JP6016229B2 - Coin processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin processing device mounted on a vending machine or the like, and more particularly to a coin processing device that uses coins stored in a detachable coin storage device as change.

  A coin processing device mounted on a vending machine or the like includes a coin storage device for storing received coins as change, and a series of coin processing is controlled using electric power as a drive source. This coin storage device has a structure in which a plurality of coin storage cylinders (coin tubes) that can store coins arranged and stacked according to denomination are arranged in parallel. In recent years, the coin storage device is generally a cassette type that is detachable at a predetermined set position of the coin processing device main body. Here, the cassette-type coin storage device is hereinafter referred to as a cassette-type coin tube.

  As a coin processing apparatus provided with such a cassette-type coin tube, for example, there are those disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. The technology disclosed in each of these documents allows an inventory process to be performed.

  The advantage of the above-described cassette type coin tube is that coins can be easily replenished and collected, and since each coin is stored separately, the replenishment workability of each coin is improved. Whether or not the number of coins in the cassette-type coin tube is sufficient for change is determined by an empty sensor and a full detection sensor provided on the coin processing apparatus main body side so as to correspond to each coin storage cylinder. It has become.

  By the way, generally, the change payout until the change of the coin storage device is completed is as follows. Also, for coins frequently used as change, the main tube and the sub tube are often provided in the coin storage cylinder. In this case, the main tube is provided with the empty sensor as described above, but the sub tube has the Generally, an empty sensor is not provided.

  When paying change with such a coin storage device, first, a change paying command is issued from the main control unit of the vending machine, and the coin processing device pays change. At this time, the payout is first made from the main tube, and after detecting that the number of coins has become a predetermined number or less by the empty sensor of the main tube, the payout is switched to the payout from the sub tube. And when the coin of a sub tube is lost, it will switch to the payout from a main tube again. The same processing is performed when a change assist machine is used in addition to the sub-tube.

Japanese Patent No. 4002056 Japanese Patent No. 4002058

  By the way, it is desirable that a coin processing apparatus mounted on a vending machine or the like makes maximum use of received coins. However, the conventional general coin processing apparatus has the following problems (1) and (2).

  (1) The main tube empty sensor detects that the number of coins has fallen below the specified number, and after switching to paying out from the sub tube or change assistant, the power source that is the power source is turned off artificially. Then, when the power is turned back on, coins cannot be detected by the empty sensor of the main tube, so the coin processing device transmits to the main control unit of the vending machine that the number of coins that can be paid out is zero. . In this case, the vending machine cannot transmit a change dispensing instruction to the coin processing device, and as a result, coins that are not used in the sub-tube or the change assistant remain.

  (2) Even if there is no change payout operation, it is assumed that the power is turned off during operation, the cassette type coin tube is removed from the main body within the OFF state, and then returned to the original state. In this case, it is assumed that the coin is lost with the cassette-type coin tube removed. If the coin is lost in this way, it is not possible to determine whether the number of coins stored has changed. In this case, it is difficult to perform personal management of the handling worker, and if there is not enough sheets to be paid out as change, there is a risk that change will be insufficient.

  In the case of (1), these problems can be solved by using a nonvolatile memory. That is, the state of switching from the main tube payout to the subtube or change assist machine payout is stored in the nonvolatile memory when the power is turned off. Thereafter, when the power is turned back on, the coins stored in the sub-tube or the change assistant can be paid out according to the information stored in the nonvolatile memory.

  However, the problem (2) cannot be solved even with a nonvolatile memory. That is, it is not known that the cassette type coin tube has been removed when the power is off.

  Therefore, in order to solve both of the problems (1) and (2), it is necessary to provide a nonvolatile memory as described above and prevent the cassette-type coin tube from being detached from the main body when the power is turned off. is there.

  In Patent Document 1, an inventory process for forcibly dispensing coins is allowed for a predetermined time after the cassette-type coin tube is attached and detached. In this case, the attachment / detachment determination of the cassette type coin tube is performed by the key cylinder type lock means for restricting the release of the latch means used for attachment / detachment.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, the setting of whether or not to perform inventory processing can be switched only during a period in which the cassette type coin tube is removed from the main body. In this case, the detachment judgment of the cassette type coin tube is performed by the key cylinder type lock means for restricting the release of the latch means of the cassette type coin tube.

  That is, according to these Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is determined whether or not the cassette type coin tube has been removed by providing a key cylinder type locking means on the cassette type coin tube and releasing the lock without using the release key. can do.

  Accordingly, in order to solve the above problems (1) and (2), in order to provide a nonvolatile memory and prevent the cassette type coin tube from being removed when the power is turned off, the cassette type coin tube has a key. A cylinder-type lock means may be provided.

  However, providing the cassette type coin tube with the key cylinder type locking means so that the cassette type coin tube cannot be removed cannot be removed without using the release key regardless of whether the power is on or off. For this reason, it is necessary for the operator to always carry a release key, and the effectiveness of having a coin tube as a cassette type is impaired, and another problem occurs that the workability and maintainability are also impaired. .

  Therefore, in view of such a conventional problem, the present invention improves workability and maintainability without impairing the effectiveness of the cassette storage device being a cassette type, and further improves the human management of handling workers. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coin processing device that can be easily performed and can avoid a situation where change is insufficient.

