JP6805294B2 - Coin counter and coin storage bag detection method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a coin counter for packaging measured coins and a method for detecting a coin storage bag.

As a machine that counts and stores coins, a coin counter as shown in Patent Document 1 is generally known. In the coin counter of Patent Document 1, the coin storage bag held in the bag holding portion is attached to the coin discharging member. Then, the coins counted by the coin counting unit are discharged from the coin discharging member, and the coins are stored in the coin storage bag. The coin storage bag is made of a resin material.

JP-A-2019-61616

In the coin counter shown in Patent Document 1, a coin storage bag may be formed of a transparent resin material in order to make the coins in the bag easy to see. However, when the coin storage bag is made of a transparent resin material, light is transmitted, so there is a problem that it is difficult for the photoelectric sensor to automatically detect that the coin storage bag is attached to the coin outlet of the coin counter. there were.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a coin counter and a coin storage bag detection method capable of detecting the presence or absence of a transparent coin storage bag by a photoelectric sensor.

In order to solve the above problems, the coin counter according to the present invention has a deposit unit for depositing coins, a coin counter for counting coins deposited from the deposit unit, and a coin counting unit for counting coins. The coin storage bag is provided with a coin discharge port for discharging, a bag holding portion for holding a coin storage bag attached to the coin discharge port and storing coins, and a first photoelectric sensor unit. The coin storage bag has an edge of a storage bag opening. The held portion is provided on the portion, the bag holding portion has a holding member that holds the held portion when holding the coin storage bag, and the first photoelectric sensor portion is a light source and a light source. It has a light receiving element that receives light, and the holding member moves to a holding start position where the held portion is held by the holding member and a mounting position where the coin storage bag is mounted on the coin ejection port, and the holding member holds the coin. When located at the start position, the light receiving element receives light from the light source to detect the first light intensity value, and when the holding member is in the mounting position, the light receiving element receives light from the light source that has passed through the coin storage bag. It receives light and detects the second light intensity value, and based on the first light intensity value and the second light intensity value, it detects that the coin storage bag is mounted on the coin outlet when the holding member is in the mounting position. To do.

The second photoelectric sensor unit may detect the coin storage bag when it has the second photoelectric sensor unit and the coin storage bag is held by the bag holding unit.
The coin storage bag may be made of a transparent resin.

Further, the coin storage bag detection method according to the present invention is a coin storage bag detection method in a coin counter, in which the coin counter holds a transparent coin storage bag at a holding start position and receives light from a light source. Then, the first light intensity value is detected, the coin storage bag is moved to the mounting position to be mounted on the coin outlet, and the light from the light source transmitted through the coin storage bag is received at the mounting position to set the second light intensity value. It detects that the coin storage bag is attached to the coin outlet based on the first light intensity value and the second light intensity value.

According to the coin counter and the coin storage bag detection method according to the present invention, it has a light source and a light receiving element that receives light from the light source, and receives light when the holding member is located at the holding start position of the coin storage bag. When the element receives the light from the light source and detects the first light intensity value, and the holding member is in the mounting position where the coin storage bag is mounted on the coin outlet, the light receiving element is transmitted from the light source that has passed through the coin storage bag. The coin storage bag is mounted on the coin outlet when the holding member is in the mounting position based on the first light intensity value and the second light intensity value. In order to detect this, the presence or absence of a transparent coin storage bag can be detected by a photoelectric sensor.

It is a perspective view which shows the coin counter which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the front door of the coin counter in FIG. 1 is opened. It is a perspective view which shows the state which pulled out the inkjet printer of the coin counter in FIG. It is a front view which shows the state which the front door of the coin counter in FIG. 1 is opened. It is an enlarged view of the coin pack part in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the position of the reflection type photoelectric sensor of the coin counter in FIG. It is a perspective view from the lower side of the coin counter in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the rotating state of the clamp shaft of the coin counter in FIG. FIG. 1 is a right side view showing a state in which the front door of the coin counter of the coin counter in FIG. 1 is opened. FIG. 1 is a right side view showing a state in which the front door of the coin counter of the coin counter in FIG. 1 is closed. It is an enlarged view which shows the pack holding part in FIG. It is an enlarged view which shows the pack holding part in FIG. It is a front view, side view, and perspective view which shows the coin storage bag which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which set the coin storage bag of the operation of the coin counter which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which the pack holding part of the coin counter which concerns on embodiment of this invention is lowered. It is a figure which shows the rotating state of the clamp arm of the coin counter which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view which shows the state of the clamp arm shown in FIG. It is an enlarged view which shows the rotation state of the clamp arm shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the completion of rotation of the clamp arm of the coin counter which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the coin counting state of the coin counting machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the coin counting completion state of the coin counter which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the rotating state of the heater arm of the coin storage machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state during welding of the coin storage machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation of returning the heater arm of the coin storage machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the printing operation of the coin storage machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation completion state of the coin storage machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view and a side view which shows the coin storage bag after coin storage which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view, a side view, and a perspective view which show the 1st modification of the coin storage bag of this invention. It is a front view and the side view which shows the 2nd modification of the coin storage bag of this invention. FIG. 29 is a front view and a side view of the coin storage bag shown in FIG. 29 after coin storage. It is a figure which shows the modification of the front door of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the coin counter and the coin storage bag detection method of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a coin counter 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The coin counter 100 has a coin counter main body 10. On the upper surface of the coin counter main body 10, a touch panel type monitor 11 for operating the coin counter main body 10 and checking the operating status, and operation keys for performing various operations of the coin counter main body 10 are provided. An operation unit 12 and a deposit unit 13 for depositing coins are provided. Below the deposit unit 13, a coin counting unit 14 is provided inside the housing of the coin counter main body 10. Further, a control unit (not shown) is provided inside the housing of the coin counter main body 10, and the monitor 11, the deposit unit 13, the coin counter 14, the inkjet printer 30, and the clamp arm unit 41, which will be described later, are provided. And control the operation of the heater arm unit 50.

