JP7294015B2 - coin sorting device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a coin sorting device.

The coin sorting device sorts the inserted coins by denomination. In such a coin sorting device, a notch that serves as a passage opening to a storage box for each denomination is provided on the coin transport path, and the width of each notch is gradually increased in accordance with the diameter of the coins, so that the difference in the outer diameter of the coins is eliminated. There is known a technique for sorting coins by dropping coins using

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-238078

By the way, in the above-described coin sorting device, the passage openings are connected to each other to form one sorting opening, which causes the following problems. In general, the outer dimensions of a coin may be reduced due to abrasion or the like, or a protrusion may be formed on the peripheral edge of the coin due to scratches. Therefore, if coins are simply passed over the sorting opening, there is a risk that coins of a different denomination may pass through the passage opening for passing coins of a predetermined denomination. Accuracy was not high enough.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a coin sorting device capable of satisfactorily sorting coins.

In order to achieve the above object, the coin sorting device according to the present invention has a coin transport path formed on the upper surface thereof, and passage openings provided for each denomination of coins directed from one side of the transport path to the other side. a conveying base having sorting openings arranged in order of denominations with smaller outer diameters and continuous to each other; a conveying belt that conveys coins from one side of the conveying path toward the other side of the conveying path by being displaced in the direction of extension of the conveying pulley as the conveying pulley rotates; A coin sorting device that sorts a plurality of coins by denomination by passing through one of the passage openings in the coin opening, the coin sorting device extending from one side of the carrying path toward the other side on the upper surface of the carrying base. A guide member provided adjacent to the sorting opening in such a manner that the coins can be contacted, and a portion of the area of the conveyor belt that can come into contact with the coins, which corresponds to each passage port, are urged downward by an urging means. and a plurality of pressure rollers that rotate about their own central axes due to the displacement of the conveyor belt, wherein the plurality of pressure rollers have a tapered shape with an outer diameter that decreases as they approach the guide member. and in a normal state, the lower part is arranged below the upper surface of the transfer base.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above-described coin sorting device, the plurality of pressure rollers have a truncated cone shape.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above coin sorting device, the guide member is provided on the upper part of the guide member so as to extend from one side of the conveying path toward the other side, and projections are formed corresponding to the respective passage openings. An abutting member is provided, and the abutting member assumes an inclined posture with respect to the conveying base in a state in which a coin conveyed on the conveying path partially passes through the corresponding passage port by the pressing roller. , the corresponding protrusions are in contact with each other.

The coin sorting apparatus according to the present invention further comprises counting detection means for detecting the number of coins passing through the corresponding passage opening, provided corresponding to each passage opening. It is characterized by detecting the number of coins that have passed through the passage port while coming into contact with the corresponding protrusion of the contact member.

According to the present invention, the guide member is provided on the upper surface of the conveying base adjacent to the sorting opening in such a manner as to extend from one side of the conveying path toward the other side, and the plurality of pressure rollers are arranged to move the coins on the conveying belt. The conveying belt is provided in such a manner that the portions corresponding to the respective passage openings in the area capable of contacting the belt are urged downward by the urging means, and the conveying belt rotates around its central axis due to the displacement of the conveying belt. These pressure rollers have a tapered shape in which the outer diameter becomes smaller as they approach the guide member, and the lower part is arranged below the upper surface of the conveying base in a normal state, so that the coins conveyed on the conveying path are When the coin is a corresponding coin, the coin can be sufficiently pressed downward, so that the coin can be sorted satisfactorily.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a coin processing apparatus to which a coin sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a coin processing apparatus to which the coin sorting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the coin handling apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a characteristic control system of the coin handling apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the distribution unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the main components of the sorting section shown in FIG. 7 is a side view showing the main components of the distribution section shown in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a main part of the distribution section shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. FIG. 9 is a bottom view showing a main part of the distribution section shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the main part of the sorting section shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 as viewed from the front side along the conveying path. FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the distributing portion shown in FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the operation of the distribution unit shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the distribution unit shown in FIG. 11 in cross section. 14A and 14B are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the distribution unit shown in FIG. 11 in cross section. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the withdrawal conveying section and the lift-up section shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 16 is a side view showing the withdrawal transport section and the lift-up section shown in FIG. 15; FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged main part of the withdrawal transport section and the lift-up section shown in FIG. 16 .

