JP6404651B2 - Coin handling equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin processing apparatus that sorts coins by type.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are coin processing apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 as coin processing apparatuses that sort coins such as coins by type. This coin processing apparatus includes a sorting unit that sorts coins according to types. The sorting portion is formed with a sorting hole through which a target coin is passed so that a coin can be sorted by an outer diameter, but a coin larger than the coin is not passed through. And the sorting hole is arranged from the upstream of the direction in which a coin is conveyed toward the downstream from the thing with the small outer diameter of the object coin.

JP2013-037572A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-093632

  Such a coin processing device identifies the type of coin only by the outer diameter of the coin to be distributed. However, some foreign coins have almost the same outer diameter even if they are of different types. In addition, the outer diameter of a deformed coin such as a flower shape varies depending on the orientation. For example, a Hong Kong dollar coin is a flower-shaped coin, and its outer diameter is a minimum of 27.1 mm and a maximum of 28.1 mm. The 5 Hong Kong dollar coin is a circular coin, and its outer diameter is 26.9 mm at the minimum and 27.1 mm at the maximum. That is, the maximum outer diameter of 2 HK dollar coins is larger than the maximum outer diameter of 5 HK dollar coins, but the minimum outer diameter of 2 HK dollar coins is the same as the maximum outer diameter of 5 HK dollar coins. For this reason, 2 HK dollar coins may fall from the sorting hole for 5 HK dollar coins.

  Therefore, as a result of diligent research, the present inventors have different thicknesses depending on the type of coins. By using this difference in thickness, even coins with the same outer diameter can be sorted by type. I have come to the knowledge that I can do it.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the coin processing apparatus which can sort according to a kind even if it is the coin of the same outer diameter.

  A coin processing device according to the present invention is a coin processing device that distributes coins by type, and includes a distribution unit that distributes at least a first coin and a second coin that is thicker than the first coin. Supports the bottom of the coin and has a base plate formed with a first sorting hole for penetrating either the first coin or the second coin, and supports the side of the coin and guides the coin along the base plate. A guide rail that is wider than the thickness of the first coin and narrower than the thickness of the second coin, and the guide rail is disposed on the side opposite to the base plate of the inner guide rail portion. An outer guide rail portion, and an inner rail surface that is a guide surface of the inner guide rail portion is provided on the guide rail. A step portion is formed on the coin support side in the direction of coin support by the guide rail rather than the outer rail surface, which is a surface, and the first sorting hole is at the same position as the step portion in the coin guide direction by the guide rail. It is formed.

  In the coin processing apparatus according to the present invention, the coin is supported on the side surface of the coin by the guide rail and on the bottom surface by the base plate. In the stepped portion, the width of the inner guide rail portion is wider than the thickness of the first coin, so that the first coin enters between the outer guide rail portion and the base plate and rolls on the inner rail surface. Further, in the stepped portion, the width of the inner guide rail portion is narrower than the thickness of the second coin, so that the second coin cannot enter between the outer guide rail portion and the base plate, and on the outer rail surface. roll over. As described above, the first coin and the second coin guided by the stepped portion have different support positions in the support direction by the guide rail. For this reason, even if the outer diameters of the first coin and the second coin are the same or substantially the same, by adjusting the position and size of the first selection hole in the support direction, Only one of them can be dropped from the first sorting hole.

  In the support direction, the tip of the non-support side opposite to the support side of the first sorting hole is located on the support side rather than the position where the outer diameter of the first coin is added to the inner rail surface, and in the support direction, The support side tip of the first sorting hole may be located between the inner rail surface and the outer rail surface. In this coin processing apparatus, the tip of the first sorting hole on the side opposite to the support side is from the tip on the side opposite to the first coin guided by the inner guide rail portion and the second coin guided by the outer guide rail portion. Is also located on the support side. For this reason, the front-end | tip part of the anti-support side of a 1st coin and a 2nd coin is maintained by the base plate. On the other hand, the tip of the first sorting hole on the support side is located between the inner rail surface and the outer rail surface. For this reason, the tip portion on the support side of the first coin is maintained in the state supported by the base plate, but the tip portion on the support side of the second coin is released from the support of the base plate and is placed in the first sorting hole. It becomes possible to fall down. Thereby, only the second coin can be dropped from the first sorting hole.

  Further, in the support direction, the tip of the support side of the first sorting hole is located on the side opposite to the support side than the inner rail surface and the outer rail surface, and in the support direction, The tip of the anti-support side is located on the anti-support side than the position where the outer diameter of the first coin is added to the inner rail surface, and is located on the support side than the position where the outer diameter of the second coin is added to the outer rail surface May be. In this coin processing apparatus, the tip on the support side of the first sorting hole is located on the side opposite to the support side with respect to the inner rail surface and the outer rail surface. For this reason, the state where the front end portions of the first coin and the second coin on the support side are supported by the base plate is maintained. On the other hand, the tip of the first sorting hole on the side opposite to the support side is positioned on the side opposite to the support side of the first coin guided by the inner guide rail portion, and is guided to the outer guide rail portion. It is located on the support side of the tip of the second coin on the side opposite to the support side. For this reason, the tip portion on the anti-support side of the second coin is held in the state supported by the base plate, but the tip portion on the anti-support side of the first coin is released from the support of the base plate, and the first sorting. It is possible to fall into the hole. Thereby, only the first coin can be dropped from the first sorting hole.

  Further, the outer rail surface may be raised at the step portion. In this coin processing apparatus, since the outer rail surface is raised at the stepped portion, the inner rail surface can be positioned on the support side with respect to the outer rail surface even if the inner rail surface is formed linearly.

