JPH0342527Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a sorting hole type coin sorting device, more specifically, a sorting hole type coin sorting device equipped with a mechanism to prevent unauthorized operation, and is applicable to automatic vending machines, It is used in paid entertainment devices (for example, paid game devices and pay television receivers).

[Conventional technology]

As is well known, various types of coin sorting devices are used in vending machines and paid entertainment machines, and one of them is the coin sorting device.
“Vending machine technology from the perspective of patents, edited by the Patent Office: (Company)
There is also a sorting hole type coin sorting device, which is also shown in "Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation: pp. 59-60: Published March 7, 1978."
This sorting hole type coin sorting device has a structure as stated in the right column of page 59 of the above-mentioned document, ``...a simple structure can continuously sort a large amount of various types of coins...'' It has been widely used since ancient times because it has the advantage of being simple. The sorting mechanism basically has an opening with a predetermined size in the sliding surface portion 11 of the coin sorting passage 1 which is arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle from a vertical position toward the rear, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 below. An irregular coin discharge opening 12 is formed in which the coins inserted from the coin input opening (not shown) are passed through the front or back surface and the sliding surface 1 of the sorting passage 1.
1, roll it toward a detection switch (not shown) that is activated by the inserted coin and outputs a coin detection signal (in the direction of the arrow drawn on the coin in the figure), Coins are sorted according to the diameter of the rolling coins, and when the diameter of the rolling coin is larger than the opening size of the opening 12, the coin passes through the opening 12. , the detection switch is reached, but when the diameter of the rolling coin is smaller than the opening size of the opening 12 (coin A in the figure), when the coin reaches the opening 12, Due to its own weight, it falls out of the opening 12 as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 7 and is discharged. Even if the sorting passage 1, sliding surface portion 11, and opening 12 have the configurations shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 below, coin sorting is performed in exactly the same manner as described above. 9 to 11, the diameter of the rolling coin is shown in the opening 12.
(coin B in the figure).

In the coin sorting passage 1 shown in Figs. 6 to 8 and 9 to 11, the side where coins are drawn in Figs. The side leads to a detection switch located at the bottom (see Figure 1) and is placed in the case downwards so that the coin rolls under its own weight.

As is well known, in the sorting hole type coin sorting device having the above configuration, the coin sorting passage, which is inclined at a predetermined angle from a vertical position toward the rear or the front, is in a vertical position or a near-vertical position. In this case, even though the diameter of the inserted and rolling coin is smaller than the opening size of the irregular coin ejection opening 12, the coin passes through the opening. It has flaws. In other words, when the sorting passage 1, which is held tilted at a predetermined angle rearward from a vertical position as shown in FIG. 7, is made vertical as shown in FIG. Since the coin A inserted from the opening rolls without contact between its front or back surface and the sliding surface 11 of the sorting passage 1, the diameter of the coin is smaller than the opening size of the opening 12. Nevertheless, it passes through the opening 12.

The same applies when the sorting passageway 1, which is held tilted forward at a predetermined angle from a vertical position as shown in FIG. 10, is brought to a vertical position as shown in FIG. 11.

Therefore, by tilting the case etc. in which the sorting hole type coin sorting device is stored and placing the sorting passage 1 in a vertical position as shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. A fraudulent operation is carried out by inserting a coin (with a smaller diameter). Technological measures conventionally taken to prevent such fraudulent operations include, for example, the coin sorting passageway being vertical or When the coin is in a nearly vertical state, there is a stopper (also called a "lever" or "kick-out lever") that prevents the coin from rolling on the trajectory of the coin in the sorting passage.
It is a means of making it appear. FIGS. 12 and 13 show an embodiment in which this stopper is attached to the sorting passage shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. In each figure, the stopper 5 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 51, and the sorting passage 1, which is held inclined at a predetermined angle as shown in FIG. When the stopper 5 is in the vertical state, it rotates under its own weight and closes the opening 1.
2. Stop the rolling of the protruding coin. Incidentally, when the sorting passage 1 returns to its original state (the state shown in FIG. 12), the stopper 5 also returns to its original position.

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

However, when adopting the conventional technical means of attaching a stopper as described above, there are the following problems.

That is, if a wire is inserted into the coin slot and the stopper 5 protruding into the opening 12 is bent as shown in FIG. 13, the stopper 5 will be bent. In the end, the device itself becomes unusable after the fact.
Even if the "tearing" is not performed, the rotation of the stopper 5 will naturally be hindered, and even though the sorting passage 1 is held at a predetermined angle, the stopper 5 will open. This poses a problem in that the coin remains protruding from the portion 12, causing a coin jam.

