JP7120659B2 - Coin sending device and coin processing device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a coin feeding device for feeding coins one by one and a coin processing device provided with the coin feeding device.

Commonly, circulating currency issued by a nation includes coins of multiple denominations. Coins have different diameters, thicknesses, materials, and designs for each denomination, so anyone can easily identify the denomination. Since each denomination has different characteristics, it is also possible to identify the denomination by machine. However, it is conceivable that erroneous identification is made under exceptional conditions such as two coins overlapping each other. Therefore, it is necessary to separate the coins one by one and convey them to an identification device to identify the denomination.

For example, as a device for feeding coins one by one from a storage container, a coin feeding device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-165003 is known.

Such a coin dispensing device has a two-stage process. First, there is a step of sending out a plurality of coins one by one, and then there is a step of identifying the denomination of the coins that are conveyed one by one. Further, if a step of sorting the identified coins by denomination and storing them is provided in the subsequent stage of the coin sending device, the coin processing device can be obtained.

This coin delivery device has a disc arranged obliquely. A storage container for storing coins is arranged below the disk. Rotate the disc and pick up the coins in the storage container one by one. The disk is provided with a recess for receiving one coin. As the concave portion of the rotating disk passes through the storage container, only one coin accumulated in the storage container enters the concave portion and is conveyed. Above the disk, there is a mechanism for passing coins to the next process. The coin is conveyed above the disk and delivered to the next process. The next step is to identify the denomination of the coin. The denomination of the coin is identified using multiple sensors that detect characteristics such as size and material of the coin. In this way, the coin feeding device takes out one coin from a plurality of coins, feeds the coins one by one to the next process, and identifies the denomination of the coin.

In addition, in the coin processing device, after identification, the coin can be transferred to the next process. In the next step the coins are transported by a belt. In this process, a slide is arranged for each denomination in the middle of the conveying path by the belt, and each slide is connected to a coin hopper arranged for each denomination. The denomination-identified coins are dropped onto the corresponding denomination slide during transport. The coins dropped on the slide slide down to the storage container of the coin hopper by denomination and are stored therein.

The coin hopper can discharge a desired number of coins. An example of a coin processing device is an automatic change machine. The automatic change machine calculates the denomination and number of coins to be discharged according to the amount of change, controls the coin hopper corresponding to each denomination, and discharges the necessary coins.

JP 2011-165003 A

The size of coins used by nations varies. In many countries, the maximum diameter of coins in circulation is less than twice the minimum diameter. In this case, the disk may be provided with a recess slightly larger than the maximum diameter. Since two coins with the minimum diameter cannot fit in this concave portion, they are not sent to the next process at the same time.

However, the maximum diameter of coins in circulation may be more than twice the minimum diameter. In this case, it is possible that two or more coins with the smallest diameter can be inserted into the recess corresponding to the largest diameter of the coin. When two coins are transported to the next process at the same time, there is a risk of erroneous identification of the denomination of the coin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a coin delivery device capable of suitably sorting and conveying coins one by one without being affected by the diameter of the coins, and a coin processing device equipped with the coin delivery device.

A coin feeding device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a disk having a holding portion for holding coins on its upper surface, a storage container for holding a plurality of said coins, and side surfaces of said coins held by said holding portion. a support piece that presses and moves the coin in the outer peripheral direction of the disk, holds the coin in the storage container in the holding part, rotates the disk, and is arranged above the disk. The coins, which are moved in the outer peripheral direction of the disk by the support piece, are sent out one by one from the delivery port toward the next process, and the disk is arranged inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and the storage container is arranged below the disk, the holding unit, when the number of coins to be held is one, only the coin having a first diameter or larger is pushed out from the delivery port to the next process , and the coins smaller than the first diameter are not sent from the delivery port toward the next process, and when the number of coins to be held is two at the same time, the two coins to be held from the delivery port to the next process; If one coin having a diameter of less than the second diameter is not retained and one coin having a diameter of less than the second diameter is to be retained, the coin is sent from the delivery port toward the next process, and two coins having a diameter of less than the second diameter are not retained at the same time. and a holding portion.

A coin processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises the above-described coin sending device, an identification unit that receives the coin from the coin sending device and identifies the denomination of the coin, and A coin hopper is provided, and a storage unit for storing the coin in the coin hopper is provided, and the coin is stored in the coin hopper corresponding to the denomination identified by the identification unit.

In the present invention, out of the first holding portion and the second holding portion of the disk holding portion, the first holding portion for holding coins with the largest diameter delivers only coins with a diameter equal to or greater than the first diameter. Send out to the next process through the mouth. Assume that the first holding unit holds two or more coins having a diameter smaller than the first diameter. In such a case, the first holding unit can return the held small-diameter coin to the storage container without sending the held small-diameter coin toward the next process from the delivery port. The function of sending out only coins having a diameter equal to or larger than the first diameter from the first holder to the next process can be realized, for example, by the following configuration. In other words, a structure for preventing a small diameter coin from being delivered from the first holding part to the next process, and a small diameter coin until the first holding part is moved to a position facing the delivery port with the rotation of the disk. coin slides down from the first holding portion. With these configurations, it is possible to prevent one or two or more coins held in the first holding portion from being transferred to the next process. The coins can be sorted one by one and suitably sent to the next process. In addition, since the coins can be sorted one by one from the storage container and sent out, the denomination of the coins can be preferably identified.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin delivery device. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the coin processing device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main part of the coin processing machine. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the disk portion of the coin delivery device. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the disc unit. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining delivery of coins. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a first example in which a coin with a large diameter is held. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a second example in which a coin with a large diameter is held. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which two or more small-diameter coins are held. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a first example of operation when holding a coin with a small diameter. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a second example of the operation when holding a coin with a small diameter.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Each figure is merely a schematic representation to the extent that the present invention can be fully understood. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples only. Moreover, in each figure, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected about a common component and a similar component, and those overlapping description is abbreviate|omitted.

