JP4226492B2 - Coin dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin payout device that accommodates a large number of disk-shaped media such as coins and medals (hereinafter, such disk-shaped media are collectively referred to as “coins”) and pays them out one by one.

  As the above-described coin payout device, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is incorporated in an external device such as a slot machine, and a predetermined number of coins are given to the player according to the winning combination in the game. What is paid out to the saucer provided is known. Usually, a coin payout device incorporated in a slot machine drives a rotating plate (coin disc) having a plurality of coin openings formed on the circumference and a rotating plate as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Drive motor, a control board for controlling the rotation of the drive motor, and a dispensing unit having a connector and the like for supplying power to the drive motor and transmitting a control signal to the control board. A bucket that can store a large number of coins is mounted on the base.

  The payout unit is provided with detecting means for detecting the payout number of coins. Generally, this detection means includes an optical sensor device that detects the passage of coins paid out as the coin disk rotates, and this sensor device is attached to a frame formed in the payout unit. And connected to the control board.

When a coin payout number signal is input to the control board from the main control board in the main body of the external device (slot machine), the drive motor is driven to rotate and the coins are paid out by the rotation of the coin disk. The sensor device detects the passage (payout) of coins, and at the stage of detecting that this has reached a predetermined payout number, transmits a detection signal for stopping the driving of the drive motor to the control board for a payout process. Ends.
JP-A-7-85333

  The sensor device attached to the coin payout device is generally a general-purpose product in consideration of cost and the like, and the frame portion of the payout unit is designed in accordance with the mounting structure. Usually, the sensor device includes a main body unit including a light emitting unit that emits light and a light receiving unit that receives light from the light emitting unit, and the main body unit can be easily attached to and detached from the frame to be mounted. A latch mechanism is provided so that it can be performed.

  However, since the above-mentioned payout unit is equipped with a heavy body such as a drive motor, if a coin payout device or payout unit is accidentally dropped or applied to another object, an external force acts. Due to the impact, the latch mechanism of the sensor device is erroneously opened, causing a problem that the sensor device is detached or displaced. If the sensor device is detached or displaced in this way, it is not preferable because the payout process cannot be performed properly or a failure or the like is caused.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of the above-described problems, and the sensor device mounted on the frame can be easily dropped by an external force such as an impact without sacrificing the ease of assembly by the latch mechanism. It aims to provide no coin payout device.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a coin payout device according to claim 1 stores a coin and has a bucket having an opening at a lower portion, a rotating plate having a plurality of coin openings formed on a circumference, and And a payout unit for paying out coins supplied from the lower opening of the bucket one by one. The payout unit includes a locking frame and a latch mechanism. A sensor device that is detachably attached to the locking frame and detects coin payout, and a locking member that restricts the opening of the latch mechanism is mounted on the locking frame. The two side frames forming the opening of the stop frame are elastically pressed from the inside to be exposed from both side frames and locked to the both side frames. Each of the locking members is exposed from the both side frames and locked to the both side frames. It is composed of a plate-like member that restricts elastic deformation to the inside of both locking claws by being inserted between the claws and applied to both locking claws .

  According to the coin payout device having the above-described configuration, the sensor device attached to the locking frame of the payout unit via the latch mechanism is restricted by the restriction member so that the latch mechanism is not opened. Even if an impact or the like occurs when hitting another object, the sensor device is prevented from coming off the locking frame. Further, since the sensor device is basically attached to the frame portion by a latch mechanism, it can be assembled and removed without using a tool or the like, and workability is not lowered.

  According to the present invention, since the latch mechanism of the sensor device is mounted on the locking frame in a state of being regulated by the regulating member so as not to be opened, the sensor device can be removed from the locking frame even when an external force such as an impact acts. Thus, a coin payout device that does not easily fall off can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a coin payout device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. In these drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the coin payout device, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the coin payout device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the payout unit. 4 is a perspective view showing a coin payout portion of the payout unit, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a drive mechanism (coin push-out mechanism) disposed in the coin discharge path, and FIG. 6 is a payout unit and payout 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the sensor device attached to the locking frame of the unit, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the dispensing unit to which the sensor device is attached, and FIG. 8 is the sensor device attached via a regulating member. FIG.

  The coin payout device 1 includes a bucket 10 for storing a large number of coins, a payout unit 20 for paying out coins accumulated in the bucket 10 one by one, and a base installed in various external devices such as a slot machine body and a sand device. It is comprised by three units of 50, and in this embodiment, each unit is comprised so that isolation | separation is mutually possible.

  The bucket 10 includes a concave accommodating portion 11 that accommodates a large number of coins that are actually paid out, and a pair of detachable engaging portions 12 that are detachably attached to the base 50 on the lower side of the accommodating portion 11. These are integrally formed of resin or the like. Further, an opening (not shown) for supplying coins to the payout unit 20 is formed at the bottom of the accommodating portion 11, and coins are sent to the payout unit 20 through this opening.

  The payout unit 20 has a function of paying coins one by one with a fixed posture, and has a payout base 21 installed in an inclined state with respect to a horizontal plane. A drive motor 22 is attached to the back side of the payout base 21, and the drive motor 22 is detachably attached to the payout base 21 via a motor plate 23 and a gear case 24.

