JP4682338B2 - Coin hopper - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to a coin hopper provided with a rotating disk for sending out coins in a stacked state one by one.
In particular, the present invention relates to a coin hopper capable of preventing the occurrence of a coin bridging phenomenon and a biting phenomenon without causing the rotating disk to be subjected to a rotational overload by a coin.
In the following description, coins, medals, tokens, and the like are collectively referred to as “coins”.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As this type of coin hopper, a technique disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-56861 is known.
The prior art will be described with reference to FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a coin hopper, and a substrate 3 is fixed to the bracket 2 so as to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.
A cylindrical coin bowl 4 having a rectangular upper part and a cylindrical lower part is fixed to the substrate 3.
[0003]
A rotating disk 5 (indicated by a one-dot chain line) is disposed on the cylindrical portion at the lower end in the coin bowl 4.
The lower end portion of the rectangular cylindrical increase bowl 6 is fixed to the upper part of the coin bowl 4. (Shown with a dashed line for convenience)
The base of the cantilever rod 7 is fixed to the upper end of the coin bowl 4 above the rotating disk.
Next, the operation of the conventional coin hopper 1 will be described.
As the rotating disk 5 rotates, the coins in the coin bowl 4 are paid out one by one. When the coin is held up to the increase bowl 6, the cantilever bar 7 supports a part of the coin on the upper side from below to reduce the load of the coin applied to the rotating disk 5.
[0005]
Further, the cantilever rod-like body 7 prevents the coin on the upper side from moving downward and reduces the pressure applied to the wall surface of the coin bowl 4, so that the occurrence of coin bridging can also be suppressed.
In addition, when the coin pushed up by the rotation of the rotating disk 5 pushes up the cantilevered bar 7 from below, the cantilevered bar 7 is elastically deformed, so that it is inserted between the rotating disk 5 and the cantilevered bar 7. The so-called “biting phenomenon” can be suppressed without being caught.
[0006]
However, in this configuration, the effect of reducing the coin load on the rotating disk 5 is insufficient.
That is, the cantilever bar 7 must be elastically deformed to suppress the biting phenomenon.
The elastically deformable cantilever rod 7 has a drawback that the effect of reducing the coin load on the rotary disk 5 is reduced due to the downward deformation caused by the coin placed on the upper side.
[0007]
If the rigidity of the cantilever bar 7 is increased in order to remedy this drawback, the suppression of the biting phenomenon becomes insufficient.
That is, when the coin pushed up by the rotating disk 5 is sandwiched between the cantilever rods 7, the cantilever rod 7 is hardly elastically deformed and is inserted between them, and as a result, the rotating disc 5 rotates. The biting phenomenon that does not occur.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to provide a coin hopper that does not overload the rotation of a rotating disk even when the coin holding capacity of a coin bowl is increased, and that can prevent the occurrence of a biting phenomenon with a coin bridge.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to a cylindrical coin bowl for holding coins, a rotating disk for rotating coins positioned at the lower part of the coin bowl, and movable with respect to the rotating disk. At least one overload prevention bar positioned at the position, a stopper for setting a lower limit position of the overload prevention bar, an agitator that stands up in the coin bowl from the rotating disk and rotates together with the rotating disk; , only including, the stirring body, wherein the contact with the overload preventing bars, a Koinpoppa functioning as a moving device for moving aggressively the overload prevention bar.
[0010]
In this coin hopper, the weight of the coin placed on the overload prevention bar and the coin related to the coin is supported by the overload prevention bar.
In other words, since the overload prevention bar is supported by the stopper at a predetermined distance from the rotating disk and is a rigid body, the weight of the coin placed on the overload prevention bar and the coin related to the coin is the overload prevention. Supported by a bar and does not join the rotating disk.
[0011]
Thereby, the load of the coin which a rotating disk receives is reduced significantly.
Therefore, the rotational load of the rotating disk is greatly reduced, a low output motor can be used, and energy saving and cost reduction can be achieved.
Furthermore, since the overload prevention bar is actively moved by the moving device, if the coin placed on the overload prevention bar causes a bridge, the movement may break the balance of the coin and eliminate the bridge. Since it can, it does not cause a bridge.
[0012]
Further, since the overload prevention bar is moved by the moving device, even if the biting occurs, the coin does not come off the overload prevention bar due to the movement and the biting does not occur.
In addition, since the occupied volume in the coin bowl by the overload prevention bar is extremely small, it hardly affects the coin capacity of the coin bowl.
[0013]
Also, moving device, erected from the rotating disk in the coin bowl, Ru stirrer der contacting the overload prevention bar.
