JP3792123B2

JP3792123B2 - Coin delivery device

Info

Publication number: JP3792123B2
Application number: JP2000373299A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 勝彦圓尾; 弘行佐藤; 友康佐藤; 英貴保正
Original assignee: グローリー工業株式会社
Priority date: 2000-12-07
Filing date: 2000-12-07
Publication date: 2006-07-05
Anticipated expiration: 2015-08-21
Also published as: JP2001198530A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、硬貨貯留ホッパに受け入れた硬貨を１層１列状態で硬貨通路へ送り込み、１枚ずつ確実に硬貨の金種などの検知を行なって送出するとともに、硬貨の送出を選択的に阻止する硬貨送出装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、硬貨送出装置は、例えば実開平７−６８６１号公報または実開平７−６８６２号公報に記載されているように、回転円盤の外周縁側の上方に硬貨貯留ホッパを設け、この硬貨貯留ホッパの回転円盤に対向する面に、回転円盤の遠心力にて送出される硬貨を案内する基準通路壁部およびこの基準通路壁部に沿って送出される硬貨が通過する硬貨通路間隙をあけて対向する対向通路壁部を有する硬貨通路を形成し、この硬貨通路には、硬貨を回転円盤に押圧して基準通路壁部に沿わせて移動させるスポンジ材などの弾性変形可能な押圧部材を設けるとともに、硬貨通路の基準通路壁部に沿って送出される硬貨を検知する検知センサを設けている。
【０００３】
検知センサは、小円形状の検知光を投受光する投受光タイプであり、硬貨の通過時に検知光が遮光されることで硬貨１枚の送出が検知されるとともに、検知光の遮光時間が硬貨の直径に対応していて硬貨の金種が判別される。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、従来の硬貨送出装置では、基準通路壁部に沿って移動される硬貨を検知センサで検知するが、基準通路壁部に硬貨を沿わせるための押圧部材には硬貨が接触して摺動するので、押圧部材が劣化しやすく、劣化によって硬貨を基準通路壁部に沿わせることが不確実になりやすい問題がある。
【０００５】
また、従来の硬貨送出装置において、図１２に示すように、押圧部材を設けず、その代わりに検知センサとしてラインセンサを通路幅方向に沿って設けることにより、基準通路壁部に硬貨を沿わさなくても、硬貨の直径に対応する遮光範囲で硬貨の金種を判別できるが、通路幅を最大径硬貨（例えば５００円硬貨）が通過可能とするサイズに合わせているため、小径硬貨（例えば１円硬貨）が連続して移動されてきた場合、ラインセンサ上で２枚の硬貨が同時に並ぶタイミングが発生し、小径硬貨の直径より大径の硬貨と誤判別してしまうなど、硬貨の検知が確実に行なわれない。
【０００６】
本発明は、このような点に鑑みなされたもので、硬貨貯留ホッパに受け入れた硬貨を硬貨通路の導入通路部へ１層１列状態で送り込めるとともに、検知センサおよびストッパに対して硬貨を１枚ずつ順に搬送でき、検知センサによる硬貨の検知およびストッパによる硬貨の通過の選択的な阻止を確実に行なえる硬貨送出装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１記載の硬貨送出装置は、回転円盤と、この回転円盤の外周縁側の上方に設けられる硬貨貯留ホッパと、この硬貨貯留ホッパから回転円盤へ送り込まれる硬貨を１層１列状態で受け入れて搬送する回転円盤の外周縁側の導入通路部およびこの導入通路部から回転円盤の外方へ形成される導出通路部を有する硬貨通路と、この硬貨通路の導出通路部に臨んで設けられ硬貨を検知する検知センサと、この検知センサの検知結果に基づき作動されて導出通路部に対して進退し硬貨の搬送を選択的に阻止するストッパとを備え、硬貨貯留ホッパは、回転円盤の遠心力で半径方向外方へ移動する硬貨の周縁を規制する環状規制壁部、および環状規制壁部の上端から外方へ向けて形成されるホッパ域を有する硬貨送出装置において、前記導入通路部は、環状規制壁部より径が大とされるとともに硬貨の周縁外端側を規制する導入通路部外周側壁、導入通路部の底面を形成する回転円盤の上面外周側域、導入通路部の上部に位置して回転円盤の上面からの高さが硬貨の１枚厚みより高く２枚厚みより低い位置に形成される厚み規制壁、および環状規制壁部の下部位置で回転円盤の略全周にわたって形成されて導入通路部の内周側を開放状態とする開口部を有し、かつこの導入通路部は、回転円盤の略全周にわたって形成してなるとともに、導入通路部外周側壁、回転円盤の上面外周側域、厚み規制壁および開口部を通じて硬貨を１層１列状態で搬送してなり、前記導出通路部は、導入通路部外周側壁に続いて設けられ回転円盤の外方へ向けて形成される一側通路壁、この一側通路壁との間で硬貨が１枚ずつ通過可能な通路幅を形成する他側通路壁、および導出通路部の底面との間で硬貨を挟持して搬送し検知センサに対して硬貨を１枚ずつ順に送る回転可能な挟持搬送体を有し、前記硬貨貯留ホッパは、環状規制壁部の外方のホッパ域に略垂直状に突出しホッパ域に寄りかかった状態で回転する硬貨を回転円盤上へ強制的に落とす突出壁部を有するとともにこの突出壁部は導入通路部の出口域に対応するホッパ域部位に形成してなるものである。
【０００８】
請求項２記載の硬貨送出装置は、回転円盤と、この回転円盤の外周縁側の上方に設けられる硬貨貯留ホッパと、この硬貨貯留ホッパから回転円盤へ送り込まれる硬貨を１層１列状態で受け入れて搬送する回転円盤の外周縁側の導入通路部およびこの導入通路部から回転円盤の外方へ形成される導出通路部を有する硬貨通路と、この硬貨通路の導出通路部に臨んで設けられ硬貨を検知する検知センサと、この検知センサの検知結果に基づき作動されて導出通路部に対して進退し硬貨の搬送を選択的に阻止するストッパとを備え、硬貨貯留ホッパは、回転円盤の遠心力で半径方向外方へ移動する硬貨の周縁を規制する環状規制壁部、環状規制壁部の上端から外方へ向けて上り傾斜する傾斜壁部、およびこの傾斜壁部の外方端位置から上方へ立ち上がる周壁部を有する硬貨送出装置において、前記導入通路部は、環状規制壁部より径が大とされるとともに硬貨の周縁外端側を規制する導入通路部外周側壁、導入通路部の底面を形成する回転円盤の上面外周側域、導入通路部の上部に位置して回転円盤の上面からの高さが硬貨の１枚厚みより高く２枚厚みより低い位置に形成される厚み規制壁、および環状規制壁部の下部位置で回転円盤の略全周にわたって形成されて導入通路部の内周側を開放状態とする開口部を有し、かつこの導入通路部は、回転円盤の略全周にわたって形成してなるとともに、導入通路部外周側壁、回転円盤の上面外周側域、厚み規制壁および開口部を通じて硬貨を１層１列状態で搬送してなり、前記導出通路部は、導入通路部外周側壁に続いて設けられ回転円盤の外方へ向けて形成される一側通路壁、この一側通路壁との間で硬貨が１枚ずつ通過可能な通路幅を形成する他側通路壁、および導出通路部の底面との間で硬貨を挟持して搬送し検知センサに対して硬貨を１枚ずつ順に送る回転可能な挟持搬送体を有し、前記硬貨貯留ホッパは、環状規制壁部の外方の傾斜壁部域に略垂直状に突出し傾斜壁部に寄りかかった状態で回転する硬貨を回転円盤上へ強制的に落とす突出壁部を有するとともにこの突出壁部は導入通路部の出口域に対応する傾斜壁部域に形成してなるものである。
【０００９】
そして、本発明の構成によれば、硬貨通路の導入通路部および導出通路部、硬貨貯留ホッパの構成により、硬貨貯留ホッパに受け入れた硬貨を導入通路部に１層１列状態で送り込めるとともに、導出通路部に設けられる検知センサおよびストッパに対して硬貨を１枚ずつ順に搬送でき、検知センサによる硬貨の検知およびストッパによる硬貨の通過の選択的な阻止を確実に行なえる。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の硬貨送出装置の一実施の形態を図面を参照して説明する。
【００１１】
図１は硬貨送出装置の一部を省略した平面図、図２は硬貨送出装置の一部を省略した正面図、図３は硬貨送出装置の一部を省略した側面図である。図において、１は硬貨送出装置の基台で、この基台１は、箱状に形成され、前面下部の幅方向全域に凹部２が形成されている。なお、図１の下側が基台１の前側、上側が基台１の後側となっている。
【００１２】
また、基台１の上面部後寄りには回転円盤11が回転自在に配設されている。この回転円盤11は、金属製で、例えば１００mm程度の小径に形成されており、図４（図１のＡ−Ａ断面図）および図５（図１のＢ−Ｂ断面図）に示すように、上面の内周縁側および外周縁側（回転円盤11の外周縁より内側で外周縁近傍位置を意味する）に環状の溝部12，13がそれぞれ形成され、この各溝部12，13に例えばゴムなどの摩擦係数の高い材料にて形成された環状の送出体14，15が金属製上面部位とそれぞれ面一に取り付けられている。
【００１３】
図３に示すように、回転円盤11の中央部は回転軸16に固着され、この回転軸16は基台１の内部に架設される支持板17に軸受18，19を介して回転自在に支持されている。回転円盤11の上面に臨む回転軸16の上端には、回転軸16に対して偏心回転する略円錐状の突部20が突出されている。
【００１４】
回転円盤11の下側には大径の従動ギヤ21が同心円に固着され、この従動ギヤ21には駆動モータ22の駆動軸23に固着された駆動ギヤ24が噛合されている。駆動モータ22は、基台１内の前側左部に配設されている。
