JP2680829B2 - Coin processing device in a group management vending machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to a coin processing device for processing coins, which are sales proceeds collected from each vending machine to a terminal portion, in a group management vending machine.

[Prior Art] In a conventional group management vending machine such as a group management vending machine, coins stored as sales proceeds in each vending machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as a vending machine) are sold by a coin transport device. It is transported to a collection device provided at the end of the coin, and the coin classification and counting unit provided in the collection device classifies and counts money according to the type of money and stores it in a container such as a safe or a gold bag for transportation to a financial institution. There is.

Then, in the case where the change to be provided in the vending machine is insufficient, in order to replenish the change in the vending machine, the recovery device is provided with a replenishment money storage unit that stores only the counted coins of one denomination, and From the collection device to the vending machine at the starting point, a replenishment money conveying device that sequentially passes above each vending machine and a distribution gate at the position corresponding to each vending machine on the conveyance path are provided to request change replenishment from any vending machine. Based on this, a predetermined number of coins are transported from the replenishment storage section of the collection device, the distribution gate corresponding to the vending machine is controlled and driven, and the transported coins are supplied to the vending machine that requested change supply. There is.

[Problems to be Solved] As described above, since the sales money collected at the end and the supply money used for change are clearly separated, there is a difference between the vending machine group installation position and the financial institution. Sometimes it is necessary to transport sales money, and at the time of return supply money respectively, in terms of labor force,
There was a problem in terms of crime prevention. In addition, since it is necessary to install a coin transfer device for collecting sales and a coin supply device for change supply and a distribution gate corresponding to each vending machine between the collecting device and each vending machine, the equipment cost is high, and further However, since it takes time to complete the replenishment of the required number of coins to the vending machine after the vending machine makes a change replenishment request, there is a drawback that the down time due to the change of the vending machine becomes long.

This invention has been made in view of the above drawbacks, among the coins that have been transported to the end for collection from the vending machine group, the required number of coins used as change is stored in the temporary storage unit, Based on the replenishment command, by temporarily counting and accommodating a predetermined number of change supply replenishment cassettes from the temporary storage unit, the replenishment cassettes are moved to a vending machine that requests change replenishment and replenished. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coin processing device capable of instantaneously supplying the required number of coins to the vending machine when necessary.

[Means for Solving Problems] The coin processing device in the group management vending machine according to the present invention is characterized by having the following structural elements in order to solve the above problems. That is, first, a coin classification / counting unit that classifies, counts, and discharges the collected coins conveyed from the vending machine group by denomination.

Secondly, of the coins discharged by the coin classification and counting unit,
A container that accepts coins of the denomination used for change by denomination,
A coin ejector provided at the bottom of the container for ejecting a designated number of coins, a counter for counting coins ejected by the coin ejector, and a coin ejected by the coin ejector are designated in two directions. It has a temporary storage unit having a distribution means for distributing in a direction.

Thirdly, a replenishment cassette with an automatic lock mechanism that accommodates coins loaded to a predetermined position, automatically locked, discharged from the temporary storage section and distributed in the first direction is detachably provided.

Fourthly, the coins discharged from the coin classification / counting unit other than the denomination used for change and the coins discharged from the temporary storage unit and distributed in the second direction are conveyed toward the coin transport container. It is equipped with a coin transport unit.

Fifth, a. A setting unit that sets the number of sheets stored in the temporary storage unit and the number of sheets to be stored in the replenishment cassette, b. Replenishment requesting a replenishment operation from the temporary storage unit to the replenishment cassette Start command unit, c. Based on the count value of the denomination used for change out of the coin type count value of the coin classification and counting unit and the count value of the counter of the temporary storage unit, the current storage of coins in the container It is determined that the number of stored sheets exceeds the number of stored sheets set by the setting unit, the coin ejector is operated until the number of stored sheets reaches the set number of stored sheets, and the current number of stored sheets is determined based on the replenishment command input from the replenishment start instruction unit. A coin ejector control unit that operates the coin ejector until the set replenishment number is discharged when the number is greater than or equal to the set replenishment number, d. The coin ejector is operated based on the replenishment command input. Along with the Coins discharged from the discharge device comprises a control device having a control unit, for operating to direct the subsidies cassette side.

[Operation] The coins discharged from each vending machine of the group management vending machine are carried by the coin carrying device to this coin processing device installed at the end, and are carried into the coin classifying / counting unit in a state in which all denominations are mixed. .

The coin classification / counting unit aligns and discharges the introduced coins one by one, classifies the coins into denominations based on the diameter and thickness of the coins, and counts and accumulates each denomination. This count value means the number of sheets carried into the coin processing device.

The temporary storage unit receives all coins of a predetermined denomination used as change out of the coins counted and discharged by the coin classification and counting unit, stores them until the number of stored coins set by the control device is reached, and the amount exceeding the set number of coins stored Are counted and discharged in the first direction. Further, in the temporary storage, the supply instruction is received, the number of sheets is counted until the predetermined number of sheets is supplied, and the sheets are discharged in the second direction.

The control device monitors the current number of stored coins for each denomination based on the coin type count value provided by the coin classification and counting unit and the count value from the counter provided in the temporary storage unit. When the predetermined value set by the setting means is reached, the coin ejector in the temporary storage section is operated to eject coins until the predetermined value is reached, and the sorting means is operated to eject the coins in the first direction, that is, Guide it to the coin transport section.

When the replenishment number is set by the setting means of the control device and the replenishment start command means is operated, the coin ejector of the temporary storage section is operated to eject the coins until the ejected number becomes equal to the set replenishment number, and the distribution is performed. By operating the means, the ejected coins are guided in the second direction, that is, toward the supply cassette.

The coin transport unit transports coins of denominations other than a predetermined denomination discharged from the coin classification / counting unit and coins discharged in the first direction from the temporary storage unit, and transports coins connected to the transport path. Bring it into the container.

