JPH08147535A - Coin processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a coin processor capable of evading the generation of the abnormality of processing operations due to the intrusion of something other than a normal coin from a reception port beforehand. CONSTITUTION: This coin processor A is provided with a coin identification part 26 for discriminating the authentication of the coins inside a path reaching the reception port 3 of a coin processing machine 1 for sorting the coins inserted to the reception port 3 and housing them for respective denominations and a shutter 23 for opening and closing the path corresponding to the discriminated result of the coin identification part 26.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin processing device installed in a vending machine or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, this kind of coin processing device has been inserted from an insertion port of an automatic vending machine or the like and has entered from a receiving port as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-119891 (G07D1 / 00). The coin sorting unit sorts the authenticity of the coins, and the coins judged to be genuine by this coin sorting unit are
It was configured to be sorted by denomination by a sorting unit including a plurality of gate devices, and stored in a change storage cylinder to be received.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional coin processing device, all the coins inserted through the insertion port of the vending machine or the like enter the inside through the receiving port. for that reason,
For example, a coin fixed to the end of a lead wire attached to a wireless device also enters the inside from the receiving port, so that there is a problem that electromagnetic waves are emitted in that state and malfunction (payout) occurs. In addition, even if a foreign object that is far from the coin is thrown in, it will enter through the receiving port, and thus there is a problem that such a mischief will adversely affect the coin processing operation.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional technical problems, and avoids the occurrence of an abnormal processing operation due to the intrusion of something other than a normal coin from the receiving port. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coin processing device capable of

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A coin processing device of the present invention is a coin processing machine for selecting coins inserted in a receiving port and storing them according to denomination, in a passage leading to the receiving port of a coin processing machine. And a shutter for opening and closing the passage according to the identification result of the coin identifying unit.

In addition to the above, the coin processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is provided with a return detecting section for detecting whether or not the shutter has returned to a predetermined closed position after the shutter is opened.
A coin processing device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the coin processing device according to the first aspect, wherein the shutter sends the coins to the return passage in the closed state.

[0007]

According to the coin processing device of the present invention, a coin discriminating section for discriminating the authenticity of coins is provided in the passage leading to the receiving port of the coin processing machine, and the passage is provided according to the discrimination result of the coin discriminating section. Since the shutter for opening and closing is provided, when a foreign substance other than coins is inserted, the coin discriminating unit can detect this and close the shutter to prevent the intrusion into the receiving port. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the adverse effect on the processing operation caused by the foreign matter entering the coin processing machine and to achieve a smooth coin processing operation.

Further, according to the coin processing device of the invention of claim 2, in addition to the above, since the return detecting portion for detecting whether or not the shutter returns to the predetermined closed position after the shutter is opened, it is provided. For example, when a coin fixed on the end of the lead wire attached to the radio is inserted, even if the coin identification unit opens the shutter, the lead wire does not return the shutter to the closed position. Can be detected by the return detection unit to detect the occurrence of such mischief. Then, by prohibiting the payout of change or the like, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of paying out coins by the electromagnetic waves of the wireless device.

Further, according to the coin processing device of the third aspect of the invention, in the first aspect, since the shutter sends the coin to the return passage in the closed state, the coin discriminating section does not discriminate the normal coin. It becomes possible to smoothly return the coins.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a vertical sectional side view of a coin processing device A of the present invention, FIG.
Is a front view of the coin processing machine 1 constituting the coin processing apparatus A, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the coin processing apparatus A, respectively. The coin processing device A is attached to, for example, an automatic vending machine (not shown), and includes the coin processing machine 1 and the coin processing machine 1.
And a protection device 20 attached to the socket 3 of the.

In the coin processing machine 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a coin sorting section 4 for discriminating the authenticity of coins inserted from the receiving port 3.
And a coin sorter 7 consisting of a sorting unit 6 that sorts the coins sorted by the coin sorting unit 4 into true coins and counterfeit coins, is detachably provided on the upper front face, and coins are used for change on the lower part. Type of coins (from right, for example, 100 yen, 10 yen, 5
Multiple change storage cylinders 8 to 1 for 0 yen, 500 yen, etc.
2 is provided, and a change-out device (not shown) for paying out the coins in each of the change-containers 8 to 12 based on the change-out signal is provided below the change-change containers 8 to 12. Also,
A pre-pipe 51 and a safe passage 52 are vertically formed on the right side of the rightmost change storing cylinder 8. The safe passage 52 communicates with a safe (not shown).

