JP3536025B2 - Coin payout device and malfunction prevention member of coin payout device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin payout device, and more particularly to a coin payout device suitably used for a gaming machine in which a game is played using coins as a game medium. Further, the present invention relates to a malfunction preventing member for preventing malfunction of the coin count sensor in the coin payout device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a coin payout device, for example, a coin payout device disclosed in JP-A-9-319908 can be exemplified.

A coin payout device of this type includes a bucket for accommodating a plurality of coins in a non-arranged manner, a rotary plate for aligning coins housed in the buckets on the same plane and guiding the coins to a coin payout exit side, and a rotary plate. A second guide roller that pivots the coin guided to the coin payout exit side around a first guide roller that is movably supported and ejects the coin to the coin payout exit, and the movement amount of the first guide roller is a predetermined value. When it is less than, a coin count sensor that counts the number of coins ejected from the coin payout opening by using the rotation of the second guide roller around the first guide roller as a trigger is provided. This is an apparatus for paying out only a predetermined number of coins requested while counting the number of coins.

Incidentally, in this type of coin payout device, the first guide roller is movably provided as described above.
This mechanism is a mechanism for preventing the first guide roller from being damaged by the foreign matter when the foreign matter is caught between the rotary plate and the first guide roller during coin payout, the first guide roller moves. is there. This mechanism is a kind of guide protection mechanism that is widely adopted in existing coin payout devices.

[0005]

However, in the coin payout device having the guide protection mechanism as described above,
When the moving amount of the first guide roller is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the coin is not counted by the coin count sensor, and thus the coin is paid out more than necessary.

More specifically, the coin count sensor is composed of a sensor arm that rotates together with the second guide roller and a photoelectric switch arranged on the orbit of the sensor arm. The sensor arm is the second guide roller. With the rotation of, the coin is paid out by crossing between the photoelectric switches.

Therefore, when the first guide roller moves beyond a predetermined value, the sensor arm that rotates together with the second guide roller rotates without drawing a regular trajectory, and the photoelectric switch cannot detect the rotation. Things happen. That is, the number of coins paid out cannot be accurately counted.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coin payout device capable of accurately counting the number of coins paid out. Another object of the present invention is to provide a malfunction prevention member that can prevent malfunction of the coin count sensor in an existing coin payout device having a guide protection mechanism.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention employs the following means. That is, a coin payout device for paying out a predetermined number of coins to a coin payout port from a coin supply unit that is a source of coins, and the coin supply unit provided on a path from the coin supply unit to the coin payout port. Coin guiding means for guiding the supplied coins to the coin payout exit side, and a predetermined movably supported support provided in the path from the coin guiding means to the coin payout exit in the entire path. A guide for flipping a coin guided from the coin guiding means around the shaft to the coin payout opening, and when the movement amount of the support shaft is less than a predetermined value, the rotation of the guide is used as a trigger. A coin count sensor for counting the number of coins paid out from the coin payout opening, and a movement amount setting means for setting the movement amount of the support shaft to be less than the predetermined value are provided. And wherein the Rukoto.

In the coin payout device of the present invention thus configured, since the movement amount setting means for setting the movement amount of the support shaft to less than the predetermined value is provided, the movement amount of the support shaft is set to less than the predetermined value. By setting, it is possible to accurately count the number of coins paid out by the coin count sensor. Here, the predetermined value means a movement limit value of the support shaft in which the coin payout number is accurately counted by the coin count sensor as the guide rotates. Further, in the present invention, the coin is a small disc-shaped member, and is a concept including medals and coins.

Further, a frame for securing a movement space of the support shaft and movably supporting the support shaft in the movement space is provided, and the movement amount setting means is inserted into the movement space to move the movement space. It may be configured to include a spacer that limits the amount of movement of the support shaft inside. That is, in this configuration, the spacer serving as the movement amount setting means is inserted into the movement space of the support shaft formed in the frame so that the movement amount of the support shaft in the movement space can be limited to less than a predetermined value. There is.

It is desirable that the spacer is detachably attached to the moving space. In this case, a plurality of spacers having different thicknesses are prepared in advance, and the plurality of spacers are appropriately selected so that the movement amount of the support shaft has a desired value, and the spacers are inserted into the moving space. The moving amount of can be set arbitrarily. The thickness of the spacer may be set so that the movement amount of the support shaft in the movement space is less than the predetermined value.

Further, the coin guiding means is provided on the back side of the first rotating disk having a coin guide hole formed at a predetermined pitch in the rotating direction facing the coin supply section and on the back side of the first rotating disk. A second rotating disk that aligns coins that enter and exit the holes on the same plane, and a coin that is interposed between the first rotating disk and the second rotating disk and that is aligned on the same plane by the second rotating disk. May be provided with a claw gear-shaped plate that discharges in the tangential direction of the second rotating disk.