【００１５】
また、基台１の上面部には、回転円盤11より上方位置に、ホッパ取付板31およびこのホッパ取付板31上に取り付けられた硬貨貯留ホッパ32が配設されている。
【００１６】
ホッパ取付板31は、図１に示すように、ホッパ取付板31の後端両側に取り付けられたブラケット33が基台１側の支持部34に軸35によって回動可能に連結されることにより、硬貨貯留ホッパ32が基台１の上縁部に当接した閉位置と後方へ回動して回転円盤11の上面を開放した開放位置とに回動可能とされている。ホッパ取付板31の回転円盤11に対応する上方位置には開口部36が開口形成され、この開口部36の内周縁には回転円盤11の回転による遠心力にて半径方向外方へ移動される硬貨の周縁を規制する環状規制壁部37が形成されている。その環状規制壁部37の位置は、図４および図５に示すように、回転円盤11の外周縁側の送出体15の内周位置に対応している。
【００１７】
硬貨貯留ホッパ32は、図４および図５に示すように、ホッパ取付板31の上面より上方に離反された上面部38、およびこの上面部38の周囲から下方に突出形成されてホッパ取付板31の周縁部に取り付けられる周面部39を有し、上面部38の回転円盤11に対応する上方位置に硬貨を投入するホッパ開口40が開口形成され、ホッパ開口40より前側の上面部の下方に空間部41が形成され、周面部39の下端周囲に基台１の上縁部に接合するフランジ部42が突出形成されている。
【００１８】
ホッパ開口40の下方には回転円盤11の上面に臨んで硬貨を貯留する硬貨貯留空間部43が形成されており、この硬貨貯留空間部43の周囲には、略垂直状の周壁部44が形成され、この周壁部44の下端からホッパ取付板31の環状規制壁部37の上端へ向けて下がり傾斜する環状の傾斜壁部45が形成されている。傾斜壁部45の下端開口はホッパ取付板31の開口部36すなわち環状規制壁部37と同一位置に形成されている。周壁部44の前側には硬貨貯留空間部43に略垂直状に突出する突出壁部46が直線的に形成されている。
【００１９】
また、図１に示すように、ホッパ取付板31の回転円盤11の外周縁側に対向する下面には、回転円盤11の回転による遠心力によって送出される硬貨を１層１列状態で案内する凹溝状の硬貨通路51が形成されている。この硬貨通路51には、回転円盤11の遠心力にて送出される硬貨を１層１列状態で受け入れて搬送する導入通路部52が形成され、この導入通路部52に続いて硬貨を回転円盤11の外周縁側と交差する回転円盤11の外方、この例では前方へ導出する導出通路部53が形成されている。
【００２０】
導入通路部52の内周側は開口形成され、導入通路部52の外周側（導入通路部外周側壁）から導出通路部53の一側（一側通路壁）にかけて第１通路壁54が形成され、導出通路部53の他側（他側通路壁）に第２通路壁55が形成され、導入通路部52および導出通路部53の上方に回転円盤11の上面からの高さが硬貨の１枚厚みより高く２枚厚みより低い位置に厚み規制壁56（図４および図５参照）が形成されている。
【００２１】
導入通路部52は、回転円盤11の前側左位置を入口部52a とするとともに前側右位置を導出通路部53に連続する出口部52b とし、入口部52a から出口部52b まで回転円盤11の外周縁側に沿って回転円盤11の全周域に近い長い距離にわたって形成されている。
【００２２】
導入通路部52の入口部52a と導出通路部53との間には、ホッパ取付板31の下面に形成された凹部57に嵌合固定されて通路部材58が配設されている。この通路部材58は、耐摩耗性材料にて平板状に形成され、回転円盤11の上面との間に硬貨の厚みより小さい間隙をあけて支持されている。通路部材58の回転円盤11上に突出する部分には、導入通路部52の導入案内縁59a へ硬貨を導入する導入案内縁59b および導出通路部53へ硬貨を導出する導出案内縁60が形成され、この導入案内縁59b と導出案内縁60が鋭角状に隣接されている。この通路部材58の通路内に臨む内側縁に第２通路壁55が形成されている。なお、この通路部材58は耐摩耗性の観点からホッパ取付板31とは別の部材で形成したが、第１通路壁54と同様にホッパ取付板31に加工して形成してもよい。
【００２３】
なお、導入通路部52の入口部52a において、通路部材58の導入案内縁59b に導入案内縁59a が接続され、この導入案内縁59a は径が大になるような円弧状とされ、その終端は第１通路壁54の始端側が連続的に形成され、換言すると第１通路壁54の始端側が導入案内縁59a ，59b の一部を構成する。
【００２４】
導出通路部53は、導入通路部52の出口部52b から前方へ向けて形成され、第１通路壁54と第２通路壁55の間の通路幅は幅方向に硬貨が１枚ずつ通過可能に形成され、図６に示すように、上面はホッパ取付板31の下面で形成されているとともに、下面は回転円盤11の一部およびシュート部材61の通路面62で形成されている。
【００２５】
シュート部材61は、回転円盤11の上面と略同一高さに配置される通路面62が形成され、この通路面62の前端から前方へ向けて下がり傾斜するシュート面63が形成され、シュート面63の両側に側壁面64が形成されている。
【００２６】
導出通路部53の上方のホッパ取付板31の前端に形成された切欠部65にシュート面63に対して略平行に対向するシュート板66が配置され、シュート部材61とシュート板66との間にシュート67が形成されている。シュート67の下端は基台１の凹部２の上面に開口形成された送出口68に連通されている。
【００２７】
導出通路部53の上方のホッパ取付板31には、硬貨のシュート67への落下を補助するために、厚み規制壁56よりも高い位置に凹部69が形成されている。
【００２８】
また、図１に示すように、回転円盤11の上方の導出通路部53には、回転円盤11の円周方向に略沿う方向に金属製の２個の球体（挟持搬送体）71が配列されている。また、球体71同士の球中心間距離は最小径硬貨直径より小なる寸法に設定されている。これら各球体71は、図７に示すように、ホッパ取付板31に形成された窓孔72に上方から回転自在に嵌合されるとともに、硬貨貯留ホッパ32の上面部38の下面に一体成形状態で設けられた支持部材73によって支持されている。
【００２９】
窓孔72は上面開口が広く下面開口が狭い皿ぐり孔状に形成され、窓孔72に嵌合する球体71の周面が厚み規制壁56の下方に突出し、球体71と回転円盤11の上面との間隔ｘが硬貨の厚み（２〜２．７mm程度）より小さい、例えば０．５mm程度に形成されている。
【００３０】
支持部材73には球体71が侵入する凹部74が形成され、この凹部74の上側に球体71を下方へ押圧する例えばゴム製の弾性体75が配設されている。
【００３１】
また、図１に示すように、導出通路部53の出口部に検知センサとしての投受光式のラインセンサ81が配設されている。このラインセンサ81は、図６に示すように、導出通路部53の下方に配設される投光ランプ82と上方に配設される受光センサ83とを備えている。
【００３２】
投光ランプ82は、シュート部材61の下面に取り付けられる基板84上に通路幅方向（図６の紙面表裏方向）に沿って複数個搭載され、シュート部材61に形成された投光溝85の下部に配置されている。投光溝85は、シュート部材61の上下面に貫通するとともに通路幅方向に沿って細長く形成され、その上端には通路方向の幅が狭まるスリット部86が形成され、このスリット部86を通じて投光ランプ82の検知光が通路内へ投光される。
【００３３】
受光センサ83は、通路幅方向（図６の紙面表裏方向）に沿って受光素子（ＣＣＤ）が配列され、ホッパ取付板31の上方に支持される基板87の下面に取り付けられている。受光センサ83と投光溝85のスリット部86との間のホッパ取付板31には、受光センサ83へ向かう投光ランプ82の検知光が通過する通過孔88が通路幅方向に沿って形成されている。
【００３４】
そして、ラインセンサ81は、投光ランプ82と受光センサ83との間で通路幅方向に沿って検知光が投受光されており、硬貨の通過時に検知光が遮光されることで硬貨１枚の通過が検知されるとともに、硬貨の直径に対応した検知光の遮光範囲に基づいて硬貨の金種および孔有り硬貨か孔無し硬貨かが判別される。
【００３５】
また、図１に示すように、ラインセンサ81の直後位置には、硬貨の通過を選択的に阻止するストッパ91が配設されている。このストッパ91は、垂直状のストッパ片92と水平状の支持片93とを備え、ストッパ片92の下端がホッパ取付板31に形成された開口94を通じて導出通路部53の出口部に臨み、支持片93の右端近傍がホッパ取付板31に立設された支持板95で揺動可能に支持されている。支持片93の右端にはストッパ片92が上方へ揺動するように付勢する引張ばね96が連結され、支持片93の中央下面にはストッパ片92を付勢に抗して下方へ揺動させるソレノイド97が連結されている。
【００３６】
また、図８に示すように、硬貨貯留ホッパ32の上面部38の前端には操作パネル101 が形成され、この操作パネル101 には操作部102 および表示部103 が形成されている。操作部102 には、スタートキー、ストップキー、テンキーなどの各種キーが配列されている。表示部103 には、金種別枚数表示、バッチ枚数表示およびアラーム表示などを行なえる。
【００３７】
また、図２、図３および図９に示すように、硬貨貯留ホッパ32の全域を覆ってカバー111 が着脱自在に装着される。このカバー111 は、上面部112 およびこの上面部112 の周囲から下方に突出形成される周面部113 を有し、周面部113 が硬貨貯留ホッパ32の周面部39の外周に嵌合または遊嵌されるとともに周面部113 の下端が硬貨貯留ホッパ32のフランジ部42上に接合して、硬貨貯留ホッパ32の全域を覆うことができる。
【００３８】
