JP6660263B2 - Coin storage and dispensing mechanism and coin processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin storage and dispensing mechanism capable of storing a plurality of coins and dispensing the stored coins one by one in a row, and a coin processing apparatus provided with such a coin storage and dispensing mechanism.

  In a store of a commercial facility such as a supermarket or a convenience store, a cash change machine is installed along with a POS register at a checkout area in a front area where merchandise shelves are installed, and a cashier in a backyard area where customers cannot enter. And other deposit / withdrawal machines are installed. Here, the money change machine installed at the clearing house in the front area can perform the deposit processing of the money handed from the customer to the clerk in exchange for the product, and can perform the processing of dispensing the money as change. It has become. As such a money change machine, for example, one disclosed in Patent Document 1 or the like is conventionally known.

  In the coin depositing and dispensing device disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a payout belt that conveys coins stored in the coin storing unit to a coin payout port along a payout conveying path in a coin storing unit that stores the received coins. The payout belt is used to pay out coins one by one from the coin storage unit in a single row. In the coin storage unit, a coin waiting area is provided at an outlet portion downstream of the separation roller in the coin payout direction, in which a predetermined number of coins are further waiting in a line. By preliminarily holding a predetermined number of coins in such a coin waiting area, the coins stored in the coin storage unit are conveyed to the coin payout exit along the payout conveying path by the payout belt. Thus, the coin payout operation can be performed in a short time.

JP 2004-199146 A

  In the coin dispensing and dispensing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, if coins are jammed between the separation roller and the payout belt in the coin storage unit, the circulation belt can be displaced in the coin payout direction no matter how much. Since the coins cannot be sent any more to the coin waiting area, the payout belt needs to be circulated in the direction opposite to the coin payout direction. However, when the payout belt is circulated in the direction opposite to the coin payout direction, the coins already waiting in the coin waiting area are returned to the coin storage unit, and the coins between the separation roller and the payout belt are moved. After the jamming phenomenon is eliminated, there is a problem that the payout belt must be circulated again in the coin payout direction to send the coins to the coin waiting area.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such a point, and even when the transporting member is moved in a direction opposite to the feeding direction in the feeding portion, the distance between the first stop member and the second stop member is reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coin storing and dispensing mechanism and a coin processing device which can keep coins in a standby state.

  The coin storage and dispensing mechanism of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of coins, and a dispensing unit that dispenses coins stored in the storage unit one by one in a single row state, and the dispensing unit includes the coin dispensing unit, A transport member that is arranged on the bottom surface of the storage section and that is capable of moving in a coin feeding direction and a direction opposite to the feeding direction, and for selectively stopping coins transported in the feeding direction by the transport member. A first stop member and a first stop member provided upstream of the first stop member in the coin feeding direction to selectively stop coins conveyed in a direction opposite to the feeding direction by the conveying member. And a second stop member.

  According to such a coin storage and dispensing mechanism, in the dispensing portion, a coin conveyed in a direction opposite to the dispensing direction by the conveying member is selectively provided upstream of the first stop member in the coin dispensing direction. Since the second stop member for stopping is provided, even when the transporting member is moved in the direction opposite to the feeding direction in the feeding portion, a coin is provided between the first stop member and the second stop member. Can be kept on standby.

  In the coin storing and feeding mechanism of the present invention, the transport member may be a belt-shaped belt, and coins transported by the transport member may be placed on the belt.

  In the coin storing and feeding mechanism of the present invention, the second stop member may be configured to be able to feed coins conveyed by the conveying member only in the feeding direction.

  In this case, the second stop member is lifted upward by the coin when the coin transported in the feeding direction by the transport member passes through the second stop member, and is opposite to the coin feeding direction by the transport member. When a coin conveyed in the direction contacts the second stop member, the coin may not be able to move any more in the opposite direction to the payout direction by the second stop member.

  Further, a distance between the second stop member and the transport member may be smaller than a thickness of a coin to be stored in the storage section.

  In the coin storage and dispensing mechanism of the present invention, the distance between the first stop member and the second stop member in the coin dispensing direction by the transport member is the diameter of the coin to be stored in the storage unit. May be larger than 4 times and smaller than 5 times the diameter.

  The coin storage and dispensing mechanism of the present invention is provided near the first stop member, and detects coins held between the first stop member and the second stop member in the transport member. One hold detecting means may be further provided.

  The coin storage and dispensing mechanism of the present invention is provided near the second stop member, and detects a coin held between the first stop member and the second stop member in the transport member. 2 Hold detection means may be further provided.

  The coin storage and dispensing mechanism of the present invention is provided near the first stop member, and detects that a coin conveyed in the dispensing direction by the transport member has been dispensed through the first stop member. A feeding detecting means may be further provided.

  The coin processing device of the present invention includes a coin storage and dispensing mechanism described above, an insertion unit for inserting coins into the housing, and a coin storage and unloading unit that inserts coins inserted into the housing by the insertion unit. It is characterized by comprising a deposit transfer section for sending the coin to the storage section of the mechanism, and a discharge section for discharging coins fed from the coin storage and feeding mechanism to the outside of the housing.

  According to the coin storage and dispensing mechanism and the coin processing device of the present invention, even when the transporting member is moved in the dispensing section in a direction opposite to the dispensing direction, coins are moved between the first stop member and the second stop member. You can wait.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration when the inside of the coin processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is viewed vertically downward from above. It is a side view which shows the structure of the reject part in the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and a coin storage part. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a configuration of a coin storage unit and a coin payout unit in the coin processing device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a payout unit provided in the coin storage unit illustrated in FIG. 3 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating a configuration when the payout unit illustrated in FIG. 4 is viewed from above in a vertically downward direction. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system in the coin processing device illustrated in FIG. 1. (A) and (b) are views each showing a screen displayed on the operation display unit when the coin processing device shown in FIG. 1 performs a dispensing process of coins as change.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 are views showing a coin processing device according to the present embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration when the inside of the coin processing device according to the present embodiment is viewed from above in a vertical downward direction, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the coin processing device shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows the structure of a reject part and a coin storage part. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of a coin storage unit and a coin payout unit in the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a configuration of a feeding unit provided in the coin storage unit shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing FIG. 5, and FIG. 5 is a top view showing a configuration when the extending portion shown in FIG. 4 is viewed from above in a vertical downward direction. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a control system in the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating screens displayed on the operation display unit when the coin processing device illustrated in FIG. 1 performs a coin dispensing process as change. . 2, 4, 5, etc., the coin processed by the coin processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is indicated by a reference numeral C.

