stirring unit performs a stirring operation in conjunction with transport by the coin transport mechanism.

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