JPH04262489A - Coin raising device for vendor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To raise coins temporarily dropped from a coin mechanism to the lower part of a vendor so that a coin taking-out hole of the vendor can be provided in a relatively high position. CONSTITUTION:A coin reception box 48 which receives coins guided from a chute 14 is raised by an elevating device 32. When the coin reception box 48 comes to a position higher than a coin taking-out hole 8, it is brought into contact with a roll 50 fixed in this position and is inclined. Thus, coins in the coin reception box 48 are discharged to the coin taking-out hole 8.

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. 13 shows a conventionally known vending machine. Inside the vending machine, below the product display shelf 1, a coin mech 3 for storing coins for change is arranged. 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 locating the coin outlet relatively upward. To this end, it is necessary to develop a device that lifts the coins dropped from the coin mech to the coin outlet above.

[0005] The present invention was made in response to such a demand, and its purpose is to provide an automatic vending machine capable of lifting coins that have been dropped downward from a coin mech to a coin outlet. Our purpose is to provide a machine coin lifting device.

[0006]

[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, The coins guided down the vending machine by the guide chute,
A coin lifting device for raising the coin to the coin takeout port, the coin receiving box receiving coins guided from the guide chute; an elevating means for cyclically raising and lowering the coins from the coin receptacle to a position above the coin receptacle; The coin receptacle is characterized by comprising a tilting means for tilting the coin receptacle so that the coins are released into the outlet.

[0007]

[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 are ejected into the coin outlet by tilting the coin receiving box. 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.

[0008]

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 for storing coins and a coin lifting device 20 for transferring coins to the coin outlet 8 are arranged in parallel. . The coin input port 6 is connected to the input side of the input chute 12 inside the front door 4, and is connected to the input side of the input chute 12.
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.
Three rotating rollers 28 that are rotatably supported are attached to the base 24, and a horizontal guide 26 extending in the Y direction and a rotating roller 30 that is rotatably supported by the horizontal guide 26 are attached to the lower part of the pedestal 24. It is being Furthermore, the coin raising device 12 includes a lifting mechanism (lifting means) 3 that lifts and lowers the pedestal 24.
2. This elevating mechanism 32 includes a driving sprocket 36 and a driven sprocket 38 arranged above and below the vending machine, and an endless chain 40 stretched between the pair of sprockets 36 and 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. The pedestal 24 in the initial position contacts a limit switch 44 provided at the bottom of the elevating mechanism 32. This limit switch 44 detects that the pedestal 24 is in the initial position, and the motor 42
This is for switching between driving and stopping.

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 (tilting 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, the roller (tilting means) 50 disposed on the upper part of the elevating mechanism 32 moves toward 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.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned vending machine will be explained. First, it is assumed that the pedestal 24 is in a standby state (initial position) as shown in FIG. When the customer inserts coins to pay for the product into the coin slot 6 and specifies the product using a predetermined operation, the product is inserted into the product output port 16 using a known method.
The product is released to. In this case, if there is change for the product price, the coins as change are discharged from the coin mech 10 to the guide chute 14 by a known method. This coin falls from the chute 14 and is deposited in the coin storage box 48 at the standby position. where the control device (not shown)
The motor 42 is driven by the command, and the pedestal 24 is raised by the running of the endless chain 40, as shown in FIG. The pedestal 24 is first moved upward in the Z direction, but the roller 32
rotates along the driven sprocket 38, thereby changing to a downward movement. During this change of direction to downward movement,
As shown in FIG. 6, since the roller 50 comes into contact with the guide 48c of the coin storage box 48, the coin storage box 48
is inclined toward the opening 48a side. This coin storage box 48
Due to the inclination of the coin storage box 48, the coins in the coin storage box 48
8 and fall into the coin discharge chute 16. The coins that have fallen through the chute 16 are ejected to the coin outlet. When the roller 50 comes off the guide 48c as the pedestal 24 moves forward, 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.

[0014] 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.

Generally, the coin mech 10 has a coin identification function, and when fake coins or defective coins are inserted into the coin slot 6, these coins are allowed to pass through and are immediately transferred to the guide chute 1.
Release to 4. Therefore, the pedestal 24 leaves its initial position,
If a fake coin or a defective coin is inserted into the coin slot 6 when the coin storage box 48 is not located on the exit side of the guide chute 14, the coin will fall from the guide chute 14 to the inner bottom of the vending machine. Put it away. Suppose a proximity sensor (not shown) is provided in the guide chute 14 to detect passage of coins in the guide chute 14 or a return lever (not shown).
Even if the coin lifting device 20 is activated by the operation or the like, the coins from the guide chute 14 cannot be guided to the coin storage box 48 when the pedestal 24 is away from the initial position. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, a shutter plate 52 may be provided between the coin storage box 48 in the initial position and the guide chute 14. This shutter plate 52 is attached to the pedestal 2
This is for temporarily retaining coins ejected from the coin mech 10 in the guide chute 14 when the coin mech 4 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. As shown in FIG. 8, when the base 24 is in the initial position, the free end of the shutter plate 52 is rotated by the rotating roller 28 of the base 24.
It is pushed down against the torsion coil spring 54. Thereby, the guide chute 14 and the coin storage box 48 are communicated with each other via the shutter plate 52. Next, when the pedestal 24 rises from the initial position, as shown in FIG. 9, the shutter plate 52 is released from being pressed down by the roller 28 of the pedestal 24.
The shutter plate 52 is moved by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 54.
closes the guide chute 14.

[0017]Furthermore, when the prescribed 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, coins that have been undesirably inserted into the slot 6 cannot be returned. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12,
The input chute 12 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. 11 and 12, 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. Furthermore, the tip side of the coin stopper 62 is connected to the solenoid 7 by the connecting arm 70.
It is connected to 2. 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. Further, the solenoid 72 is energized by a suitable electrical connection when a predetermined power source is applied to the vending machine, and is demagnetized when the power source is not applied.

When the solenoid 72 is energized,
As shown in FIG. 12, 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) that selectively switches between energizing and demagnetizing the solenoid 72, the inlet can be used not only when the power is not turned on but also when the product cannot be sold because the product is sold out. 6 can be blocked.

[0020]

As described 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 from the coin mech to the lower part of the vending machine. Therefore, since the coin ejection port can be provided at a relatively high position, it becomes easy for customers to take out and visually recognize coins.

[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.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a main part of a coin lifting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a cutaway manner.

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

9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the shutter plate shown in FIG. 7 in a closed state; FIG.

FIG. 10 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.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the coin blocking device shown in FIG. 10 with the coin stopper opening the coin slot;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the coin blocking device shown in FIG. 10 with the coin stopper blocking the coin slot.

FIG. 13 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 (tilting means), 50...Roller (tilting means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A coin mech in which coins are to be stored, a guide chute for guiding the coins from the coin mech to the lower part of the vending machine, and an area above the guide chute below the display shelf where the product samples are placed. In a vending machine equipped with a coin ejection port that is provided in a vending machine and that is open to the outside of the vending machine, a coin lifter that raises coins guided downwards of the vending machine by the guide chute to the coin ejection port. 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 the elevating means so that when the receiving box is at a position above the coin ejecting port, the coins in the coin receiving box are discharged to the coin ejecting port; A coin lifting device for a vending machine, comprising a tilting means for tilting the coin receiving box.