JPH03296190A - Coin processor of automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To set both a coin throw-in opening and a coin return opening at proper height where coin throwing-in operation and taking-out operation are easy by providing a flipping lever which can swing and hop a coin, received at a coin reception part, up onto a conveyance path to a coin mechanism. CONSTITUTION:The coin C which is thrown in from the coin throw-in opening 5 is received at the coin reception part 26 of a flipping mechanism 21 and set in a stationary state; and the flipping lever 35 is put in operation by the driving mechanism 38 to hop the coin C up and the coin C is guided along the conveyance path 23 to the upper end part of the coin mechanism 7 and taken in the upper end part of the coin mechanism 7. Then return coins as change are discharged from the lower end part of the coin mechanism 7 to the coin return opening 6. Consequently, both the coin throw-in opening 5 and coin return opening 6 are set at the proper height where the throwing-in operation and return operation for the coin C are easy.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a coin processing device for a vending machine, and in particular, the present invention relates to a coin processing device for a vending machine, and in particular, a device for flipping up coins inserted into a coin slot by a flipping mechanism. Regarding what to introduce into the coin mechanism.

(Prior Art) In general, in vending machines, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-33600 or Japanese Utility Model Application No. 63-97182, etc., the product selection is displayed on the front door, which serves as the customer service side of the machine. There are buttons and a sales port, as well as a coin slot and a coin return slot.

A coin mechanism is provided on the back side of the front door, and this coin mechanism outputs a sales signal by introducing the coins inserted from the coin slot through the slot chute, etc. The product specified by the selection button is dispensed to the sales outlet, and if there is change for the input amount, sales operation processing such as dispensing the change to the coin return outlet is performed.

By the way, this coin mechanism uses gravity to
Inserted coins are introduced from the top end, and as the coins fall from the top to the bottom with a predetermined flow distance, the authenticity and denomination of the coins are determined, and the returned coins, including change, are dispensed from the bottom end. For this reason, the coin input port will be provided at the top of the coin mechanism, and the coin return port will be provided at the bottom of the coin mechanism.

The positions of the coin insertion slot and coin return slot depend on the size and installation position of the coin mechanism, but are usually at an appropriate height that will not force the purchasing user into an unnatural posture when inserting coins. There is a coin slot in the
The installation position of the coin mechanism is determined based on the height of the coin insertion slot, and accordingly, the position of the coin return slot is also determined.

Therefore, the coin slot is located above the middle level of the front door, above the waist height of the purchasing user, while the coin return slot is located at the bottom level, closer to the floor. is common.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, in conventional vending machines, if the coin slot is placed at an appropriate height, the coin mechanism will have an additional alpha of at least 2" below. Since the coin return opening is provided below the coin return opening, the coin return opening cannot be located at an appropriate height, forcing purchasing users to have an unnatural crouching posture when taking out returned coins such as change. This causes people to forget to take out the returned coins and leave them behind.

On the other hand, when looking for an appropriate height for the coin return slot,
On the other hand, the coin slot is moved upward from its proper position, making it difficult to insert coins.

Therefore, it is impossible to obtain a device that satisfies the usability of both coin insertion and coin withdrawal, and it is inevitable that one of them will be sacrificed.

In addition, due to design and manufacturing, if the coin input slot and coin return slot are distributed above and below the front door, due to structural constraints,
The front door is also subject to design restrictions.

Furthermore, a problem with providing a coin slot above the coin mechanism is that liquids such as detergent or salt water may flow through the coin slot and enter the control circuit of the coin mechanism, causing the coin to be disbursed with goods or change. There are frequent cases of people trying to steal change or merchandise by inducing malfunctions in the mechanism, and improvements are desired.