Preferred embodiments of a coin sorting device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Coin processor>
1 and 2 each show a schematic configuration of a coin processing apparatus to which a coin sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, wherein FIG. 1 is a plan view and FIG. 2 is a front view. In the following, after an outline of the coin processing apparatus is described, a coin sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The coin processing device 10 exemplified here is applied as an automatic change dispenser connected to a POS (Point Of Sales) register device in stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, for example, and includes a device main body 11 .

The device main body 11 is a substantially rectangular housing, and includes an input port 12 , an operation display section 13 , a withdrawal port 14 and a return port 15 . The slot 12 is provided on the right side of the upper front end of the device main body 11 and is an opening for receiving inserted coins inside the device main body 11 . The input port 12 functions as a temporary holding section that temporarily holds deposits from users such as customers.

The operation display section 13 is provided on the left side of the upper surface of the front end of the apparatus main body 11, and has a display section 13a and an operation section 13b. The display unit 13a displays various types of information, and the operation unit 13b is an input unit configured with, for example, a numeric keypad or the like to perform various operation inputs.

The withdrawal port 14 is provided on the upper left side of the front surface of the apparatus main body 11 . The pay-out port 14 is an opening for paying out coins stored inside the device main body 11 , and pays out coins to a pay-out tray 16 attached to the device main body 11 . The return port 15 is provided on the upper right side of the front surface of the apparatus main body 11 . The return port 15 is an opening for returning coins.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the coin processing apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 4 is a characteristic control diagram of the coin processing apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 1 is a block diagram showing a system; FIG. The internal configuration of the coin processing device 10 will be described by function with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.

A transport unit 20 is provided inside the apparatus main body 11 . The transport unit 20 includes a deposit transport section 21 , a temporary holding section 22 , a sorting section (coin sorting device) 23 , a storage 24 , a withdrawal transport section 25 , a switching gate group 26 and a lift-up section 27 . there is

The deposited money conveying unit 21 conveys coins inserted from the insertion port 12 and detected by an inserted detection sensor (not shown), and is provided with a coin validation unit 21a. The coin validation unit 21a determines the authenticity and denomination of coins.

The temporary holding section 22 temporarily holds a coin determined as a genuine coin by the coin verification section 21a. The sorting unit 23 sorts the coins transferred after being held by the temporary holding unit 22 by denomination. A specific configuration of the distribution unit 23 will be described later.

The storage box 24 is provided for each denomination and stores coins sorted by the sorting section 23 . More specifically, as the storage 24, there are six storages: 1 yen storage 24a, 100 yen storage 24b, 10 yen storage 24c, 50 yen storage 24d, 5 yen storage 24e, and 500 yen storage 24f. There is. As for these storages 24, storages 24 (hereinafter also referred to as 1s-coin storages 24a, 24b, and 24c) for storing 10-series 1-coins that are carried up by one digit are arranged in the upper part inside the apparatus main body 11. A storage box 24 (hereinafter also referred to as 5-series coin storage boxes 24d, 24e, and 24f) for storing 5-series coins that are carried two by one digit is arranged in the lower part inside the apparatus main body 11. FIG. That is, inside the apparatus main body 11, the 1st series coin storage boxes 24a, 24b and 24c are provided in the upper stage, and the 5th series coin storage boxes 24d, 24e and 24f are provided in the lower stage.

The 1-yen coin storage box 24a, 100-yen coin box 24b, and 10-yen coin box 24c are provided in order from the front side of the 1-yen coin boxes 24a, 24b, and 24c, and the 5-type coin boxes 24d and 24e. , 24f, a 50-yen storage 24d, a 5-yen storage 24e, and a 500-yen storage 24f are provided in order from the front side. These storage boxes 24 are designed to individually store the inserted coins by denomination. Further, each storage 24 has a function of unloading stored commodities.

As for the withdrawal transport section 25, two of an upper withdrawal transport section 251 and a lower withdrawal transport section 252 are provided. The upper disbursement conveying unit 251 is provided in the upper part inside the apparatus main body 11, and conveys forward coins drawn out from the 1-system coin storages 24a, 24b, and 24c. The upper disbursement conveying section 251 conveys the coins dispensed from the 1-system coin storages 24 a , 24 b , 24 c forward toward the disbursement chute 28 communicating with the disbursement port 14 .

The lower disbursement conveying section 252 is provided in the lower part inside the device main body 11, and conveys the coins drawn out from the 5 series coin storages 24d, 24e, and 24f toward the rear and conveys them to the lift-up section 27. It is something to do.

