JPH0455996A - Coin sorter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify a coin sorter by indirectly detecting the operation of a return lever from the change of the output level of a coil sensor arranged so as to discriminate the thrown coin. CONSTITUTION:When a gate is opened by the operation of the return lever, in response to this, the space between a first enclosure 22 in which a first coil 7 of a coil sensor 20 arranged on a coin path for the discrimination of the inserted coin is housed and a second enclosure 23 in which a second coil 8 is housed is opened, and the electromagnetic connection state between the first coil 7 and the second coil 8 is changed. The change of this electromagnetic connection state is detected by a detection means, and cancellation processing cancelling the reception of the coin is executed corresponding to the detection output. Thus, the operation of the return lever can be indirectly detected by utilizing the coil sensor 20 arranged on the coin path for the discrimination of the thrown coin so that the specified sensor for the cancellation processing can not have to be provided with the return lever or a gate lever, and the device can be simplified.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention relates to a coin sorting device used in vending machines, money exchange machines, service equipment, etc., and in particular, the present invention relates to a coin sorting device used in vending machines, money exchange machines, service equipment, etc. The present invention relates to a coin sorting device that cancels acceptance of an inserted coin if the coin is lost.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, when the return lever of a vending machine, etc. is operated, the gate lever of the coin sorting device is pushed, which opens the gate at the front of the coin passage and forcibly removes deformed coins etc. stuck in the coin passage. The coin is configured to be returned to the coin return slot through the return passage.

In such a configuration, if the return lever is operated and the coins in the coin passage are forcibly returned, accurate counting of the inserted coins is no longer guaranteed. The device is configured to perform so-called cancellation processing in which the coins are directly detected, and in response to this detection output, acceptance of the inserted coins is refused and coins that have already been accepted are returned.

However, in order to directly detect the operation of the return lever or the depression of the gate lever, it is necessary to provide a special sensor on the return lever or the gate lever, which poses a problem of complicating the device.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In this way, in conventional devices, a special sensor is installed on the return lever or gate lever, and the operation of the return lever or the push of the gate lever is directly detected and the cancellation process is executed. The problem was that it became complicated.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coin sorting device with a simplified configuration by eliminating the special sensor for cancellation processing provided on the return lever or gate lever.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention opens a gate by operating a return lever to guide coins in the coin passageway to the return passageway, and also includes a coil disposed in the coin passageway for distinguishing inserted coins. The sensor is divided into a first housing in which the first coil is housed, and a second housing in which the second coil is housed.
in the coin sorting device, wherein the first case and the second case are configured to open between the first case and the second case when the gate is opened. detecting means for detecting a change in the electromagnetic coupling state between the first coil and the second coil due to opening between the first coil and the second coil; and canceling coin acceptance in response to a detection output of the detecting means. The invention is characterized by comprising a canceling means for canceling.

[Effect]

When the gate is opened by operating the return lever, in response, a first casing housing a first coil of a coil sensor disposed in a coin passage for determining an inserted coin; The gap between the first fill and the second casing in which the second coil is housed is opened, and the electromagnetic coupling state between the first fill and the second coil changes.

This change in electromagnetic coupling state is detected by the detection means,
A cancellation process for canceling the acceptance of coins is executed in response to the detection output of the detection means.

In this way, since the operation of the return lever is indirectly detected using the coil sensor installed in the coin passage to determine the inserted coin, a special There is no need to provide a sensor, and the device can be simplified.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the coin sorting device of the present invention.

First, before explaining the block diagram of FIG. 1, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, the appearance of the coin sorting device of this embodiment,
The detailed configuration of main parts and the configuration of sorting will be explained.

FIG. 4 shows the external appearance of the coin sorting device of this embodiment, in which the gate lever 1, main plate 3,
It includes a gate plate 4, a coin slot 5, and a coin sorting section 30, which rotate in the direction of the arrow about a shaft 26 against the biasing force of a spring 2 when the gate lever 1 is pushed down.