  The coin processing device 1 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a cash machine installed at a checkout station (specifically, a cashier counter) in which a customer in a store of a commercial facility such as a convenience store or a supermarket performs a checkout process for merchandise. It is used as a coin processing unit. Such a coin processing device 1 is provided with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 10 and a coin receiving unit (insertion unit) provided on the front side of the housing 10 and into which coins are inserted by an operator when performing coin deposit processing. ) 12, a coin dispensing section (dispensing section) 32 provided on the front side of the housing 10 and paying out coins when performing coin dispensing processing, and coins inside the housing 10 for each denomination. A plurality of coin storage units 30a to 30f are provided for storage. Here, the plurality of coin storage units 30a to 30f are arranged so as to be arranged in parallel along the width direction of the housing 10 (that is, the left and right direction in FIG. 1), and each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f has 50 coin storage units. Yen coins, 5 yen coins, 500 yen coins, 100 yen coins, 10 yen coins and 1 yen coins are stored in this order.

  The coin receiving unit 12 is configured to take in the coins received through the coin insertion slot one by one into the housing 10 in a one-layer, one-row state. More specifically, a residual detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the coin receiving unit 12, and the coin received by the coin receiving unit 12 is detected by the residual detection sensor. Further, the coin receiving unit 12 is provided with a pay-out unit 14 including a pay-out belt 14a that moves to the left in FIG. 1, and when the coin received by the coin receiving unit 12 is detected by the residual detection sensor. By driving the feeding unit 14, coins are fed one by one into the housing 10 by the feeding unit 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the coin receiving unit 12 is connected to a deposit transfer unit 16 that transfers coins fed into the housing 10 by the feed unit 14 in a single-layer, single-row state.

  The deposit transfer section 16 has a transfer surface 16c extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and coins are transferred on the transfer surface 16c in a substantially horizontal orientation. In addition, the deposit transport section 16 has a circulation belt 16a stretched by a plurality of pulleys 16b, and the coins fed out of the housing 10 by the feeding section 14 have friction acting with the circulation belt 16a. It is conveyed inside the housing 10 by force. Specifically, the circulating belt 16a is spaced above the transport surface 16c from the transport surface 16c with a small gap (specifically, a gap having substantially the same size as the thickness of one coin). Are located. A drive motor is connected to one of the plurality of pulleys 16b, and the circulation belt 16a circulates in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 by rotating the pulley 16b by the drive motor. It is supposed to. A plurality of pins for pushing coins on the transport surface 16c are provided at equal intervals at the lower end of the circulation belt 16a. When the circulation belt 16a circulates in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. The coins on the transport surface 16c are pushed in the depth direction of the housing 10 by the pins. In this way, the coins fed into the housing 10 by the feeding unit 14 are transported in the depth direction of the housing 10 in a substantially horizontal posture on the transport surface 16c in the right region inside the housing 10. Will be done.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an identification unit 18 for identifying a denomination of a coin, authenticity, correctness, front and back, new and old, and a transport state is provided in the middle of the deposit transport unit 16. In addition, coins identified as not normal coins by the identification unit 18 or coins that cannot be identified by the identification unit 18 are branched off from the transport surface 16c of the deposit transport unit 16 and rejected by a reject port 26 described later. A reject unit 24 for discharging the outside of the apparatus 10 is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the reject unit 24 has a reject chute 24a for feeding coins by their own weight in a standing state. In FIG. 2, a coin transported by the deposit transport unit 16 and a coin transported by the reject chute 24 a to the reject opening 26 in a standing state are indicated by reference numeral C. Here, the reject chute 24a is inclined obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal direction, and a reject port 26 provided on the front side of the housing 10 is provided at the downstream end of the reject chute 24a. I have. The reject port 26 is accessible from the front side of the housing 10, and the operator sends coins (reject coins) sent from the reject chute 24 a to the reject port 26 from the front side of the housing 10. It can be taken out and re-inserted into the coin receiving section 12. At the upstream end of the reject chute 24a, an entrance for coins from the deposit transfer section 16 to the reject chute 24a is provided. Further, the reject unit 24 is a gate member for branching coins identified as not normal coins by the identification unit 18 or coins that could not be identified by the identification unit 18 from the transport surface 16c of the deposit transport unit 16. 25.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gate member 25 has a shaft 25a extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and swings around the shaft 25a. Such a shaft 25a is arranged at an end on the downstream side in the coin transport direction by the deposit transport unit 16. In addition, the gate member 25 has a closed position in a substantially horizontal posture as shown by a solid line in FIG. 2 and a branch position protruding upward from such a closed position as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. When the gate member 25 is located at the closed position, the upper surface 25b of the gate member 25 is substantially the same as the transfer surface 16c of the deposit transfer unit 16. It will be located on a plane. As a result, when the gate member 25 is located at the closed position, the coins conveyed on the conveying surface 16c of the deposit conveying unit 16 are not branched by the gate member 25 to the reject chute 24a of the rejecting unit 24, and the coin is conveyed to the gate. It is sent to each denomination branching section 22 through the upper surface 25b of the member 25. On the other hand, when the gate member 25 is located at the branch position, the coins conveyed on the transport surface 16c of the deposit transport unit 16 are branched from the deposit transport unit 16 to the reject chute 24a of the reject unit 24 by the gate member 25. The reject chute 24a sends the reject chute 24a to the reject port 26.

