JP5347606B2 - Coin identification device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coin identification device for satisfactorily detecting the outer diameter of a coin by permitting the change of the relative positional relation of a coin and a magnetic detection unit due to the adhesion of waste or the like while minimizing the whole device. <P>SOLUTION: The coin identification device includes: a first magnetic sensor 11 equipped with a first exciting coil 111 for generating a magnetic field in a coin passage 1 and a detection coil group for detecting magnetic field change when a coin (C) passes; a second magnetic sensor 12 equipped with a second exciting coil 121 for generating a magnetic field in the coin passage 1 and a detection coil group for detecting magnetic field change when the coin passes; a material detection part 312 for detecting the materials of the coin from the signal of the magnetic field change detected by the component of the detection coil group in either the first magnetic sensor 11 and the second magnetic sensor 12; and an outer diameter detection part 312 for detecting the outer diameter of the coin from a signal corresponding to the impedance change of the exciting coils 111 and 121 of the first magnetic sensor 11 and the second magnetic sensor 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin identification device, and more specifically, includes a magnetic detection unit disposed in the vicinity of a coin passage through which an inserted coin passes, and identifies a coin passing through the coin passage through the magnetic detection unit. The present invention relates to a coin identification device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a coin discriminating apparatus that includes a magnetic detection unit arranged in the vicinity of a coin passage through which inserted coins pass and that identifies coins passing through the coin passage through the magnetic detection unit is known as follows. ing.

  For example, an outer diameter sensor and a material sensor as magnetic detection units are sequentially arranged in the vicinity of the coin passage along the coin passing direction. The outer diameter sensor is for detecting the outer diameter of the coin passing through the coin passage, and the width thereof is sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of all the coins that may pass through the coin passage. . The material sensor detects the material of the coin passing through the coin passage.

  In the coin discriminating apparatus having such a magnetic detection unit, the outer diameter of the outer diameter sensor is sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of all coins that can pass through, so that dust or the like adheres to the periphery of the coin. It is possible to detect the outer diameter of the coin satisfactorily while allowing a change in the relative positional relationship between the outer diameter sensor and the coin due to the above (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Special table 2001-513232 gazette

  However, in the coin identification device proposed in Patent Document 1 described above, the width of the outer diameter sensor is sufficiently larger than all the coins that can pass through, which leads to an increase in the size of the entire device. Furthermore, since it is necessary to reduce mutual magnetic interference with other sensors such as a material sensor, there is a possibility that the entire coin discriminating apparatus is increased in size.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention allows the outer diameter of a coin to be detected well by allowing a change in the relative positional relationship between the coin and the magnetic detection unit due to adhesion of dust, etc., while reducing the size of the entire apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coin identification device that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, a coin identification device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a magnetic detection unit disposed in the vicinity of a coin passage through which an inserted coin passes, and the coin passage through the magnetic detection unit. In the coin discriminating apparatus for discriminating coins passing through the magnetic path, the magnetic detection unit is disposed in the vicinity of a predetermined location of the coin passage, and an annular excitation coil for generating a magnetic field at the predetermined location, and an inside of the excitation coil A first magnetic sensor provided with a detection coil group that is disposed and detects a magnetic field change when a coin passes through the predetermined location, and is downstream of the first magnetic sensor along the passage direction of the coin. Arranged in the vicinity of the downstream location of the coin passage, an annular excitation coil for generating a magnetic field in the downstream location, and disposed inside the excitation coil, the coin passes through the downstream location And a second magnetic sensor provided with a detection coil group for detecting a change in magnetic field when detected by a component of the detection coil group in at least one of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor. A material detecting means for detecting the material of the coin from a signal of a magnetic field change, and an outer diameter for detecting the outer diameter of the coin by a signal according to an impedance change of each exciting coil of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor. And a diameter detecting means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the coin identifying device according to the first aspect, wherein the material detecting means includes a component of a detection coil group in at least one of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor. The material of the coin is detected by either one of a sum of detected magnetic field change signals and a magnetic field change signal detected by any one of the components of the detection coil group.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the coin identifying device according to the first or second aspect, wherein a component of the detection coil group of the first magnetic sensor or the second magnetic sensor is detected. There is provided a material thickness detecting means for detecting the thickness of the coin based on any one of a sum of magnetic field change signals and a magnetic field change signal detected by any one of the components of the detection coil group.