  Moreover, the inner rail surface may sink at the stepped portion. In this coin processing apparatus, since the inner rail surface sinks at the stepped portion, the inner rail surface can be positioned on the support side with respect to the outer rail surface even if the outer rail surface is formed linearly.

  Further, the base plate may be arranged to be inclined to the opposite side of the guide rail with respect to the base plate. In this coin processing apparatus, since the base plate is arranged to be inclined to the opposite side of the guide rail with respect to the base plate, the coin can be dropped into the sorting hole by the weight of the coin.

  Further, the base plate may be disposed substantially horizontally. In this coin processing apparatus, since the base plate is arranged substantially horizontally, the angle of the base plate can be adjusted easily and the height of the base plate can be kept low.

  Moreover, you may further provide the conveying apparatus which conveys the coin guided by a guide rail in a guide direction along a base plate. In this coin processing apparatus, since the coin is transported in the guide direction by the transport device, the separation interval of the coins can be stabilized. Moreover, since the coins are forced along the base plate by the transport device, even if the coins float on the base plate, the coins can be surely placed along the base plate and the coins are sorted by their own weight. Even if it does not fall into the hole, the coin can be reliably dropped into the sorting hole.

  According to the present invention, even coins having the same outer diameter can be sorted by type.

It is a schematic side view of the coin processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. (A) is a front view of the first coin, (b) is a side view of the first coin, (c) is a front view of the second coin, and (d) is a side view of the second coin. It is a schematic side view of the distribution part of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the guide rail and base plate of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing in the VV line shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the guide rail and base plate of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing in the VII-VII line shown in FIG. (A) is a figure which shows the modification of the distribution part of 1st Embodiment, (b) is a figure which shows the modification of the distribution part of 2nd Embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows the example in which the base plate and the guide rail are arrange | positioned perpendicularly, (b) is a figure which shows the example in which the base plate and the guide rail are arrange | positioned horizontally.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a coin processing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the element which is the same or corresponds in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

[Overall configuration of coin processing device]
The coin processing device 1 according to the present embodiment is a device attached to an automatic ticket vending machine, a vending machine, a financial deposit / withdrawal machine, a game machine, etc. (hereinafter referred to as a host device). The coin processing device 1 can process various coins such as coins as currency and medals used in amusement facilities. In this embodiment, in particular, 1 HK dollar coin, 10 HK dollar coin, 2 HK dollar coin and It will be described as processing 5 HK dollar coins (see FIG. 4).

  First, with reference to FIG. 1, the whole structure of the coin processing apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated easily. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a coin processing apparatus according to an embodiment. The coin processing device 1 includes an insertion unit 2, a feeding unit 3, an identification unit 4, a sorting unit 5, a counting unit 6, a temporary holding unit 7, a discharging unit 8, a withdrawal transport unit 9, A withdrawal opening 10.

  The insertion unit 2 is provided on the customer service surface of the host device, and is formed with a slit-shaped insertion slot for a user to insert coins. The width of the slit-shaped slot is set to be slightly larger than the thickness of a predetermined number of coins so as to allow simultaneous loading of a plurality of coins.

  The feeding unit 3 is for separating a plurality of coins inserted one by one at a predetermined interval and feeding them to the identification unit 4. The feeding unit 3 is, for example, an oblique disk scraping and feeding type, and includes a feeding motor rotating motor, a feeding rotation detection sensor, and the like. The feeding unit 3 separates foreign matters other than coins from the inserted coins and discharges them to the dispensing transport unit 9.

  The identification unit 4 identifies whether or not the coin fed out from the feeding unit 3 is genuine by the electronic quarantine method. The identification unit 4 is provided with a gate mechanism. When it is determined that the coin that has passed through the identification unit 4 is not genuine, the identification unit 4 opens the gate and discharges the coin as a foreign object to the dispensing transport unit 9.

  The sorting unit 5 sorts the coins identified by the identifying unit 4 as genuine. The sorting unit 5 employs an outer diameter selection method for rolling conveyance, and sorts according to the type according to the outer diameter of the coin. The distribution unit 5 can distribute at least a 2 HK dollar coin that is a first coin and a 5 HK dollar coin that is a second coin that is thicker than the first coin. Specifically, the distribution unit 5 can distribute 1 Hong Kong dollar coin, 10 Hong Kong dollar coin, 2 Hong Kong dollar coin, and 5 Hong Kong dollar coin.

  FIG. 2 is a view showing 2 HK dollar coins and 5 HK dollar coins, (a) is a front view of 2 HK dollar coins, (b) is a side view of 2 HK dollar coins, (c) is a front view of 5 HK dollar coins, (D) is a side view of a 5 Hong Kong dollar coin. As shown in FIG. 2, the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3, which is the first coin, is a flower-shaped coin. The outer diameter d1 of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 is 27.1 mm at the minimum and 28.1 mm at the maximum, and the thickness t1 of the 2 Hong Kong coin C3 is 2.0 mm. The second coin, the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4, is a circular coin. The outer diameter d2 of the 5 HK dollar coin C4 is 26.9 mm at the minimum and 27.1 mm at the maximum, and the thickness t2 of the 5 HK dollar coin C4 is 3.2 mm. Thus, the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 and the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 have substantially the same outer diameter but are different in thickness. Therefore, the sorting unit 5 sorts the 2 HK dollar coin C3 and the 5 HK dollar coin C4 using the difference in thickness between the 2 HK dollar coin C3 and the 5 HK dollar coin C4. Details of the distribution unit 5 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the counting unit 6 is arranged below the sorting unit 5 and counts the number of coins sorted by the sorting unit 5 by type. The counting unit 6 is, for example, a chute having a sheet metal section, and counts the coins distributed by the sorting unit 5 and falling in the chute with a light detection sensor.