FIG. 5 shows the detailed structure of the coil sensor section 20 disposed on the back side of the gate plate 4. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the coil sensor section 20 is divided into a first housing 22 that houses the oscillation coil 7 and a second housing 23 that houses the reception filter 8, and each housing 22 and 23 is separate from each other. formed in the body. The first housing 22 is rotatably supported by an arm 23a extending from the upper end of the second housing 23 via a shaft 24.

The first casing 22 has a cross-sectional shape, and faces the second casing 23 from its protruding lower end 22a with a predetermined distance therebetween, forming a part of the coin passage 6. A coin passage 6a is formed. A coil spring 25 is wound around a shaft 24 that supports the first housing 22, and both ends 25g and 25b of the coil spring 25 are engaged with parts of the second and first housings 23 and 22, respectively. The two are normally urged to expand counterclockwise around the shaft 24.

The gate plate 4 that covers the coil sensor section 20 has a first
A protrusion 4a is formed at a position facing the housing 22 of the fifth
As shown in FIG. 6, which is a top view of the figure, the gate plate 4 is normally moved clockwise around the shaft 26 by the biasing force of the spring 2 shown in FIG. The protrusion 4a is urged to contact the first housing 22. As shown in FIG. 5, the pressing force of the protrusion 4a urges the first casing 22 clockwise around the shaft 24 against the urging force of the coil spring 25. The lower end 22a of the body 22 is brought into close contact with the lower end of the second housing 2B.

The second housing 23 is fixed to a sub-plate 10 that covers the back side of the main plate, and when this sub-plate 10 is attached to the main plate 3, the coin passage 6 is inserted through the hole 3a formed in the main plate 3. protrude inward.

In such a configuration, a return lever (not shown) is operated,
When the gate lever 1 is pushed down as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4, the fourth lever urges the gate plate 4 clockwise about the shaft 26 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4 and in FIG. The first casing 22 is rotated counterclockwise against the biasing force of the spring 2 shown in FIG. It rotates counterclockwise around the shaft 24 due to the biasing forces of the two members. As a result, the coin passage 6a is released from below, and the deformed coins etc. stuck in the coin passage 6a fall downward due to their own weight.
You will be led to a return passage (not shown).

Also, at this time, since the distance between the oscillating coil 7 housed in the first housing 22 and the receiving coil 8 housed in the second housing 23 changes, the distance between the oscillating coil 7 and the receiving coil 8 changes. The electromagnetic coupling state between the two changes. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, a change in the electromagnetic coupling state between the oscillating coil 7 and the receiving coil 8 is detected and predetermined cancellation processing is executed.

FIG. 9 shows a structure for sorting coins of this embodiment including the coin sorting section 30 shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 9, a coin 11 inserted through a coin input port 5 rolls on a guide rail 12 forming a coin passage 6, and a coil sensor section 20 detects the authenticity of the coin and the type of coin. The coins that have passed through the coil sensor section 20 are first sorted into genuine coins and counterfeit coins at a gate 31. In this first sorting, the gate 31 is driven by a first solenoid, which will be described later, and this first solenoid is driven based on the output of the coil sensor section 20 for determining authenticity.

In the first sorting, the counterfeit coins sorted at the gate 31 are returned to a coin return slot (not shown) through a return path (not shown).

In addition, the specie sorted by the first sorting gate 31 is transferred to the second sorting gate 31.
is guided to the distribution gate 32. The second distribution gate 32 is driven by a second solenoid as described later, and the second solenoid is driven based on the coin type determination output output from the coil sensor section 2o. That is, the coin sorting device of this embodiment can handle four types of coins, ASB and C.
. B, C, and D are sorted into a first group containing coins A and B and a second group containing coins C and D.

The first group of coins including coins A1B that have been sorted by the second sorting gate 32 are guided to a first mechanical sorting section 33. The first mechanical sorting section 33 uses the difference in the diameter of the coins A and B to sort and sort the coins A and B using a mechanical configuration, and guides the coin A to the coin passage P1 and guides the coin B to the coin path P1. is guided to the coin passage P2.