  Moreover, the coin identification device according to claim 4 of the present invention is the constituent element of the detection coil group in at least one of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3 described above. It is characterized by comprising unevenness detecting means for detecting unevenness on the surface of the coin based on the difference in the magnetic field change signal detected by.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the coin identifying apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein one excitation coil of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor is excited at a frequency different from that of the other excitation coil. The unevenness detecting means detects unevenness on the surface of the coin based on a difference in a magnetic field change signal detected by a constituent element of a detection coil group of a magnetic sensor having an excitation coil having a high frequency. .

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the coin identification device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the magnetic detection unit has a gap between the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor. It is characterized by having a size of 21 mm or less.

  According to the coin identification device of the present invention, the magnetic detection unit is disposed in the vicinity of a predetermined portion of the coin passage, and is disposed in the inside of the excitation coil, the annular excitation coil that generates a magnetic field at the predetermined portion, and the predetermined portion. A first magnetic sensor provided with a detection coil group for detecting a magnetic field change when a coin passes, and is disposed in the vicinity of a downstream side portion of the coin passage downstream of the first magnetic sensor along the coin passing direction. A second magnetism comprising: an annular exciting coil that generates a magnetic field at the downstream location; and a detection coil group that is disposed inside the exciting coil and detects a change in the magnetic field when a coin passes through the downstream location. And detecting the outer diameter by detecting a material of the coin based on a magnetic field change signal detected by a component of the detection coil group in at least one of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor. Since the stage detects the outer diameter of the coin based on the signal corresponding to the impedance change of each exciting coil of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor, it does not need a sensor for individually detecting the outer diameter as in the prior art. Alternatively, it is not necessary to make the widths of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of all coins that may pass through the coin passage, and the apparatus can be downsized. In addition, it can be tolerated by absorbing the change in the relative positional relationship between the magnetic sensor and the coin caused by dust or the like adhering to the periphery of the coin, and does not affect the acceptance rate of the coin. Therefore, there is an effect that the outer diameter of the coin can be detected well while allowing the change in the relative positional relationship between the coin and the magnetic detection unit due to adhesion of dust and the like while reducing the size of the entire apparatus. .

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of a main part of a coin identification device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the arrangement and configuration of the magnetic detection unit shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing the arrangement and configuration of the magnetic detection unit shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from above. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the first magnetic sensor shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first magnetic sensor shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the positional relationship between the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the second magnetic sensor shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the second magnetic sensor shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a chart showing changes in the output voltages of the third detection coil and the fourth detection coil as a function of time when the coin passes through the coin passage, and a case where a 50-yen coin passes. . FIG. 10 is a chart showing a change in the output voltage of the third detection coil and the fourth detection coil as a function of time when the coin passes through the coin passage, and a case where a 500 yen coin passes. . FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the composite material coin. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the arrangement and configuration of the magnetic detection unit when a composite material coin is an application target.

  Exemplary embodiments of a coin identifying device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of a main part of a coin identification device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The coin identification device exemplified here includes the magnetic detection unit 10 and the control unit 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the magnetic detection unit 10 is disposed in the vicinity of the coin passage 1 through which a coin C inserted from an insertion port (not shown) passes, and includes a first magnetic sensor 11 and a second magnetic sensor. A sensor 12 is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the first magnetic sensor 11 and the second magnetic sensor 12 are each a pair of magnetic sensors that are opposed to each other with the coin passage 1 interposed therebetween. Since this configuration has the same configuration as that of each of the first magnetic sensor 11 and the second magnetic sensor 12, the description of these opposingly arranged magnetic sensors is omitted in the present embodiment.

  The first magnetic sensor 11 includes a first excitation coil 111, a first detection coil 112, and a second detection coil 113.