  As shown in FIG. 1, on the further downstream side of the gate member 25 in the coin transport direction by the deposit transport section 16, a plurality of denomination branch sections 22 are provided so as to be arranged in series corresponding to the coin storage sections 30a to 30e. Have been. Specifically, when the denomination of the coin identified by the identification unit 18 is 50 yen, the 50-yen coin is branched from the deposit transfer unit 16 by the denomination branching unit 22 located on the rightmost side in FIG. Then, it is sent to the coin storage unit 30a. Similarly, when the denomination of the coin identified by the identification unit 18 is 5 yen, the 5-yen coin is branched from the deposit transfer unit 16 by the denomination branching unit 22 located second from the right in FIG. Then, it is sent to the coin storage unit 30b. When the denomination of the coin identified by the identification unit 18 is 500 yen, the 500-yen coin is branched from the deposit transfer unit 16 by the denomination branching unit 22 located third from the right in FIG. The coins are sent to the coin storage unit 30c. When the denomination of the coin identified by the identification unit 18 is 100 yen, the 100-yen coin is branched from the deposit transport unit 16 by the denomination branching unit 22 located fourth from the right in FIG. The coins are sent to the coin storage unit 30d. When the denomination of the coin identified by the identification unit 18 is 10 yen, the 10-yen coin is branched from the deposit transfer unit 16 by the denomination branching unit 22 located fifth from the right in FIG. The coins are sent to the coin storage unit 30e. When the denomination of the coin identified by the identification unit 18 is 1 yen, the coin is directly branched from the deposit transport unit 16 without being branched from the deposit transport unit 16 by each denomination branching unit 22. It is sent to the storage section 30f. In this way, the coins identified by the identification unit 18 are sorted by denomination into the coin storage units 30a to 30f, and are stored in these coin storage units 30a to 30f.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f has a coin storage space 31 in which a plurality of coins are stored. Each of the coin storage sections 30a to 30f is provided with a feeding section 40 for feeding coins stored in the coin storage space 31 one by one from the coin storage space 31. The details of the configuration of each of the coin storage sections 30a to 30f and the feeding section 40 will be described later. The coins fed from the coin storage space 31 of each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f by the feeding unit 40 are sent to the coin payout unit 32, and are accumulated in the coin payout unit 32. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, in front of the three coin storage units 30 a to 30 c from the right among the six coin storage units 30 a to 30 f, the diagonally downward diagonally toward the coin dispensing unit 32. A coin guide groove 34 that is inclined is formed, and coins fed from the coin storage space 31 of the coin storage units 30a to 30c by the feeding unit 40 enter the coin guide groove 34 in an upright state, and the coin guide groove is formed. At 34, the coin moves to the left in FIG. 1 while rolling while standing, so that the coin is sent to the coin payout unit 32. On the other hand, the coins fed by the feeding unit 40 from the coin storage spaces 31 of the three coin storage units 30d to 30f from the left among the six coin storage units 30a to 30f are directly sent to the coin payout unit 32. Further, the coin dispensing portion 32 is exposed outside the housing 10, and the operator can grasp the coins accumulated in the coin dispensing portion 32 by hand and take it out of the housing 10. ing. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the coin storage units 30 a to 30 f has a full detection sensor for detecting when a coin stored in the coin storage space 31 is in a full state or a near full state. 31a is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the feeding portion 40 is disposed at the bottom of the coin storage space 31 and has a belt-shaped feeding belt 42 stretched by a plurality of pulleys 44 and one of the plurality of pulleys 44. A small gap between the drive motor 44a connected to the pulley 44 and rotating the pulley 44 in both forward and reverse directions and the feeding belt 42 (specifically, the denomination to be stored in the coin storage units 30a to 30f) A small gap (specifically, coin storage units 30a to 30c) is provided between the reverse rotation roller 46 disposed above the payout belt 42 and a payout belt 42 with a gap slightly larger than the thickness of the coin. And a guide member 43 disposed above the feeding belt 42 with a gap (slightly larger than the thickness of coins of the denominations to be stored in 30f). Here, the coins accommodated in the coin accommodating space 31 are placed on the feeding belt 42. The feeding belt 42 is an endless (in other words, an annular) flat belt, and the width of the feeding belt 42 is substantially the same as the width of the coin storage space 31. When the pulley 44 connected to the driving motor 44a is rotated in the coin feeding direction by the driving motor 44a, the feeding belt 42 circulates in a clockwise direction in FIGS. 2 and 3 are conveyed to the right in FIGS. 2 and 3 in a substantially horizontal posture, and pass through a gap formed between the reverse rotation roller 46 and the feeding belt 42 to the coin guide groove 34 or the coin dispensing section. 32. Here, the reverse rotation roller 46 is configured to rotate in a direction opposite to the coin feeding direction by the feeding belt 42 (that is, clockwise direction in FIGS. 2 and 3). As a result, when the coins fed by the feeding belt 42 pass through the gap formed between the reverse rotation roller 46 and the feeding belt 42, the coins are aligned in one layer and one row, and the coins are aligned. The coin is fed to the coin guide groove 34 or the coin payout section 32 by the feeding belt 42.

  Further, a guide member 43 is provided downstream of the reverse rotation roller 46 in the coin feeding direction by the feeding belt 42, and between the guide member 43 and the feeding belt 42, the coin guide groove 34 or coin payout is provided. A coin waiting area 41 is formed in which a plurality of (specifically, up to four) coins before being sent to the unit 32 wait in a single-layer, single-row state. Further, in the present embodiment, the drive motor 44a rotates the pulley 44 in the direction opposite to the coin feeding direction, so that the feeding belt 42 can circulate in the direction opposite to the coin feeding direction. Has become. In the present embodiment, the feeding belt 42 functions as a transport member that is movable in a coin feeding direction and a direction opposite to the coin feeding direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the feeding unit 40 is provided with a first stop member for selectively stopping coins conveyed by the feeding belt 42 in the feeding direction (ie, rightward in FIGS. 3 and 4). 45, a second stop member 47 provided upstream of the first stop member 45 in the coin feeding direction and for stopping coins conveyed by the feeding belt 42 in the direction opposite to the feeding direction. have. Here, in the present embodiment, the above-described coin standby area 41 is formed between the first stop member 45 and the second stop member 47. Further, the first stop member 45 is substantially vertically moved in FIG. 4 between a stop position where the first stop member 45 approaches the feed belt 42 by the solenoid 45a (see FIG. 6) and a retracted position where the first stop member 45 is separated upward from the feed belt 42. It can be moved to. When the first stop member 45 is located at the stop position, the coins fed out of the coin accommodating space 31 by the feeding belt 42 and passing through the gap between the reverse rotation roller 46 and the feeding belt 42 are the first coins. It is designed to be stopped by the stop member 45. As a result, a plurality of coins before being sent to the coin guide groove 34 or the coin payout section 32 wait in the coin waiting area 41 in a single-layer, single-row state. On the other hand, when the first stop member 45 is located at the retracted position, coins that have been fed out of the coin storage space 31 by the feeding belt 42 and passed through the gap between the reverse rotation roller 46 and the feeding belt 42 are in the first position. The coin passes through the area below the stop member 45 and is sent to the coin guide groove 34 or the coin payout section 32.

  Further, the distance between the first stop member 45 and the second stop member 47 in the coin feeding direction by the feeding belt 42 is 4 times the diameter of the denomination coin to be stored in the coin storage units 30a to 30f. It is larger than double and smaller than the five times diameter. As a result, a maximum of four coins can be kept in the coin waiting area 41. Generally, the amount of coins as change which is dispensed from the coin processing device 1 is a maximum of 999 yen, and in this case, in each coin waiting area 41 corresponding to each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f, If you keep 4 1-yen coins, 1 5-yen coin, 4 10-yen coins, 1 50-yen coin, 4 100-yen coins and 1 500-yen coin, you can use them as change. When the coin dispensing process is performed, the coins to be dispensed simply by sending the coins waiting in each coin waiting area 41 to the coin guide groove 34 or the coin dispensing section 32 by the feeding belt 42 are all collected. Since the coins are accumulated in the coin payout unit 32, the coin payout operation can be performed in a short time.

