JP5261697B2 - Coin processing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A first object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device which is capable of retaining inserted specie coins and which, by the positioning of the storage slot and return slot for the retained coin on the bottom face of the device, is capable of replacing a form of coin processing device adopted as a de facto standard; a second object is to provide a coin processing device which ensures smooth operation even when multiple coins of different diameters are retained, thereby avoiding coin jams during coin storage and return processing; a third object is to provide a coin processing device of reduced cost and greater reliability, which is capable of retaining inserted specie coins, and in which the storage slot and return slot for the retained specie coins are provided on the bottom face of the device. In order to achieve these objects, the coin processing device according to the present invention has the structure described below. Disclosed is a coin processing device which determines the authenticity of coins inserted into an insertion slot at the top of the device, categorizes the coins as receivable specie coins or returnable coins, transfers the received specie coins from the receiving slot to a retention section where the coins are retained, and selectively feeds the retained coins to a storage slot or a return slot, wherein the storage slot and the return slot are formed on the bottom face of the device, adjacent in the radial direction to the inserted coins, and the retention section is positioned above the storage slot and the return slot, and is configured as a three-dimensional retention chamber composed of at least a base plate, a movable surface support body, and a movable perimeter support body, wherein the base plate is inclined towards the storage slot side and towards the return slot side, the movable surface support body is selectively movable between a surface retaining position where a holding surface is formed that creates a predetermined angle relative to the base plate, and a non-surface retaining position that is distant from the base plate, and the movable perimeter support body is positioned on the storage slot side with respect to the base plate and is selectively movable between a perimeter retaining position at which the coins are retained in the retaining chamber and a non-perimeter retaining position which permits the coins to move to the storage slot.

Description

The present invention relates to a coin processing apparatus that determines whether a coin is true or not, returns a coin to be returned, holds a coin to be accepted, and stores or returns the reserved coin according to a selected process.
Specifically, it determines the true / false of the coin, returns the false coin to be returned, holds the genuine coin to be accepted, and sends the reserved coin to the storage port or return port arranged on the bottom according to the selected process. The present invention relates to a coin processing device that can be fed.
More specifically, it is possible to determine whether the coins having different diameters are authentic, return the false coins to be returned, hold the genuine coins having different diameters to be accepted, and store or return the reserved coins according to the selected process. The present invention relates to a coin processing device that can be fed to a mouth.
Furthermore, it is possible to return the false coins to be returned by discriminating the true / false of the coins, hold the genuine coins to be accepted, and smoothly feed the reserved coins to the storage port or the return port according to the selected process. The present invention relates to a coin processing device.
The coin processing device according to the present invention can be used for a coin-operated game machine, a vending machine, and the like.
In this specification, “coin” is a general term for coins as currency, medals and tokens of game machines.

The prior art will be described with reference to FIGS.
The coin C is inserted from the insertion port 12 formed on the upper left surface of the sorting device 10, the coin discrimination information is acquired by the sensor 14, and the authenticity of the inserted coin is determined based on the discrimination information.
If it is determined that it is a genuine coin TC that is an accepted coin, the gate 16 enters the coin passage 18 and leads to the genuine coin passage 20, and if it is an unacceptable fake coin FC, the gate 16 is moved out of the coin passage 18 and returned to the return port. Return to 22.
The storage chamber 26 in which the received genuine coins TC are arranged and reserved in the thickness direction up to the storage opening 24 is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal with the inclined bottom 28 from the first inclined end wall 30 toward the second inclined end wall 32. It is constructed by a slit-like specie inlet 34 having a width corresponding to the true coin thickness at a location adjacent to the upper end of the first inclined end wall 30 provided perpendicular line L1 passing through the center of the genuine coin inlet 34 and a second inclined configured to droop onto the end wall 32, the inclined bottom 28 positive inclined downwardly in opposite directions towards the upper end and the return port 22 of the specie receiving slope communication passage 36 which is inclined downwardly toward the housing opening 24 the upper end of the coin return inclination communication passage 38 is formed by a ridge intersect.
Reservation chambers (first gate pin 40 and second gate pin 42 projecting into 26 are interlocked on both sides of the inclined bottom 28 above the genuine coin receiving inclined passage 36 and the genuine coin return inclined passage 38 of the inclined bottom 28. And holding the genuine coin TC held in the holding chamber 26 on the inclined bottom 28, and moving one gate pin upward from the holding position and moving the other gate pin downward from the holding position. There is known a true coin storage type coin sorting device in which the held true coin TC is fed to the storage port 24 or the return port 22 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Reality 6-7433 (Figures 1 to 3, pages 2 to 3)

This conventional technique has an advantage that it is possible to determine the authenticity of a coin and to hold a genuine coin in a 3.5-inch vertical and horizontal size which is a de facto standard in the technical field of coin processing.
However, in this de facto standard, as shown in FIG. 13, the insertion port 12 is arranged on the upper left side of the apparatus, and the storage port 24 and the return port 22 are arranged adjacent to the lower surface.
Since the conventional storage port 24 is arranged on the right side of the apparatus, there is a problem that it cannot be replaced with a de facto standard coin processing apparatus.

In addition, since the conventional technology is intended for one type of coin, when coins with different diameters are to be held, the first gate pin 40 and the second gate pin 42 cannot be moved smoothly, resulting in the return of coins or There is a problem of poor storage.
This will be described with reference to FIG.
When the large-diameter true coin TCL and the small-diameter true coin TCS are held together, the lowermost end of the large-diameter true coin TCL is positioned on the inclined bottom 28, but the smaller-diameter true coin TCS is inclined at a position shifted from the lowermost end. Supported by the bottom 28 and held.
In the situation shown in FIG. 4, when the small-diameter true coin TCS is moved to the storage port 24 side, the small-diameter true coin TCS is sandwiched between the inclined bottom 28 and the first gate pin 40 by the movement of the first gate pin 40. It moves and cannot be stored smoothly.
In the worst case, there is a problem that the small-diameter true coin TCS is sandwiched between the inclined bottom 28 and the first gate pin 40, and the first gate pin 40 is locked to cause a coin jam.

