JPH0429116B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] This invention relates to a vending machine that vends tickets and other goods.

[Conventional technology]

Many vending machines in recent years have a function to release change, and this type of vending machine also displays an out-of-change display when the amount of change stored inside is less than a predetermined number. Some are gone, others are discontinued.

In addition, some automatic ticket vending machines that sell tickets at stations, etc. are equipped with a device that stores coins in excess of a predetermined number when the amount of change stored inside the machine falls below a predetermined number. Some items are stored in a collection safe, which is effective in managing change.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the vicinity of the collection safe in a conventional vending machine of this type, and FIG. 2 is a directional view when viewed from the arrow A side (staff side) shown in FIG. In these figures, reference numeral 1 denotes a change control unit, which stores a predetermined number of 10 yen, 50 yen, and 100 yen change coins, and releases the necessary change from among the stored coins to the customer side. When the customer inserts a coin, the coin is stored inside.

In addition, when the number of internal coins of each denomination exceeds the set number, the change control unit 1 distributes the coins exceeding the set number for each denomination (hereinafter referred to as overflow coins) through a coin distribution shoot ( Guide shoot:
2-1 to 2-3 (hereinafter simply referred to as chute) are supplied to collection safes 3-1 to 3-3, respectively. The collection safes 3-1 to 3-3 are each inserted from the arrow A side by an attendant.

In this case, shoots 2-1, 2-2, 2-3
is used, for example, for 10 yen coins, 50 yen coins, and 100 yen coins, and is also used for collection safes 3-
1, 3-2, and 3-3 are used for collecting 10 yen, 50 yen, and 100 yen coins, respectively. Collection safe 3-1~3
-3 on the top surface of each chute 2-1 to 2-3.
A collection port 4 corresponding to each of the collection safes 3-1 to 3-3 is provided, and a set detection switch 5 that is turned on when each collection safe 3-1 to 3-3 is set at a predetermined position is provided.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

By the way, in the above-mentioned vending machine, the coins in the collection safes 3-1 to 3-3 must be taken out as needed, and each time the collection safe is taken out, the machine becomes in a state where the sale is stopped. Moreover, when the set detection switch 5 is in the off state, the collection safe 3-1
(or 3-2, 3-3) is not set, or the set position is shifted. In such a case, from chute 2-1 (or 2-2, 2-3) Since the ejected coins are not stored in the collection safe, it is necessary to stop selling them. For this reason, the conventional vending machine described above has problems in that the operating rate of the machine is degraded and operation becomes troublesome.

[Means for solving problems]

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention provides a vending machine from which a collection safe can be taken out without discontinuing the sale of the device, and which is capable of being taken in and out of the device main body. A collection safe that collects the excess coins via a guide chute when the number of stored coins exceeds a predetermined number; In a vending machine equipped with a closing shutter mechanism, a fullness detection means for detecting that the inside of the guide chute is full of coins, and a dispensing operation is stopped when the fullness detection means detects that the coins are full. The invention is characterized in that it is equipped with a control means for causing a warning or sounding an alarm.

[Effect]

At the same time as the collection safe is set in the main body of the apparatus, the opening of the guide chute, which had been closed by the shutter mechanism, opens. In this state, overflow coins from the main body of the device are stored in the collection safe through the guide chute. Then, when the collection safe is removed from the main body of the apparatus, the opening of the guide chute is closed by the shutter mechanism. In this state, the inside of the guide chute functions as a reserve safe. When overflow coins are accumulated in this guide chute and the chute becomes full, the full state is detected and the sale is stopped or an alarm is sounded.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted.

Reference numeral 8 shown in FIG. 3 is a shutter plate having an L-shaped cross section, and is movable in the left-right direction in the drawing. A notch 8a having approximately the same size as the opening of the chute 2-1 is provided at the right end of the shutter plate 8, and one end of a spring 9 is attached to the right end of the shutter plate 8. The other end of this spring 9 is connected to a fixed end 10. In the illustrated state (the collection safe 3-1 is not set), the upper surface of the left end of the shutter plate 8 closes the opening of the chute 2-1. A shutter similar to the shutter 8 described above is provided at each opening of the chute 2-2, 2-3.