First, the coin processing device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the coin processing device. Commonly used coins come in a plurality of denominations. Coins have different elements such as size, material, and design for each denomination. The coin processing device can identify coins and sort them by denomination for storage. In addition, the stored coins are reused for payouts and the like.

For example, examples of the coin processing device 69 include an automatic change machine, an automatic change machine, and the like. A coin processing device 69, into which a plurality of denominations of coins are mixed, divides the coins one by one, identifies the denominations of the divided coins, and stores the identified coins for each denomination. Furthermore, the coin processing device 69 can pay out coins corresponding to a desired amount from the stored coins.

The coin processing device 69 is roughly divided into three parts. That is, there are a sending unit 37 that sorts and sends out inserted coins one by one, an identification unit 38 that identifies the coin denomination, and a storage unit 39 that stores the coins sorted by denomination. The coin sending device 1 may be configured to include the sending unit 37 and other functions such as the identification unit 38 . Here, the coin sending device 1 will be described as a device including a sending unit 37 and an identification unit 38 .

A coin 70 inserted into the coin slot 40 passes through the coin passage 41 and is stored in the storage container 42 . The coin slot 40, the coin passage 41, and the storage container 42 are indicated by broken lines in FIG. Also, a plurality of coins 70 can be put into the storage container 42 without separating the denominations.

A storage container 42 is arranged below the disk 2 . The storage container 42 has a bottom shaped along the outer circumference of the disc 2 . The storage container 42 covers the lower half to one-third of the disc 2 . Also, the disk 2 is arranged obliquely so that the coin leans against the disk 2 side. A plurality of coins lean against the disc 2 side, and the disc 2 rotates, so that the coins enter recesses described later and are conveyed.

Disk 2 can hold coins 70 . The disk 2 is provided with a recess recessed in the disk thickness direction, and the coin 70 is held in this recess. The bottom surface of the recess is flat. The inner wall of the recess is formed by the side walls of the protrusions (the first arm 4, the second arm 5, the third arm 6, and the selection section 13, which will be described later) projecting from the flat bottom surface of the recess. is interrupted by The side surface of the coin 70 that has entered the recess contacts the inner wall of the recess (side wall of the projection). The disk 2 is arranged so as to take an oblique posture with respect to the horizontal direction. The disc 2 is inclined so that the coin 70 can be properly inserted into the concave portion of the disc 2 . The inclination angle can be exemplified from about 30 degrees to 80 degrees. 40 degrees to 50 degrees is more preferable. If the inclination angle is small, the unnecessary coin 70 cannot slide down from the recess, and if the inclination angle is large, it becomes difficult for the coin to enter the recess.

The coin 70 is held in the recess with the front surface or the back surface of the coin 70 facing the flat bottom surface of the recess. In addition, the inner wall of the recess is interrupted in the outer peripheral area of the disk 2, and the coin 70 passes through this interrupted area and is passed to the next process. A guide surface is arranged on the outside of the outer circumference of the disk 2 to guide the coin in the direction of rotation of the disk. The coin 70 is transported with the side surface of the coin 70 in contact with the inner wall of the recess and the guide surface.

The disc 2 can pick up the coins 70 stored in the storage container 42 one by one by the concave portion by rotating in the disc rotation direction 33 indicated by the arrow. Since the disk 2 is arranged obliquely with respect to the horizontal direction, the coins 70 in the storage container 42 enter the concave portion of the disk 2 which is the area for holding the coins 70 . The coin 70 is held and conveyed by the bottom surface, wall portion and guide surface of the disc 2 .

A coin 70 is delivered at a position above the delivery section 37 and below the identification section 38 . A coin 70 conveyed upward by the disk 2 is delivered from the disk 2 to the identifying section 38 . The disc 2 can take out a plurality of coins 70 stored in the storage container 42 one by one and pass them to the next process.

In the identification unit 38, a receiving wheel 27 arranged on a flat receiving base (32 in FIG. 1 to be described later) of the coin sending device 1 rotates in a receiving wheel rotation direction 44 indicated by an arrow. . The receiving wheel 27 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the disc 2 . A coin 70 sent out from the identification unit 38 has its side surface in contact with the receiving wheel 27 and is pushed to move on the receiving base. The identification unit 38 detects characteristics such as the size and material of the coin 70 moving on the receiving base with a sensor, and identifies the denomination of the coin 70 with a control unit (not shown). Since the coins 70 are sorted one by one and conveyed, the identification unit 38 can suitably identify the denomination of the coins 70 . The coin 70 moves along the guide path 43 in a state where the front surface or the back surface is in contact with the aforementioned receiving base and the side surface is in contact with the guide path 43, and is delivered to the storage section 39 of the next process. be

In the storage section 39, a conveying path 68 continuing to the guide path 43 is arranged. A coin 70 is transported along this transport path 68 . A belt 46 is arranged along the transport path 68 . Conveying pins 47 are arranged at regular intervals on the belt 46 . One coin 70 enters between the transport pins 47 and is pushed by the transport pins 47 to be transported. The belt 46 is an endless belt and rotates in conjunction with the disk 2 and the receiving wheel 27 in the belt rotation direction 45 indicated by the arrow. The storage unit 39 can hold and transport the coins 70 one by one in the areas of the belt 46 that are separated by the transport pins 47 .

Along the transport path 68, a first slide 48, a second slide 50, a third slide 52, a fourth slide 54, a fifth slide 56, a sixth slide 58, a seventh slide 60, an eighth slide 62, a ninth slide. 64 are arranged. These slides are connected to coin hoppers of predetermined denominations. The coins 70 identified by the identification unit 38 are dropped onto the corresponding denomination slide and stored in the corresponding denomination coin hopper.