Further, in order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention may employ the following configurations. That is, a guide for ejecting coins to the coin payout opening by rotating around a predetermined movably supported support shaft, and a space for moving the support shaft are secured to move the support shaft within the space. A coin payout having a freely supporting frame and a coin count sensor that counts the number of coins paid out to the coin payout opening by using the rotation of the guide as a trigger when the amount of movement of the support shaft is less than a predetermined value. A malfunction preventing member for preventing malfunction in the coin count sensor of the device, wherein the malfunction preventing member is inserted into a movement space of the support shaft in the frame, and a movement amount of the support shaft in the movement space. May be set to be less than the predetermined value.

The malfunction prevention member of the present invention having this structure is a coin count sensor without processing the existing coin payout device by incorporating the malfunction prevention member into the existing coin payout device having the guide protection mechanism. It is possible to prevent malfunctions in. The malfunction preventing member may be configured to contact the support shaft and prevent the support shaft from moving when the amount of movement of the support shaft exceeds a predetermined value.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the coin payout device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the coin payout device 1 is provided with a bucket 2 (coin supply unit) for accommodating a plurality of coins C in a non-arranged manner and main components of the coin payout device 1 in a substantially integrated manner. It has a frame 3 and a metal base 4 that supports the bucket 2 and the frame 3, and in this embodiment, a mode in which the coin payout device 1 is applied to a slot machine (game machine) will be described. .

The bucket 2 is a funnel-shaped container made of resin or the like, and a plurality of coins C are housed in the inside thereof in a non-arranged manner. Further, an opening 2a facing a turntable 5 provided in a frame 3 to be described later is formed in the bottom portion thereof, and the coin C accommodated in the bucket 2 passes through the opening 2a provided in the bottom portion of the turntable 5. It has a structure to be supplied to.

On the other hand, the frame 3 is formed of a resin or metal plate or the like as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, and the frame 3 has a coin payout opening (not shown) provided in the gaming machine. To the coin payout passage 31, the coin C accommodated in the bucket 2 is aligned on the same plane and is guided to the coin payout exit side, and the coin C guided from the rotary plate 5 to the coin payout passage 31 side. A guide mechanism 6 that vigorously flips out to the coin payout exit, a coin count sensor 7 that counts the number of coins paid out using the operation of the guide mechanism 6 as a trigger, and the like are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rotary disk 5 includes a first rotary disk 5a having coin guide holes 51 formed at a predetermined pitch in the rotational direction, and a rear surface side of the first rotary disk 5a. And a second rotating disk 5b for aligning coins C that have fallen into the coin guide hole 51 on the same plane, and the second rotating disk 5b and the second rotating disk 5b.
It has a claw gear-shaped plate 5c for ejecting the coins C aligned on the same plane by the rotating disk 5b in the tangential direction of the second rotating disk 5b, and has a function as coin guiding means.

The claw gear-shaped plate 5c is formed to have a thickness substantially equal to that of one coin, as shown in FIG.
A gap S through which only one coin can pass is formed between the first rotating disc 5a and the second rotating disc 5b, and is fixed to both the first rotating disc 5a and the second rotating disc 5b. There is. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the claws 52 of the claw gear-shaped plate 5c are arranged so as not to be directly under the coin guide holes 51, and enter the coin guide holes 51 formed in the first rotating disk 5a. The dropped coins C are aligned on the same plane in the second rotary disc 5b, and from the gap S formed on the side of the rotary disc 5 by the claw gear-shaped plate 5c as the rotary disc 5 rotates. It will be discharged in the tangential direction of the turntable 5.

The turntable 5 is driven by an electric motor M attached to the frame 3, and the electric motor M
Starts to rotate in response to a coin payout command from a main control board (not shown) provided in the gaming machine.

A peripheral wall 32 formed by a part of the frame 3 is provided around the turntable 5. Furthermore, a part of the peripheral wall 32 is cut out in such an amount that only one coin can pass through with a margin.
The coins C that are about to be discharged from the rotary disk 5 as they are rotated are secured in the temporary rotary disk 5 along the peripheral wall 32, and when the rotation of the rotary disk 5 further progresses, the coins C are not formed in the notches 32a in the peripheral wall 32 for the first time. It is discharged to the outside of the turntable 5. That is, the notch 32a provided in the peripheral wall 32 serves as the coin payout passage 31 connected to the coin payout exit.