The first object of the present invention is to hold a received genuine coin, and by disposing a storage port and a return port for the reserved coin on the lower surface of the device, it can be replaced with a coin processing device that is a de facto standard. It is to provide a coin processing device.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device that does not cause coin jam in storing and returning coins by ensuring a smooth operation even when a plurality of coins having different diameters are held. It is to be.
The third object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing apparatus that can hold a received genuine coin and that has a storage opening and a return opening for the reserved genuine coin on the lower surface of the apparatus and that is more inexpensive and highly reliable. It is.

In order to achieve this object, the coin processing apparatus according to the present invention is configured as follows.
The authenticity of the coins inserted in the insertion slot arranged at the upper part is discriminated into receiving coins and return coins, the receiving coins are received from the receiving port into the holding unit and held, and the reserved coins are stored in the storing slot. Alternatively, in a coin processing device that is selectively fed to the return port,
The storage port and the return port are formed adjacent to the lower surface of the coin processing device in the radial direction of the received coin,
The holding unit is disposed above the storage port and the return port, and is configured as a three-dimensional holding chamber by at least a bottom plate, a movable surface holding body, and a movable circumferential holding body,
The movable surface holding member is disposed in relation to the inclined forwardly downward surface side of the coin to be put in the receptacle of the bottom plate, to name a predetermined angle relative to the bottom plate, the coin in contact with the coin face The coins held in the holding room and the coins held in the holding room can be selectively moved to a non-surface holding position where the coins can be slid down by a forward downward inclination of the coin .
The movable peripheral holding body is arranged in relation to a forward downward inclination of a peripheral surface side of coins to be inserted into the insertion port of the bottom plate , and contacts the peripheral surface of the coins in the reservation chamber to put the coins into the reservation chamber. Ri selectively movable der the coin held in the holding room pending to the circumferential retaining position is in the non-circumferential retaining position to be rollable by forward descending inclination of the circumferential surface of the coin, the movable surface holding The coin held in the holding chamber by the movement of the body to the non-surface holding position falls into the storage port or the return port set in advance by the sliding, and the movement of the movable peripheral holding body to the non-circular holding position The coin processing device falls into the storage port or return port other than the storage port or return port that slides down .

The present invention relates to the coin processing apparatus, wherein the directing body is positioned above the movable surface holding body and extends below the receiving port relative to the receiving port at a predetermined interval. And a deflection surface that protrudes toward the surface holding body, and the deflection surface passes through a rotation point on the bottom plate of the coin held by the movable surface holding body at the surface holding position. It is preferable that the surface holding member is disposed on the side of the surface holding body with respect to the vertical line and above the center of gravity of the coin on the bottom plate so as to come into contact with the coin.

Furthermore, the present invention discriminates the authenticity of the coins inserted into the insertion slot arranged in the upper part and sorts them into receiving coins and return coins, accepting the receiving coins from the receiving port to the holding unit and holding them, In a coin processing apparatus that selectively feeds the reserved coin to a storage port or a return port, a detection passage that extends vertically following the insertion port, a coin detection sensor that is disposed adjacent to the detection passage, and the detection passage A sorting passage that extends obliquely downward from the return passage, a return passage that hangs down following the sorting passage, a return port at the lower end of the return passage, and a downward direction adjacent to the radial direction of the receiving coin of the return port. A storage port, a sorting body disposed in the sorting passage so as to freely move back and forth, a retaining portion disposed below the sorting body following the sorting body, and the retaining portion disposed above the housing port and the return port. And at least the bottom plate and the movable surface Includes a three-dimensional storing chamber constituted by the body and movable peripheral holding member, the peripheral surface of the coin the bottom plate is to be put in the receptacle as well as inclined forwardly downward on the side of the coin to be put in the receptacle inclined forwardly downwardly to the side, the movable surface holding member is disposed in relation to the inclined forwardly downward surface side of the coin to be put in the receptacle of the bottom plate, to name a predetermined angle relative to the bottom plate, the A surface holding position for holding the coin in the holding room in contact with the surface of the coin, and a non-surface holding position where the coin held in the holding room can be slid by a forward downward inclination on the surface side of the coin are selected. The movable peripheral holding body is disposed in relation to a forward downward inclination of the peripheral surface side of the coin to be inserted into the input port of the bottom plate , and is in contact with the peripheral surface of the coin in the reservation chamber wherein the circumferential retaining position to hold the coins in the holding chamber holding It is preferable that the coin that is pending is selectively movable to a non-circumferential retaining position to be rollable by inclined forwardly downward of the peripheral surface side of the coin, it is the coin processing apparatus according to claim to.

The coins inserted into the insertion slot arranged at the top are determined to be authentic based on the data acquired by the coin detection sensor, the false coins that are not accepted are guided to the return slot, and the correct coins to be accepted are guided to the reservation room. And put on hold.
The reservation chamber is positioned above the storage port and the return port arranged on the lower surface, and is configured in a three-dimensional manner by at least a bottom plate, a movable surface holding body, and a movable circumferential holding body.
The bottom plate is inclined forwardly downwardly on the peripheral surface side of the coin to be put in the receptacle as well as inclined forwardly downward on the side of the coin to be put in the receptacle.
The coin whose lower end of the peripheral surface is supported on the bottom plate has a moving force in the forward and downward sloping direction of the two directions by its own weight.
The lower surface of the holding coin return port side on which the lower end of the peripheral surface is supported on the bottom plate is located at the surface holding position and is supported by the holding surface of the movable surface holder that forms a predetermined angle with respect to the bottom plate. Is held obliquely.
The coins that are subsequently fed to the holding chamber are sequentially held in a state where the lower surface is in surface contact with the upper surface of the reserved coin.
Peripheral surface of the peripheral side of the coin on the bottom plate the lower end of the peripheral surface is put in the receptacle of the holding coins are supported is introduced into said inlet to said bottom plate positioned in the circumferential retaining position It is held by a movable peripheral holding body arranged on the peripheral surface side of the coin .