A coin 70 identified by the identification unit 38 is dropped on any slide. That is, the first slide 48 is connected to the first coin hopper 49, the second slide 50 to the second coin hopper 51, the third slide 52 to the third coin hopper 53, the fourth slide 54 to the fourth coin hopper 55, and the fifth slide 56. to the fifth coin hopper 57, the sixth slide 58 to the sixth coin hopper 59, the seventh slide 60 to the seventh coin hopper 61, the eighth slide 62 to the eighth coin hopper 63, and the ninth slide 64 to the collection container 65. ,It is connected.

The collection container 65 is used, for example, to collect old coins whose distribution is to be suppressed so as not to be reused.

Each coin hopper is arranged along the payout belt 66 . By driving the payout belt 66 , the storage unit 39 can convey the coins discharged from each coin hopper to the payout tray 67 . The storage unit 39 of the coin processing device 69 according to the embodiment can accommodate eight different denominations.

The coins 70 entered from the coin slot 40 are separated one by one and conveyed. The coin 70 is identified for its denomination and stored in a coin hopper corresponding to the identification result. Moreover, each coin hopper can pay out to the payout tray 67 by discharging the required number of coins. In this way, the inserted coin 70 can be reused for payout.

Next, the coin sending device 1 will be explained. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin delivery device. 4 is a perspective view of a state in which a storage container 42 is removed from the delivery section 37. FIG.

A sending unit 37 and an identifying unit 38 are arranged in the frame 25 . The disc 2 rotates around the disc rotating shaft 3 . The receiving wheel 27 rotates around the wheel rotation axis 26 . The disk rotating shaft 3 and the wheel rotating shaft 26 are rotated by the motor 24 . The motor 24 and the disc rotating shaft 3 are connected by a gear train (not shown). Further, the motor 24 and the wheel rotating shaft 26 are connected by a train wheel (not shown). The motor 24 and a gear train (not shown) constitute a driving section for rotating the disc 2 and the receiving wheel 27 .

The retaining base 17 of the disc 2 forms a flat bottom surface on which the coin rests and retains. The receiving base 32 of the identification portion 38 forms a flat bottom surface for holding coins. A receiving wheel 27 is rotatably arranged to face the receiving base 32 . The holding base 17 and the receiving base 32 are arranged without a step so that the coin can be slid and moved.

The upper surface of the disk 2 is provided with a holding portion which is an area for holding coins. A plurality of holding bases 17 are provided equiangularly on the upper surface of the disk 2 around the disk rotating shaft 3 . For example, three locations are provided at intervals of 120 degrees.

A first arm 4 , a second arm 5 and a third arm 6 extend radially around the disk rotating shaft 3 . Each arm protrudes from the holding base 17 . A concave portion is formed by each arm arranged around a holding base 17 which is a bottom surface as a holding portion for holding coins. That is, the disc 2 is provided with three holding portions for holding coins. A portion of the first arm 4, the second arm 5, and the third arm 6 can also be said to be a convex portion that constitutes the holding portion. It can also be said that the upstream convex portion is provided on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the holding portion, and the downstream convex portion is provided on the downstream side thereof. That is, the first holding portion has a first upstream convex portion and a first downstream convex portion, the second holding portion has a second upstream convex portion and a second downstream convex portion, and a third The holding portion has a third upstream convex portion and a third downstream convex portion.

In each arm, the portions on the disk rotating shaft 3 side in the respective extending directions are connected to each other and integrated. The tips of the arms are arranged along the same circumference centered on the disk rotating shaft 3 . Each arm protrudes from the holding base 17 . A holding base 17 is arranged at a position sandwiched between the arms. A coin is placed on the holding base 17 and transported.

A first elongated hole 10 and a first support piece 7, a second elongated hole 11 and a second support piece 8, and a third elongated hole 12 and a third support piece 9 are arranged in the three holding bases 17, respectively. . The first support piece 7 moves along the longitudinal direction of the first long hole 10 . The second support piece 8 moves along the longitudinal direction of the second long hole 11 . The third support piece 9 moves along the longitudinal direction of the third slot 12 . The first supporting piece 7, the second supporting piece 8, and the third supporting piece 9 are moved in conjunction with the rotation of the disk 2 by grooved cams, which will be described later.

The holding base 17 on which the second support piece 8 is arranged and the surrounding area of the holding base 17 is the second holding part. The aforementioned holding base 17 is sandwiched between the fourth side wall 18 of the second arm 5 and the fifth side wall 19 of the third arm 6 . When the disk 2 rotates in the disk rotation direction 33 , the side surface of the coin comes into contact with the fourth side wall 18 or the fifth side wall 19 . The fourth side wall 18 and the fifth side wall 19 are also protrusions forming part of the second holding part. The holding base 17 on which the second support piece 8 is arranged can also be said to be a second holding base forming the bottom surface of the recess.

The holding base 17 on which the third support piece 9 is arranged and the surrounding area of the holding base 17 are the third holding part. The aforementioned holding base 17 is sandwiched between the sixth side wall 20 of the third arm 6 and the seventh side wall 21 of the first arm 4 . When the disk 2 rotates in the disk rotation direction 33 , the side surface of the coin comes into contact with the sixth side wall 20 or the seventh side wall 21 . The sixth side wall 20 and the seventh side wall 21 are also protrusions forming part of the third holding part. The holding base 17 on which the third support piece 9 is arranged can also be said to be a third holding base forming the bottom surface of the recess.