The switching gate group 26 includes a first switching gate 26a, a second switching gate 26b and a third switching gate 26c. The first switching gate 26a is provided on the downstream side of the deposit transport section 21 in the transport direction. The first switching gate 26a is capable of selectively switching between a state in which the coin transported by the deposit transport section 21 is transported to the temporary holding section 22 and a state in which the coin is transported to the withdrawal port 14. It is.

The second switching gate 26b is provided on the downstream side of the temporary storage section 22 in the transport direction. This second switching gate 26b is capable of selectively switching between a state in which the coins held in the temporary holding section 22 are delivered to the sorting section 23 and a state in which the coins are delivered to the return port 15. is. The second switching gate 26b is normally in a state in which the coins held in the temporary holding section 22 are delivered to the sorting section 23. As shown in FIG.

The third switching gate 26c is provided downstream of the upper disbursement transport section 251 in the transport direction. The third switching gate 26c has a conveying state in which the coin conveyed by the upper withdrawal conveying section 251 is conveyed to the withdrawal port 14 via the withdrawal chute 28, and a conveying state in which the coin is conveyed to the temporary holding section 22. It is possible to switch alternatively between the circulation state and the circulation state. The third switching gate 26c is normally in the transport state.

The lift-up section 27 introduces the 5-series coins transported rearward by the lower disbursement transport section 252 , moves them upward, and delivers them to the upper disbursement transport section 251 . The lift-up unit 27 constitutes a coin transport device that transports coins upward together with the payout transport unit 25 . Concrete configurations of the withdrawal transport section 25 and the lift-up section 27 will be described later.

The coin processing device 10 includes a payment detection unit 30, a counting sensor (counting detection means) 31, and a control unit 32 in addition to the above configuration. The payment detection unit 30 includes a payment chute sensor 30a and a payment tray sensor 30b.

The payment chute sensor 30 a detects the presence or absence of coins passing through the payment chute 28 . The payment tray sensor 30b detects the presence or absence of coins dispensed to the payment tray 16. As shown in FIG.

When at least one of the dispensing chute sensor 30a and the dispensing tray sensor 30b detects a coin, the dispensing detection unit 30 sends a detection signal to the control unit 32 indicating that the dispensing has been detected.

A counting sensor 31 is provided on a passage from the sorting section 23 to each storage 24 . The counting sensor 31 is composed of, for example, an optical sensor as will be described later, and detects the number of coins sorted from the sorting unit 23 to the corresponding storage 24, and counts the detection result. It is sent to the control unit 32 as a signal.

The control unit 32 is electrically connected to the payment detection unit 30, the counting sensor 31, the display unit 13a, the operation unit 13b, the transport unit 20, and the coin verification unit 21a, and is connected to the host device 1 such as a POS register device. electrically connected. When a command is given through the operation part 13b, when a detection signal is given from the validation part 21a, or when various commands are given from the host device 1, the control part 32 stores the command in the storage part 33. The display control of the display section 13a and the drive control of the transport unit 20 are performed based on the programs and data prepared by the controller.

The coin processing device 10 having the configuration described above operates as follows. First, the deposit operation will be described. When a deposit permission command is given from the host device 1, after the coin inserted into the slot 12 is detected by the insertion detection sensor, the coin is transported by the deposit transport unit 21, and the authenticity and denomination are determined by the coin inspection unit 21a. . If the coin is a genuine coin, it is reserved in the temporary reserve section 22.例文帳に追加On the other hand, if the coin is not a genuine coin, it is conveyed to the withdrawal port 14 via the first switching gate 26 a and returned to the withdrawal tray 16 . When there is a return instruction from the host device 1, the coins reserved in the temporary reserve unit 22 are returned to the return port 15 via the second switching gate 26b.

The coins held in the temporary holding part 22 are transported to the sorting part 23, and sorted by denomination while being transported backward by the sorting part 23.例文帳に追加The coins distributed by the distribution unit 23 are stored in the storage box 24 according to denominations. That is, the 1-series coins are stored in the upper 1-series coin storage boxes 24a, 24b, and 24c by denomination, and the 5-series coins are stored in the lower 5-series coin storage boxes 24d, 24e, and 24f for each payout. After that, the depositing operation is completed by notifying the host device 1 of the completion of depositing.

