JPH0496194A - Coin carrier device for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To set the position of a coin return port to the position where a customer can take out the coin easily by carrying the coin upwards to be transmitted to the coin return port of the upper part when the coin received from a coin processor to a coin reception part is detected. CONSTITUTION:When the coin discharged from a coin processor 10 is received in a coin reception part 13, a detection means 18 is operated by the coin to drive a carrier mechanism 15. By this driving, the carrier mechanism 15 carries the coin in the coin reception part 13 upwards to be transmitted to a coin return port 6 of the upper part. Thus, even when the position of a coin insert port 4 is set to the height where the coin can be easily inserted, the position of the coin return port 6 can be set to the position where the coin can be easily taken out so that the customer can taken out the coin easily without bending the body.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (b) Industrial application fields The present invention relates to a coin conveying device for a vending machine.

(Spout) Conventional technology: Conventionally, in a vending machine, coins inserted through a coin slot provided on the front are accepted into a coin processing device installed inside the machine, and the coins received are sorted for authenticity by this coin processing device. At the same time, the coins are compared with the dispensed change and counterfeit coins, and the received coins are returned and disbursed, and the dispensed coins are sent to the coin return slot opened at the front, which is installed correspondingly at the bottom of the coin processing device. The configuration is common, and is shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 114094/1983.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the prior art with this configuration, the coins to be paid out are sent from the coin processing device to the coin return port located correspondingly at the bottom of the coin processing device. The position of the coin slot is low, and the customer has to bend down greatly to take out the coin from the coin return slot.In other words, the coin slot is set at a height that makes it easy for the customer to insert coins.
There is a problem that the same day coin return position is lowered.

For this reason, the present invention allows the position of the coin return opening to be set at a position where it is easy for the customer to take out coins.
The present invention provides a coin conveying device for a vending machine.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides a vending machine equipped with a coin processing device that dispenses coins based on a coin return command from a vending control means. A coin receiving section for accepting coins, a detecting means for detecting coins received by the coin receiving section, and when the detecting means detects a coin, the detecting means is driven to convey the coins in the coin receiving section upward and send them out to the coin return port in the upper part. It is equipped with a conveyance mechanism.

The present invention also provides a vending machine equipped with a coin processing device that disburses coins based on a coin return command from a vending control means, and a coin receiving section that receives coins disbursed from the coin processing device; The device is equipped with a conveying mechanism that is driven based on a coin return command from the means to convey the coins in the coin receiving section upward and sends them out to the coin return opening at the top.

(E) Function According to the present invention, when a coin dispensed from the coin processing device is received in the coin receiving section, the detection means is operated by the coin to drive the conveyance mechanism.

Due to this drive, the transport mechanism transports the coins in the coin receiving section upward and sends them out to the coin return port at the top.

Further, in the present invention, the coins dispensed from the coin processing device into the coin receiving section are transported upward by a transport mechanism driven based on a coin return command from the sales control means, and are delivered to the coin return port at the top.

(f) Embodiments Each figure shows an embodiment of the present invention, where l is a main body of a vending machine with a door 2 pivotally supported on the front so that it can be opened and closed.

The door 2 is provided with a product takeout port 3, a coin insertion port 4, a return lever 5, a coin return port 6, etc. at approximately the center in the vertical direction of the front surface, and a product display room 7 and a display space are provided in the upper part. A large number of product selection buttons 9 corresponding to product sample 8
has been established.

A coin processing device 10 is installed on the back side of the door 2 in correspondence with the coin input port 4, so that coins inserted from the coin input port 4 can be received into the coin processing device 10 through the input chute 11.

This coin processing device 10 is generally well-known and includes a coin sorting device section 10A that sorts out the authenticity and type of coins received from the input chute 11, and a coin sorting device section 10A that sorts the coins as genuine coins. It is equipped with a storage section 10B that stores coins stored in the storage section 10B by type, a dispensing device 10C that dispenses the coins stored in the storage section 10B from the bottom based on a coin return command, and a coin sorting device section 10A. Coins that have been sorted out from fake coins are configured to be returned from the bottom without entering the storage section.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a coin conveying device configured to receive coins dispensed from the dispensing device 10G of the coin processing device IO and coins dispensed as counterfeit coins, convey them upward, and send them to the coin return port 6 at the top. A dispensing system 14 that guides the coins dispensed from the bottom of the coin processing device 10 to the coin receiving section 3 at the bottom, a transport mechanism 15 that transports the coins received in the coin receiving section 13 upward, and a transport mechanism 15 that transports the coins received in the coin receiving section 13 upward. It is provided with a delivery port 16 for delivering coins transported upward by the mechanism 15 to a coin return port 6.

