JP2940701B2 - Vending machine coin transporter - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a coin transport device for a vending machine.

(B) Conventional technology Conventionally, in a vending machine, coins inserted from a coin insertion slot provided on the front face are received by a coin processing device provided therein,
This coin processing device performs true and false sorting of accepted coins, and also pays out change, returns and repays false lending, and returns and receives accepted coins, and installs the paid-out coins in the lower part of the coin processing device. A configuration in which coins are sent out to a coin return opening opening in the front is generally used, and is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-62-114094.

(C) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the prior art having such a configuration, coins to be paid out from the coin processing device are sent to a coin return port located at a lower portion of the coin processing device. When the position is lowered, the customer must bend down greatly and remove the coins in the coin return slot. That is, since the position of the coin insertion slot is set at a height at which the customer can easily insert coins, there is a problem that the position of the coin return slot is lowered.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a coin transport device for a vending machine, in which a coin return slot can be set at a position where a customer can easily take out coins.

(D) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention relates to a vending machine provided with a coin processing device that pays out coins based on a coin return command from a sales control unit. A coin receiving unit for receiving, a payout chute for guiding coins paid out from the coin processing device to the coin receiving unit, a detecting means for detecting a coin sliding down on the payout chute, and a state where the payout chute stands up. Detecting means for detecting coins rolling and falling, and a transport mechanism for driving when one of the two detecting means detects a coin, transporting the coin in the coin receiving portion upward, and sending it to the upper coin return port. It is provided.

(E) Function In the present invention, when a coin paid out from the coin processing device is received in the coin receiving section, the detecting means operates by the coin to drive the transport mechanism. By this drive, the transport mechanism transports the coin in the coin receiving section upward and sends it out to the upper coin return slot.

(F) Example Each figure shows an example of the present invention.
This is the main body of the vending machine that pivotally opens and closes.

The door 2 is located at a substantially central portion in the vertical direction on the front surface, and a product outlet 3,
A coin insertion slot 4, a return lever 5, a coin return slot 6 and the like are provided, and a product selection room 9 and a plurality of product selection buttons 9 corresponding to the displayed product samples 8 are provided at an upper portion. I have.

A coin processing device 10 is provided on the back surface of the door 2 corresponding to the coin insertion slot 4 so that coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 4 can be received into the coin processing device 10 through the insertion chute 11.

The coin processing device 10 is a well-known device that is generally well-known, and a coin sorting device unit 10A that sorts the authenticity and type of a coin received from the input chute 11, and is sorted as an authentic coin by the coin sorting device unit 10A. Storage unit 10B for storing coins for each type, and a dispensing device 10C for dispensing coins stored in the storage unit 10B from the bottom based on a coin return command.
In addition, coins selected as fake coins by the coin sorting device unit 10A are returned from the bottom without entering the storage unit.

Numeral 12 denotes a coin transport device which receives coins paid out from the payout device 10C of the coin processing device 10 and coins paid out as fake coins, transports them upward, and sends them out to the coin return port 6 on the upper side. A payout chute 14 for guiding coins paid out from the bottom of the coin processing device 10 to a lower coin receiving unit 13, a transport mechanism 15 for transporting the coins received by the coin receiving unit 13 upward, and a transport mechanism And a delivery port 16 for delivering coins transported upward by 15 to the coin return port 6.

The payout chute 14 is a detection sensor comprising a magnetic sensor as a detection means for detecting a coin sliding down on the bottom surface 14A on a bottom surface 14A inclined downward toward the coin receiving portion 13.
17 and both wall surfaces 14B, 14B on the coin receiving unit 13 side.
In addition, a plurality of detection sensors 18, which are optical sensors as detection means, are arranged vertically to detect coins rolling and falling with the bottom portion 14A standing up.

That is, coins paid out from the coin processing device 10 are:
There is a state where the surface part slides to the bottom part 14A and slides down, and a part that rolls and falls while the peripheral part abuts against the bottom part 14A, and the former coin is provided on the bottom part 14A. Although the detection can be reliably performed by the detection sensor 17, in the case of the latter coin, the detection is unstable with the detection sensor 17 on the bottom surface portion 14A. In this case, the detection sensors 18 provided on the both wall surfaces 14B, 14B are used.
, So that it can be detected reliably.