The second group of coins including the coins C1D that have been sorted by the second sorting gate 32 are guided to a second mechanical sorting section 34. The second mechanical sorting section 34 uses the difference in diameter between the coins C and D to sort and sort the coins C and the coin tray with a mechanical configuration, guides the coins C to the coin path P3, and guides the coins C into the coin path P3. is guided to the coin passage P4.

Coin sensors C are installed in the coin passages P1, P2, P3, and P4 to detect coins A, B, and CSD, respectively.
81, C32, CS3, and C34 are arranged. These coin sensors C5I, C52, C53, CS4 include, for example, a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and the coin passages P1, P2,
Coins A, BSC, and D passing through P3 and P4 are optically detected. In the coin sorting device of this embodiment, these coin sensors C3I, CS2, CS3, CS
The number of coins to be accepted is counted based on the output of step 4.

Returning to FIG. 1, the oscillation coil 7 is housed in the first housing 22 shown in FIG. 5, and is excited by an excitation circuit 41 at a predetermined frequency suitable for coin discrimination. The receiving coil 8 is housed in the second housing 23 shown in FIG. 5, and outputs a predetermined attenuated waveform signal when a coin passes through the coin passage 6a. This attenuated waveform signal is detected by a detection circuit 42, its peak value is held by a hold circuit 43, this held peak value is converted into a digital value by an analog-to-digital converter 44, and is applied to a control section 45.

The control unit 45 detects the authenticity and type of the inserted coin based on the output of the analog-to-digital converter 44.

The first solenoid 47 drives the gate 31 in the first distribution shown in FIG. This first solenoid 47 is driven by a solenoid drive circuit 46 based on the output of the control section 45.

Further, the four second solenoids drive the gate 49 in the second distribution shown in FIG.

This second solenoid 32 is driven by a solenoid drive circuit 48 based on the output of the control section 45.

The coin payout control unit 50 controls the payout of all or part of the inserted coins as necessary.

Further, the display section 51 is for displaying information processed by the control section 45 as necessary, and the storage section 52 is for displaying information processed by the control section 45.
This is used to store data necessary for controlling 5.

Coin sensor C8 is C5I, C82, C shown in Figure 9.
53 and C54, and the output of this coin sensor C5 is applied to the control section 45. The control unit 45 counts the coins put into the receiver based on the output of the coin sensor C8.

In this embodiment, when the gate is opened by operating a return lever (not shown), as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,
The first casing 22 in which the oscillating coil 7 is housed rotates about the shaft 24, and the distance between the oscillating coil 7 and the receiving coil 8 housed in the second casing 23 changes. As a result, the electromagnetic coupling state between the oscillating coil 7 and the receiving coil 8 changes, and the output of the receiving coil 8 decreases.

FIG. 2 shows how the output of the receiving coil 8 decreases. In Fig. 2, the oscillation coil 7 into which no coin is inserted
In the standby state of the receiving coil 8, the output of the receiving coil 8 shows a predetermined level v1. However, when the gate is opened by operating the return lever, the output level of the receiving coil 8 changes from this level V1 to the threshold level SH.
exceeds and drops to level V2. This decrease in output level is caused by the coin data D input via the detection circuit 42, peak hold circuit 43, and analog-to-digital converter 44.
1 is detected by the control unit 45 by comparing it with the threshold level SH, and the control unit 45 executes a predetermined cancellation process in response to this detection.

Next, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be explained in more detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, the control unit 45 always monitors the coin data D1 output from the analog-digital converter 44 and the coin count data D2 input from the coin sensor cs, and when there is a change in these data (step 101), read these data (step 102)
).

Next, coin data D1 of this read data
Step 103) to determine whether a coin has been inserted.
If no coin has been inserted, it is checked whether the coin data D1 is smaller than the threshold level SR shown in FIG. 2, that is, whether DI<SH (step 104). Here DI
If <SH, a predetermined cancellation process is executed (step 105).

In the cancellation process, for example, the coin dispensing control unit 50 shown in FIG. This is done by setting the amount of In addition, D.I.
<Step 1 of monitoring input data if SH is not established
Return to 01.

If it is determined in step 103 that a coin has been inserted, this coin data D1 is measured.