Next, the payment operation will be explained. When a payment instruction is given from the host device 1, coins of the denomination corresponding to the payment instruction are delivered from an arbitrary storage box 24 to a payment transfer section 25. - 特許庁Here, the 1-series coins are delivered from the corresponding 1-series coin storage boxes 24a, 24b, and 24c to the upper disbursement transport section 251, and the 5-series coins are fed from the corresponding 5-series coin storage boxes 24d, 24e, and 24f. It is delivered to the lower payout transport section 252 . The coins fed out to the upper disbursement conveying portion 251 are conveyed forward by the upper disbursement conveying portion 251, pass through the third switching gate 26c, pass through the disbursement chute 28, and reach the disbursement port. 14 to the outside of the device main body 11 . The coins fed to the lower disbursement conveying section 252 are conveyed rearward by the lower disbursement conveying section 252 . Then, the lift-up section 27 delivers the 5-series coin to the upper disbursement transport section 251 . The coins sent to the upper disbursement conveying section 251 are conveyed forward by the upper disbursement conveying section 251, pass through the third switching gate 26c, pass through the disbursement chute 28, and reach the disbursement port. 14 to the outside of the device main body 11 . After paying out the predetermined coins to the outside in this way, the payout operation is completed by notifying the host device 1 of the completion of payout.

Furthermore, detailed examination operation|movement is demonstrated. The scrutinization operation is an operation for counting the number of coins stored in each storage 24 . When a scrutinization command is given from the host device 1 or when a scrutinization command is given from the operation unit 13b, the 1-system coins are transferred from the 1-system coin storages 24a, 24b, and 24c to the upper disbursement transport unit 251. A coin is paid out, conveyed forward by an upper disbursement conveying part 251, and temporarily held in a temporary holding part 22.例文帳に追加Then, the coins held in the temporary holding section 22 are conveyed to the sorting section 23, and after sorting by denomination by the sorting section 23, the number of coins for each denomination is detected by the counting sensor 31, and the coins are stored in a predetermined manner. The coins are stored in the storage 24 (1-system coin storage 24a, 24b, 24c). Thereby, the number of coins in each storage 24 can be counted.

As for the 5-series coins, the coins are delivered from the 5-series coin storage boxes 24d, 24e, and 24f to the lower dispensed money transport section 252, and the lower dispensed money transport section 252 transports them rearward. Then, the lift-up unit 27 delivers the 5-series coin to the upper disbursement conveying unit 251 , conveys it forward by the upper disbursement conveying unit 251 , and temporarily holds it in the temporary holding unit 22 . Then, the coins held in the temporary holding section 22 are conveyed to the sorting section 23, and after sorting by denomination by the sorting section 23, the number of coins for each denomination is detected by the counting sensor 31, and the coins are stored in a predetermined manner. The coins are stored in the cabinets 24 (5-series coin storage cabinets 24d, 24e, and 24f). Thereby, the number of coins in each storage 24 can be counted. After that, the scrutinization operation is terminated by notifying the high-level device 1 of completion of the scrutiny.

According to such a coin processing apparatus 10, the 1-series coin storage boxes 24a, 24b, and 24c that store 1-series coins that are carried one digit by 10 are stored on the upper level, and the 5-series coins that are carried by one by two are stored. Since the 5 series coin storage boxes 24d, 24e, and 24f are configured to be in the lower stage, it is possible to reduce the depth dimension.

In addition, according to the coin processing apparatus 10, part of the transport route for 5-series coins, which are relatively infrequently transported, is shared with the transport route for 1-series coins, which are relatively high in transport frequency. It is possible to achieve energy saving by reducing power consumption while reducing manufacturing costs by reducing power consumption.

<Distribution unit 23>
Next, a specific configuration of the sorting section 23, that is, a specific configuration of the coin sorting device will be described. 5 is a perspective view showing the distributing section 23 shown in FIG. 3, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are a perspective view and a side view showing the main components of the distributing section 23 shown in FIG. 5, respectively. be. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the distributing section 23 includes a conveying base 40, a guide member 41, an abutting member 42, a distributing conveying belt (conveying belt) 43, and a pressing roller 44. .

The conveying base 40 is an elongated flat plate member whose longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction, and the top surface of which constitutes a coin conveying path 401 . As shown in FIG. 7, the transport base 40 is installed in such a manner that it is gradually inclined upward toward the rear. That is, the transport path 401 is also gradually inclined upward toward the rear. A sorting opening 402 is provided in such a transport base 40 .