  The second stop member 47 is configured such that coins conveyed by the feeding belt 42 can be fed only in the feeding direction (ie, rightward in FIG. 4). Specifically, the distance between the second stop member 47 and the feeding belt 42 is smaller than the thickness of denomination coins to be stored in the coin storage units 30a to 30f. The second stop member 47 is lifted upward by the coin when the coin conveyed in the feeding direction by the feeding belt 42 passes through the second stop member 47, and is opposite to the feeding direction by the feeding belt 42. When the coin conveyed in the direction (that is, the left direction in FIG. 4) comes into contact with the second stop member 47, the coin cannot be further moved in the direction opposite to the payout direction by the second stop member 47. It has such a configuration. More specifically, the second stop member 47 guides the moving portion whose bottom surface is inclined with respect to the surface of the feeding belt 42 as shown in FIG. When there is no coin near the second stop member 47, the moving portion of the second stop member 47 is located at a lower position by its own weight. When coins conveyed in the feeding direction by the feeding belt 42 pass through the second stop member 47 when the moving portion is located at such a lower position, the bottom surface of the moving portion is moved to the feeding belt 42. The moving part is lifted up along the guide rail by the coin because of being inclined with respect to the surface of the coin, and the coin passes through the moving part and is sent to the coin waiting area 41. On the other hand, when the moving portion is located at the lower position and the coin conveyed in the direction opposite to the feeding direction by the feeding belt 42 passes through the second stop member 47, the coin is moved to the moving portion. The moving portion is not lifted upward by the coin by hitting the side surface of the coin. When the second stop member 47 having such a configuration is used, coins conveyed by the feeding belt 42 can be transferred to the second stop member without providing a drive mechanism for moving the second stop member 47. 47 makes it possible to feed only in the feeding direction.

  Note that the second stop member 47 is not limited to the one having the moving part and the guide rail described above. As another example of the second stop member 47, a solenoid 47a (see FIG. 6) is used to switch between a stop position approaching the feeding belt 42 and a retracted position away from the feeding belt 42 in FIG. What can be moved substantially up and down may be used. Also in this case, the coins conveyed by the feeding belt 42 are selectively stopped by the second stop member 47 by the solenoid 47a moving the second stop member 47 between the stop position and the retreat position. Will be able to do it. When the second stop member 47 is moved by the solenoid 47a, the second stop member 47 does not retreat upward from the feeding belt 42 but in the left-right direction of the feeding belt 42 or It may be retracted downward. More specifically, when the second stop member 47 is retracted leftward or rightward of the feeding belt 42, the side edge of the coin transport path by the feeding portion 40 (specifically, the second stop member The distance between the side edge of the transport path on which the side 47 is not provided) and the second stop member 47 located at the stop position is smaller than the diameter of the coin. Further, as still another example, a pair of left and right second stop members 47 is provided in a coin conveyance path by the feeding unit 40, and each of the second stop members 47 is moved leftward and rightward from the conveyance path, respectively. May be separated from each other. In this case, the distance between the second stop members 47 located at the stop position is smaller than the diameter of the coin.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the feeding portion 40 includes a first holding detection sensor 49 a provided near the first stopping member 45 and a second holding member 47. A second holding detection sensor 49b provided in the vicinity and a feeding detection provided downstream of the first stop member 45 in the coin feeding direction by the feeding belt 42 (that is, the right direction in FIGS. 4 and 5). And a sensor 49c. Here, the first hold detection sensor 49a is a coin (the coin closest to the first stop member 45) of the coins held between the first stop member 45 and the second stop member 47 on the feeding belt 42. That is, the front end coin (coins in the coin waiting area 41) is detected. In addition, the second reservation detection sensor 49b outputs the coin closest to the second stop member 47 among the coins retained between the first stop member 45 and the second stop member 47 on the feeding belt 42 (ie, , Among the coins waiting in the coin waiting area 41 (coins on the rear end side). Further, the feeding detection sensor 49c detects that a coin conveyed in the feeding direction by the feeding belt 42 has been fed through the first stop member 45. More specifically, the first holding detection sensor 49a, the second holding detection sensor 49b, and the feeding detection sensor 49c are respectively provided with light emitting elements provided so as to sandwich a coin conveyance path formed on the feeding belt 42 from above and below. And an optical sensor having a light receiving element. When light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked by the coin on the payout belt 42 and cannot be received by the light receiving element, the coin on the payout belt 42 is detected. Has become. In the present embodiment, the first hold detection sensor 49a and the second hold detection sensor 49b can detect whether or not a predetermined number (for example, four) of coins are waiting in the coin waiting area 41. Become like Further, the coin which has been fed from the coin waiting area 41 by the feeding belt 42 and passed through the first stop member 45 can be detected by the feeding detection sensor 49c.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a stirring member 48 connected by a chain 48a is placed on the payout belt 42 of the payout unit 40 in the coin storage space 31 of each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f. Is attached to the ceiling of each of the coin storage sections 30a to 30f. Here, in a case where a bridge phenomenon occurs in which a plurality of coins float from the feeding belt 42 in a state where a plurality of coins are overlapped on the rear side of the coin holding space 31 of each of the coin holding portions 30a to 30f, the feeding belt 42 is rotated in the reverse direction. The agitating member 48 is moved to the rear side of the coin accommodating space 31 (that is, to the left in FIG. 3) by causing the feeding belt 42 to circulate in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. By the stirring member 48, the coin bridged in a state of being floated from the feeding belt 42 behind the coin accommodating space 31 can be broken.

  In the present embodiment, the above-described coin storage units 30a to 30f, the feeding unit 40, and the like constitute a coin storing and feeding mechanism for storing and feeding coins.