The present invention has been made in view of these points, and it is an object of the present invention to set both the coin insertion slot and the coin return slot at appropriate heights to facilitate coin insertion and withdrawal operations. be.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problem) The present invention provides a coin insertion slot and a coin return slot on a customer service surface having product selection buttons and a sales opening, and introduces coins inserted from the coin insertion slot from the upper end. In a vending machine equipped with a built-in coin mechanism, which has a sales operation processing function that outputs a sales signal and dispenses return coins such as change from the lower end to the coin return slot, the coins inserted into the coin slot are flipped up. A coin processing device that flips up the coin upward by a mechanism and guides and introduces the flipped coin to the upper end of the coin mechanism through a conveyance path, the device being connected to the coin slot and the conveyance path to the coin mechanism above. a coin receiving part that receives and holds the coin inserted from the coin slot, a swingable flip-up lever that flips up the coin received in the coin receiving part onto the conveyance path to the coin mechanism, and this flip-up lever. It is equipped with a drive mechanism that operates the lever.

Further, the invention of claim 2, in the configuration of claim 1, is configured such that when a coin is received in the coin receiving part, the next coin is ejected from the side part of the coin receiving part and returned to the coin return slot. A return route is provided.

Further, the invention of claim 3, in the configuration of claim 1, causes the input chute that guides coins from the coin input slot to the coin receiving unit to stop the next coin when a coin is received in the coin receiving unit. It is equipped with a hold mechanism.

(Function) In the coin processing device for a vending machine of the present invention, a coin inserted from the coin slot is received in the coin receiving part of the flip-up mechanism and set in a stationary state, and the drive mechanism operates the flip-up lever. Then, the coin is flipped upward, and the flipped coin is guided to the upper end of the coin mechanism through a conveyance path, and introduced into the upper end of the coin mechanism. The returned coins, such as change, are then dispensed from the lower end of the coin mechanism to the coin return slot.

Further, in the invention of claim 2, when a plurality of coins are continuously inserted from the coin slot, only one coin is accepted into the coin receiving part, and the second and subsequent coins are The coin is repelled by the coin in the receiving part, guided to the return path on the side of the coin receiving part, and immediately returned to the coin return slot.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, when a coin is received in the coin receiving section, the next coin is temporarily stopped by the holding mechanism, and after the previously inserted coin is bounced up, the next coin is fed in one by one.

(Example) Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In Figure 1, ■ is the main body of the vending machine, and this main body 1
A front door 2, which serves as a customer service surface, is provided on the front surface of the machine, which can be opened and closed freely, and a plurality of selection buttons 3 are provided in the middle to upper part of this front door 2 for users to select products to purchase. In addition, a sales port 4 for dispensing selected products is provided in the middle of the front door 2, and adjacent to this sales port 4, a coin slot 5 for inserting the price and a coin slot for returning change, defective coins, etc. A coin return slot 6 from which coins are paid out is provided.

A coin mechanism 7 is disposed on the back side of the front door 2, located above the coin return slot 6, and between the upper end of the coin mechanism 7 and the coin insertion D5. A coin transport means 8 is disposed at a position such that a coin inserted from the coin slot 5 is transported upward by the coin transport means 8 and introduced into the upper end of the coin mechanism 7.

This coin mechanism 7 has a sales operation processing function,
In the process of the coin falling from above to below with a predetermined flow distance, the authenticity and denomination of the coin are determined, and a sales signal corresponding to the input amount is output.
Inside, a product discharge mechanism (not shown) discharges the product specified by the selection button 3 from the product column, and the product conveyance means 9 transports the product upward and dispenses it to the sales outlet 4 of the front door 2. If there are coins to be returned such as change for the input amount, the returned coins are paid out from the lower end of the coin mechanism 7 to the coin return opening 6.

In addition, 10 is a return lever for returning change and remaining money, 11 is an amount display that displays the input amount and remaining money, and 12 is an out-of-change indicator that shows when change is out.
It is provided in the middle of the front door 2 along with the sales port 4, coin insertion port 5, and coin return port 6, and 13 is an exhibition room in which a plurality of product samples are displayed in correspondence with the selection buttons 3.