The sorting opening 402 is formed by a long notch whose longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction in a manner facing the conveying path 401, and a passage opening 402a provided for each denomination is provided for each denomination with a small outer diameter. are arranged in this order from the upstream side (front side) and are continuous with each other. More specifically, the sorting opening 402, as shown in FIGS. 402a, 50-yen coin passage opening 402b, 5-yen coin passage opening 402c, 100-yen coin passage opening 402d, 10-yen coin passage opening 402e, and 500-yen coin passage opening 402f are formed by communicating with each other. It is an irregular shaped opening.

Here, the 1-yen coin passage opening 402a has a size necessary and sufficient to allow the passage of 1-yen coins, and coins having an outer diameter larger than that of 1-yen coins (50-yen coins, 5-yen coins). , 100-yen coins, 10-yen coins, and 500-yen coins). The 1-yen coin passage opening 402a has a front-to-rear width slightly larger than that of a 1-yen coin and a lateral width slightly smaller than that of a 1-yen coin.

The 50-yen coin passage opening 402b has a necessary and sufficient size to allow passage of 50-yen coins, and accepts coins having an outer diameter larger than that of 50-yen coins (5-yen coins, 100-yen coins, 10-yen coins). Japanese yen coin, 500 yen coin) is restricted from passing through. The 50-yen coin passage opening 402b has a front-rear width slightly larger than that of a 50-yen coin and a lateral width slightly smaller than that of a 50-yen coin.

The 5-yen coin passage opening 402c has a necessary and sufficient size to allow passage of a 5-yen coin, and accepts coins having an outer diameter larger than that of a 5-yen coin (100-yen coin, 10-yen coin, 500-yen coin). Japanese Yen coin) to pass through. The 5-yen coin passage opening 402c has a front-rear width slightly larger than that of a 5-yen coin and a lateral width slightly smaller than that of a 5-yen coin.

The 100-yen coin passage opening 402d has a necessary and sufficient size to allow passage of 100-yen coins, and coins having an outer diameter larger than that of 100-yen coins (10-yen coins and 500-yen coins) are accepted. It restricts passage. The 100-yen coin passage opening 402d has a front-to-rear width slightly larger than that of a 100-yen coin and a lateral width slightly smaller than that of a 100-yen coin.

The 10-yen coin passage opening 402e has a necessary and sufficient size to allow passage of a 10-yen coin, and allows a coin (500-yen coin) having an outer diameter larger than that of a 10-yen coin to pass through. It regulates. The 10-yen coin passage opening 402e has a longitudinal width slightly larger than that of a 10-yen coin and a lateral width slightly smaller than that of a 10-yen coin.

The 500-yen coin passage opening 402f has a necessary and sufficient size to allow passage of a 500-yen coin. The 500-yen coin passage opening 402f has a front-to-rear width slightly larger than that of a 500-yen coin and a lateral width slightly smaller than that of a 500-yen coin.

The guide member 41 is a long flat plate-shaped member whose longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction, and as shown in FIG. It is provided in a manner adjacent to 402 . The thickness of the guide member 41 is slightly larger than the thickness of the thickest coin among the coins passing through the transport path 401 .

The abutting member 42 is a long flat plate-shaped member whose longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction, and as shown in FIGS. They are provided in a manner in which the directions match. The contact member 42 is formed with six protrusions 421 that protrude leftward corresponding to the respective passage openings 402a and the like. These protrusions 421 are formed in such a manner that the protruding ends thereof extend into the upper region such as the corresponding passage port 402a. Incidentally, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the counting sensor 31 is provided corresponding to each passage opening 402a, etc., and is provided in the lower region on the front side of the corresponding passage opening 402a, etc. As shown in FIGS.

The sorting and conveying belt 43 is endlessly stretched around a plurality of sorting and conveying pulleys 43 a provided above the conveying base 40 . The rearmost sorting-conveying pulley 43a among these sorting-conveying pulleys 43a is a driving pulley that rotates when a driving force is transmitted from a motor 43b. When the motor 43b is driven, the sorting and conveying pulley 43a, which is a driving pulley, rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the right, so that the downward extending portion 431 of the sorting and conveying belt 43 faces backward. , it is displaced along its own extension direction. The sorting conveyor belt 43 conveys coins backward along the conveying path 401 of the conveying base 40 by the downward extending portion 431 by displacing the downward extending portion 431 toward the rear. It is something to do. In other words, the downward extending portion 431 constitutes a region that can come into contact with coins.

