JP4300447B2 - Coin hopper - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to a coin hopper for sorting and discharging coins one by one.
The “coin” used in the present specification includes coins as a currency, as well as substitute coins such as medals and tokens of game machines or similar items.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The coin hopper is built in, for example, the game machine shown in FIG.
101 is a built-in coin hopper.
Reference numeral 102 denotes a coin outlet.
Reference numeral 103 denotes a coin slot.
The coin hopper 101 is the same as that disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,589,433, for example.
[0003]
An outline of the coin hopper 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
It has a substantially disc-shaped hopper base 112 attached to a frame 111 fixed to a horizontally arranged base 110 at an angle of about 60 degrees.
A motor 113 is fixed to the back side of the hopper base 112.
On the surface side of the hopper base 112, a rotating disk 114 constituting the coin feeding device A is disposed.
[0004]
The rotary disk 114 is rotationally driven from the motor 113 via a speed reducer (not shown).
A peripheral portion of the rotating disk 114 forms a step 115 to form a ring-shaped coin mounting surface 116.
Pins 117 are fixed to the coin placement surface 116 at predetermined intervals.
A cylindrical hopper ring 118 is fixed to the hopper base 112 so as to surround the outer periphery of the rotating disk 114.
Reference numeral 119 denotes a bucket-shaped coin bowl attached to the hopper ring 118 with its open end.
A coin insertion opening 120 is formed in the upper side wall of the coin bowl 119.
[0005]
A receiving knife 121 has a base fixed to the hopper base 112.
The tip of the knife 121 is close to the step 115.
130 is a coin counter, a fixed shaft 131 fixed to the hopper base 112, a lever 132 attached to the fixed shaft 131 so as to be swingable in the middle, and a count roller attached to the tip of the lever 132 relative to the knife 121. 133 and a count sensor (not shown) for detecting the rotation of the lever 132 to a predetermined position.
A guide plate 134 is put on the base of the knife 121.
[0006]
The lever 132 is given a rotational force in a counterclockwise direction by a spring (not shown).
The hopper base 112, the guide plate 134, and the knife 121 base upper surface constitute a coin passage 135.
An end face of the coin passage 135 is a coin outlet 136.
[0007]
Next, the flow of coins in the game machine 100 will be described.
The player plays a game by inserting coins into the coin insertion slot 103.
The inserted coins are guided by a duct (not shown) and enter the coin bowl 119 through the coin insertion opening 120.
When winning by playing, a control circuit (not shown) of the game machine 100 outputs a coin payout signal.
[0008]
When a coin payout signal is received from the control circuit of the game machine 100, the motor 113 of the coin hopper 101 is rotated.
As the motor 113 rotates, the rotating disk 114 rotates counterclockwise in FIG.
As the rotary disk 114 rotates, the coins in the coin bowl 119 are agitated and the posture changes.
[0009]
The coin whose side surface is in contact with the coin placement surface 116 due to the posture change is locked to the pin 117.
The locked coin is taken to the rotating disk 114 while the peripheral surface is supported by the step 115.
When the knife 121 is reached, the coin is scooped up by the knife 121.
[0010]
Thereafter, the coin is pushed out toward the coin passage 135 by the pin 117 while being supported by the upper edge of the knife 121.
On the way, the coin passes by pushing up the count roller 133.
As the count roller 133 is pushed up, the lever 132 is rotated in the clockwise direction, and is detected by a count sensor (not shown).
The count sensor outputs a count signal indicating the number of coins released “1”.
[0011]
The control circuit of the game machine 100 that has received the count signal stops the rotation of the motor 113 in order to end the discharge when the predetermined number is released.
Coins that have passed through the count roller 133 are pushed out into the coin passage 135 and discharged from the coin outlet 136.
The released coins reach the coin payout slot 102 through the duct.
[0012]
Recently, there is a person who cheats by inserting a hand from the discharge port 102 and closing the coin outlet 136.
That is, when the outlet 136 is blocked, a large number of coins are packed in the coin passage 135 and the coin itself is plugged.
[0013]
For this reason, since the motor 113 is overloaded, an overcurrent is detected and automatically stopped.
Alternatively, since the count signal is not transmitted from the coin counter 130 for a predetermined time, the control circuit of the game machine 100 performs an abnormality process and stops the motor 113. A fraudster is a means of obtaining extra coins by making a claim that the number of coins to be released is less than the number.
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to prevent fraud as described above by reliably detecting at an early stage that a coin exit of a coin hopper is blocked.