The first means of the present invention comprises a cassette-type coin storage device that has a coin storage cylinder for arranging and storing input coins by type, and is detachably mounted at a set position of a coin processing apparatus main body, and the coin In a coin processing device comprising: a detachment detecting means for detecting a state in which a storage device is attached to the set position and a state in which the storage device is detached from the set position;
It is determined whether the coin storage device is in a state of being reattached after being removed from the set position in a power-off state. When the coin storage device is in the reattachment state, the removed coin storage is In response to the loss of the coin from the device, it is possible to transmit the exact change number to the main control unit of the vending machine by resetting the payable number again, and determining the mechanical set state With means,
The coin storage cylinder is provided with a main tube for storing the coins by type and a sub-tube serving as an auxiliary for the main tube, and the main tube is an empty which can set an initial value of the change amount. A sensor is provided.

According to a second means of the present invention, the set state judging means is provided on the coin processing device main body side with a protruding portion protruding from the coin storage device with the coin storage device mounted in the set position. A movable actuating rod, and a slidably provided on the actuating rod, which can be engaged with and disengaged from the projecting portion. When engaged with the projecting portion , the actuating rod is prevented from moving and the power is turned off. wherein in a state coin storing unit is movable with said actuating rod to release the engagement between the protruding portions by being separated, and a engaging member.

Third means of the present invention, the set state determining means, provided on the actuating rod, the actuating rod moved by withdrawal of the coin storing unit, to return movement from the moving state to the standby state, the drive means With a solenoid ,
Further, the engaging relationship between the protruding portion and the engaging member is such that the protruding portion and the engaging member are engaged with each other when the coin storage device is first mounted at the set position. When the coin storage device is reattached after being removed from the set position, the protruding portion and the engagement member become the second engagement position where the engagement member is disengaged. It is characterized by that.

The fourth means of the present invention is a nonvolatile memory for storing information on the number of coins stored in the coin storage device when the power of the coin processing device is turned off while the coin storage device is initially mounted . When the power is turned on after the storage means using the memory and the coin number information are stored in the storage means, the set state determination means determines that the coin storage device is initially mounted. In this case, the changeable number of coins stored in the coin storage device is determined according to the number of coins information stored in the storage means,
And, when the power supply after storing a coin number information in said storage means is turned ON, when the coin storing device is determined to be in the state of being mounted again in the set state determining means, said storage means A control unit that clears the stored coin number information and resets the payout number again.

  According to the first means of the present invention, the coin storage device is attached to and detached from the set position of the coin processing apparatus main body. However, by providing the set state determination means, the coin storage device can be set at least in the power OFF state. It is possible to determine the state of being remounted after being detached from the position. Thereby, even if the power is turned off, it is possible to reliably determine whether the coin storage device is to be remounted, so that a release key is not required during maintenance, and the operator does not need to carry the release key. Therefore, the workability and maintainability can be improved without impairing the effectiveness of the cassette storage device being a cassette type, and the handling operator can be easily managed.

  According to the second means of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first means, the set state determination means is movable relative to the protruding portion protruding from the coin storage device and the coin processing device main body side. It is configured as a mechanical type provided with an operating rod and an engaging member that is slidably provided on the operating rod and that can be engaged and disengaged. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably operate by eliminating external causes such as a failure of the electric system, and it is possible to accurately detect a state in which the coin storage device is reattached after at least being detached in a power-off state.

  According to the third means of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the second means, the set state determining means can return the operating rod in the moving state to the standby state by the driving means provided on the operating rod. It has become. Therefore, the set state determination means can be reused.

  According to the fourth means of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the second and third means, the protruding portion and the engaging member are in the first engaging position to prevent the movement of the operating rod. It is possible to reliably determine the state in which the coin storage device is first mounted. In addition, in a state where the coin storage device is remounted after being detached, the protruding portion and the engaging member are disengaged at the second engagement position. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably determine the state where the operating rod is in the moving state and is remounted after the coin storage device is detached.

  According to the fifth means of the present invention, since the driving means is a solenoid in addition to the effects of the second to fourth means, the structure can be simplified. In addition, after determining the mounting state of the coin storage device by the set state determining means, the operating rod can be easily returned to the standby state by turning on the power and driving the solenoid.

  According to the sixth means of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to fifth means, the coin storage device is turned off when the power of the coin processing device is turned off while the coin storage device is first mounted. The number of coins stored in the storage is stored in the storage means. When the power is turned on after storing the coin number information in the storage means, the coin number stored in the storage means when the set state determining means determines that the coin storage device is initially mounted. The change can be paid out by the information. Therefore, even after the power of the coin processing device is turned off, the coins stored in the coin storage device can be effectively used as change according to the coin number information stored in the storage means. On the other hand, when the power is turned on after storing the coin number information in the storage means, the coin number information stored in the storage means when the set state determining means determines that the coin storage device is mounted again. To clear. As a result, when the power is turned off during operation and the cassette type coin tube is removed from the main body during the OFF state and then returned to its original state, the coins in the cassette type coin tube are lost. Even so, by setting the payable number again, accurate change information can be transmitted to the main control unit of the vending machine.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view schematically showing one embodiment of a coin processing device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cassette-type coin storage device shown with the lid open. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a set state determination means used in the coin processing device of FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the coin storage device of the set state determination means shown in FIG. 3 is detached. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the coin storage device of the set state determination means shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion II in FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7 during the transition of the set state determination means shown in FIG. 3 to the standby state. 9 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7 in which the set state determining means shown in FIG. 3 is in a standby state. FIG. 10 is an electrical block diagram of the internal structure of the vending machine equipped with the coin processing device shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the payable-sheet number acquisition process of the coin processing device. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the payable number acquisition process of the 10-yen main tube of the coin processing device. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for processing the number of payable sheets when the coin processing apparatus is powered off.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a coin processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. This coin processing apparatus 1 is mounted on a device that handles coins, such as a vending machine and a money changer, for example. It is a device that identifies and accommodates and also dispenses the accommodated coins as change. In this embodiment, the case where the coin processing apparatus 1 is mounted on a vending machine will be described as an example.