[Embodiment of the Invention] Next, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram. In the figure, thick lines with arrows indicate the movement route and movement direction of coins.

Reference numeral 1 is a casing of the coin processing device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in this casing, coin transport belts c of two upper and lower stages for carrying in coins of plural denominations sent from a vending machine group (not shown) into this coin processing device. The end portion of ₁ (hereinafter referred to as the first transport unit) is inserted. The first conveyor c ₁ may be a single conveyor belt if the installation conditions permit.

The coins carried by the first carrying unit c _{1 are} carried into the hopper-shaped chute 2 via the second carrying unit c ₂ composed of a belt installed so as to incline upward from the terminal end thereof. . A third carrier c ₃ is provided which extends from the bottom of the chute to the top of the housing 1. Then, the third transfer section c ₃
The coins discharged from the upper end of the coin are stored in the coin classification / counting unit A.

The second transporter c ₂ are provided in order to contact the first conveyor c ₁ in relation to the installation space of the third conveyance unit c ₃ to the third conveying section c _3, the third conveying unit, for example, In the case of a lift type structure, the second transfer section c ₂ can be omitted.

Further, the chute 2 does not need to be formed in a hopper shape when the third transport section c ₃ is constantly driven, but it is third when the coins carried in from the vending machine group are accumulated to some extent in consideration of economy. When the transport section c ₃ is driven to be loaded into the coin sorting / counting section A, a coin-shaped one is used so that a fixed amount can be stored. As will be described later, forming a hopper-shaped chute to increase the volume involves storing coins collected by a single vending machine in a safe, etc., and loading the safe into this coin processing device to perform the same processing. This is effective for dropping coins from the loaded safe into the chute 2 at a time and storing them.

As shown in FIG. 3, the coin classification / counting unit A has three classification / counting units 301, 302, 303 having the same structure, which are vertically arranged.

As shown in FIG. 4, the classification / counting unit 301 is provided with a hopper 4 for accommodating coins, and is installed at the lower end opening of the hopper, and is rotated and coins are ejected by aligning and ejecting the coins in the hopper one by one. The machine 5 and the coins to be ejected are mechanically classified according to their diameter and thickness, and a coin of one denomination having the largest diameter is passed through the first passage 16a, and the coins of all other denominations having a smaller diameter than that coin are A sorting means 16 for passing coins through the second passage 16b and a counter 8 for inputting a detection signal of the coin detector 7 attached to the first passage 6a to count and integrate the number of coins passing through the first passage. Have.

The use of three classification counting units corresponds to the coins used in the vending machine group being four denominations of 500 yen, 10 yen, 100 yen and 50 yen. And each classification counting unit is connected as follows.

A coin discharged from the upper end of the third transfer section c ₃ is connected to the hopper 4 of the upper sorting and counting unit 301, and the first passage 6a has a maximum diameter of 500 yen coins of all denominations. 1 is smaller than a coin of 500 yen in diameter in the second passage 6b.
Coins passed through the second passage 6b of the upper classification and counting unit 301 are injected into the hopper of the middle classification and counting unit 302 so that 0-yen, 50-yen, and 100-yen coins are passed through, and the middle-classified and counting coins are injected. The first passage of the counting unit 302 has a second-largest 10-yen coin passed through it, and the second passage has 50-yen and 100-yen coins with a smaller diameter than the 10-yen coin passed. In addition, coins passed through the second passage of the middle classification and counting unit 303 are injected into the hopper of the lower classification and counting unit 303, and the first passage of the lower classification and counting unit 303 has the third largest diameter of 100. A yen coin is passed through, and a 50-yen coin with the smallest diameter is passed through the second passage. Then, the counter 8 _{1-8 3} that is connected to the coin detector is provided in the first passage of each stage, 500 yen classified discharged respectively, 10 yen, 100 yen coins are counted. 50 yen coin counter 8 ₄ a coin detector to the second passage of the classifying and counting unit in the lower part is classified discharged provided is counted.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each classification / counting unit has an upper coin detector 9 that detects the presence or absence of a certain amount of coins in the hopper, and a coin that rotates as the coin ejector rotates. A lower coin detector 10 for detecting the presence or absence of coins depending on whether it is operated, a rotation detector 11 for detecting the rotation of the coin ejector 5, and output conditions of the detectors 7, 9 to 11 and other There is provided a control unit 13 for controlling the rotation or stop of the coin ejector 5 of the classification counting unit based on the interrupt signal 12l from the predetermined classification counting unit.

As shown in FIG. 6, the coin ejector 5 is reset each time a detection signal is input from the ejector control means 13a that controls the coin ejector 5 and the lower coin detector 10, and when not reset, the time is output and the time is output. After outputting the rotation driving signal to the time counting means 13b and the coin ejector 5, the jam determination means 13c for detecting a jam when there is no input from the rotation detector 11 and the interrupt signal 12u to the upper unit based on the output of 13c. And an interrupt signal generating means 13d for outputting.

The control unit 13 is composed of a microcomputer, and starts the execution of a predetermined program when the power is turned on as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 7. In the first routine, the detection signal from the upper coin detector 9 is sent. The presence or absence of the required amount of coins in the hopper is judged by means of this. When there is a coin, 3a rotates the coin ejector 5 in the normal direction to align the coins in the hopper one by one and eject them to the sorting means. The output state of the lower coin detector 10 is constantly monitored, and the coin ejector continues to rotate forward while the detection signal is present.However, when the detection signal disappears, the time counting means 13b is not reset and the time elapses after a predetermined time. In order to raise and give this to the ejector control means 13a, 13a momentarily reverses the coin ejector 5 and then rotates it normally again to check for the presence of a detection signal from the lower coin detector 10, and if there is, Return to the second step, and if not, stop the rotation of the coin ejector 5, and then return to the first step.