Here, the measurement of coin data D1 is this coin data D
1 is compared with window data corresponding to coins of each denomination stored in advance in the storage unit 52. If a predetermined condition is satisfied in this comparison, the coin is detected as a genuine coin.

Next, based on the #1 result of the coin data D1, it is determined whether the inserted coin is a genuine coin (step 10).
7) If it is a genuine coin, then it is checked whether the denomination determined to be a genuine coin is coin A or coin B, that is, whether it belongs to group 1 (step 108). If it belongs to group 1, the second solenoid (SQL2) 49 is driven (step 109), and the second distribution gate 32 (the ninth
Coins A and B belonging to group 1 are sorted according to the method shown in FIG. In addition, in the case of coins C and D whose denominations are determined to be genuine coins and belong to group 2, the second solenoid (SQL2) 49
is not driven, and the coins C1D belonging to group 2 are sorted by the second sorting gate 32 (FIG. 9).

In the second sorting, the coins A and B are sorted by the gate 32. In the first mechanical sorting, the coins A and B are sorted by the section 33 by using the difference in diameter of the coins A and B, and the coin A is sorted into the coin passage P1. The coins B are guided to the coin path P2, and the coins C and D are sorted by the second mechanical sorting section 34 using the difference in diameter of the coins C and D, and the coin C is guided to the coin path P3. The coin bank is guided to the coin passage P4.

Next, coin counting processing is performed (step 110).

This counting process is performed by coin sensors C81, C32, C53 arranged in coin passages P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively.
The coin count is performed based on the output of C84, that is, the coin count data D2 output from coin sensor C8 in FIG.

Note that if it is determined in step 107 that the coin is counterfeit, the first solenoid (SOLI) 47 is activated (step 1
11) The counterfeit coins are returned by the first sorting gate 31 (FIG. 9) through a coin return passage (not shown).

In the above embodiment, a pair of coils consisting of the oscillating coil 7 and the receiving coil 8 are used to discriminate the inserted coin and detect the operation of the return lever. The present invention can be similarly applied to a coin sorting device configured to discriminate coins using a plurality of pairs of coils including oscillation coils. In this case, the operation of the return lever may be detected based on the output of one of the plurality of pairs of coils.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, since the operation of the return lever is indirectly detected from the change in the output level of the coil sensor provided for determining the inserted coin, the operation of the return lever or the gate lever is canceled. There is no need to provide a special sensor for processing, and the device can be simplified.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the coin sorting device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram explaining the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. A block diagram explaining the operation of this example, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the coin sorting device of this example, FIG. Figure 5 is a top view, Figure 7 is a top view of the coin sorting device with the gate plate released, Figure 8 is a top view of the coin sorting device.
The figure is a BB sectional view of FIG. 6, and FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the coin sorting structure of this embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Gate lever 2... Spring, 3... Main plate, 4... Gate plate, 6a... Coin passage, 7... Oscillator coil, 8... Receiving coil, 20...
・・Coil sensor part, 22.23・・Housing, 30・・
- Coin sorting unit, 41... Excitation circuit, 42... Detection circuit, 43... Peak hold circuit, 44... Analog digital converter, 45... Control unit, 46.48.
... Solenoid drive circuit, 47... First solenoid, 49... Second solenoid, 50... Coin dispensing control section, 51... Display section, 52... Storage section. Figure 3 Figure 2 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 8

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) The gate is opened by operating the return lever, and the coins in the coin passage are guided to the return passage, and the first coil accommodates a coil sensor disposed in the coin passage for determining the inserted coin. and a second housing in which a second coil is housed, and when the gate is opened, there is a gap between the first housing and the second housing. In a coin sorting device configured to open, a change in an electromagnetic coupling state between the first coil and the second coil due to opening between the first casing and the second is detected. A coin sorting device comprising: a detecting means; and a canceling means for canceling acceptance of coins in response to a detection output of the detecting means. (2) The first coil is excited by a signal of a predetermined frequency, and the detection means detects a change in the level of the signal induced in the second coil by the first coil as a predetermined threshold level. The coin sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the coin sorting device detects by comparing.