  The first exciting coil 111 has an annular shape as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and generates a magnetic field (for example, about 20 kHz) in the coin path 1 in accordance with the oscillation frequency given from the oscillation circuit 21a.

  The change in impedance due to the passage of the coin C through the coin path 1 by the first excitation coil 111 is output as an analog signal by the first excitation coil detection circuit 22a, and the signal is converted into a digital signal through the AD converter 25. Is converted to and supplied to the control unit 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first detection coil 112 constitutes a detection coil group provided inside the diameter of the first excitation coil 111, and one rod portion 2 a of the U-shaped iron core 2. It is wound around and arranged. The iron core 2 is formed by laminating a single piece or a plurality of plate-shaped pieces obtained by shearing permalloy, a silicon steel plate, iron or the like, or by sintering ferrite or the like. In addition, although the iron core 2 illustrated here has a U-shape, it cannot be overemphasized that it is not limited to this in this invention.

  The first detection coil 112 detects a change in the magnetic field formed by the first excitation coil 111 when the coin C passes through the coin passage 1. The change in impedance due to the passage of the coin C through the coin path 1 by the first detection coil 112 is output as an analog signal by the first detection coil detection circuit 23a, and the signal is converted into a digital signal through the AD converter 25. Is converted to and supplied to the control unit 30.

  The second detection coil 113 constitutes a detection coil group in the same manner as the first detection coil 112 described above, and is wound around the other rod portion 2 b of the iron core 2. It is located on the downstream side of the coin passage 1. The second detection coil 113 detects a change in the magnetic field formed by the first excitation coil 111 when the coin C passes through the coin passage 1. The change in impedance due to the passage of the coin C through the coin passage 1 by the second detection coil 113 is output as an analog signal by the second detection coil detection circuit 24a, and the signal is converted into a digital signal through the AD converter 25. Is converted to and supplied to the control unit 30.

  The second magnetic sensor 12 includes a second excitation coil 121, a third detection coil 122, and a fourth detection coil 123. The second magnetic sensor 12 is on the downstream side of the first magnetic sensor 11 along the passage direction of the coins C, and the gap with the first magnetic sensor 11 (distance L shown in FIG. 2) is 21 mm or less. It is arranged at the place. Here, 21 mm is the size of the outer diameter of the 50-yen coin having the smallest outer diameter, and as a result, as shown in FIG. 6, all the coins that may pass through the coin path 1, that is, 50-yen coins. When any one of the C1, 100-yen coin C2, 10-yen coin C3, and 500-yen coin C4 passes through the coin path 1, the first magnetic sensor 11 and the second magnetic sensor 12 always overlap each other at the same time.

  In FIG. 6, the first excitation coil 111 of the first magnetic sensor 11 and the second excitation coil 121 of the second magnetic sensor 12 are hatched. It does not indicate that.

  The second excitation coil 121 has an annular shape as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and has the same size as the first excitation coil 111 described above. The second excitation coil 121 generates a magnetic field in the coin path 1 in accordance with the oscillation frequency given from the oscillation circuit 21b. In the present embodiment, the second excitation coil 121 has a higher frequency (for example, 120 to 140 kHz) than the first excitation coil 111. Is generated in the coin passage 1.

  The change in impedance due to the passage of the coin C through the coin path 1 by the second excitation coil 121 is output as an analog signal by the second excitation coil detection circuit 22b, and the signal is converted into a digital signal through the AD converter 25. Is converted to and supplied to the control unit 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the third detection coil 122 constitutes a detection coil group provided on the inner side of the second excitation coil 121, and one rod portion 3 a of the U-shaped iron core 3. It is wound around and arranged. The iron core 3 is formed by laminating a single piece or a plurality of pieces of plate-like pieces obtained by shearing permalloy, a silicon steel plate, iron or the like, or by sintering ferrite or the like. In addition, although the iron core 3 illustrated here has a U-shape, it cannot be overemphasized that it is not limited to this in this invention.