The coin sorting section 4 stores the coins inserted from the receiving port 3 in the coin passage 14 formed on the inspection rail 13.
The inside is rolled, and during this rolling, authenticity determination and denomination determination are performed by a known electronic money checking device 16. The distribution unit 6 includes a plurality of distribution gates 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 41 and a passage sensor 21. The sorting gate 3
3 sorts coins into genuine coins and counterfeit coins based on the judgment result of the electronic money checking apparatus 16, and the genuine coins are transferred to the receiving passage 18 on the rear side.
The counterfeit coins are sent to the return passage 19 on the front side. Further, a coin detecting unit 56 is provided at the entrance of each change storage cylinder 8-11. Further, when the return lever 17 is pressed and moved downward, the front surface of the coin sorting unit 4 is rotated forward, the coin passage 14 formed on the coin inspection rail 13 is opened, and the coin passage 14 is jammed. It is configured so that bad coins can be dropped downward.

On the other hand, the protection device 20 is provided in the passage from the coin slot of the vending machine (not shown) to the receiving port 3. In the embodiment, the protective device 20 is attached to cover the receiving port 3 of the coin processing machine 1. . The protective device 20 has a base 22 which has an upper surface 22 </ b> A inclined downward toward the front return passage 19 and extends to the front of the receiving port 3, and is located between the upper surface 22 </ b> A of the base 22 and the return passage 19. 3. A shutter 23 that closes the upper passage, a drive unit 24 that opens and closes the shutter 23 via an arm 24A, and an upper surface 22A of the base 22.
And a pair of guide walls 2 formed on the upper surface of the shutter 23.
5, 25 and the guide wall 2 on the upper surface 22A of the base 22
A coin identifying unit 26, which is provided between Nos. 5 and 25 and includes a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, and the like for discriminating the authenticity of the coin, and the upper surface 2
The return detection unit 27 is provided at the front end of 2A and includes a micro switch or the like for detecting the closed state of the shutter 23.

The front end of the shutter 23 is rotatably supported by the coin processor 1, and in the closed state as shown in FIG. 1, the upper part of the receptacle 3 is completely closed and returned together with the upper surface 22A of the base 22. A continuous slope that slopes toward the passage 19 is formed. Further, in the open state as shown in FIG. 4, a gap is formed between the upper surface 22A and the upper side of the receiving port 3 to open.

The electronic money checking device 16, the passage sensor 21,
The outputs of the coin detecting unit 56, the coin discriminating unit 26, and the return detecting unit 27 are control devices 28 including a general-purpose microcomputer.
Is input to each of the sorting gates 33, 34, 3 and
6, 37, 38, 39 and 41 and the drive 24 are connected to the output of the control device 28. Next, the operation of the coin processing device 1 of the present invention having the above configuration will be described. The shutter 23 is closed in the standby state. When the customer inserts the coin C into the slot of the vending machine (not shown), the coin C reaches between the guide walls 25, 25 of the upper surface 22A of the base 22 of the protection device 20 through a passage (not shown).
The control device 28 determines the authenticity of the coin C based on the output of the coin discriminating unit 26, and when it judges that the coin is a genuine coin, the drive unit 24 opens the shutter 23 as shown in FIG.

When the shutter 23 is opened, the coin C enters the coin sorting section 4 of the coin processing machine 1 through the receiving port 3, rolls in the coin passage 14 and passes through the electronic money checking device 16. At this time, the control device 28 performs the authenticity determination and the denomination determination again based on the output of the electronic money checking device 16. If it is determined that the coin is a false coin at this time, the control unit 28 causes the sorting gate 33 of the sorting unit 6 to perform the determination. The coin C1 (counterfeit coin) is distributed to the return passage 19 on the front side and returned to the return port (not shown).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the coin is a genuine coin, the sorting gate 33 sorts the coin C (the genuine coin) to the receiving passage 18. Then, based on the denomination information from the electronic money checking apparatus 16, when the received coin C is 100 yen, the control device 28 retracts the sorting gate 34 and turns the sorting gate 41 to the front side. Move. As a result, the 100-yen coins drop downward from the sorting gate 33, enter the 100-yen change storage cylinder 8, and are stacked.

When the received coin C is 10 yen, the control device 28 advances the distribution gate 34 and retracts the distribution gates 36 and 37. This causes the 10-yen coin to roll from the sorting gate 33 to the lower left,
It goes into the change storage cylinder 9 for 10 yen and is stacked. Further, when the received coin C is 50 yen, the control device 28 advances the distribution gates 34, 37 and 39 and retracts the distribution gates 36 and 38. As a result, the 50-yen coin rolls from the sorting gate 33 to the lower left,
It enters into the change storage cylinder 11 for 50 yen and is stacked.