Fourth side wall 18 or fifth side wall 19 is positioned relative to flat holding base 17 to allow coins to be held by obliquely positioned holding base 17 and fourth side wall 18 or fifth side wall 19 . It is preferably arranged vertically. Alternatively, it may be slightly inclined, but the angle should be such that the coin does not slip off. The same applies to the sixth side wall 20 and the seventh side wall 21, as well as the first side wall 14 and the third side wall 16 which will be described later.

The holding base 17 on which the first support piece 7 is arranged and the surrounding area of the holding base 17 is the first holding part. The aforementioned holding base 17 is sandwiched between the sorting portion 13 of the first arm 4 and the third side wall 16 of the second arm 5 . A selection unit 13 projecting from the holding base 17 is arranged on the left side of the first arm 4 in the drawing. The sorting section 13 has a first side wall 14 vertically provided facing the holding base 17 . The first side wall 14 is provided on the root direction side of the first arm 4 . The sorting section 13 also has a second side wall 15 protruding toward the holding base 17 . The second side wall 15 is provided on the tip side of the first arm 4 . The second side wall 15 has a sloped portion whose height gradually increases from the holding base 17 toward the upstream direction in the disc rotation direction 33 . On the left side of the first arm 4 in the figure, that is, on the downstream side in the disk rotation direction 33, a sorting section 13 having a second side wall 15 on the tip side of the first arm 4 and a first side wall 14 on the base side is provided. When the disk 2 rotates in the disk rotation direction 33 , the side surface of the coin comes into contact with the sorting section 13 or the third side wall 16 . The holding base 17 on which the first support piece 7 is arranged can also be said to be the first holding base forming the bottom surface of the recess. The first side wall 14 also serves as a support portion that contacts the side surface of the coin and supports and conveys the coin.

The holding portion has convex portions (arms or sorting portions 13) on the upstream side and the downstream side of the holding base 17 in the disk rotation direction 33, respectively. A coin is held by a holding portion (also referred to as a recess) that includes the projection and the holding base 17 .

A guide portion is arranged outside the outer periphery of the disc 2 to guide the coin transportation, except for the portion where the coin is transferred from the disc 2 to the identification portion 38 . The guide portion is in contact with the side surface of the coin and serves as a guide surface for conveying the coin. The guide portion is provided so as to protrude vertically from the holding base 17 .

The disk 2 rotates in the direction of disk rotation 33 indicated by an arrow. Each support piece moves toward the outer circumference of the disk 2 in order to deliver the coin to the identification unit 38 . The coin is pushed out by each support piece, comes into contact with the knife tip 23 arranged at the tip of the receiving knife 22, and rides on the tip of each arm. Then, it is pushed by the receiving wheel 27 and moves on the receiving base 32 . Since the receiving base 32 and the holding base 17 are flush with each other, they can be smoothly delivered.

In the identifying section 38, the coins moving on the guiding section 31 are detected one by one by the identifying sensor 36, and the denomination is identified.

On the receiving wheel 27 , a plurality of receiving bodies are arranged radially and equiangularly around the wheel rotation axis 26 . In the coin processing device 69 according to the embodiment, the first receiver 28, the second receiver 29, and the third receiver 30 are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees. A coin enters between each receiver, and the coin slides on the receiver base 32 . Each receiver is provided with a pushing wall 35 to abut the sides of the coin. That is, when the receiving wheel 27 rotates, the pushing wall 35 pushes and moves the coin on the receiving base 32 . The receiving wheel 27 rotates in the opposite direction to the disc 2 .

Also, the manual knob 34 can rotate the disk 2 and the receiving wheel 27 in conjunction with each other. A manual knob 34 can rotate the disc 2 and receiving wheel 27 in the forward or reverse direction.

Next, main parts of the coin processing device 69 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main part of the coin processing machine.

The sending unit 37 separates the plurality of coins 70 in the storage container 42 one by one as the disk 2 rotates, and delivers them to the identifying unit 38 . In the identifying section 38 , the receiving wheel 27 separates the coins 70 one by one, moves them on the receiving base 32 , and delivers them to the storage section 39 . A coin 70 is conveyed along a guide path 43 including the guide portion 31 . In the storage unit 39 , coins 70 are inserted one by one between a plurality of conveying pins 47 arranged on the belt 46 . The rotation of the belt 46 causes the transport pin 47 to move, and the coin 70 is pushed by the transport pin 47 to move on the transport path 68 . The belt 46 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the disc 2 and the receiving wheel 27 so that only one coin 70 can be inserted between the transport pins 47 . Each slide is provided with a bar 71, and whether or not the coin 70 is dropped onto the slide is controlled by a control unit (not shown) depending on the state of the bar 71. FIG. That is, when the coin 70 reaches the position of the slide corresponding to the denomination of the coin 70, the state of the bar 71 is varied to drop the coin 70 onto the corresponding slide. Coins 70 dropped on the slide are stored in coin hoppers of corresponding denominations.

Next, details of the disc 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the disk portion of the coin delivery device.

The first arm 4 , the second arm 5 and the third arm 6 are integrally molded and fixed to the disk 2 . It is preferable to mold the sorting portion 13 integrally with the disk 2 . In the case of molding separately, a recess is provided in the flat surface of the disk 2 and the separate sorting section 13 is fixed there. Edges of the coins are prevented from overlapping the boundary between the sorting part 13 and the disk 2.例文帳に追加

The bent portion 78 prevents the rotation of the disc 2 from being hindered by a series of coins starting from the receiving knife (22 in FIG. 1). Therefore, the coins on the upstream side in the direction of rotation are made to float so that they are not connected.

A first support piece 7 is arranged between the first arm 4 and the second arm 5 . The first support piece 7 can reciprocate and is at the rear end position of the movement range in FIG. A first support piece 72, which is shown separately from the first support piece 7, is at the tip of the movement range. Although two first support pieces are depicted in FIG. 4 , the first support piece 72 at the tip position is only shown to explain the range of movement of the first support piece 7 .