Further, in the second routine, the jam determination means 13c
Is checked by the signal from the ejector control means 13a and the output state from the rotation detector 11 in the forward rotation cycle of the coin ejector 5 to determine whether or not the coin ejector has stopped rotating. If there is a coin jam, it is judged that a coin jam has occurred and is output. Based on the output, the ejector control means 13a stops the coin ejector 5, and the interrupt signal generating means 13d causes the upper classification counting unit to operate. Interrupt signal 12u
Is output to end the subsequent control.

Further, the control unit 13 monitors the presence or absence of the interrupt signal 12l from the lower classification counting unit as the third routine, and if there is an interrupt signal, terminates the subsequent control of the classification counting unit. . That is, if a coin jam occurs in one unit, if you continue to eject coins from the coin ejector of the upper unit, coins will overflow from the hopper of the lower unit and jams and other failures will occur in the upper unit one after another. To prevent this, there is an interrupt signal 12
By this, the coin discharge of the upper unit is stopped. As a result, units above the unit that has generated the coin jam are sequentially stopped.

500 passed through the first passage of the upper classification counting unit 301
The yen coin and the 50-yen coin passed through the second passage of the lower classification and counting unit 303 are placed on the fifth transfer section D described later via the chutes 14 and 15.

On the other hand, the 10-yen and 100-yen coins, which are denominations used as change, are classified and counted in the middle and lower classification and counting units
Is passed through the first passage 6a of 2,303, it is transferred to the next stage of the temporary storage portion B via the fourth conveyance unit c _41, c ₄₂ and chute 16, 17.

The temporary storage unit B is a first storage unit that stores 10-yen coins.
It has 401 and the 2nd storage unit 402 which stores a 100-yen coin. As shown in FIG. 8, the storage unit 400
Is a container with a maximum capacity of 4000 coins, for example.
18, a coin ejector 19 provided at the bottom of the container and rotated to align and eject coins one by one, a coin detector 20 for detecting coins to be ejected, and a coin ejector to control the coins to be ejected. It is provided with a distribution unit 23 that distributes to either the first passage 21 or the second passage 22 by driving.

Further, each of the storage units 401 and 402 has the control unit 24 composed of a microcomputer. As shown in FIG. 9, this control unit counts the number Y of discharged sheets based on the detection signal from the coin detector 20 and integrates the counting means 241.
And a counter of the classification / counter or a central control unit E described later.
Means 242 for counting the current number of stored coins Z by subtracting the number of ejected coins Y given by the ejected coin number counting means 241 from the number X of conveyed 10 yen coins or 100 yen coins given from
Means for counting the number of replenished sheets Y ₂ by using the detection signal from the coin detector 22 under the condition that the replenishment command signal S is given.
Reference numeral 243, means 244 for storing the set number of stored sheets M, set replenishment number N, and replenishment command signal S, respectively, when the central control unit E gives them, and the stored set number of stored sheets M and stored sheet number counting means 242. The collation of the number of stored Z output by the above, the latter is output when the latter exceeds the former, and the output is extinguished when both are equal, and the replenishment command signal provided from the storage 244. Second collating means 24 for collating the set replenishment sheet number N stored in the storage means with the replenishment sheet number Y ₂ output from the replenishment sheet number counting means based on S, outputting when they do not match, and eliminating the output when they match.
6 and the coin ejector 19 based on the output of one of the matching means.
And the discharging means control means 247 for stopping the coin discharging machine 19 based on the disappearance of the output of the matching means, and the storing means 244.
Second collating means based on the replenishment command signal S given by
Until the output of 246 disappears, there is provided means 248 for driving the sorting means 23 so as to sort the coins discharged from the coin discharging machine 19 in the direction of the replenishment cassette C.

The storage retention of the replenishment command signal S in the storage means 244 is canceled by the disappearance of the output from the second comparison means 246. The supply number counting means 243 also resets the count value due to the disappearance of the output of the second checking means 246.

The counting contents Y, Z, Y ₂ of the counting means 241, 242, 243 are transmitted to the central control unit E and used for statistical management, display on the operation panel, etc.

Then, all the 10-yen coins that have been classified and discharged by the classification and counting unit 32 of the classification and counting unit A are injected into the container of the first storage unit 401 via the fourth transport unit c ₄₁ and the chute 16, and the second storage unit 401. All of the 100-yen coins classified and discharged by the classification and counting unit 33 of the classification and counting unit are injected into the 402 through the fourth transport unit c ₄₂ and the chute 17.

Then, the first storage unit 401 and the second storage unit 4
The coins passed through the first passage 21 by the sorting means 23 of 02 are
It is placed on the fifth conveyor c ₅ via the chutes 25 and 26.
As will be described later, the allocating means 23 makes the discharge port of the coin discharging machine 19 communicate with the first passage 21 at a normal time when the control device E is not operated to take in the replenishment money. While the sorting signal is given from 248, the discharge port of the coin ejector 19 is operated to communicate with the second passage 22, and the discharged 10-yen coin or 100-yen coin is placed at the lower end of the second passage. It is adapted to be housed in the replenishment money cassette C loaded in the provided cassette loading portion.

The replenishment cassettes C ₁ and C ₂ are both publicly available and portable safes with an automatic lock mechanism, and as shown in FIG. 10, predetermined positions of a cassette loading section provided in the casing of this coin processing device. When the cassette is pushed in, the shutter 27 of the cassette can be unlocked by a known lock mechanism, and after unlocking, the shutter 27 is pulled to open the coin receiving port 28 and the coins and the lower end of the second passage 22 of the storage unit and the coins are opened. The receiving port 28 communicates.

