JPH04262488A - Coin raising device for vendor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a customer to easily take out and visually recognize coins to prevent unexpected drop of coins by raising coins which are temporarily dropped and guided from a coin mechanism to the lower part of a vendor. CONSTITUTION:Coins temporarily guided to the lower part of the vendor from the coin mechanism through a guide chute 14 are raised to the upper part of a coin taking-out hole 8 together with a coin reception box 48 by an elevating means 32 after being received by the coin box 48. Coins in the coin reception box 48 are guided to the coin taking-out hole 8 by guide means 48c and 50. Since the coin taking-out hole 8 can be arranged in a relatively high position of the vendor in this case, it is arranged in such position that the customer can easily visually recognize and take out coins. Since the exit of the guide chute 14 is closed by a closing means when the coin reception box 48 is separated from the reception position, coins are prevented from being unexpectedly dropped to the inner bottom part of the vendor.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to automatic vending machines, and more particularly to a coin lifting device thereof.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 12 shows a conventionally known vending machine. Inside the vending machine, a coin mech 3 for storing coins is arranged below the product display shelf 1. Change at the time of product sales or return coins C fall from the coin mech 3 through the guide chute 5 and are guided to the coin outlet 7. In general, the coin outlet 7 is arranged at a relatively low position as shown in the figure for the convenience of allowing the coin C to fall from the coin mech 3.

0003

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Therefore, when taking out the coin C from the coin takeout port 7, the customer has to take an unnatural posture by bending his body greatly, and moreover, when taking out the coin C from the coin takeout port 7, Since it is difficult to visually recognize the coin C, it is not easy to take out the coin C.

[0004] This problem can be solved by providing the coin outlet at a relatively high position. To this end, it is necessary to develop a device that guides the coins dropped from the coin mech upward to the coin outlet above.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide an automatic vending machine that can guide coins, which have been dropped downward from a coin mech, upward to a coin outlet. Our purpose is to provide a machine coin lifting device.

[0006] Furthermore, when the coin lifting device is not in a standby state (that is, in a state where it can receive coins to be lifted), coins dropped from the coin mech can be held in the guide chute in preparation for the next standby state. It is also a part of the object of the present invention to make this possible.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, a coin lifting device for a vending machine according to the present invention has a coin mech in which coins are to be stored below a display shelf where product samples are arranged. , a vending machine equipped with a guide chute that guides coins from the coin mech to a lower part of the vending machine, and a coin ejection port that is provided above the guide chute and is open to the outside of the vending machine, A coin lifting device that lifts coins guided downward in the vending machine by the chute to the coin outlet, comprising: a coin receiving box for receiving the coins guided from the guide chute; and the coin receiving box. elevating means for cyclically elevating between the coin receiving position and a position below the display shelf and above the coin ejecting port; and the elevating means raises and lowers the receiving box to a position above the coin ejecting port. a guide means for guiding the coins in the coin receiving box to the coin takeout port when the coin receiving box reaches the coin receiving position; and a closing device for closing the exit of the guide chute when the coin receiving box is moved away from the receiving position by the lifting and lowering. It is characterized by having a means.

[0008]