  The coin processing device 1 includes a coin sorting unit 2 that discriminates the authenticity of the inserted coin and sorts it for each denomination, a coin storage unit 3 that stores the sorted coins by distinguishing each denomination, A coin dispensing unit 4 that selects coins stored in the coin storage unit 3 and pays them as change is provided.

  The coin storage unit 3 has a cassette-type coin tube 31 as a coin storage device that is detachably mounted at a predetermined set position 1S (see FIG. 4) of the coin processing apparatus main body 1A. As shown in FIG. 2, the cassette type coin tube 31 includes five coin tubes 32 a to 32 e as coin storage cylinders for storing coins to be paid out as coins by stacking them according to denomination.

  The five coin tubes 32a to 32e of the cassette-type coin tube 31 are, in order from the back side to the front side in FIG. 2, a 10-yen sub-tube 32a, a 50-yen main tube 32b, a 10-yen main tube 32c, and a 100-yen main. It is a tube 32d and a 500 yen main tube 32e. FIG. 2 shows the back side of the cassette-type coin tube 3. On the back side, a lid 33 for opening and closing the side surfaces of the five tubes 32a to 32e and taking in and out coins can be opened and closed by hinges 33a and 33b. Is attached.

  And in order to collect | recover the coins accommodated in each tube 32a-32e from the cassette type coin tube 3, after removing the cassette type coin tube 3 from the coin processing apparatus 1, the lid | cover 33 is opened and coins are collect | recovered. Further, in order to continue sales, a necessary number of coins are left in the respective tubes 32a to 32e, and the number of remaining coins follows the management of each vending machine.

  Further, the coin processing apparatus 1 has a set switch SW (see FIG. 3) as an attachment / detachment detecting means for detecting a state in which the cassette type coin tube 31 is attached to the set position 1S and a state in which the cassette type coin tube 31 is detached from the set position 1S. Is equipped.

  Further, whether or not the number of coins in the cassette-type coin tube 31 is a sufficient number of coins is on the coin processing apparatus main body 1A side and is not shown in the figure provided to correspond to the respective coin tubes 32a to 32e. Judgment is made by two sensors, an empty sensor and a full detection sensor.

  The empty sensor is a proximity sensor, and an initial value of the change amount can be set, and the minimum guaranteed number that can be paid out as change is updated by a signal from the empty sensor.

  The fullness detection sensor includes a lever that contacts the stacked coins, and an interrupter switch that operates in conjunction with the lever. When the coins received by the coin processing device 1 and distributed according to the denomination are stored in the corresponding coin tubes 32a to 32e, it can be determined whether or not the corresponding coin tubes can be stored by the interrupter switch. .

  Note that the coins received after the coin detection tubes 32a to 32b are detected to be full by the full detection sensor are guided to an unillustrated safe provided outside the coin processing apparatus 1. When the number of sheets that can be detected by the empty sensor is less than the number of sheets that can be detected by the full sensor, the main control unit of the coin processing device 1 calculates from the number of sheets received and the number of sheets that have been paid out. A value (hereinafter referred to as a soft counter value) is managed as the number of stored sheets.

  By the way, in addition to the 10-yen main tube 32c, the cassette-type coin tube 31 is provided with a 10-yen subtube 32a. A sub-tube such as the 10-yen subtube 32a is a frequently used tube (this embodiment). Then, it plays the role of assisting the 10-yen main tube 32c). Unlike the other main tubes 32a to 32d, the sub-tube cannot automatically replenish coins, and the sub-tube generally does not correspond to the above-described empty sensor and full sensor. .

  Next, the outline of change dispensing until the change of coins of the coin processing apparatus 1 provided with the above-described cassette type coin tube 31 will be described. In this case, a case of paying out coins frequently used as change (10 yen in the case of the present embodiment), which has a main tube and a sub tube, and an empty sensor is not provided in the sub tube will be described.

  When paying change, first, a change paying command is issued from the main control unit of the vending machine, and the coin processing device 1 pays change. At this time, after first paying out from the main tube and detecting that the number of coins is equal to or less than a predetermined number by the empty sensor of the main tube, the continuous payout is switched to payout from the sub tube. When the coins in the sub tube are exhausted, the further continued payout is switched to the payout from the main tube again. Then, the coin processing device 1 transmits the minimum guaranteed number of coins that can be paid out as change to the main control unit of the vending machine. Thereafter, the coin processing device 1 prohibits the acceptance of coins according to instructions from the main control unit of the vending machine.

