JPH0241729Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Field of industrial application] The present invention is a coin processing device suitable for use in public telephones, etc., in which coin detection sensors can be effectively arranged in a narrow area, and the printed circuit board can be The present invention relates to a coin detection structure in a coin storage section that enables miniaturization.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, as a coin detection mechanism of a coin processing device used in a public telephone, for example,
Those disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 36448 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-30945 are known. Both of these detect coins through mechanical contact; in the former, a rotating lever is rotated by the inserted coin, and the rotation of the lever operates a coin detection contact consisting of a leaf switch. The latter consists of an actuating lever with a roller and a magnet, and a reed switch arranged in correspondence with the magnet, and when a coin is dropped onto the roller, the impact rotates the actuating lever. The reed switch is operated by moving the reed switch and bringing the magnet closer to the reed switch.

[The problem that the idea aims to solve]

However, since these conventional coin detection mechanisms require switches and levers, they have the problem of a large number of parts and poor assembly workability. In the case of a coin processing device adopting this method, this problem becomes even more serious and becomes a major cause of cost increase.

Therefore, the present invention was devised in view of the conventional problems as described above, and its purpose is to detect the inserted coin indirectly and optically, thereby reducing the number of parts and reducing the number of parts. Another object of the present invention is to improve detection accuracy and provide a highly reliable coin detection structure.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of coin storage chambers in which coins are accumulated one by one in the order in which they are inserted, regardless of their type, in a staggered manner across a coin sorting track, and each storage chamber has approximately L length. A rotating lever formed in the shape of a letter is provided, and one arm of the lever is placed in the distribution track by giving the lever a rotational habit of collapsing toward the distribution track by means of a weight. Normally enter the coin receiving part, the other arm part is used as a coin supporting part, and the rotating lever is rotated by the coin that falls on the coin receiving part,
The coin is taken into the coin storage chamber, a coin detection protrusion is provided on each of the rotary levers, and a plurality of reflective sensors are arranged on the printed circuit board in correspondence with the coin detection protrusions of each of the rotary levers. It is.

[Effect]

In the present invention, since the coin storage chambers are provided in a staggered manner, the volume occupied by the storage section and the printed circuit board are small compared to the number of chambers. Further, the reflective sensor indirectly detects coins by detecting the coin detection protrusion of the rotary lever.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be described in detail below based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line shown in Fig. 3 of a coin storage section adopting the coin detection structure according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the same detection structure, and Fig. 3 is a state of the coin storage section before accumulation. FIG. 4 is a front view of the storage state. In addition, in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the front side track plate of a pair of track plates facing each other in parallel in the front and rear directions is omitted for convenience.
In these figures, reference numerals 30 and 31 indicate raceway plates that face each other parallel to each other with a predetermined interval and constitute a coin storage section. pieces, for example 9
coin storage chambers 33 (33A to 33I), two coin storages, return tracks 34, 35, and storage track 68
and return tracks 36A, 36B are provided.

The raceway plate 30 is integrally formed of a resin molded product, and its inner surface, that is, the surface facing the other raceway plate 31, forms a side rolling support surface 37 for the coins A to D. This support surface 37 has a total of 8
Stopper pieces 38a to 38h are located at the bottom of each of the coin storage chambers 33A to 33H and project integrally therewith.

The other track plate 31 is formed into a flat plate shape from metal, resin material, etc., and its inner surface forms a side rolling support surface 39 for the coins A to D, and the upper end near one side is used for coins. An input port 40 is provided.

The coin sorting track 32 is a coin sorting track 4 equipped with a sorting section 41 that electronically detects the dimensions, materials, etc. of the coins A to D inserted through the coin input port 40.
Continuously provided at the end of 2.