  The temporary storage unit 7 is arranged below the counting unit 6 and temporarily holds the coins distributed by the distribution unit 5 for each type. A storage shutter (not shown) is provided below the temporary storage unit 7, and coins stored in the temporary storage unit 7 are supplied to the discharge unit 8 by opening the storage shutter. In addition, the temporary holding unit 7 releases the held coins to the dispensing transport unit 9 when a coin return operation performed by the user is performed in the host device.

  The discharge unit 8 is disposed below the temporary storage unit 7 and stores the coins supplied from the temporary storage unit 7 for each type. The discharging unit 8 discharges an appropriate number of coins to the dispensing transport unit 9 at the time of dispensing.

  The withdrawal transport unit 9 transports the coins released in the coin processing device 1 to the withdrawal port 10. The withdrawal transport unit 9 receives the coins released from the feeding unit 3, the identification unit 4, the temporary holding unit 7 and the release unit 8 and transports them to the withdrawal port 10.

  The withdrawal port 10 discharges the coins transported by the withdrawal transport unit 9 in order to return the coins to the user.

[First Embodiment]
Next, the distribution unit 5 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the distribution unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the guide rail and the base plate according to the first embodiment. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV shown in FIG. The distribution unit 5 supports the bottom surface ca of the coin C, and also supports the base plate 11 formed with a plurality of sorting holes 21, 22, 23, and 24 for penetrating the coin C for each type, and the side surface cb of the coin C. In addition, a guide rail 12 that guides the coin C along the base plate 11 and a transport device 13 that forcibly transports the coin C along the base plate 11 are provided.

The bottom surface ca of the coin C is the front and back surfaces of the coin C facing each other, and the side surface cb of the coin C is the outer peripheral surface of the coin C. In the present embodiment, the guide direction of the coin C by the guide rail 12 is referred to as a guide direction G ″. In the following description, the upstream and downstream directions refer to the upstream and downstream directions in the guide direction G, unless otherwise specified. In the present embodiment, the support direction of the side surface cb of the coin C by the guide rail 12 is referred to as “support direction S.” The support direction S is opposite to the guide rail 12 with respect to the coin C (FIG. 3). and direction becomes the front of the upper) in FIG. 4, the direction of the guide rail 12 side with respect to the coin C (lower side in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) is backward. Then, the rear side in the support direction S (FIGS. 3 and the lower lateral side) of 4, called the support side of the coin C in the support direction S, simply referred to as "support side" or "lower side". The front lateral side of the supporting direction S (the upper side in the FIG. 3 and FIG. 4), called the counter-support side which is opposite to the support side, simply referred to as "anti-supporting side" or "upper side".

  The base plate 11 is formed in a flat plate shape and is adjacent to the guide rail 12. The base plate 11 is disposed to be inclined to the opposite side of the guide rail 12 with respect to the base plate 11. For this reason, the coin C leans against the base plate 11 due to its own weight, and the base plate 11 supports the bottom surface ca of the coin C. The inclination angle of the base plate 11 is not particularly limited, but may be 65 °, for example.

  The selection holes 21, 22, 23, and 24 formed in the base plate 11 are sequentially penetrated from the coins C having a small outer diameter from the upstream side to the downstream side and dropped from the sorting unit 5. The sorting hole 21 located on the most upstream side is a hole for dropping the 10 Hong Kong dollar coin C1 from the sorting portion 5, and the dimension in the guide direction G is larger than the maximum outer diameter of the 10 Hong Kong dollar coin C1. The sorting hole 22 located on the downstream side of the sorting hole 21 is a hole for dropping the 1 HK dollar coin C2 from the sorting portion 5, and the dimension in the guiding direction G is larger than the maximum outer diameter of the 1 HK dollar coin C2. . The sorting hole 23 located on the downstream side of the sorting hole 22 is a hole for dropping the 5 HK dollar coin C4, which is the second coin, from the sorting portion 5, and the dimension in the guide direction G is the maximum of the 5 HK dollar coin C4. It is larger than the outer diameter. The sorting hole 24 located on the most downstream side is a hole for dropping the 2 HK dollar coin C3, which is the first coin, from the sorting portion 5, and the dimension in the guide direction G is larger than the maximum outer diameter of the 2 HK dollar coin C3. Is also big. The positions and sizes of the sorting holes 21, 22, 23, 24 in the support direction S will be described later.

  The guide rail 12 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape and is adjacent to the base plate 11. The guide rail 12 is disposed so as to be inclined at the same angle as the base plate 11. For this reason, the coin C contacts the guide rail 12 by its own weight, and the guide rail 12 supports the side surface cb of the coin C in the support direction S. The guide rail 12 guides the coin C in the guide direction G along the base plate 11 as the coin C rolls on the guide rail 12.

  The guide rail 12 includes an inner guide rail portion 26 disposed on the base plate 11 side and an outer guide rail portion 27 disposed on the opposite side of the inner guide rail portion 26 from the base plate 11.

  The inner guide rail portion 26 is formed in a flat plate shape. An inner rail surface 26 a that is a guide surface of the inner guide rail portion 26 that contacts the side surface cb of the coin C extends linearly along the guide direction G. The inner rail surface 26a is slightly inclined downward toward the downstream side so that the coin C rolls in the guide direction G even under its own weight. The width of the inner guide rail portion 26 is wider than the thickness of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 and narrower than the thickness of the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4. That is, assuming that the thickness of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 is t1, the thickness of the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 is t2, and the width of the inner guide rail portion 26 is w1, t1, t2 and w2 have the relationship of t1 <w1 <t2. (See FIG. 4 and FIG. 5).

  The outer guide rail portion 27 is formed in a flat plate shape. The width | variety of the outer side guide rail part 27 is not specifically limited, It sets suitably.