  The output shaft 22a of the drive motor 22 is meshed with a reduction gear 25 installed in the gear case 24 through the hole 23a of the motor plate 23, and the rotational driving force thereof will be described later in a reduced state. It is transmitted to the coin disk. The reduction gear 25 installed in the gear case is provided with a rotary shaft 25a protruding upward. The rotary shaft 25a has a non-circular cross section and has a hole 21a formed in the dispensing base 21. Projecting from its surface.

  A circular recess 21b having a hole 21a at the center is formed on the surface of the payout base 21, and a coin disk 26 is detachably mounted thereon. In the central portion of the coin disk 26, there are formed fitting holes 26a that are fitted to the rotation shaft 25a of the reduction gear 25 to prevent rotation, and a plurality (four in this embodiment) are provided on the circumference thereof. A coin opening 26b is formed. Then, in a state in which the coin disk 26 is attached to the rotation shaft 25a so as to prevent rotation, a coin disk presser 28 is attached from above. In the present embodiment, the notch 21c is formed in the part where the coin disk interferes on both sides of the payout base 21, and the main body of the payout base 21 is made as small as possible in the width direction.

  The payout base 21 is provided with a connector 30 exposed so that power is supplied to the drive motor 22 through the connector 30 and drive control of the drive motor is performed (see FIG. (Not shown) is connected to the main control board of the external device, and control signals are transmitted and received. Then, when a coin payout number signal is input from the external device, the drive motor 22 is driven to execute coin payout.

  The base 50 is detachably mounted with the payout unit 20, and has a recess 51 formed with an inclined surface 51 a for holding the payout unit 20 in an inclined manner, and a pair of attachment / detachment engagement portions 12 of the bucket 10. A pair of engaging claws 52 to be mounted are provided, and these are integrally formed of resin or the like. The payout unit 20 may be positioned and held in a state where it is simply placed on the base 50, or may be positioned and held separately via a fixing screw or an attaching / detaching mechanism. There may be.

  Then, the above three units (bucket 10, payout unit 20, base 50) are assembled to form as shown in FIG. 1. Only the portion of the connector 30 is exposed in the payout unit 20. It will be in the state accommodated in the space between and a base.

  The coins stored in the accommodating portion 11 of the bucket 10 are located in the opening 26b of the coin disk 26 through the opening, and when the coin disk 26 is driven to rotate, the following known coin pushing mechanism is provided. Are paid out one by one from a payout path (gap) 21d between the payout base 21 and the coin disk 26.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a coin push-out mechanism 40 driven by a coin to be paid out is installed in the payout path 21d. The coin push-out mechanism 40 is installed adjacent to the payout path 21d, and when the coin C comes into contact with the rotation of the coin disk 26, two movable rollers 61 and 62 for pushing the coin toward the discharge path 21d, A guide portion 63 that is arranged to face each movable roller and forms a discharge path 21d, and a rotation support member 64 and 65 that rotatably supports each movable roller 61 and 62 on the back side of the dispensing base 21. I have. The rotation support members 64 and 65 are integrated and mounted on the back side of the dispensing base 21, and the movable rollers 61 and 62 are rotated in the direction of closing the discharge path 21d by the urging members 64a and 65a, respectively. It is energized.

  The rotating support members 64 and 65 are respectively formed with light shielding portions 64b and 65b adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. The light shielding portions 64b and 65b are sensor devices to be described later by the biasing members 64a and 65a. The light emitting unit 73 and the light receiving unit 74 are biased so as to be positioned between them. Then, when the coin C conveyed along with the rotation of the coin disk 26 hits the movable rollers 61 and 62 against the biasing force of the biasing members 64a and 65a, the coins 26 are formed on the rotation support members 64 and 65, respectively. The light shielding parts 64 b and 65 b are rotated so as to be retracted from between the light emitting part 73 and the light receiving part 74 of the sensor device 70. At this time, the coin C is located between the movable rollers 61 and 62 and the guide portion 63, and thereafter, the urging force of the urging members 64a and 65a of the rotation support members 64 and 65 causes the discharge path 21d. One sheet is pushed out toward the discharge direction.

  A locking frame 80 having two rectangular openings 81 and 82 is formed on the back surface of the payout base 21 so as to be mounted with the sensor device 70. As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor device 70 includes a main body 72 having a substrate 71 electrically connected to the control board, a light emitting unit 73 provided in the main body 72 at a predetermined interval, and the light emitting unit. A light receiving portion 74 that receives light from the light, and detects the operation of the light shielding portions 64b and 65b of the rotation support members 64 and 65 that reciprocally rotate with the payout of coins (payout for each sheet). Then, a detection signal (detection pulse) is transmitted to the control board.