The transport mechanism 15 vertically supports a pair of upper and lower gears 21 and 22 between a pair of vertically opposed substrates 19 and 20 and stretches an endless timing belt 23 between the upper and lower gears 21 and 22. The timing belt 23 is provided with a plurality of buckets 24 for picking up and transporting coins received by the coin receiving unit 13 at predetermined intervals. The lower gear 22 is connected to a drive motor 26 via a speed reduction mechanism 25, and an operation knob 28 capable of manually rotating the gear 22 is provided at an end of a drive shaft 27.

In addition, the pair of upper and lower gears 21 and 22 are set such that the diameter of the upper gear 21 is set to a diameter smaller than the diameter of the lower gear 22, and the upper gear 21 converts the bucket 24 downward. By increasing the speed, the sending of coins from the bucket 24 to the outlet 16 is promoted.

On the other hand, the coin receiving portion 13 is formed in an arc shape corresponding to the gear 22, and is provided with a concave groove portion 13A into which the tip of the bucket 24 can enter and move, so that the basket 24 can easily receive the received coin. I am able to pick it up.

A pair of vertically opposed substrates 19 and 20 are formed at an interval at which coins having the largest diameter to be transported are locked by the basket 24 and can be transported, and side walls are provided on both sides between the substrates 19 and 20. 19A and 19B are provided. And timing belt 2
The side wall 19A corresponding to the ascending side at the time of forward rotation of 3 is configured such that the interval with the timing belt 23 is narrower toward the lower side and wider as it goes toward the upper side, and the coin having the largest diameter near the top is The coin is formed to be wider than the diameter, and is conveyed upward by the bucket 24, and the coin is transferred to the timing belt 23 and the side wall 19A.
In this way, no clogging of the bridge state occurs. Therefore, the coins locked to the basket 24 and conveyed upward are the timing belt 23 and the side wall 19A.
Without generating a bridge state between the gear 24 and the conveyed to the opposite side through the gear 21 and from the basket 24
It falls to 16.

The delivery port 16 is provided with a delivery chute 29 for receiving coins dropped from the bucket 24 and guiding and sending the coins to the coin return port 6.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a rotation sensor that generates a pulse signal by rotating a rotary plate 31 that is supported by a drive shaft 27,
A pulse signal is generated in synchronization with the rotation of the timing belt 23 based on the rotation of the rotations 21 and 22.

32 is a slot opening and closing device for opening and closing the coin slot 4;
A shutter member 33 rotatably supported and capable of opening and closing the coin slot 4 is provided.
Drive rod 34A. And drive solenoid 3
When the magnet 4 is driven to be excited, the shutter member 33 opens the coin slot 4 to enable coins to be inserted into the coin slot 4, and when the drive solenoid 34 is not excited, the coin slot 4 is closed to close the coin slot. It is configured to prevent injection.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the electric control of the present invention. In the CPU 50 as a control means, input coin information from the coin processing device 10 is input, and a product selling operation based on a customer's operation of a product selection button 9 is controlled. And a main body control unit 51 as a sales control means for transmitting a coin return command to the coin processing device 10.
The drive motor 26, which is driven to rotate forward by a coin return command from the main body control unit 51 or a coin detection signal from the detection sensors 17 and 18, and a rotation that generates a pulse signal in synchronization with the rotation of the timing belt 23. The sensor 30 is connected to an insertion opening / closing device 32 for opening and closing the coin insertion slot 4, and the coin of the coin receiving unit 13 is sent out from the outlet 16 by the rotation of the transport mechanism 15 by the drive motor 26. A transfer operation timer 52 that sets a sufficient predetermined operation time, a transfer abnormality detection timer 53 that sets an allowable time that allows no change in the pulse signal from the rotation sensor 30 to be generated, and a transfer abnormality detection If timer 53 times out,
A conveyance error storage unit 54 that stores the occurrence of a conveyance operation error, and a reverse rotation operation timer 55 that sets a reverse rotation driving time of the drive motor 26.
And a sensor abnormality detection timer 56 that sets the time during which the detection sensors 17 and 18 detect coins.