  The empty sensor is a proximity sensor as described above, and a number of coins that cannot be detected by the empty sensor remain in the main tube that is out of change. Further, the change is first performed from the main tube in order to effectively replenish the accepted coins by automatically replenishing the main tube with coins as much as possible.

  Moreover, the peripheral device of the coin processing apparatus 1 includes a change assisting machine 250 (see FIG. 10). This has the function of the subtube mentioned above. Even when the change assisting device 250 is used in combination with a coin processing device, the payout until the change is exhausted is the same control as the sub-tube as described above. However, the change auxiliary machine 250 is an apparatus different from the coin processing apparatus 1, and the change auxiliary machine 250 has a much larger number of stored coins than the coin processing apparatus 1. Therefore, it is possible to control to change the change from the change auxiliary machine 250 first, and to control the change from the change auxiliary machine 250 after the main tubes 32a to 32d are out of change. Is possible.

  By the way, as described above, the coin processing device 1 detects the attachment and detachment of the cassette-type coin tube 31 by the set switch SW. If the power is turned off during the operation of the coin processing device 1, the detection is performed. Can not be.

  Therefore, it is necessary to determine the state in which the cassette type coin tube 31 is first mounted at the set position 1S of the coin processing device 1 and the state in which the cassette type coin tube 31 is remounted after being detached from the set position 1S in the power OFF state. There is.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a mechanical determination mechanism 100 is provided as a set state determination unit that operates in a power-off state. This determination mechanism 100 can determine the state in which the cassette type coin tube 31 is initially mounted in the set position 1S and the state in which the cassette type coin tube 31 is remounted after being detached from the set position 1S with the power off. It has become. In this case, it is sufficient to determine at least the state of being reattached after the latter being detached.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the determination mechanism 100 includes an inner plate 11 that separates the set position 1S from the inside of the coin processing device 1 (this inner plate 11 is included in the coin processing device main body 1A). It is installed on the opposite side to the set position 1S. 3 shows a direction in which the setting position 1S of the cassette-type coin tube 31 is viewed from the inside of the coin processing apparatus 1, and in the same figure, the cassette-type coin tube 31 is placed on the window 12 provided on the inner plate 11. Part of the back is facing.

  The determination mechanism 100 includes a protrusion 110 protruding from the cassette-type coin tube 31, an operating rod 120 movable with respect to the inner plate 11 (coin processing device main body 1 </ b> A), and an engaging rod 120 attached to the operating rod 120. And a detachable engagement member 130.

  The protruding portion 110 protrudes from the back surface of the cassette type coin tube 31 with a predetermined length. When the cassette type coin tube 31 is mounted at the set position 1S, the protruding portion 110 is moved from the through hole 13 of the inner plate 11 to the operating rod 120. It protrudes by a predetermined amount.

  The operating rod 120 extends in the vertical direction so as to pass through the vicinity of the tip of the protruding portion 110 protruding from the through hole 13, and is movable up and down along the surface direction of the inner plate 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower part of the operating rod 120 is a vertical sliding part 121, and the upper part of the vertical sliding part 121 is a attaching part 122 to which the engaging member 130 is attached.

  The vertical sliding portion 121 and the mounting portion 122 are each formed in a rectangular cross section in order to prevent displacement in the rotational direction. At this time, the vertical sliding portion 121 is formed so as to be lower by one step than the outer surface of the mounting portion 122 by providing a low step portion 121 a on the outer surface opposite to the inner plate 11.

  Further, the inner plate 11 is provided with a pair of upper and lower seats 140 and 141 projecting at a predetermined interval at a portion corresponding to the upper and lower sliding parts 121 of the operating rod 120, and is positioned between the seats 140 and 141. Thus, a snap 142 for holding the vertical sliding portion 121 is provided. Then, the inner surface of the operating rod 120 facing the inner plate 11 of the upper and lower sliding portion 121 is in contact with the seat portions 140 and 141 while the outer surface of the upper and lower sliding portion 121 is held by the snap 142 to operate. The collar 120 is held on the inner plate 11 so as to be movable up and down.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the attachment portion 122 of the engagement member 130 is provided with a concave portion 123 having a predetermined depth on the inner surface facing the inner plate 11 so that the engagement member 130 is slidably fitted. . By engaging the engagement member 130 with the recess 123, the engagement member 130 is prevented from moving in the vertical direction while allowing movement in the direction facing the inner plate 11.

  The engaging member 130 is held by a mounting portion 122 having a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape in the vertical direction so that the engaging member 130 is allowed to move within the depth range of the concave portion 123. It has become. In addition, a guide projection 131 is provided on the inside of the side wall of the engagement member 130 that faces the inner plate 11, and a guide hole in which the guide projection 131 is slidably inserted into the bottom of the recess 123 of the attachment portion 122. 124 is provided. When the engaging member 130 is fitted into the recess 123, the guide protrusion 131 is inserted into the guide hole 124, and the engaging member 130 is moved and guided by the guide protrusion 131 and the guide hole 124.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a compression coil spring 132 is contracted between the engagement member 130 and the bottom of the recess 123 so as to surround the guide protrusion 131, and the biasing force of the compression coil spring 132 is used. The engaging member 130 is always pressed and urged toward the inner plate 11.