A plurality of pressure rollers 44 (six in the present embodiment) are provided corresponding to each passage port 402a and the like. These pressing rollers 44 are provided rotatably about their own central axes 441 extending along the left-right direction, and are biased downward by roller springs (biasing means) 442 . Such a pressing roller 44 pushes the upper part of the passage opening 402a and the like corresponding to itself out of the lower extending part 431 (area that can come into contact with coins) of the sorting conveyor belt 43 by the biasing force of the roller spring 442 described above. It is provided in such a manner that it is biased downward. The pressing roller 44 has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter decreases toward the right side, that is, as it approaches the guide member 41, and specifically has a truncated cone shape.

In such a distributing section 23, the plurality of pressing rollers 44 are arranged below the conveying path 401 of the conveying base 40 in a normal state, as shown in FIG.

In the sorting unit 23 having the configuration as described above, the motor 43b to which a command is given from the control unit 32 is driven, so that the sorting conveying belt 43 is arranged such that the lower extending portion 431 faces backward. Displace. As a result, the coins retained in the temporary retaining section 22 are transported rearward along the transport path 401 in a state in which the lower surface is in contact with the transport path 401 of the transport base 40 and the upper surface is in contact with the sorting transport belt 43. . In this case, since the pressing roller 44 has a truncated cone shape whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the guide member 41, it is possible to press the coin toward the guide member 41. , part of which is in contact with the guide member 41 and is conveyed rearward along the conveying path 401 .

When the outer diameter of the coin C conveyed on the conveying path 401 is larger than the outer diameter of the coin targeted by the corresponding passage port 402a, etc., as shown in FIG. , moves upward against the urging force of the roller spring 442 to allow the coin C to pass above the passage opening 402a.

On the other hand, when the coin C conveyed on the conveying path 401 is intended for the corresponding passage port 402a or the like, as shown in FIG. The coin C is tilted so that the left side of the C faces downward, and the right side of the coin C is brought into contact with the corresponding protrusion 421 of the contact member 42 . As a result, the coin C passes through the passage port 402 a and the like, passes through the predetermined passage 45 (see FIG. 14), and is stored in the corresponding storage box 24 .

As described above, the pressing roller 44 normally has its lower portion positioned below the transport path 401 of the transport base 40 . The inclination angle of the coin C can be increased. Therefore, when the coin C is a 5-series coin, the passageway 45 to the 5-series coin storages 24d, 24e, and 24f is partially curved up and down due to the presence of the 1-series coin storages 24a, 24b, and 24c. Although the dimensions are large, since the inclination angle of the coin C with respect to the conveying base 40 can be increased, the inclination angle .theta. It is possible to suppress coin jams and the like.

As described above, according to the allocating section 23, the pressing roller 44 is normally arranged with its lower portion below the conveying path 401 of the conveying base 40, so that the pressure roller 44 is conveyed along the conveying path 401. If the coin is the corresponding coin, the coin can be sufficiently pressed downward, and the coins can be distributed well.

Further, according to the sorting portion 23, since the counting sensor 31 is provided in the front lower region of the corresponding passage opening 402a, etc., the number of coins that have passed through the passage opening 402a, etc. in contact with the protrusion 421 is counted. to detect That is, since it does not detect the number of coins in a state where the behavior is unstable due to vibration or the like, such as when the coin is in contact with the projecting portion 421, one coin is detected as a plurality of coins due to chattering. Therefore, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the count.

<Withdrawal transport unit 25 and lift-up unit 27>
Next, a specific configuration of the payout conveying section 25 and the lift-up section 27, that is, a specific configuration of the coin conveying device will be described. 15 is a perspective view showing the withdrawal conveying portion 25 and the lift-up portion 27 shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 16 is a side view showing the withdrawal conveying portion 25 and the lift-up portion 27 shown in FIG. be. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the withdrawal conveying section 25 and the lift-up section 27 include a first withdrawal conveying belt (first conveying belt) 51 and a second withdrawal conveying belt (second conveying belt) 52 . It has

The first withdrawal transport belt 51 is endlessly stretched over a plurality of first withdrawal transport pulleys 51a, and has a plurality of protrusions 511 on its outer surface that constitutes its transport surface. The first withdrawal conveying belt 51 is displaced along the extending direction as the first withdrawal conveying pulley 51a rotates. One of the plurality of first withdrawal transport pulleys 51a is a drive pulley that rotates when a driving force is applied from a drive source, and the other pulleys are driven pulleys that rotate due to the displacement of the first withdrawal transport pulley 51a. is.