The dispensing chute 14 is provided with a detection sensor 17 consisting of a magnetic sensor as a detection means for detecting coins sliding down the bottom surface 14A on a bottom surface 14A that is sloped low toward the coin receiving section 13. On both wall surfaces 14B, 14B, a plurality of detection sensors 18, each consisting of an optical sensor as a detection means, are arranged facing each other and arranged above and below to detect coins falling while standing on the bottom surface 14A. .

That is, the coins to be paid out from the coin processing device 10 are as follows:
a state in which the surface portion slides onto the bottom surface portion 14A;
Some coins fall in a standing position with the peripheral edge touching the bottom 14A, and the former coin can be reliably detected by the detection sensor I7 provided on the bottom 14A, but the latter coin In this case, since the detection sensor 17 on the bottom surface portion 14A is unstable in detection, in this case, the detection sensor 18 provided on both wall surfaces 14B, 14B is used to ensure reliable detection.

The transport mechanism 15 has a pair of upper and lower gears 21 and 22 pivotally supported between a pair of vertically opposed substrates 19 and 20, and an endless timing belt 23 stretched between the upper and lower gears 21 and 22. A plurality of packets 24 are arranged at predetermined intervals on the timing belt 23 for picking up and transporting coins received in the coin receiving section I3. The lower gear 22 is connected to a drive motor 26 via a speed reduction mechanism 25, and an operating knob 28 is provided at the end of the drive shaft 27 to allow manual rotation of the gear 22.

In addition, the pair of upper and lower gears 21 and 22 is configured such that the diameter of the upper gear 21 is set to be smaller than that of the lower gear 22, and the packet 24 is converted downward by the upper gear 21. By increasing the speed, the sending of coins from the packet 24 to the sending port 16 is facilitated.

On the other hand, the coin receiving part 13 is formed into an arc shape corresponding to the gear 22, and is provided with a concave groove part 13A into which the tip of the packet 24 can enter and move, so that the received coins can be easily transferred to the basket 24. I am making it possible to pick it up.

A pair of vertically opposed boards 19.20 are formed at intervals such that the largest diameter coin to be transported can be secured to the basket 24 and transported, and side walls are provided on both sides between the boards 19.20. 19A and 19B are provided. The side wall 19A corresponding to the rising side when the timing belt 23 is driven in normal rotation is configured such that the interval with the timing belt 23 is narrower at the bottom and wider at the top, and near the top. Coins that are formed wider than the diameter of the largest coin and are transported upward in the packet 24,
This prevents a bridge-like blockage from occurring between the timing belt 23 and the side wall 19A. Therefore, the coins held in the basket 24 and conveyed to the upper part pass over the gear 21 and are conveyed to the opposite side without causing a bridging condition between the timing belt 23 and the side wall +9A, and are conveyed to the opposite side of the basket 24. It is designed to fall from there to the outlet 16.

The delivery port 16 is provided with a delivery chute 29 for receiving coins dropped from the packet 24 and guiding them to the coin return port 6.

30 is a rotation sensor that generates a pulse signal by rotating a rotary plate 31 supported by a drive shaft 27;
Based on the rotation of the gears 21 and 220, a pulse signal synchronized with the rotation of the timing belt 23 is generated.

32 is a slot opening/closing device for opening and closing the coin slot 4;
A shutter member 33 is rotatably supported to open and close the coin slot 4, and a drive rod 34A of a drive solenoid 34 is connected to the shutter member 33. When the drive solenoid 34 is energized, the shutter member 33 opens the coin slot 4 to enable coins to be inserted into the coin slot 4, and when the drive solenoid 34 is not energized, the shutter member 33 closes the coin slot 4. It is configured to prevent the insertion of coins.

