JP5002762B2 - Structure of coin input unit and money processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is equipped with a coin processing unit such as a vending machine, a money changer, a money dispenser, etc., and accepts a plurality of coins that have been input in a lump and introduces them into the device without causing coin clogging. And an improvement of the money processing apparatus provided with the same.

Money processing devices such as vending machines, money changers, money dispensers, automatic payment machines, etc., can provide users with various goods and services by performing predetermined operations after the user inserts money. It is configured.
By the way, if the coin insertion part where the user inserts coins in the money processing apparatus is slit-shaped that can accept only one coin at a time, it takes a long time to insert a plurality of coins. Cause troubles such as longer time required for operation and lowering of the operating rate of the apparatus. For this reason, recently, various coin insertion units having a structure capable of receiving a plurality of coins that have been input all at once have been proposed.
For example, the structure of the coin insertion part disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-9069 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-298749 (Patent Document 2) includes an opening having a large opening area, and an opening It is comprised with the saucer provided with the slope for extending to a bottom part and guiding a coin to a bottom part, and the discharge port provided in the bottom part. In these coin insertion sections, a plurality of coins that are collectively input from a wide opening are introduced into the apparatus from the discharge port in the order of dropping while dropping along the slope. For this reason, the shape of the discharge port is a slit shape that allows only one coin to pass through. Therefore, at the stage of inserting into the opening of the tray, multiple coins can be randomly put together without the trouble of stacking and aligning the coins, but at the stage of passing through the discharge port, the sheets are sequentially discharged one by one. As a result, as in the above-described conventional example, there is still a problem that the time required for completing the receipt of coins in the apparatus is prolonged. Moreover, since the discharge port has a slit shape that allows passage of only one coin, coin clogging is likely to occur in front of the discharge port. For example, in Patent Document 1, a manually-operated stirring rod-shaped pin is arranged to guide a plurality of coins accumulated in the tray to the discharge port one by one. This is because the slit-shaped discharge port is clogged with coins. Assuming that it is easy to cause, the disadvantages of users are not improved. On the other hand, if the width of the discharge port is increased in order to prevent the occurrence of coin clogging, there is a high possibility that foreign matter will be introduced.

Next, the structure of the coin insertion part disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-4868 (Patent Document 3) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-212429 (Patent Document 4) has a width that allows a plurality of coins to be stacked one upon another. In order to prevent the introduction of foreign matter, a foreign matter insertion prevention piece is disposed between the short sides of the wide slit. However, it has been inconvenient for the user because it has to be thrown in after a plurality of coins are stacked and held with a fingertip.
In order to deal with such problems, the width of the discharge port at the bottom of the tray disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is widened, and the foreign matter input preventing piece disclosed in Patent Documents 3 and 4 is placed in the wide discharge port. Although it is conceivable to arrange, even if the discharge port in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is enlarged, if a foreign matter insertion prevention piece is arranged there, eventually, a plurality of slits having a width equivalent to one coin are juxtaposed. However, although it is possible to prevent foreign substances from passing through, the ease of clogging before the discharge port cannot be improved. In addition, if the outlet becomes wide, there is a risk that the user's finger held in a state where coins are stacked will come into contact with the foreign matter insertion prevention piece and may injure the finger or damage the prevention piece. Therefore, it is necessary to add a structure for the purpose.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-9069 JP 2000-298749 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-4868 JP-A-8-212429