A reject box 15 is provided on the front surface of the coin counter main body 10 to return coins that cannot be recognized as normal coins by the coin counter 14 due to damage or the like, foreign coins that have been erroneously inserted, medals, and the like that are not subject to counting. ing.

Further, a coin pack portion 20 covered with a front door 21 is provided on the front surface of the coin counter main body 10. In the coin pack unit 20, the coins counted by the coin counting unit 14 are stored in the coin storage bag.

FIG. 2 shows a coin counter 100 with the front door 21 open. The coin pack unit 20 is provided with a packing area 22 which is an elongated space divided into a passage shape used when storing coins in a coin storage bag. Adjacent to the packing area 22, an inkjet printer 30 for printing on a coin storage bag is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the inkjet printer 30 is pulled out toward the front door 21 side so that maintenance work such as replenishment of ink can be performed.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the coin counter 100 shown in FIG. A coin ejection port 40 for ejecting coins counted by the coin counting unit 14 is provided on the upper left of the coin packing unit 20. The coin outlet 40 is open toward the packing area 22.

A clamp arm portion 41 for holding the coin storage bag is provided near the opening of the coin discharge port 40. The clamp arm portion 41 constitutes a bag holding portion. The clamp arm portion 41 has a rod-shaped first clamp arm 43a having a rod-shaped first clamp shaft 42a protruding toward the front side of the coin counter main body 10 and a rod-shaped first clamp arm 43a protruding toward the front side of the coin counter main body 10. It is provided with a second clamp arm 43b having a second clamp shaft 42b at its tip. The first clamp shaft 42a and the second clamp shaft 42b constitute a holding member. The first clamp shaft 42a and the second clamp shaft 42b are made of a conductor such as stainless steel.

A first bag sensor 44a and a second bag sensor 44b are provided on both sides of the coin ejection port 40. The first clamp arm 43a and the second clamp arm 43b are rotated by a motor (not shown) so that the first clamp shaft 42a can contact the first bag sensor 44a and the second clamp shaft 42b can contact the second bag sensor 44b. can do. The first bag sensor 44a is a sensor that detects contact with the first clamp shaft 42a by conduction. Further, the second bag sensor 44b is a sensor that detects contact with the second clamp shaft 42b by conduction.

A heater arm portion 50 is provided on the back side of the packing area 22 with the rear wall 28 of the packing area 22 interposed therebetween. The heater arm portion 50 constitutes a heat welding portion. The heater arm portion 50 has a first heater arm 51a having a first heater 52a at the tip and a second heater arm 51b having a second heater 52b at the tip. The first heater arm 51a is attached to the rear wall 28 of the packing area 22 by the first shaft 53a and the second heater arm 51b by the second shaft 53b. The first heater arm 51a is rotated about the first shaft 53a, and the second heater arm 51b is rotated about the second shaft 53b by a motor (not shown). Further, the first heater arm 51a and the second heater arm 51b form an arm portion.

A first heater door 23 is provided on the lower surface of the packing area 22 as a cover for preventing the first heater 52a from being damaged by coins. A second heater door 24 is provided on the upper surface of the packing area 22 as a cover for preventing the second heater 52b from being damaged by coins. Further, the rear wall 28 of the packing area 22 is notched for passing the first and second heaters 52a and 52b so that the coin storage bag can be sandwiched when the first and second heater arms 51a and 51b rotate. The first notch 25a and the second notch 25b are formed.

At the lower right of the packing area 22, a pack holding portion 60 for holding a coin storage bag is provided.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the coin pack portion 20 of FIG. The description of the front door 21 is omitted for the sake of explanation. A transmissive photoelectric sensor 48 that detects the presence or absence of a coin storage bag is provided in the vicinity of the coin ejection port 40. The transmissive photoelectric sensor 48 has an LED 45 and a light receiving element 47. Further, the transmission type photoelectric sensor 48 constitutes a first photoelectric sensor unit.