0 In this way, in addition to the coin slot 5, there are a coin return slot 6, a sales slot 4, a return lever 10, an amount display 11, and a change out slot in the middle of the front door 2, that is, at an appropriate height from the floor. Since the display 12 etc. are provided, it is easy to check, and in particular, the operation of inserting coins and taking out returned coins and products does not require unnatural postures. On the lower side of the front door 2, there is a signboard section 14 on which PR letters, pictures, etc. of the product are printed.
It can be done.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the coin conveying means 8 is composed of a flip-up mechanism 21 and an introduction chute 22, and the coin conveying means 8 includes a flip-up mechanism 21 and an introduction chute 22.
is received into the flip-up mechanism 21, the flip-up mechanism 21 flips up the received coin C, and the flipped-up coin C is transferred to the upper end of the coin mechanism 7 by the introduction chute 22 having an inverted J-shaped conveyance path 23. It is designed to be installed by guiding the user to the installation port.

The flip-up mechanism 21 has a coin receiving portion 126 formed on a base 25. The coin receiving section 26 is composed of both side plates 27, a guide plate 28 provided vertically between the both side plates 27, and a receiver 29 provided at the front lower end of the guide plate 28. Opposed to the upper part of the guide plate 28, an input path 31 is opened which connects to the input chute 30 from the coin input slot 5, and
A return path 33 connected to the return chute 32 to the coin return port 6 is opened at the front side of the receiving body 29, and an introduction chute 22 connected to the coin mechanism 7 is opened above the coin receiving portion 26. They are installed consecutively.

The front end of a flip-up lever 35 is pivotably supported by a support shaft 34 on the base 25 below the coin receiving portion 26, and a midway upper portion of the flip-up lever 35 faces the coin receiving portion 26. In addition, a coiled spring 37 is attached to the flip-up lever 35, so that the flip-up lever 35 is always urged upward.

Further, a drive mechanism 38 is provided at the rear of the flip-up lever 35. This drive mechanism 38 includes a motor 39 provided on a base 225, a base end of an arm 41 fixed to a rotating shaft 40 of this motor 39, and
An operating rod 42 that engages and disengages from the flip-up lever 35 is attached to the tip of the lever.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a movable cover 44 is provided on the minus side side plate 27 in a portion facing the coin receiving portion 26 so as to be movable forward and backward via a shaft 45. The movable cover 44 is urged away from the other side plate 27 by a spring (not shown) attached to the shaft 45, and is also urged towards the other side plate 27 by a solenoid (not shown). It is now possible to
When normally energized, the solenoid approaches with a strong biasing force, and when it is not energized due to a power outage, it is moved away by a spring, and when the return lever 10 is operated, it is forcibly pulled away from the side plate 27 on the other side. When the movable cover 44 is removed, the coin C in the coin receiving part 26 is removed.
The coins C fall into a return passage 46 below the movable cover 44, and the coins C that have fallen through this return passage 46 are dispensed to the coin return opening 6.

3 The motor 39 is started when a coin sensor such as a detection switch (not shown) provided in the input chute 30 or the coin receiving portion 26 detects a coin inserted from the coin input port 5. As the motor 39 is driven, the arm 41 rotates counterclockwise in FIG.
is removed from the flip-up lever 35, and the spring 37 causes the flip-up lever 35 to rapidly rotate upward.

Therefore, a coin C is inserted from the coin slot 5, and while this coin C is received by the coin receiving portion 26 and is held still, the motor 39 is started and the operating rod 4 of the arm 41 is moved.
2, the flip-up lever 35 is actuated, and its rapid upward rotation causes the convex portion 36 to flip the coin C in the coin receiving portion 26 upward, and the flipped coin C is
The coin passes through the conveyance path 23 of the inverted J-shaped introduction chute 22 and enters the introduction port at the upper end of the coin mechanism 7.