On the other hand, the coin C guided from the rotary disk 5 to the coin payout passage 31 side is structured to be vigorously ejected from the coin payout passage 31 by the guide mechanism 6 provided in the coin payout passage 31. As shown in FIG. 6, the guide mechanism 6 is rotatably supported with a first guide roller 61 movably supported with respect to the frame 3 and the first guide roller 61 as a fulcrum of rotation. And a second guide roller 62.
The guide roller 61 and the second guide roller 62 are provided on one side of the coin payout passage 31 formed in the frame 3. A metal plate 63 is provided on the other side of the coin payout passage 31 facing the guide rollers 61 and 62 to reinforce the coin payout passage side wall surface.

The first guide roller 61 is provided at a position extremely close to the rotary plate 5 in the coin payout passage 31 formed by a part of the frame 3 as shown in FIG. Then, the coin payout opening 31 showing the coin C guided by the turntable 5 in the direction of arrow D in FIG.
It becomes a guide roller for sending to the side.

On the other hand, the second guide roller 62 is rotatably supported about the first guide roller 61, and is provided so as to slightly project inward of the coin payout passage 31 and downstream of the coin payout passage 31. There is. The width L of the coin payout passage 31 in the state where the second guide roller 62 projects inward of the coin payout passage 31 is set to be slightly narrower than the diameter of the coin C (see FIG. 6).

The first guide roller 61 and the second guide roller 62 are respectively biased in predetermined directions by springs 61a and 62a provided on the back side of the frame 3. The first guide roller 61 is urged in the direction of the arrow R in FIG. 6, which is the inner side of the coin payout passage 31, and the second guide roller 62 is the first guide roller 61.
Like the first guide roller 61, the center of rotation is biased toward the inner side of the coin payout passage 31 in the direction of arrow K in FIG.

Next, the payout operation of the coin C in the guide mechanism 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. First, the coin C that has fallen from the bucket 2 into the turntable 5 moves along the turntable 5 as described above,
It is discharged from the rotary disk 5 in the notch 32a of the peripheral wall 32 formed by. At the same time, the coin C comes into contact with the first guide roller 61 and is pushed out to the exit side of the coin payout passage 31 by the claw gear-shaped plate 5c provided on the rotary disk 5 (see FIG. 6).

When the rotation of the turntable 5 progresses further,
As shown in FIG. 7, the coin C that has been in contact with the first guide roller 61 is further pushed out toward the exit side of the coin payout passage 31 by the claw gear-shaped plate 5c, and the second coin projecting in the coin payout passage 31 is provided. The guide roller 62 is moved to the exit side of the coin payout passage 31 while expanding the outer side of the coin payout passage 31 (direction of arrow H in FIG. 7). That is,
The coin C moves to the exit side of the coin payout passage 31 while rotating the second guide roller 62.

When the turntable 5 further rotates from this state, the coin C contacting the second guide roller 62
Is pushed to the downstream side of the coin payout passage 31 by another coin C1 newly sent from the turntable 5,
The coin payout passage 31 in the form of overcoming the guide roller 62
Reach the exit (see Figure 8).

At this time, the second guide roller 62
Is urged toward the inner side of the coin payout passage 31 by the spring 62a as described above, and as shown in FIG. 9, the tension of the spring 62a instantly restores the original position (arrow Y in the figure). direction). Therefore, coin C
Is swung out of the coin payout passage 31 by the rotation of the second guide roller 62 when the second guide roller 62 is returned.

Next, the coin count sensor 7 that counts the coins C paid out to the coin payout opening will be described by using the operation of the guide mechanism 6 as a trigger.

The coin count sensor 7 has a support shaft 61b for supporting the first guide roller 61, as shown in FIG.
A sensor arm 71 rotatably provided on the sensor arm 71, a photoelectric switch 72 provided on a track of the sensor arm 71 when the sensor arm 71 rotates with the first guide roller 61 as a reference, and a sensor in a normal state. Arm 7
The sensor arm 71 is provided with the second guide roller 62 described above. Here, the normal state means a state where no external force acts on the sensor arm 71.

Therefore, as described above, the sensor arm 7 receives the rotation of the second guide roller 62 accompanying the payout of the coin C.
1 also rotates and the sensor arm 71 crosses between the photoelectric switches 72, whereby the rotation of the sensor arm 71 is recognized by the photoelectric switch 72. That is, the photoelectric switch 7
The payout number of the coin C is calculated by concretely quantifying the number of rotations of the sensor arm 71 recognized in 2.