Further, the cassette loading section is provided with detectors 29a and 29b for detecting opening and closing of the shutter, and the solenoid 30 constituting the safety device provided on the upper side of the cassette loading section is excited by the detection of opening and the plunger thereof is excited. The connected lever 31 is rotated from the horizontal state about the fulcrum 32, and the hook 33 provided at the tip of the lever 31 receives the cassette C receiving port.
Enter within 28. When it is confirmed by the second collating means 246 of the controller 24 that the set number of coins have been stored in the cassette C, the solenoid 30 is demagnetized. Then, the cassette cannot be pulled out from the cassette loading section until the closure detector 29b detects that the shutter 27 is closed. By forming the tip of the hook 33 into a hook shape, even if the clerk forcibly pushes the shutter 27 against the force of the solenoid 30 to close it during the supply operation, the hook portion engages with the tip of the shutter 27. And, I am trying not to close it.

Therefore, it is prevented that the cassette is pulled out during replenishment and the falling coin is loaded on the loading section.

The fifth conveyor c ₅ is a coin conveyor composed of a single belt as shown in FIG. 1, and the coins are conveyed from the end thereof to the coin transportation container F to be quantitatively determined, and another container is sequentially fed. May be.

In the preferred example shown in FIG. 3, as many coin transport containers as possible are allowed to stand between the vicinity of one end and the vicinity of the other end of the casing 1, and each time the coins are loaded in a fixed amount by automatic control. The upper and lower belts c ₅₁ and c ₅₂ are provided so that they can be carried into the container, and gates G _{2 to} G _n are provided on the lower belt at appropriate intervals in the carrying direction. Each gate usually collects coins that are dropped and conveyed from the end of the upper belt,
The lower belt c ₅₂ is passed in the direction of the end, and the shielding operation is moved based on a control signal from the control device E described later to obliquely close the conveying path, and the conveyed rigid is guided to the side path. It is provided to do.

All the gates have the same structure. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14. In the gate G, the motor 35 is fixed to the lower surface of the mounting plate 34 provided on the side of the conveyance path of the lower belt c ₅₂ of the fifth conveyance section, A second lever 39 in which one end of a first lever 39 is fixed to the upper end of a rotary shaft 36 of the motor, and a pin 38 protruding from the other end is provided on a mounting plate 34 so as to be rotatable about the shaft 39.
It is loosely inserted into the long hole 41 of the lever 40, a shielding member 42 is fixed to the base end portion of the second lever 40, and a biasing member 43 such as a tension spring is provided between the mounting plate 34 and the second lever 40. At all times, as shown in FIG. 11, the shielding member 43 opens the conveyance path 44, and the side path 45
Is held in a position to close off. Further, on the lower surface of the mounting plate 34, a notched circular cam 46 is fixed to the rotary shaft 36, and rotation angle detection switches 47, 48 that operate when pushed on the circumferential surface of the cam on opposite sides of the cam. Is provided.

When the motor 35 is energized and rotated, the action of the pin 38 of the first lever 37 and the elongated hole 41 of the second lever 40 causes the second lever 40 to rotate in a fixed direction, and the shielding member 42 is moved to the position shown in FIG. As shown in, the side path 45 is opened, and the conveyance path 44 is moved in the closing direction, and the motor 35 is rotated to near a predetermined angle,
When the shielding member is in the state of about 40 to 45 ° just before the complete shielding, the cam 46 turns one switch 47 off (or on).
Then, based on this, the energization of the motor 35 is stopped, and the motor is maintained in a state where the shielding member 42 completely shields the conveyance path by a slight overrun.

When the motor 35 is turned on again, the motor 35 rotates in the same direction by a predetermined angle, and the pin 38 of the first lever 37 and the elongated hole of the second lever 40.
Since the second lever is rotated in the opposite direction by the cam mechanism 41, the shielding member 42 opens the transport path 44 again as shown in FIG. Then, as the motor 35 rotates, the cam 46 switches
Since 47 is turned on (or off) and the switch 48 is turned off (or on), the power supply to the motor is stopped.

A drive device that controls the rotation of the motor to drive the opening and closing of the gate will be described later.

The upper end of the chute is connected to the bypass 45 of each gate,
A container attachment / detachment portion is provided at the lower end of the chute, and coin transport containers F _{1 to} F _n can be detachably connected to the container attachment / detachment portion, as shown in FIG. Coin transport container F
May be either a safe or a gold bag, but a gold bag is preferable in order to reduce the carrying volume and weight when it is empty. In any case, the container F has a mouthpiece 50 closed by a shutter,
By inserting the base into the container attaching / detaching part and operating the shutter with a predetermined key to open the shutter, it is connected to the chute of one gate G, and unless the shutter is closed with the key, the container is attached / detached part. It cannot be removed, and the key is held only by the staff of the designated financial institution.

In the actual operation, the coin processing device according to the present invention attaches great importance to the prevention of illegal acquisition of coins by the clerk. Therefore, the first coin transporting section c ₁ from the vending machine group and the inside of the coin processing device are In each of the coin transporting units c ₂ , c ₃ , c ₄ , the coin sorting / counting unit A, and the temporary storage unit B, the staff of the vending machine group and the facility where the coin processing device is installed, for example, the vending machine is automatically operated. If it is a ticket vending machine, it has a closed structure so that the station staff, etc. can not touch the coins at all.

Subsequently, the configuration and operation of the main controller E will be described with reference to FIG.

The main control unit is composed of another microcomputer, and the operation section 500 operated by a clerk, and the coin classification and counting section which performs arithmetic processing according to a predetermined program based on input signals from each operation end and each detection end. A calculation control unit 600 that performs data exchange, counting, storage, display control, drive control, etc. between the control unit of each classification and counting unit A and the control unit of each storage unit of the temporary storage unit B, and a calculation control unit Display unit 70 that displays the counting contents and alarm contents by control from
It has 0.