Furthermore, when the received coin C is 500 yen, the control device 28 advances the distribution gates 34 and 37 and retracts the distribution gates 36, 38 and 39. As a result, 500-yen coins will be distributed to the sorting gate 33.
From there, it rolls downward to the left, enters the change storage container 12 for 500 yen, and is stacked. And each change storage cylinder 8-11
When the coin C in the inside becomes full, the control device 28 detects it by the coin detecting unit 56, and the coin C is detected by the sorting gate 41.
To the safe passage 52.

On the other hand, when the inserted coin is a false coin and it is discriminated at the time of the coin discriminating section 26, or when foreign matter other than coins, detergent, etc. is injected into the slot of the vending machine, etc. First, the control device 28 keeps the shutter 23 closed as shown in FIG. 5 based on the output of the coin identifying unit 26. As a result, the upper part of the receiving port 3 is closed, so that these fake coins C1 and foreign substances do not enter the coin processing machine 1. Then, the counterfeit coin C1 and the foreign matter are removed from the shutter 23.
The space between the upper guide walls 25, 25 falls forward as it is, and is guided to the return passage 19 and discharged.

Next, when a coin (original coin) C is fixed at the tip of the lead wire 29 attached to the radio,
Since the control device 28 is a true coin, the shutter 23 is opened as shown in FIG. 4 based on the output of the coin discriminating section 26. Therefore, the coin C enters the coin processor 1 through the receiving port 3,
After that, even if the shutter 23 is returned, the lead wire 29 remains on the upper surface 2.
Since it is sandwiched between 2A and the shutter 23, the shutter 2
3 cannot return to the closed position (see FIG. 6).

Therefore, the return detection unit 27 detects such a half-opened state, and the control device 28 stops all operations (including change payout) of the coin processing machine 1 based on the output of the return detection unit 27. At the same time, an alarm is output (for example, displayed). This makes it possible to avoid the inconvenience of paying out the coins C in the change storage cylinders 8 to 12 by the electromagnetic waves of the wireless device.

In the embodiment, the protection device 20 is attached to the coin processing machine 1, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the protection device 20 may be provided somewhere in the passage from the input port to the receiving port 3 of the vending machine.

[0024]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a coin discriminating section for discriminating the authenticity of coins is provided in the passage leading to the receiving port of the coin processing machine, and the coin discriminating section is used to discriminate the discrimination result. Since the shutter that opens and closes the passage is provided, when a foreign substance other than coins is inserted, the coin discriminating unit can detect the foreign substance and close the shutter to prevent the foreign substance from entering the receiving port. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the adverse effect on the processing operation caused by the foreign matter entering the coin processing machine and to achieve a smooth coin processing operation.

Further, according to the coin processing device of the invention of claim 2, in addition to the above, since the return detecting portion for detecting whether or not the shutter returns to the predetermined closed position after the shutter is opened, it is provided. For example, when a coin fixed on the end of the lead wire attached to the radio is inserted, even if the coin identification unit opens the shutter, the lead wire does not return the shutter to the closed position. Can be detected by the return detection unit to detect the occurrence of such mischief. Then, by prohibiting the payout of change or the like, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of paying out coins by the electromagnetic waves of the wireless device.

Further, according to the coin processing apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the shutter sends coins to the return passage in the closed state, so that the coin discriminating section does not discriminate the normal coins. It becomes possible to smoothly return the coins.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view of a coin processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a coin processing machine that constitutes the coin processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the coin processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view for explaining the operation of the coin processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical side view for explaining the operation of the coin processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical side view for explaining the operation of the coin processing device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Coin processor C Coin 1 Coin processor 4 Coin sorter 4 Sorting unit 6 Sorting unit 8-12 Change storage cylinder 20 Protecting device 23 Shutter 24 Driving unit 26 Coin identifying unit 27 Return detecting unit 28 Control device 41 Sorting gate

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A coin processing machine for selecting coins inserted in a receiving slot and storing them according to denomination, a coin discriminating section for identifying the authenticity of coins in a passage leading to the receiving slot of the coin processing machine. A coin processing device provided with a shutter that opens and closes the passage according to the identification result of the coin identification unit. 2. The coin processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a return detection unit that detects whether or not the shutter has returned to a predetermined closed position after the shutter is opened. 3. The coin processing device according to claim 1, wherein the shutter sends coins to the return passage in the closed state.