  The third detection coil 122 detects a change in the magnetic field formed by the second excitation coil 121 when the coin C passes through the coin passage 1. The change in impedance due to the passage of the coin C through the coin passage 1 by the third detection coil 122 is output as an analog signal by the third detection coil detection circuit 23b, and the signal is converted into a digital signal through the AD converter 25. Is converted to and supplied to the control unit 30.

  The fourth detection coil 123 constitutes a detection coil group in the same manner as the third detection coil 122 described above, and is wound around the other rod portion 3 b of the iron core 3, and the third detection coil 122. It is located on the downstream side of the coin passage 1. The fourth detection coil 123 detects a change in the magnetic field formed by the second excitation coil 121 when the coin C passes through the coin passage 1. The impedance change caused by the passage of the coin C through the coin passage 1 by the fourth detection coil 123 is output as an analog signal by the fourth detection coil detection circuit 24b, and the signal is converted into a digital signal through the AD converter 25. Is converted to and supplied to the control unit 30.

  The control unit 30 is, for example, a CPU, and performs various calculations and determinations based on programs and data stored in advance in a memory (not shown). As a characteristic component in the present embodiment, a detection unit 31 and the determination part 32 are comprised.

  The detection unit 31 detects four elements of the coin C passing through the coin passage 1, and includes an outer diameter detection unit 311, a material detection unit 312, a material thickness detection unit 313, and an unevenness detection unit 314.

  The outer diameter detector 311 detects the outer diameter of the coin C. The outer diameter detector 311 inputs the digitally converted signal given from the first excitation coil detection circuit 22a and the digitally converted signal given from the second excitation coil detection circuit 22b. The input signal is compared with the outer diameter threshold value stored in advance in the memory or the like, and the outer diameter of the coin C is any of 50 yen coin, 100 yen coin, 10 yen coin, and 500 yen coin. It is to detect whether it is equivalent.

  The material detection unit 312 detects the material of the coin C. The material detection unit 312 receives the digitally converted signal given from the first detection coil detection circuit 23a, compares the input signal with a material threshold value stored in advance in a memory, and the like. Coin C is equivalent to “brass” which is a material of 50 yen coin and 100 yen coin, or is equivalent to “nickel brass” which is a material of 500 yen coin, or “bronze” which is a material of 10 yen coin Is detected.

  The material thickness detection unit 313 detects the thickness (material thickness) of the coin C. The material thickness detection unit 313 inputs the digitally converted signals given from the first detection coil detection circuit 23a and the second detection coil detection circuit 24a, calculates the sum of these change voltages, Comparing the calculated sum of change voltages with a material thickness threshold value recorded in advance in a memory or the like, the thickness of the coin C is any of 50 yen coin, 100 yen coin, 10 yen coin, and 500 yen coin. This is to detect whether it is equivalent to the above. Here, the change voltage is a voltage which is a difference between a state where the coin C is present and a state where the coin C is absent.

  The unevenness detector 314 detects unevenness on the surface of the coin C. The unevenness detection unit 314 inputs a digitally converted signal given from each of the third detection coil detection circuit 23b and the fourth detection coil detection circuit 24b, and uses the difference between these change voltages as a function of time. This is calculated to detect the presence or absence of irregularities on the surface of the coin C.

  The detection of the presence or absence of unevenness on the surface of the coin C by the unevenness detecting unit 314 will be described with a specific example.

  FIGS. 9 and 10 show changes in the output voltages of the third detection coil 122 and the fourth detection coil 123 as a function of time when the coin C passes through the coin path 1, respectively. FIG. When a yen coin passes, FIG. 6 is a chart showing a case where a 500 yen coin passes.

  In FIG. 5, (A) shows the difference in change voltage between the third detection coil 122 and the fourth detection coil 123. In (a), a and b are detected edges of the peripheral portion of the 50 yen coin, and c is a hole detected in the center of the 50 yen coin.

  In FIG. 6, (B) indicates the difference in change voltage between the third detection coil 122 and the fourth detection coil 123. In (b), a and b are those obtained by detecting the edge of the peripheral portion of the 500 yen coin. By the way, since the hole is not formed in the center part in the 500-yen coin unlike the 50-yen coin, the part c as shown in FIG. 5 is not detected.