  In the guide rail 12, a step portion 28 is formed in which the inner guide rail portion 26 and the outer guide rail portion 27 are located at different positions in the support direction S. More specifically, in the step portion 28, the inner rail surface 26a is located on the lower side (support side) than the outer rail surface 27a that is the guide surface of the outer guide rail portion 27 with which the side surface cb of the coin C contacts. doing. In the portion other than the step portion 28 of the guide rail 12, the inner rail surface 26a and the outer rail surface 27a are located at the same position in the support direction S, and the inner rail surface 26a is higher than the outer rail surface 27a in the support direction S. It is a part which is located on the (non-supporting side) or does not have the outer guide rail part 27. The step portion 28 is formed at the same position as the sorting hole 23 in the guide direction G. That is, the sorting hole 23 is formed at the same position as the stepped portion 28 in the guiding direction G, and the sorting holes 21, 22, and 24 are formed at positions different from the stepped portion 28 in the guiding direction G.

  In the step portion 28, the outer rail surface 27a is raised upward (on the opposite side). Thereby, in the level | step-difference part 28, the inner side rail surface 26a is located in the downward side rather than the outer side rail surface 27a. The step between the inner rail surface 26a and the outer rail surface 27a in the step portion 28 can be set to 1 to 2 mm, for example.

  The transport device 13 forcibly transports the coin C in the guide direction G along the base plate 11 while pressing the coin C against the base plate 11 by a pair of transport belts 29 and 29 arranged in parallel in the support direction S. The pair of transport belts 29 and 29 includes a pair of drive pulleys 31 and 31 fixed to the rotation drive shaft of the motor 30, and a pair of driven pulleys 32 and 32 that are rotatably provided on the housing of the coin processing device 1. , It is stretched over. The drive pulleys 31 are arranged side by side in the support direction S. The drive pulleys 31 are arranged at the same position as the sorting hole 24 in the guide direction G and the support direction S, that is, at the same position as the sorting hole 24 in a side view. The driven pulleys 32, 32 are juxtaposed in the support direction S, and are arranged upstream of the sorting hole 21. Further, between the drive pulleys 31 and 31 and the driven pulleys 32 and 32, a pair of first transport rollers 33 and 33, a pair of second transport rollers 34 and 34, and a pair of third transport rollers 35 and 35. And are arranged. Conveying belts 29 and 29 are wound around the first conveying rollers 33 and 33, the second conveying rollers 34 and 34, and the third conveying rollers 35 and 35, respectively, and sorting is performed in the guiding direction G and the supporting direction S, respectively. It is arranged at the same position as the holes 21, 22, 23, that is, at the same position as the sorting holes 21, 22, 23 in a side view.

  Next, the position and size of the sorting holes 21, 22, 23, 24 in the support direction S will be described.

  The position of the sorting hole 21 in the support direction S is a position where the 10 HK dollar coin C1 can be dropped, but the 1 HK dollar coin C2, the 5 HK dollar coin C4 and the 2 HK dollar coin C3 cannot be dropped. In other words, in the support direction S, the lower end 21a, which is the lower end (support side) of the sorting hole 21, is located above (the opposite support side) from the inner rail surface 26a. In the support direction S, the upper end 21b that is the tip of the upper side (anti-support side) of the sorting hole 21 is on the upper side (anti-support side) than the position where the outer diameter of the 10 HKD coin C1 is added to the inner rail surface 26a. And is located on the lower side (support side) than the position where the outer diameter of the 1 HKD coin C2, 5 HKD coin C4 or 2 HKD coin C3 is added to the inner rail surface 26a. The position where the outer diameter of the 10 HK dollar coin C1 is added to the inner rail surface 26a is the upper end position (tip position on the anti-support side) of the 10 HK dollar coin C1 guided by the inner guide rail portion 26. In addition, the lower end 21a of the sorting hole 21 is positioned below (supporting side) the center of gravity of the 10 HK dollar coin C1 guided by the inner guide rail portion 26, so that the 10 HK dollar coin C1 is sorted by its own weight. It can be dropped from 21.

  The position of the sorting hole 22 in the support direction S is a position where the 1 HK dollar coin C2 can be dropped, but the 5 HK dollar coin C4 and the 2 HK dollar coin C3 cannot be dropped. That is, in the support direction S, the lower end 22a that is the lower end (support side) tip of the sorting hole 22 is located on the upper side (anti-support side) than the inner rail surface 26a. In the support direction S, the upper end 22b, which is the tip on the upper side (anti-support side) of the sorting hole 22, is on the upper side (anti-support side) than the position where the outer diameter of the 1 HKD coin C2 is added to the inner rail surface 26a. It is located on the lower side (support side) than the position where the outer diameter of the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 or the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 is added to the inner rail surface 26a. The position where the outer diameter of the 1 Hong Kong dollar coin C2 is added to the inner rail surface 26a is the upper end position of the 1 Hong Kong dollar coin C2 guided by the inner guide rail portion 26 (the tip position on the anti-support side). In addition, the lower end 22a of the sorting hole 22 is positioned below (supporting side) the center of gravity of the 1 Hong Kong dollar coin C2 guided by the inner guide rail portion 26, so that the 1 Hong Kong dollar coin C2 is sorted by its own weight. Can be dropped from 22.