  In addition, an inclined surface 133 that is inclined in a direction away from the inner plate 11 toward the upper side is formed on the front end surface of the engagement member 130 on the inner plate 11 side, and the front end surface of the protrusion 110 is An inclined surface 111 that is inclined in the same direction as the inclined surface 133 is formed. At this time, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 133 of the engaging member 130 with respect to the horizontal plane is larger than the same inclination angle of the inclined surface 111 of the protrusion 110.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inclined surface 111 of the protruding portion 110 is formed by recessing the center of the front end of the horizontal width of the protruding portion 110. In the portion where the inclined surface 111 is formed, the protruding portion 110 is inverted U It becomes a letter-shaped cross-sectional shape to ensure strength.

  Even when the central portion of the tip of the protruding portion 110 is recessed in this way to form the inclined surface 111, the horizontal width of the inclined surface 111 is wider than the horizontal width of the engaging member 130. . Thereby, the engaging member 130 can move up and down relatively within the recessed portion at the tip of the protruding portion 110.

  As described above, the engagement member 130 is attached to the operating rod 120 by being inserted into the guide hole 124 in a state in which the engagement member 130 is fitted in the recess 123 of the attachment portion 122. Reference numeral 130 indicates that the inside of the recess 123 can be freely moved.

  In a state where the cassette type coin tube 31 is first mounted at the set position 1S of the coin processing apparatus main body 1A, as shown in FIGS. The lower surface of the tip portion is engaged, and the lowering of the operating rod 120 is prevented, and this state becomes the standby state of the operating rod 120.

  In addition, when the cassette type coin tube 31 is detached from the set position 1S in the standby state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operating rod 120 is pulled out of the through-hole 13 along with the cassette type coin tube 31. . Then, as shown in FIG. 5, since the engagement member 130 is disengaged from the protrusion 110, the operating rod 120 moves downward due to free fall. The falling (moving) working rod 120 is stopped when it comes into contact with a stopper member (not shown), and the state in which the working rod 120 is moved downward and stopped is the moving state of the working rod 120.

  In addition, when the cassette type coin tube 31 is reattached to the set position 1S as shown in FIG. 6 with the operating rod 120 moving as described above, the tip of the protruding portion 110 protruding from the through-hole 13 is engaged. It is located above the lower surface of the combined member 130. Therefore, the projecting portion 110 and the engaging member 130 are not in an engaging relationship, and the operating rod 120 is maintained in the moving state in which it moves downward.

  In other words, the engaging relationship between the protruding portion 110 and the engaging member 130 is such that the protruding portion 110 and the engaging member 130 are engaged with each other when the cassette type coin tube 31 is first mounted at the set position 1S. It becomes a 1st engagement position (refer FIG. 4). Further, in a state where the cassette type coin tube 31 is remounted after being detached from the set position 1S, a second engagement position (see FIG. 6) in which the protrusion 110 and the engagement member 130 are disengaged. It has become.

  At this time, a position detection sensor 150 for detecting the movement position of the operating rod 120 is provided on the upper portion of the operating rod 120, and the operating rod 120 (determination mechanism 100) is in a standby state by the position detection sensor 150 (FIGS. 3 and FIG. 4) or in a moving state (see FIG. 5).

  The position detection sensor 150 is opened and closed (transmitted and blocked) by an L-shaped protrusion 151 that protrudes from the upper end of the operating rod 120 in the horizontal direction and then protrudes upward, and the tip of the L-shaped protrusion 151. ) Interrupter switch 152.

  The interrupter switch 152 is turned off by being cut off by the L-shaped projecting portion 151 when the operating rod 120 is in the standby state (the raised position). On the other hand, when the operating rod 120 is in the moving state (lowering position), the L-shaped protrusion 151 is detached from the interrupter switch 152 and is turned on and turned on.

  The position detection sensor 150 does not operate when the power of the coin processing device 1 is turned off, operates when the power is turned on, and after the power is turned on, the ON / OFF signal of the interrupter switch 152 is turned on. Is sent to the main control unit 200 (see FIG. 10) of the vending machine. As described above, the ON / OFF signal of the interrupt switch 152 is sent to the main control unit 200 of the vending machine, so that the administrator of the vending machine can know it.

  Accordingly, when the cassette type coin tube 31 is remounted with the power off, the operating rod 120 maintains the moving state and the interrupter switch 152 is on. By sending it to the main control unit 200, it can be determined that the cassette type coin tube 31 has been remounted.

  In addition, the determination mechanism 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with a solenoid 160 as a drive unit that moves the operating rod 120 that is in a moving state due to the detachment of the cassette type coin tube 31 to a standby state.

  The solenoid 160 includes a cylindrical excitation coil 161 and a plunger 162 that is slidably fitted in the excitation coil 161. In the present embodiment, the solenoid 160 is arranged so that the sliding direction of the plunger 160 is the vertical direction. Accordingly, the plunger 162 is attracted upward by energizing and exciting the excitation coil 161, and is lowered with no attraction force due to the demagnetization of the excitation coil 161.

  The solenoid 160 is installed at the upper end portion of the operating rod 120, and the lower end portion of the plunger 162 is engaged with the upper end portion of the operating rod 120 so as to be interlocked with each other. At this time, the exciting coil 161 is fixed to the inner plate 11.

  Therefore, when the operating rod 120 of the determination mechanism 100 is in the lowered moving state, when the solenoid 160 is energized to excite the exciting coil 161, the operating rod 120 is lifted by the plunger 162 sucked upward. Then, the operating rod 120 is shifted from the moving state to the standby state through the processes of FIGS.