When the movable surface holding body moves to the non-surface holding position away from the bottom plate, the coin slides down due to the inclination of the bottom plate, falls from between the bottom plate and the movable peripheral holding body, and is returned to the return port.
When the movable circumference holding body moves to the non-circular holding position, the holding coin rolls in the circumferential direction due to the inclination of the bottom plate and falls into the storage port.
Accordingly, the reserved coin can be dropped from the storage port or the return port located on the lower surface of the coin processing device, and a reserved coin processing device compatible with the size that is the de facto standard is provided.
Also, it holds coins are supported on the bottom plate slides down along the slope of the bottom plate, or, since the rolling fall Ru only, but may be smooth movement, and in that it has not caused the coin jamming.
Furthermore, since it is comprised by the inclined baseplate, the movable surface holding body, and the movable periphery holding body, a structure is simple and a small and cheap coin processing apparatus is realizable.
In addition, a reserve coin can be dropped to the storage port or return port located opposite to the embodiment.
In other words, the movable surface holding body can be fed to the storage port by the movement to the non-surface holding position, and can be fed to the return port by the movement of the movable circumference holding body to the non-circular holding position.

In the present invention, the coins falling into the holding chamber are first directed toward the deflection surface by the directing body, and then the posture is forcedly controlled along the movable holding surface by the deflection surface and the movable holding surface.
Thereby, the coin to be held is held in a state where the coin is surely in surface contact with the movable holding surface.
As a result, there is an advantage that a predetermined number of coins can be always held because the reserved coins are held in a predetermined posture and there is no decrease in the storage chamber volume due to abnormal holding.
In addition, since the coins are dropped onto the movable surface holding body by the directing body and the deflecting surface, the coin holding portion can be arranged directly below the coin receiving port, so that the size of the coin stacking direction is not increased. There is an advantage that can be achieved and can be a small coin processing device.

Further, according to the present invention, the coin information for determining whether the coin inserted into the upper slot is falling on the vertically extending detection passage is acquired by the coin detection sensor, and the authenticity determination is performed based on the information. Is done.
Based on the authenticity determination, the coins that advance in the sorting passage are guided by the sorting device to the return passage if they are false coins and returned from the return port.
In the case of a genuine coin, the genuine coin guided to the genuine coin passage by the distribution device is retained in the reservation room below the distribution device.
The reservation chamber is positioned above the storage port and the return port arranged on the lower surface, and is configured in a three-dimensional manner by at least a bottom plate, a movable surface holding body, and a movable circumferential holding body.
The bottom plate is inclined forwardly downwardly on the peripheral surface side of the coin to be put in the receptacle as well as inclined forwardly downward on the side of the coin to be put in the receptacle.
The coin whose lower end of the peripheral surface is supported on the bottom plate has a moving force in the forward and downward sloping direction of the two directions by its own weight.
The surface on the surface side of the coin to be inserted into the insertion port of the coin whose bottom end of the peripheral surface is supported on the bottom plate is located at the surface holding position and is held by the holding surface of the movable surface holding body that forms an acute angle with the bottom plate. Supported and held at an angle to the horizon.

Subsequently, the genuine coins to be fed to the holding chamber are sequentially held after the lower peripheral surface comes into contact with the upper surface of the reserved genuine coin and slides down, and the lower surface and the upper surface of the lower genuine coin are in surface contact with each other. Is done.
Peripheral surface of the peripheral side of the coin on the bottom plate the lower end of the peripheral surface is put in the receptacle of the coin being supported is coins to the bottom plate positioned in the circumferential retaining position is introduced into said inlet It is hold | maintained by the movable periphery holding body arrange | positioned at the surrounding surface side.
When the movable surface holding body moves to the non-surface holding position away from the bottom plate, the holding true coin slides down on the bottom plate due to the inclination of the bottom plate, falls from between the bottom plate and the movable surface holding body and returns to the return port. Is done.
When the movable circumference holding body moves to the non-circular holding position, the holding true coin rolls in the circumferential direction due to the inclination of the bottom plate and falls to the storage port.
Therefore, the reserved true coin can be dropped from the storage port or the return port located on the lower surface of the coin processing device, and a compatible holding type coin processing device can be realized in a size that is a de facto standard.
Further, since the coin supported by the bottom plate only slides down or rolls along the inclination of the bottom plate, there is an advantage that smooth movement is possible and no coin jam occurs.
Furthermore, since it is comprised by the inclined baseplate, the movable surface holding body, and the movable periphery holding body, a structure is simple and a small and cheap coin processing apparatus is realizable.

The best mode of the present invention is to discriminate the authenticity of the coins inserted into the insertion slot arranged at the upper part and sort them into receiving coins and return coins, and accepting the receiving coins from the receiving port to the holding unit. In the coin processing device that holds and selectively feeds the reserved coin to the storage port or the return port,
Detection passage that extends vertically following the insertion port, a coin detection sensor disposed adjacent to the detection passage, a distribution passage that extends obliquely downward from the detection passage, a return passage that hangs down following the distribution passage, and the return passage A return port at the lower end of the return port, a storage port formed downwardly adjacent to the receiving coin in the radial direction of the receiving coin, a sorting body arranged to freely move in and out of the sorting passage, and the sorting body The retaining portion disposed below the retaining portion is disposed above the storage port and the return port, and is configured as a three-dimensional retaining chamber by at least a bottom plate, a movable surface holding body, and a movable circumferential holding body, and the bottom plate inclined forwardly downwardly on the peripheral surface side of the coin to be put in the receptacle as well as inclined forwardly downward on the side of the coin to be inputted to said input port, said movable surface holding member is an acute angle relative to the bottom plate The surface protection that constitutes the holding surface A position and a non-surface retaining position remote from the bottom plate selectively movable, the movable circumferential holder is arranged on the peripheral surface side of the coin to be put in the receptacle with respect to the bottom plate, the holding chamber It can be selectively moved to a circumferential holding position for holding coins and a non-circular holding position that allows movement of the coins to be inserted into the insertion port to the circumferential surface side, and is positioned above the movable surface holding body. And a directing body that extends to the lower side of the receiving port relative to the receiving port at a predetermined interval, and includes a deflecting surface that is located directly below the receiving port and protrudes toward the surface holding member, The deflection surface is closer to the surface holding body than the perpendicular passing through the rotation point on the bottom plate of the holding coin in surface contact with the movable surface holding body at the surface holding position, and from the center of gravity of the coin on the bottom plate Is also placed in contact with the coin on the upper side. A coin processing apparatus according to claim.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin processing apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the coin processing apparatus of the embodiment.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of the reservation chamber portion in the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged explanatory view of the circumference holding device in the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a right side view of the coin processing device of the embodiment.
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the coin processing apparatus of the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control device of the coin processing device of the embodiment.