The inventor of the present invention realized that it was impossible to completely solve such problems as long as the technical means of attaching a stopper was used, and so he conducted research to find a means to prevent the above-mentioned unauthorized operations without using a stopper. As a result, we focused on the existence of tilt switches, such as mercury switches, which can be turned on or off depending on the degree of tilt, and after making many prototypes, we arrived at the present invention.

[Means for solving problems]

That is, the present inventor has proposed that the sliding surface portion 11 of the coin sorting passage 1, which is arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle from a vertical position toward the rear or the front, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 and 9 to 10, has the following features: An irregular coin discharge opening 12 having a predetermined size is formed, and the upper end of the coin sorting passage is connected to the coin input port 2, and the lower end thereof is a detection switch that is activated by a coin and outputs a coin detection signal. 3, and when a coin with a diameter larger than the opening size of the opening 12 is inserted, the coin is brought to a position where the switch 3 is actuated and the coin has a diameter smaller than the opening size of the opening 12. The sorting hole type coin sorting device that discharges coins when a coin of the diameter
When the sorting device 1 is held tilted at a predetermined angle from the vertical position toward the rear or the front, the tilt switch is "on", and from this state the sorting path is in a vertical position or close to vertical The tilt switch is installed at an angle that becomes "off" when it is in the position, and the tilt switch is
By adopting a technical means in which the switch 3 is connected to the switch 3 and the switch 3 does not output the coin detection signal when the tilt switch is in the "OFF" state, the above-mentioned problem can be solved and the cost can be reduced with a simple structure. They succeeded in providing a sorting hole-type coin sorting device that is extremely reliable and safe, even though it can be manufactured using the same method.

[Effect]

When adopting the above technical measures, the fraudulent operator may
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the sorting passage 1 is placed in a vertical position and an irregular coin A smaller than the opening size of the opening 12 is inserted, the coin A will slide between the front or back side of the coin A and the sorting passage 1. The coin A rolls without contacting the surface 11, and although the diameter of the coin A is smaller than the opening size of the opening 12, the coin A passes through the opening 12 and is activated by the coin. A detection switch (not shown) that outputs a coin detection signal when
However, the tilt switch, which can be turned on or off depending on the degree of inclination, is installed at an angle that turns it off when the sorting passage 1 is vertical (see Figure 4). ), so it has been turned off.
When the tilt switch is in the OFF position, the detection switch does not output a coin detection signal, thereby preventing unauthorized operation. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 7, if an irregular coin (same as above) is inserted while the sorting passage 1 is held inclined at a predetermined angle, the coin will be sorted by its front or back side. The coin rolls in contact with the sliding surface 11 of the passageway 1, and the coin falls down from the opening 12 due to its own weight and is ejected and does not reach the detection switch. Unauthorized operations are prevented regardless of whether the system is connected or disconnected. The above-mentioned tilt switch is installed at an angle that is "tangential" when the sorting passage 1 is tilted at a predetermined angle (see Figure 3). If a regular coin B whose diameter is larger than the opening size of the opening 12 is inserted, the coin will be inserted into the opening 1.
2 and reaches the detection switch, and since the detection switch is in the "closed" state, a coin detection signal is output from the detection switch.

〔Example〕

1 to 5 show representative embodiments of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the coin sorting passage shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 is used.

FIG. 1 is a partially omitted schematic cross-sectional side view drawn schematically to explain the overall arrangement of the present embodiment, and in the same figure, 1 is a coin sorting passage, 2 is a coin input slot, 3 is a photointerrupter (Shaap Co., Ltd.)
4 is a mercury switch (manufactured by Hiyoshi Electronics Co., Ltd., product name "HMS-0312G"), and 6 is a case.

Figures 2 to 4 are for explaining the relationship between the coin sorting passage 1 and the mercury switch 4 in this embodiment. Figure 2 is a partially omitted side view, and Figures 3 to 4 are views of Figure 2. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of
The mercury switch 4 in FIG. 4 is drawn schematically.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram for explaining the relationship between the photointerrupter 3 and the mercury switch 4 in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the dimensions of the irregular coin discharge opening 12 formed in the sliding surface portion 11 of the sorting passage 1 are set so that coins with a diameter of 24 mm or less will fall, and the dimensions of the coin input slot 2 are set such that coins with a diameter of 24 mm or less will fall. is 26mm in diameter
It is set so that more coins cannot be inserted. Therefore, a coin with a diameter of 26 mm (500 yen coin) is a regular coin, and a coin with a diameter of 23 mm (10 yen coin) is a regular coin.
21mm coins (5 yen coins) are illegal coins.