  The position of the sorting hole 23 in the support direction S is a position where the 5 HK dollar coin C4 can be dropped, but the 2 HK dollar coin C3 cannot be dropped. That is, in the support direction S, the lower end 23a, which is the lower end (support side) tip of the sorting hole 23, is located between the inner rail surface 26a and the outer rail surface 27a. In the support direction S, the upper end 23b, which is the tip of the upper side (anti-support side) of the sorting hole 23, is located on the upper side (anti-support side) above the position where the outer diameter of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 is added to the inner rail surface 26a. In addition, the outer rail surface 27a is located on the upper side (the non-supporting side) above the position where the outer diameter of the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 is added. The position obtained by adding the outer diameter of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 to the inner rail surface 26a is the upper end position (tip position on the anti-support side) of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 guided by the inner guide rail portion 26. The position where the outer diameter of the 5 HK dollar coin C4 is added to the outer rail surface 27a is the upper end position (tip position on the anti-support side) of the 5 HK dollar coin C4 guided by the outer guide rail portion 27. The upper end 23b of the sorting hole 23 is positioned above the center of gravity (the non-supporting side) of the 5 HK dollar coin C4 guided by the outer guide rail portion 27, so that the 5 HK dollar coin C4 is sorted by its own weight. It can be dropped from the hole 23.

  The position of the sorting hole 24 in the support direction S is a position where the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 can be dropped. In other words, in the support direction S, the lower end 24a, which is the lower end (support side) tip of the sorting hole 24, is positioned above the inner rail surface 26a (anti-support side). In the support direction S, the upper end 24b, which is the tip of the upper side (anti-support side) of the sorting hole 24, is on the upper side (anti-support side) than the position where the outer diameter of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 is added to the inner rail surface 26a. To position. The position obtained by adding the outer diameter of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 to the inner rail surface 26a is the upper end position (tip position on the anti-support side) of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 guided by the inner guide rail portion 26. The lower end 24a of the sorting hole 24 is positioned below (supporting side) the center of gravity of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 guided by the inner guide rail portion 26, so that the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 is sorted by its own weight. Can be dropped from 24.

  Next, the operation of the distribution unit 5 will be described.

  When the coin C identified as authentic in the identification unit 4 rolls into the sorting unit 5, the bottom surface ca of the coin C comes into contact with the base plate 11 due to the weight of the coin C and the side surface cb of the coin C is guided by the guide rail 12. To touch. Then, the coin C is slid and guided in the guide direction G by the base plate 11, and is rolled and guided in the guide direction G by the guide rail 12. Further, in the transport device 13, the transport belts 29 and 29 are rotated by the drive pulleys 31 and 31 being rotated by the rotational driving force of the motor 30. Accordingly, the coin C is forcibly conveyed in the guide direction G along the base plate 11 while being pressed against the base plate 11 by the conveyor belts 29 and 29. Further, the coin C is forcibly conveyed in the guide direction G by the conveying belts 29 and 29 while maintaining the separation interval of the coins C separated one by one by the feeding unit 3 at a predetermined interval.

  When the 10 HK dollar coin C1 rolls to the sorting hole 21, it falls into the sorting hole 21 from the upper end portion of the 10 HK dollar coin C1, and falls through the sorting hole 21 and falls from the sorting section 5. When the 1 Hong Kong dollar coin C2 rolls to the sorting hole 22, the 1 Hong Kong dollar coin C2 falls into the sorting hole 22 from the upper end portion of the 1 Hong Kong dollar coin C2, and passes through the sorting hole 22 and falls from the sorting section 5. The 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 and the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 roll up to the stepped portion 28 after passing through the sorting hole 21 and the sorting hole 22 as the upper end portion and the lower end portion continue to be supported by the base plate 11.

  Here, while the coin C is being guided in the guide direction G, the state where the bottom surface ca of the coin C is in contact with the base plate 11 is maintained by gravity and pressing of the transport belts 29 and 29.

  However, since the width w1 of the inner guide rail portion 26 is narrower than the thickness t2 of the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4, the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 cannot enter between the base plate 11 and the outer guide rail portion 27. For this reason, the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 rolls on the outer rail surface 27a at the stepped portion 28. And the lower end 23a of the selection hole 23 is located below the outer rail surface 27a. For this reason, the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 rolling on the outer rail surface 27a slides down from the outer rail surface 27a and falls from the sorting portion 5 through the sorting hole 23.

  On the other hand, since the width w1 of the inner guide rail portion 26 is wider than the thickness t1 of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3, the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 enters between the base plate 11 and the outer guide rail portion 27. For this reason, the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 rolls on the inner rail surface 26a at the stepped portion 28. The lower end 23a of the sorting hole 23 is located above the inner rail surface 26a, and the upper end 23b of the sorting hole 23 is lower than the upper end position of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 guided by the inner guide rail portion 26. Located on the side. For this reason, the state where the upper end portion and the lower end portion are supported by the base plate 11 is maintained and the 2 HK dollar coin C3 passes through the sorting hole 23.

  The upper end 24b of the sorting hole 24 is positioned above the upper end position of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 guided by the inner guide rail portion 26. For this reason, when the 2 HK dollar coin C3 rolls up to the sorting hole 24, it falls into the sorting hole 24 from the upper end portion, and passes through the sorting hole 24 and falls from the sorting portion 5.

  Thus, in the coin processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the coin C is supported by the guide rail 12 on the side surface cb of the coin C and on the base plate 11 by the base plate 11. In the stepped portion 28, the width of the inner guide rail portion 26 is wider than the thickness of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3, which is the first coin, so that the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 enters between the outer guide rail portion 27 and the base plate 11, Roll on the inner rail surface 26a. Further, in the stepped portion 28, the width of the inner guide rail portion is narrower than the thickness of the 5 HK dollar coin C4 which is the second coin, so that the 5 HK dollar coin C4 can enter between the outer guide rail portion and the base plate. Unable to roll on the outer rail surface 27a. Thus, the support position in the support direction S differs between the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 and the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 guided by the step portion 28. For this reason, even if the outer diameters of the 2 HK dollar coin C3 and the 5 HK dollar coin C4 are the same or substantially the same, the position and size of the sorting hole 23 in the support direction S can be adjusted to adjust the 2 HK dollar coin C3 and the 5 HK dollar. Only one of the coins C4 can be dropped from the sorting hole 23.