The coin processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes a main body 102, an insertion port 104, a storage port 106, a return port 108, a detection passage 112, a coin detection sensor 114, a sorting passage 116, a return passage 118, a sorting body 122, and a storage unit. 124, a holding chamber 126, a surface holding device 132, and a peripheral surface holding device 134.

First, the main body 102 will be described.
The main body 102 is formed with an insertion port 104, a storage port 106, a return port 108, a sorting channel 116, a return channel 118, and the like, and has a function of mounting the coin detection sensor 114 and the movable restricting plate 146.
The main body 102 includes a rectangular plate-shaped central portion 136 of 3.5 inches each vertically and horizontally, a left flange portion 138 and a right flange portion 142 extending forward from the left and right ends of the central portion 136 at a right angle. Yes.
The pins 144 protruding laterally from the upper, middle, and lower portions of the left and right flange portions 138, 142 are locking pins for locking and mounting in, for example, a recess (not shown) of a mounting bracket in the game machine.

Next, the coin slot 104 will be described.
The insertion port 104 is a slit-like opening that is opened in the left upper surface 145 of the main body 102 and extends in parallel with the central portion 136.
The insertion port 104 is set to have a thickness and width (corresponding to the diameter) slightly larger than the thickness and diameter of the coins C of multiple denominations that are assumed to be input.
In this embodiment, the use of Japanese yen of 10, 50 and 100 yen is assumed, so the thickness and width are set to be slightly larger than the 10-yen coin with the maximum diameter and thickness.

Next, the storage port 106 will be described.
When the coin C inserted into the insertion slot 104 is a coin to be accepted (hereinafter referred to as “special TC” for convenience), the storage slot 106 stores the genuine coin TC held in the holding room 126 in the safe of the game machine. It has a function of dropping the true coin TC to accept it (not shown).
The storage port 106 is opened downward on the bottom surface 148 of the coin processing apparatus 100, which is configured by a central portion 136 of the main body 102 directly below the insertion port 104 and a movable restricting plate 146, which will be described later. It is slightly larger than that, and the thickness is formed so that several coins can pass simultaneously.

Next, the return port 108 will be described.
The return slot 108 is used to return the coin C, which is inserted into the slot 104, that is not the object of acceptance (hereinafter referred to as “fake coin FC” for convenience) and the genuine coin TC held in the holding room 126 to the input person. , Has the function of dropping the true coin TC.
The return port 108 is juxtaposed adjacent to the side of the storage port 106, opened downward on the bottom surface 148, its width is slightly larger than that of the largest diameter coin, and the thickness is several coins at the same time It is formed so that it can pass through.

Next, the detection passage 112 will be described.
The detection passage 112 has a function of guiding the coin C inserted into the insertion port 104 in a predetermined direction.
In this embodiment, the detection passage 112 is constituted by a guide tube 152 which is a cylindrical body having a rectangular cross section fixed to the main body 102.
The hollow portion of the guide tube 152 is formed with the same thickness and width as the insertion port 104, has a passage portion 154 having a predetermined length in the vertical direction, and is configured of a nonmagnetic material in relation to the coin detection sensor 114. Is done.
This passage portion 154 is the detection passage 112.
The detection passage 112 is formed vertically from the insertion port 104, and the coin C inserted into the insertion port 104 falls freely.
However, the detection passage 112 can be formed along a guide rail on which the coin C rolls. In other words, the detection passage 112 can be inclined forward and downward.

Next, the coin detection sensor 114 will be described.
The coin detection sensor 114 has a function of acquiring coin information such as a diameter, a thickness, and a material necessary for determining whether the coin C falling through the detection passage 112 is authentic.
The coin detection sensor 114 is composed of a ferrite core and a coil that are closely attached to the guide tube 152, and the coin C falls on the detection passage 112 when coin information regarding the material, diameter, thickness, and the like, which are the true / false determination elements of the coin. Get in the process of doing.
The coin information is compared with the reference information by a determination device 150, for example, a microcomputer, and the authenticity is determined.
Based on this determination, the sorting body 122 distributes the coins C rolling on the sorting passage 116 to the genuine passage 158 or the return passage 118.

Next, the distribution passage 116 will be described.
The distribution path 116 has a function of distributing the coin C, which has been determined to be authentic based on the coin information of the coin detection sensor 114, to the return path 118 or the genuine path 158.
Sorting path 116, the first vertical planning inner wall 162, and a first vertical planning plane 162 movable restricting plate 146 disposed in parallel with a slightly greater distance than the thickness of the maximum thickness coin C to the main body 102 Two vertical guide walls 164 are defined.

Next, the movable restriction plate 146 will be described.
The movable restricting plate 146 defines a distribution path 116, a return path 118, and a storage path 160 with the main body 102, and further has a function of attaching the distribution body 122, the surface holding device 132, and the circumferential surface holding device 134. Have
An arcuate guide rail 166 and an inclined guide rail 168 are formed in close contact with the second vertical guide wall 164 of the movable restricting plate 146.
An arcuate guide surface 172 on the upper surface of the arcuate guide rail 166 and an inclined guide surface 174 of the inclined guide rail 168 are continuously formed.
In FIG. 8, a passage inclined downward to the left and formed above the arcuate guide surface 172 and the inclined guide surface 174 after the detection passage 112 is a distribution passage 116.
In other words, the distribution passage 116 is a passage through which the coin C that has fallen through the detection passage 112 rolls on the arcuate guide surface 172 and the inclined guide surface 174.
As shown in FIG. 2, the movable restricting plate 146 is rotatably attached to a support shaft 176 whose right end portion is vertically fixed to the right flange portion 142, and approaches the first vertical guide wall 162 by a spring 178. It is energized with a predetermined force.