Further, the sorting passage 1 is arranged at an angle of about 20 degrees toward the rear from the vertical position, and in this arrangement state, the mercury switch 4 has mercury 41 inside it, which is connected to both the lead wires 42 and 42'. (See Figure 3). Then, when the sorting passage 1 is placed in a vertical position or a nearly vertical position, the mercury 41 inside the mercury switch 4 separates from one lead wire 42 (see FIG. 4). The mercury switch 4 and the photointerrupter 3 form a circuit shown in FIG. 5, and when the sorting passage 1 is held in the state shown in FIG. 3, the mercury switch 4 is "closed". When the light of the photointerrupter 3 is blocked by the passage of the inserted coin, the transistor is turned off, the AND input becomes "H" level, and a coin detection signal is output.
When the sorting passageway 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 4, the mercury switch 4 is in the "OFF" state, the AND input is at the "L" level, and the light from the photointerrupter 3 is blocked by the passage of the inserted coin. being exposed
Even if “H” level is input to AND input
The output of ANDO remains at "L" level and does not output a coin detection signal.

〔effect〕

According to the present invention as explained above, it is possible to completely prevent unauthorized operations such as placing irregular coins in the coin sorting passage in a vertical or nearly vertical state without attaching a stopper to the coin sorting passage. This makes it possible to achieve the excellent effect of completely solving the above-mentioned problems.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, there are no obstacles on the trajectory of coins rolling in the coin sorting passage, so various troubles associated with the operation of vending machines and paid entertainment machines due to coin jams can be avoided. The excellent effect of completely eliminating the problem can be obtained.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is not based on a mechanical mechanism as in the past, but is based on a simple electrical mechanism using electrical parts that can be obtained at a relatively low cost, so it can achieve high reliability and safety at low manufacturing costs. Therefore, it is possible to provide a sorting hole type coin sorting device having the following characteristics.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments mentioned above; for example, a micro switch, a proximity switch, etc. can be used in place of the photointerrupter 3, and a pendulum-type tilt switch can be used in place of the mercury switch 4. can be used. Further, instead of attaching the mercury switch 4 to the sorting passage 1, it can also be attached to the inner wall surface of the case 6.

Furthermore, the circuit may be as simple as connecting switch 3 and switch 4 in series.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a partially omitted side sectional schematic explanatory view showing the overall arrangement of the product of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially omitted side view showing the coin sorting passage in the product of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views taken along the line A--A in FIG. 2. Incidentally, the mercury switch in FIGS. 3 and 4 is drawn schematically. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the product of the present invention. 6 to 13 show a coin sorting passage in a conventional coin sorting device. FIG. 6 is a partially omitted side view showing the coin sorting passage, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional views taken along the line A--A in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is also a partially omitted side view showing the coin sorting passage.
10 and 11 are cross-sectional views taken along the line A-A in FIG. 9. FIGS. 12 and 13 are side sectional views showing a mode in which a stopper is attached to the coin sorting passage shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. In Figures 1 to 13; 1 is a coin sorting passage;
11 is a sliding surface part, 12 is an irregular coin ejection opening,
2 is a coin input slot; 3 is a detection switch that is activated by an inserted coin and outputs a coin detection signal; 4;
is a tilt switch, 5 is a stopper, 6 is a case,
A and B are each coins.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] 1. An irregular coin ejection opening 12 having a predetermined size is provided in the sliding surface portion 11 of the coin sorting passage 1 which is inclined at a predetermined angle from a vertical position toward the rear or the front. The upper end of the coin sorting passage is connected to the coin input port 2, and the lower end thereof is connected to a detection switch 3 that is activated by an inserted coin and outputs a coin detection signal, and the opening of the opening 12 When a coin with a diameter larger than the opening size is inserted, the coin reaches a position where the switch 3 is actuated, and when a coin with a diameter smaller than the opening size of the opening 12 is inserted, the coin is ejected. A tilt switch 4 that can be turned on or off depending on the degree of tilt is installed in the sorting hole type coin sorting device.
When the sorting passage 1 is held in a state inclined at a predetermined angle toward the rear or front from the vertical position, it is "contact", and from this state the sorting passage 1 is brought into a vertical position or a near-vertical position. When the switch 4 is connected to the switch 3, the switch 4 is installed at an angle of "off".
A sorting hole type coin sorting device characterized in that the switch 3 does not output a coin detection signal when the switch 4 is in the "OFF" state. 2. The sorting hole type coin sorting device according to item 1, wherein the tilt switch 4 is a mercury switch.