  Further, the coin processing device 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a control unit 50 that controls each component of the coin processing device 1. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 50 includes, in the delivery unit 14, the deposit transport unit 16, the identification unit 18, the denomination branching unit 22, the reject unit 24, the full detection sensor 31 a, the delivery unit 40 ( Specifically, the drive motor 44a, the solenoids 45a and 47a, the respective hold detection sensors 49a and 49b, and the feed detection sensor 49c) are connected to each other. Then, a signal relating to the result of coin identification by the identification unit 18 and a signal relating to the result of coin detection by the full detection sensor 31a are sent to the control unit 50, and the control unit 50 issues a command signal to each component of the coin processing device 1. To control the operation of these components. Further, in the present embodiment, a signal relating to a coin detection result by each of the holding detection sensors 49a and 49b of the payout unit 40 and a signal relating to a coin detection result by the payout detection sensor 49c are also sent to the control unit 50. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 6, an operation display unit 52, a storage unit 54, a printing unit 56, and a communication interface unit 58 are connected to the control unit 50, respectively. The operation display unit 52 includes, for example, a touch panel provided on the upper surface of the housing 10 of the coin processing device 1, and the processing status of the coin processing device 1 such as a coin depositing process and a coin dispensing process, and the coin storage units 30 a to 30 a. Information on the amount of coins stored in 30f is displayed on the operation display unit 52. Further, the operator can give various commands to the control unit 50 by operating the operation display unit 52. The storage unit 54 stores the processing history of the coin processing and payment processing in the coin processing apparatus 1 and information on the amount of coins stored in the coin storage units 30a to 30f. ing. The printing unit 56 prints, on a receipt or the like, a processing history of a coin depositing process, a dispensing process, and the like in the coin processing device 1 and information on the amount of coins stored in the coin storing units 30a to 30f. It has become. Also, the control unit 50 can transmit and receive signals to and from an external device (specifically, for example, a higher-level terminal) provided separately from the coin processing device 1 according to the present embodiment via the communication interface unit 58. I can do it. Specifically, the control unit 50 can transmit information stored in the storage unit 54 to an external device provided separately from the coin processing device 1 via the communication interface unit 58.

  Next, the operation of the coin processing device 1 having such a configuration will be described. The operation of the coin processing device 1 as described below is performed by the control unit 50 controlling each component of the coin processing device 1.

  First, an operation when a coin depositing process is performed in the coin processing device 1 will be described. When coin processing is performed in the coin processing device 1, the operator first inserts a coin into a coin insertion slot provided on the front side of the upper surface of the housing 10. The coin inserted into the coin slot is received by the coin receiving unit 12. Further, when a coin received in the coin receiving unit 12 is detected by a residual detection sensor (not shown) provided in the coin receiving unit 12, the payout unit 14 is driven to drive the coin into the housing 10 by the payout unit 14. Are fed out one by one into the. The coins fed into the housing 10 by the feeding unit 14 are conveyed one by one by the depositing / conveying unit 16, and the coin type, authenticity, fitness, front / back, new / old, and old / new state of the coin are recognized by the identification unit 18. Identification is performed. Here, the coins identified as normal by the identification unit 18 are not branched off from the deposit transport unit 16 by the gate member 25 of the reject unit 24 and are sent to the inner region of the housing 10 by the deposit transport unit 16. Then, the coins are stored in the coin storage units 30a to 30f by being branched from the deposit transfer unit 16 for each denomination by each denomination branching unit 22. On the other hand, coins that are identified as not normal coins by the identification unit 18 or coins that cannot be identified by the identification unit 18 are branched from the deposit transport unit 16 by the gate member 25 of the reject unit 24 as reject coins, The branched reject coin is sent to the reject port 26 by the reject chute 24a. Further, as described above, since the reject port 26 is accessible from the front side of the casing 10, the operator can reject coins sent from the reject chute 24 a to the reject port 26 from the front side of the casing 10. The coin can be taken out of the housing 10 and re-inserted into the coin receiving unit 12.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the coin processing is performed in the coin processing device 1, the feeding belt 42 of the feeding portion 40 is circulated in the coin feeding direction in each of the coin storage portions 30a to 30f and the solenoid is operated. Reference numeral 45a positions the first stop member 45 at the stop position. As a result, a predetermined number (specifically, four) of coins are made to stand by in a single-layer, single-row state in the coin waiting area 41 of each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f in preparation for a coin dispensing process described later. Will be able to

  Next, an operation when the coin dispensing process is performed in the coin processing device 1 will be described. When the coin dispensing process is performed in the coin processing device 1, the operator inputs information related to the dispensing process such as the number of coins to be dispensed and the total amount of coins to be dispensed by the operation display unit 52. Or when information relating to the withdrawal process, such as the number of coins to be dispensed and the total amount of coins to be dispensed, is sent to the control unit 50 via the communication interface unit 58 from the external device. In the coin storage units 30a to 30f corresponding to the coin denominations, the feeding belt 42 of the feeding unit 40 is circulated in the coin feeding direction, and the first stop member 45 is moved from the stop position to the retracted position by the solenoid 45a. Will be able to As a result, coins waiting in the coin waiting area 41 pass through the first stop member 45 and are sent to the coin guide groove 34 or the coin payout section 32. The coin sent to the coin guide groove 34 moves to the left in FIG. 1 while rolling while moving in the coin guide groove 34 to be sent to the coin payout section 32. In this way, coins to be dispensed are accumulated in the coin dispensing section 32. Further, as described above, since the coin dispensing section 32 is accessible from the front side of the housing 10, the operator puts his / her hand on the coin dispensing section 32 so that the dispensed coins can be accessed on the front side of the housing 10. From the housing 10.

  In the coin processing device 1 of the present embodiment, when the full detection sensor 31a detects that the coin stored in the coin storage space 31 in each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f is in the full state or the near full state. By alternately repeating the operation of moving the feeding belt 42 in the direction opposite to the feeding direction and the operation of moving the feeding belt 42 in the feeding direction, the coins accommodated in the coin accommodating space 31 are agitated to a full state. Alternatively, the near-full state can be eliminated. Further, at this time, the coin bridged in a state of being floated from the feeding belt 42 behind the coin accommodating space 31 can be broken by the stirring member 48. Also, when coins are jammed between the feeding belt 42 and the reverse rotation roller 46 in the feeding section 40, the feeding belt 42 and the reverse rotation roller 46 are moved by moving the feeding belt 42 in the direction opposite to the feeding direction. It is possible to remove the coin clogged between and to send the coin to the coin accommodating space 31.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the second stop member 47 is provided, even if the feeding belt 42 is moved in the direction opposite to the feeding direction, the coins waiting in the coin waiting area 41 are It is possible to prevent returning to the storage space 31. Here, the second stop member 47 is not provided, and the coins waiting in the coin waiting area 41 are returned to the coin storage space 31 by moving the payout belt 42 in a direction opposite to the payout direction. When coins are dispensed while the coins stored in the coin storage space 31 are being stirred or immediately after the stirring operation is completed, the coins stored in the coin storage space 31 are fed to the feeding belt. Since it is necessary to pay out the coins and feed them to the coin payout section 32, the time required for the coin payout operation is longer than when coins waiting in the coin waiting area 41 are fed out by the payout belt 42 and sent to the coin payout section 32. There is a problem that becomes longer. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the coins waiting in the coin waiting area 41 are not returned to the coin storage space 31, so that the coins stored in the coin storage space 31 are agitated while stirring. Even when the coin dispensing process is performed immediately after the stirring operation is completed, the coin dispensing operation can be performed in a short time.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the coins are made to wait in the coin waiting area 41 corresponding to each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f, the payout belt 42 is slightly moved in a direction opposite to the payout direction, so that the coin waiting is performed. The coins on the front end side waiting in the area 41 are separated from the first stop member 45, and the coins on the rear end side are brought into contact with the second stop member 47 (see FIG. 5). In this case, when the coin dispensing process is performed, when the first stop member 45 is moved from the stop position to the retreat position by the solenoid 45a, the first stop member 45 is moved to the coin standby area 41. This prevents the solenoid 45a from being overloaded because it does not come into contact with the coins that are waiting. Further, in the present embodiment, by moving the feeding belt 42 slightly in the opposite direction to the feeding direction, the coin on the leading end waiting in the coin waiting area 41 is separated from the first stop member 45. Even when the coin on the rear end side is brought into contact with the second stop member 47, the first reservation detection sensor 49a can detect the coin on the front end side waiting in the coin standby area 41. . Note that the present embodiment is not limited to such an aspect, and as another example, when coins are made to wait in the coin waiting areas 41 corresponding to the coin storage units 30a to 30f, the coin waiting area 41 Alternatively, the coin on the leading end side, which is waiting at step (1), may be brought into contact with the first stop member 45.