カバー111 は、図３に示すように、硬貨貯留ホッパ32から取り外し、上下面を反転させて基台１の凹部２に挿入して送出口68の下方へ臨ませることにより、硬貨通路51を通じて送出口68から送出される硬貨を受け入れることができる。そのため、カルトンとして使用されるカバー111 の内側には、硬貨を受け入れて収納する硬貨収納空間114 が形成されている。
【００３９】
次に、本実施の形態の作用を説明する。
【００４０】
硬貨計数を行なう場合には、カバー111 を外し、このカバー111 の上下面を反転させて基台１の凹部２に挿入して送出口68の下方へ臨ませる。
【００４１】
硬貨貯留ホッパ32のホッパ開口40から硬貨貯留空間部43に硬貨を投入する。このとき、図４に示すように、硬貨貯留空間部43に投入される硬貨量が多い場合には、傾斜壁部45に一部の硬貨が載って硬貨重量を支えるため、回転円盤11にかかる負荷を軽減できる。また、硬貨貯留空間部43に投入される硬貨量が少ない場合には、回転円盤11上に上方から直接投入される硬貨が跳ねて硬貨立ちが生じ、その立ち硬貨が傾斜壁部45に載り上げようとした場合、硬貨が傾斜壁部45の途中まで載り上げても途中で倒れ、傾斜壁部45の上端まで載り上げても周壁部44に当接して倒れ、倒れた硬貨は傾斜壁部45の傾斜によって回転円盤11上に滑り落ちる。
【００４２】
そして、操作部102 で計数モードまたはバッチモードを選択するとともにスタートキーを操作することにより、駆動モータ22が駆動されて、回転円盤11が回転される。なお、計数モードでは、金種別に計数して、金種別に計数枚数を表示する。バッチモードでは、最初にラインセンサ81で検知される金種について、例えば１００枚などの任意のバッチ枚数を送出させる。
【００４３】
なお、回転円盤11の回転によって、傾斜壁部45に沿って硬貨が回転移動したり、傾斜壁部45に寄りかかった状態で硬貨が回転移動しても、突出壁部46に回転移動する硬貨が当接することにより、その硬貨を回転円盤11上に強制的に落とすことができる。さらに、回転円盤11の突部20が偏心回転して硬貨貯留空間部43内の硬貨をほぐすことができる。
【００４４】
そして、回転円盤11上に面接触状態に載った硬貨は回転円盤11の回転による遠心力によって半径方向外方へ移動し、そのうちの一部の硬貨は硬貨通路51の導入通路部52に直接進入し、一部の硬貨は通路部材58の導入案内縁59b に当接してその導入案内縁59b とそれに続く導入案内縁59a に沿って移動するとともに導入通路部52の入口部52a に進入する。
【００４５】
回転円盤11の内周縁側には摩擦係数の高い送出体14が配設されているため、回転円盤11の内周縁側の硬貨に対して回転力を確実に与え、その硬貨に作用する遠心力を強めて外周縁側へ確実に移動させることができる。同様に、回転円盤11の外周縁側には摩擦係数の高い送出体15が配設されているため、導入通路部52に進入する硬貨に対して回転力を確実に与え、その硬貨に作用する遠心力を強めて外周縁側へ確実に移動させ、硬貨の周縁を第１通路壁54に当接させることができる。また、回転円盤11の内周縁側と外周縁側の送出体14，15の間には送出体14，15よりも摩擦係数の小さい金属製の回転円盤11の上面が臨むため、導入通路部52に進入しようとする硬貨との間に滑りを生じさせ、その硬貨に作用する遠心力を弱めて導入通路部52内の硬貨に突き当たる衝撃を弱めることができる。
【００４６】
導入通路部52に進入する硬貨は、回転円盤11の外周縁側に沿った長い距離を移動される間に、強い遠心力を受けて第１通路壁54に確実に当接し、導出通路部53の上流側の球体71の下側に進入する。
【００４７】
図１０に示すように、硬貨Ｃが球体71の下側に進入すると、硬貨Ｃの厚みに応じて、球体71が弾性体75に抗して上昇する。弾性体75の付勢力および球体71の自重により硬貨Ｃを回転円盤11の送出体15上に押圧するため、硬貨Ｃは送出体15との接合状態を保ったまま回転円盤11と一緒に円周方向に移動する。そして、図１１に示すように、硬貨Ｃの移動に伴って上流側の球体71の下側から外れる前に、その硬貨Ｃの移動方向前縁が下流側の球体71の下側に進入し、この下流側の球体71によって硬貨Ｃは送出体15との接合状態を保ったまま回転円盤11と一緒に円周方向に移動する。
【００４８】
下流側の球体71で押圧されて回転円盤11と一緒に円周方向に移動する硬貨Ｃは、通路部材58の導出案内縁60に当接して、その導出案内縁60に沿って回転円盤11の外方へ案内され、ラインセンサ81を通過する。
【００４９】
ラインセンサ81では、硬貨の通過時に検知光が遮光されることで硬貨１枚の送出を検知し、硬貨の直径に対応した検知光の遮光範囲に基づいて硬貨の金種および孔有り硬貨か孔無し硬貨かを判別する。
【００５０】
このとき、ラインセンサ81に対して、導出通路部53に配設した球体71によって硬貨を１枚ずつ順に導出することができる。すなわち、図１２は球体71を備えない場合の説明図を示し、導出通路部53の通路幅が最大径硬貨（例えば５００円硬貨）の通過が可能とするサイズに合わせて形成されているため、小径硬貨Ｃ1 （例えば１円硬貨）が連続して移動されてきたとき、先行する硬貨Ｃ1 が第２通路壁55に沿って移動するとともに後続の硬貨Ｃ1 が第１通路壁54に沿って移動して、ラインセンサ81上で２枚の硬貨Ｃ1 が同時に並ぶタイミングが発生し、小径硬貨Ｃ1 の直径より大径の硬貨と誤判別してしまうなど、硬貨検知が確実に行なわれない。これに対し、球体71を備えることにより、硬貨が連続して移動してきても、各硬貨を回転円盤11に沿って円周方向に移動させ、導出案内縁60から第２通路壁55に沿わせてラインセンサ81に対して１枚ずつ順に導出することができ、硬貨の検知を確実に行なえる。
【００５１】
ラインセンサ81を通過した硬貨は、シュート67内に放出され、このシュート67を通じて基台１の送出口68から凹部２に配置されたカバー111 の硬貨収納空間114 内に放出されて収納される。
【００５２】
そして、計数モード時には、投入された全ての硬貨が計数されてカバー111 内に送出された後、金種別の計数枚数を表示部103 で表示する。
【００５３】
また、バッチモード時には、最初にラインセンサ81で検知される金種について計数し、別の金種の硬貨や、偽貨などの識別不能硬貨を検知した場合には、ソレノイド97を作動させてストッパ91で該当硬貨の次の硬貨を停止させ、表示部103 でアラーム表示する。そして、所定のバッチ枚数、例えば１００枚をラインセンサ81で検知すると、１００枚目の次の硬貨をストッパ91で停止させ、１００枚の硬貨のみを送出させる。
【００５４】
以上のように、硬貨通路51の導出通路部52において、２個の球体71を回転円盤11の上面に臨んで回転自在に支持するとともに回転円盤11の円周方向に略沿う方向に配列し、球体71と回転円盤11との間で硬貨を挟持して、導出通路部53の出口部に設けられるラインセンサ81に対して１枚ずつ順に導出でき、ラインセンサ81による硬貨の検知を確実に行なえる。
【００５５】
特に、挟持搬送体を複数個の球体71で構成したので、回転円盤11と球体71による硬貨の挟持時に回転円盤11の円周方向への移動可能であるとともに硬貨が導出通路部53に沿って回転円盤11の外方へ導出される際には導出される硬貨と接触する球体71はその導出方向に沿う方向へ回転し、硬貨の導出の支障をきたすことはない。また、球径を選定することにより、球体71同士を随意に接近させることができ、例えば最小硬貨径より小さい間隔に球体71同士を配列させることもできる。例えば、ローラとかプーリの場合には、径を小さくすることにも限界があり、ローラ同士とかプーリ同士を接近させることにも限界があるのである。
【００５６】
また、ラインセンサ81を用いることにより、硬貨を通路一側に片寄せしなくとも検知することができるとともに、球体71の作用によって硬貨を１枚ずつ検知することができる。しかも、硬貨の孔有りと孔無しを検知でき、例えば５円と１００円という径の近い硬貨でも確実に金種を判別できる。
【００５７】
また、硬貨通路51の厚み規制壁56から下方へ突出状態に複数の球体71が支持されるため、回転円盤11と厚み規制壁56との間を移動される硬貨が球体71の下側へ確実に進入でき、球体71と回転円盤11と間で硬貨を確実に挟持して搬送できる。
【００５８】
また、導入案内縁59b と導出案内縁60が鋭角状に隣接されるため、導入通路部52へ導入される硬貨と導出通路部53へ導出される硬貨とを確実に区分することができる。
【００５９】
さらに、ホッパ取付板31および硬貨貯留ホッパ32が回転円盤11の上面に対して開放可能に設けられるため、回転円盤11上での硬貨詰まりの解消やメンテナンスを容易に行なえる。
【００６０】
また、カバー111 の内側を上方に向けて基台１の送出口68に臨ませることにより、送出口68が放出される硬貨を受け入れることができ、カバー111 をカルトンとして兼用できる。
【００６１】
また、カバー111 で硬貨貯留ホッパ32の全域を覆うことにより、硬貨貯留ホッパ32上に設けられたホッパ開口40および操作パネル101 を覆って保護することができる。
【００６２】
なお、検知センサとしては、前記実施の形態のような投受光センサに限らず、磁気センサを用いてもよく、あるいは、投受光センサと磁気センサの両方を用いてもよく、また、通路幅方向に複数個の検知素子を配列するものに限らず、その検知素子が通路幅方向に長いものでもよい。
【００６３】
また、硬貨通路51の第１通路壁54、第２通路壁55および厚み規制壁56は、前記実施の形態のように硬貨貯留ホッパ32とは別体のホッパ取付板31に設けてもよいが、硬貨貯留ホッパ32の下面に設けてもよい。
【００６４】