According to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
Will be described. FIG. 7 is a main flowchart, and FIG. 8 is a timer interrupt flowchart for interrupting the main flow at predetermined time intervals.

First, the main flow will be described. The CPU 50 checks the presence / absence of a flag indicating a conveyance error in the conveyance error storage unit 54 (step S1). If there is no flag, the coin detection signals from the detection sensors 17 and 18 continue for a predetermined time or more. It is determined whether or not the input is continued (step S2), and if it is less than the predetermined time, in step S3, whether or not the transport driving time of the transport mechanism 15 driven by the drive motor 26 is less than the predetermined time Is determined, and if less than the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S4. Therefore, when the presence of the flag is confirmed in step S1, and in step S2
When it is confirmed that the coin detection signal is continuously input for a predetermined time or more, and when it is confirmed that the transport time of the transport mechanism 15 driven by the drive motor 26 has reached the predetermined time in step S3. Returns to step S1.

In step S4, the rotation abnormality sensor
A predetermined constant as an allowable time in a state where there is no pulse signal from 32 is set, and in step S5, the drive motor 26 is driven to rotate forward to drive the transport mechanism 15 in the transport direction.

Then, in step S6, it is determined whether or not the driving of the transport mechanism 15 has elapsed for a predetermined time, based on a state of a predetermined constant set in the transport operation timer 52, and when the elapse of the predetermined time is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S9. The driving motor 26 is stopped, and the process returns to step S1. Further, when it is confirmed in step S6 that the driving of the transport mechanism 15 is within the predetermined time, the state of the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 is determined in step S7, and if the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 has elapsed the predetermined time, step The process proceeds to S9, and if within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S8 to determine the state of the transport abnormality detection timer 53. If the transport abnormality detection timer 53 exceeds the predetermined time in step S8, the transport mechanism 15 generates a locked state due to a jam of coins or the like, and determines that the coin cannot be transported, and determines in step S10. Then, if within the predetermined time, the process returns to step S6.

In step S10, the drive motor 26 is stopped, and in step S11
Then, a predetermined reverse drive time of the drive motor 26 for driving the drive motor 26 in the reverse direction to release the locked state of the transport mechanism 15 due to a jam of coins or the like is set in the reverse rotation operation timer 55.

Then, the CPU 50 drives the drive motor 26 in the reverse direction in step S12 to drive the transport mechanism 15 in the reverse direction with respect to the coin transport direction, and elapses a predetermined reverse drive time set in the reverse rotation operation timer 55 in step S11. Is confirmed in step S13, the reverse drive of the drive motor 26 is stopped and the transport mechanism 15 is stopped in step S14. By the reverse rotation drive of the transport mechanism 15, the locked state of the transport mechanism 15 can be released.

In step S15, a predetermined constant as an allowable time in a state where there is no pulse signal from the rotation sensor 30 is set in the transfer abnormality detection timer 53, and in step S16, the transfer operation timer 52 is set.
Is set to a predetermined time as the normal rotation drive time of the drive motor 26. The predetermined time is set to a time sufficient to convey the coin received by the coin receiving unit 13 to the upper outlet 16.

Then, the CPU 50 drives the drive motor 26 to rotate forward in step S17, determines whether or not a predetermined time set in the transport operation timer 52 has elapsed in step S18, and proceeds to step S9 when determining that the predetermined time has elapsed. If the time has not elapsed, it is determined in step S19 whether or not a predetermined time set in the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 has elapsed. Here, when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S9, and when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S20 to determine whether the predetermined time set in the transport abnormality detection timer 53 has elapsed.

When the determination in step S20 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed, the CPU 50 determines in step S21 that the transfer abnormality storage unit 54
Then, a flag is set as a transfer abnormality, and the process proceeds to step S9 to stop the drive motor 26. If it is determined that the determination in step S20 is within the predetermined time, the process returns to step S18.