  In the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the dimensions of the reject unit 24 (specifically, the reject chute 24a) and the reject port 26 are reduced in order to reduce the size of the entire apparatus. However, when the size of the reject part 24 or the reject port 26 is reduced, the capacity of the reject coin at the reject part 24 or the reject port 26 is reduced, so that the coin is diverged from the deposit transfer part 16 by the gate member 25 of the reject part 24. If the number of rejected coins is large, the reject opening 26 may overflow with the rejected coins. Also, based on the identification result by the identification unit 18, it is determined that two or more coins are not continuous and normal coins, and these two or more coins are continuously transmitted by the gate member 25 of the reject unit 24 to the deposit transfer unit 16. If there is a branch from the gate member, there is a possibility that the opening and closing operation of the gate member 25 may not be in time.

  For this reason, in the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when a coin depositing process is performed, one of the following processing modes is selected from a plurality of processing modes, and the selected processing mode is selected. Coin deposit processing is performed according to the contents of the mode. Specifically, in the first processing mode, when the coin conveyed by the deposit conveyance unit 16 is identified by the identification unit 18, it is determined that the coin is not a normal coin based on the identification result by the identification unit 18. In this case, the transport speed of the coins by the deposit transport unit 16 is not reduced, and the coins are continuously transported at the normal transport speed. Further, in the second processing mode, when the coin conveyed by the deposit conveyance unit 16 is identified by the identification unit 18, it is determined that the coin is not a normal coin based on the identification result by the identification unit 18. Then, the transport speed of the coins by the deposit transport unit 16 is reduced, and the coins are continuously transported at a low speed. In the third processing mode, when the coin conveyed by the deposit conveyance unit 16 is identified by the identification unit 18, it is determined that the coin is not a normal coin based on the identification result by the identification unit 18. Then, the transport of the coins by the deposit transport unit 16 is stopped until the coins are branched from the deposit transport unit 16 by the gate member 25 of the reject unit 24 and sent to the reject port 26 by the reject chute 24a.

  Then, for example, when a clerk deposits a coin as sales proceeds from a customer, the first processing mode is selected from the three processing modes described above, and the contents of the first processing mode are selected. A coin is deposited along the coin. In the first processing mode, even when the reject coin is sent to the reject port 26 based on the identification result by the identification unit 18, the transport speed of the coin by the deposit transport unit 16 does not decrease. Can be prevented. When the clerk deposits coins as sales proceeds from the customer, the number of coins inserted into the coin slot is not so large. It is considered that there is a low possibility that a situation in which more than one coin is determined to be not a normal coin in succession will occur. On the other hand, when the clerk replenishes coins as change, the second processing mode is selected from the three processing modes described above, and coin processing is performed in accordance with the contents of the second processing mode. Is performed. When replenishment of coins as change is performed, a large amount of coins will be inserted into the coin slot, but the transport speed of coins by the deposit transport unit 16 is reduced, and the transport of coins is continued at low speed. By doing so, even if it is determined that two or more coins are not continuous and normal coins based on the identification result by the identification unit 18, the reject port 26 overflows with the reject coins, or the opening / closing operation of the gate member 25 is delayed. It is possible to suppress occurrence of troubles such as disappearance.

  As described above, when the coin deposit processing is performed, a certain processing mode is selected from the plurality of processing modes described above, and the coin deposit processing is performed according to the content of the selected processing mode. In such a case, the processing modes corresponding to the need to quickly perform coin deposit processing and the need to suppress the occurrence of coin overflow phenomenon and clogging in the reject unit 24 and the reject port 26 are respectively set. Payment processing of coins can be performed.

  Further, as another example of the processing mode relating to the coin depositing process, the number of times that the coin conveyed by the deposit conveying unit 16 is determined to be not a normal coin based on the identification result by the identifying unit 18 is a predetermined number of times. When it has reached, the transport speed of the coins by the deposit transport unit 16 may be reduced to continue the transport of the coins at a low speed. Further, the transport speed of the coins by the deposit transport unit 16 may be gradually reduced in accordance with the number of times that the coin transported by the deposit transport unit 16 is determined to be not a normal coin based on the identification result by the identification unit 18. It may be. In addition, when it is determined that the coin conveyed by the deposit transport unit 16 is not a normal coin on the basis of the identification result by the identification unit 18 continuously for a predetermined number of times (for example, five times), the deposit transport unit 16 determines The transport speed of coins may be reduced.

  Also, conventionally, when a store clerk drops coins as change from a coin processing device as a coin change machine at a cash register counter of a store, the cash Drawer without picking up the coins dropped by the clerk. There was a case where one coin was taken out from the company and the taken out coin was handed to a customer as change. However, in such a case, there is a problem in that if the clerk forgets to pick up the dropped coin, a miscalculation occurs in the coin processing device. In a conventional coin processing device (specifically, a coin change machine), a list of coin dispensing processing history is displayed on a display unit such as a monitor, and a history selected by an operator from the history list is displayed. Some coins can be repaid for the same amount of coins. However, in such a conventional coin processing device, it is necessary to select a history for which the redispensing process is to be performed from a list of the dispensing process history displayed on a display unit such as a monitor. Problem. In addition, when a re-dispensing process unrelated to a transaction is performed, such a re-dispensing process history is not displayed on the display unit, so that there is a problem that a shortage of coins is not understood and a difference easily occurs. .