  Specifically, the upper end 23b of the sorting hole 23 is below the upper end position of the 2 HK dollar coin C3 guided by the inner guide rail portion 26 and the 5 HK dollar coin C4 guided by the outer guide rail portion 27. To position. For this reason, the upper end portions of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 and the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 are supported by the base plate 11. On the other hand, the lower end 23a of the sorting hole 23 is located between the inner rail surface 26a and the outer rail surface 27a. Therefore, the lower end portion of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 is supported by the base plate 11, but the lower end portion of the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 is released from the support of the base plate 11 and falls into the sorting hole 23. It becomes possible. Thereby, only the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 can be dropped from the sorting hole 23.

  Further, since the outer rail surface 27a is raised at the step portion 28, the inner rail surface 26a can be positioned below the outer rail surface 27a even if the inner rail surface 26a is formed in a straight line. .

  Further, since the base plate 11 is disposed to be inclined to the opposite side of the guide rail 12 with respect to the base plate 11, the coin C can be dropped into the sorting holes 21, 22, 23, 24 by the weight of the coin C. .

  Moreover, since the coin C is conveyed in the guide direction G by the conveying device 13, the separation interval of the coin C can be stabilized. Moreover, since the coin C is forced along the base plate 11 by the transport device 13, even if the coin C floats with respect to the base plate 11, the coin C can be surely placed along the base plate 11. At the same time, even when the coin C does not fall into the sorting holes 21, 22, 23, 24 due to its own weight, the coin C can be reliably dropped into the sorting holes 21, 22, 23, 24.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a distribution unit according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, and is different from the first embodiment only in the shape of the base play and the guide rail of the distributing portion. For this reason, only the matters different from the first embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a guide rail and a base plate according to the second embodiment. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. The distribution unit 40 of the coin processing device according to the second embodiment includes a base plate 41 corresponding to the base plate 11 of the first embodiment, a guide rail 42 corresponding to the guide rail 12 of the first embodiment, The same conveyance apparatus 13 as 1 embodiment is provided.

  The base plate 41 is formed with a plurality of sorting holes 21, 22, 43, and 44 that allow the coin C to pass through for each type. The sorting hole 43 located on the downstream side of the sorting hole 22 is a hole for dropping the 2 HK dollar coin C3, which is the first coin, from the sorting portion 5, and the dimension in the guide direction G is the maximum of the 2 HK dollar coin C3. It is larger than the outer diameter. The sorting hole 44 located on the most downstream side is a hole for dropping the 5 HK dollar coin C4, which is the second coin, from the sorting portion 5, and the dimension in the guide direction G is larger than the maximum outer diameter of the 5 HK dollar coin C4. Is also big. The position and size of the sorting holes 43 and 44 in the support direction S will be described later.

  The guide rail 42 includes an inner guide rail portion 47 disposed on the base plate 41 side and an outer guide rail portion 48 disposed on the opposite side of the inner guide rail portion 47 from the base plate 41.

  The inner guide rail portion 47 is formed in a flat plate shape. The inner rail surface 47a, which is the guide surface of the inner guide rail portion 47 with which the side surface cb of the coin C comes into contact, is inclined slightly downward toward the downstream side so that the coin C rolls in the guiding direction G even under its own weight. Yes. The width of the inner guide rail portion 47 is the same as the width of the inner guide rail portion 26 of the first embodiment.

  The outer guide rail portion 48 is formed in a flat plate shape. The outer rail surface 48a, which is the guide surface of the outer guide rail portion 48 with which the side surface cb of the coin C contacts, is inclined slightly downward toward the downstream side so that the coin C rolls in the guiding direction G even under its own weight. Yes. The width | variety of the outer side guide rail part 48 is not specifically limited, It sets suitably.

  The guide rail 42 is formed with a stepped portion 49 in which the inner guide rail portion 47 and the outer guide rail portion 48 are located at different positions in the support direction S. Specifically, in the stepped portion 49, the inner rail surface 47a is located on the lower side (support side) than the outer rail surface 48a. In portions other than the stepped portion 49 of the guide rail 42, the inner rail surface 47a and the outer rail surface 48a are located at the same position in the support direction S, and the inner rail surface 47a is above the outer rail surface 48a in the support direction S. It is a part that is located on the (non-supporting side) or has no outer guide rail part 48. The stepped portion 49 is formed at the same position as the sorting hole 43 in the guide direction G. That is, the sorting hole 43 is formed at the same position as the stepped portion 49 in the guiding direction G, and the sorting holes 21, 22, and 44 are formed at positions different from the stepped portion 49 in the guiding direction G.

  In the stepped portion 49, the inner guide rail portion 47 sinks downward (support side). Thereby, in the level | step-difference part 49, the inner side rail surface 47a is located in the downward side rather than the outer side rail surface 48a. The step between the inner rail surface 47a and the outer rail surface 48a in the step portion 49 can be set to 2 to 3 mm, for example.

  Next, the position and size of the sorting holes 43 and 44 in the support direction S will be described.

  The position of the sorting hole 43 in the support direction S is a position where the 2 HK dollar coin C3 can be dropped, but the 5 HK dollar coin C4 cannot be dropped. In other words, the lower end 43a, which is the lower end (support side) tip of the sorting hole 43, is located above (the opposite support side) from the inner rail surface 47a and the outer rail surface 48a. The upper end 43b, which is the tip of the upper side (anti-support side) of the sorting hole 43, is located on the upper side (anti-support side) than the position where the outer diameter of the 2 HKD coin C3 is added to the inner rail surface 47a. It is located on the lower side (support side) than the position obtained by adding the outer diameter of the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 to 48a. The position where the outer diameter of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 is added to the inner rail surface 47a is the upper end position (tip position on the anti-support side) of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 guided by the inner guide rail portion 47. The position where the outer diameter of the 5 HK dollar coin C4 is added to the outer rail surface 48a is the upper end position (tip position on the anti-support side) of the 5 HK dollar coin C4 guided by the outer guide rail portion 48. The lower end 43a of the sorting hole 43 is positioned below (supporting side) the center of gravity of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 guided by the inner guide rail portion 47, whereby the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 is sorted by its own weight. It can be dropped from 43.