また、前記実施の形態では、複数の球体71が本発明の挟持搬送体に相当するが、複数の球体71の設けられる位置に複数のボールベアリングを臨ませてもよい。その支持構造は図７と同様のものでよく、図７の球体71がボールベアリングにかわり、弾性体75をボールベアリングの内輪の支持シャフトに当接させればよい。特に、ボールベアリングの外輪は硬貨に接触して自由回転する。それに対してボールベアリングの内輪は内輪に挿入される支持シャフトとともに固定状態で支持され、その支持シャフトを弾性体で押圧支持すればよい。球体71の場合は球体71が硬貨で回転されるときには、球体71と弾性体75間ではすべり接触状態となるがボールベアリングの場合は外輪が硬貨で回転しても内輪は回転されず支持シャフトと弾性体間にはすべり接触が生じず耐久面で有利である。なお、各ボールベアリングの支持シャフトは回転円盤の中心軸方向へ向けて設けるのが好ましい。
【００６５】
なお、支持シャフトと弾性体間にすべり接触してもかまわない場合は、支持シャフトを運搬用台車の自由キャスタのように自由に向きを変えられるようし、回転円盤周縁方向への硬貨の移動時にはボールベアリングの支持シャフトもその送り作用を助長する方向を向き、硬貨が導出通路部によって外方へ向かうときにはその硬貨に接触するボールベアリングはその支持シャフトがその送出を助長する方向へ向くようにしてもよい。
【００６６】
なお、挟持搬送体は、ローラにしてもよく、また、２個のプーリ間に張設されるベルトにしてもよく、また、固定状態の弾性ゴムを回転円盤周縁方向へ設けてもよい。
【００６７】
このように、挟持搬送体は、複数個の球体71に限定されるものではない。
【００６８】
【発明の効果】
本発明の硬貨送出装置によれば、硬貨通路の導入通路部および導出通路部、硬貨貯留ホッパの構成により、硬貨貯留ホッパに受け入れた硬貨を導入通路部に１層１列状態で送り込めるとともに、導出通路部に設けられる検知センサおよびストッパに対して硬貨を１枚ずつ順に搬送でき、検知センサによる硬貨の検知およびストッパによる硬貨の通過の選択的な阻止を確実に行なえる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施の形態を示す硬貨送出装置の一部を省略した平面図である。
【図２】同上実施の形態の硬貨送出装置の一部を省略した正面図である。
【図３】同上実施の形態の硬貨送出装置の一部を省略した側面図である。
【図４】同上実施の形態の図１のＡ−Ａ断面図である。
【図５】同上実施の形態の図１のＢ−Ｂ断面図である。
【図６】同上実施の形態の図１のＣ−Ｃ断面図である。
【図７】同上実施の形態の球体の支持構造の断面図である。
【図８】同上実施の形態のカバーを外した状態の平面図である。
【図９】同上実施の形態のカバーを装着した状態の平面図である。
【図１０】同上実施の形態の球体の作用を説明する説明図である。
【図１１】同上実施の形態の図１０に続く球体の作用を説明する説明図である。
【図１２】同上実施の形態の球体がない場合の作用を説明する説明図である。
【符号の説明】
11 回転円盤
32 硬貨貯留ホッパ
37 環状規制壁部
44 周壁部
45 傾斜壁部
46 突出壁部
51 硬貨通路
52 導入通路部
53 導出通路部
54 導入通路部外周側壁および一側通路壁を構成する第１通路壁
55 他側通路壁を構成する第２通路壁
56 厚み規制壁
71 挟持搬送体としての球体
81 検知センサとしてのラインセンサ
91 ストッパ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention feeds coins received in a coin storage hopper into a coin passage in a one-layer, one-row state, and reliably detects and sends coin denominations one by one, and selectively blocks coins from being sent out. The present invention relates to a coin sending device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Conventionally, as described in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 7-6861 or Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 7-6862, a coin storage device is provided with a coin storage hopper above the outer peripheral side of the rotating disk. The surface facing the rotating disk is opposed to a reference passage wall portion for guiding coins sent by the centrifugal force of the rotating disk and a coin passage gap through which coins sent along the reference passage wall portion pass. A coin passage having an opposing passage wall portion is formed, and this coin passage is provided with an elastically deformable pressing member such as a sponge material that presses the coin against the rotating disk and moves it along the reference passage wall portion, A detection sensor for detecting coins sent along the reference passage wall portion of the coin passage is provided.
[0003]
  The detection sensor is a light projecting / receiving type that projects and receives small circular detection light. When the coin passes, the detection light is shielded to detect the delivery of one coin, and the light shielding time of the detection light is a coin. The coin denomination is determined according to the diameter of the coin.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, in the conventional coin delivery device, a coin that is moved along the reference passage wall is detected by a detection sensor, but the coin contacts and slides on the pressing member for placing the coin along the reference passage wall. Therefore, there is a problem that the pressing member is likely to be deteriorated and it becomes uncertain that the coin is caused to follow the reference passage wall due to the deterioration.
[0005]
  Further, in the conventional coin delivery device, as shown in FIG. 12, the pressing member is not provided, but instead, a line sensor is provided as a detection sensor along the passage width direction so that the coin is placed along the reference passage wall. Even if it is not, the denomination of the coin can be discriminated within the light shielding range corresponding to the diameter of the coin, but since the passage width is adjusted to the size that allows the largest diameter coin (for example, 500 yen coin) to pass, When 1-yen coins are moved continuously, the timing of two coins on the line sensor will occur at the same time, and it will be misidentified as a coin with a diameter larger than the diameter of a small-diameter coin. Not done.