Next, the return passage 118 will be described.
The return passage 118 has a function of guiding the fake coins FC sorted by the sorting body 122 to the return slot 108.
The return passage 118 is a passage formed continuously from the distribution passage 116 and downstream of the distribution body 122, and is defined by the first vertical guide wall 162 and the second vertical guide wall 164.
The lower surface of the return passage 118 is defined and formed by an upper surface 184 of a straight guide rail 182 that extends downstream from the distributing body 122.
In other words, the return passage 118 extends linearly with a downward slope on the extension of the distribution passage 116 downstream of the distribution body 122, and then hangs down adjacent to the side of the lower end of the straight guide rail 182. Angle-shaped passage.
The lower end of the return passage 118 is a return port 108 .
The return passage 118 is also a fake coin passage 188 because the fake coin FC passes.

Next, the distribution body 122 will be described.
The sorting body 122 has a function of sorting the coins C rolling in the sorting passage 116 to the return passage 118 or the genuine coin passage 158.
The distributing body 122 has a rectangular plate shape, and is configured to be rotatable about a support shaft 192 that is formed on the second vertical guide wall 164 of the movable restricting plate 146 so as to project from the upper and lower ends of the downstream side.
The distributing body 122 has a return position CP and a distal end portion located in the same plane as the second vertical guide wall 164, located in the distribution passage 116, and a distal end thereof in the escape groove 190 formed in the first vertical guide wall 162. It is possible to enter and to be positioned at the receiving position RP that guides the specie TC to the specie passage 158.

Next, the sorting position control device 194 of the sorting body 122 will be described.
The sorting position control device 194 has a function of selectively positioning the sorting body 122 at the return position CP or the receiving position RP.
Therefore, it can be changed to a device having a similar function.
The distribution position control device 194 of the embodiment includes a first electromagnetic actuator 196 and a first link 198.
In the first electromagnetic actuator 196, the first solenoid 204 is fixed to the surface side of the movable restricting plate 146 by the first bracket 202, and the first iron core 206 is linked to the distribution body 122 via the first link 198. .
The first iron core 206 is always urged in the protruding direction by the first spring 208, and when it is in the protruding position, the sorting body 122 is positioned at the return position CP.
When the first solenoid 204 is excited, the first iron core 206 is moved rightward in FIG. 2, and the allocating body 122 is moved to the receiving position RP in conjunction with this.
In other words, the first solenoid 204 is normally demagnetized and the sorting body 122 is held at the return position CP.
As a result, the coin C that rolls in the sorting passage 116 is returned both when the coin detection sensor 114 is not in the detection state and when it is determined to be a fake coin FC based on the coin information from the coin detection sensor 114. It is guided to the passage 118 and falls from the return port 108 .
When the first solenoid 204 is energized, the first core 206 is because it is moved to the right in FIG. 2, the sorting member 122 via the first link 19 8 is moved to the receiving position RP.
As a result, the coin C rolling in the sorting passage 116 is guided to the genuine coin passage 158 by the sorting body 122.

Next, the holding unit 124 will be described.
The holding unit 124 has a function of holding a maximum predetermined number of genuine coins TC guided to the true coin passage 158 and selectively feeding them to the storage port 106 or the return port 108.
The storage unit 124 includes a storage chamber 126, a surface holding device 132, and a circumferential surface holding device 134.

The reservation room 126 will be described.
The storage chamber 126 has a function of aligning the true coins TC guided to the true coin passage 158 in the thickness direction and retaining a maximum number of sheets.
The predetermined number is, for example, about 6 sheets at the maximum when ensuring compatibility with the de facto standard dimension, and can be set so that about 10 sheets can be reserved if there is no limit on the thickness.
The reservation chamber 126 is disposed below and to the side of the distribution body 122, and is configured in three dimensions with at least a bottom plate 212, a movable surface holding body 214, and a movable circumferential holding body 216 having vertical and horizontal dimensions and depth.

The bottom plate 212 will be described.
The bottom plate 212 has a function of supporting the lower peripheral surface of the genuine coin TC falling from the genuine coin passage 158 and sliding it down to the storage port 106 and the return port 108 by its own weight due to its inclination.
The bottom plate 212 is a flat plate that is inclined from the first vertical guide wall 162 toward the storage port 106 and inclined toward the return port 108.
The inclination of the bottom plate 212 toward the storage port 106 may be an inclination that allows the true coin TC to roll by its own weight, and is preferably 20 degrees to 30 degrees.
In other words, the bottom plate 212 is formed on a slope that faces downward toward the storage port 106 side .
The inclination of the bottom plate 212 toward the return port 108 side preferably has a downward inclination of about 45 degrees so that the true coin TC can slide laterally by its own weight.
In other words, the bottom plate 212 is formed on a downwardly inclined surface that falls forward as it moves away from the central portion 136 .

Next, the movable surface holding body 214 will be described.
The movable surface holding body 214 has a rectangular plate shape, and its lower end is in contact with the tip of the bottom plate 212 or is separated by a distance equal to or less than the thickness of the thinnest coin, and has a predetermined angle, preferably an acute angle with respect to the bottom plate 212. The surface holding position SP constituting the surface 215 and the lower end can be selectively moved from the bottom plate 212 to the non-surface holding position NSP which is separated from the thickness of the thickest coin.
In other words, when the movable surface holding body 214 is located at the surface holding position SP, the genuine coin TC that is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal line and is slid by the inclination of the bottom plate 212 is held on the bottom plate 212, and the non-surface holding position NSP. , The true coin TC slides down on the bottom plate 212 due to gravity and can fall from its tip.
The dropped genuine coin TC falls to the return port 108.