The first support piece 7 reciprocates by moving a cam follower (not shown) fixed to the first support piece 7 along a later-described grooved cam. The first support piece 7 is formed in an arc shape so that both ends in the disc rotation direction protrude toward the tip side as they approach the tip side (disc outer peripheral side). Further, on the tip side of the first support piece 7, a pushing portion 73 is arranged to contact the coin and push the coin. Also, a first slope portion 74 and a second slope portion 75 are provided at the central portion thereof. The first slanted portion 74 and the second slanted portion 75 are provided so as not to convey coins having a predetermined diameter or less toward the next process (identifying portion 38). When the first support piece 7 moves toward the outer circumference of the disk 2 and the receiving knife 22 abuts the coin, the coin is lifted from the disk 2 by the first slope portion 74 or the second slope portion 75, and the coin is placed in the storage container. By sliding down to 42, it is prevented from being handed over to the next process. That is, when the first holding portion holds a coin having a diameter smaller than the first diameter, the first holding portion moves to a position facing the delivery port (101 in FIG. 1) as the disk 2 rotates. , the held small-diameter coin is slid down on the supporting piece sloped portion including the first sloped portion 74 and the second sloped portion 75 . By moving the small-diameter coin with the first support piece 7 toward the outer circumference of the disk 2, the coin can be reliably brought into contact with the first slope portion 74 and the second slope portion 75 and slide down.

Edge 79, which is the tip of each arm, is on the same circumference. In FIG. 4, the portions of each arm that are not arranged are indicated by dashed lines 76 that outline the aforementioned circumferences. When the first support piece 7 moves to the tip position like the first support piece 72, there is a clearance of a distance 77 to the contour indicated by the double-headed arrow. It can be said that the distance 77 and the diameter of the coin used (the coin circulating in the country where the coin processor 69 is sold) determine whether the coin can be moved to the receiving base 32 or not. If the diameter is large, the coin can be moved to the receiving base 32 because the lower side of the coin contacts the receiving knife 22 or the receiving wheel 27 . If the coin hits above, it is difficult for the coin to move to the receiving base 32 .

A first holding portion comprising a holding base 17 on which a first support piece 7 is arranged, and a first side wall 14 and a third side wall 16 sandwiching the holding base 17 receives coins of the maximum diameter to be used. That is, coins of all denominations to be used enter. However, coins of a predetermined first diameter or larger are delivered from the first holding portion to the identification portion 38, while coins smaller than the first diameter are dropped from the first holding portion into the reservoir 42. . Coins having a diameter equal to or larger than the first diameter are held in the first holder and passed to the next process. Coins less than the first diameter are returned to the reservoir 42 from the first holder. Also, the second holding portion can hold a coin having a second diameter or less, which is smaller than the maximum diameter coin that can be held by the first holding portion. Coins smaller than the first diameter are transferred to the next process by the second holding section or the third holding section which will be described later. There is a coin size that can be delivered to the next process only by the first holding part or the second holding part. Also, there is a coin size that can be delivered to the next process by both the first holding part and the second holding part. This is to increase the processing efficiency of coins.

A second support piece 8 is arranged between the second arm 5 and the third arm 6 . The second support piece 8 moves to the position (tip position) of the second support piece 82 shown separately from the second support piece 8 . In FIG. 4, the second support piece 82 at the tip position is only shown for explaining the movement range of the second support piece 8. As shown in FIG.

By moving a cam follower (not shown) fixed to the second support piece 8 along a grooved cam (to be described later), the second support piece 8 moves toward the rear ends of the second arm 5 and the third arm 6 near their roots. Move back and forth between a position and a tip position. The tip side of the second support piece 8 is formed in an arc shape that protrudes toward the tip side as both ends in the disc rotation direction approach the tip side. In addition, on the tip side of the second support piece 8, a support side surface 80 that abuts and pushes the coin, and a tip 81 formed in a shape along the dotted line 76 that is an extension of the edge 79 and shows the outline are arranged. It is The supporting side surface 80 and the tip 81 can also be said to be a pushing portion that pushes the coin. Also, since the supporting side surface 80 and the tip 81 are brought into contact with the side surface of the coin, they are preferably formed perpendicular to the holding base 17 . It may be slightly slanted, but it should be configured so that it contacts the side surface of the coin so that the coin can be reliably pushed.

When the second support piece 8 moves to the position of the second support piece 82 (the tip position), the tip 81 is positioned at the position of the dotted line 76 that indicates the outline of the extension of the edge 79 .

A second holding portion (recess) comprising a holding base 17 on which a second support piece 8 is arranged, and a fourth side wall 18 and a fifth side wall 19 sandwiching the holding base 17 has at least a coin of the maximum diameter to be used. does not enter.

A third support piece 9 is arranged between the third arm 6 and the first arm 4 . The shape and movement range of the third support piece 9 are the same as those of the second support piece 8 . A third holding portion comprising a holding base 17 on which the third support piece 9 is arranged, and a sixth side wall 20 and a seventh side wall 21 sandwiching the holding base 17 holds at least coins of the maximum diameter to be used. do not have.

The first holding portion having the first support piece 7 holds one denomination of coins including the maximum diameter coin, or multiple denominations of coins including the maximum diameter coin and excluding the minimum diameter coin. , can be passed to the next process. For example, a coin with the largest diameter and a coin with the next largest diameter are transferred to the next process, and the smaller coin is dropped into the storage container 42 . Further, the second holding part or the third holding part provided with the second supporting piece 8 or the third supporting piece 9 holds coins of one denomination or a plurality of denominations that do not contain the coin with the maximum diameter, and can be passed to For example, coins with a diameter equal to or smaller than the next largest coin are transferred to the next process.