An LED 45, which is an infrared LED that emits infrared light, is provided above the packing area 22. The LED 45 is arranged so that when the coin pack portion 20 is viewed from the front front of the coin counter 100 (see FIG. 4), its optical axis 46 does not come into contact with the coin ejection port 40 and passes behind. Further, the optical axis 46 of the LED 45 passes over the upper part of the coin storage bag when the coin storage bag is attached to the coin discharge port 40 by the first clamp shaft 42a and the second clamp shaft 42b as described later. It is located in.

A light receiving element 47 for detecting the light of the LED 45 is provided on an extension line of the optical axis 46 so as to face the LED 45. The light receiving element 47 is an infrared light receiving element. The light receiving element 47 is arranged outside the range of the packing area 22, and is supported by a bottom plate formed by being connected to the bottom plate of the packing area 22. Further, in order to irradiate the light receiving element 47 with the light of the LED 45, an opening (not shown) is formed on an extension line of the optical axis 46 in a part of the partition plate defining the packing area 22.

A first reflective photoelectric sensor 90 is provided below the pack holding portion 60. A second reflective photoelectric sensor 91 is provided below the inkjet printer 30. The first reflective photoelectric sensor 90 and the second reflective photoelectric sensor 91 constitute a reflective sensor that uses infrared rays, and detect the presence or absence of a coin storage bag described later.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the coin pack portion 20 viewed from above in order to show the positions of the first reflective photoelectric sensor 90 and the second reflective photoelectric sensor 91. The first reflection type photoelectric sensor 90 is arranged on the back side in the depth direction of the coin pack portion 20. The second reflective photoelectric sensor 91 is arranged near the center in the depth direction of the coin pack portion 20, and is arranged on the right side with respect to the first reflective photoelectric sensor 90.

7 and 8 are perspective views of the coin counter 100 showing the rotation of the first clamp arm 43a and the second clamp arm 43b as viewed from below. Due to the rotation of the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b, as shown in FIG. 7, the first and second clamp shafts 42a and 42b are positioned in front of the opening of the coin ejection port 40, as shown in FIG. It can be moved to the position on the side surface of the coin ejection port 40.

FIG. 9 is a right side view of the coin counter 100. For convenience of explanation, the description of the inkjet printer 30 is omitted. In FIG. 9, the front door 21 is in an open state. The pack holding portion 60 has a vertical plate 66 extending in the vertical direction of the coin counter 100. A pack holding plate 68 extending in the lateral direction of the coin counter 100 is formed in the lower portion of the vertical plate 66. Further, a pack holding arm 61 rotatably attached to the vertical plate 66 with the fulcrum portion 63 as the fulcrum, a front roller 62 attached to one end of the pack holding arm 61 so as to be in contact with the front door 21, and a vertical plate. A guide groove 67 formed in the 66 and guides the vertical plate 66 so as to be movable in the vertical direction is provided. Further, the bottom portion of the end portion of the packing area 22 and the other end portion of the pack holding arm 61 are connected by a first spring 64 and a second spring 65.

FIG. 10 shows a coin counter 100 when the front door 21 shown in FIG. 9 is closed. The front roller 62 is in contact with and pushed by the front door 21.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing when the pack pressing portion 60 is in the state shown in FIG. The vertical plate 66 and the pack holding plate 68 are formed in an L shape. Further, the pack holding plate 68 is made of a conductor such as stainless steel. When the front roller 62 shown in FIG. 11 is not pushed by the front door 21 (see FIG. 9), the other end of the pack holding arm 61 is lifted by the first spring 64 and the second spring 65, and the front roller 62 projects toward the front door 21. Further, the vertical plate 66 is located at the upper position, and there is a gap between the pack holding plate 68 and the bottom of the packing area 22 (see FIG. 2).

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing when the pack pressing portion 60 is in the state shown in FIG. When the front door 21 is closed, the front roller 62 is pushed by the front door 21 and moves to the rear side of the coin counter 100 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, as the fulcrum portion 63 descends, the vertical plate 66 descends along the guide groove 67. When the vertical plate 66 is lowered, the pack holding plate 68 is lowered to the lower position, and the bottom of the end portion of the packing area 22 comes into contact with each other to eliminate the gap.

FIG. 13 shows the configuration of the coin storage bag 70. 13 (a) is a front view of the coin storage bag 70, FIG. 13 (b) is a side view of the coin storage bag 70, and FIG. 13 (c) is a perspective view of the coin storage bag 70. The coin storage bag 70 is a bag-shaped storage bag formed by laminating a synthetic resin film of a transparent insulator having heat welding properties such as polyethylene terephthalate, and is an opening into which coins can be inserted. The opening 71 is a transparent bag as a whole, having a storage bag bottom 72 at the bottom. Further, near the storage bag opening 71, there is a tubular portion 73 configured so that the first and second clamp shafts 42a and 42b (see FIG. 4) can be inserted. The tubular portion 73 has the shape of a so-called traditional Chinese bookbinding portion. That is, it has a tubular shape with both sides open. The tubular portion 73 constitutes a held portion. The coin storage bag 70 may be a colored transparent bag or a translucent bag.