The movable surface holding body 214 is spaced apart from the movable restricting plate 146 and protrudes in parallel so that the lower end can approach and separate from the lower end of the bottom plate 212 by a support shaft 218 that protrudes laterally from the side surface of the upper end. The support plate 222 and the second support plate 224 are rotatably attached.
The bottom plate 212 is also disposed between the lower ends of the first support plate 222 and the second support plate 224.
The movable surface holder 214 is selectively moved to the surface holding position SP and the non-surface holding position NSP by the surface holding device 132.
When the movable surface holding body 214 is located at the surface holding position SP, the true coin TC is held with its lower surface in surface contact with the movable surface holding body 214 and inclined at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal line.
The succeeding genuine coin TC slides down on the upper surface of the retained genuine coin TC, and then is retained in an inclined state in which the upper surface of the lower retained genuine coin TC is in contact with the lower surface thereof.

The movable peripheral holding body 216 is arranged on the storage port 106 side with respect to the bottom plate 212, and the peripheral storage position SP2 that stores the genuine coin TC in the storage chamber 126 and the non-circular storage position that allows the movement of the genuine coin TC to the storage port 106. It can be selectively moved to NSP2.
In other words, when the movable circumference holding body 216 is located at the circumference holding position SP2, the specie TC on the bottom plate 212 has a force to roll toward the movable circumference holding body 216 due to its inclination, but the movable circumference holding body 216 It is blocked by the body 216 and is rested on the bottom plate 212, resulting in being retained in the retention chamber 126.
The movable peripheral holding body 216 has one end extending from the tip of a lever 228 rotatably supported by a support shaft 226 projecting obliquely downward from the vicinity of the left flange portion 138 of the movable restricting plate 146 toward the central portion 136 of the main body 102. This is a locking pin 232 that extends.
When the locking pin 232 is located at the circumferential holding position SP2, the holding true coin TC is held in the holding chamber 126 because it is located above the bottom plate 212 at a distance corresponding to the approximate radius of the diameter of the holding true coin TC. .
When the locking pin 232 is positioned at the non-circular holding position NSP2, the locking pin 232 moves above the maximum diameter of the holding true coin TC with respect to the bottom plate 212, so that the holding true coin TC rolls on the bottom plate 212. Then, it falls into the storage port 106.
The movable circumferential holding body 216 is selectively moved to the circumferential holding position SP2 or the non-circular holding position NSP2 by the circumferential surface holding device 134.

Next, the surface holding device 132 will be described.
The surface holding device 132 has a function of selectively moving the movable surface holding body 214 to the surface holding position SP and the non-surface holding position NSP.
The surface holding device 132 includes a second electromagnetic actuator 230 and a second link 231.
In the second electromagnetic actuator 230, the second solenoid 236 is fixed to the surface side of the movable restricting plate 146 by the second bracket 234.
The second iron core 238 of the second electromagnetic actuator 230 is linked to the second link 231.
The second iron core 238 is biased in the protruding direction (downward in FIG. 2) by the second spring 240.

In the second link 231, the pin 252 at the tip of the second lever 244 that is rotatably supported by the support shaft 242 on the back surface of the movable surface holding body 214 rotates in a shaft hole (not shown) of the first support plate 222. It is rotatably inserted into a shaft hole 250 at the tip of the third lever 248 fixed to a support shaft 246 that penetrates freely.
The tip of a pin 254 that extends from the side surface of the third lever 248 through a long hole (not shown) of the first support plate 222 is arranged along the first support plate 222 so as to be linearly movable. It is inserted into the groove 258.
The first slider 256 is moved by the second iron core 238 with a predetermined stroke in a slanting vertical direction in FIG.
When the second solenoid 236 is demagnetized, the second iron core 238 is moved downward by the second spring 240, and the pin 252 is moved downward via the first slider 256 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. Move.

Accordingly, the second lever 244 is moved to the left via the third lever 248, and as a result, the movable surface holding body 214 is held at the surface holding position SP.
In this case, it is preferable to configure the toggle action mechanism by configuring so that the pin 252 is stopped beyond the straight line L2 connecting the support shafts 242 and 246.
This is because even when an external force is applied, the movable surface holding body 214 can be reliably and continuously held at the surface holding position SP.
In this embodiment, when the second solenoid 236 is demagnetized, the movable surface holding body 214 is moved to the surface holding position SP by the second spring 238, and the position is held by the toggle action mechanism. However, the toggle action mechanism can be set to function when the second solenoid 236 is excited.

Next, the peripheral surface holding device 134 will be described.
The circumferential surface holding device 134 has a function of selectively moving the movable circumferential holding body 216 to the circumferentially reserved position SP2 or the non-circularly reserved position NSP2.
The peripheral surface holding device 134 includes a third electromagnetic actuator 272 and a third link 274.
The third solenoid 278 of the third electromagnetic actuator 272 is fixed to the movable restricting plate 146 via the third bracket 276.
The third iron core 292 of the third electromagnetic actuator 272 is biased by the third spring 294 in the protruding direction.
The third link 274, the second slider 296 is fixed to the third core 292, fourth lever 302 is rotatably mounted on the fixed shaft 298 projecting from the movable restricting plate 146, laterally from the lower end of the fourth lever 302 An axial hole (not shown) at the other end of the rod 306 is rotatably supported at one end by a pin 305 of a lever 228 through which a fixing pin 304 protruding in the direction passes.
The upper end of the fourth lever 302 is inserted into the second groove 308 of the second slider 296.
As a result, when the third solenoid 278 is demagnetized and the third iron core 292 is moved to the left in FIG. 2 by the third spring 294, the fourth lever 302 is rotated counterclockwise, and the fixing pin 304, the rod The lever 228 is rotated clockwise through the pin 305 and the movable circumference holding body 216 is held at the circumference holding position SP2.
When the third solenoid 278 is energized, the third iron core 392 is pulled rightward in FIG. 2, so that the fourth lever 302 is rotated clockwise and the lever 228 is rotated counterclockwise. Since the peripheral holding body 216 moves out of the peripheral storage position SP2 and moves to the non-circular storage position NSP2, the stored true coin TC on the bottom plate 212 rolls by its own weight and falls to the storage port 106.