The operation unit 500 includes a stored sheet number setting unit 501 including a digital switch for setting the stored sheet number of each storage unit of the temporary storage unit B, the replenishment cassette C ₁ ,
A replenishment number setting unit 502 similarly configured by a digital switch or the like for setting the replenishment number to be accommodated in C ₂ , and a replenishment start button 503 for starting the replenishment operation in the coin ejector of the temporary storage unit. have.

Further, the arithmetic control unit 600 stores the stored number data X transmitted from the control unit of each classification and counting unit, the discharged number data Y transmitted from the control unit of each storage unit, the replenishment number Y ₂ and the current storage in the storage unit 601. The number data Z is stored, and Z and Y are updated each time given from the classification / counting unit or the storage unit. Further, the calculation means 602 of the calculation control unit is a calculation formula YY
_From the coins discharged from each storage unit of the temporary storage unit, the number Y ₁ of collected coins carried into and accommodated in the coin transport container is calculated by 2. 500 yen coins discharged from the first passage of the upper counting and counting unit 301 and the lower counting and counting unit 3
All 50-yen coins discharged from the second passage of 02 are directly transferred to the coin transport container F through the chutes 14 and 15 and the coin transport unit D.
The counters of the units 301 and 303 have the count values of 500 yen coins and 50 yen coins, respectively.

Then, the display control means 603 of the arithmetic and control unit 600 causes the display unit 700 provided on the operation panel to display the current stored number based on the current stored number data provided from the control unit of each storage unit.

The collating means 604 of the arithmetic control section, when the replenishment start button 503 of the operation section 500 is pressed, the set replenishment number data (N) given by the replenishment number setting section 502 and the current stored number data retrieved from the storage means 601. Match (Z) to find Z
When ≧ N, the first signal is output to the output control means 605 to output the replenishment command signal S and the set replenishment number data N to the control unit 24 of the storage unit, and when Z <A, the second signal. Is output to the display control means 603. Based on the output, the display control means 603 informs the clerk that the set replenishment number cannot be taken into the replenishment cassette due to the lamp lighting and / or the alarm sound generation on the display unit 700. The clerk can reset the replenishment number to an appropriate value in accordance with the currently stored number and can store the set replenishment number in the replenishment cassette.

The main control unit E or the coin collection unit D controls the collection unit D and the gates G _{1 to} G _n so that the coins are carried in the coin transport containers F _{1 to} F _n by a fixed amount. Having means 606. This recovery control means, as shown in FIG. 16, is based on a detection signal from any of the quantitative detectors sww _{1 to} sww _n provided on the mounting table of the quantitative detection device described later of each coin transport container. , A timer circuit 51 for measuring the time required for all the coins on the lower belt c ₅₂ to be stored in the coin transport container currently stored from the time of inputting the quantitative detection signal, and based on the quantitative detection signal Then, the conveyance of the upper belt c ₅₁ of the fifth coin conveying unit is stopped, and the conveyance control circuit 52 that restarts the upper belt c ₅₁ based on the time-up output of the timer circuit, and every time the output of the timer circuit is received. In addition, a gate closing signal is sent to the driving device 49 of the gates G _{2 to} G _n corresponding to the coin transport container storing the coins immediately before, and a gate opening signal is sent to the driving device of the gate corresponding to the next coin transport container. Sequence circuit 53 for sequential application It consists of

A mounting table that penetrates the operating rod 55 so that it can move up and down, and that a compression coil spring 56 is wound between the head of the operating rod and the fixed plate, and is rotatably attached by a shaft 57 at one end at the head of the operating rod. 58
And the operating rod when it is lowered to the lower side of the fixed plate 54
An interlocking member 60 that rotates around a fulcrum 59 is provided by 55, and a quantitative detector sww that is operated by the rotated interlocking member 59 is provided. Detector sw by descending operating rod 55
The w may be mounted so that it can be operated directly.

Then, the spring 56 is compressed as the weight of the coin carried into the coin transport container F placed on the mounting table 58 increases,
The operating rod 55 is lowered. And when the predetermined weight is reached,
As shown in FIG. 18, the lowered actuation rod 55 operates the detector sww via the interlocking member 60. As a result, the detector gives a quantitative detection signal to the collection control means 606.

By adjusting the length of the operating rod 55, adjusting the position of the operating rod with respect to the fulcrum 59 of the interlocking member 60, or adjusting the position of the quantitative detector sww, the coin in the coin transport container F in which the quantitative detector sww should be operated. The weight of can be set to any value.

When a fixed amount of coins are stored in one coin transportation container and the fixed quantity detector sww operates, the timer circuit 51 is used to stop the upper belt c ₅₁ of the coin conveying section D for a fixed time after the fixed quantity detection. , Immediately after opening the next gate,
The coins that are still moving on the lower belt c ₅₂ are held between the guide wall forming the conveying path by the gate shielding member 42, and the shielding member does not completely block the conveying path. This is to prevent the coins being conveyed from being conveyed further rearward from the gate.

Further, the sequence circuit 53 is configured to sequentially give a closing or opening signal from the driving device of the gate G ₂ near the end of the lower belt c ₅₂ to the driving device of the gate G _n near the starting end of the belt.

In this way, when a fixed amount of collected coins is stored in the first coin transport container F ₁ , thereafter, the coins are sequentially stored in the preceding coin transport container until the fixed amount is reached.