  From this, it is clear that the unevenness on the surface of the coin C can be detected satisfactorily by the difference in change voltage between the third detection coil 122 and the fourth detection coil 123.

  The determination part 32 inputs each detection result by the detection part 31, and determines the classification and authenticity of the coin C. Although a specific determination method will not be described in detail here, the determination unit 32 causes the outer diameter detection unit 311 to set the size corresponding to the outer diameter of the 50-yen coin when the coin C passes through the coin passage 1. 9 is detected by the material detection unit 312, is detected as equivalent to the thickness of a 50-yen coin by the material thickness detection unit 313, and is further detected by the unevenness detection unit 314 as shown in FIG. When the unevenness | corrugation (a part, b part, and c part) is detected, it determines with the said coin C being a 50 yen coin. On the other hand, when at least one of the four detection elements is detected as not equivalent to a 50 yen coin, specifically, when the unevenness (c portion) as shown in FIG. Determines that the coin C is false.

  When the determination and the determination of authenticity are made by the determination unit 32, the control unit 30 drives a coin C sorting solenoid and a coin C counter (not shown) to return the coin C determined to be false, and is identified as true. The coin C is stored.

  In the coin identification device according to the present embodiment as described above, the first excitation coil 111 that generates a magnetic field in the coin passage 1, the inside of the first excitation coil 111, and the coin passage 1 A first magnetic sensor 11 having a first detection coil 112 and a second detection coil 113 for detecting a magnetic field change when a coin C passes through the second magnetic coil, and a second excitation coil 121 for generating a magnetic field in the coin path 1; A second magnetic sensor provided in the second excitation coil 121 and provided with a third detection coil 122 and a fourth detection coil 123 that detect a magnetic field change when the coin C passes through the coin passage 1. 12 is arranged in such a manner that the second magnetic sensor 12 is located downstream of the first magnetic sensor 11 along the passage direction of the coin C. The material detection unit 312 of the control unit 30 detects the material of the coin C based on the impedance change signal due to the passage of the coin C detected by the first detection coil 112, and the outer diameter calculation unit 311 of the control unit 30. The outer diameter of the coin C is determined based on the signal of the impedance change due to the passage of the coin C detected by the first excitation coil 111 and the signal of the impedance change due to the passage of the same coin C detected by the second excitation coil 121. Detected.

  Therefore, a sensor for detecting the outer diameter individually as in the prior art is not required, and the width of each of the sensors 11 and 12 is sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of all coins C that may pass through the coin path 1. There is no need to make it bigger. As a result, the entire apparatus can be reduced in size.

  Further, since the outer diameter of the coin C passing through the first exciting coil 111 and the second exciting coil 121 in the two magnetic sensors 11 and 12 is detected, it is caused by dust or the like adhering to the periphery of the coin C. This is acceptable by absorbing the change in the relative positional relationship between the magnetic sensors 11 and 12 and the coin C, and does not affect the acceptance rate of the coin C.

  Therefore, according to the coin discriminating apparatus of the present embodiment, while reducing the size of the entire apparatus, the change in the relative positional relationship between the coin C and the magnetic detection unit 10 due to adhesion of dust or the like is allowed and the coin The outer diameter of C can be detected satisfactorily.

  According to the coin identification device, the thickness of the coin C is detected by the material thickness detector 313 based on the sum of the impedance change signals detected by the first detection coil 112 and the second detection coil 113, that is, the sum of the change voltages. Therefore, the first excitation coil 111 and the detection coils 112 and 113 can be made common without having to be provided separately for each detection item of material and material thickness.

  Further, according to the coin identifying device, the unevenness detecting unit 314 detects the difference in the impedance of the coin C based on the difference in impedance change signal detected by each of the third detection coil 122 and the fourth detection coil 123, that is, the difference in change voltage. Since the surface irregularities are detected, the excitation coil 111, 121 and the detection coils 112, 113, 122, 123 are provided for each of the four elements of the material, outer diameter, material thickness, and irregularities of the coin C that passes therethrough. It is not necessary and can be shared.