The second withdrawal conveying belt 52 is endlessly stretched around a plurality of second withdrawal conveying pulleys 52a. The second withdrawal conveyor belt 52 is arranged to face the first withdrawal conveyor belt 51 in such a manner that a portion of the second withdrawal conveyor belt 52 is in close contact with a portion of the first withdrawal conveyor belt 51 . is a driven belt that is displaced by That is, the second withdrawal conveying pulley 52 a is a driven pulley that rotates as the second withdrawal conveying belt 52 is displaced.

A portion of the second dispensing conveyor belt 52 that faces the first dispensing conveyor belt 51 in close contact with the first dispensing conveyor belt 51 sandwiches the coin conveyed rearward by the first dispensing conveyor belt 51 . A nipping/conveying portion 53 is configured for conveying upward in the state of holding. The second pay-out conveying belt 52 conveys forward the coins conveyed upward by the nipping conveying portion 53 .

In this way, the nipping and conveying portion 53 of the first withdrawal conveyor belt 51 and the second withdrawal conveyor belt 52 constitutes the lift-up portion 27 , and the coin is placed on the nipping and conveying portion 53 of the first withdrawal conveyor belt 51 . The portion that conveys backwards constitutes the lower disbursement conveying portion 252 , and the portion that conveys the coins from the nipping conveying portion 53 of the second disbursement conveying belt 52 forwards constitutes the upper disbursement conveying portion 251 . constitutes The upstream side of the portion of the second withdrawal conveying belt 52 that constitutes the upper withdrawal conveying portion 251 is provided in such a manner that it gradually inclines upward toward the front. , and 24c, a space equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the 10-yen coin is secured between the 10-yen storage box 24c and the outlet 24c1 of the 10-yen storage box 24c arranged at the rearmost position.

In such a coin conveying device, a posture regulating member 54, a reverse roller (flow rate regulating member) 55, and a roller guide member 56 are provided.

The posture regulating member 54 is provided in the upper area of the portion of the first withdrawal conveying belt 51 that constitutes the lower withdrawal conveying portion 252 . This attitude regulating member 54 regulates the coins drawn out from the 5-system coin storages 24d, 24e, and 24f from taking an upright posture, and the lower disbursement conveying portion 252 of the first disbursement conveying belt 51 is regulated. It is for stacking a plurality of coins in a sideways posture on the constituting part.

The reverse roller 55 is provided at the downstream upper portion of the portion constituting the lower withdrawal conveying portion 252 of the first withdrawal conveying belt 51 . As shown in FIG. 17, the reverse roller 55 is provided rotatably around its own central axis 551, and rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the left when a driving force is applied from the driving source. It is. Here, the speed increasing ratio, which is the ratio of the rotation speed of the reverse roller 55 to the conveying speed of the first withdrawal conveying belt 51 and the second withdrawal conveying belt 52, is set to 2 or more.

Also, the reverse roller 55 is installed in such a manner that the separation distance d from the first conveying belt is less than three times the thickness of the coin. That is, the separation distance d is large enough to allow two coins to pass through, and not allow three or more coins to pass through.

A roller guide member 56 is provided in front of the reverse roller 55 . When a coin conveyed rearward by the first pay-out conveying belt 51 contacts the peripheral surface of the reverse roller 55, the roller guide member 56 is arranged so that the coin contacts the reverse roller 55 at the portion where the coin contacts. The contact angle of the coin with respect to the reverse roller 55 is regulated in such a manner that the contact angle α, which is the angle formed with the tangent of the reverse roller 55, is 90° or more.

In the coin conveying device (withdrawal conveying unit 25 and lift-up unit 27) configured as described above, the separation distance d between the reverse roller 55 and the first withdrawal conveying belt 51 is less than three times the thickness of the coin. Since the coins are installed in such a manner, the coins in the nipping and conveying portion 53 are nipped and conveyed in a state in which at least one of the front surface and the back surface is in contact with either the first dispensing conveyor belt 51 or the second dispensing conveyor belt 52. The flow rate of coins to the nipping and conveying portion 53 can be regulated so that As a result, two coins can be pinched and conveyed in the pinching and conveying portion 53 in a state of being superimposed, and the coins do not come into contact with either the first disbursement conveying belt 51 or the second disbursing conveying belt 52. can be eliminated. By nipping and conveying two stacked coins in this way, it is possible to increase the amount of coins conveyed per unit time upward, and furthermore, the first disbursement conveying belt 51 and the second disbursement conveying belt Since it is possible to eliminate coins that are not in contact with any of the 52, it is possible to prevent coins from remaining in the nipping and conveying portion 53.例文帳に追加Therefore, according to the coin processing device 10, it is possible to shorten the time required to convey a plurality of coins upward.