  On the other hand, in the coin processing device 1 of the present embodiment, when the coin dispensing process is performed, coins to be dispensed are fed from the coin storage units 30a to 30f and the coin waiting area 41 by the feeding unit 40. When fed out and sent to the coin payout unit 32, as shown in FIG. 7A, the operation display unit 52 displays a message prompting the operator to remove the coin from the coin payout unit 32 or pays out the coin to the coin payout unit 32. The amount of the dispensed coin (“change amount” in FIG. 7A) is displayed, and a “redispense” button is displayed on the operation display unit 52. Then, when the operator presses the “Repayment” button on the display screen of the operation display unit 52, the same denomination as the coin paid out to the coin payout unit 32 when the withdrawal process was performed immediately before. The coins of each number are fed out again from the coin storage sections 30a to 30f and the coin waiting area 41 by the feeding section 40 and sent to the coin payout section 32. Thus, even if a clerk drops coins as change dispensed from the coin processing device 1, the coin processing device 1 performs coin re-dispensing processing in a short time so that coins as change can be obtained. Can be given to the customer, so that the customer can be prevented from waiting for a long time. Further, in performing the coin re-dispensing processing in the coin processing device 1, the coin re-dispensing button displayed on the operation display unit 52 is simply depressed, and the coins are stored in the coin storage units 30a to 30f and the coin waiting area 41. Is dispensed by the dispensing unit 40 and sent to the coin dispensing unit 32, and compared with a case where a history for which redispensing processing is to be performed is selected from a list of dispensing processes displayed on a display unit such as a monitor. It becomes possible to perform the coin re-dispensing process in a short time.

  When the above-described coin re-dispensing process is performed in the coin processing device 1 of the present embodiment, the re-dispensed coin is displayed on the operation display section 52 as shown in FIG. 7B. Is displayed, and a "replenishment of shortage" button (specifically, a button indicating "500 yen shortage") is displayed. Then, when the operator presses the “replenish shortage” button on the display screen of the operation display unit 52 as shown in FIG. The coin replenishment process can be performed for the same number of coins as the coins paid out to the payout unit 32. As a result, it is possible to prevent the coin processing device 1 from causing a difference. Note that the number of coins of each denomination inserted into the coin slot after the “depletion of shortage” button is pressed by the operator on the display screen of the operation display unit 52 is determined when the redispensing process is performed. If the number exceeds the number of coins paid out to the coin payout section 32, the excess coins are sent to the reject port 26 by the reject section 24 and returned to the operator from the reject port 26. Become so.

  Further, in the coin processing device 1 of the present embodiment, after the above-described coin re-dispensing process is performed, the following processing is performed by the coin processing device 1 unless replenishment of coins as a shortage is not performed. It may be possible to set a mode in which it is not possible. In addition, after the above-described coin re-dispensing process is performed, if the shortage amount is not 0, the coin processing device 1 may perform the collection process of the coins stored in the coin storage units 30a to 30f. You may not be able to. Specifically, the main unit housed inside the housing 10 may not be able to be pulled out to the near side of the housing 10. In addition, information such as the identification number, time, and amount of the person in charge at the time of the coin withdrawal processing is stored in the storage unit 54 or displayed on the operation display unit 52 as a processing history. You may.

  According to the coin processing device 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration and the coin storing and feeding mechanism provided in the coin processing device 1, the coins stored in the coin storage units 30a to 30f can be further increased. The feeding unit 40 that feeds out one by one in a row is disposed on the bottom surface of the coin storage units 30a to 30f, and is capable of moving in a coin feeding direction and a direction opposite to the feeding direction. ), A first stop member 45 for selectively stopping coins conveyed in the dispensing direction by the dispensing belt 42, and a first stop member 45 provided upstream of the first stop member 45 in the coin dispensing direction to supply coins. A second stop member 47 for selectively stopping coins conveyed by the belt 42 in a direction opposite to the feeding direction. As described above, in the feeding section 40, the coins conveyed in the direction opposite to the feeding direction by the feeding belt 42 as the conveying member are selectively located upstream of the first stop member 45 in the coin feeding direction. Since the second stop member 47 for stopping the coin is provided, it is detected by the full detection sensor 31a that the coin accommodated in the coin accommodating space 31 has reached the full state or the near full state, or the coin in the feeding unit 40. Even when the feeding belt 42 is moved in the direction opposite to the feeding direction due to the jamming, the position between the first stop member 45 and the second stop member 47 (that is, in the coin waiting area 41). The coins can be kept on standby, so that the coin dispensing operation can be quickly performed when the coin dispensing process is performed.

  More specifically, in the conventional coin processing device, the full detection sensor detects that the coin accommodated in the coin accommodating space in the coin accommodating portion has reached the full state or the near full state, or the coin is jammed in the payout portion. In the event that the coin is fed out, no more coins can be sent to the coin waiting area even if the feeding belt is circulated in the coin feeding direction, so the feeding belt is circulated in the direction opposite to the coin feeding direction. Had to be done. However, when the feeding belt is circulated in the direction opposite to the coin feeding direction, the coins already waiting in the coin waiting area are returned to the coin storage space of the coin storage unit, and the above-described trouble is solved. Thereafter, there is a problem that the coin must be sent to the coin waiting area again by circulating the payout belt in the coin feeding direction again. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, even when the feeding belt 42 is moved in the direction opposite to the feeding direction, between the first stop member 45 and the second stop member 47 (that is, the coin waiting area 41). (2) Since the coins can be kept on standby, the problem of the conventional coin processing device described above can be solved.

  Further, in the coin storing and feeding mechanism of the present embodiment, as described above, the transport member (specifically, the feed belt 42) is a belt-like belt, and the coin transported by the feed belt 42 as the transport member. Is mounted on the feeding belt 42.

  Further, in the coin storing and feeding mechanism of the present embodiment, as described above, the second stop member 47 can feed coins conveyed by the feeding belt 42 as a conveying member only in the feeding direction. It has a configuration. Specifically, when the coin conveyed in the feeding direction by the feeding belt 42 as a conveying member passes through the second stopping member 47, the second stop member 47 is lifted upward by the coin and the feeding belt When the coin conveyed in the opposite direction to the payout direction by the contact 42 comes into contact with the second stop member 47, the coin cannot be moved any more in the opposite direction to the payout direction by the second stop member 47. It has a configuration. Further, the distance between the second stop member 47 and the feeding belt 42 is smaller than the thickness of coins to be stored in the coin storage units 30a to 30f. According to the second stop member 47 having the above-described features, the coins conveyed by the feeding belt 42 can be reliably sent only in the feeding direction.