Next, the coin packing operation in the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 26 showing the coin packing unit 20.
As shown in FIG. 14, when the coin pack operation for storing coins in the coin storage bag 70 starts, the front door 21 is in the open state, and the first and second clamp shafts 42a are in front of the opening of the coin discharge port 40. , 42b are located, and the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b are positioned so as to extend toward the opening of the coin ejection port 40. With the front door 21 open, the operator inserts the tubular portion 73 of the coin storage bag 70 into the first and second clamp shafts 42a and 42b, and installs the coin storage bag 70 in the packing area 22. That is, at this time, the first and second clamp shafts 42a and 42b are in the holding start positions where the coin storage bag 70 is started to be held. Further, at this time, the storage bag bottom portion 72 is inserted into the gap between the pack pressing plate 68 and the bottom portion of the packing area 22, and is inserted below the inkjet printer 30.

Next, the worker opens the lid of the deposit unit 13 (see FIG. 1) and inserts the coin to be counted into the deposit unit 13. After loading, the operator closes the lid of the deposit unit 13. The inserted coins are stored in the coin counting unit 14.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15, when the operator closes the front door 21, the front roller 62 is pushed by the front door 21 to lower the pack holding plate 68 (see FIG. 11), and the pack holding plate 68 is lowered from the bottom 72 of the storage bag. The position of about one-third of the length of the coin storage bag 70 is sandwiched and fixed between the pack holding plate 68 and the bottom of the packing area 22. As a result, the possibility that the coin storage bag 70 vibrates in the packing area 22 during the coin packing operation and a coin storage failure occurs is reduced. Further, the coin storage bag 70, which will be described later, is held by holding the position from the bottom 72 of the storage bag to about one-third of the length of the coin storage bag 70 at the lower part of the inkjet printer 30 to prevent coins from entering. You will be able to reliably print to.

At this time, since the coin storage bag 70 is located above the first reflection type photoelectric sensor 90 and the second reflection type photoelectric sensor 91, the coins are stored by the first reflection type photoelectric sensor 90 and the second reflection type photoelectric sensor 91. The bag 70 is detected. As a result, the control unit determines that the coin storage bag 70 is installed at a predetermined position in the packing area 22, and the monitor 11 displays that fact. At this time, if at least one of the first reflection type photoelectric sensor 90 or the second reflection type photoelectric sensor 91 does not detect the coin storage bag 70, the coin storage bag 70 is installed at a predetermined position in the packing area 22. If not, the control unit determines, and the monitor 11 displays that fact. Until the coin storage bag 70 is correctly installed in the predetermined position, even if the operator performs the operation, the subsequent steps are not performed.

The first reflective photoelectric sensor 90 is provided on the inner side of the coin pack portion 20 and below the pack holding portion 60, and is arranged on the second reflective photoelectric sensor 91 near the center with respect to the depth width of the coin pack portion 20. Moreover, since it is provided below the inkjet printer 30, it is possible to detect that the coin storage bag 70 is installed at a predetermined correct position.

After it is detected that the coin storage bag 70 is installed at a predetermined position, the operator presses the "start" button provided on the operation unit 12. When the "start" button is pressed, these doors are locked to prevent the operator from accidentally opening the door of the deposit unit 13 and the front door 21.

Next, the bag clamping operation is performed. First, the LED 45 irradiates infrared rays. The light receiving element 47 detects infrared rays of the LED 45 when the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b are in the initial positions. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16, the coin storage bag 70 is not attached to the coin outlet 40. Therefore, the infrared light emitted by the LED 45 reaches the light receiving element 47 without being blocked. The intensity of the infrared light detected by the light receiving element 47 at this time is stored in the control unit as an infrared light intensity value without a bag, that is, a first light intensity value.

Next, the control unit drives the motor to contact the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b, the first clamp shaft 42a contacts the first bag sensor 44a, and the second clamp shaft 42b contacts the second bag sensor 44b. Rotate in each direction.

Since the tubular portion 73 is inserted into the first and second clamp shafts 42a and 42b, the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b are as shown in FIG. 17 from the initial state shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. When rotated, the storage bag opening 71 is widened. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the opening of the coin ejection port 40 is covered with the storage bag opening 71. The control unit stops the rotation of the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b at the positions where the first clamp shaft 42a contacts the first bag sensor 44a and the second clamp shaft 42b contacts the second bag sensor 44b, respectively. .. As a result, the coin storage bag 70 is attached to the coin outlet 40. That is, at this time, the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b are in the mounting positions.

When the coin storage bag 70 is attached to the coin outlet 40, the optical axis 46 of the infrared light emitted by the LED 45 passes through the upper part of the coin storage bag 70. Since the coin storage bag 70 is transparent, the infrared light emitted by the LED 45 is transmitted and detected by the light receiving element 47. At this time, the light intensity value of the infrared light detected by the light receiving element 47 is input to the control unit as an infrared light intensity value with a bag, that is, a second light intensity value. The second light intensity value is lower than the first light intensity value in the non-bag state due to the attenuation of infrared light due to reflection and absorption by the coin storage bag 70.