In the above-described configuration, when the collection safe 3-1 is inserted from the right side in the drawing (staff side), the upper left side of the collection safe 3-1 first engages with the left side wall of the shutter plate 8, and then the collection safe 3 -1, the shutter plate 8 moves to the left in the drawing together with the collection safe 3-1 against the elastic force of the spring 9.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the collection safe 3-1 has been set in a predetermined position. As shown in the figure, when the collection safe 3-1 is set, the notch 8a is inserted into the opening of the chute 2-1. directly below the section, and this results in
Overflow coins C discharged from the change control unit 1 are stored in the collection safe 3-1 through a path of chute 2-1→cutout 8a→collection port 4. When the collection safe 3-1 is pulled out from the state shown in FIG. 4, the shutter plate 8 moves to the right in the drawing along with the collection safe 3-1 due to the elastic force of the spring 9, and returns to the state shown in FIG. 3. Nate, shoot 2
-1 is occluded.

Furthermore, the set detection switch 5 in this embodiment is used to determine whether or not the collection safe 3-1 is definitely set, and even if the set detection switch 5 is in the OFF state, the sale of the device will not be discontinued. It's becoming like that.

According to the above-described configuration, when the collection safe 3-1 is set, the overflow coins C are stored in the collection safe 3-1, and the overflow coins C are stored in the collection safe 3-1.
is withdrawn, overflow coin C
is stored in the chute 2-1.

In this manner, in this embodiment, when the collection safe is withdrawn, the inside of the chute 2-1 functions as a spare safe. Therefore, the collection safe 3-1, 3-2, or 3-3 can be taken out without discontinuing the sale of the device, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the device and making the operation smoother.

Also, for example, if multiple automatic ticket vending machines are installed, even if one of them runs out of change, the other automatic ticket vending machines 3-1, 3-2, 3-
3 can be taken out to replenish change, and there is an advantage that there is no need to stop the operation of the automatic ticket vending machine on the change supply side.

By the way, the amount of coins stored in each chute 2-1 to 2-3 cannot be kept large due to its structure. Therefore, each shoot 2-1 to 2-
If you use the inside of 3 as a spare safe, each chute 2-
There is a possibility that the overflow coins from 1 to 2-3 will be connected to the coin discharge port of the change control section 1, and a situation may occur in which the change control section 1 cannot discharge the overflow coins. Therefore, in order to avoid such a risk, each shot 2-1 to
A means for detecting whether coins 2-3 are full may be provided, and if this means detects that the coins are full, the sale may be canceled or an alarm may be issued.
Note that although means for suspending sales or issuing a warning are not specifically shown, a configuration for realizing these can be easily devised using current technology.

D1 and D2 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are a light emitting element and a light receiving element, respectively, and are an example of the fullness detection means. In other words, if the irradiation light of the light emitting element D1 is continuously interrupted for a certain period of time (ignoring passing coins), and if the time until the tank becomes full is known in advance, a timer or the like is used to detect the full state. Good too. Note that each chute 2-1 to 2-3 may be provided inside the change control section 1 or may be provided outside.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a shutter mechanism that is disposed at the opening of the guide chute of the change control unit and opens and closes the opening, and when the shutter mechanism closes the opening, Since the inside of the guide chute is used as a spare safe, the collection safe can be taken out without discontinuing the sale of the device. Therefore, the operating efficiency of the device is improved and the operation becomes smooth.
In addition, there are multiple automatic ticket vending machines installed at stations, etc., but if one of them runs out of change, you can take out the collection safe of the other automatic ticket vending machine and replenish the change. Moreover, there is an advantage that the operation of the automatic ticket vending machine on the change supply side does not have to be stopped. Further, by providing a fullness detection means for detecting whether the guide chute is full of coins, and a control means for stopping the selling operation or sounding an alarm when the fullness detection means detects that the coins are full, the overflow can be prevented. It is possible to detect a situation in which coins cannot be released.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 and 2 are a side view and a rear view, respectively, showing the structure of a conventional automatic ticket vending machine, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views, respectively, showing the structure of an embodiment of the present invention. 1...Change control unit, 2-1 to 2-3...Chute (guide chute), 3-1 to 3-3...Collection safe, 8...Shutter plate, 9...Spring, 10...
Fixed end (the above 8 to 10 are shutter mechanisms), D1...
...Light emitting element, D2... Light receiving element (D1, D2
is full detection means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A collection safe that can be freely taken in and taken out of the device main body and that collects the excess coins via a guide chute when the number of stored coins in the device main body exceeds a predetermined number, and a collection safe that can be removed from the device main body. A automatic vending machine comprising a shutter mechanism that closes the open end of the guide chute on the collection safe side at the same time the coins are removed, a fullness detection means for detecting that the inside of the guide chute is full of coins, and the fullness detection means 1. A vending machine characterized by comprising: a control means for stopping a dispensing operation or sounding an alarm when a full coin is detected by the vending machine.