Each of the coin storage chambers 33A to 33I stores nine coins A to D input from the coin input port 40 in the order of input, from top to bottom, regardless of their type.
It stores coins one by one, and therefore has a size that can accommodate coins A to D, and has eight storage chambers 33 from the top.
A to 33H are provided in a staggered manner with the coin sorting track 32 interposed therebetween so that their heights alternately decrease little by little, and communicate with the track 32, and the remaining one is
That is, the storage chamber 33I at the lowest position is provided directly below the coin sorting track 32. Coin storage and return levers 45A to 45I are provided at the terminal ends of each of the coin storage chambers 33A to 33I, respectively, and the eight coin storage chambers 33A to 33H are provided with coin storage and return levers 45A to 45I, respectively.
Coins A to D falling on the coin sorting track 32
Rotating lever 46A for taking the into the storage chamber
~46H are arranged respectively.

Each of the rotating levers 46A to 46H is formed into a substantially L-shape to form a substantially U-shaped coin storage chamber 33A to 33H that opens upward together with the coin storage and return levers 45A to 45H. Bearing portions 51 provided at the bent portions are rotatably supported by shafts 48 implanted on the inner surface of the raceway plate 30, respectively. The shaft 48 of each rotating lever 46A to 46H is connected to the coin sorting track 3.
2 and each of the coin storage chambers 33A to 33H, and one arm 47A of each rotating lever 46A to 46H functions as a coin receiving section that receives coins falling into the coin sorting track 32. However, the other arm 47B functions as a coin support section that supports the coins introduced into the coin storage chambers 33A to 33H. Therefore, the rotation levers 46A, 46 on the left side of FIG.
C, 46E, 46G and the right rotation lever 46B,
46D, 46F, 46H are the coin receiving section 4
7A are arranged back to back so as to face the coin sorting track 32, and the direction in which the coin receiving part 47A normally advances into the coin sorting track 32 by the action of the weight 52, that is, the left side is clockwise and the right side is counterclockwise. Each of them is given a rotational habit. The weight 52 is connected to each of the rotating levers 46A to 46H.
It is integrally provided at the tip of a weight attachment part 53 that protrudes from the rotational fulcrum part of the coin receiving part 47A in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the coin receiving part 47A. The bearing portion 51 of each rotating lever 46A to 46H is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
As shown in the figure, an insertion hole 54 provided in the track plate 31
The weight 52 and the weight attachment portion 53 pass through the insertion hole 54 and are located on the surface side of the track plate 31. This is coins A to D and weight 5
2 or the weight attachment portion 53. Although the weight 52 is lighter than the lightest coin, it has enough weight to quickly return the rotational levers 46A to 46H.

The coin receiving portion 47A of each of the rotary levers 46A to 46H is provided with a coin detection protrusion 56, which constitutes a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a coin together with a reflective sensor to be described later. It passes through an arcuate long hole 57 provided in the plate 30 and projects to the surface side of the raceway plate 30.
The long hole 57 is connected to each of the rotating levers 46A to 46H.
It is formed in an arc shape around the rotation fulcrum part, that is, the shaft 48, and each rotation lever 46 is attached to one end edge thereof, that is, the edge closer to the center of the coin sorting Asahido 32.
When the stoppers 56 of A to 46M come into contact with each other, the rotary levers 46A to 46H are stopped at the initial position tilted at a predetermined angle toward the coin sorting track 32 as shown by solid lines in FIG. 3. In this contact state, each lever 46
The coin receiving sections 47A of A to 46H extend into the coin distribution track 32 and block the track 32.

The coin storage chamber 33I provided directly below the coin sorting track 32 has two stopper pieces 38g, 38.
The upper surface of the left end of the stopper piece 38h functions as a coin support surface 58 that supports coins. In this case, the coin storage chamber 33I is provided at the lowest position, and the eight coin storage chambers 33A described above are
~ 33H accumulates all coins, it is the last to accumulate coins, so there is no need to open and close the coin sorting track 32, and therefore the above-mentioned rotating levers 47A to 47
It does not have the same lever as H.