[0006]
  This invention is made in view of such a point, and while coins received in the coin storage hopper are fed to the introduction passage portion of the coin passage in a one-layer one-row state, the coins are 1 to the detection sensor and the stopper. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coin sending device that can be sequentially conveyed one by one and that can reliably detect coins by a detection sensor and selectively prevent passage of coins by a stopper.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The coin delivery device according to claim 1 receives a rotating disk, a coin storage hopper provided above the outer peripheral edge of the rotating disk, and coins fed from the coin storage hopper to the rotating disk in a one-layer, one-row state. A coin passage having an introduction passage portion on the outer peripheral side of the rotating disk to be conveyed and a lead-out passage portion formed from the introduction passage portion to the outside of the rotating disk, and a coin provided to face the lead-out passage portion of the coin passage is detected. And a stopper that is operated based on the detection result of the detection sensor to advance and retreat with respect to the lead-out passage portion and selectively prevent the coin from being conveyed, and the coin storage hopper has a radius due to the centrifugal force of the rotating disk. In the coin delivery device having an annular regulating wall portion that regulates the peripheral edge of the coin that moves outward in the direction, and a hopper region that is formed outward from the upper end of the annular regulating wall portion, the introduction passage portion The outer circumferential side wall of the introduction passage that restricts the outer peripheral edge of the coin and the outer circumference of the upper surface of the rotating disk that forms the bottom surface of the introduction passage, and the upper part of the introduction passage. A thickness regulating wall formed at a position where the height from the upper surface of the rotating disk is higher than the thickness of one coin and lower than the thickness of two coins, and is formed over substantially the entire circumference of the rotating disk at the lower position of the annular regulating wall portion. And has an opening that opens the inner peripheral side of the introduction passage portion, andThis introduction passage isFormed over almost the entire circumference of the rotating diskIn addition, the coins are conveyed in a one-layer, one-row state through the introduction passage portion outer peripheral side wall, the upper surface outer peripheral side region of the rotating disk, the thickness regulating wall and the opening,The lead-out passage portion is provided on the outer peripheral side wall of the introduction passage portion and is formed toward the outside of the rotating disk, and a passage through which coins can pass one by one between the one-side passage wall. A rotatable holding and conveying body that holds and conveys coins between the other-side passage wall that forms the width and the bottom surface of the lead-out passage portion, and sequentially feeds the coins one by one to the detection sensor; The storage hopperOutside the annular regulating wallA protruding wall that protrudes substantially perpendicularly to the hopper area and forcibly drops coins that rotate while leaning to the hopper area onto the rotating diskThe projecting wall portion is formed at a hopper region corresponding to the outlet region of the introduction passage portion.Is.
[0008]
  The coin delivery device according to claim 2 receives a rotating disk, a coin storage hopper provided above the outer peripheral edge of the rotating disk, and coins fed from the coin storage hopper to the rotating disk in a one-layer, one-row state. A coin passage having an introduction passage portion on the outer peripheral side of the rotating disk to be conveyed and a lead-out passage portion formed from the introduction passage portion to the outside of the rotating disk, and a coin provided to face the lead-out passage portion of the coin passage is detected. And a stopper that is operated based on the detection result of the detection sensor to advance and retreat with respect to the lead-out passage portion and selectively prevent the coin from being conveyed, and the coin storage hopper has a radius due to the centrifugal force of the rotating disk. An annular regulating wall that regulates the peripheral edge of the coin moving outward in the direction, an inclined wall that inclines upward from the upper end of the annular regulating wall, and an upward standing position from the outer end of the inclined wall. Up In the coin delivery device having a peripheral wall portion, the introduction passage portion has a diameter larger than that of the annular restriction wall portion and forms an outer peripheral side wall of the introduction passage portion that regulates the outer peripheral edge side of the coin, and a bottom surface of the introduction passage portion. A thickness regulating wall formed at a position on the outer peripheral side of the upper surface of the rotating disk, the upper portion of the introduction passage portion, the height from the upper surface of the rotating disk being higher than the thickness of one coin and lower than the thickness of two coins; An opening that is formed over substantially the entire circumference of the rotating disk at a lower position of the restriction wall and opens the inner periphery of the introduction passage; andThis introduction passage isFormed over almost the entire circumference of the rotating diskIn addition, the coins are conveyed in a one-layer, one-row state through the introduction passage portion outer peripheral side wall, the upper surface outer peripheral side region of the rotating disk, the thickness regulating wall and the opening,The lead-out passage portion is provided on the outer peripheral side wall of the introduction passage portion and is formed toward the outside of the rotating disk, and a passage through which coins can pass one by one between the one-side passage wall. A rotatable holding and conveying body that holds and conveys coins between the other-side passage wall that forms the width and the bottom surface of the lead-out passage portion, and sequentially feeds the coins one by one to the detection sensor; The storage hopperOutside the annular regulating wallIt has a protruding wall part that protrudes substantially perpendicularly to the inclined wall part and forcibly drops coins that rotate while leaning against the inclined wall part onto the rotating disk.In addition, the protruding wall portion is formed in an inclined wall portion region corresponding to the outlet region of the introduction passage portion.Is a thing.
[0009]
  And according to the configuration of the present invention, the coin passage received by the coin storage hopper can be fed into the introduction passage portion in a one-layer one-row state by the configuration of the introduction passage portion and the lead-out passage portion of the coin passage and the coin storage hopper, Coins can be sequentially conveyed one by one to the detection sensor and the stopper provided in the lead-out passage, and the detection of the coin by the detection sensor and the selective blocking of the passage of the coin by the stopper can be reliably performed.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a coin delivery device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
  1 is a plan view in which a part of the coin delivery device is omitted, FIG. 2 is a front view in which a part of the coin delivery device is omitted, and FIG. 3 is a side view in which a part of the coin delivery device is omitted. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a base of a coin delivery device. The base 1 is formed in a box shape, and a recess 2 is formed in the entire width direction of the lower part of the front surface. Note that the lower side of FIG. 1 is the front side of the base 1, and the upper side is the rear side of the base 1.
[0012]
  A rotating disk 11 is rotatably disposed near the rear of the upper surface of the base 1. The rotating disk 11 is made of metal and has a small diameter of about 100 mm, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 (cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1) and FIG. 5 (cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1). The annular grooves 12 and 13 are respectively formed on the inner peripheral edge side and the outer peripheral edge side of the upper surface (meaning the position in the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge inside the outer peripheral edge of the rotating disk 11). Annular delivery bodies 14 and 15 formed of a material having a high friction coefficient are attached flush with the metal upper surface portion.
[0013]
  As shown in FIG. 3, the central portion of the rotating disk 11 is fixed to a rotating shaft 16, and the rotating shaft 16 is rotatably supported on a support plate 17 installed inside the base 1 via bearings 18 and 19. Has been. A substantially conical projecting portion 20 that protrudes eccentrically with respect to the rotating shaft 16 protrudes from the upper end of the rotating shaft 16 facing the upper surface of the rotating disk 11.
[0014]
  A large-diameter driven gear 21 is fixed to the lower side of the rotating disk 11 in a concentric circle, and the driven gear 21 is engaged with a drive gear 24 fixed to the drive shaft 23 of the drive motor 22. The drive motor 22 is disposed on the front left side in the base 1.
[0015]
  A hopper mounting plate 31 and a coin storage hopper 32 mounted on the hopper mounting plate 31 are disposed on the upper surface of the base 1 at a position above the rotary disk 11.
[0016]
  As shown in FIG. 1, the hopper mounting plate 31 is configured such that brackets 33 mounted on both sides of the rear end of the hopper mounting plate 31 are rotatably connected to a support portion 34 on the base 1 side by a shaft 35. The coin storage hopper 32 can be rotated between a closed position where the coin storage hopper 32 is in contact with the upper edge of the base 1 and an open position where the upper surface of the rotating disk 11 is opened by rotating backward. An opening 36 is formed at an upper position of the hopper mounting plate 31 corresponding to the rotating disk 11, and the opening 36 is moved radially outward by centrifugal force due to the rotation of the rotating disk 11 at the inner peripheral edge of the opening 36. An annular regulating wall portion 37 that regulates the periphery of the coin is formed. The position of the annular restricting wall portion 37 corresponds to the inner peripheral position of the delivery body 15 on the outer peripheral edge side of the rotating disk 11 as shown in FIGS.
[0017]
  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the coin storage hopper 32 is formed so as to protrude upward from the upper surface portion 38 separated from the upper surface of the hopper mounting plate 31 and from the periphery of the upper surface portion 38. A hopper opening 40 is formed in the upper surface portion 38 corresponding to the rotary disk 11 in the upper surface portion of the upper surface portion 38, and a space is formed below the upper surface portion on the front side of the hopper opening 40. A portion 41 is formed, and a flange portion 42 is formed around the lower end of the peripheral surface portion 39 so as to protrude from the upper edge portion of the base 1.