  Further, in the coin storing and feeding mechanism of the present embodiment, as described above, the distance between the first stop member 45 and the second stop member 47 in the coin feeding direction by the feeding belt 42 as the transport member. Is larger than four times the diameter of the coins to be stored in the coin storage units 30a to 30f and smaller than five times the diameter. In this case, up to four coins can be made to stand by in the coin waiting area 41 formed between the first stop member 45 and the second stop member 47 on the feeding belt 42. . Here, the amount of coins as change that is dispensed from the coin processing device 1 is a maximum of 999 yen. In this case, one coin is stored in each coin waiting area 41 corresponding to each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f. If you have 4 yen coins, 1 5 yen coin, 4 10 yen coins, 1 50 yen coin, 4 100 yen coins, and 1 500 yen coin, you will have coins as change. When the dispensing process is performed, the coins to be dispensed simply by sending the coins waiting in each coin waiting area 41 to the coin guide groove 34 or the coin dispensing section 32 by the payout belt 42 are all coins. Since the coins are accumulated in the payout section 32, the coin payout operation can be performed in a short time. Therefore, if a maximum of four coins can be made to stand by in the coin waiting area 41 formed between the first stop member 45 and the second stop member 47 on the feeding belt 42, the coin processing device 1 , It is possible to pay out the maximum amount of coins (ie, 999 yen) to be paid out in a short time.

  Further, in the coin storing and feeding mechanism of the present embodiment, as described above, near the first stop member 45, the first stop member 45 and the second stop member of the feed belt 42 as the conveying member are provided. A first holding detection sensor 49a is provided as first holding detecting means for detecting a coin held between the first holding coin 47 and the first holding coin 47. In this case, it is possible to detect the leading end coin waiting in the coin waiting area 41 formed between the first stop member 45 and the second stop member 47 on the feeding belt 42. become.

  Further, in the coin storing and feeding mechanism of the present embodiment, as described above, the first stop member 45 and the second stop member of the feeding belt 42 as the conveying member are provided near the second stop member 47. A second hold detection sensor 49b is provided as second hold detection means for detecting a coin held between the first and second coins. In this case, it is possible to detect a rear-end coin waiting in the coin waiting area 41 formed between the first stop member 45 and the second stop member 47 on the feeding belt 42. Become like

  Further, in the coin storing and feeding mechanism of the present embodiment, as described above, near the first stopping member 45, the coins conveyed in the feeding direction by the feeding belt 42 as the conveying member are set to the first stop. A feeding detection sensor 49c is provided as feeding detection means for detecting that the feeding has been performed after passing through the member 45. In this case, coins that have been fed out of the coin waiting area 41 by the feeding belt 42 and passed through the first stop member 45 can be detected.

  Note that the coin storage and dispensing mechanism according to the present embodiment and the coin processing device 1 including such a coin storage and dispensing mechanism are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made.

  For example, the conveying member provided in the feeding section 40 is not limited to an endless (in other words, an annular) flat belt. As another example of the conveying member provided in the feeding section 40, a belt-like substantially straight flat belt that is unwound from an unwinding roll and wound up by a winding roll may be used.

  Further, the second stop member for selectively stopping coins conveyed in the direction opposite to the feeding direction by the feeding belt 42 is not limited to the above-described configuration. As long as the coin conveyed by the feeding belt 42 in the direction opposite to the feeding direction can be selectively stopped, a member other than the above-described configuration may be used as the second stop member.

  In addition, the coin processing device according to the present invention is limited to a device used as a coin processing unit of a change machine installed in a checkout station where a customer in a store of a commercial facility such as a convenience store or a supermarket performs a checkout process of a product. Never. As the coin processing device according to the present invention, a device other than the coin processing unit of the change machine, such as a cashier or a currency changer, may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coin processing apparatus 10 Housing 12 Coin receiving part 14 Feeding part 14a Feeding belt 16 Receiving and conveying part 16a Circulating belt 16b Pulley 16c Transfer surface 18 Identification part 22 Denomination branching part 24 Reject part 24a Reject chute 25 Gate member 25a Axis 25b Upper surface 26 Reject ports 30a to 30f Coin storage unit 31 Coin storage space 31a Full detection sensor 32 Coin payout unit 34 Coin guide groove 40 Feeding unit 41 Coin standby area 42 Feeding belt 43 Guide member 44 Pulley 44a Drive motor 45 First stop member 45a Solenoid 46 Reverse rotation roller 47 Second stop member 47a Solenoid 48 Stirring member 48a Chain 49a First suspension detection sensor 49b Second suspension detection sensor 49c Feeding detection sensor 50 Control unit 52 Operation display unit 54 Storage unit 56 Printing unit 58 Communication interface unit

Claims (10)

A storage unit for storing a plurality of coins,
A payout unit that feeds out the coins stored in the storage unit one by one in a row.
With
The dispensing unit is disposed on the bottom surface of the storage unit, a conveying member that is movable in a direction opposite to the coin dispensing direction and the dispensing direction, and a coin conveyed in the dispensing direction by the conveying member. A first stop member for selectively stopping, and a coin provided upstream of the first stop member in the coin dispensing direction and conveyed by the conveying member in a direction opposite to the dispensing direction. And a second stop member for selectively stopping the coin.   The coin storing and feeding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the transport member is a belt-shaped belt, and coins transported by the transport member are placed on the belt.   The coin storing and feeding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second stop member is configured to be able to feed coins conveyed by the conveying member only in a feeding direction.   The second stop member is lifted upward by the coin when the coin transported by the transport member in the payout direction passes through the second stop member, and is transported by the transport member in a direction opposite to the payout direction. 4. The structure according to claim 3, wherein when the coin to be touched contacts the second stop member, the second stop member prevents the coin from moving any more in the direction opposite to the dispensing direction. Coin storage and dispensing mechanism.   The coin storing and feeding mechanism according to claim 4, wherein a distance between the second stop member and the transport member is smaller than a thickness of a coin to be stored in the storing unit.   The distance between the first stop member and the second stop member in the coin feeding direction by the transport member is greater than four times the diameter of the coin to be stored in the storage portion and the diameter of the coin is smaller than the diameter of the coin. The coin storing and feeding mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the size is smaller than five times.   A first holding detecting unit provided near the first stop member and detecting coins held between the first stop member and the second stop member in the transport member; A coin storing and feeding mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   A second holding detecting means provided near the second stopping member and detecting coins held between the first stopping member and the second stopping member in the transporting member; A coin storing and feeding mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   A delivery detecting means provided near the first stop member and configured to detect that coins transported in the delivery direction by the transport member have been delivered through the first stop member. Item 9. The coin storage and dispensing mechanism according to any one of Items 1 to 8. A coin storing and feeding mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
An input unit for inputting coins into the housing,
A deposit transfer unit that sends a coin inserted into the housing by the input unit to the storage unit of the coin storage and feeding mechanism,
An ejection unit for ejecting coins fed from the coin storage / feeding mechanism to the outside of the housing,
A coin processing device comprising:

Images