Therefore, if the difference between the first light intensity value and the second light intensity value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the infrared light detected by the light receiving element 47 is attenuated by the coin storage bag 70, and thus the tubular portion. The state in which 73 is correctly inserted into the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b, the coin storage bag 70 is attached to the coin discharge port 40, the optical shaft 46 passes over the upper part of the coin storage bag 70, and the control unit judge. That is, the control unit determines that the coin storage bag 70 is in the mounting position where the coin storage bag 70 is mounted on the coin ejection port 40.

On the contrary, if the difference between the first light intensity value and the second light intensity value is less than a predetermined threshold value, the infrared light detected by the light receiving element 47 is not attenuated by the coin storage bag 70, so that the coin storage bag The coin storage bag 70 is not attached to the coin outlet 40 because the tubular portion 73 of the 70 is not correctly inserted into the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b, and the optical shaft 46 attaches the coin storage bag 70. The control unit determines that the state has not passed. That is, the control unit determines that the coin storage bag 70 is “not” at the mounting position of the coin ejection port 40.

By the way, generally, when an opaque object is detected by a transmissive photoelectric sensor, the infrared light intensity value detected by the light receiving element in the presence of the object is a small value of almost 0 or close to 0. Therefore, the difference between the infrared light intensity value in the presence of an opaque object and the infrared light intensity value in the absence of an opaque object is large. Therefore, it is relatively easy to detect an opaque object by the transmissive photoelectric sensor.

On the other hand, when detecting a transparent object such as a coin storage bag 70, the object between the LED and the light receiving element is transparent and a part of the light is transmitted, so that the infrared light intensity detected by the light receiving element is transmitted. The value will not be close to 0. Therefore, the difference between the infrared light intensity value in the presence of a transparent object and the infrared light intensity value in the absence of a transparent object is small.

Further, in a transmissive photoelectric sensor that detects the light emitted by an LED by a light receiving element, the semiconductor element is generally affected by temperature drift due to a change in ambient temperature or a temperature change due to continuous energization for a long time, and infrared light is emitted. The sensor level fluctuates, that is, the detection result of the intensity value fluctuates.

Therefore, for example, in the coin counter 100 of this embodiment, when the presence or absence of the transparent coin storage bag 70 is detected by the transmissive photoelectric sensor 48, the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b are assumed to be the coin storage bag 70. The infrared light intensity value is detected only once when the coin is in the mounting position to be mounted on the coin outlet 40, and the presence or absence of the coin storage bag 70 is determined depending on whether the infrared light intensity value is above or below a fixed threshold value. Suppose it is detected. Then, since the coin storage bag 70 is transparent, the difference between the infrared light intensity value in the presence of the coin storage bag 70 and the infrared light intensity value in the absence of the coin storage bag 70 is relatively small. Therefore, it is not possible to sufficiently distinguish whether the infrared light intensity value fluctuates due to the presence of the coin storage bag 70 or the infrared light intensity value fluctuates due to the sensor level fluctuation, and it is possible to erroneously determine the presence or absence of the coin storage bag 70. There is sex.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the first light intensity value without the bag is detected in advance, and the difference from the second light intensity value with the bag is obtained. As a result, even if the sensor level of the transmissive photoelectric sensor 48 fluctuates, the first light intensity value and the second light intensity value fluctuate in the same manner, so that the first light is almost unaffected by the sensor level fluctuation. The difference between the intensity value and the second light intensity value can be obtained. Therefore, the presence or absence of the transparent coin storage bag 70 can be detected more accurately.

The detection of the coin storage bag 70 by the first reflection type photoelectric sensor 90 and the second reflection type photoelectric sensor 91 and the detection of the coin storage bag 70 by the transmission type photoelectric sensor 48 are carried out every time the coin 16 is packed. In particular, regarding the detection of the coin storage bag 70 by the transmissive photoelectric sensor 48, when the first light intensity value of the light receiving element 47 without the bag and the second light intensity value of the light receiving element 47 with the bag are packed each time. By detecting and detecting the difference between the first light intensity value and the second light intensity value, it is possible to stably detect the presence or absence of the coin storage bag 70 even if the sensor level fluctuates.

Further, since the tubular portion 73 is inserted into the first and second clamp shafts 42a and 42b at this time, when the rotation of the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b is stopped, the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b are stopped. The clamp shafts 42a and 42b come into contact with the first and second bag sensors 44a and 44b with the coin storage bag 70 in the tubular portion 73 sandwiched between them.

Next, the first and second bag sensors 44a and 44b detect whether or not they are conducting with the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b by passing a weak current. Since the coin storage bag 70 is made of an insulator, the first and second bag sensors 44a and 44b detect that they are not conducting with the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b. When it is detected that there is no conduction, the control unit determines that the tubular portion 73 is correctly inserted into the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b.

If the tubular portion 73 is not correctly inserted into the first and second clamp shafts 42a and 42b, the first bag sensor 44a and the first clamp shaft 42a, and the second bag sensor 44b and the second clamp shaft 42b The first and second bag sensors 44a and 44b detect the continuity of either one or both. Therefore, the control unit determines that the tubular portion 73 is not correctly inserted into the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b.