  That is, FIG. 7 shows a state where the cassette type coin tube 31 is remounted and the operating rod 120 is in a moving state. At this time, since the engaging member 130 is not in contact with the protruding portion 110, The member 130 is most protruded by the urging force of the compression coil spring 132.

  FIG. 8 shows a state where the operating rod 120 is being lifted, and the inclined surface 133 of the engaging member 130 is raised while being pushed into the tip of the protruding portion 110. For this reason, the engaging member 130 gets over the protrusion 110 while retracting into the recess 123 against the urging force of the compression coil spring 132.

  FIG. 9 shows a state in which the operating rod 120 has been returned to the standby state. When the inclined surface 133 of the engagement member 130 completely gets over the protrusion 110, the engagement member 130 is urged by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 132. Re-project. Then, the lower surface of the distal end portion of the engaging member 130 is engaged with the upper surface of the distal end portion of the protruding portion 110, and the operating rod 120 is returned to the standby state.

  By the way, in this embodiment, since the set state determination means is the mechanical determination mechanism 100, the cassette type coin tube 31 is detached from the set position 1S in a state where the power of the coin processing apparatus 1 is turned off. It is possible to determine the state of being reattached later. However, even if it is possible to determine whether the cassette type coin tube 31 is to be reattached with the power off, the coin number information is different before and after the cassette type coin tube 31 is detached from the set position 1S. There is a fear.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, when the power of the coin processing apparatus 1 is turned off with the cassette type coin tube 31 initially attached, the coins stored in the cassette type coin tube 31 are used. A second storage unit 240 is provided as storage means for storing the number information. The second storage unit 240 is a non-volatile memory.

  That is, FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of a control system of the coin processing device 1, and the coin processing device 1 performs control while exchanging signals with the main control unit 200 of the vending machine. That is, the coin processing device 1 transmits information such as the denomination and number of received coins to the main control unit 200 of the vending machine, and the main control unit 200 sends a command signal such as change payout to the coin processing device 1. It is supposed to send.

  The main control unit 210 of the coin processing device 1 includes a control unit 220, a first storage unit (RAM) 230, and a second storage unit (nonvolatile memory) 240. In the description of the main control unit 210, the cassette type coin tube 31 will be described as a cassette tube.

  The control unit 220 includes a coin identifying unit 221 that identifies the authenticity of the received coin, a distribution control unit 222 that distributes the identified coins by denomination, and a cassette-type coin tube that stores the sorted coins by denomination. A payout control unit 223 for paying out change from 31 and an empty number counter (soft counter) 224 for calculating the number of stored coins from the received number of coins and the number of paid out coins.

  The first storage unit 230 has a payout possible number 231 that is the minimum guaranteed number that can be paid out as change, a flag 232 in which the cassette tube is removed from the determination result of the determination mechanism 100 during power OFF, and a payout of each coin tube A payout possible number storage buffer 233 for determining the possible number of sheets is stored.

  As described above, the second storage unit 240 stores the payable number 241 of each coin tube when the power is turned off using the nonvolatile memory.

  The control unit 220 receives signals from the coin sorting sensor 225, the acceptance detection sensor 226, the full detection sensor 227, and the empty sensor 228, and outputs a command signal from the control unit 220 to the coin sorting means 229. It has become.

  Further, the control unit 220 receives signals from the payout coin detection sensor 234 and the cassette tube detachment (detachment) detection switch 235, and outputs a command signal from the control unit 220 to the coin payout means 236. Yes. Further, the controller 220 receives a signal from the cassette tube detachment detection switch 242 when the power is OFF, and outputs a command signal from the controller 220 to the cassette tube attachment confirmation solenoid 243.

  Further, the coin processing device 1 is provided with a change assisting machine 250, and a signal from the payout coin detection sensor 251 of the change assisting machine 250 is input to the control unit 220, and the change assisting machine from the control unit 220. A command signal is output to the 250 coin payout means 252.

  And in the control part 220 of the coin processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, when the power is turned on after the coin number information is stored in the second storage part 240, the cassette type coin tube 31 is first inserted in the judgment mechanism 100. When it is determined that it is in a mounted state, the changeable number of coins stored in the cassette type coin tube 31 is determined based on the number of coins information stored in the second storage unit 240. Further, when the power is turned on after the coin number information is stored in the second storage unit 240, when the determination mechanism 100 determines that the cassette type coin tube 31 is mounted again, The coin number information stored in the storage unit 240 is cleared.

  Next, an example of the payable number acquisition process executed by the coin processing device 1 of the present embodiment will be described. In executing this possible number acquisition process, first, the following conditions are set.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, the coin processing apparatus 1 can use coins of 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen, and includes a 10 yen sub-tube 32a, a 50 yen main tube 32b, 10 A circular main tube 32c, a 100 yen main tube 32d, and a 50 yen main tube 32e are provided.

  Also, empty sensors (minimum change number detection sensor) are provided at two locations, the 10-yen main tube 32c and the 100-yen main tube 32d, and the other 500-yen main tube 32e, 50-yen main tube 32b, and 10-yen subtube 32a. Is not provided.

  In FIG. 10, the change assisting machine 250 is provided. However, in this example, it is assumed that the change assisting machine 250 is not provided in order to simplify the description. In the standby state, it is assumed that the coin tubes 32a to 32e have a sufficient number of coins to be changed.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the payout possible number acquisition process. In explaining this flowchart, the cassette type coin tube 31 is expressed as a cassette in the figure.