  The main body 72 is provided with a latch mechanism so that it can be easily attached to and detached from the locking frame 80. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the latch mechanism is configured by a pair of locking claws 72 a and 72 b in the vertical direction, and the locking claw 72 a is an upper portion that forms the opening 81. The locking claw 72b is formed so as to be locked while being elastically deformed with respect to both side frames 82a forming the opening 82. That is, the sensor device 70 is mounted as shown in FIG. 7 by locking the locking claw 72a to the upper frame 81a and pressing the locking claw 72b while elastically deforming the locking claw 72b to both side frames 82a. The pair of locking claws 72b exposed from 81a are picked and removed from both side frames 82a so that they can be removed from the locking frame 80.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8, a restriction member 90 for restricting the release of the latch mechanism of the sensor device 70 attached as described above is attached to the locking frame 80. The restricting member 90 may be configured so that the latch mechanism is not opened by an impact or the like. In the present embodiment, the pair of locking claws 72b are elastically deformed and opened to each other. It is configured by a rectangular plate-like member that is inserted between the respective locking claws 72b, abuts against both the locking claws 72b, and restricts inward deformation.

  According to the coin payout device having the above-described configuration, when the coin C conveyed along with the rotation of the coin disk 26 hits the movable rollers 61 and 62 against the urging force of the urging members 64a and 65a, each rotation is performed. The light shielding portions 64b and 65b formed on the support members 64 and 65 are retracted from between the light emitting portion 73 and the light receiving portion 74 of the sensor device 70, and then the light emitting portion 73 and the light receiving portion are again relieved by the biasing members 64a and 65a. 74. At this time, the light emitting unit 73 and the light receiving unit 74 of the sensor device 70 are configured to detect only the passage of coins in which both of the movable rollers 61 and 62 are displaced. Even if it is accidentally displaced, it is not detected as a coin passing. Then, when the detection pulse (number of payouts) detected by the sensor device 70 in this way matches the number signal transmitted from the main control board on the external device side, the drive of the drive motor 22 is stopped, and one time The coin payout process is completed.

  In addition, since a locking member 80 for mounting the sensor device 70 is provided with a regulating member 90 for regulating the opening of the latch mechanism of the sensor device 70, the coin payout device 1 or Even if the payout unit 20 is dropped or an external force such as an impact is applied to the coin payout device 1 due to an impact on the coin payout device 1, the sensor device 70 does not drop from the locking frame 80 or be displaced. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent malfunctions and the like due to the sensor device 70 being dropped or displaced. In addition, since the restriction member 90 is simply mounted so as to prevent the latch mechanism from being opened, a versatile sensor device can be used, and a tool or the like is not used when the sensor device 70 is assembled. Workability is not reduced.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and can be modified as follows, for example.
In the above-described embodiment, the three units of the bucket 10 for storing coins, the payout unit 20 for paying out coins, and the base 50 attached to the external device can be separated from each other, but each unit is necessary. The structure may be integrated according to the above. Further, the shape and the like of the constituent members of each unit are not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and can be variously modified. For example, the configuration of the coin disk 26 in the payout unit 20, the configuration of the coin push-out mechanism 40 that pays out coins, the configuration of the sensor device 70, the method of detecting the coin payout number, and the like can be modified as appropriate. is there. Further, the sensor device 70 is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure as long as it is configured to be detachable from the locking frame 80 by a latch mechanism. In this case, as long as the regulating member can regulate the opening according to the configuration of the latch mechanism attached to and detached from the locking frame, the shape and the constituent material thereof are limited to specific ones. There is no.

  The present invention may be applied to a cash payout device for paying out coins in addition to the game media payout processing, such as the slot machine and the sand device described above.

The perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the coin payout apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the coin payout device shown in FIG. 1. The disassembled perspective view of a payout unit. The perspective view which showed the coin payout part of the payout unit. The figure which shows schematic structure of the drive mechanism (coin pushing mechanism) arrange | positioned by the coin discharge path | route. The perspective view which shows the structure of the sensor apparatus with which the payout unit and the latching frame of a payout unit are mounted | worn. The perspective view of the payout unit with which the sensor apparatus was mounted | worn. The perspective view of the payout unit with which the sensor apparatus was mounted | worn through the control member.

Explanation of symbols

1 Coin Dispensing Device 10 Bucket 20 Dispensing Unit 22 Drive Motor 26 Coin Disc (Rotating Plate)
50 Base 70 Sensor device 72a, 72b Locking claw (latch mechanism)
80 Locking frame 90 Restricting member

Claims (1)

A bucket for storing coins and having an opening at the bottom;
A rotary plate having a plurality of coin openings formed on the circumference, and a drive motor for driving the rotary plate, and a payout unit for paying out coins supplied from the lower opening of the bucket one by one;
A coin payout device having
The payout unit includes a lock frame and a sensor device that is detachably attached to the lock frame by a latch mechanism and detects coin payout,
A restriction member for restricting the opening of the latch mechanism is attached to the locking frame ,
The latch mechanism is elastically pressed against both side frames forming the opening of the locking frame from the inside to be exposed from both side frames and locked to the both side frames, and elastic to the inside. Having a pair of locking claws that are removed from both side frames by being deformed;
The restricting member is inserted between the locking claws that are exposed from the side frames and locked to the side frames and is applied to the locking claws, thereby elastically moving the locking claws to the inside. A coin payout device comprising a plate-like member that restricts deformation .

Images