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and accepts inserted coins to provide various services such as sales of goods, currency exchange, payment of money, settlement, automatic issuance of certificates and tickets, etc. In the apparatus, a coin provided with a tray having a wide opening capable of randomly inserting a plurality of coins in a lump and a discharge port having a wide opening area disposed on the bottom of the tray and allowing passage of the plurality of coins. Even though it is an input unit, even when a large amount of coins is input in a lump, it can be quickly and efficiently discharged without causing clogging of coins, and the input finger can be damaged. An object of the present invention is to provide a structure of no coin input unit and a money processing apparatus provided with the same.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 is a coin insertion unit that is provided in a money processing apparatus and is capable of receiving a plurality of coins that are input in a lump. A receiving tray, a coin discharge port formed inside the tray, and a chain member passed between the opposing inner walls of the coin discharge port, the chain member being inserted coins And swinging, deforming or retreating by the impact or weight at the time of dropping, and separating and discharging the plurality of coins that are put together .
Since the chain member is a wire rod, it is easier to deform and swing than a rigid member, and the balance of the coins once on it is easily lost and dropped downward. Therefore, it is excellent in the function of separating and dropping a plurality of coins one by one while preventing the intrusion of foreign matter , and the chain member dropped by passing the chain member with sufficient slackness. It becomes easy to swing and deform by impact, and the coin that drops without holding the coin on the chain member becomes higher . Further, the chain member, which is a wire rod, swings when touched by the user's finger, so that the finger is rarely damaged.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the chain member is a ball chain .
Since the ball chain is configured such that small-diameter spheres are rotatably connected to each other, it is difficult for the coins once dropped on the ball chain to remain stationary on the ball chain, and the balance is easily lost. In addition, the possibility of damaging the finger is further reduced.
A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the coin discharge port has a size and a shape that allow passage of the largest diameter coin from all directions .
Regardless of the posture of the currency or coin that has the largest diameter, coin clogging can be more effectively prevented by using a coin outlet that has a size and shape that allows passage of the coin or coin.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects, the coin outlet is substantially circular or substantially square .
A fifth aspect of the present invention is directed to the first to fourth aspects, wherein the tray includes an opening larger than an opening diameter of the coin discharge port, and a slope portion that continuously connects the opening and the coin discharge port. It is characterized by having.
A money processing device according to a sixth aspect of the invention is characterized by including the coin insertion unit according to any one of the first to fifth aspects .

  According to the present invention, a plurality of coins can be received in a money processing apparatus that provides various services such as sale of goods, exchange of money, payment of money, payment, automatic issuance of certificates and tickets, etc., by accepting inserted coins. Equipped with a structure in which chain members are inserted between the opposing inner walls of the coin discharge port formed inside the receiving tray, so that even if a large amount of coins is put in at once, it is efficient without causing clogging of coins In addition, the coins can be discharged quickly while being separated, and the finger of the thrower is not injured.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an automatic medical fee payment machine as an example of a money processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are an upper perspective view and a longitudinal section of a coin insertion unit. 3A, 3B, and 3C are a cross-sectional view, a perspective view, and a cross-sectional view of the coin discharge port, and FIG.
The automatic medical fee payment machine 1 is an apparatus installed in a medical institution such as a hospital so that a user such as a patient can perform a settlement operation for medical treatment, hospitalization, delivery of a prescription, and the like.
The automatic medical fee payment machine 1 has a configuration in which an operation unit 4 is arranged on a front panel 3 of the apparatus main body 2.
The operation unit 4 includes a receipt outlet (sheet issuing unit) 11, a barcode reader 12, a card insertion port 13, a coin payout exit (money payout portion) 14, a coin input portion (money input portion) 15, and a bill insertion payout port. (Money input part and money payout part) 16, a touch panel display 17, and a password numeric keypad 18 are provided.
A characteristic configuration of the present invention is the structure of the coin insertion portion 15. The coin insertion unit 15 includes a wide-mouthed tray 20 capable of receiving a plurality of randomly inserted coins C, a large-diameter coin discharge port 21 formed in the interior (bottom) of the tray 20, and a coin. The structure provided with the chain member 30 passed between the inner walls which the discharge port 21 opposes is characteristic.
In other words, the coin insertion unit 15 of the present invention includes the tray 20 having a large opening diameter to allow a plurality of coins C held in the user's palm to be input in a lump. There is no need to carefully put it in place and hold it with your fingertips. Even if more coins than necessary are inserted without accurately calculating the total amount of coins, there is no problem because change processing is performed inside the apparatus and change is paid out from the coin payout exit 14.
The tray 20 has an opening 20 a larger than the opening diameter of the coin discharge port 21, and a slope portion 20 b connecting the opening 20 a and the coin discharge port 21. For this reason, a large number of coins can be put together from the opening 20a of the tray, and the thrown coins can surely move into the coin discharge port 21 along the slope.
Moreover, the coin discharge port 21 provided in the bottom part of the saucer 20 has the dimension and shape which accept | permit passage of the coin of the largest diameter from all directions. In other words, since the diameter and shape of the coin discharge port 21 are set so as to have vertical and horizontal dimensions and diagonal dimensions that allow a coin with the maximum diameter to pass through any posture and angle, Even if a coin is inserted, coin clogging does not occur. Furthermore, since the chain member 30 is disposed (stretched) in the coin discharge port 21, the chain member 30 can sort and separate coins and introduce them one by one into the discharge port.