According to this configuration, the overload prevention bar is moved in the vertical or horizontal direction in contact with the stirring member that rotates together with the rotating disk.
[0014]
Because of this movement, the coins on the overload prevention bar are also moved, so that the balance of the coins is not lost and a bridge is not generated.
Even if a bridge occurs, the balance of the coins being bridged is broken by the movement of the overload prevention bar given by the rotation of the stirring member, and the bridge can be eliminated.
Furthermore, since a moving apparatus can be comprised only by making a stirring body contact an overload prevention bar, it can comprise at low cost.
[0015]
In addition, when the coin is pushed up by the rotating disk, the overload prevention bar can move with respect to the rotating disk, thereby preventing the occurrence of the coin biting phenomenon.
Further, the coin pressure on the wall surface of the coin bowl can be reduced by the overload prevention bar, and the coin bridge can be broken by the upward movement of the overload prevention bar by pushing up the coin.
[0016]
In the present invention, the stirrer is preferably a coil.
When the stirrer is a coil, the overload prevention bar is moved vertically with respect to the rotating disk by the rotation of the spiral of the coil.
By moving the overload prevention bar in the vertical direction, the coin bridge can be broken.
[0017]
Furthermore, it is preferable that the overload prevention bar has a rotatable tubular outer cylinder.
When the overload prevention bar is worn due to contact with the stirrer, only the outer cylinder needs to be replaced, so that the replacement work is easy and inexpensive.
[0018]
The present invention can be variously modified within the scope of the invention.
For example, the moving device may rotate a cam with a motor and move the overload prevention bar up and down or left and right with this cam.
In addition, a ball bearing can be attached to the end of the overload prevention bar, and the ball bearing can be movably disposed in the long hole.
Further, there may be three or more overload prevention bars.
Further, the rotating disk may be inclined as in the conventional example.
Further, the rotating disk may be one in which a plurality of pins are fixed instead of the alignment holes.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the whole embodiment as viewed obliquely from above.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY of FIG .
4 is a cross-sectional view of the coin bowl portion of FIG. 3 taken along the line XX.
FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment.
[0020]
First, a conventionally known coin hopper 10 which is one of the mounting objects of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
Reference numeral 11 denotes a rectangular box-shaped bracket, and a substrate 12 is fixed to the upper portion in a horizontal state.
A cylindrical coin bowl 13 is fixed on the upper surface of the substrate 12.
The coin bowl 13 has a rectangular cylindrical upper portion 13u, a cylindrical lower end portion 13l, and an intermediate portion 13m that connects the upper portion 13u and the lower end portion 13l with an inclined wall.
[0021]
A disc-shaped rotating disk 14 that rotates while sliding on the upper surface of the substrate 12 is disposed in the lower end portion 13l in a horizontal state.
The rotating disk 14 is fixed to the upper end portion of the rotating shaft 16 of the speed reducer 15 penetrating the substrate 12 as described later.
The speed reducer 15 is fixed to the lower surface of the substrate 12, and is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown).
[0022]
The upper portion 13u includes a first side wall 13a, a second side wall 13b, a third side wall 13c, and a fourth side wall 13d.
The first side wall 13a rises vertically from the peripheral edge of the rotating disk 14 at a distance approximately one half of the coin diameter.
The second side wall 13b rises vertically from the periphery of the rotary disk 14 at a distance of about twice the coin diameter relative to the first side wall 13a.
[0023]
The third side wall 13c rises vertically from the vicinity of the periphery of the rotating disk.
The fourth side wall 13d rises vertically from the peripheral edge of the rotary disk 14 at a distance substantially the same as the coin diameter relative to the third side wall 13c.
A portion surrounded by the side wall, the intermediate portion 13m, and the rotating disk 14 is a coin retaining portion 13e.
[0024]
The rotating disk 14 has a plurality of alignment holes 14a formed at equal intervals, and a trapezoidal protrusion 14b protruding from the upper surface of the central portion.
A pocket 14c is formed on the lower surface of the alignment hole 14a of the rotary disk 14 for receiving coins and feeding them out at a predetermined position.
An opening (not shown) connected to the coin outlet 17 is formed in the lower end portion 13l facing the pocket 14c.
[0025]
The rotary disk 14 has a hole 14h in the center portion fitted to the output shaft 16 of the speed reducer 15.
A lock screw rs is screwed into the top of the output shaft 16, and the central top of the rotary disk 14 is pressed against the output shaft 16 and fixed.
A cylindrical adjustment body ab is screwed and fixed to the top of the lock screw rs.
[0026]
A stirring body 18 as a moving device d is fixed to the top of the adjustment body ab.