The disk 2 has three holding portions. If one of them handles only the largest diameter coin, the efficiency of sending out the coins will be poor. Once the small coin is in its holder, it is returned to the reservoir 42 . Therefore, for efficiency, it may be possible to handle multiple sizes of coins, including the largest diameter coin. Also, if the diameter of the disk 2 is increased, it is possible to provide a large number of holding portions, but there arises a problem that the size of the device increases.

Next, the reciprocating movement of the first support piece 7, the second support piece 8, and the third support piece 9 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the disc unit. A grooved cam 86 indicated by a dotted line is arranged on the frame (25 in FIG. 1) on the back side of the disk 2. As shown in FIG. A cam follower (not shown) that moves along the grooved cam 86 is arranged on each of the first support piece 7 , the second support piece 8 and the third support piece 9 . When the disk 2 rotates, the cam follower moves along the grooved cam, and each support piece moves accordingly. Each support piece moves along each slot. The first support piece 7 reciprocates between both ends of the first movement path 83 along the first long hole 10 provided in the disc 2 . Similarly, the second support piece 8 extends between both ends of the second movement path 84 along the second long hole 11, the third support piece 9 extends between both ends of the third movement path 85 along the third long hole 12, move back and forth.

It is preferable that the grooved cam 86 is formed so that each supporting piece stays toward the center of the disk 2 for a predetermined period when it is moved to a position corresponding to at least the storage container 42 . This is because each supporting piece is stopped at one end of each moving path so that the coin can be easily inserted into the holding portion. Then, the holding portion moves upward, and at the coin delivery position, the support piece moves to be positioned at the other end of the movement path. That is, a grooved cam 86 is formed so as to hold the support piece at the other end for a predetermined period. This is for passing coins from the disk 2 to the next process. The angle of rotation and the timing and position of reciprocation are determined by the shape of the grooved cam 86 .

Next, delivery of coins from the sending unit 37 to the identification unit 38 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining delivery of coins. A case where the coin 70 is transferred by the second support piece 8 will be described.

The disk 2 rotates in the direction of disk rotation 33 indicated by an arrow. The receiving wheel 27 rotates in the direction of receiving wheel rotation 44 indicated by the arrow. When the disk 2 rotates, the coin 70 enters the second holding portion provided with the second support piece 8, and the coin moves upward as the disk 2 rotates. Above the delivery unit 37 is a delivery port (101 in FIG. 1) through which the coin 70 is delivered to the identification unit 38. As shown in FIG. The second support piece 8 moves toward the outer circumference of the disc 2 in the vicinity of the delivery port. At this time, a portion of coin 70 enters receipt base 32 . When the coin 70 abuts against the receiving knife 22 or the receiving wheel 27 , the coin 70 leaves the second support piece 8 . A coin separated from the second support piece 8 moves along a movement direction 87 indicated by an arrow and enters between the second receiver 29 and the third receiver 30 . The pushing wall (35 in FIG. 1) of the second receiving body 29 contacts the coin 70 in the contact direction 89 of the receiving wheel indicated by the arrow, and the coin 70 is flipped. The flipped coin 70 moves completely onto the receiving base 32 as indicated by the moved coin 88 shown in dashed lines. After that, the coin 88 is pushed by the second receiver 29 and is identified for its denomination while moving along the guide section 31 .

The rotation of the disk 2 and the receiving wheel 27 are synchronous. The coin sending device 1 holds the coins one by one in the holding portion of the disk 2 by rotating the disk 2 to pass through the storage container 42 . The disk 2 moves each support piece at an upper position in the orbit of rotation so that a portion of the coins it holds hangs over the receiving base 32 . When the coin abuts the receiving knife 22 or the receiving wheel 27, it moves onto the receiving base 32 while being flipped. After that, the coin is transferred from the sending unit 37 to the identifying unit 38 .

Since the movement distance of the first support piece 7 is short, even if a small coin comes into contact with the receiving knife 22 or the receiving wheel 27, it may return to the storage container 42 without riding on the receiving base 32 side.

Next, the coins held by the disk 2 will be explained. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first example of the disk 2 holding a large-diameter coin. The disk 2 rotates in a disk rotation direction 33 indicated by an arrow. The three holders of the disk 2 can hold the coin in the holding base (17 in FIG. 4) as it passes through the reservoir (42 in FIG. 2) located below the disk 2. FIG. However, the diameter of the coins that can be held is predetermined. For example, only one holder is capable of holding the largest diameter coin 91 among the coins to be used. In the coin feeding device 1 according to the embodiment, only the first holding portion where the first support pieces 7 are arranged holds the maximum diameter coin 91 . The second holding portion where the second support piece 8 is arranged and the third holding portion where the third support piece 9 is arranged are indicated by the shadow 90 of the coin with the largest diameter indicated by the dashed line. Also, the maximum diameter coin 91 cannot be held. The maximum diameter coin 91 is carried while being supported by the first side wall 14 or the third side wall 16 . Also, the maximum diameter coin 91 is conveyed without contacting the second side wall 15 which is the slope portion.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the disk 2 holding a large-diameter coin. The disk 2 rotates in a disk rotation direction 33 indicated by an arrow. The disk 2 of the second example includes a fourth support piece 92 whose tip is enlarged to a position corresponding to the first side wall (14 in FIG. 4) compared to the first support piece 7 shown in FIG. As a result, the sorting portion 13 has a shape in which the portion of the first side wall 14 is removed and the portion of the second side wall 15 remains. In the first example of FIG. 7, the maximum diameter coin 91 is supported by the first side wall 14, but in the second example of FIG. The sorting section 13 can also comprise only a portion of the second side wall 15 comprising the beveled portion. The maximum diameter coin 91 is conveyed while being supported by the fourth supporting piece 92 or the third side wall (16 in FIG. 4). Also, the maximum diameter coin 91 is conveyed without being in contact with the second side wall 15 . The upstream side in the rotational direction of the fourth support piece 92 can be treated as an extended portion of the third side wall 16, and the downstream side can be treated as an extended portion of the first side wall 14. FIG. In this case as well, small-diameter coins slide down through the sorting section 13 .