When it is determined that the tubular portion 73 is correctly inserted into the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b and the coin storage bag 70 is correctly installed in the packing area 22 as shown in FIG. The coin counting unit 14 counts coins.

As shown in FIG. 20, the counted coin 16 is ejected from the coin ejection port 40. Since the opening of the coin ejection port 40 is covered by the storage bag opening 71 (see FIG. 13), the ejected coin 16 is stored in the coin storage bag 70. Further, since the vertical plate 66 and the pack holding plate 68 are lowered, the coins 16 stored in the coin storage bag 70 are received by the vertical plate 66. Items that are not counted in the coin counting unit 14 are discharged from the reject box 15.

As shown in FIG. 21, after the coins 16 have been counted and the coins have been stored in the coin storage bag 70, the control unit displays the number of coins 16 counted by the coin counting unit 14 on the monitor 11. Next, when the operator confirms the display content of the monitor 11 and presses the "confirm" button provided on the operation unit 12, the control unit drives the motor as shown in FIG. 22, and the first and second clamps are clamped. The arms 43a and 43b and the first and second heater arms 51a and 51b rotate.

The first heater arm 51a rotates about the first shaft 53a, and the second heater arm 51b rotates about the second shaft 53b in the direction of approaching each other, that is, in the direction of the packing area 22. At this time, the first heater 52a pushes open the first heater door 23 and rotates through the first notch 25a. Further, the second heater 52b pushes open the second heater door 24 and rotates through the second notch 25b.

At this time, the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b are rotated so that the first and second clamp shafts 42a and 42b are located at the initial position, that is, in front of the opening of the coin discharge port 40 which is the holding start position. Move.

As shown in FIG. 23, when the first heater 52a and the second heater 52b sandwich the coin storage bag 70, the control unit stops the rotation of the first and second heater arms 51a and 51b. At this time, the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b rotate to the holding start position and stop. Therefore, the storage bag opening 71 is substantially closed and is in a low position by the first and second clamp arms 43a and 43b. The state of the coin storage bag 70 at this time is higher than the state of the coin storage bag 70 when the opening of the coin ejection port 40 is covered by the storage bag opening 71 during coin counting (see FIG. 20). Is loosened and slack is occurring.

Next, the control unit heats the first and second heaters 52a and 52b. The films facing each other in the coin storage bag 70 are welded to each other by heat, and the coin storage bag 70 is sealed. Heat welding by the first and second heaters 52a and 52b in a state where the coin storage bag 70 is slackened compared to when the opening of the coin discharge port 40 is covered by the storage bag opening 71 during coin counting. Therefore, the possibility that the coin storage bag 70 is damaged due to the film being torn or damaged by heat is less than that of heat welding the stretched film.

Next, as shown in FIG. 24, the first and second heater arms 51a and 51b rotate in directions separated from each other under the control of the control unit. A sealing portion 74 is formed by heat welding at a portion where the first heater 52a and the second heater 52b sandwich the coin storage bag 70.

Next, as shown in FIG. 25, after the first and second heater arms 51a and 51b have rotated to the initial positions, the control unit drives the inkjet printer 30. A printing unit 31 provided at the bottom of the inkjet printer 30 prints information on the amount of coins 16 and the date and time of counting on the coin storage bag 70.

Next, after the printing is completed, the control unit unlocks the deposit unit 13 and the front door 21 as shown in FIG. 26. Next, when the operator opens the front door 21, the vertical plate 66 and the pack holding plate 68 rise, and the coin storage bag 70 cannot be held. When the operator pulls out the tubular portion 73 from the first and second clamp shafts 42a and 42b and takes out the coin storage bag 70 from the packing area 22, the counting and packaging of coins is completed.

FIG. 27 shows a coin storage bag 70 in which a coin 16 is housed and a sealing portion 74 is formed by sandwiching the first and second heaters 52a and 52b (see FIG. 23). On the coin storage bag 70, information regarding the amount of the coin 16 and the date and time at the time of counting is printed in the print area 75. Therefore, after the coin storage bag 70 is taken out from the coin counter 100, it is not necessary for the operator to manually write the information of the coin 16 in the coin storage bag 70. In addition, in the conventional coin counter, the coin information is given to the coin storage bag by attaching a label printed with the stored coin information, so that there is a possibility that a recording error may occur due to label peeling or misattachment. However, in the coin counter 100 according to this embodiment, since the information of the stored coins is printed directly on the coin storage bag 70, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of recording errors.