The base 4 described above has an electric motor M
Driver for supplying electric power to the electric motor M to drive the electric motor M,
And the sensor arm 71 recognized by the photoelectric switch 72
A controller is provided for shutting off the electric power to the electric motor M by considering that the number of coins to be paid out has reached the specified number in response to the number of rotations of the predetermined number. Therefore, the discharge of the coin C from the turntable 5 is cut off, and the coin payout device 1
The payout of the coin C is stopped.

As described above, in the coin payout device 1 according to the present embodiment, the number of coins paid out is calculated by using the rotation of the second guide roller 62 as a trigger. In addition, 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a base box for housing the above-mentioned driver and controller.

By the way, the first guide roller 61 is opposed to the tension of the spring 61a as described above by the arrow X in FIG.
It is supported so that it can move in any direction. This mechanism is a guide protection mechanism for preventing the first guide roller 61 from being damaged by the foreign matter when the foreign matter is caught between the rotary disk 5 and the first guide roller 61 during coin payout.

More specifically, a bracket 61c that supports the first guide roller 61 and is rotatably provided with respect to the frame 3, and the first bracket 61c via the bracket 61c.
The guide roller 61 has the spring 61a for urging the guide roller 61 inward of the coin payout passage 31. On the frame 3 side, as shown in FIG. 2, a notch 61d serving as a moving space (escape) of the first guide roller 61 is formed in the coin payout passage 31 in the vicinity of the first guide roller 61.

However, at the time of movement of the first guide roller 61, the sensor arm 71 and the second guide roller 62 having the first guide roller 61 as a fulcrum also move with the movement of the support shaft 61b of the first guide roller 61, and the arrow in FIG. Move toward V. Therefore, if the amount of movement of the first guide roller 61 becomes excessive, the second guide roller 62 interferes with the frame 3 and the sensor arm 71 cannot rotate. Also,
Even if the movement amount of the first guide roller 61 is such that the second guide roller 62 can rotate, the sensor arm 71 that rotates integrally with the second guide roller 62 deviates from the predetermined trajectory. Because of the rotation, a situation occurs in which the rotation of the sensor arm 71 by the photoelectric switch 72 is not recognized.
That is, the payout amount of the coin C cannot be calculated.

The predetermined value is a movement limit value of the first guide roller 61 which can accurately count the number of coin payouts triggered by the rotation of the second guide roller 62, and this value is a coin payout device. It is a fixed value that is individually set according to the specification of 1.

Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the spacer 9 capable of setting the movement amount of the first guide roller 61 to be less than a predetermined value is provided in the notch 61d, so that the first notch in the notch 61d is provided. By limiting the movement amount of the guide roller 61 to less than a predetermined value, the coin count sensor 7
I am trying to be able to accurately count in.

The spacer 9 is formed by bending a metal plate, and is detachably accommodated in the notch 61d of the frame 3 which is the escape of the first guide roller 61. More specifically, the spacer 9 includes the notch 6
It is formed in a substantially rectangular shape that engages with 1d, and its thickness is set such that the movement amount of the first guide roller 61 is less than a predetermined value in the notch 61d when the spacer 9 is inserted in the notch 61d. Has been done.

Therefore, in the coin payout device 1 according to the present embodiment, the first guide roller 61 contacts the spacer 9 even if foreign matter is mixed between the rotary disk 5 and the first guide roller 61. Its movement is restricted. Therefore, the first guide roller 61 does not move beyond a predetermined value, and the coin payout amount in the coin count sensor 7 is accurately calculated.

The thickness of the spacer 9 can be set to such a thickness that the first guide roller 61 can be fixed in the notch 61d, but in consideration of protection of the first guide roller 61, the first guide roller 61 is preferable. It is desirable that the maximum movement amount of 61 is set to a thickness near a predetermined value.

Further, the coin payout device 1 shown in the present embodiment may be provided with a turntable emergency stop mechanism. This rotary disc emergency stop mechanism is provided when a large foreign substance whose movement amount of the first guide roller 61 is a predetermined value or more is mixed between the first guide roller 61 whose movement is restricted by the spacer 9 and the rotary disc 5. In addition, it is a mechanism for avoiding damage to the first guide roller 61 and the rotary disk 5 by forcibly stopping the rotation of the rotary disk 5. At the same time, it is a mechanism for stopping the subsequent payout.

The turntable emergency stop mechanism detects, for example, when an overcurrent flows to the electric motor M that rotates the turntable 5, stops the rotation of the electric motor M by detecting the overcurrent. An electric motor protection circuit etc. can be illustrated.