The agitator 18 includes a rod 18a and a spindle coil spring 18b.
That is, the lower end portion of the rod 18a formed of a flexible resin is inserted and fixed to the top of the adjustment body ab.
The rod body 18a is inserted into the hollow portion of the coil spring 18b, and the upper end portion of the coil spring 18b is pressed and fixed to the upper end portion of the rod body 18a. The lower end portion of the coil spring 18b is in a free state with respect to the rod body 18a. It has become.
[0027]
Next, examples of the present invention will be described.
A first long hole 20a that is long in the vertical direction is formed in a third side wall 13c that is relatively close to the first side wall 13a of the coin bowl 13.
A second long hole 20b is formed in the opposed fourth side wall 13d at a position facing the first long hole 20a.
A third long hole 20c that is long in the vertical direction is formed in the third side wall 13c that is relatively close to the second side wall 13b.
A fourth long hole 20d is formed in a position facing the third long hole 20c on the fourth side wall 13d facing each other.
[0028]
A first overload prevention bar 21a is attached to the first long hole 20a and the second long hole 20b so as to be movable up and down.
A second overload prevention bar 21b is attached to the third long hole 20c and the fourth long hole 20d so as to be movable up and down.
A pair of long holes of the first long hole 20a and the second long hole 20b and a pair of long holes of the third long hole 20c and the fourth long hole 20d are the first overload prevention bar 21a and the second overload. It is only necessary that the prevention bar 21b can be moved in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction with respect to the rotating disk 14, respectively, and may be an inclined long hole that moves in the vertical and horizontal directions.
[0029]
In the present invention, it is sufficient to provide at least one of the first overload prevention bar 21a or the second overload prevention bar 21b. However, since the load reduction effect on the rotating disk 14 is great by using a plurality of bars, the downward movement of the coin Three or more may be arranged as long as smooth movement is not hindered.
Since the first overload prevention bar 21a and the second overload prevention bar 21b have the same configuration, the second overload prevention bar 21b whose sectional view is shown in FIG. 4 will be described as a representative.
The corresponding parts of the first overload prevention bar 21a are denoted by replacing the symbol b with a.
[0030]
In the round shaft 23b, the small diameter portion 22b at one end passes through the fourth long hole 20d and crosses the coin retaining portion 13e in the coin bowl 13, and the tip portion passes through the third long hole 20c.
A snap hook 25b is inserted into the groove 24b at the protruding end of the small diameter portion 22b.
A washer 26b is inserted between the snap hook 25b and the fourth side wall 13d.
Therefore, the round shaft 23 b is prevented from axial movement by the fourth side wall 13d and the large diameter portion 23b and the washer 26b.
[0031]
The tip of the round bar 23b is slidably inserted into the second long hole 20c.
The round shaft 23b is a rigid body formed of, for example, a stainless material.
A tube-shaped first outer cylinder 271b and second outer cylinder 272b formed of stainless steel or the like are rotatably covered on an intermediate portion located at the coin holding portion 13e of the round shaft 23b.
[0032]
Therefore, the rigidity of the second overload prevention bar 21b in which the round shaft 23b is combined with the first outer cylinder 271b and the second outer cylinder 272b is further increased.
The peripheral surfaces of the first outer cylinder 271b and the second outer cylinder 272b are rotatable outer peripheral surfaces 27bs.
The first outer cylinder 271b and the second outer cylinder 272b may be integrated to form a single tube.
[0033]
The positions of the first long hole 20a and the second long hole 20b are set so that the peripheral surface of the first outer cylinder 271a of the first overload prevention bar 21a contacts the coil spring 18b of the stirring body 18.
The peripheral surface of the second outer cylinder 272a may always be in contact with the coil spring 18b, and when the coil spring 18b is pushed slightly by a coin and moved slightly in the lateral direction, or when the coil spring 18b falls down You may make it contact with the coil spring 18b.
[0034]
The overload prevention bars 21a and 21b may be configured by only the round bars 23a and 23b without covering the first outer cylinders 271a and 271b and the second outer cylinders 272a and 272b as in the above-described embodiment.
The first overload prevention bar 21a is preferably set at the positions of the first long hole 20a and the second long hole 20b so as to be positioned substantially separated from the first side wall 13a by one coin.
As shown in FIG. 3, this position is located at the center of the rotating disk 14 rather than the inner edge 14f of the alignment hole 14a.
[0035]
However, the horizontal distance between the first overload prevention bar 21a and the first side wall 13a is not limited as long as the coin can pass without causing a coin bridge, and it is sufficient that the distance is at least the radius of the used coin.