According to the coin conveying device, since the speed increasing ratio is 2 or more, the plurality of coins conveyed by the portion constituting the lower disbursement conveying section 252 of the first disbursement conveying belt 51 can be separated satisfactorily. can be done.

According to the coin conveying device, the roller guide member 56 regulates the contact posture of the coin with respect to the reverse roller 55 in such a manner that the contact angle is 90° or more. It is possible to avoid locking the transportation of the coin by being caught between the two.

According to the above-described coin conveying device, since the attitude regulating member 54 regulates the coins drawn out from the 5-system coin storages 24d, 24e, and 24f from being in the upright posture, the first dispensation conveying belt 51 is positioned downward. A plurality of coins can be deposited in a sideways posture on the portion constituting the payment transport section 252 , and the coins in the upright posture are straddled between the first payment transport belt 51 and the roller guide member 56 . , it is possible to avoid locking the transportation of coins.

According to the above-described coin conveying device, the upstream side of the portion that constitutes the upper disbursement conveying portion 251 in the second disbursement conveying belt 52 is provided in such a manner that it gradually inclines upward as it goes forward, and is 10 yen. Since a space equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the 10-yen coin is secured between the storage box 24c and the pay-out port 24c1, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a coin jam due to the 10-yen coin paid out from the pay-out port 24c1.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made.

In the above-described embodiment, the pressing roller 44 has a truncated cone shape, but in the present invention, it may have a tapered shape in which the outer diameter decreases as it approaches the guide member 41. It may be in shape.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Coin processing apparatus, 11... Apparatus main body, 20... Conveyance unit, 21... Deposit conveyance part, 22... Temporary reservation part, 23... Sorting part (coin sorting apparatus), 24... Storage, 25... Withdrawal transport Part 26 Switching gate group 27 Lift-up part 31 Counting sensor 32 Control part 40 Conveying base 401 Conveying path 402 Sorting opening 41 Guide member 42 Abutting member , 43... Distributing conveyor belt (conveyor belt), 44... Pressing roller, 51... First withdrawal conveying belt, 51a... First withdrawal conveying pulley, 52... Second withdrawal conveying belt, 52a... Second withdrawal CONVEYING PULLEYS 53: Holding and conveying portion 54: Posture regulating member 55: Reverse roller (flow rate regulating member) 56: Roller guide member C: Coin.

Claims (4)

The upper surface constitutes a coin transport path, and passage openings provided for each denomination of coins are formed in such a manner that they are arranged from one side of the transport path to the other in the order of denominations with smaller outer diameters and are continuous with each other. a transport base having a sorting opening;
It is stretched endlessly on a plurality of transport pulleys provided in the upper region of the transport base, and is displaced in its extending direction as the transport pulley rotates, thereby moving from one side of the transport path to the other. and a conveyor belt that conveys coins through
A coin sorting device that sorts a plurality of coins by denomination when the coins transported on the transport path pass through one of the passage openings in the sorting opening,
a guide member provided on the upper surface of the transport base adjacent to the distribution opening in a manner extending from one side of the transport path toward the other;
Of the areas of the conveyor belt that can come into contact with the coins, the portions corresponding to the passage openings are urged downward by an urging means, and the conveyor belt is displaced around its central axis. and a plurality of pressure rollers that rotate to
The coin swinger is characterized in that the plurality of pressing rollers have a tapered shape with an outer diameter that decreases as it approaches the guide member, and that in a normal state, a lower portion thereof is arranged below an upper surface of the conveying base. minute device. 2. The coin sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pressure rollers have a truncated cone shape. A contact member provided on the upper part of the guide member in a manner extending from one side of the conveying path toward the other side and having projections formed corresponding to each passage opening,
When a coin conveyed on the conveying path is inclined with respect to the conveying base while a part of the coin conveyed on the conveying path passes through the corresponding passage port by the pressing roller, the contact member is configured such that the corresponding protrusion is 3. The coin sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the coin sorting device abuts. counting detection means provided corresponding to each passage opening and detecting the number of coins passing through the corresponding passage opening;
4. The coin sorting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the counting detection means detects the number of coins that have passed through the passage port while coming into contact with the corresponding protrusion of the contact member.

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