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a state in which two or more small-diameter coins are held on the disc 2 having the first support pieces 7 . When using small-diameter coins whose diameter is half or less than that of the maximum-diameter coin, a plurality of small-diameter coins may enter the first holding section capable of holding the maximum-diameter coins.

For example, a case where a minimum diameter coin 93 having a diameter less than half that of a maximum diameter coin is used will be described. The first holding portion where the first support piece 7 is arranged can hold a coin having the maximum diameter. Three coins 93 of the smallest diameter can be placed in the first holding portion. If these three sheets are transferred to the next process at the same time, malfunction may occur. On the other hand, a minimum diameter coin 93 is placed on the second holding part or the third holding part where the second support piece 8 or the third support piece 9 is arranged, as indicated by the minimum diameter coin shadow 95 . You can't have two at the same time. Only one medium-sized coin 94 to the smallest-sized coin 93 having a predetermined diameter smaller than the maximum diameter can be placed in the second holding part or the second holding part.

In this way, two or more coins to be used may be sent at the same time depending on their size. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent two or more sheets from being sent to the next process at the same time. Next, the operation of a coin with a small diameter will be described. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a first example of the operation of the disk 2 holding a coin with a small diameter. A case in which two small-diameter coins 96 are caught in the first holding portion where the first support piece 7 is arranged will be described. The disk 2 rotates in a disk rotation direction 33 indicated by an arrow.

The disk 2 rotates, and the small diameter coin 96 shifts from the lowest point of the disk 2 to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the disk. In this case, if the diameter of the small-diameter coin 96 is large enough, the small-diameter coin 96 will hang on the first side wall 14 and be transported. However, if the diameter of the small-diameter coin 96 is small, the small-diameter coin 96 hangs only on the second side wall 15 and is conveyed. The second side wall 15 is a sloped portion that protrudes toward the upstream side in the rotational direction with respect to the holding base 17 . Since the small-diameter coin 96 moves along this slope portion, the first holding section cannot continue to hold the small-diameter coin 96 . That is, the small-diameter coin 96 slides down the second side wall 15 . The small-diameter coin 96 that has slid down is returned to the storage container 42 . The first holding portion where the first support piece 7 is arranged can return coins of a predetermined size or smaller into the storage container 42 without conveying them. That is, when the first holding portion holds a coin having a diameter smaller than the first diameter, the first holding portion moves to a position facing the delivery port (101 in FIG. 1) as the disk 2 rotates. , which slides down the held small-diameter coins. Based on the distance from the outer circumference of the disk 2 to the edge of the second side wall 15, the diameter of the coins to be returned into the reservoir 42 can be determined.

11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a second example of the operation of the disk 2 holding a coin with a small diameter. A case where a small-diameter coin 96 of a size not originally conveyed enters the first holding portion where the first support piece 7 is arranged will be described. When the first support piece 7 is conveyed above the disk 2, it moves to the position of the first support piece 72 (the tip position). At this time, the middle-diameter coin 99 indicated by the dashed-dotted line contacts the receiving knife 22 or the receiving wheel 27 and can move toward the receiving base 32 . However, in the case of the small diameter coin 96 which is not originally conveyed to this position, it falls into the storage container 42 . When the small-diameter coin 96 is transported to the above-described position, the receiving knife 22 abuts the upper side of the small-diameter coin 96 . At this time, the small-diameter coin 96 rides on the first slope portion 74 or the second slope portion 75 and floats up like a shadow 97 of the small-diameter coin indicated by the dashed line. Then, the coin falls back in the coin drop direction 100 indicated by the arrow, that is, into the storage container 42 . The receiving knife 22 functions as a blocking section that prevents the coin having a diameter smaller than the first diameter held by the first holding section from being delivered from the first holding section to the next process. This blocking section allows only coins having a diameter equal to or larger than the first diameter to be delivered from the first holding section to the next process.

It is possible to prevent the rotation of the disk 2 from being hindered by a series of small-sized coins. Coins of a predetermined size or larger that have entered the holding portion are transferred to the next process, while coins of a size smaller than the predetermined size are returned to the storage container 42 . By making it impossible to hold two or more coins in this manner, the coins can be delivered to the next process one by one. In addition, since only one coin can be inserted in the other holders, each coin can be reliably transferred to the next process.