Next, the aligning and dropping device 310 will be described.
The aligning and dropping device 310 ensures that when the genuine coin TC falls from the genuine coin entrance 312 that is the upper end of the genuine coin passage 158 by the sorting body 122 and is held in the holding chamber 126, the genuine coin TC is always placed in the correct position. currency having the aligned Ru function in the thickness direction of the TC.
The aligning and dropping device 310 is a plate-like body that is arranged in parallel in the vertical direction with respect to the distributing body 122, and the lower end portion and the upper end portion of the directing body 313 that extend to the lower side of the distributing body 122 and the directing body 313 are relative to each other. And a deflecting surface 314 to be included.
The directing body 313 is plate-shaped and is a plate-shaped body that faces the sorting body 122, in other words, the genuine coin entrance 312 at a predetermined interval and extends in the vertical direction.
The directing body 313 is preferably formed of a transparent resin plate so that the movement status of the specie TC can be confirmed.

The deflection surface 314 is a wall surface of the second vertical guide wall 164 below the true coin entrance 312 on the holding chamber 126 side, and protrudes in an arc shape on the movable surface holding body 214 side.
The most projecting surface of the deflection surface 314 is formed such that the perpendicular L3 in contact with the surface intersects the movable holding surface 215 located at the surface holding position SP.
The genuine coin TC guided to the genuine coin passage 158 by the allocating body 122 is guided downward by the directing body 313 and suspended, and then falls on the movable holding surface 215.
The falling genuine coin TC slides down on the movable holding surface 215, and the lower end of the peripheral surface is supported on the bottom plate 212.
At this time, since the bottom plate 212 and the movable holding surface 215 form an acute angle, when the lower end of the specie TC is separated from the movable surface holding body 214, the bottom plate 212 slides down on the bottom plate 212 and comes into close contact with the movable holding surface 215. .

Thereby, since the center of gravity G of the true coin TC is located on the movable surface holding body 214 side with respect to the rotation point TP on the bottom plate 212, the genuine coin TC falls to the movable surface holding body 214 side and comes into surface contact with the movable holding surface 215.
Even if the lower end of the genuine coin TC falls on the bottom plate 212, the deflection surface 314 will bring the genuine coin TC on the bottom plate 212 down to the movable surface holding body 214 side, so the genuine coin TC in the holding chamber 126 will be The movable holding surface 215 is held in surface contact.
The subsequent specie TC also falls on the reserved specie TC and is similarly held.
As a result, the held true coins TC are aligned and held in the thickness direction of the true coins TC while being in surface contact.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
A case will be described in which the coin processing device 100 of the present embodiment is built in a game machine and the fee for one time is set to 150 yen.
In other words, the game is set to be possible only when one 100-yen coin and five 10-yen coins are accepted or only when one 100-yen coin and one 50-yen coin are accepted.
Therefore, when 10 yen, 50 yen, and 100 yen are inserted, they are accepted as the true currency TC, and other coins and medals are returned as the false currency FC.

When the power is not turned on, the first solenoid 204, the second solenoid 236, and the third solenoid 278 remain demagnetized.
In other words, the allocating body 122 is held at the return position CP, the movable surface holding body 214 is held at the surface holding position SP, and the movable circumferential holding body 216 is held at the circumferential holding position SP2.
When a genuine coin is inserted in this state, the coin detection sensor 114 does not output coin information, so the first solenoid 204 is not excited and the return position CP is continued.
Therefore, the inserted true coin TC and fake coin FC fall through the return passage 118 and return from the return port 108 and are returned to the return tray (not shown) of the game machine.

Next, when the power is turned on, the coin detection sensor 114 enters the coin detection preparation state, but the first solenoid 204, the second solenoid 236, and the third solenoid 278 continue to be demagnetized.
First, when a false coin FC is inserted, coin information is acquired by the coin detection sensor 114 in the process of falling through the detection passage 112, and the determination device 150 determines that it is a false coin FC based on the acquired coin information.
In the case of the false coin FC, the first solenoid 204 of the first electromagnetic actuator 196 is not excited.
As a result, since the distribution body 122 continues the return position CP, the fake coin FC falls from the return port 108 through the return passage 118 and is returned to the return tray.

The case where a genuine 100 yen coin is inserted will be explained.
Based on the coin information acquired by the coin detection sensor 114 in the process of falling down the detection passage 112, the determination device 150 determines that the true coin TC is 100 yen, and sets the first solenoid 204 of the first electromagnetic actuator 196 for a predetermined time. Excited.
As a result, the first iron core 206 is moved to the right in FIG. 2, so that the allocating body 122 is pivoted via the first link 198 and moved to the receiving position RP.
The true coin TC rolling in the sorting passage 116 is guided to the true coin passage 158 by the sorting body 122 located at the receiving position RP.
After a sufficient time has elapsed for the genuine coin TC to move to the genuine coin passage 158, the first solenoid 204 is demagnetized and the sorting body 122 is returned to the return position CP.

The lower end of the genuine coin TC guided to the genuine coin passage 158 is guided by the directing body 313 of the aligning and dropping device 310 and directed to the lower holding chamber 126 to be in a vertical state.
The true coin TC is guided above the movable surface holding body 214 by the deflection surface 314.
Therefore, the true coin TC falls on the movable surface holding body 214 in a suspended state.
The genuine coin TC dropped on the movable surface holding body 214 is supported by the bottom plate 212 with its lower end sliding on the movable holding surface 215.
The peripheral surface of the genuine coin TC is prevented from rolling due to the inclination of the bottom plate 212 by the locking pin 232 which is the movable peripheral holding body 216 and is held in the storage chamber 126.
As a result, the true coin TC comes into surface contact with the movable holding surface 215 and is held in the holding chamber 126.