In the present embodiment, the two chain members 30 are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, but are formed between the passage space formed between the chain members and the chain member and the inner wall of the discharge port. The opening diameter of the coin discharge port 21 and the arrangement interval W of the chain members 30 are selected to such an extent that one coin C can pass through the passing space in a vertical orientation (FIG. 3A). In other words, the number of the chain members 30 to be arranged and the half-value interval may be optimally selected according to the diameter of the coin discharge port 21.
Furthermore, the chain member 30 may be linearly passed with a predetermined tension. In this embodiment, the chain member 30 is passed between the opposing inner walls in a relaxed state without applying a strong tension. For this reason, even when the coin C is once placed in a lying state on the chain member 30 as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the impact of the coin C falling on the chain member 30 and the coin C The coin C is shaken off from the top of the chain member 30 in order to swing, deform, and retract due to the weight. That is, in the present invention, the entrance of the coin discharge port 21 is not partitioned into a plurality of slits whose widths are determined by a rigid partition member, but is only partitioned by a chain member 30 that is supported so as to be swingable and deformable. Therefore, the width W of the slit for passing coins is variable. Therefore, no matter what posture one or a plurality of coins fall on the chain member 30 and try to accumulate, the chain member 30 swings and retreats without being stationary. Without being able to continue to stand still, the balance is immediately lost, and the chain member falls off from the chain member and falls into the discharge port through one of the slits. Even if coins may accumulate on the chain member, the chain can be swung just by lightly flicking with a finger, and the balance of the deposited coins can be lost, allowing the coins to be easily dropped. .
Further, by slackening the chain member 30, even if the user's finger touches the chain member, the chain member is pushed by the finger and retracts, thereby preventing injuries due to contact with the chain.

Next, foreign objects such as receipts that were in the user's wallet are mixed in the coins and are easily inserted from the coin insertion part, while heavy weight coins can be pushed down by pushing the chain members down, As shown in FIG. 4, the receipt 35 is blocked by the chain member 30 and cannot fall to the back of the coin outlet.
It is preferable that the chain member 30 is made of metal so that the center portion is slackened downward by its own weight and is easy to swing when a coin falls. Further, as the chain member 30, it is preferable to use a ball chain in which metal spheres are continuously formed in a linear shape. In the case of a ball chain, the individual metal spheres are rotatably connected, so that the falling coins are not easily caught on the ball chain, and the coins easily slide on the ball chain and fall downward.
Moreover, since each small sphere is spherical, even if a user's finger touches, it is hard to be damaged.
Moreover, since the coin discharge port 21 is substantially circular or substantially square, when one or a plurality of chain members are arranged in parallel between the opposing inner walls of the coin discharge port, the discharge port and the chain member The shape of the slit for passing coins formed between the two can be a substantially rectangular slit suitable for passing coins.

Next, FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are a front view, a plane cross-sectional view, and a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA showing a configuration example of the coin insertion portion and the coin payout exit (change change portion) 14 of the present invention. FIG.
The coin insertion part 15 is arrange | positioned at the front panel 3 so that it may become a position higher than the coin payment outlet 14. FIG. The coin payout outlet 14 communicates with a first conveyance path (slide) 41, and the terminal end of the first conveyance path 41 is configured to communicate with a second conveyance path (slide) 42 disposed below. . Further, a third transport path 43 (slide) is disposed on the extension of the terminal end of the first transport path 41 via the opening 45. The third transport path 43 is connected to a coin selector (not shown). A second transport path 42 is disposed immediately below the opening 45. An openable and closable connecting plate 46 is disposed between the terminal end of the first transport path 41 and the start end of the third transport path 43. When the connecting plate 46 is closed, the first transport path 41 and the third transport path 41 are arranged. When the conveyance path 43 is in communication and the connection plate 46 is open as shown in FIG. 5C, the communication between the first conveyance path 41 and the third conveyance path 43 is blocked. Configure to be
The second conveyance path 42 communicates with the coin payout outlet 14, and a coin hopper (change change means) (not shown) is disposed in the back thereof. Accordingly, the coins for change paid out from the coin hopper and the coins that have been thrown from the coin insertion part 15 and dropped from the opening 45 at the terminal end of the first transport path 41 pass through the second transport path 42 and are both coins. It is paid out to the payout exit 14.
When in the mode for accepting the deposit from the coin insertion unit 15, the control means (CPU) (not shown) closes the opening unit 45 by the connecting plate 46 and uses the coins inserted from the coin insertion unit 15 as the first. It is conveyed from the conveyance path 41 to the coin selector via the third conveyance path 43.