That is, the CPU 50 determines in step S20 that the transfer abnormality detection timer
When the elapse of the predetermined time set in 53 is confirmed, it means that the locked state of the transport mechanism 15 cannot be released by the reverse rotation drive of the drive motor 26 performed in steps S10 to S14, or the locked state is reset again. Since this has occurred, the transport error is stored in the transport error storage unit 5 in step S21.
Set the flag to 4 and store it. At this time, an abnormality is displayed on an abnormality display (not shown).

Next, the timer interrupt flowchart shown in FIG. 8 will be described.

In step S22, the CPU 50 determines whether the transport drive time set in the transport operation timer 52 is less than a predetermined time, and if the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S24,
If the time is less than the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S23, and the time of the transport operation timer 52 is updated by decrementing the predetermined transport drive time set in the transport operation timer 52 by one.
Proceed to 4.

In step S24, it is determined whether or not the reverse rotation drive time set in the reverse rotation operation timer 55 has reached a predetermined time.If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S26, and if less than the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S25. , The reverse drive time set in the reverse operation timer 55 is decremented by 1, and the time of the reverse operation timer 55 is updated, and the process proceeds to step S26.

In step S26, it is determined whether or not the predetermined time set in the transport abnormality detection timer 53 has elapsed the set time, and if the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S28,
If it is shorter than the predetermined time, the time set in the transport abnormality detection timer 53 is decremented by one in step S27, and the time of the transport abnormality detection timer 53 is updated, and the process proceeds to step S28.

The CPU 50 determines in step S28 whether or not there is a coin detection signal from the detection sensors 17 and 18.When the coin detection signal is input, the CPU 50 instructs the transport operation timer 52 to perform a predetermined time as the normal rotation drive time of the drive motor 26 in step S29. And proceeds to step S30.In step S30, it is determined whether a predetermined time stored in the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 has elapsed.If the predetermined time has elapsed, the flow proceeds to step S33, and the predetermined time has elapsed. If it is less than 1, the time stored in the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 is decremented by 1 in step S31, and the timer time of the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 is updated, and the process proceeds to step S33.

On the other hand, if the coin detection signals from the detection sensors 17 and 18 are not input in step S28, the CPU 50 sets a constant as a predetermined time in the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 in step S32, and proceeds to step S33.

Then, the CPU 50 determines in step S33 whether or not there is a coin return command from the main body control unit 51, and when the coin return command is input, in step S34, the transport operation timer 52 sets a predetermined time as the normal rotation drive time of the drive motor 26 in the transport operation timer 52. Set and step S35
Go to step S33 if no coin return command is input
To step S35.

In step S35, the CPU 50 determines whether there is a change in the pulse signal from the rotation sensor 32, and confirms the change in the pulse signal.In step S36, the transport abnormality detection timer 53 permits the state in which there is no change in the pulse signal in the transport abnormality detection timer 53. After setting the time, the process proceeds to step S37. If the change in the pulse signal cannot be confirmed, the process directly proceeds to step S37.

In step S37, it is checked whether or not a flag indicating a transport error is set in the transport error storage unit 54. If there is a flag, the process proceeds to step S39, in which the slot opening / closing device 32 that opens and closes the coin slot 4 is stopped to operate. Close the coin slot 4,
The operation stops the coin insertion and proceeds to step S41.

On the other hand, if there is no flag in step S37, step S37
At 38, the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 checks whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed, and if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, a step is performed.
The process proceeds to S39, and if it is less than the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S40, in which the slot opening / closing device 32 is driven to open the coin slot 4, allowing coins to be inserted, and then to step S41.

In step S41, the CPU 50 checks whether or not a flag is set in the transport abnormality storage unit 54, and if there is a flag, sends an abnormality signal to the main body control unit 51 in step S43,
Return to the main flow. If there is no flag in the transport abnormality storage unit 54, it is checked in step S42 whether the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 has elapsed a predetermined time, and if the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S43, If it is less than the time, the output of the abnormal signal to the main body control unit 51 is stopped in step S44, and the process returns to the main flow.