  Therefore, according to the coin identification device according to the present embodiment, the excitation coils 111 and 121 and the detection coils 112, 113, 122, and 123 can be shared, so that not only the overall size of the device is reduced, but also the number of parts can be reduced. Costs can be reduced by the reduction.

  In particular, when detecting irregularities on the surface of the passing coin C, the third detection coil 122 and the second detection coil 122 of the second magnetic sensor 12 that generates a magnetic field having a frequency higher than that of the first magnetic sensor 11 (for example, about 120 to 140 kHz). Since the detection result of the four detection coils 123 is used, the surface irregularities can be detected more easily and satisfactorily.

  Further, according to the coin identification device, the distance between the first magnetic sensor 11 and the second magnetic sensor 12 constituting the magnetic detection unit 10 is set to 21 mm or less, so that the possibility of passing through the coin passage 1 is possible. The first magnetic sensor 11 and the second magnetism are always obtained when all of the coins C, that is, any of the 50 yen coin C1, the 100 yen coin C2, the 10 yen coin C3, and the 500 yen coin C4 pass through the coin path 1. The timing which overlaps simultaneously with respect to the sensor 12 will arise, and, thereby, it can detect and identify 4 elements favorably about all the coins C.

  Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made.

  In the present invention, the coin identification device in the embodiment described above is intended for application to a commonly used coin C such as a 50 yen coin, a 100 yen coin, a 10 yen coin, and a 500 yen coin. Is not limited to such a coin C, and a composite material coin 40 as shown in FIG. 11 may be applied. In the following, a coin identifying device for the case where the composite material coin 40 is applied is described. In addition, the description about what has the structure similar to the coin identification device which is embodiment mentioned above is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, the composite material coin 40 will be described. The composite material coin 40 is, for example, a commemorative coin, and includes an annular ring portion 41 and a disk-shaped core portion 42 that fits into a hollow portion of the ring portion 41. Yes, the ring portion 41 and the core portion 42 are made of different materials. The core portion 42 has a so-called sandwich structure in which the material is different between the surface layer portion 421 and the middle layer portion 422.

  In the coin identification device that applies the composite material coin 40 as described above, the outer diameters of the first magnetic sensor 11 and the second magnetic sensor 12, that is, the first excitation coil 111 and the second excitation coil 121, respectively. The outer diameter is preferably equal to or smaller than the width of the ring portion 41 as shown in FIG.

  Further, the material detection unit 312 of the control unit 30 not only inputs the digitally converted signal given from the first detection coil detection circuit 23a as in the coin identification device in the above-described embodiment, The digitally converted signal provided from the detection coil detection circuit 23b is input, and the material of the composite coin 40 is detected by comparing these two signals with a material threshold value stored in advance in a memory or the like. Is preferred.

  Here, not only the detection result of the first detection coil 112 but also the detection result of the third detection coil 122 is used because the first detection coil 112 can detect the magnetic field generated by the first excitation coil 111 (for example, 20 kHz). Degree), that is, a change in the magnetic field transmitted through the entire composite coin 40, whereas the third detection coil 122 can detect the magnetic field generated by the second excitation coil 121 (for example, about 120 to 140 kHz). This is because the change, that is, the change of the magnetic field transmitted through the surface layer of the composite material coin 40, can detect not only the ring portion 41 but also the material of the core portion 42 having the sandwich structure.

  According to the coin discriminating apparatus having such a configuration, the relative positional relationship between the coin C and the magnetic detection unit 10 due to adhesion of dust or the like is allowed while miniaturizing the entire apparatus, and the coin C is allowed to change. The outer diameter can be detected well, and the material of the composite coin 40 such as a commemorative coin can also be detected well.

  In the coin identification device according to the above-described embodiment, the material detection unit 312 detects the material of the coin C based on the digitally converted signal provided from the first detection coil detection circuit 23a. In the invention, the material detection unit 312 may detect the material of the coin C based on the digitally converted signal given from the second detection coil detection circuit 24a, or the first detection coil detection circuit 23a and Even if the digitally converted signal given from each of the second detection coil detection circuits 24a is inputted to calculate the sum of these change voltages, the material of the coin C is detected based on the calculated change voltage sum. Good.