In this way, the deposit unit 13 for depositing coins 16, the coin counting unit 14 for counting the coins 16 deposited from the deposit unit 13, and the coin ejection port 40 for discharging the coins 16 counted by the coin counting unit 14 The coin storage bag 70 includes a clamp arm portion 41 that is attached to the coin discharge port 40 and holds the coin storage bag 70 that stores the coin 16, and a transmissive photoelectric sensor 48. The coin storage bag 70 is the edge of the storage bag opening 71. The clamp arm portion 41 has a tubular portion 73 provided in the portion, and the clamp arm portion 41 has first and second clamp shafts 42a and 42b that hold the tubular portion 73 when holding the coin storage bag 70. The transmissive photoelectric sensor 48 has a light source 45 and a light receiving element 47 that receives the light emitted by the light source 45, and the first and second clamp shafts 42a and 42b clamp the tubular portion 73 with the first and second clamps. It moves to a holding start position for holding the coins 42a and 42b and a mounting position for mounting the coin storage bag 70 on the coin ejection port 40. When the first and second clamp shafts 42a and 42b are located at the holding start positions, the light receiving element 47 receives the light from the light source 45 and detects the first light intensity value, and the first and second clamp shafts 42a, When the 42b is in the mounting position, the light receiving element 47 receives the light from the light source 45 transmitted through the coin storage bag 70, detects the second light intensity value, and is based on the first light intensity value and the second light intensity value. Since it is detected that the coin storage bag 70 is attached to the coin discharge port 40, the presence or absence of the transparent coin storage bag 70 can be detected by the photoelectric sensor.

Further, when the coin storage bag 70 is held by the first and second clamp shafts 42a and 42b, the first reflective photoelectric sensor 90 and the second reflective photoelectric sensor 91 are provided. Since the 90 and the second reflective photoelectric sensor 91 detect the coin storage bag 70, the presence or absence of the coin storage bag 70 can be detected more reliably.

Further, the coin storage bag 70 is held at the holding start position, the light from the light source 45 is received, the first light intensity value is detected, and the coin storage bag 70 is moved to the mounting position where the coin storage bag 70 is mounted on the coin ejection port 40. At the mounting position, the light from the light source 45 transmitted through the coin storage bag 70 is received to detect the second light intensity value, and the coin storage bag 70 ejects coins based on the first light intensity value and the second light intensity value. In order to detect that it is attached to the outlet 40, the presence or absence of the transparent coin storage bag 70 can be detected by the photoelectric sensor.

In this embodiment, the presence or absence of the coin storage bag 70 is detected based on the difference between the first light intensity value without the bag and the second light intensity value with the bag, but the first light intensity value is relative to the first light intensity value. The ratio of the second light intensity value may be obtained, and the presence or absence of the coin storage bag 70 may be detected based on this ratio. In this case, when the coin storage bag 70 is located between the LED 45 and the light receiving element 47, the ratio of the second light intensity value to the first light intensity value decreases. Therefore, if the ratio of the second light intensity value to the first intensity value is less than a predetermined threshold value, the control unit determines that the coin storage bag 70 is in the mounting position, and if the ratio is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold value, the coin storage bag The control unit can determine that the 70 is not in the mounting position.

Further, in this embodiment, when the coin pack portion 20 is viewed from the front front of the coin counter 100 (see FIG. 4), the optical axis 46 of the LED 45 passes behind without contacting the coin ejection port 40. However, the LED 45 may be arranged so that its optical axis 46 does not come into contact with the coin ejection port 40 and passes in front of it.

Further, in this embodiment, the transmissive photoelectric sensor 48 constitutes the first photoelectric sensor unit, but other types of photoelectric sensors may be used. For example, a retroreflective photoelectric sensor is used in which a light receiving element is provided in the same module as the LED, a reflector is provided on an extension of the optical axis of the LED, and the light emitted by the LED is reflected by the reflector and received by the light receiving element. You may.

Further, in this embodiment, the first reflection type photoelectric sensor 90 and the second reflection type photoelectric sensor 91 constitute the second photoelectric sensor unit, but the number and installation of the photoelectric sensors constituting the second photoelectric sensor unit are installed. The position may be any number and installation positions, or other types of photoelectric sensors may be used. For example, a transmissive photoelectric sensor may be used.

Further, in this embodiment, the transmissive photoelectric sensor 48, the first reflective photoelectric sensor 90, and the second reflective photoelectric sensor 91 irradiate and detect infrared rays, but light of other wavelengths such as visible light. A transmissive photoelectric sensor and a reflective photoelectric sensor may be used.

Further, although the coin storage bag 70 was used in this embodiment, the grip portion as shown in the front view of FIG. 28 (a), the side view of FIG. 28 (b), and the perspective view of FIG. 28 (c). A coin storage bag 78 having 77 may be used. By having the grip portion 77, the coin storage bag 78 can be easily carried.

Further, although the coin storage bag 70 was used in this embodiment, the coin storage bag 79 having the intermediate sealing portion 80 as shown in the front view of FIG. 29 (a) and the side view of FIG. 29 (b) is used. You may use it. The coin storage bag 79 has an intermediate sealing portion 80 sealed by laminating at a position 3/4 of the bag portion for storing coins from the side of the storage bag opening 71 in the longitudinal direction thereof. .. Further, the coin storage bag 79 has a storage portion 81 which is a portion above the intermediate sealing portion 80 and a non-storage portion 82 which is a portion below the intermediate sealing portion 80. The storage portion 81 leads to the storage bag opening 71 and is a portion capable of storing coins. Since the non-storing portion 82 is sealed by the intermediate sealing portion 80, coins cannot be stored. The position of the intermediate sealing portion 80 in the longitudinal direction of the coin storage bag 79 is an example, and may be appropriately changed.