[Operation] According to the above structure, the coins are guided downward from the coin mech through the guide chute, are received by the coin receiving box, and then are taken out together with the coin receiving box by the elevating means. It is lifted above the exit. Next, the coins in the coin receiving box are guided to the coin outlet by the guiding means. In this case, since the coin outlet can be placed relatively above the vending machine, it can be placed in a position where the coins can be easily seen by the customer and can be easily taken out. Also,
When the coin receiving box leaves the receiving position, the exit of the guide chute is closed by the closing means. Therefore, since the coins dropped from the coin mech at this time are held within the guide chute, there is no risk of the coins dropping undesirably to the inner bottom of the vending machine.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the width direction, depth direction, and height direction of the vending machine are referred to as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. On a display shelf 2 above the illustrated vending machine, samples s of sales products such as canned drinks are displayed. Below the display shelf 2, on the front side of the front door 4 of the vending machine, a coin slot 6 and a coin output slot 8 are provided. The height position of the coin outlet 8 in the vending machine is relatively upward, and for example, in this embodiment, it is approximately at the same height as the coin input opening 6. Similarly, below the display shelf 2, on the inner surface of the front door 4, a prismatic coin mech 10 in which coins are stored and a coin lifting device 20 for transferring coins to the coin outlet 8 are arranged side by side. There is. The coin input port 6 is connected to the input side of the input chute 12 inside the housing 4, and
The exit side of 2 is connected to the upper end of the coin mech 10. A guide chute 14 extending below the coin lifting device 20 extends from the lower end of the coin mech 10. Further, the coin discharge chute 16 above the coin raising device 20 is connected to the coin outlet 8. Furthermore, a product outlet 18 is provided on the front surface of the front door 4 at the bottom of the vending machine.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the coin lifting device 20 includes a pair of vertical guides 22 extending in the Z direction and a pedestal 2.
4. A vertical guide 22 is provided on the side of the pedestal 24.
A rotating roller 28 rotatably supported is attached to the pedestal 24, and a horizontal guide 26 extending in the Y direction is attached to the lower part of the pedestal 24.
A rotating roller 30 rotatably supported by this horizontal guide 26 is attached. Furthermore, the coin lifting device 12 includes a lifting mechanism (lifting means) 32 that lifts and lowers the pedestal 24. This elevating mechanism 32 includes a driving sprocket 36 and a driven sprocket 3 disposed above and below the vending machine.
8, and an endless chain 40 stretched between the pair of sprockets 36, 38. This endless chain 40 runs circularly by driving the drive sprocket 36 with the motor 42. Further, the rotating roller 30 is connected to the endless chain 40. Therefore, the pedestal 24 moves up and down along the vertical guide 22 as the endless chain 40 runs. This pedestal 24 is stationary at the initial position (lowest position) shown in FIG. 3 in a standby state (a state in which coin dispensing operation is not performed). During the coin dispensing operation, the motor 42 drives the endless chain 40 to make one cycle along the running path of the endless chain 40, and then it stops at the initial position again. Pedestal 2 in initial position
4 contacts a limit switch 44 provided at the bottom of the lifting mechanism 32. This limit switch 44 is for detecting that the pedestal 24 is in the initial position and switching between driving and stopping the motor 42.

A coin storage box (coin receiving box) 48 is supported on the base 24 by a spring 46. This coin storage box 48 has an opening 48a on the front, and a sloped surface 48 at the bottom.
b. Furthermore, coin storage box 4
A guide (guiding means) 48c that is parallel to the inclined surface 48b is provided protruding from the side surface of 8.

When the base 24 is at a lower position than the driven sprocket 38, the coin storage box 48 is operated by a spring 46.
is supported in a horizontal position. On the other hand, when the pedestal 24 rotates around the driven sprocket 38, a roller (guiding means) 50 disposed at the top of the elevating mechanism 32 moves the guide 48
c and pushes down the coin storage box 48. This causes the coin storage box 48 to tilt toward the opening 48a.