  The position of the sorting hole 44 in the support direction S is a position where the 5 HK dollar coin C4 can be dropped. That is, the lower end 44a, which is the lower end (support side) tip of the sorting hole 44, is located on the upper side (anti-support side) than the inner rail surface 47a. The upper end 44b, which is the tip of the upper side (anti-support side) of the sorting hole 44, is located on the upper side (anti-support side) than the position where the outer diameter of the 5 HK dollar coin C4 is added to the inner rail surface 47a. The position where the outer diameter of the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 is added to the inner rail surface 47a is the upper end position (tip position on the anti-support side) of the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 guided by the inner guide rail portion 47. The lower end 44a of the sorting hole 44 is positioned below (supporting side) the center of gravity of the 5 HK dollar coin C4 guided by the inner guide rail portion 47, so that the 5 HK dollar coin C4 is sorted by its own weight. 44 can be dropped.

  Next, the operation of the distribution unit 40 will be described.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the 10 Hong Kong dollar coin C1 and the 1 Hong Kong dollar coin C2 pass through the sorting hole 21 and the sorting hole 22 and fall from the sorting section 40, respectively, and the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 and the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 are It passes through the sorting hole 21 and the sorting hole 22 and rolls to the stepped portion 49.

  As described above, since the width w1 of the inner guide rail portion 47 is wider than the thickness t1 of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3, the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 enters between the base plate 11 and the outer guide rail portion 48. For this reason, the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 rolls on the inner rail surface 47a at the stepped portion 49. The upper end 43b of the sorting hole 43 is positioned above the upper end position of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 guided by the inner guide rail portion 47. For this reason, the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 falls through the sorting hole 43 and falls from the sorting portion 40 by falling into the sorting hole 43 from the upper end portion.

  On the other hand, since the width w1 of the inner guide rail portion 47 is narrower than the thickness t2 of the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4, the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 cannot enter between the base plate 41 and the outer guide rail portion 48. For this reason, the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 rolls on the outer rail surface 48a at the stepped portion 49. The lower end 43a of the sorting hole 43 is located above the inner rail surface 47a, and the upper end 43b of the sorting hole 43 is below the upper end position of the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 guided by the outer guide rail portion 48. Located on the side. For this reason, the state where the upper end portion and the lower end portion are supported by the base plate 41 is maintained and the 5 HK dollar coin C4 passes through the sorting hole 43.

  The upper end 44b of the sorting hole 44 is located above the upper end position of the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 guided by the outer guide rail portion 48. For this reason, the 5 HK dollar coin C4 falls through the sorting hole 44 and falls from the sorting portion 40 by falling into the sorting hole 44 from the upper end portion.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the lower end 43a of the sorting hole 43 is positioned above the inner rail surface 47a and the outer rail surface 48a. For this reason, the lower end portions of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 and the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 are supported by the base plate 41. On the other hand, the upper end 43b of the sorting hole 43 is located above the upper end position of the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 guided by the inner guide rail portion 47, and the upper end 43b of the 5 Hong Kong dollar coin C4 guided by the outer guide rail portion 48 is used. It is located below the upper end position. Therefore, the upper end portion of the 5 HK dollar coin C4 is supported by the base plate 41, but the upper end portion of the 2 HK dollar coin C3 is released from the support of the base plate 41 and falls into the sorting hole 43. It becomes possible. Thereby, only the 2 Hong Kong dollar coin C3 can be dropped from the sorting hole 43.

  Further, since the inner rail surface 47a sinks at the stepped portion 49, the inner rail surface 47a can be positioned below the outer rail surface 48a even if the outer guide rail portion 48 is formed in a straight line. it can.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the step portion is formed only at the position corresponding to the third sorting hole (the sorting hole 23 or the sorting hole 43). However, the fourth sorting hole (the sorting hole 24 or the sorting hole is used). 44) may be formed up to the position corresponding to 44). For example, the example shown in FIG. 8A is a modification of the distribution unit of the first embodiment, and the outer guide rail 52 is raised upward, so that the inner guide rail 51 The inner rail surface 51 a is located below the outer rail surface 52 a of the outer guide rail portion 52. In this case, the upper end of the fourth sorting hole 53 is positioned above the position where the outer diameter of the 2 HK dollar coin C3 is added to the inner rail surface 51a, thereby dropping the 2 HK dollar coin C3 into the sorting hole 53. Can do. The example shown in FIG. 8B is a modification of the distribution unit according to the second embodiment, and the inner guide rail 61 is set to the lower side. The surface 61 a is located below the outer rail surface 62 a of the outer guide rail portion 62. In this case, the upper end of the fourth sorting hole 63 is positioned above the position where the outer diameter of the 5 HK dollar coin C4 is added to the outer rail surface 62a, so that the 5 HK dollar coin C4 is dropped into the sorting hole 63. Can do.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the base plate and the guide rail are described as being inclined, but as shown in FIG. 9A, they may be arranged vertically or substantially vertically, as shown in FIG. As shown to (b), you may arrange | position horizontally or substantially horizontally. In the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. 9B, since the base plate is arranged substantially horizontally, the angle of the base plate can be easily adjusted and the height of the base plate can be kept low. In the case shown in FIG. 9 (a), since the coin may not fall from the sorting hole due to the bottom surface of the coin floating from the base plate, the coin is preferably pressed against the base plate by the transport device. In the case shown in FIG. 9B, since the coin does not roll in the guiding direction, it is preferable to forcibly convey the coin in the guiding direction by the conveying device. In the case shown in FIG. 9B, since the side surface of the coin may be lifted from the guide rail, it is preferable to bring the coin to the guide rail by a pressing member such as a transport device or a leaf spring.