[0018]
  Below the hopper opening 40 is formed a coin storage space 43 that faces the upper surface of the rotary disk 11 and stores coins. A substantially vertical peripheral wall 44 is formed around the coin storage space 43. An annular inclined wall portion 45 that is inclined downward from the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 44 toward the upper end of the annular regulating wall portion 37 of the hopper mounting plate 31 is formed. The lower end opening of the inclined wall portion 45 is formed at the same position as the opening portion 36 of the hopper mounting plate 31, that is, the annular regulating wall portion 37. On the front side of the peripheral wall portion 44, a protruding wall portion 46 that protrudes substantially perpendicularly to the coin storage space portion 43 is formed linearly.
[0019]
  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower surface of the hopper mounting plate 31 facing the outer peripheral edge of the rotating disk 11 is provided with a concave for guiding coins sent out by centrifugal force due to the rotation of the rotating disk 11 in a one-layer one-row state. A groove-shaped coin passage 51 is formed. The coin passage 51 is formed with an introduction passage portion 52 that receives and conveys coins sent out by the centrifugal force of the rotating disk 11 in a one-layer, one-row state. A lead-out passage portion 53 that leads to the outside of the rotating disk 11 that intersects with the outer peripheral edge side of 11, in this example, forward is formed.
[0020]
  An opening is formed on the inner peripheral side of the introduction passage portion 52, and a first passage wall 54 is formed from the outer peripheral side (introduction passage portion outer peripheral side wall) of the introduction passage portion 52 to one side (one side passage wall) of the lead-out passage portion 53. A second passage wall 55 is formed on the other side (other side passage wall) of the lead-out passage portion 53, and the height from the upper surface of the rotating disk 11 is one coin above the introduction passage portion 52 and the lead-out passage portion 53. A thickness regulating wall 56 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is formed at a position higher than the thickness and lower than the thickness of two sheets.
[0021]
  The introduction passage portion 52 has the front left position of the rotating disk 11 as an inlet portion 52a and the front right position as an outlet portion 52b continuous to the outlet passage portion 53, and from the inlet portion 52a to the outlet portion 52b on the outer peripheral edge side of the rotating disc 11. Is formed over a long distance close to the entire circumference of the rotating disk 11.
[0022]
  Between the inlet portion 52a and the outlet passage portion 53 of the introduction passage portion 52, a passage member 58 is disposed by being fitted and fixed to a recess 57 formed on the lower surface of the hopper mounting plate 31. The passage member 58 is formed of a wear-resistant material in a flat plate shape, and is supported with a gap smaller than the thickness of the coin between the upper surface of the rotating disk 11. An introduction guide edge 59b for introducing coins to the introduction guide edge 59a of the introduction passage portion 52 and a lead-out guide edge 60 for leading the coins to the lead-out passage portion 53 are formed on the portion of the passage member 58 protruding above the rotating disk 11. The introduction guide edge 59b and the lead-out guide edge 60 are adjacent to each other at an acute angle. A second passage wall 55 is formed on the inner edge of the passage member 58 facing the passage. The passage member 58 is formed of a member different from the hopper mounting plate 31 from the viewpoint of wear resistance, but may be formed by processing the hopper mounting plate 31 in the same manner as the first passage wall 54.
[0023]
  At the entrance 52a of the introduction passage 52, the introduction guide edge 59a is connected to the introduction guide edge 59b of the passage member 58. The introduction guide edge 59a has an arc shape with a large diameter, and its end is The starting end side of the first passage wall 54 is formed continuously, in other words, the starting end side of the first passage wall 54 forms part of the introduction guide edges 59a and 59b.
[0024]
  The lead-out passage portion 53 is formed forward from the outlet portion 52b of the introduction passage portion 52, and the passage width between the first passage wall 54 and the second passage wall 55 allows passage of coins one by one in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the upper surface is formed by the lower surface of the hopper mounting plate 31, and the lower surface is formed by a part of the rotating disk 11 and the passage surface 62 of the chute member 61.
[0025]
  The chute member 61 is formed with a passage surface 62 disposed at substantially the same height as the upper surface of the rotary disk 11, and a chute surface 63 that is inclined downward from the front end of the passage surface 62 is formed. Side wall surfaces 64 are formed on both sides.
[0026]
  A chute plate 66 facing the chute surface 63 is disposed in a notch 65 formed at the front end of the hopper mounting plate 31 above the lead-out passage portion 53, and between the chute member 61 and the chute plate 66. A chute 67 is formed. The lower end of the chute 67 is in communication with a delivery port 68 formed in the upper surface of the recess 2 of the base 1.
[0027]
  In the hopper mounting plate 31 above the lead-out passage portion 53, a concave portion 69 is formed at a position higher than the thickness regulating wall 56 in order to assist the falling of coins onto the chute 67.
[0028]
  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in the lead-out passage portion 53 above the rotating disk 11, two metal spheres (nipping and conveying bodies) 71 are arranged in a direction substantially along the circumferential direction of the rotating disk 11. ing. The distance between the sphere centers of the spheres 71 is set to be smaller than the minimum coin diameter. As shown in FIG. 7, each of these spheres 71 is fitted into a window hole 72 formed in the hopper mounting plate 31 so as to be freely rotatable from above, and is integrally formed on the lower surface of the upper surface portion 38 of the coin storage hopper 32. Is supported by a support member 73 provided in
[0029]
  The window hole 72 is formed in the shape of a countersunk hole having a wide upper surface opening and a narrow lower surface opening, and the peripheral surface of the sphere 71 that fits into the window hole 72 protrudes below the thickness regulating wall 56, and the upper surface of the sphere 71 and the rotating disk 11 Is smaller than the coin thickness (about 2 to 2.7 mm), for example, about 0.5 mm.
[0030]
  A concave portion 74 into which the sphere 71 enters is formed in the support member 73, and an elastic body 75 made of rubber, for example, that presses the sphere 71 downward is disposed above the concave portion 74.
[0031]
  As shown in FIG. 1, a light emitting / receiving line sensor 81 as a detection sensor is disposed at the outlet of the outlet passage portion 53. As shown in FIG. 6, the line sensor 81 includes a light projecting lamp 82 disposed below the lead-out passage portion 53 and a light receiving sensor 83 disposed above.
[0032]
  A plurality of light projection lamps 82 are mounted on a substrate 84 attached to the lower surface of the chute member 61 along the passage width direction (the front and back direction in the drawing of FIG. 6), and the lower part of the light projection groove 85 formed in the chute member 61. Is arranged. The light projecting groove 85 penetrates the upper and lower surfaces of the chute member 61 and is elongated along the passage width direction. A slit portion 86 whose width in the passage direction is narrowed is formed at the upper end thereof. The detection light from the lamp 82 is projected into the passage.
[0033]
  In the light receiving sensor 83, light receiving elements (CCDs) are arranged along the passage width direction (the front and back direction in FIG. 6) and attached to the lower surface of the substrate 87 supported above the hopper mounting plate 31. In the hopper mounting plate 31 between the light receiving sensor 83 and the slit portion 86 of the light projecting groove 85, a passage hole 88 through which the detection light of the light projecting lamp 82 directed to the light receiving sensor 83 passes is formed along the passage width direction. ing.
[0034]
  In the line sensor 81, detection light is projected and received along the passage width direction between the light projection lamp 82 and the light receiving sensor 83, and the detection light is blocked when the coin passes, so that one coin is detected. The passage is detected, and the coin denomination and the coin with a hole or the coin without a hole are determined based on the light shielding range of the detection light corresponding to the diameter of the coin.
[0035]
  As shown in FIG. 1, a stopper 91 that selectively blocks the passage of coins is disposed immediately after the line sensor 81. This stopper 91 includes a vertical stopper piece 92 and a horizontal support piece 93, and the lower end of the stopper piece 92 faces the outlet portion of the outlet passage portion 53 through an opening 94 formed in the hopper mounting plate 31, and is supported. The vicinity of the right end of the piece 93 is swingably supported by a support plate 95 erected on the hopper mounting plate 31. A tension spring 96 that biases the stopper piece 92 to swing upward is connected to the right end of the support piece 93, and the stopper piece 92 swings downward against the bias on the lower center surface of the support piece 93. A solenoid 97 is connected.
[0036]
  As shown in FIG. 8, an operation panel 101 is formed at the front end of the upper surface portion 38 of the coin storage hopper 32, and an operation unit 102 and a display unit 103 are formed on the operation panel 101. Various keys such as a start key, a stop key, and a numeric keypad are arranged on the operation unit 102. The display unit 103 can display the number of money types, the number of batches, an alarm display, and the like.
[0037]
  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 9, a cover 111 is detachably mounted covering the entire area of the coin storage hopper 32. The cover 111 has an upper surface portion 112 and a peripheral surface portion 113 that protrudes downward from the periphery of the upper surface portion 112, and the peripheral surface portion 113 is fitted or loosely fitted to the outer periphery of the peripheral surface portion 39 of the coin storage hopper 32. In addition, the lower end of the peripheral surface portion 113 can be joined onto the flange portion 42 of the coin storage hopper 32 to cover the entire area of the coin storage hopper 32.