4 In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the introduction chute 22 of the flip-up mechanism 21 is inclined toward the rear side, and the return chute 4 extends downward from the middle part of the introduction chute 22.
8 are connected in series, and this return chute 48 is connected to the coin return opening 6. Then, if for some reason the coin C fails to rise and pass through the transport path 23 and falls midway, this falling coin C connects to the lower side of the introduction chute 22 in the inclined direction along the inner surface of the transport path 23. The coin enters a return chute 48 and is returned to the coin return slot 6 through this return chute 48.

Although not shown, the main body 1 is provided with a plurality of product columns for storing products, and a discharge mechanism for discharging the products stored in the product columns one by one in response to a sales command from the coin mechanism 7. However, when the product column uses the serpentine method, the product is transported from the top to the bottom using gravity, so the product is discharged from the bottom end of the product column. In order to secure storage capacity, if the length of the product column is increased by 1.5 mm, the product ejected from the product column by the ejection mechanism will be located at the bottom of the main body 1, so the product column will be placed in the middle of the front door 2. Therefore, the product conveying means 9 receives the product discharged from the product column at the lower part of the main body 1, transports it upward, and transfers it to the sales port 4. It is supposed to be paid out.

Note that the product conveyance means 9 may be any suitable conveyance means, such as an elevator that moves the packets up and down, or an endless belt conveyor.

In the above configuration, when a coin C is inserted from the coin slot 5, the coin C is transferred from the slot chute 30 to the slot 3.
1 and is received by the coin receiving part 26 and comes to rest. On the other hand, when the coin C is inserted, the coin sensor provided in the input chute 30 or the coin receiving part 26 detects this and starts the motor 39 of the flip-up mechanism 21, and the spring 37 is activated together with the arm 41 and the operating rod 42. The flip-up lever 35 is rapidly rotated upward, and the convex portion 3
6, the coin C in the stationary state 6 is vigorously flipped upward, and the flipped coin C is transferred to the conveyance path 23 of the inverted J-shaped introduction chute 22.
It rises all at once and enters the inlet at the upper end of the coin mechanism 7. Therefore, the speed at which the coin C is transported due to this flip-up does not become slower than the speed at which the coin is introduced into a conventional coin mechanism using only gravity.

Then, for some reason, the coin C flipped up by the flip-up mechanism 21 falls onto the conveyance path 2 of the introduction chute 22.
3, the fallen coin C enters the return chute 48 along the lower inner surface of the transport path 23 in the inclined direction, and is returned to the coin return opening 6 by the return chute 48. It will be done.

The motor 39 of the flip-up mechanism 21 is stopped by a timer or the like that stops the energization after a predetermined period of time has passed after a coin sensor (not shown) detects the insertion of the coin C. When the next coin C is inserted, the previous elapsed time is cleared and the current is turned off after a predetermined period of time has elapsed starting from the detection of the new coin C. For example, the coin mechanism 7 is introduced. A coin sensor such as a detection switch is installed in the mouth so that when coins C are continuously inserted, the electricity is stopped when the last coin C enters the coin mechanism 7, or the amount of money exceeds the price of the product. The power supply may be stopped at the time when the coin mechanism 7 detects the coin C.

Further, when a plurality of coins C are continuously inserted from the coin slot 5, only one coin C is inserted into the coin receiving part 26.
At the same time, the second and subsequent coins C are repelled by the coin C in the coin receiving part 26, guided to the return path 33 on the side of the coin receiving part 26, and immediately returned to the coin return opening 6. Ru.