FIG. 6 is an electrical control configuration diagram of the present invention, in which input coin information from the coin processing device 10 is input to the CPU 50 as a control means, and the product sales operation is controlled based on the customer's operation of the product selection button 9. At the same time, the coin processing device 10
a main body control section 51 serving as a sales control means for delivering a coin return command to the main body control section 51; and the drive motor 26 which is driven to rotate in the normal direction by the coin return command from the main body control section 51 or the coin detection signal from the detection sensor 17, 18. A rotation sensor 30 that generates a pulse signal in synchronization with the rotation of the timing belt 23, and a slot opening/closing device 32 that opens and closes the coin slot 4.
are connected to each other, and furthermore, a conveyor by a drive motor 26? 1115, the transport operation timer 52 sets a predetermined operation time sufficient for the coins in the coin receiving section 13 to be sent out from the delivery port 16, and the rotation sensor 3 to generate the rotation.
A conveyance abnormality detection timer 53 that has a permissible time that allows the pulse signal to remain unchanged from 0, and a conveyance abnormality storage section 54 that stores the occurrence of a conveyance operation abnormality when the timer 53 times out. , a reverse rotation operation timer 55 that sets the reverse drive time of the drive motor 26, and a sensor abnormality detection timer 56 that sets the time that the detection sensors I7 and 18 compare the coin sideways.

According to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the CPU 5
The operation of 0 will be explained. FIG. 7 is a main flowchart, and FIG. 8 is a timer interrupt flowchart that interrupts the main flow at predetermined time intervals.

First, to explain the main flow, the CPU 50 checks whether there is a flag indicating a conveyance abnormality in the conveyance abnormality storage section 54 (step s1).
It is determined whether the coin detection signal from 18 has been continuously input for a predetermined time or more (step 52). If it is less than the predetermined time, in step S3, the transport mechanism 15 is driven to transport by driving the drive motor 26. It is determined whether or not the time is less than a predetermined time, and if it is less than a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S4. Therefore, if the presence of the flag is confirmed in step s1, and the coin detection signal is detected for a predetermined time in step S2. If it is confirmed that the manual operation continues as described above, and in step S3, the transport mechanism 15 is driven by the drive motor 26.
If it is confirmed that the transport time has reached the predetermined time, the process returns to step S1.

In step $4, a predetermined constant is set in the conveyance abnormality detection timer 53 as an allowable time period in which there is no pulse signal from the rotation sensor 32, and in step S5, the drive motor 26
is driven in normal rotation to drive the transport mechanism 15 in the transport direction.

Then, in step S6, it is determined whether or not the drive of the transport mechanism 15 has elapsed for a predetermined period of time based on the state of a predetermined constant set in the transport operation timer 52, and when it is confirmed that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S9. The drive motor 26 is stopped and the process returns to step S1. Further, when it is confirmed in step S6 that the drive of the transport mechanism 15 is within the predetermined time,
In step S7, the state of the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 is determined, and if the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 has elapsed for a predetermined time, the process advances to step S9. Judge the condition. If the conveyance abnormality detection timer 53 has exceeded the predetermined time in step s8, it is determined that the conveyance mechanism 15 is in a locked state due to a coin jam, etc., and the coin cannot be conveyed, and step SIO If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process returns to step s6.

In step SIO, the drive motor 26 is stopped, and in step Sll, the reverse operation timer 55 is set to a predetermined value of the drive motor 26 in order to reversely drive the drive motor 26 and release the locked state of the transport mechanism 15 due to coin jamming, etc. Set the reverse drive time.

Then, the CPU 50 controls the drive motor 26 in step S12.
is reversely driven to drive the conveying mechanism 15 in the opposite direction to the coin conveying direction, and when the passage of the predetermined reverse driving time set in the reverse rotation operation timer 55 in step 311 is confirmed in step S13, in step S14. The reverse rotation of the drive motor 26 is stopped, and the transport mechanism 15 is stopped.

By driving the transport mechanism 15 in the reverse direction, the lock state of the transport mechanism 15 can be released.

In step S15, a predetermined constant is set in the conveyance abnormality detection timer 53 as a permissible time period in which there is no pulse signal from the rotation sensor 30, and in step S16, a predetermined constant is set in the conveyance operation timer 52 as the normal rotation drive time of the drive motor 26. Set the predetermined time.

This predetermined time is set to a time sufficient to convey the coins received by the coin receiving section 13 to the upper delivery port 16.