[0038]
  As shown in FIG. 3, the cover 111 is removed from the coin storage hopper 32, turned upside down, inserted into the recess 2 of the base 1 and faced below the delivery port 68, so that the cover 111 is fed through the coin passage 51. Coins delivered from the outlet 68 can be received. Therefore, a coin storage space 114 for receiving and storing coins is formed inside a cover 111 used as a carton.
[0039]
  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0040]
  When counting coins, the cover 111 is removed, and the upper and lower surfaces of the cover 111 are reversed and inserted into the recess 2 of the base 1 so as to face the lower side of the delivery port 68.
[0041]
  Coins are put into the coin storage space 43 from the hopper opening 40 of the coin storage hopper 32. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, when a large amount of coins is put into the coin storage space 43, some of the coins are placed on the inclined wall portion 45 to support the weight of the coin, so that the rotating disk 11 is applied. The load can be reduced. In addition, when the amount of coins to be inserted into the coin storage space 43 is small, the coins directly inserted from above on the rotating disk 11 bounce to cause a coin standing, and the standing coin is placed on the inclined wall 45. In such a case, even if the coin is placed up to the middle of the inclined wall portion 45, it falls down in the middle. It slides down on the rotating disk 11 due to the inclination.
[0042]
  Then, by selecting the counting mode or batch mode with the operation unit 102 and operating the start key, the drive motor 22 is driven and the rotary disk 11 is rotated. In the counting mode, counting is performed for each money type, and the number of counted sheets is displayed for each money type. In the batch mode, an arbitrary batch number such as 100 sheets is sent for the denomination first detected by the line sensor 81.
[0043]
  Even if the coin rotates and moves along the inclined wall portion 45 due to the rotation of the rotating disk 11, or the coin rotates while leaning against the inclined wall portion 45, the coin that rotates and moves to the protruding wall portion 46. Makes it possible to forcibly drop the coin onto the rotating disk 11. Furthermore, the protrusion 20 of the rotating disk 11 can be eccentrically rotated to loosen the coins in the coin storage space 43.
[0044]
  Then, the coins placed in a surface contact state on the rotating disk 11 are moved radially outward by centrifugal force due to the rotation of the rotating disk 11, and some of the coins directly enter the introduction passage portion 52 of the coin passage 51. Some coins abut against the introduction guide edge 59b of the passage member 58, move along the introduction guide edge 59b and the introduction guide edge 59a following the introduction guide edge 59b, and enter the inlet portion 52a of the introduction passage portion 52.
[0045]
  Since the feeding body 14 having a high friction coefficient is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the rotating disk 11, a centrifugal force acting on the coin is reliably applied to the coin on the inner peripheral side of the rotating disk 11. By strengthening, it can be reliably moved to the outer peripheral edge side. Similarly, since the sending body 15 having a high friction coefficient is disposed on the outer peripheral edge side of the rotating disk 11, a rotational force is reliably given to the coin entering the introduction passage portion 52, and the centrifugal force acting on the coin is applied. It is possible to increase the force and move the outer periphery side to the outer peripheral edge side and bring the peripheral edge of the coin into contact with the first passage wall 54. In addition, since the upper surface of the metal rotating disk 11 having a smaller coefficient of friction than the sending bodies 14 and 15 faces between the sending bodies 14 and 15 on the inner peripheral edge side and the outer peripheral edge side of the rotating disk 11, It is possible to cause a slip between the coins to enter and weaken the centrifugal force acting on the coins to weaken the impact hitting the coins in the introduction passage portion 52.
[0046]
  While the coin entering the introduction passage 52 is moved a long distance along the outer peripheral edge of the rotary disk 11, it receives a strong centrifugal force and reliably abuts against the first passage wall 54, It enters the lower side of the sphere 71 on the upstream side.
[0047]
  As shown in FIG. 10, when the coin C enters the lower side of the sphere 71, the sphere 71 rises against the elastic body 75 according to the thickness of the coin C. Since the coin C is pressed onto the sending body 15 of the rotating disk 11 by the urging force of the elastic body 75 and the weight of the sphere 71, the coin C is circumferentially moved together with the rotating disk 11 while maintaining the joined state with the sending body 15. Move in the direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, before the coin C moves away from the lower side of the upstream sphere 71, the leading edge of the coin C in the moving direction enters the lower side of the sphere 71 on the downstream side, The coins C move in the circumferential direction together with the rotating disk 11 while maintaining the joined state with the sending body 15 by the downstream sphere 71.
[0048]
  The coin C that is pressed by the sphere 71 on the downstream side and moves in the circumferential direction together with the rotating disk 11 abuts on the guide guide edge 60 of the passage member 58, and along the guide guide edge 60, It is guided outward and passes through the line sensor 81.
[0049]
  In the line sensor 81, the detection light is shielded when the coin passes, thereby detecting the delivery of one coin. Based on the light shielding range of the detection light corresponding to the diameter of the coin, Determine if there is no coin.
[0050]
  At this time, the coins can be sequentially led out one by one with respect to the line sensor 81 by the sphere 71 disposed in the lead-out passage portion 53. That is, FIG. 12 shows an explanatory view when the sphere 71 is not provided, and the passage width of the lead-out passage portion 53 is formed in accordance with a size that allows passage of the largest diameter coin (for example, 500 yen coin). When the small-diameter coin C1 (for example, a one-yen coin) is continuously moved, the preceding coin C1 moves along the second passage wall 55 and the subsequent coin C1 moves along the first passage wall 54. Thus, the coin detection is not reliably performed, for example, the timing at which the two coins C1 are simultaneously arranged on the line sensor 81 occurs and the coin is erroneously determined to be larger than the diameter of the small coin C1. On the other hand, by providing the sphere 71, even if coins move continuously, the coins are moved in the circumferential direction along the rotating disk 11 and along the second passage wall 55 from the lead-out guide edge 60. Therefore, the coins can be reliably detected with respect to the line sensor 81 one by one.
[0051]
  The coins that have passed through the line sensor 81 are discharged into the chute 67 and are discharged and stored through the chute 67 from the outlet 68 of the base 1 into the coin storage space 114 of the cover 111 disposed in the recess 2.
[0052]
  In the counting mode, after all the inserted coins are counted and sent out into the cover 111, the display unit 103 displays the counted number of denominations.
[0053]
  In batch mode, the denominations detected by the line sensor 81 are counted first, and when an unidentifiable coin such as another denomination or a fake coin is detected, the solenoid 97 is activated to stop the coin. The coin next to the corresponding coin is stopped at 91 and an alarm is displayed on the display unit 103. When a predetermined batch number, for example, 100 sheets is detected by the line sensor 81, the 100th coin is stopped by the stopper 91 and only 100 coins are sent out.
[0054]
  As described above, in the lead-out passage portion 52 of the coin passage 51, the two spheres 71 are rotatably supported facing the upper surface of the rotating disk 11, and arranged in a direction substantially along the circumferential direction of the rotating disk 11, Coins are sandwiched between the sphere 71 and the rotating disk 11 and can be led out one by one with respect to the line sensor 81 provided at the outlet portion of the lead-out passage portion 53, and the coins can be reliably detected by the line sensor 81. The
[0055]
  In particular, since the sandwiching and conveying body is composed of a plurality of spheres 71, when the coins are sandwiched between the rotating disks 11 and the spheres 71, the rotating disks 11 can be moved in the circumferential direction and the coins can be moved along the outlet passage portion 53. When the ball 71 is led out of the rotating disk 11, the sphere 71 in contact with the coin to be led rotates in the direction along the lead-out direction, and does not hinder the coin lead-out. Further, by selecting the sphere diameter, the spheres 71 can be arbitrarily approached, and for example, the spheres 71 can be arranged at an interval smaller than the minimum coin diameter. For example, in the case of a roller or a pulley, there is a limit in reducing the diameter, and there is a limit in making the rollers or pulleys approach each other.
[0056]
  Further, by using the line sensor 81, it is possible to detect the coins without shifting them to one side of the passage, and it is possible to detect the coins one by one by the action of the sphere 71. In addition, the presence or absence of a hole in the coin can be detected, and the denomination can be reliably discriminated even with coins having diameters of 5 yen and 100 yen, for example.
[0057]
  Further, since the plurality of spheres 71 are supported in a state of projecting downward from the thickness regulation wall 56 of the coin passage 51, the coins moved between the rotary disk 11 and the thickness regulation wall 56 are surely located below the sphere 71. The coin can be securely held between the sphere 71 and the rotating disk 11 and conveyed.
[0058]
  Further, since the introduction guide edge 59b and the lead-out guide edge 60 are adjacent to each other at an acute angle, the coin introduced into the lead-in passage portion 52 and the coin led out into the lead-out passage portion 53 can be reliably distinguished.
[0059]
  Furthermore, since the hopper mounting plate 31 and the coin storage hopper 32 are provided so as to be openable with respect to the upper surface of the rotating disk 11, the clogging of the coins on the rotating disk 11 and maintenance can be easily performed.
[0060]
  In addition, by facing the inside of the cover 111 upward and facing the delivery port 68 of the base 1, coins discharged from the delivery port 68 can be received, and the cover 111 can also be used as a carton.
[0061]
  Further, by covering the entire area of the coin storage hopper 32 with the cover 111, the hopper opening 40 and the operation panel 101 provided on the coin storage hopper 32 can be covered and protected.
[0062]
  The detection sensor is not limited to the light projecting / receiving sensor as in the above embodiment, and a magnetic sensor may be used, or both the light projecting / receiving sensor and the magnetic sensor may be used. However, the detection elements may be long in the passage width direction.
[0063]
  Further, the first passage wall 54, the second passage wall 55, and the thickness regulating wall 56 of the coin passage 51 may be provided on the hopper mounting plate 31 that is separate from the coin storage hopper 32 as in the above-described embodiment. The coin storage hopper 32 may be provided on the lower surface.
[0064]
  Further, in the above embodiment, the plurality of spheres 71 correspond to the sandwiching and conveying body of the present invention. However, a plurality of ball bearings may face the positions where the plurality of spheres 71 are provided. The support structure may be the same as that shown in FIG. 7, and the sphere 71 shown in FIG. 7 may be replaced with a ball bearing, and the elastic body 75 may be brought into contact with the support shaft of the inner ring of the ball bearing. In particular, the outer ring of the ball bearing rotates freely in contact with the coin. On the other hand, the inner ring of the ball bearing is supported in a fixed state together with a support shaft inserted into the inner ring, and the support shaft may be pressed and supported by an elastic body. In the case of the sphere 71, when the sphere 71 is rotated by a coin, the ball 71 and the elastic body 75 are in a sliding contact state, but in the case of a ball bearing, the inner ring is not rotated even if the outer ring is rotated by a coin. There is no sliding contact between the elastic bodies, which is advantageous in terms of durability. In addition, it is preferable to provide the support shaft of each ball bearing toward the central axis direction of the rotating disk.
[0065]
  If it is acceptable to make sliding contact between the support shaft and the elastic body, the support shaft can be turned freely like a free caster of a transport cart, and when moving coins toward the periphery of the rotating disk The support shaft of the ball bearing is also directed in the direction that promotes the feeding action, and when the coin goes outward by the lead-out passage portion, the ball bearing that contacts the coin is oriented in the direction that the support shaft promotes the feeding. Also good.
[0066]
  The nipping and conveying body may be a roller, a belt stretched between two pulleys, or a fixed elastic rubber in the circumferential direction of the rotating disk.
[0067]
  As described above, the sandwiching and conveying body is not limited to the plurality of spheres 71.
[0068]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the coin delivery device of the present invention, the coin passage received by the coin storage hopper can be fed into the introduction passage portion in a one-layer and one-row state by the configuration of the introduction passage portion and the lead-out passage portion of the coin passage and the coin storage hopper. Coins can be sequentially conveyed one by one to the detection sensor and the stopper provided in the lead-out passage, and the detection of the coin by the detection sensor and the selective blocking of the passage of the coin by the stopper can be reliably performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view in which a part of a coin delivery device showing an embodiment of the present invention is omitted.
FIG. 2 is a front view in which a part of the coin delivery device of the embodiment is omitted.
FIG. 3 is a side view in which a part of the coin delivery device of the embodiment is omitted.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1 of the embodiment.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1 of the embodiment.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 1 of the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a sphere support structure according to the embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the embodiment with the cover removed.
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state where the cover according to the embodiment is mounted.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the sphere of the embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the action of the sphere following FIG. 10 of the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when there is no sphere according to the embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
        11 rotating disc
        32 Coin storage hopper
        37 Annular restriction wall
        44 Perimeter wall
        45 Inclined wall
        46 Protruding wall
        51 coin passage
        52 Introduction passage
        53 Outlet passage section
        54 1st channel | path wall which comprises an introduction channel | path part outer peripheral side wall and one side channel | path wall
        55 Second passage wall constituting the other passage wall
        56 Thickness control wall
        71 Sphere as sandwiched carrier
        81 Line sensor as detection sensor
        91 Stopper

Claims

A rotating disk, a coin storage hopper provided above the outer peripheral side of the rotating disk, and an introduction passage on the outer peripheral side of the rotating disk that receives and conveys coins fed from the coin storing hopper to the rotating disk in a one-layer, one-row state. And a coin passage having a lead-out passage portion formed from the introduction passage portion to the outside of the rotary disk, a detection sensor provided to face the lead-out passage portion of the coin passage, and detection of the detection sensor The coin storage hopper is operated based on the result and moves forward and backward with respect to the lead-out passage portion to selectively prevent the coin from being conveyed, and the coin storage hopper moves the periphery of the coin moving radially outward by the centrifugal force of the rotating disk. In the coin delivery device having an annular regulating wall portion to be regulated and a hopper region formed outward from the upper end of the annular regulating wall portion,
The introduction passage portion is larger in diameter than the annular restriction wall portion and restricts the outer peripheral edge side of the coin, and the outer peripheral side wall of the rotating disk that forms the bottom surface of the introduction passage portion. A thickness regulating wall formed at a position above the passage portion and having a height from the upper surface of the rotating disk higher than the thickness of one coin and lower than the thickness of two coins, and a rotating disc at a lower position of the annular regulating wall portion It has an opening that is formed over substantially the entire circumference and opens the inner peripheral side of the introduction passage portion , and the introduction passage portion is formed over substantially the entire circumference of the rotating disk , and the introduction passage portion outer peripheral side wall , Coins are conveyed in a one-layer, one-row state through the outer peripheral side area of the upper surface of the rotating disk, the thickness regulating wall and the opening,
The lead-out passage portion is provided on the outer peripheral side wall of the introduction passage portion and is formed toward the outside of the rotating disk, and a passage through which coins can pass one by one between the one-side passage wall. It has a rotatable holding conveyance body that sandwiches and conveys coins between the other side passage wall that forms the width and the bottom surface of the lead-out passage portion and sends the coins one by one to the detection sensor in order,
The coin storage hopper, the projecting and having a projecting wall portion dropping coins which rotates in a state of leaning against the protruding hopper zone in a substantially vertical shape forcibly onto a rotating disc in the hopper area of the outer annular restraint wall The coin feeding device, wherein the wall portion is formed in a hopper region portion corresponding to the outlet region of the introduction passage portion .

A rotating disk, a coin storage hopper provided above the outer peripheral edge of the rotating disk, and an introduction passage on the outer peripheral edge side of the rotating disk that receives and conveys coins fed from the coin storing hopper to the rotating disk in a one-layer one-row state. And a coin passage having a lead-out passage portion formed from the introduction passage portion to the outside of the rotary disk, a detection sensor provided to face the lead-out passage portion of the coin passage, and detection of the detection sensor The coin storage hopper is operated based on the result and moves forward and backward with respect to the lead-out passage portion to selectively prevent the coin from being conveyed, and the coin storage hopper moves the periphery of the coin moving radially outward by the centrifugal force of the rotating disk. A coin feeding device having an annular regulating wall portion to be regulated, an inclined wall portion inclined upward from the upper end of the annular regulating wall portion, and a peripheral wall portion rising upward from the outer end position of the inclined wall portion Oite,
The introduction passage portion is larger in diameter than the annular restriction wall portion and restricts the outer peripheral edge side of the coin, and the outer peripheral side wall of the rotating disk that forms the bottom surface of the introduction passage portion. A thickness regulating wall formed at a position above the passage portion and having a height from the upper surface of the rotating disk higher than the thickness of one coin and lower than the thickness of two coins, and a rotating disc at a lower position of the annular regulating wall portion It has an opening that is formed over substantially the entire circumference and opens the inner peripheral side of the introduction passage portion , and the introduction passage portion is formed over substantially the entire circumference of the rotating disk , and the introduction passage portion outer peripheral side wall , Coins are conveyed in a one-layer, one-row state through the outer peripheral side area of the upper surface of the rotating disk, the thickness regulating wall and the opening,
The lead-out passage portion is provided on the outer peripheral side wall of the introduction passage portion and is formed toward the outside of the rotating disk, and a passage through which coins can pass one by one between the one-side passage wall. It has a rotatable holding conveyance body that sandwiches and conveys coins between the other side passage wall that forms the width and the bottom surface of the lead-out passage portion and sends the coins one by one to the detection sensor in order,
The coin storage hopper has a protruding wall portion that protrudes substantially perpendicularly to the outer inclined wall portion area of the annular regulating wall portion and forcibly drops coins that rotate while leaning on the inclined wall portion onto the rotating disk. preparative preparative coin dispensing apparatus characterized by projecting wall portion of Monico is formed on the inclined wall region corresponding to the exit area of the introduction passage.