Furthermore, a shutter plate (closing means) is provided between the coin storage box 48 in the initial position and the guide chute 14.
52 (FIG. 3) is provided. This shutter plate 52
is for temporarily retaining coins ejected from the coin mech 10 in the guide chute 14 when the pedestal 24 is away from the initial position. This shutter plate 52
has one end pivoted to the lower end of the guide chute 14 by a torsion coil spring 54, and the other end is a free end.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned vending machine will be explained separately into the operation of the coin raising device 20 and the operation of the shutter plate 52. First, it is assumed that the pedestal 24 is in a standby state (initial position) as shown in FIG. When a customer inserts a coin into the coin input port 6 and specifies a product through a predetermined operation, the product is ejected into the product output port 16 using a known method. At the same time, coins are ejected from the coin mech 10 to the guide chute 14 in a known manner. This coin falls from the chute 14 and is deposited in the coin storage box 48 at the standby position. Here, the motor 42 is driven by a command from a control device (not shown), and as shown in FIG. 5, the pedestal 24 is raised by the running of the endless chain 40. The pedestal 24 is first moved upward in the Z direction, but as the roller 32 rotates along the driven sprocket 38, it changes to a downward movement. When changing direction to this downward movement, Fig. 6
As shown in FIG.
8c, the coin storage box 48 tilts toward the opening 48a as described above. Due to this tilting of the coin storage box 48, the coins in the coin storage box 48 fall from the coin storage box 48 to the coin discharge chute 16. This shoot 16
The coins that have fallen inside are ejected to the coin outlet. Pedestal 24
As the roller 50 moves away from the guide 48c, the coin storage box 48 returns to a horizontal position due to the elasticity of the spring 46. When the pedestal 24 further descends and returns to the initial position, the control device stops the motor 42 based on the contact detection of the pedestal 24 by the limit switch 44. The pedestal 24 then stands by in preparation for the next payout operation.

By the way, the coin mech 10 generally has a coin identification function, and when fake coins or defective coins are thrown into the coin slot 6, the coins are allowed to pass through and immediately ejected into the guide chute 14. Therefore, the pedestal 24 leaves its initial position and the coin storage box 48 is placed on the exit side of the guide chute 14.
If a fake coin or defective coin is inserted into the coin slot 6 when the coin is not located, the coin will fall from the guide chute 14 to the inner bottom of the vending machine. If the guide chute 14 is provided with a proximity sensor (not shown), it is possible to detect the passage of coins in the guide chute 14 or use the return lever (
Even if the coin lifting device 20 is operated by an operation (not shown), the coins from the guide chute 14 cannot be guided to the coin storage box 48 if the pedestal 24 is away from the initial position. Therefore, in the present invention, the guide chute 14 is provided with a shutter plate 52. This shutter plate 52 operates as follows during the above operation of the coin raising device 20. As shown in FIG. 7, when the pedestal 24 is in the initial position, the free end of the shutter plate 52 is pushed down by the rotating roller 30 of the pedestal 24 against the torsion coil spring 54. As a result, the guide chute 14
and the coin storage box 48 are communicated via a shutter plate 52. Next, when the pedestal 24 rises from the initial position, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the pressing down of the shutter plate 52 by the roller 30 of the pedestal 24 is released, and the shutter plate 52 closes the guide chute 14 by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 54. This prevents the inconvenience that coins that pass through the coin mech 10 when the pedestal 24 is away from the initial position fall to the inner bottom of the vending machine without entering the coin storage box 48.

[0017] It is also conceivable to provide a mechanism for raising coins or a coin mech on the top of the vending machine, but in that case, the display space for product samples s would be reduced. In the present invention, since the coin mech 10 and the coin lifting device 20 are provided below the display shelf 2, the display space is not lost.

The coin lifting device 20 has been described above, and the additional structure of the vending machine accompanying the adoption of the coin lifting device 20 will be described below.

[0019] When the power is not turned on to the vending machine due to a power outage or a malfunction, and the coin lifting device 20 does not operate, the coin elevating device 20 does not operate.
Coins that have been unintentionally inserted cannot be returned. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the input chute 1
2 may be provided with a coin blocking device 60. This coin blocking device 60 is for blocking the slot 6 and preventing coins from entering the slot 6 when the coin lifting device 20 does not operate. 9 to 11, a coin stopper 62 is provided on the input chute 12. As shown in FIGS. In the illustrated example, the coin stopper 62 has an L-shaped arm, the base end of which is pivotally supported by a pin 64, and the tip thereof formed as a bent end 66 to open and close the slot 6. . Furthermore, a notch 68 is formed on the tip side of the input chute 12 into which the bent end 66 can be inserted. Further, the tip side of the coin stopper 62 is connected to a solenoid 72 by a connecting arm 70. The connecting arm 70 is pivotally supported by a pin 74 on the tip side of the coin stopper 62 and a pin 76 of the solenoid 72, respectively. A torsion coil spring 78 is provided on the pin 76 of the solenoid 72, and this spring 78 presses the connecting arm 70 toward the coin stopper 62. It is also assumed that the solenoid 72 is energized by appropriate electrical connections when the vending machine is powered on, and demagnetized when the vending machine is not powered on.