More specifically, the object is to detect that the coin exit has been blocked and to prevent the subsequent coins from being supplied.
More specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a simple mechanism that detects that a coin exit is blocked and does not supply subsequent coins.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, the coin hopper of the present invention is configured as follows. A coin path (B) for guiding the coins fed from the feeding device (A) toward the exit (136), and a coin path (B) disposed in the coin path (B), by the sent coins staying in the coin path A detecting body (C) held at a predetermined position, and a coin direction changing device (in which the coin sent out by the sending device before reaching the coin path is turned to the feeding device side based on the position of the detecting body ( A coin hopper having D).
[0016]
According to this configuration, when the coin passage becomes abnormal, it is detected by the detector. Based on this detection, the coin direction changing device turns the coin to the coin sending device side. Therefore, subsequent coins are not supplied.
[0017]
In the present invention, the lever (11) is preferably provided with a force so that the detection body (C) protrudes into the coin passage (B).
According to this configuration, since the detection body (C) is the lever (11) and is directly moved by the coin, the coin can be detected without being affected by the wear powder, so that accurate detection can be performed.
[0018]
Further, according to the present invention, the direction changing device (D) moves to the coin conveyance path (E) upstream of the detection body (C) when the detection body (C) detects a coin for a predetermined time. It is preferable to have a direction change body (23) . According to this configuration, when the detection body (C) detects the stay of the coin for a predetermined time or longer, the direction change body (23) changes the traveling direction of the coin so as not to be supplied to the coin passage (B). Yes. Therefore, since no coin is supplied to the exit (136), the number of coins released in an abnormal state can be extremely reduced.
[0019]
Further, according to the present invention, the direction changing device (D) includes a stopper (11U) protruding into the coin passage (B) on the upstream side of the detection body (C) in conjunction with the lever (11), and the stopper (11U). ) In the vicinity of the coin passage (B), the driven lever (29) disposed in the passage (B2), and the direction changer (23) protruding into the coin conveyance passage (E) by the driven lever (29), It is preferable to have.
With this configuration, the direction changing device (D) has a simple mechanical configuration and can be manufactured at low cost.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the embodiment with the coin bowl removed.
FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the normal state of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the embodiment in a normal state.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the coin passage of the embodiment (with the cover removed).
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an abnormal state of the embodiment (with the cover removed).
[0021]
The same parts as those in the prior art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and different configurations will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the coin hopper 101 with the coin bowl 119 removed, as viewed obliquely from the upper right.
The coin feeding device A is composed of a rotating disk 114 and a pin 117 as in the conventional device.
[0022]
Next, the coin passage B will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.
The coin passage B is constituted by the hopper base 112, the lower guide body 2, the upper guide body 3, and the cover 4.
The coin passage B is inclined downward to the left.
[0023]
Next, the structure of the lower guide body 2 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the lower guide body 2 is formed by bending the lower edge portion of the flat cover 4 toward the rotating disk 114 and the hopper base 112 at a right angle.
This bending amount is slightly larger than the coin thickness. That is, it is larger than the thickness of one coin and smaller than two.
[0024]
The lower guide body 2 includes a first guide piece 2X that faces the placement surface 116, a guide piece 2Y that faces the hopper base 112, and a detection guide piece 2Z that faces the hopper base 112. (In FIG. 4, for the sake of convenience, it is shown by a one-dot chain line)
The first guide piece 2X is divided into a first divided guide piece 2X1 and a second divided guide piece 2X2.
The first divided guide piece 2X1 and the second divided guide piece 2X2 are located on a straight line descending toward the coin outlet 136 with respect to the upper surface of the knife 121.
A gap between the first divided guide piece 2X1 and the second divided guide piece 2X2 is a passage 2S through which the pin 117 passes.
[0025]
The upper surfaces of the first divided guide piece 2X1 and the second divided guide piece 2X2 are the first guide portion 2A having a straight and left-sloped slope that is substantially continuous to the tip upper surface 121S of the knife 121.
The upper surface of the guide piece 2Y is a guide portion 2B having a straight left-side inclined surface having a larger inclination angle than the first guide surface 2A.
The upper surface of the detection guide piece 2Z is a detection guide portion 2C having a straight left side and a slanting left slope with a slightly larger inclination angle than the first guide portion 2A.
[0026]
The guide part 2B has the largest inclination angle, and its extension line intersects the detection guide part 2C.
There is a step 6 having a height H1 between the first guide 2A and the detection guide 2C.