On the other hand, in the reject mode in which the deposit from the coin insertion unit 15 is not accepted, the control means (CPU) (not shown) opens the opening unit 45 by the connecting plate 46 and is inserted from the coin insertion unit 15. In order to drop coins onto the second transport path 42, the path toward the third transport path 43 is blocked.
Specifically, for example, when a patient who has completed a doctor's examination using the automatic medical fee payment machine 1 in FIG. 1 performs payment, when an examination ticket is inserted into the card insertion slot 13, the control means (not shown) receives money. In order to shift to the possible mode, the connecting plate 46 is closed. In this state, the coins inserted from the coin insertion unit 15 slide down in the order of the coin discharge port 21, the first conveyance path 41, the connecting plate 46, and the third conveyance path 43. Furthermore, the coins are transported to the coin selector and subjected to processing such as authenticity determination, amount determination, etc., and the inserted coins are genuine coins. In this case, change coins are discharged from the coin hopper to the coin payout exit 14 via the second transport path 42.
When the payment and settlement are completed and the examination ticket is removed from the card insertion slot 13, the control means opens the connecting plate 46, so that all the coins inserted from the coin insertion part are rejected and go to the coin payment outlet 14. Discharged.
In this example, the connecting plate 46 is supported at the starting end of the third transport path 43 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction, but this is only an example. A solenoid or the like is suitable as a drive source for opening the connecting plate 46.
The money processing apparatus of the present invention refers to an automatic medical fee payment apparatus installed in a medical institution such as a hospital and operated by a patient, etc., and an automatic certificate issuing machine installed in a public institution and operated by a user, staff, etc. , Including a cash processing device such as an ATM installed in a financial institution, a change machine, an automatic ticket vending machine, or a vending machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overview perspective view of an automatic medical fee payment machine as an example of a money processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) and (b) are the upper perspective views and longitudinal cross-sectional views of a coin insertion part. (A) (b) And (c) is sectional drawing of a coin discharge port, a perspective view, and sectional drawing. The figure which shows the state which prevented the foreign material penetration | invasion. (A) (b) And (c) is a front view, a plane cross-sectional view, and an AA cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a coin insertion portion and a coin payout outlet of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Medical treatment automatic payment machine (money processing apparatus), 2 ... Apparatus main body, 3 ... Front panel, 4 ... Operation part, 12 ... Bar code reader, 13 ... Card insertion port, 14 ... Coin payment exit, 15 ... Coin insertion , 17 ... Touch panel display, 18 ... PIN code numeric keypad, 20 ... Receptacle, 20 a ... Opening part, 20 b ... Slope part, 21 ... Coin discharge port, 30 ... Chain member, 35 ... Receipt, 41 ... Conveyance path, 41 ... 1 conveying path, 42... Second conveying path, 43... Third conveying path, 45.

Claims (6)

A coin insertion unit that is provided in the money processing apparatus and can accept a plurality of coins that are input in a lump.
Comprising a saucer accepting collectively the plurality of coins, the coin ejection port formed inside the pan, and a pointing passed chain member with a slack between the opposite inner walls of the coin discharge opening,
The structure of the coin insertion unit, wherein the chain member swings, deforms or retracts due to an impact or weight when the inserted coins are dropped, and separates and discharges the plurality of coins that are collectively input . The structure of the coin insertion part according to claim 1, wherein the chain member is a ball chain . The structure of the coin insertion part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coin discharge port has a size and a shape that allow a maximum diameter coin to pass from all directions . The structure of the coin insertion part according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coin discharge port is substantially circular or substantially square . The said tray has an opening part larger than the opening diameter of the said coin discharge port, and a slope part which connects this opening part and this coin discharge port continuously, The thru | or 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The structure of the coin insertion part as described in any one of these. A money processing apparatus comprising the coin insertion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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