When the solenoid 72 is energized,
As shown in FIG. 10, since the solenoid 72 is in the retracted state, the torsion coil spring 7 is attached to the coin stopper 62.
The force that causes the connecting arm 70 to rotate in the direction of arrow r1 against
Work through. Therefore, the slot 6 is opened and coins C can be inserted. Furthermore, when the solenoid 72 is demagnetized, the force in the direction of the arrow r1 is eliminated, so as shown in FIG.
It is rotated via the connecting arm 70 in the direction of arrow r2 by the spring force. As a result, the bent end 66 of the coin stopper 62 is fitted into the notch 68 of the input chute 12, thereby blocking the input opening 6. Therefore, the coin C input port 6
input to the system is prevented.

By providing a switch (not shown) for selectively energizing and demagnetizing the solenoid 72, it can be used not only when the power is not turned on, but also when the product cannot be sold because all products are sold out. The mouth 6 can be blocked.

[0022]

As explained above, according to the coin lifting device for a vending machine of the present invention, it is possible to lift coins that have been guided down from the coin mech to the lower part of the vending machine. Therefore, since the coin outlet can be provided at a relatively high position, it becomes easy for customers to take out and visually recognize coins. Furthermore, since the guide chute is closed by the shutter plate while the coin receiving box is being moved up and down, the coins discharged from the coin mech can be held in the guide chute. This prevents coins from falling undesirably.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view, cut away, of essential parts of a vending machine equipped with a coin lifting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a main part of the coin lifting device shown in FIG. 1 in a cutaway manner.

FIG. 3 is a side view taken in the direction of arrow III-III in FIG. 2;
It is a side view which breaks and shows the principal part of a coin raising device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the coin lifting device shown with the pedestal in a standby position.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the coin raising device shown in a state where the pedestal is in the process of being raised.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the operation of the coin lifting device, shown in a state where the pedestal changes direction and coins are ejected.

7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the shutter plate shown in FIG. 3 in an open state; FIG.

8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the shutter plate shown in FIG. 3 in a closed state; FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing a coin blocking device to be incorporated into a vending machine together with the coin lifting device of the present invention.

10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the coin blocking device shown in FIG. 9 with the coin stopper opening the coin slot; FIG.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the coin blocking device shown in FIG. 9 with the coin stopper blocking the coin slot.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing the main parts of a conventional vending machine cut away.

[Explanation of symbols]

2...Product display shelf, 8...Coin extraction port, 10...Coin mech, 14...Guide chute, 20...Coin lifting device, 32...Elevating device (lifting means), 48...Coin storage box (coin receiving box)
, 48c...guide (guiding means), 50...roller (guiding means), 52 shutter plate (closing means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A coin mech in which coins are to be stored below the display shelf where product samples are placed, a guide chute for guiding coins to fall from the coin mech to the lower part of the vending machine, and a guide chute that guides the coins downward from the vending machine. In a vending machine equipped with a coin ejector provided above and open to the outside of the vending machine, a coin lifter raises the coins guided downward of the vending machine by the guide chute to the coin ejector. A coin receiving box for receiving coins guided from the guide chute, and a coin receiving box located between the coin receiving position and a position below the display shelf and above the coin outlet. an elevating means for cyclically elevating and lowering; a guiding means for guiding the coins in the coin receiving box to the coin ejecting port when the receiving box is at a position above the coin ejecting port by the elevating means; A coin lifting device for a vending machine, comprising: a closing means for closing an exit of the guide chute when the coin receiving box leaves the receiving position due to the lifting and lowering.