When the first guide portion 2A, the guide portion 2B, and the detection guide portion 2C are formed by bending the lower edge portion of the cover 4 as in this embodiment, the flat plate can be formed by pressing so that it can be manufactured at low cost. Can do.
[0027]
The thickness of the upper guide body 3 is the same as the bending amount of the lower guide body 2.
That is, it is larger than the thickness of one coin and smaller than two.
The upper guide body 3 is opposed to the first guide portion 2A, has a slightly larger inclination angle than the first guide portion 2A as a whole, and is slightly concave on the opposite side of the first guide portion 2A. A third guide portion 3A, a concave concave guide portion 3B positioned relative to the guide portion 2B, and a detection guide portion 2C opposite to the detection guide portion 2C and having a larger inclination angle than the detection guide portion 2C continuous to the concave guide portion 3B. A guide portion 3C and a fourth guide portion 3D having a slope that is continuous with the third guide portion 3C and substantially parallel to the detection guide portion 2C are formed.
[0028]
Therefore, the coin passage B is vertically divided by the trapezoidal introduction passage B1 partitioned by the first guide portion 2A and the second guide portion 3A, and the guide portion 2B and the concave guide portion 3B. The trapezoidal third passage B3 which is vertically divided by the drive passage B2, the detection guide portion 2C and the third guide portion 3C, and the detection guide portion 2C and the fourth guide portion 3D are vertically moved. It is composed of a partitioned exit passage B4.
[0029]
An open end surface of the outlet passage B4 is a coin outlet 136.
The coin passage B as a whole descends to the left toward the coin outlet 136 and has a y-shape in which a branch passage that extends upward from the middle is formed by the concave guide portion 3B.
The thickness of the passage B is a dimension that does not overlap two coins.
[0030]
Next, the configuration of the detection body C will be described with reference to FIGS.
A detection lever 11 is rotatably attached to a shaft 10 fixed to brackets 4A and 4B protruding from the cover 4 on the opposite side to the coin passage B with a gap.
The detection lever 11 has tongue-shaped bearing portions 13A and 13B bent from both sides of the middle portion of the elongated plate-like body to the cover 4 side, and is rotatably attached to the shaft 10.
[0031]
As is apparent in FIG. 5, the lever 11 is disposed along the third passage B3.
The lower end portion 11L of the lever 11 is bent toward the cover 4 and can enter the third passage B3 and the outlet passage B4 from the detection opening 4H of the cover 4.
A stopper 11U that is bent at a right angle toward the hopper base 112 is formed at the upper end of the detection lever 11.
The stopper 11U can enter the drive passage B2 from the stopper opening 4S of the cover 4.
[0032]
The compression spring 15 is disposed between the cover 4 and the detection lever 11 and applies a rotational force in the clockwise direction in FIG.
Accordingly, in a normal state, the lower end portion 11L of the detection lever 11 advances from the detection opening 4H to the third passage B3 and the outlet passage B4, and abuts against the hopper base 112 and is stationary.
The position of the lower end portion 11L is a position through which the center portion of the coin rolling on the detection guide portion 2C passes.
At this time, the stopper 11U is retracted from the drive passage B2.
The detection body C of this embodiment is the lower end portion 11L of the detection lever 11.
[0033]
Next, the configuration of the direction changing device D will be described with reference to FIGS.
A fixed shaft 20 is fixed to the cover 4 above the detection opening 4H.
A base portion of the direction changing lever 21 is rotatably attached to the fixed shaft 20.
The direction change lever 21 is formed of a plate material.
The base portion of the direction changing lever 21 is formed in a channel shape in cross section, and the side walls 21A and 21B are attached to the fixed shaft 20.
[0034]
The tip of the direction changing lever 21 is located upstream of the rotating disk 114 with respect to the count roller 133 and is formed in a downward triangular shape.
This triangular portion is the direction change body 23, and has a push-up slope 23 </ b> S in a direction away from a plane including the surface of the rotating disk 114.
[0035]
When the direction change body 23 rotates clockwise and is prevented from rotating by the restriction piece 4 </ b> C protruding from the cover 4, the tip of the triangle enters the coin conveyance path E and approaches the outer peripheral edge of the rotating disk 114. It will be in the position.
The coin transport path E is a path for coins transported by the rotating disk 114.
In this position, the push-up slope 23S is positioned away from the coin placement surface 116.
[0036]
A driven lever 29 is rotatably attached to a third shaft 27 fixed to the cover 4 above the fixed shaft 20.