Then, the CPU 50 controls the drive motor 26 in step S17.
In step 918, the transport operation timer 52 is driven in the normal direction.
It is determined whether or not the predetermined time set in Determine whether time has elapsed. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S9, and if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S20, where it is determined whether the predetermined time set in the conveyance abnormality detection timer 53 has elapsed.

When the determination in step S20 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, the CPU 50 sets a flag as a conveyance abnormality in the conveyance abnormality storage section 54 in step S21, and proceeds to step S9 to stop the drive motor 26. Further, if the determination in step S20 is that the predetermined time has elapsed,
Return to step 818.

That is, when the CPU 50 confirms that the predetermined time set in the transport abnormality detection timer 53 has elapsed in step S20, it is possible to release the locked state of the transport mechanism 15 by reversely driving the drive motor 26 in steps SIO to S14. This means that the transport abnormality has not occurred, or that the lock state has occurred again, so in step S21, a flag is set and stored in the transport abnormality storage unit 54 to indicate the transport abnormality. At this time, an abnormality is displayed on an abnormality display (not shown).

Next, the timer interrupt flowchart shown in FIG. 8 will be explained.

In step S22, the CPU 50 determines whether or not the transport drive time set in the transport operation timer 52 is less than a predetermined time, and if the predetermined time has elapsed, the CPU 50 performs step S2.
If it is less than the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S23, where the predetermined conveyance drive time set in the conveyance operation timer 52 is subtracted by 1 to update the time of the conveyance operation timer 52, and the process advances to step S24. .

In step S24, it is determined whether the reverse rotation drive time set in the reverse rotation operation timer 55 has reached a predetermined time,
If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 926, and if it is less than the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S25, where the reverse rotation drive time set in the reverse rotation operation timer 55 is decreased by -1.
Then, the time of the reverse operation timer 55 is updated, and step 32
Proceed to step 6.

In step S26, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time set in the conveyance abnormality detection timer 53 has elapsed. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 328, and if it is less than the predetermined time, step In S27, the time set in the conveyance abnormality detection timer 53 is decremented by 1 to update the conveyance abnormality detection timer 530 hours, and the process proceeds to step S28.

The CPtJ50 detects the detection sensor 17.1 in step S28.
The presence or absence of the coin detection signal from 8 is determined, and when the coin detection signal is input, a predetermined time is set as the forward rotation drive time of the drive motor 26 in the transport operation timer 52 in step S29, and the process advances to step S30. In step S30, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time stored in the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 has elapsed. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 333, and if it is less than the predetermined time, the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 proceeds to step S31. The timer time of the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 is updated by subtracting the time stored in the abnormality detection timer 56 by 1, and the process proceeds to step S33.

On the other hand, in step S28, the CPU 50 detects the detection sensor 17.
If the coin detection signal from 18 is not input, a constant as a predetermined time is set in the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 in step S32, and the process proceeds to step S33.

Then, the CPU 50 controls the main body control unit 5 in step S33.
1, and when the coin return command is issued manually, a predetermined time is set as the forward rotation drive time of the drive motor 26 in the transport operation timer 52 in step S34, and the process proceeds to step S35, where the coin return command is issued. If there is no input, the process advances from step S33 to step S35.

In step S35, the CPU 50 determines whether there is a change in the pulse signal from the rotation sensor 32, and when the change in the pulse signal is confirmed, the conveyance abnormality detection timer 5 is activated in step S36.
3, a permissible time period for allowing no change in the pulse signal is set, and the process proceeds to step S37. If no change in the pulse signal can be confirmed, the process directly proceeds to step S37.

In step S37, it is checked whether a flag indicating a conveyance abnormality is set in the conveyance abnormality storage section 54, and if the flag is set, the process proceeds to step S39, where the insertion opening/closing device 32 that opens and closes the coin insertion opening 4 is stopped and operated. Then, the coin input port 4 is closed to prevent coin insertion, and the process proceeds to step S41.

On the other hand, if there is no flag in step S37, it is checked in step S38 whether the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 has passed a predetermined time, and if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process advances to step S39; If so, the process proceeds to step S40, where the coin slot opening/closing device 32 is driven to open the coin slot 4, enabling coin insertion, and step S4.
Go to 1.