The coin storage and return levers 45A to 45I are selected by nine solenoids 60 respectively disposed on the surface side of the track plate 31 corresponding to the coin storage chambers 33A to 33I, as shown in FIG. It is driven simultaneously or at the same time, and its tip end is connected to the insertion hole 61 provided in the raceway plates 31, 30,
62 and constitutes a coin locking portion.
During a call, each solenoid 60 is selectively energized by a coin storage signal to attract and operate the coin storage/return lever of the solenoid to withdraw the coin from the insertion holes 61, 62, and when the call ends, a return signal is sent. The structure is such that the magnets are excited all at once. Therefore, at the time of return, all coin storage and return levers 45A-45I exit from each coin storage chamber 33A-33I.

The two coin storage and return tracks 34 and 35 are provided on both sides of the coin storage chambers 33A to 33I, and their lower portions are bent toward the center of the track plates 30 and 31 to merge with each other, and the coins are stored in the merged portion. A lever 66 and a return lever 67 are provided. The storage lever 66 is normally connected to the coin storage and return track 3.
4, 35 and the storage track 68, and the return lever 67 prevents communication between the storage and return tracks 34, 35 and the return track 36B. These levers 66 and 67 are also driven by solenoids (not shown) similar to the coin storage and return levers 45A to 45I described above when storing or returning coins, respectively.

The return track 36A is provided directly below the coin slot 40. This means that when the handset is not in use and is hung on the handle lever, the input port 40
This is to return all the coins inserted into the return slot to the return slot.For this purpose, there is a flap 69 on the top of the return track 36A that can be opened and closed to control the opening and closing of a part of the coin sorting track 42 in conjunction with the foot lever.
is installed. A cage (not shown) is provided in the coin slot 40 to prevent pseudo coins having a diameter and thickness larger than coins A to D from being inserted.
is provided. Further, the coin sorting track 42
There is a sorting window 70 for dropping coins smaller than a predetermined size, and a sorting window 70 that prevents coins that are determined to be fraudulent coins by the sorting section 41 and coins that have been inserted in excess of a predetermined number (9 coins) from passing through. A coin removal lever 71 for removing coins from the sorting window 70 is provided.

A printed circuit board 72 is disposed at the center of the outer surface of the track plate 30 at an appropriate distance from the board 30, and the surface of this board 72 facing the track plate 30 has the coin storage chambers 33A to 33A. A reflective sensor 73 serving as a detection unit for detecting whether coins are accumulated in the lever 33H is disposed corresponding to the coin detection projection 56 of each of the rotary levers 46A to 46H. The reflective sensor 73 normally receives the reflected light emitted from the sensor and reflected by the tip surface of the protrusion 56, thereby adjusting the initial position state of the rotary levers 46A to 46H, in other words, the coin storage chambers 33A to 33.
When it is detected that no coins are accumulated in H, and the protrusion 56 is displaced from the sensor 73 due to the rotation of the rotating levers 46A to 46H due to the coin falling, and the reflected light cannot be received, the coins are accumulated. detect that something has happened.

Note that the rotating levers 46A to 46H are connected to the sensor 73.
In order to effectively reflect the light from the outside, it is desirable that the resin be made of a resin having an excellent reflective property, such as white.

When the sorting section 41 detects a coin, it sends out amount information of the coin. Further, information on which coin storage chamber the coin is stored in is obtained by each reflective sensor 73, and both of these pieces of information are sent to a CPU (not shown) that controls the coin processing device.
be remembered. Then, the CPU drives and controls the solenoids 60 of each of the coin storage and return levers 45A to 45I based on this information when storing coins.

Note that since the coin storage chamber 33I at the lowest position does not have a rotating lever, a transmission type sensor (not shown) consisting of a light emitting element and a light receiving element is used to directly detect the presence or absence of coins.

Next, the operation and order of accumulating coins in the structure of the coin accumulating section having the above configuration will be explained.