The end of the driven lever 29 on the fixed shaft 20 side is bent toward the hopper base 112 to form a driven piece 29A, which is inserted through the opening 4J of the cover 4 and disposed in the drive passage B2.
A pin 31 is fixed to the other side of the driven lever 29.
The pin 31 is rotatably attached to the middle of the direction changing lever 21.
A bush 33 is fitted on the third shaft 27.
[0037]
A string spring 35 is wound around the fixed shaft 20 sandwiched between the side walls 21A and 21B. 3, the rotational force is applied in the counterclockwise direction.
[0038]
The cover 4 is integrally formed by fixing a plate-like support 40 having a crank-shaped cross section with a screw 41 with the upper guide 3 interposed therebetween.
The assembly is covered with the hopper base 112 from above, and fixed to the hopper base 112 with the screw 42 to constitute a coin passage B that follows the coin placement surface 116.
[0039]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
A case where the coin hopper 101 is operating normally will be described with reference to FIG. The direction changing lever 21 is rotated counterclockwise by the string spring 35 and abuts against the bush 33 to be stationary.
[0040]
At this time, the tip of the direction changer 23 is located away from the rotating disk 114 and is not involved at all even if the coin moves.
Due to the rotation of the direction changing lever 21, the driven lever 29 is rotated counterclockwise via the pin 31, and the driven piece 29A is positioned near the lower edge of the opening 4J.
[0041]
In this state, the driven piece 29A does not contact the coin guided to the guiding portion 2B.
The detection lever 11 is stationary because the lower end 11L abuts against the hopper base 112 of the third passage B3 and the outlet passage B4 by the spring force of the compression spring 15.
[0042]
In this state, the coins conveyed by the rotation of the rotary disk 114 are scooped by the top end surface 121S of the knife 121.
After being scooped, the coin is pushed by the pin 117 on the tip upper surface 121S and moves to the left in the figure.
In this movement process, the coin passes below (up and down in the figure) because the tip of the direction changer 23 is separated by a predetermined distance.
[0043]
Thereafter, the coin is further pushed by the pin 117 and moves from the top end surface 121S to the first divided guide piece 2X1 of the first guide portion 2A.
In this moving process, the coin passes by pushing up the count roller 133.
The push-up of the count roller 133 is detected by a sensor (not shown) to obtain a coin count signal.
[0044]
Thereafter, the coin rolls on the second divided guide piece 2X2 and passes through the introduction passage B1.
The introduction passage B1 is formed in a trapezoidal shape with a wide vertical interval on the upstream side in the coin traveling direction.
Thereby, even if the coin is hopped by the count roller 133, it can be guided to the introduction passage B1 by being guided by the second guide portion 3A.
Next, it rolls on the guide portion 2B and passes through the drive passage B2 and the third passage B3.
[0045]
Next, the coin rolls on the detection guide portion 2C, and is discharged from the coin outlet 136 through the outlet passage B4.
When the coin passes through the outlet passage B4 from the third passage B3, the lower end portion 11L of the detection lever 11 is pushed up from the hopper base 112 against the spring force of the compression spring 15 and passes therethrough.
After the coin has passed, the detection lever 11 is rotated by the compression spring 15 and abuts against the hopper base 112 again to be in a stationary state.
[0046]
Next, an operation in an abnormal state in which an unauthorized person has blocked the coin exit 136 with a hand will be described with reference to FIG.
When the coin outlet 136 is closed, first the first coin Z1 stays across the third passage B3 and the outlet passage B4.
As a result, the lower end portion 11L of the detection lever 11 is separated from the hopper base 112 by the first coin Z1 and pushed up.
By this pushing up, the detection lever 11 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.
[0047]
By this rotation, the stopper 11U protrudes into the drive passage B2.
Next, the sent second coin Z2 is prevented from advancing by the stopper 11U and stays across the introduction passage B1 and the drive passage B2 in a state where the lower peripheral surface is in contact with the second divided guide piece 2X2. (In FIG. 5, the position of the coin Z3)
Next, the sent third coin Z3 rolls on the first division guide piece 2X1 and is prevented from advancing by the front second coin Z2, and stays in the introduction passage B1. (In FIG. 5, the position of the coin Z4)
Thereafter, the pin 117 slightly pushes up the third coin Z3 toward the second guide portion 3A and passes below the third coin Z3.
At this time, the second coin Z2 is not moved.
[0048]
Next, the fourth coin Z4 is pushed by the pin 117 and moves from the top end surface 121S to the first divided guide piece 2X1.