  In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made assuming that the transport device is provided. However, if the coin plate is supported by the base plate, the side surface of the coin is supported by the guide rail, and the coin is guided in the guide direction, the transport device is provided. It does not have to be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Coin processing apparatus, 2 ... Insertion part, 3 ... Feeding part, 4 ... Identification part, 5 ... Distributing part, 6 ... Counting part, 7 ... Temporary holding part, 8 ... Discharge part, 9 ... Discharge conveyance part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Withdrawal port, 11 ... Base plate, 12 ... Guide rail, 13 ... Conveyor, 21 ... Sorting hole, 21a ... Lower end, 21b ... Upper end, 22 ... Sorting hole, 22a ... Lower end, 22b ... Upper end, 23 ... Sorting hole (First identification hole), 23a ... lower end (support side tip), 23b ... upper end (anti-support side tip), 24 ... sorting hole, 24a ... lower end (support side tip), 24b ... upper end (anti-support side) 26 ... inner guide rail portion, 26a ... inner rail surface, 27 ... outer guide rail portion, 27a ... outer rail surface, 28 ... stepped portion, 29 ... transport belt, 30 ... motor, 31 ... drive pulley, 32 ... driven pulley, 33 ... first transport roller, 34 ... second transport roller 35 ... Third conveying roller, 40 ... Distributing part, 41 ... Base plate, 42 ... Guide rail, 43 ... Sorting hole (first identification hole), 43a ... Lower end (tip on the support side), 43b ... Upper end (anti-support side) ), 44... Sorting hole, 44 a... Lower end (tip on the support side), 44 b... Upper end (tip on the non-support side), 47... Inner guide rail portion, 47 a. 48a ... outer rail surface, 49 ... stepped portion, 51 ... inner guide rail portion, 51a ... inner rail surface, 52 ... outer guide rail portion, 52a ... outer rail surface, 53 ... sorting hole, 61 ... inner guide rail portion, 61a ... inner rail surface, 62 ... outer guide rail portion, 62a ... outer rail surface, 63 ... sorting hole, C ... coin, C1 ... 10 Hong Kong dollar coin, C2 ... 1 Hong Kong dollar coin, C3 ... 2 Hong Kong dollar coin, C4 ... 5 incense Dollar coins, ca ... bottom, cb ... side, G ... guiding direction, S ... support direction.

Claims (7)

A coin processing device that sorts coins by type,
A distribution unit that distributes at least the first coin and the second coin that is thicker than the first coin;
The distribution unit is
A base plate that supports the bottom surface of the coin and has a first selection hole that allows either the first coin or the second coin to pass through;
A guide rail for supporting the side surface of the coin and guiding the coin along the base plate,
The guide rail is
An inner guide rail portion that is wider than the thickness of the first coin and narrower than the thickness of the second coin;
An outer guide rail portion disposed on the opposite side of the inner guide rail portion from the base plate,
The guide rail has an inner rail surface that is a guide surface of the inner guide rail portion, and an outer rail surface that is a guide surface of the outer guide rail portion than the outer rail surface of the coin in the direction in which the coin is supported by the guide rail. A step portion located on the support side is formed,
The first sorting hole is formed at the same position as the stepped portion in the guide direction of the coin by the guide rail ,
In the support direction, the tip of the anti-support side that is the opposite side of the support side of the first sorting hole is located on the support side rather than the position where the outer diameter of the first coin is added to the inner rail surface. And
In the support direction, the supporting side front end of the first sorting holes, positioned between said inner rail surface and the outer rail surface,
Coin handling device. A coin processing device that sorts coins by type,
A distribution unit that distributes at least the first coin and the second coin that is thicker than the first coin;
The distribution unit is
A base plate that supports the bottom surface of the coin and has a first selection hole that allows either the first coin or the second coin to pass through;
A guide rail for supporting the side surface of the coin and guiding the coin along the base plate,
The guide rail is
An inner guide rail portion that is wider than the thickness of the first coin and narrower than the thickness of the second coin;
An outer guide rail portion disposed on the opposite side of the inner guide rail portion from the base plate,
The guide rail has an inner rail surface that is a guide surface of the inner guide rail portion, and an outer rail surface that is a guide surface of the outer guide rail portion than the outer rail surface of the coin in the direction in which the coin is supported by the guide rail. A step portion located on the support side is formed,
The first sorting hole is formed at the same position as the stepped portion in the guide direction of the coin by the guide rail,
In the support direction, the tip of the support side of the first sorting hole is located on the side opposite to the support side of the inner rail surface and the outer rail surface, which is opposite to the support side,
In the supporting direction, the tip of the first sorting hole on the side opposite to the support side is located on the side opposite to the outer rail surface than the position where the outer diameter of the first coin is added to the inner rail surface. It is located on the support side rather than the position to which the outer diameter of the second coin is added ,
Coin handling device. In the stepped portion, the outer rail surface is raised,
The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 . In the stepped portion, the inner rail surface is sinking,
The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 . The base plate is disposed to be inclined to the opposite side of the guide rail with respect to the base plate.
The coin processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The base plate is disposed substantially horizontally,
The coin processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . A transport device for transporting the coin guided by the guide rail in the guide direction along the base plate;
The coin processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 .

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