First, when no coins have been accumulated, each rotary lever 46A~ as shown by the solid line in FIG.
46H is rotated by the action of the weight 52 and held at an initial position inclined at a predetermined angle toward the coin sorting track 32 side. Therefore, in this state, the coin receiving portion 47A of each rotating lever 46A-46H advances into the coin sorting track 32, opening each coin storage chamber 33A-33H. On the other hand, the coin storage chamber 33I at the lowest position is closed by the coin receiving portion 47A of the rotary lever 46H.

In this state, when the first coin A is inserted into the coin slot 40, the size and size are determined by the sorting unit 41.
When the material etc. are detected and the coin is determined to be a genuine coin, it passes through the coin sorting track 42 and reaches the upper part of the coin sorting track 32, and rolls on the coin receiving part 47A of the uppermost rotary lever 46A. into the coin storage chamber 33A. At this time, coin A is placed on rotating lever 4.
When the lever 46A passes the center of rotation of the coin A, that is, the shaft 48, the weight of the coin A causes the lever 46A to
The tip of the coin support part 47B abuts the stopper piece 38a from above, so that the coin storage position is reached as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 3. Stop. In this state, the coin A comes into contact with the coin storage/return lever 45A and is locked, and at the same time is supported by the coin support section 47B, and the coin receiving section 47A stands up almost vertically to open the coin storage chamber 33A. Obstruction. Therefore, 2
It cannot hold more than 1 coin.

Furthermore, when the coin detection protrusion 56 is displaced from the reflective sensor 73 due to rotation of the rotary lever 46A and no longer faces the reflective sensor 73, the amount of reflected light emitted from the reflective sensor 73 and reflected back is reduced. ,
A change occurs in the output signal from the sensor 73, thereby indirectly detecting that coins have been accumulated in the first coin accumulation chamber 33A, and transmitting the detection signal.
Send to CPU.

Next, when a second coin is inserted into the coin input slot 40, this coin is detected by the sorting section 41 and passes through the coin sorting track 42 onto the coin receiving section 47A of the second rotating lever 46B. The receiving section 4
By rolling on the coins 7A, the coins are guided into the second coin storage chamber 33B and stored therein, as described above. Similarly, the third to eighth coins are sequentially accumulated in the third to eighth coin storage chambers 33C to 33H in this order. When eight coins are accumulated, the coin sorting track 32 becomes completely open as shown in FIG. 4 and communicates with the coin accumulation chamber 33I at the lowest position.
Therefore, when the ninth coin D is inserted, this coin D passes through the coin distribution track 32 and is accumulated in the coin accumulation chamber 33I. When all coins are accumulated in the nine coin accumulation chambers 33A to 33I, the coins to be inserted thereafter are removed from the sorting window 70 by the coin removal lever 71 and returned to the return slot.

Coins A to D indicate different denominations of coins such as 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen coins, and are stored in each coin storage chamber 33A to 33I in the order in which they are inserted, regardless of the type.
After receiving the coin storage signal, the coin storage/return levers 45A to 45I are selectively driven, so that the coins are stored one by one through the storage/return track 34 or 35 to the storage track 6.
8 and stored in a safe (not shown). At this time, the storage lever 66 also operates to open the storage track 68, as in the conventional case. The selective actuation of the coin storage/return levers 45A to 45I allows coins of an amount that matches the call charge, or if there are no coins of a matching amount, to store coins of the closest amount that is greater than or equal to the call charge in the coin storage chamber. This can be dealt with by having the CPU determine whether the room is in the room and sending a signal to the solenoid 60 corresponding to that room. Furthermore, when a certain coin is stored, the rotary lever 46H of the coin storage chamber in which the coin has been stored, for example, the chamber 33H, is released from the coin and returns to its rotational position by the action of the weight 52, and the coin can be received. The portion 47A advances into the coin sorting track 32 again. Then, the coin detection protrusion 56 also rotates back and comes to face the reflective sensor 73, so the reflective sensor 73 detects that no coins are accumulated in the storage chamber 33H and sends the signal. Send to CPU. In this state, when a new coin is added, the coin is not removed by the coin removal lever 71 and is placed into the empty coin storage chamber 33H by rotating the rotation lever 46H as described above. Accumulated by