In addition, during normal energization when selling products, returned coins such as change and defective coins are returned to the coin mechanism 7.
After passing through the coin slot 5, the lower end of the coin is dispensed into the coin return slot 6 provided below, but the introduction slot of the coin mechanism 7 is located above the coin slot 5. Since the coin C inserted from the input port is flipped up into the coin C inlet by the flip-up mechanism 21, the flip-up mechanism 21 does not operate when the power is off, such as during a power outage when sales are suspended, and the coin C is not activated without knowing this. In a case where a coin C is inserted from the coin insertion slot 5, the inserted coin cannot be returned to the coin return slot 6 via the coin mechanism 7.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a solenoid and a spring (not shown) are used in the flip-up mechanism 21, and the movable cover 44 is held in a closed and usable state by the solenoid during normal energization. When the power is off, such as when the solenoid is out of power, the movable cover 44 is kept open by the spring. Therefore, when the power is off, such as when there is a power outage, the coin C inserted from the coin slot 5 is transferred between the base 25 side and the movable cover. 44 into a lower return passageway 46, and via this return passageway 46, the coins are immediately returned to the coin return slot 6.

In addition to the above-mentioned power outage and other non-energized situations, it is also assumed that the flip 9 lifting mechanism 21 does not operate due to a failure of the motor 39, etc. In this case, the solenoid is in the energized state, so the coin slot The coin C inserted from 5 will stop at the coin receiving part 26, but in such a case, operate the return lever 10 to forcibly remove the movable cover 4.
4, the coin C is dropped from between the base 25 side and the movable cover 44 into the return passageway 46 below, and immediately returns to the coin return slot 6 through the return passageway 46.
It is supposed to be returned to

In this way, the coin return slot 6 that receives the returned coins C dispensed from the coin mechanism 7 can be positioned higher than in the past and can be provided at an appropriate height in the same way as the coin slot 5. It is easy to confirm the returned coin C, and the operation of taking out the returned coin C is not forced into an unnatural posture, as is the case with the operation of inserting the coin C, and the handling thereof becomes extremely easy.

By flipping up the stationary coins C received and set in the coin receiving part 26 one by one using the flip-up lever 0-35, timing of flip-ups becomes easy and the flip-up force becomes stable. , each coin C can be reliably flipped up. Also,
If the next coin C is inserted too early, by returning it from the return path 33 to the coin return opening 6, it is possible to ensure that the coins are bounced up one by one from the coin receiving part 26.

In addition, since the sales port 4 is located in the middle of the front door 2 along with the coin slot 5 and the coin return port 6, you are not forced to take an unnatural posture when taking out products. Since the structure of the lower stage side is simplified, structural bottlenecks are eliminated, and this is extremely convenient when using this part as the signboard section 14, for example.

In addition, when using the lower part of the front door 2 as the signboard part 14, as mentioned above, it is desirable to provide the sales outlet 4 near the middle part.
If the opening is at the top, even if the sales outlet 4 is at the bottom, there will only be one opening in the lower part of the front door 2 compared to the conventional two openings. It is still advantageous in terms of design and manufacturing, since the constraints on the signboard section 14 are reduced, and in addition to the above-mentioned signboard section 14, it is possible to incorporate novelty in design, and it is possible to use this empty space to increase the ability to attract customers. Become.

In addition, the introduction port of the coin mechanism 7 is the coin insertion port 5.
Since the coin slot 5 is located above and is separated from the coin slot 5, the coin slot 5 may be used for the purpose of causing the control circuit built into the coin mechanism 7 to malfunction and stealing merchandise or change. When a liquid such as detergent solution or salt water is poured into the coin mechanism 7, or when rainwater enters the coin mechanism 7, this liquid will not enter the coin mechanism 7 and will be interposed between the coin slot 5 and the coin mechanism 7. Even if the coins enter the flip-up mechanism 21 of the coin transport means 8, they will flow downward through the gap between the base 25 and the movable cover 44, etc.
Damage can be prevented.

Furthermore, in addition to providing a return path 33 for returning coins to the coin return slot 6 in response to continuously inserted coins, a holding mechanism 50 operated by a solenoid or the like may be provided in the slot chute 30 as shown in FIG. .

2 In this case, when a coin C is received in the coin receiving section 26, the next coin C is temporarily stopped by the holding mechanism 50, and then fed in one by one in conjunction with the flip-up of the previously inserted coin C. By detecting that the previous coin has been inserted into the coin mechanism 7 side and then feeding the coin, clogging of the coin in the conveyance path 23 can be prevented. In addition, when the above-mentioned holding mechanism 50 is provided when feeding coins into the coin mechanism 7 side, it is possible to directly coin the coins without returning them to the above-mentioned coin return slot 6 side. It is also possible to return it to the receiving part 26 and flip it up again as many times as necessary.

Although the flip-up mechanism 21 of the above-described embodiment uses the motor 39 in the drive mechanism 38, a solenoid or the like may also be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, in the flip-up mechanism 21, the movable cover 44 is urged in the opening direction by a spring,
Although the solenoid is used to bias the movable cover 3-44 in the closing direction, if the solenoid is not provided, the movable cover 3-44 may be closed by a spring, and the coin C may be returned only by manual operation using the return lever 10.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, in a vending machine, a coin inserted from a coin slot is flipped upward by the flip-up mechanism, the flipped coin is guided to the upper end of the coin mechanism, and the coin mechanism Since it is installed at the top end, the coin mechanism can be installed at a higher position than the coin slot, and the coin return slot can be raised higher than before, making it possible to replace the coin slot that was previously spaced upwards. As a result, both the coin insertion slot and the coin return slot can be set at appropriate heights to facilitate coin insertion and removal operations.

By flipping up the stationary coins received and set in the coin receiving part one by one using the flip-up lever, timing of flip-up becomes easy, the flip-up force is stabilized, and each coin is You can definitely jump up.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, when a plurality of coins are continuously inserted from the coin slot, only one coin is accepted into the coin receiving part, and the second and subsequent coins are accepted. , the coin is repelled by the coin in the coin receiving part, guided to the return path on the side of the coin receiving part, and immediately returned to the coin return slot. If the next coin is inserted too early, the next coin is stopped by the hold mechanism, and the coins are fed in one by one after the previously inserted coin bounces up, so even if the next coin is inserted too early, the next coin will not be released from the coin receiver. The flip-up can be done one by one.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figures show one embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a front view of the vending machine, Fig. 2 is a side view of the coin processing device, Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the flip-up mechanism, and Fig. 4 is a movable cover. It is a partial sectional view. 2. Front door for customer service, 3. Selection button, 4. Sales port, 5. Coin slot, 6. Coin return slot, 7. Coin mechanism, 21. Flip-up mechanism. , 23...Transport path, 26...Coin receiving section, 30...Input chute, 33...Return path, 35...Flip lever, 38...Drive mechanism, 50...Hold mechanism, C...
coin. 6 JP-A-3 296190 (8) JP-A-3 296190 (9)

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A coin insertion slot and a coin return slot are provided on the customer service surface that has product selection buttons and a sales opening, and by introducing coins inserted from the coin insertion slot from the top end, a sales signal is output and change, etc. In a vending machine with a built-in coin mechanism that has a sales operation processing function for dispensing returned coins from the bottom end to a coin return slot, the coins inserted into the coin slot are flipped upward by a flip-up mechanism, and the coins are flipped upwards. A coin processing device that guides and introduces coins into the upper end of a coin mechanism through a conveyance path, which is connected to the coin inlet and the conveyance path to the coin mechanism above, and accepts coins inserted from the coin inlet. The coin receiving part receives and holds the coin still, a swingable flip-up lever that flips up the coin received in the coin receiver onto a conveyance path to the coin mechanism, and a drive mechanism that operates the flip-up lever. A coin processing device for a vending machine characterized by: (2) Claim 1 characterized in that a return path is provided on the side of the coin receiving part for ejecting the next coin and returning it to the coin return slot when a coin is received in the coin receiving part. Coin handling device for the vending machine described. (3) Claim 1 characterized in that the slot chute that guides coins from the coin slot to the coin receiving part is provided with a holding mechanism that stops the next coin when a coin is received in the coin receiving part. Coin handling device for the vending machine described.