A gate drive device 49 that controls and drives the motor 35 is provided at each gate. This gate drive device 49
As shown in FIG. 14, as shown in FIG.
A waveform shaping circuit 492 for shaping the input from any one of 48 into a pulse wave and a gate opening signal output from the sequence circuit 53 of the recovery control means 606 of the central control unit E described later are input and set. The memory circuit 493 is reset by the pulse wave of the waveform shaping circuit 492, and the switch circuit 494 which is turned on by the set output of the memory circuit and supplies drive power to the gate motor 35. Is input, the memory circuit 493 is set, and the output thereof causes the switch circuit 494 to conduct, and the motor 35 rotates in a fixed direction. Along with this, when the cam 46 is rotated and the gate blocking member 42 is rotated to an angle at which the transport path 44 is blocked, the cam 46 makes the first
Switch 47 turns on. Therefore, the detected output is converted into a pulse by the waveform shaping circuit 492, and the memory circuit 493 is reset. Therefore, the motor 35 is stopped from rotating and maintains its state.

Then, when the quantitative detector sww of the coin transport container corresponding to the gate outputs a detection signal, the upper belt c ₅₁ of the fifth conveyance section is immediately stopped, and after a certain time has elapsed by the timer circuit 51, the sequence circuit 53 Since the gate closing signal is given to the memory circuit 493 of the driving device for the gate, the memory circuit is set again, and therefore the motor 35 is rotated, so that the blocking member 42 is restored and the bypass 45 of the gate.
Is closed and the transport path 44 is opened. Then, at the same time when the gate is closed, the second switch 48 causes the cam 46 to move.
The memory circuit 493 is reset by the output pulse of the waveform shaping circuit 492, and the rotation of the motor 35 is stopped. Since the sequence circuit 53 also gives the gate opening signal to the memory circuit of the drive device for the next gate, the next gate is opened.

Next, the operation of the coin processing device according to the present invention based on the above configuration will be described.

The coins mixed with the denominations that have been transported from the vending machine group to the coin processing device by the first transport unit c ₁ are the second transport unit c ₂ ,
The coins are loaded into the coin sorting / counting unit A via the hopper 2 and the third transport unit c ₃ .

In this coin classification and counting unit, the classification and counting unit 30
1 to 303 are classified, counted, and discharged according to the type of money. What is counted here is the number of denominations of all the coins carried into the coin processing device, which are added up. The count value X is sent to the central controller.

Then, among the coins that have been counted and discharged, the 500 yen coin and the 50 yen coin that are not used for change are shot 1
After passing through 4,15, the 10-yen coin and the 100-yen coin, which are placed on the fifth transfer section c ₅₁ and used for change, are respectively transferred to the fourth transfer section.
It is fed to the first storage unit 41 and the second storage unit 42 of the temporary storage section B via c ₄₁ and c ₄₂ . The central control unit carries in the 10-yen coin and the 100-yen coin of the set storage number M set in the storage number setting section 501 of the operation section 500 and the carry-in number data provided from the coin classification / counting section A. The number X of sheets is given to the control unit of the temporary storage unit.

The first storage unit and the second storage unit of the temporary storage section count the current number of stored sheets Z based on the number of discharged sheets Y by each coin ejector and the number of carried-in sheets X given by the central controller. The stored number of sheets is compared with the set number of stored sheets M given by the central controller, and when Z exceeds M, the coin ejector 19 is operated and the current stored number of sheets becomes equal to the set stored number Eject the coins. In this case, since the sorting means 23 connects the discharge port of the coin discharging machine to the first passage 21, the discharged coins are shot.
After passing through 25 and 26, it is placed on the upper belt c ₅₁ of the fifth coin transporting section. Then, the number Y of all coins discharged is counted. In this way, each storage unit 401, 402 always stores about 2,000 coins of 10-yen coins and 100-yen coins, as an example.

Now, if any of the vending machines in the vending machine group is notified of a coin replenishment request based on the detection of change of coins, the staff member
A predetermined replenishment cassette C is loaded into the replenishment cassette loading section of this coin processing device, and the replenishment number setting section 502 of the operating section 500 is loaded.
The required replenishment number N is set by. In this case, the display
In 700, the current number of stored coins Z of each denomination is displayed, so that it can be set within a range where replenishment is possible. Then, after setting, press the supply start button 503 of the operation unit,
Command the start of the replenishment operation.

At this time, the set replenishment number N is currently less than or equal to the stored number Z, and the replenishment cassette is loaded to turn on the loading detector.
If it is, since the collating means 604 of the control unit 600 outputs to the output control means 605, the central control unit gives the replenishment command signal and the set replenishment number data to the reserving unit, and based on this, the reserving operation is performed. The control unit 24 of the unit operates the sorting means 23 to connect the discharge port of the coin discharging machine 19 to the second passage 22. The coins ejected from the coin ejector at this time are counted as the replenishment number Y ₂ . When the replenishment number Y ₂ becomes equal to the set replenishment number N, the operation of the coin ejector is stopped.

When the replenishment start button is pressed, if the set replenishment number N is less than the current stored number Z, or is more than Z, if the replenishment cassette loading detector is OFF, the control unit 600
Since the collating unit 604 does not output to the output control unit 605, the replenishment operation signal is not performed because the replenishment command signal and the set replenishment number data are not given from the central control device to the storage unit, and the collation unit 604 controls the display. In order to output to the means 603, based on this, the display control means displays the fact that the replenishment is impossible by turning on the lamp of the display unit 700 or ringing the buzzer. If the attendant forgets to load the replenishment cassette or sets an improper number of replenishment cassettes, appropriate measures can be taken according to this display.

The coin ejection speed of the coin ejector 19 of the storage unit is every second.
It takes about 30 seconds, so about 16 or 7 seconds after pressing the replenishment start button, about 500 sheets are stored in the replenishment cassette, and the cassette is pulled out from this coin processing device and carried to the vending machine that requested replenishment. As in the conventional case, the change can be replenished by loading the cassette loading section of the vending machine. The time required for replenishing change is a fraction of the time required for replenishing the required number of coins from the conventional collecting device to the vending machine using the coin transporting device.

In this way, the replenishment number Y _{2 of} coins taken into the replenishment cassette is sent to the central control unit E upon completion of the replenishment operation, and the arithmetic unit 602 of the control unit 600 executes the arithmetic expression YY ₂ . Of the number of coins carried into the temporary storage unit, the number of coins discharged into the coin transporting unit D without being taken into the replenishment cassette, that is, the number of collected coins Y ₁ is counted.

Therefore, the central control unit collects 500 yen coins and 50 yen coins based on the count value from the coin classification / counting unit, and collects 10 yen coins and 100 yen coins based on the calculation result of the calculation means 602, respectively. The number of sheets is obtained.

The coins placed on the coin transporting section D are
_It is placed on the starting end of the belt c _{52 in} the lower stage from ₅₁ and is conveyed in the end direction. The drive device for the gates G _{2 to} G _n provided along the lower belt always holds the shielding member in a state of closing the side passage 45, and therefore is conveyed by the coin conveying section D. Coins mixed with denominations fall from the lower end of the belt c _{52 at} the lower stage and are stored in the coin transport container F ₁ at the end. Then, when a coin of a predetermined weight is carried into the container, the detector sww _{1 of the} quantitative detection device on which the container F ₁ is placed
Is turned on, the collection control means 606 of the central controller operates based on the detection signal, the upper belt c ₅₁ immediately stops, and all coins on the lower belt c After being loaded into F ₁ , the upper belt is driven again, and a gate opening signal is given to the gate driving device 49 of the first gate G ₂ , the blocking member 42 is moved, and the transport path 44 is blocked. Open the bypass 45. As a result, the coins to be transported thereafter are stored in the _second coin transport container F ₂ .

Thereafter, similarly, when the number of coins stored in each container becomes a fixed amount, a gate closing signal is sent to the drive device 49 of the gate after the upper belt is stopped for a predetermined time based on the detection signal from the fixed amount detection device. Then, the blocking member 42 is restored and the side path is closed, and at the same time, the conveyance path is opened, and at the same time, a gate signal is given to the driving device of the next gate.

In this way, the collection control means 606 and the drive device 49 of each gate are assigned to the coin transport containers F _{1 to} F _n in spite of the denomination of coins transported by the coin transport device D being indefinite. It constitutes a quantitative distribution mechanism that accommodates coins of almost uniform weight.

[Auxiliary device] In large-scale stations, in addition to the group-managed automatic ticket vending machine, for example, a single automatic ticket vending machine may be installed at a ticket gate that communicates with a department store adjacent to the station. Further, the automatic checkout machine is usually independent from the automatic ticket vending machine group. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coin processing device described above is used so that the sales proceeds collected in such a stand-alone vending machine or automatic settlement machine can be processed in the same manner. It is equipped with a safe loading section capable of loading the sales money collecting safe H of the vending machine, and the coins dropped from the safe H loaded in the loading section are transferred to the chute 2 via the chute 61 and the sixth transfer section c _6.
It will be sent to. Of course, in this safe H and safe loading section, the safe must be properly loaded in the safe loading section.
There is an automatic lock mechanism that prevents you from opening the shutter of the safe.

In this way, the coins discharged from the safe H are carried into the coin sorting / counting unit A from the chute 2 by the third transport unit c _3, so that the number of coins discharged from the safe H is also added to the carried-in number. If the denomination can be used as change, it is stored in the replenishment cassette C by the temporary storage section B.

When the number of vending machine users is particularly large, even if the set number of stored sheets in the temporary storage unit is set to the maximum value, it may not be possible to complete the coin supply request from the vending machine. Reference character J in the drawing is a coin replenishing machine provided to replenish the coins from the outside in such a case and cope with the situation.

This coin replenishing machine J can replenish coins of 10 yen and 100 yen with one unit in order to minimize the installation space.
The coin counting and counting unit 302 uses the same classification and counting unit as the middle classification and counting unit 302, and the coins injected into the hopper are aligned and discharged one by one by the coin discharging machine. Depending on the diameter, a 10-yen coin is the first passage 62
The 100-yen coin, which is dropped into the container 18 of the lower first storage unit 401, is connected so as to be dropped into the second storage unit 402 below the second passage 63.

Then, a replenishment cassette loading section is provided on the upper side of the coin replenishing machine J, and only when the replenishment cassette K is correctly loaded in the replenishment cassette loading section, the shutter of the replenishment cassette is opened to open the coins inside. Can be dropped into the refilling machine.

In the coin processing device, the replenishment cassette C,
The safe H and the replenishment cassette J of the stand-alone vending machine can be attached / detached to / from this device by the staff using a predetermined key, and the stored number setting unit 501 of the operation unit 500 of the central control unit
The coins cannot be touched at any position other than the operation of the supply number setting unit 502 and the supply start button 503. Further, each coin transport container F _{1 to} F _n is coupled to the respective container attaching / detaching part by a lock device, and the coin transport container can be removed from the container attaching / detaching part unless a key possessed only by a staff member of a predetermined financial institution is used. It cannot be removed and moved.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, all coins transported from the vending machine group are classified into denominations, counted and not used as change in the coin classification / counting unit. Coins of denominations are collected in a coin transport container, and coins of denominations used as change are stored in a temporary storage unit in a predetermined number, and coins exceeding a predetermined value are similarly counted and hardened in a transportation container. Since the coins are stored in, the management of the number of coins carried in from the vending machine group, which are stored in the coin transport container is easy and reliable.

If a change supply request is issued from the vending machine, a replenishment cassette is loaded, a replenishment number is set, and then a start of replenishment is instructed, the coins stored in the temporary storage section are instantly stored in a predetermined number of cassettes. Since it is stored, coins can be replenished to the vending machine very quickly based on the replenishment request.

The coin processing device is provided with a coin transporting unit for loading the coins transported from the vending machine group into the coin classifying / counting unit, and is provided with a loading unit for the sales collection safe of the stand-alone vending machine and is loaded in the loading unit. When a means for guiding the coins falling from the safe to the coin transport unit is provided, not only the coins transported from the group management vending machine but also the standalone vending machine installed in the same facility are collected. Coins also have the same classification,
It can be used for counting, collection, and processing of use of supply money, which is convenient for management and effective use of coins.

Further, when the temporary storage unit stores coins of two denominations, a coin replenishing machine having the same configuration as one classification and counting unit of the coin classification and counting unit is provided, and a replenishment cassette loading unit is provided above it. In this case, the replenishment money cassette containing coins of one denomination or two denominations should be loaded in the loading section, and the coins of each denomination should be replenished in the coin storage section of each denomination of the temporary storage section. Therefore, the required amount of coins can be replenished by using the minimum space.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a coin processing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view showing details, FIG. 3 is a rear view of the same, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing the configuration of the coin classification / counting unit and the moving direction of coins, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the classification / counting unit, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control system of the classification / counting unit, and FIG. 7 is a control operation. 8 is a side view of the storage unit, FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the function of the control unit of the storage unit, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a replenishment cassette loading unit and a block mechanism. Is. 11 to 14 show a gate and its driving device, FIG. 11 is a plan view in a normal state when the gate is closed, FIG. 12 is a plan view in a gate open state, and FIG. 13 is a rotation angle. FIG. 14 is a bottom view showing the detection device, and FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram of a gate drive device. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration and a part of the functions of the central control device, and FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the recovery control means. 17 and 18 are cross-sectional views showing the structure and operation of the quantitative detection device. A ...... coin classification and counting unit, B ...... temporary storage unit, C _1, C ₂ ...... subsidies cassette, D ...... coin conveying section, E ...... controller, F, F ₁ ~F _n ...... coin transport container.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tomokatsu Noguchi 11 Hiraide Industrial Park, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture Nihon Signal Co., Ltd.Utsunomiya Factory (72) Inventor Tatsumi Imai 11 Hirade Industrial Park, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture Address Nihon Signal Co., Ltd. Utsunomiya Plant (72) Inventor Toshio Tezuka No. 11 Hiraide Industrial Park, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture Nihon Signal Co., Ltd. Utsunomiya Plant (56) Reference JP-A-54-44600 (JP, A)

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A coin classification / counter for discharging coins collected from an automatic vending machine group one by one, classifying and counting the coins by denomination, and (b) the coin classification / counter. Of the coins to be ejected, a container for receiving coins of the denomination used for change by denomination, a coin ejector provided at the bottom of the container for ejecting a specified number of coins, and a coin ejected by the coin ejector A temporary storage unit having a counting unit for counting the number of coins, a sorting unit for sorting the coins discharged by the coin dispenser in a designated direction out of two directions, and (c) being loaded to a predetermined position and automatically locked, A replenishment cassette with an automatic lock mechanism that stores coins discharged from the storage unit and distributed in one direction, and (d) coins other than denominations used for change, discharged from the coin classification counting unit, Discharged from the temporary storage The coins that are always conveyed are passed backwards, and the coins that are conveyed when a designated signal is sent toward the coin transport container with the automatic lock mechanism that is detachably connected. (E) a setting unit that sets the number of stored coins to be stored in the temporary storage unit and the number of replenishment cartridges to be stored in the replenishment cassette, b. A replenishment start command unit that requests a replenishment operation to the replenishment cassette by the storage unit, c. Of the coin type count values of the coin classification and counting unit, the count value of the denomination used for change and the count of the temporary storage unit. Based on the count value of the container, it is determined that the number of coins currently stored in the container exceeds the number of stored coins set by the setting unit, the coin ejector is operated until the set number of coins is stored, and the replenishment is performed. Start finger A coin ejector control unit that operates the coin ejector until the set replenishment number is discharged when the currently stored number is greater than or equal to the set replenishment number based on the replenishment command input from the unit, d. A control device for operating the coin ejector based on the command input so as to guide the coins discharged from the coin ejector to the replenishment cassette side. A coin processing device in a group management vending machine characterized by being provided. 2. A coin transport unit for transporting coins transported from a vending machine group to a coin classification / counting unit in a denomination mixed state,
An automatic vending machine equipped with a safe loading section for loading a cash collection safe of a stand-alone vending machine and a chute for guiding coins dropped from the safe loaded in the safe loading section to the coin transport section. The coin processing device in the group management vending machine according to claim 1, wherein coins collected by the machine can be processed in the same manner. 3. A coin classification / counting unit determines a hopper for storing coins of a plurality of denominations, a coin ejector for aligning and ejecting coins in the hopper, and a denomination of coins to be ejected. And classifying means for passing coins of a predetermined denomination through the first passage and coins other than the predetermined denomination through the second passage, and a counter for counting the number of coins passed through the first passage. The counting units are connected in series so that coins passed through the second passage of the upper unit are stored in the lower hopper, and are temporarily provided in the first passage for discharging coins used as change for the classification and counting unit. The coin processing device in the group management vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the containers in the storage section are communicated with each other. 4. The temporary storage unit is provided with a storage unit for two denominations, and a classification and counting unit having the same configuration as the classification and counting unit is provided as a coin replenishing machine on the upper side of the temporary storage unit, and the coin replenishing machine is also provided. So that the coins passed through the first passage are stored in the storage portion for the first denomination of the temporary storage portion, and the coins passed through the second passage are stored in the storage portion for the second denomination. A replenishment cassette, which is connected and contains a predetermined number of coins of one denomination or a mixture of two denominations used as change, is loaded on the upper side of the coin replenisher, and the coin can be replenished to the coin replenisher. A coin processing device in a group management vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the coin processing device is provided with a section.