In step S41, the CPU 50
If the flag is set, an abnormal signal is sent to the main body m section 5 in step S43.
1 and return to the main flow. If there is no flag in the conveyance abnormality storage section 54, the sensor abnormality detection timer 56 checks in step S42 whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed, and if the predetermined time has elapsed, the process advances to step S43; If it is less than the time, step S44
At this point, the output of the abnormality signal to the main body control section 51 is stopped, and the process returns to the main flow.

Therefore, the input port opening/closing device 32 is operated during a power outage and when the transport machine lf
When the transport mechanism 15 repeatedly stops for a predetermined period of time or more due to the occurrence of the locked state at t415, and when the detection sensors 17 and 18 continue to detect coins for a predetermined period of time or more, the coin slot 4 is closed and the energized state is established. Normally, the machine is in a driving state and the coin slot 4 is open.6 When a customer inserts a predetermined coin from the coin slot 4, the coin is received by the coin processing device 10 through the slot chute 11. The coins are sorted for authenticity and type by the coin sorting device section 10A.

Coins sorted as genuine coins by the coin sorting device section 10A are stored in the storage section 10B according to type. Then, the coin determined as a counterfeit coin by the coin sorting device section 10A, or the coin to be returned based on the return operation, is sent out from the bottom of the coin processing device 10 to the payout chute 14, and then sent out to the coin receiving section 13. , the detection sensors 17 and 18 detect the coin, and the drive motor 26 is driven in normal rotation for a predetermined period of time.

On the other hand, even when the detection sensors 17 and 18 do not detect a coin, the drive motor 26 is driven in normal rotation for a predetermined period of time in response to a coin return command from the control section of the main body. The predetermined time set here is the transport mechanism 1 driven by the normal rotation of the drive motor 26.
The predetermined time is set to be sufficient for the coins in the coin receiving section 13 to be conveyed to the sending port 16 by the normal rotation drive of No. 5.

The forward rotation of the drive motor 26 causes the transport machine ll11 to
5 is driven in the forward direction, picks up the coins received in the coin receiving section 13 by a packet 24, and conveys them to the upper delivery port 16.

If the transport mechanism 15 is locked for a predetermined period of time or more due to a coin jam or the like while the transport mechanism 15 is being driven, the drive motor 26 is driven in the reverse direction for a short predetermined period of time, and then is driven in the normal direction again for a predetermined period of time. By performing this reverse drive, it is possible to eliminate obstacles such as coin jams.

Furthermore, if the locked state is generated for a predetermined time or more again during the normal rotation drive, the slot opening/closing device 32 closes the coin slot 4 and prevents the insertion of coins.

On the other hand, if the detection sensors 17 and 18 continue to detect coins for a predetermined period of time or more, the slot opening/closing device 32
closes the coin slot 4 to prevent coins from being inserted.

The coins transported to the delivery port 16 by the transport mechanism 15 fall from the packet 24 into the delivery chute 29.
The coins are guided to the coin return slot 6.

(g) Effects of the Invention Since the present invention is configured as described above, even if the position of the coin insertion slot is set at a height where coins can be easily inserted, the position of the coin return opening can be set to a height where coins can be easily inserted. Since it can be set in a position where it is easy to pick up and compare coins, customers can easily pick up and press down on coins without having to bend down too much.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Each figure shows an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the coin conveying device portion, FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the coin receiving portion, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the delivery port portion. 4 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the lower part of the transport mechanism, FIG. 5 is a front view of the vending machine, FIG. 6 is an electrical control configuration diagram, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the main flow, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt flow. 6.-coin return port, 10-coin processing device, 13..coin receiving section, 15..transport mechanism, 17.18-detection sensor.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a vending machine equipped with a coin processing device that dispenses coins based on a coin return command from a vending control means, a coin receiving section that receives coins dispensed from the coin processing device; The coin receiving section includes a detecting means for detecting a coin accepted in the coin receiving section, and a conveying mechanism that is driven when the detecting means detects a coin to transport the coins in the coin receiving section upward and sends them out to the coin return port at the top. Coin transport device for vending machines. 2. In a vending machine equipped with a coin processing device that dispenses coins based on a coin return command from the vending control means, a coin receiving section that receives coins dispensed from the coin processing device and coins from the vending control means. A coin conveyance device for a vending machine, comprising a conveyance mechanism that is driven based on a return command to convey coins in a coin receiving section upward and sends them to a coin return port at the top.