Therefore, the inlet opening / closing device 32 is operated when the power is
When the transport mechanism 15 repeatedly stops for a predetermined time or more due to the occurrence of a lock state or the like, and when the detection sensors 17 and 18 continue to detect coins for a predetermined time or more, the coin insertion slot 4 is closed, In normal operation, the coin slot 4 is open in the driving state.

Then, when a predetermined coin is inserted from the coin insertion slot 4 by the customer, the coin is received by the coin processing device 10 through the insertion chute 11, and the coin is sorted and authenticated by the coin sorting device unit 10A.

The coins sorted as intrinsic coins by the coin sorting device unit 10A are stored in the storage unit 10B for each type. Then, the coins determined as false lending by the coin sorting device unit 10A or the coins returned based on the return operation are returned to the coin processing device 10A.
When the coins are sent to the payout chute 14 from the bottom and sent to the coin receiving unit 13, the detection sensors 17, 18 detect the coins, and the drive motor 26 is driven to rotate forward for a predetermined time.

On the other hand, even when the detection sensors 17 and 18 do not detect coins, the drive motor 26 is normally rotated for a predetermined time by a coin return command from the control unit of the main body. The predetermined time set here is set to a predetermined time sufficient for the coins in the coin receiving unit 13 to be conveyed to the outlet 16 by the normal rotation drive of the transport mechanism 15 by the normal rotation drive of the drive motor 26. I have.

The transport mechanism 15 is driven to rotate forward by the forward rotation of the drive motor 26, and the coins received in the coin receiving portion 13 are bucketed.
It is picked up by 24 and transported to the upper outlet 16.

When the transport mechanism 15 generates a locked state for a predetermined time or more due to a jam of coins or the like while the transport mechanism 15 is being driven, the drive motor 26 is driven to rotate reversely for a slight predetermined time, and is again rotated forward for a predetermined time. I do. With this reverse drive, obstacles such as coin jams can be released.

Further, when the locked state is generated again for a predetermined time or more during the forward rotation driving, the insertion port opening / closing device 32 closes the coin insertion port 4 and prevents the insertion of coins.

On the other hand, when the detection sensors 17 and 18 continue to detect coins for a predetermined time or more, the slot opening / closing device 32 also closes the coin slot 4 to prevent coins from being inserted.

Then, the coins conveyed to the delivery port 16 by the conveyance mechanism 15 fall from the bucket 24 to the delivery chute 29 and are guided and delivered to the coin return port 6.

(G) Effects of the Invention Since the present invention is configured as described above, even if the coin insertion slot is set at a height at which coins can be easily inserted, the position of the coin return slot is changed to the coin position. Since it can be set at a position where it can be easily taken out, the customer can easily take out the coin without bending the body greatly.

Further, the present invention is provided with a detecting means for detecting a coin sliding down on the payout chute and a detecting means for detecting a coin rolling and falling while standing on the payout chute. It is possible to reliably detect a coin accepted by the section.

Further, according to the present invention, the waiting time of the customer can be minimized by using the detecting means as a switch for driving the transport device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

Each figure shows an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a coin transport device, FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a coin receiving portion, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the lower portion of the transport mechanism, FIG. 5 is a front view of the vending machine, FIG. 6 is an electric control configuration diagram, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a main flow, and FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption flow. 6: coin return port, 10: coin processing device, 13: coin receiving unit, 14: payout chute, 15: transport mechanism, 17, 18 ...
... Detection sensor.

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-64-26292 (JP, A) JP-A 62-57870 (JP, U) JP-A 51-74489 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int) .Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G07D 9/00-9/02 G07D 1/00 G07F 1/02

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A vending machine provided with a coin processing device for paying out coins based on a coin return command from a sales control means, a coin receiving unit for receiving coins paid out from the coin processing device, and a coin processing device. A payout chute for guiding the coins paid out from the coin receiving section to the coin receiving section, a detecting means for detecting a coin sliding down on the payout chute, and detecting a coin rolling and falling while standing on the payout chute. A coin transport device for a vending machine, comprising: a detecting unit, and a transport mechanism that is driven when one of the two detecting units detects a coin, and that is driven to transport a coin in a coin receiving unit upward and to send the coin to an upper coin return slot. .