The effect of using the coin storage bag 79 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 24 of the embodiment, when the coin 16 has been stored in the coin storage bag 70, the operator visually confirms the printing state of the printing area 75. At this time, if print fading or the like occurs and the print state is poor, reprinting is performed on the print area 75. At the time of reprinting, with the inkjet printer 30 pulled out toward the front door 21 as shown in FIG. 3, the coin storage bag 70 is placed so that the printing area 75 faces the printing unit 31 (see FIG. 25). Insert it in the part of. Then, when the operator presses the "print" button provided on the operation unit 12, reprinting is performed on the print area 75.

When the coin storage bag 70 is used, the coin 16 is stored directly above the bottom 72 of the storage bag as shown in FIG. 27. In this state, since the coin 16 is present in the print area 75 and is thickened, the coin storage bag 70 cannot be inserted into the portion of the inkjet printer 30 so that the print portion 31 faces the print area 75. Therefore, when reprinting, it is necessary to move the coin 16 by turning the coin storage bag 70 upside down once so that the coin 16 does not exist in the printing area 75.

On the other hand, when the coin storage bag 79 is used, the storage portion 81 and the non-storage portion 82 are not communicated with each other because the coin storage bag 79 is sealed by the intermediate sealing portion 80. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 30, even if the coin 16 is stored in the coin storage bag 79, the coin 16 is not stored in the non-storage portion 82 and is in a thin state. Therefore, by setting the print area 75 in the non-storage unit 82, the coin storage bag 70 is inkjetd so that the print area 75 faces each other without having to move the coin 16 when the operator reprints. It can be easily inserted into the portion of the printer 30.

Further, the coin storage bag 78 (see FIG. 28) having the grip portion 77 may be provided with the intermediate sealing portion 80 by laminating in the same manner as the coin storage bag 79.

Further, the coin storage bags 70 and 78 may be formed of another material as long as they are made of a material having heat welding properties, or may have another shape.

Further, although the front door 21 shown in FIG. 1 was used in this embodiment, the front door 27 having the window portion 26 as shown in FIG. 31 may be used. By having the window portion 26, the operator can visually check the operation status when the front door 27 is closed and the coin pack operation is performed.

The shapes of the first and second clamp shafts 42a and 42b and the shape of the tubular portion 73 are other as long as the first and second clamp shafts 42a and 42b can be engaged with the tubular portion 73. It may have any shape of.

Further, the configuration of the coin counter 100 according to this embodiment can be applied to other money changers and simple machines by changing the positional relationship and size of the used parts.

13 Deposit part, 14 Coin counting part, 16 Coins, 40 Coin outlet, 41 Clamp arm part (bag holding part), 42a 1st clamp shaft (holding member), 42b 2nd clamp shaft (holding member), 45 Light source, 47 Light receiving element, 48 Transmission type photoelectric sensor (1st photoelectric sensor part), 70, 78, 79 Coin storage bag, 71 Storage bag opening, 73 Cylindrical part, 90 1st reflection type photoelectric sensor (2nd photoelectric sensor part) ), 91 Second reflection type photoelectric sensor (second photoelectric sensor unit).

Claims (4)

The deposit department for depositing coins and
A coin counting unit that counts coins deposited from the deposit unit,
A coin outlet for discharging coins counted by the coin counting unit, and
A bag holding portion that is attached to the coin outlet and holds a coin storage bag for storing coins.
Equipped with a first photoelectric sensor unit
The coin storage bag has a held portion provided at the edge of the storage bag opening, and has a held portion.
The bag holding portion has a holding member that holds the held portion when holding the coin storage bag.
The first photoelectric sensor unit includes a light source and a light receiving element that receives light from the light source.
The holding member moves to a holding start position where the held portion is held by the holding member and a mounting position where the coin storage bag is mounted on the coin discharge port.
When the holding member is located at the holding start position, the light receiving element receives light from the light source and detects a first light intensity value.
When the holding member is in the mounting position, the light receiving element receives light from the light source that has passed through the coin storage bag and detects a second light intensity value.
A coin counter that detects that the coin storage bag is mounted on the coin ejection port when the holding member is in the mounting position based on the first light intensity value and the second light intensity value. It has a second photoelectric sensor unit
The coin counter according to claim 1, wherein the second photoelectric sensor unit detects the coin storage bag when the coin storage bag is held by the bag holding unit. The coin counter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coin storage bag is made of a transparent resin. A method for detecting a coin storage bag in a coin counter,
The coin counter
Hold the transparent coin storage bag in the holding start position,
The light from the light source is received, the first light intensity value is detected, and
Move the coin storage bag to the mounting position where it will be mounted on the coin outlet,
At the mounting position, the light from the light source that has passed through the coin storage bag is received to detect the second light intensity value.
A coin storage bag detection method for detecting that the coin storage bag is attached to the coin outlet based on the first light intensity value and the second light intensity value.

Images