Subsequently, when a genuine 50 yen coin is inserted, it is guided to the true path 158 by the allocating body 122 in the same manner as described above, and is guided by the directing body 313 and the deflecting surface 314 to be in a roughly vertical state, and the reserved 100 yen coin Fall on the top surface.
As a result, the lower end of the 50-yen coin TC slides on the upper surface of the 100-yen coin, the peripheral surface is supported by the bottom plate 212, and the lower surface is held in a state of being in surface contact with the upper surface of the reserved 100-yen coin.
Since 150 yen is now reserved in the reservation room 126, the determination device 150 outputs a game ready signal to the game machine.
When a genuine coin TC is inserted after outputting the game enable signal, the genuine coin TC is returned from the return port 108 as a false coin as described above.

If subsequently the true positive 10 yen coins thrown into 100 yen true coin TC, by the bottom plate 212 of the peripheral surface lower end like the 50-yen coins, the lower surface is in contact with the upper surface of the 100 yen coin in the storing chamber 126 Hold Is done.
Subsequent 10-yen true coins TC are also aligned in the thickness direction and held in the holding chamber 126.
When five 10-yen coins are inserted, the total amount is 150 yen, so that the discriminator 150 outputs a game enable signal as described above.
When a 10-yen coin is inserted after the 100-yen coin, if a 50-yen or 100-yen coin is subsequently inserted, it is determined as a fake coin FC and returned from the return slot 108. This is to prevent overcollection.

When the game player instructs the game machine to start, the third solenoid 278 of the third electromagnetic actuator 272 is excited for a predetermined time.
By the excitation of the third solenoid 278, the third iron core 292 is moved to the right in FIG. 2, so the second slider 296 is also moved in the same direction, and the fourth lever 302 is rotated clockwise.
By rotation of the fourth lever 302, the lever 228 is rotated counterclockwise about the support shaft 226 via the rod 306, and the locking pin 232 is moved to the non-circular holding position NSP2.
As a result, the 100-yen, 50-yen, or 10-yen coins in the holding chamber 126 roll with their own weight due to the inclination of the bottom plate 212 and fall into the storage port 106 through the storage passage 160.
The third solenoid 278 is demagnetized after a lapse of time sufficient for the reserved coin TC to fall from the holding chamber 126, and the locking pin 232 is returned to the circumferential holding position SP2.

When the player does not play the game, a return operation is performed.
By the return operation, the second solenoid 236 of the second electromagnetic actuator 230 is excited for a predetermined time.
Due to the excitation of the second solenoid 236, the second iron core 238 moves upward in FIG. 2, so the first slider 256 also moves in the same direction.
As a result, the third lever 248 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 5, so that the movable surface holder 214 is moved to the non-surface holding position NSP.
The stored specie TC in the holding chamber 126 slides toward the movable surface holding body 214 due to the inclination of the bottom plate 212, falls from the space between the bottom plate 212 and the movable surface holding body 214 to the return port 108, and is returned to the return tray. The
In other words, the held true coin TC can be returned.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin processing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the coin processing apparatus of the embodiment. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of the reservation chamber portion in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an enlarged explanatory view of the peripheral surface holding device in the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a right side view of the coin processing device of the embodiment. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the coin processing apparatus of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control device of the coin processing device of the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the prior art. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ZZ in FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a de facto standard coin processing apparatus. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the prior art.

G center of gravity
NSP non-side holding position
NSP2 Non-circumferential hold position
FC returned coins
SP side hold position
SP2 lap hold position
TC receiving coins
TP rotation point
104 slot
106 Storage port
108 Return port
112 Detection path
114 Coin detection sensor
116 Sorting passage
118 Return passage
122 Allotment
124 Reservation
126 Reservation room
212 Bottom plate
214 Movable surface holder
216 Movable circumference holder
312 Entrance
313 Directional body
314 Deflection surface

Claims (1)

The authenticity of the coins (C) inserted into the input slot (104) arranged at the top is determined and sorted into receiving coins (TC) and return coins (FC), and the receiving coins (TC) are received. (312) In the coin processing apparatus that accepts and holds the holding coin (124), and selectively feeds the reserved coin to the storage slot (106) or the return slot (108),
The storage port (106) and the return port (108) are formed adjacent to the lower surface of the coin processing device in the radial direction of the receiving coin (TC),
The holding portion (124) is disposed above the storage port (106) and the return port (108), and is three-dimensionally formed by at least a bottom plate (212), a movable surface holding body (214), and a movable peripheral holding body (216). Configured as a typical holding room (126),
The bottom plate (212) before the peripheral surface side of the coin (C) to be put in the receptacle (104) with inclined forwardly downwardly on the side of the coin (C) to be put in the receptacle (104) inclined to fall,
The movable surface holding body (214) is disposed in relation to the forward downward inclination of the surface side of the coin (C) to be inserted into the insertion port (104) of the bottom plate (212), with respect to the bottom plate (212). it Na predetermined angle, the coin retaining surfaces retaining position plane as the coin in contact with (C) to the reserve chamber (126) of the (C) and (SP), which is held in the holding chamber (126) wherein The coin (C) can be selectively moved to the non-surface holding position (NSP) where the coin (C) can be slid down by the forward downward inclination of the surface side of the coin (C) ,
The movable peripheral holding body (216) is arranged in relation to the forward downward inclination of the peripheral surface side of the coin (C) to be inserted into the insertion port (104) of the bottom plate (212) , and the holding chamber (126) hold for circumferential retaining position the coin in contact with the peripheral surface (C) to the reserve chamber (126) of the coin in the inner (C) (SP2) and the coin held the on hold chamber (126) (C) is Ri selectively movable der to non circumferential retaining position to be rollable by forward descending inclination of the circumferential surface of the coin (C) (NSP2),
The coin (C) held in the holding chamber (126) by the movement of the movable surface holding body (214) to the non-surface holding position (NSP) is the storage port (106) set in advance or returned by the sliding down. The storage port (108) other than the storage port (106) or the return port (108) to be slid down by the movement to the non-circular holding position (NSP2) of the movable peripheral holding body (216) is dropped to the port (108) 106) or a coin processing device that falls into the return slot (108) .

Images