Further, in the present embodiment, when adjusting the movement amount of the first guide roller 61, the spacer 9 is inserted into the notch 61d which is a relief of the first guide roller 61, and the first guide roller 61 is moved. I am adjusting the amount,
In the coin payout device 1 according to the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the stopper 73 of the sensor arm 7 is provided with the adjuster A for adjusting the movement amount of the first guide roller 61, and the first guide roller by the adjuster A is provided. The amount of movement of 61 may be adjusted.

Further, the tension of the spring 61a for urging the first guide roller 61 toward the inner side of the coin payout passage 31 is changed so that the moving amount of the first guide roller 61 is always less than a predetermined value. Good. The spring 61c
When changing the tension of, the tension adjustment is performed in consideration of the drive torque of the electric motor M that rotates the turntable 5. That is,
In a state in which a foreign substance is mixed between the first guide roller 61 and the turntable 5, a tension that maintains balance when the movement amount of the first guide roller 61 is less than a predetermined value is selected.

As described above, in the coin payout device 1 described in the present embodiment, the movement amount setting means capable of arbitrarily adjusting the movement amount of the first guide roller 61 is provided to rotate the second guide roller 62. It is possible to accurately count coin payouts triggered by movements.

The spacer 9 described above can be applied not only to the coin payout device 1 described in the present embodiment but also to the coin payout device 1 for calculating the payout number of the coins C by the same kind of mechanism as much as possible. That is, even in the existing coin payout device 1 installed in the game arcade, if the spacer 9 according to the present invention can be incorporated, the same effect as the coin payout device 1 of the present invention can be obtained.

More specifically, a plurality of types of spacers 9 are prepared in advance, and the spacers 9 corresponding to the existing coin payout device 1 are appropriately selected and incorporated, whereby the first guide roller 61 in each coin payout device 1 is prepared. The amount of movement of coins can be limited to less than a predetermined value, and the coin payout number can be accurately counted. Incidentally, the shape of the spacer 9 can be arbitrarily changed as long as it can be engaged with the space which is the escape of the first guide roller 61.

In the above-described embodiment, the coin payout device 1 of the present invention is applied to the slot machine. However, the coin payout device 1 of the present invention can be used in coin changers, automatic vending machines, automatic ticket vending machines, etc. It can be widely used for all articles having a mechanism for paying out C.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coin payout device capable of accurately counting the number of coins paid out. Further, in the existing coin payout device having the guide protection mechanism, it is possible to provide a malfunction prevention member capable of preventing malfunction of the coin count sensor.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire coin payout device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the coin payout device with the bucket removed.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a turntable of the coin payout device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a turntable of the coin payout device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a turntable of the coin payout device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a guide mechanism of the coin payout device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a guide mechanism of the coin payout device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a guide mechanism of the coin payout device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a guide mechanism of the coin payout device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a coin count sensor of the coin payout device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a guide protection mechanism of the coin payout device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a spacer incorporated in the coin payout device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing another movement amount setting means of the coin payout device according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 coin payout device 2 buckets 2a opening 3 frames 4 bases 5 turntable 6 Guide mechanism 7 coin count sensor 5a First rotating disk 5b Second rotating disk 5c Claw gear-shaped plate 9 spacers 10 base box 31 coin payout passage 32 perimeter wall 32a cutout 51 coin guide hole 52 nails 61 First guide roller 61a spring 61b spindle 61c bracket 61d cutout 62 Second guide roller 62a spring 63 metal plate 71 sensor arm 72 Photoelectric switch 73 Stopper A adjuster C coin M electric motor S gap

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A coin supply unit which is a supply source of coins,
A coin payout device for paying out a predetermined number of coins to a coin payout exit, wherein coins supplied from the coin supply means are provided on a path from the coin supply section to the coin payout exit and are directed to the coin payout exit side. The coin guiding means for guiding and a predetermined supporting shaft provided movably in the path from the coin guiding means to the coin payout outlet in the entire path and pivoted about the predetermined coin supporting means to move from the coin guiding means. A guide that ejects the guided coins to the coin payout opening, and a coin that counts the number of coins paid out from the coin payout opening when the amount of movement of the support shaft is less than a predetermined value, triggered by the rotation of the guide. The count sensor and the number of coins paid out according to the rotation of the guide are
Correct movement of the spindle in the coin count sensor
A coin payout device comprising: a movement amount setting means for setting the movement amount of the support shaft to be less than the predetermined value within a range of a movement limit value . 2. A frame is provided which secures a movement space of the support shaft and supports the support shaft so as to be movable within the movement space, and the movement amount setting means is inserted into the movement space. The spacer is provided to limit the amount of movement of the support shaft in the movement space.
The coin payout device described in. Wherein the spacer is claim 2, characterized in that are freely provided et detachable from the moving space
The coin payout device described in.