  In the coin identification device according to the above-described embodiment, the material thickness detection unit 313 inputs the digitally converted signal provided from each of the first detection coil detection circuit 23a and the second detection coil detection circuit 24a. Then, the sum of these change voltages is calculated, and the thickness of the coin C is detected based on the calculated change voltage. In the present invention, the material thickness detector 313 is a first detection coil detection circuit. The thickness of the coin C may be detected based on the digitally converted signal given from 23a, or the thickness of the coin C may be detected based on the digitally converted signal given from the second detection coil detection circuit 24a. May be.

  In the coin identification device according to the above-described embodiment, the first magnetic sensor 11 is used to detect the material and thickness of the coin C, and the second magnetic sensor 12 is used to detect irregularities on the surface of the coin C. However, in the present invention, only the first magnetic sensor 11 may detect the material, thickness, and surface irregularities of the coin C.

  As described above, the coin identification device according to the present invention is useful for detecting the material and outer diameter of a coin passing through a coin passage.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coin path | pass 2,3 Iron core 10 Magnetic detection unit 11 1st magnetic sensor 111 1st excitation coil 112 1st detection coil 113 2nd detection coil 12 2nd magnetic sensor 122 3rd detection coil 123 4th detection coil 21a, 21b Oscillation circuit 22a First excitation coil detection circuit 22b Second excitation coil detection circuit 23a First detection coil detection circuit 24a Second detection coil detection circuit 23b Third detection coil detection circuit 24b Fourth detection coil detection circuit 25 AD converter 30 Control unit 31 Detection unit 311 Outer diameter detection unit 312 Material detection unit 313 Material thickness detection unit 314 Concavity and convexity detection unit 32 Determination unit 32
C coin

Claims (6)

In a coin identification device comprising a magnetic detection unit arranged in the vicinity of a coin passage through which an inserted coin passes, and for identifying a coin passing through the coin passage through the magnetic detection unit,
The magnetic detection unit is
An annular excitation coil that is arranged in the vicinity of a predetermined location of the coin passage and generates a magnetic field at the predetermined location, and is disposed inside the excitation coil, and detects a magnetic field change when the coin passes through the predetermined location. A first magnetic sensor comprising a detection coil group;
An annular excitation coil that is disposed in the vicinity of the downstream side portion of the coin passage downstream of the first magnetic sensor along the direction of passage of the coin, and that generates a magnetic field at the downstream side, and the inside of the excitation coil And a second magnetic sensor comprising a detection coil group for detecting a magnetic field change when a coin passes through the downstream portion,
A material detecting means for detecting a material of the coin based on a magnetic field change signal detected by a component of a detection coil group in at least one of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor;
A coin identification device comprising: an outer diameter detecting means for detecting an outer diameter of the coin based on a signal corresponding to a change in impedance of each exciting coil of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor.   The material detecting means is configured to detect a sum of magnetic field change signals detected by the constituent elements of the detecting coil group in at least one of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor, and detect any constituent element of the detecting coil group. The coin identifying device according to claim 1, wherein the material of the coin is detected by any one of the magnetic field change signals.   The sum of the magnetic field change signals detected by the components of the detection coil group of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor, and the magnetic field change signals detected by any of the components of the detection coil group The coin identifying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a material thickness detecting unit configured to detect the thickness of the coin by any one of the methods.   An unevenness detecting means for detecting unevenness on the surface of the coin based on a difference in magnetic field change signal detected by a component of a detection coil group in at least one of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor is provided. The coin identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. One excitation coil of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor performs excitation at a frequency different from that of the other excitation coil.
The said unevenness detection means detects the unevenness | corrugation of the said coin surface by the difference of the signal of the magnetic field change which the component of the detection coil group of the magnetic sensor provided with a high frequency excitation coil detected. Coin recognition device.   The coin identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the magnetic detection unit has a gap between the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor of 21 mm or less.

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