Further, the first overload prevention bar 21a is located above the upper surface of the rotating disk 14 at a distance approximately twice the coin diameter, in other words, below the central portion of the coin bowl 13 in the height direction. preferable.
This distance may be further lower as long as the coin agitated by the rotating disk 14 can change its posture and enter the alignment hole 14a.
However, according to various experiments, the occurrence of the coin bridge and the biting phenomenon was the least at the position.
[0036]
Since the lowest position in the vertical direction of the first overload prevention bar 21a is determined by the round shaft 23a being engaged with the lower ends of the first long hole 20a and the second long hole 20b, the first long hole 20a. The lower end of the second long hole 20b is a stopper 28.
The stopper 28 is provided with a stopper piece separately from the first long hole 20a and the second long hole 20b, and is attached to the third side wall 13c and the fourth side wall 13d so that the position can be adjusted in the vertical direction. May be supported from below.
The second overload prevention bar 21b can be similarly configured using a stopper piece.
[0037]
The second overload prevention bar 21b has a third long hole 20c and a fourth long hole 20d so as to be positioned almost directly above the center of the radius of the rotary disk 14 separated from the second side wall 13b by about three coins. It is formed.
In this position, the distance between the first overload prevention bar 21a and the second overload prevention bar 21b is preferably about one coin used.
However, this interval may be an interval at which coins placed on the first overload prevention bar 21a and the second overload prevention bar 21b do not easily form a coin bridge, and at least one coin should be opened.
[0038]
Further, the lowest position of the second overload prevention bar 21b is located at the center of the coin bowl 13 in the vertical direction, and is positioned approximately one coin above the first overload prevention bar 21a.
When the first overload prevention bar 21a and the second overload prevention bar 21b are arranged in this way, the coins that have slipped obliquely from the second overload prevention bar 21b side become the first overload prevention bar. This is to make it easy to slip even if engaged with 21a.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 3, the agitator 18 is located between the first overload prevention bar 21a and the second overload prevention bar 21b, and the outer peripheral surface of the first overload prevention bar 21a, that is, the first overload prevention bar 21a. It is in contact with the peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 271a.
The vertical position of the first overload prevention bar 21a is located below the maximum bulge of the spindle coil spring 18b.
[0040]
The outer peripheral surface 27as of the first overload prevention bar 21a is in contact with the coil spring 18b as described above.
The vertical position of the second overload prevention bar 21b is opposed to the most swollen portion of the coil spring 18b.
The winding direction of the coil spring 18b is formed such that the first overload prevention bar 21a is lifted upward by the rotation of the coil 18b.
[0041]
Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
Prior to operation, the coin c is supplied to the upper opening of the coin bowl 13, and the coin holding part 13e is filled with coins.
In this state, the weight of the coin c placed on the first overload prevention bar 21a and the coin c leaning against the coin c is added to the rigid first overload prevention bar 21a.
[0042]
Similarly, the weight of the coin c placed on the second overload prevention bar 21b and the coin c leaning on the coin c is also added to the rigid second overload prevention bar 21b.
That is, on the upper surface of the rotating disk 14, the weight of the coin c supported by the first overload prevention bar 21a and the second overload prevention bar 21b is determined based on the weight of the coin c in the coin holding portion 13e above the rotary disk 14. The deducted weight is added.
Therefore, the rotational load on the rotating disk 14 is greatly reduced.
[0043]
When the coin hopper 10 is operated, the coin c in contact with the rotating disk 14 is agitated by the rotation of the rotating disk 14, becomes horizontal, passes through the alignment hole 14a, and reaches the pocket 14c on the back surface side of the rotating disk 14.
Coins c in the pockets 14c are fed one by one from the coin outlet 17 by sliding on the upper surface of the substrate 12 as the rotating disk 14 rotates.
As the coins are sent out, the coin c in the coin holding part 13e sinks downward due to its own weight.
[0044]
In this case, the coin c is located between the first side wall 13a and the first overload prevention bar 21a, between the first overload prevention bar 21a and the second overload prevention bar 21b, and between the second overload prevention bar 21b. It descends while changing its posture naturally with the second side wall 13b.
The coin c above the intermediate portion 13m of the coin holding portion 13e moves downward while moving to the right in FIG. 3 due to the inclination of the intermediate portion 13m.
By the rightward movement of the coin c, the stirring member 18 rotates while falling in the same direction.
[0045]
Due to this fall, the first overload prevention bar 21a is positioned between the windings of the coil spring 18b.
Due to the rotation of the coil spring 18b, the first overload prevention bar 21a receives the upward force by the spiral winding.