The fourth coin Z4 pushes the third coin Z3 to the left in FIG.
The third coin Z3 pushes the coin Z2 to the left while being guided by the second guide 3A.
Thus, the reaction force F1 of the stopper 11U acts on the second coin Z2 from the contact point with the stopper 11U toward the center.
[0049]
Further, a pressing force F2 from the contact point with the third coin Z3 toward the center acts on the second coin Z2.
Since these forces F1 and F2 generate a resultant force F3 toward the concave guide portion 3B, the second coin Z2 is pushed toward the concave guide portion 3B by the resultant force F3.
By this movement, the second coin Z2 pushes up the driven piece 29A. (State of FIG. 5)
[0050]
As a result, the driven lever 29 is rotated in the clockwise direction.
By this rotation, the pin 31 is pushed down and the direction changing lever 21 is rotated in the clockwise direction until it is blocked by the restricting piece 4C.
By this rotation, the tip of the direction changing body 23 is stopped at a direction changing position close to the coin placement surface 116.
[0051]
The second coin Z2 becomes stable in the state of FIG. 5 by the third coin Z3, the recessed portion guide portion 3B, and the driven piece 29A.
As a result, the driven lever 29, and thus the direction changing lever 21, continues the state (the state shown in FIG. 5).
[0052]
The fourth coin moves on the first divided guide piece 2X1 by the movement of the second coin Z2 toward the concave guide portion 3B.
Thereafter, the pin 117 further pushes the fourth coin Z4.
However, since the fourth coin Z4 slightly moves to the concave portion of the second guide portion 3A, the pin 117 passes under the fourth coin, so that the rotating disk 114 continues to rotate.
[0053]
When the direction change body 23 is in the direction change position, the coin in the coin transport path E that has been pushed by the pin 117 on the coin placement surface 116 engages with the raised slope 23S.
Therefore, the upper end of the coin is separated from the coin placement surface 116 by the raised slope 23S and raised to the coin bowl 119 side.
Thereby, the coin does not fall from the knife tip upper surface 121S and reaches the count roller 133.
[0054]
Therefore, even if the coin outlet 136 is blocked, the coin is not clogged with the coin passage B.
In addition, since this embodiment does not release four or more coins, there is an effect that does not incite the fraud of an unauthorized person.
Further, the count number of the coin counter 130 matches the number of coins sent out to the coin passage B.
[0055]
The present invention can be modified in various ways.
For example, the coin delivery device may be a rotating disk having a coin passage hole.
Alternatively, the coin feeding device may be stopped by electrically determining that the detection lever 11 is pushed up for a predetermined time or more.
[0056]
Furthermore, you may make it detect the coin pushed up by the concave guide part 3B.
Furthermore, the movement of the detection lever 11 and the driven lever 29 may be detected optically.
Further, it may be combined with lighting of an alarm lamp and sounding of an alarm buzzer.
[0057]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the embodiment with the coin bowl removed. FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the embodiment. 4 is an explanatory view of the embodiment with the coin passage cover removed. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the abnormal state with the coin passage cover of the embodiment removed. FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional coin hopper.
[Explanation of symbols]
Delivery device A
Coin passage B
Drive passage B2
Detector C
Direction change device D
Guide part 2B
Detection guide 2C
Lever 11
Stopper 11U
Change of direction 23
Driven lever 29
Coin exit 136

Claims (4)

A coin feeding device (A), a coin passage (B) for guiding the coins fed from the feeding device (A) toward the outlet (136), and the coin passage (B), the coin passage The detection body (C) held in a predetermined position by the sent out coins staying on the coin , and the coins sent out by the feeding device before reaching the coin path based on the position of the detection body to the feeding device side coin hopper having a direction changing device of the coin diverting (D). The coin hopper according to claim 1, wherein the detection body (C) is a lever (11) to which a force is applied so as to protrude into the coin passage (B). The direction changing device (D) is a direction changing body ( E) that moves to the coin conveyance path (E) upstream of the detection body (C) when the detection body (C) detects a coin for a predetermined time. 23. The coin hopper of claim 1 having 23) . The direction changing device (D) includes a stopper (11U) protruding into the coin passage (B) on the upstream side of the detection body (C) in conjunction with the lever (11) and the vicinity of the stopper (11U). A driven lever (29) disposed in a passage (B2) connected to the coin passage (B), and a direction changing body (23) protruding into the coin transport passage (E) by the driven lever (29). Coin hopper.

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