  In this flowchart, when the determination mechanism 100 is energized in a standby state, the payable sheet number information stored in the second storage unit 240 is read (step S1). At this time, in the energization after the cassette type coin tube 31 is first mounted at the set position 1S, there is no information of the payable number 241 stored in the second storage unit 240, but it is movable before the energization. Stores the information at the time of operation, and reads the stored information at the time of energization.

  The read information is stored in the payable number storage buffer 233 of the first storage unit 230 (step S2), and is provided for the payable number acquisition processing (steps S6 to S10) of the coin tubes 32a to 32e described later.

  Thereafter, the determination mechanism 100 determines whether or not the cassette type coin tube 31 has been removed while the power is OFF (step S3). If YES, the result of the removal of the cassette type coin tube 31 is stored as a flag A = 1. (Step S4). Thereafter, the determination mechanism 100 is reset, that is, the operating rod 120 is returned to the standby state by the solenoid 160 (step S5). Thereafter, the payable number of coin tubes 32a to 32e is acquired (steps S6 to S10), and the preparation for change payout is completed.

  Next, FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of the main tube payable sheet number acquisition process. In this case, the processing for the 10-yen main tube 32c will be described as an example, but the same processing is executed even in the other main tubes 32a, 32b, and 32d.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 12, when the determination mechanism 100 is reset in step S5 after determining and storing the presence or absence of the flag A indicating the result of the determination mechanism 100 in step S4 of the flowchart of FIG. The coin detection result of the empty sensor 32c is confirmed (step S11).

  At this time, when the empty sensor is ON (the minimum number of coins is present), the payable number of the 10-yen main tube 32c is set to 11 (step S12). On the other hand, if the empty sensor is OFF (the minimum number of coins is not present), it is determined whether or not the flag A is present (step S13). If the flag A is present (flag A = 1), that is, the cassette-type coin tube is not energized. If it is determined that 31 has been detached, the number of payable sheets of the 10-yen main tube 32c is set to 0 (step S14).

  When the flag A is not present (flag A = 0), that is, when it is determined that the cassette type coin tube 31 is not detached at the time of no energization, the 10-yen main tube 32c stored in the second control unit 240 is stored. The payable number (Nc) is confirmed (step S15). If the payable number is 11 or more (11 ≦ Nc), the process proceeds to step S14, and the payable number of the 10-yen main tube 32c is set to 0. On the other hand, when the payable number (Nc) of the 10 yen main tube 32c is less than 11 (Nc <11), the payable number of the 10 yen main tube 32c is set to Nc (step S16).

  That is, in the coin processing apparatus 1 described above, the payable number varies depending on the coin detection of the empty sensor. In the present embodiment, the number is 11 when the empty sensor is ON (the minimum number of coins is present), and is 0 when the empty sensor is OFF (the minimum number of coins is not present). Then, by paying out coins one by one, the number of payable coins when the empty sensor is switched from ON to OFF is 10, 9, 8,...

  If the empty sensor is switched from ON to OFF, it is not set to 0. The empty sensor is turned off, that is, even if it is sent to the main control unit 200 of the vending machine that the change is out, it changes depending on the product price. This is because if it is determined that sales can be made, it is possible to obtain sales by selling.

  When the number of payable sheets is 11, the change is paid and the empty sensor is turned off, the empty sheet counter counts, and 11 sheets are decreased by 10 sheets, 9 sheets, 8 sheets,. . When the power is shut off when the value is less than 11 sheets, the number of payable sheets when the power is turned off is stored in the non-volatile memory of the second storage unit 240. Therefore, (11 ≦ Nc) and ( The case of Nc <11) will occur.

  As described above, it is possible to determine that the cassette-type coin tube 31 has been detached even when the cassette-type coin tube 31 is detached from the main body when not energized, and then energized after being mounted again. Therefore, the shortage of change can be solved, and further, the management of the cassette type coin tube 31 when no power is supplied can be clarified.

  In the description of the coin processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a process of storing the number of coin tubes that can be paid out in the nonvolatile memory when the power is turned off will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, a voltage drop is determined when the power is turned off (step S17). If a voltage drop is detected, the number of coin tubes that can be paid out is stored in a non-volatile memory (step S18), and then the power is turned off. (Step S19).
On the other hand, if a voltage drop is not detected in step S17, that is, if the power is not turned off, normal processing when the determination mechanism 100 is in a standby state is performed (step S20).

  As described above, according to the coin processing device 1 of the present embodiment, the determination mechanism 100 causes the cassette-type coin tube 31 to be remounted after being removed from at least the set position 1S in the power-off state. Judgment can be made. Thereby, even if the power is turned off, it is possible to reliably determine whether the cassette-type coin tube 31 is to be remounted, so that a release key is not required during maintenance, and the operator does not need to carry the release key. Therefore, workability and maintainability can be improved without impairing the effectiveness of the cassette-type coin tube 31 being cassette-type, and the handling operator can be easily managed.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the determination mechanism 100 includes the protruding portion 110 protruding from the cassette type coin tube 31, the movable operating rod 120, and the engaging member 130 detachable from the protruding portion 110. And can be configured as a mechanical type. Accordingly, the determination mechanism 100 can be reliably operated by eliminating external factors such as a failure of the electric system, and the cassette-type coin tube 31 is initially attached or detached after the power is turned off. It is possible to accurately detect whether it has been remounted.

  Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the solenoid 160 is provided in the operating rod 120, and the operating rod 120 in the moving state is moved back to the standby state. Thus, after determining that the cassette-type coin tube 31 has been reattached after being removed from the moving state of the operating rod 120, the operating mechanism 120 is returned to the standby state by the solenoid 160, whereby Reusable.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the engaging relationship between the protruding portion 110 and the engaging member 130 is such that the protruding portion 110 and the engaging member 130 are mutually connected when the cassette type coin tube 31 is first mounted. It becomes the engaged first engaged position. Thereby, since the movement of the operating rod 120 can be surely prevented, it is possible to reliably determine the state in which the cassette type coin tube 31 is first mounted. Further, in a state where the cassette type coin tube 31 is remounted after being detached, the projecting portion 110 and the engaging member 130 become the second engaging position where they are disengaged. Thereby, since the operating rod 120 will be in a movement state, it can be determined reliably that the cassette type coin tube 31 has been reattached after being detached.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, since the solenoid 160 is used as the driving means of the operating rod 20, the structure can be simplified. In addition, after determining the mounting state of the cassette type coin tube 31 by the set state determining means, the operating rod 120 can be easily returned to the standby state by turning on the power and driving the solenoid 160. .

  Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the power of the coin processing apparatus 1 is turned off with the cassette type coin tube 31 initially attached, the second information on the number of coins stored in the cassette type coin tube 31 is displayed. Is stored in the storage unit 240. When the determination mechanism 100 determines that the cassette type coin tube 31 is initially mounted when the power is turned on after the coin number information is stored in the second storage unit 240, the second The change can be paid out based on the coin number information stored in the storage unit 240. Therefore, even after the power of the coin processing device 1 is turned off, the coins stored in the cassette type coin tube 31 can be effectively used as change according to the coin number information stored in the second storage unit 240. On the other hand, when the determination mechanism 100 determines that the cassette-type coin tube 31 is mounted again when the power is turned on after the coin number information is stored in the second storage unit 240, The coin number information stored in the storage unit 240 is cleared. As a result, when the power is turned off during operation and the cassette type coin tube is removed from the main body during the OFF state and then returned to its original state, the coins in the cassette type coin tube are lost. Even so, it is possible to transmit accurate change information to the main control unit of the vending machine by resetting the payable number from the empty switch state again.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the coin processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is applicable not only to a vending machine but also to equipment that handles coins such as a money changer.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coin processing apparatus 1A Coin processing apparatus main body 1S Set position 31 Cassette type coin tube 32a-32e Coin tube (coin storage cylinder)
100 Judgment mechanism (set state judgment means)
110 Protruding portion 120 Operating rod 130 Engaging member 160 Solenoid (driving means)
220 Control unit 240 Second storage unit (storage unit)
SW set switch (detachment detection means)

Claims (4)

A cassette-type coin storage device that has coin storage cylinders that line up and store the inserted coins by type, and is detachably mounted at the set position of the coin processing device body;
In the coin processing device, comprising: an attachment / detachment detection means for detecting a state in which the coin storage device is attached to the set position and a state in which the coin storage device is detached from the set position;
It is determined whether the coin storage device is in a state of being remounted after being removed from at least the set position with the power off.
When the coins are lost from the removed coin storage device, the correct number of change can be set again by setting the number of payable coins again when the coin is lost. A mechanical set state determination means that enables transmission to the control unit;
The coin storage cylinder is provided with a main tube for storing the coins by type and a sub-tube serving as an auxiliary for the main tube, and the main tube is an empty which can set an initial value of the change amount. Sensor was provided,
A coin processing apparatus. The set state judging means is a state in which the coin storage device is mounted at the set position, and a protruding portion that protrudes from the coin storage device;
An actuating rod that is movable on the coin processor main body side;
The coin storage device is slidably provided on the operating rod so that it can be engaged with and disengaged from the projecting portion. An engagement member for releasing the engagement with the protrusion by detaching and allowing the operating rod to move;
The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1. The set state determination means includes a solenoid that is a driving means that is provided on the operating rod and moves the operating rod that has been moved by detachment of the coin storage device from a moving state to a standby state.
Further, the engaging relationship between the protruding portion and the engaging member is such that the protruding portion and the engaging member are engaged with each other when the coin storage device is first mounted at the set position. 1 engagement position,
In a state where the coin storage device is remounted after being detached from the set position, the protrusion and the engagement member become a second engagement position where the engagement is disengaged.
The coin processing apparatus according to claim 2. Storage means using a non-volatile memory that stores information on the number of coins stored in the coin storage device when the power of the coin processing device is turned off while the coin storage device is initially mounted;
When the power is turned on after storing the coin number information in the storage means, the storage means stores the coin storage device when the set state determination means determines that the coin storage device is initially mounted. Determining the changeable number of coins stored in the coin storage device according to the coin number information,
And when the power is turned on after storing the coin number information in the storage means, the storage means determines that the coin storage device has been mounted again by the set state determination means. A controller that clears the stored coin number information and resets the payout number again,
The coin processing device according to claim 1, wherein the coin processing device is a coin processing device.