When the amount of coin c applied to the first overload prevention bar 21a is large, the coil spring 18b cannot push up the first overload prevention bar 21a due to its weight.
[0046]
However, when the amount of coins c decreases, the coil spring 18b pushes up the first overload prevention bar 21a.
When the coil spring 18b is pushed up, the coil spring 18b receives a reaction force from the first overload prevention bar 21a due to its weight or movement resistance, and is deformed by this reaction force and is detached from the first overload prevention bar 21a.
[0047]
The first overload prevention bar 21a that has lost the support of the coil spring 18b falls and is supported by the stopper 28.
Thereafter, the coil spring 18b returns to its original posture by its own restoring force and coins c and comes into contact with the first overload prevention bar 21a again.
As described above, the first overload prevention bar 21a moves up and down by the rotation of the rotary disk 14, and hence the coil spring 18b.
[0048]
By the vertical movement of the first overload prevention bar 21a, the posture of the coin c in contact with the first overload prevention bar 21a is positively changed.
Therefore, the balance between the coins c is lost and no bridge is generated.
Rarely, between the first overload prevention bar 21a and the intermediate part 13m, between the first overload prevention bar 21a and the second overload prevention bar 21b, and between the second overload prevention bar 21b and the intermediate part 13m. The coin c may cause a bridge.
[0049]
However, the coin bridge is destroyed by changing the posture of the coin being bridged by the vertical movement of the first overload prevention bar 21a.
In addition, since the first outer cylinders 271a and 271b and the second outer cylinders 272a and 272b are easily rotated by friction with the coin c, the sliding resistance of the coin c is extremely small.
Therefore, the posture change of the coin c is likely to occur.
[0050]
Further, when the first outer cylinders 271a and 271b and the second outer cylinders 272a and 272b are rotated by sliding with the coin c, the third sidewall 13c and the fourth sidewall 13d are not easily affected by the stirring effect of the stirring body 18. The nearby coin C is forcibly moved and the coin bridge is destroyed.
Further, when the coin c bridges between the first overload prevention bar 21a and the second overload prevention bar 21b, the coin c is inclined downwardly as a whole in FIG.
By this inclination, the coin c moves to the right side by its own weight, and the coin bridge naturally collapses.
[0051]
Further, the coin c in contact with the rotating disk 14 is pushed up by the unevenness due to the alignment hole 14a, and the first overload prevention bar 21a and the second overload prevention bar 21b are pushed up through some coins c. .
When this push-up phenomenon occurs, the first overload prevention bar 21a moves upward along the first long hole 20a and the second long hole 20b.
The second overload prevention bar 21b moves upward along the third elongated hole 20c and the fourth elongated hole 20d.
[0052]
These movements do not cause a biting phenomenon in which the rotation of the rotating disk 14 is prevented.
When the pushing-up is completed, the first overload prevention bar 21a and the second overload prevention bar 21b are lowered downward by the load of the coin c placed thereon, and are supported by the stopper 28 and become stationary.
Further, due to the vertical movement of the second overload prevention bar 21b, the balance of the coin c placed thereon is broken, and the coin bridge is broken when it is generated.
[0053]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an entire embodiment as viewed obliquely from above.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line YY of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of the coin bowl portion of FIG.
FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view of the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional apparatus.
Coin c
Moving device d
Coin bowl 13
3rd wall 13c
4th wall 13d
Rotating disc 14
Stirring body 18
Coil spring 18b
1st slot 20a
2nd long hole 20b
3rd long hole 20c
4th slot 20d
First overload prevention bar 21a
2nd overload prevention bar 21b
Round shaft 23a,
First outer cylinder 271a, 271b
Second outer cylinder 272a, 272b
Outer surface 27as, 27bs
Stopper 28

Claims (3)

A cylindrical coin bowl (13) that holds coins (C),
A rotating disk (14) for coin feeding located at the bottom of the coin bowl (13) and rotating;
At least one overload prevention bar (21a, 21b) which is movable with respect to the rotating disk (14) and located in the coin bowl (13);
A stopper (28) for setting a lower limit position of the overload prevention bar (21a, 21b);
The erected from the rotating disk (14) in the coin bowl (13), and, seen containing stirrer (18), the rotating together with the rotating disk (14),
A coin popper that functions as a moving device (d) in which the agitator (18) is in contact with the overload prevention bars (21a, 21b) and actively moves the overload prevention bars (21a, 21b) . The coin hopper according to claim 1, wherein the stirring member (18) is a coil . The coin hopper according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the overload prevention bar (21a, 21b) has a rotatable tubular outer cylinder (271a, 272a, 271b, 272b) .

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