1 coin delivery device 2 disk 3 disk rotating shaft 4 first arm 5 second arm 6 third arm 7 first support piece 8 second support piece 9 third support piece 10 first long hole 11 second long hole 12 third third Long hole 13 Sorting unit 14 First side wall 15 Second side wall 16 Third side wall 17 Holding base 18 Fourth side wall 19 Fifth side wall 20 Sixth side wall 21 Seventh side wall 22 Receiving knife 23 Knife tip 24 Motor 25 Frame 26 Wheel rotation Shaft 27 Receiving wheel 28 First receiving body 29 Second receiving body 30 Third receiving body 31 Guide part 32 Receiving base 33 Disc rotation direction 34 Manual knob 35 Pushing wall 36 Identification sensor 37 Sending part 38 Identification part 39 Storage part 40 Coin Slot 41 Coin passage 42 Storage container 43 Guide path 44 Receiving wheel rotation direction 45 Belt rotation direction 46 Belt 47 Conveying pin 48 First slide 49 First coin hopper 50 Second slide 51 Second coin hopper 52 Third slide 53 Third coin hopper 54 4th slide 55 4th coin hopper 56 5th slide 57 5th coin hopper 58 6th slide 59 6th coin hopper 60 7th slide 61 7th coin hopper 62 8th slide 63 8th coin hopper 64 9th slide 65 collection container 66 delivery belt 67 Withdrawal tray 68 Conveyance path 69 Coin processing device 70 Coin 71 Bar 72 First support piece 73 at the tip position Pushing part 74 First slanted part 75 Second slanted part 76 Dotted line 77 showing contour Distance to contour 78 Bending part 79 Edge 80 Supporting side surface 81 Tip 82 Second support piece 83 at tip position First moving path 84 Second moving path 85 Third moving path 86 Grooved cam 87 Coin moving direction 88 Coin after movement 89 Contact with receiving wheel Direction 90 Shadow of maximum diameter coin 91 Maximum diameter coin 92 Fourth support piece 93 Minimum diameter coin 94 Medium diameter coin 95 Minimum diameter coin shadow 96 Small diameter coin 97 Small diameter coin shadow 98 Small diameter coin moving direction 99 Medium diameter coin 100 Falling coin direction 101 delivery port

Claims (9)

A disk having a holding portion for holding coins on its upper surface, a storage container for storing a plurality of said coins, and a side surface of said coin held by said holding portion is pressed to move said coin in an outer peripheral direction of said disk. and a support piece for holding the coin in the storage container in the holding portion, rotating the disk, and rotating the disk from a transfer opening arranged above the disk to the outer circumference of the disk by the support piece. Sending the coins moving in the direction one by one toward the next process,
The disk is arranged at an angle with respect to the horizontal direction,
In the coin delivery device in which the storage container is arranged below the disk,
When the number of coins to be held is one, the holding unit sends out only the coins having a first diameter or more from the delivery port toward the next step, and removes the coins having a diameter smaller than the first diameter. A first method of not sending out the held two coins from the delivery port toward the next process when two coins are not delivered from the delivery port toward the next process. Of the coins held by the holding part and the first holding part, the coin exceeding a second diameter smaller than the maximum diameter is not held, and one coin having a diameter equal to or less than the second diameter is held. and a second holding unit that, when doing so, delivers the coin from the delivery port toward the next process and does not simultaneously hold two of the coins having a diameter equal to or smaller than the second diameter. The first holding portion includes, on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the disk, a first upstream convex portion that abuts on the side surface of the coin and conveys the coin in the rotational direction; a first holding base disposed on the downstream side of the convex portion in the rotational direction and on which the coin is placed;
The second holding portion includes, on the upstream side in the rotational direction, a second upstream convex portion that abuts on the side surface of the coin and conveys the coin in the rotational direction, and the second upstream convex portion. 2. The coin feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a second holding base disposed on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the coin feeding device and on which the coin is placed. a blocking portion that blocks delivery of the coin from the first holding portion toward the next step when the coin having a diameter smaller than the first diameter is held in the first holding portion; 3. The coin delivery device according to claim 2, characterized by comprising: A portion of the second upstream convex portion closest to the outer circumference of the disk that contacts the side surface of the coin is a position of the first upstream convex portion that is closest to the outer circumference of the disk and contacts the side surface of the coin. 3. The coin sending device according to claim 2, wherein the coin sending device is arranged at a position closer to the outer circumference of the disk than the disk. When the first holding part holds the coin having a diameter smaller than the first diameter, the first holding part holds the coin until it moves to a position facing the delivery port as the disk rotates. 3. The coin feeding device according to claim 2, wherein the coin is slid down. The first upstream convex portion is disposed between a supporting portion that abuts on the side surface of the coin and supports the coin, and between the supporting portion and the outer circumference of the disk, and is arranged from the first holding base in the rotational direction. has a slope that rises in the upstream direction of
6. The coin feeding device according to claim 4, wherein said coin having a diameter smaller than said first diameter is dropped into said storage container by said slope. The support piece includes a first support piece provided on the first holding portion and a second support piece provided on the second holding portion,
a guide surface that abuts on the side surface of the coin on the outside of the outer periphery of the disk and guides the conveyance of the coin;
The first holding portion includes, on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the first holding base, a first downstream convex portion that abuts on the side surface of the coin, the first upstream convex portion, and the first convex portion. and the first support piece for moving the coin in the direction of the outer circumference between the downstream convex portions, and the coin is provided between the first upstream convex portion and the first downstream convex portion. and the guide surface on at least three sides, and is moved in the direction of the delivery port by the first support piece,
The second holding portion includes a second downstream convex portion that abuts on the side surface of the coin, a second upstream convex portion and the second convex portion that are arranged downstream of the second holding base in the rotational direction. and the second support piece for moving the coin in the direction of the outer circumference between two downstream convex portions, and the coin is provided with the second upstream convex portion and the second downstream convex portion. 7. The coin feeding device according to claim 6, wherein the coin is conveyed in a state where at least three sides are surrounded by the guide surface, and is moved in the direction of the delivery port by the second support piece. The first support piece includes a pushing portion that abuts on a side surface of the coin and pushes the coin, and a portion of the first support piece that is arranged on the upstream side in the rotational direction from the central portion of the first support piece. and a support piece sloping portion that becomes thicker in the thickness direction of the first support piece toward the center of the support piece, and the coin having a diameter less than the first diameter is dropped into the storage container by the support piece sloping portion. The coin sending device according to claim 7. The coin sending device according to any one of claims 1 to 8;
an identification unit that receives the coin from the coin sending device and identifies the denomination of the coin;
a coin hopper corresponding to the denomination of the coin, and a storage unit for storing the coin in the coin hopper;
A coin processing device, wherein the coin is stored in the coin hopper corresponding to the denomination identified by the identifying unit.

Images