Depending on the coin storage signal from the station, it may be necessary to store not only one coin but two or more coins at the same time. In that case, the CPU stores the coins in each coin storage chamber 33A to 33I. Since the amount information of each coin A to D is stored, the total amount matches the coin storage signal, or if it does not match, it stores two or more coins with the closest amount that is equal to or higher than that amount. solenoid 6
This can be dealt with by controlling 0, and by doing so, it is possible to prevent an unreasonable financial burden on the user.

In addition, since the coin storage chambers 33A to 33H are provided in a staggered manner with the coin sorting track 32 in between,
Although the storage capacity is large, the occupied volume is small, and it can be made compact, and each coin can be stored one by one in each of the coin storage chambers 33A to 33I regardless of the order of input. Furthermore, since the coin storage chambers 33A to 33H are provided in a staggered manner, the reflective sensor 73 is connected to the coin sorting track 33.
The printed circuit board 72 can be densely arranged along the same line, thus making it possible to downsize the printed circuit board 72. moreover,
Each rotating lever 46A~ is controlled by a reflective sensor 73.
Since the 46H coin detection protrusion 56 is detected, the amount of light reflected is almost constant, and compared to the case where reflected light from the coin is received, it is not affected by dirt on the coin or differences in reflection characteristics depending on the material. Because there is no possibility that it will be done,
There are fewer false detections and detection accuracy can be improved, and the coin detection protrusion 56 is
Since it also functions as a stopper for A to 46H, there is no need to separately provide a stopper to the lever, and the number of parts can be kept to a minimum.

[Effect of idea]

As described above, the coin detection structure in the coin storage section according to the present invention indirectly detects the presence or absence of coins by detecting the protrusion of the rotating lever provided in the coin storage chamber with a reflective sensor. Because of this structure, there are fewer parts, and compared to methods that directly detect coins, there is no influence from dirt on the coin or differences in reflection characteristics, etc., improving detection accuracy and providing a highly reliable coin detection structure. . In addition, since the coin storage chambers are arranged in a staggered manner across the coin distribution track, the storage capacity is large and there is no wasted space.
The volume occupied by the storage section can be reduced, and the printed circuit board to which the reflective sensor is attached can also be made smaller.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line shown in Fig. 3 of a coin storage section adopting the coin detection structure according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the same detection structure, and Fig. 3 is a state of the coin storage section before accumulation. FIG. 4 is a front view of the storage state. 32... Coin sorting trajectory, 33A to 33I...
Coin storage chamber, 34, 35... Coin storage, return track, 36A, 36B... Return track, 42... Coin sorting track, 45A to 45I... Coin storage, return lever, 45A to 46H... Rotating lever, 47A...
...Coin receiving section, 47B...Coin support section, 52...
Weight, 56...coin detection protrusion, 66...storage lever, 67...return lever, 68...storage track,
72...Printed circuit board, 73...Reflective sensor,
A to D...coins.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A coin sorting track that communicates with the coin sorting track, a plurality of coin storage chambers provided in a staggered manner on both sides of the coin sorting track and storing coins one by one in the order of input regardless of their type, and these coins. Two coin storage and return tracks are provided on both sides of the storage chamber, and the lower ends communicate with the storage track and the return track, respectively, and the coin distribution track is rotatably arranged in each of the coin storage compartments, and the coins are sorted by a weight. By giving it the ability to rotate in the direction of falling toward the track,
Usually, one arm enters into the coin sorting track to constitute a coin receiving section, and the other arm constitutes a coin support section that supports coins guided into the coin storage chamber. and a rotary lever formed in the shape of a letter, each rotary lever is provided with a coin detection protrusion, and a plurality of reflective sensors are arranged on a printed circuit board corresponding to the coin detection protrusion of each rotary lever. A coin detection structure in a coin storage section characterized by: