JPH0821105B2 - Coin replenishing device in coin depositing and dispensing machine - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a circulation-type coin depositing / dispensing machine, and in particular, a coin discriminating process (a part of depositing / dispensing process) or a dispensing process. The present invention relates to a coin replenishing device in a coin depositing / dispensing machine capable of replenishing a shortage of coins in a storage cylinder.

"Prior Art" As a device for replenishing coins in a storage cylinder of a circulation type coin depositing / dispensing machine, a device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-135976 is conventionally known.

This device selects the coins inserted from the coin deposit / withdrawal port through the deposit route and sends the coins into the corresponding coin storage cylinders, and the coins accumulated in the coin storage cylinders. A coin depositing / discharging means for sending the coins to a coin depositing / dispensing port through a gold runt, and a safe in which a large number of replenishing coins are stored is arranged in the vicinity of the dispensing route.

Further, in this coin depositing / dispensing machine, when the coins in the coin storage cylinder are insufficient, the discharge port of the safe is opened, and the coins in the safe are supplied into the dispensing route. There is.

"Problems to be Solved by the Invention" By the way, in the above-mentioned circulation type coin depositing / dispensing machine, when the coins in the safe are replenished, the coins are supplied into the dispensing route. When the coin is to be stored in the coin storage cylinder, it is necessary to pass through the deposit route of the coin dispensing means.

As a result, in the coin depositing / dispensing machine described above, while the coins in the safe are being replenished in the coin storage cylinder, it is not possible to deposit coins from the outside or dispense coins stored in the coin storage cylinder. During this time, there was a problem that a customer who was trying to pay out or deposit coins had to wait, which caused a great deal of trouble to the customer.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to replenish a coin storage cylinder with a shortage of coins while (a part of) deposit processing or withdrawal processing of coins is being performed. The object is to obtain a coin replenishing device for a possible coin depositing / dispensing machine.

[Means for Solving Problems] In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, coin depositing means for sorting coins inserted from the coin depositing / dispensing port and sending the coins to corresponding coin storing cylinders, and the coin storing means. In a coin dispenser of a circulation type, which comprises a coin dispensing means for taking out a coin stored in a cylinder and sending it to the coin dispensing opening through a dispensing route, wherein the coin depositing means is the coin depositing and dispensing opening. Discrimination means for discriminating the coins deposited from, the temporary storage means for temporarily storing the coins discriminated by the discrimination means, and the coins stored in the temporary storage means are received, and the coins are successively transferred one by one. The hopper to be discharged, the sorting storage route for storing the coins discharged from this hopper by each denomination and storing them in each coin storage cylinder, and the temporary storage when the discrimination result by the discrimination means is “OK”. A coin stored in the means is conveyed to the hopper, and, when the discrimination result by the discriminating means is "No", a sorting means for conveying the coin stored in the temporary storing means to the coin dispensing means and The coin dispensing unit is configured to, and the coin dispensing unit conveys the coins supplied from the coin storage cylinder or the coins supplied from the temporary storage unit through the sorting unit to a coin deposit / withdrawal port. ,
A coin storage box provided in the middle of the withdrawal route for storing coins exceeding the capacity of the coin storage cylinder; and a coin denomination of the coin storage cylinder at a position above the hopper. Is provided with an outlet of a replenishing safe for supplying and replenishing coins corresponding to.

[Operation] According to the present invention, since the outlet of the replenishing safe for supplying coins corresponding to the denomination of the coin storage cylinder is provided above the hopper, the coins in the coin storage cylinder are insufficient. In this case, replenishment coins are supplied into the hopper through the outlet. On the other hand, since coins are supplied to the hopper located on the downstream side of the temporary storage means by the outlet of the replenishment safe, the coins are discriminated by the discrimination means while the coin replenishment process from the replenishment safe is being performed through the hopper. It is possible to perform discrimination processing (a part of deposit processing) of coins.

Further, since coin replenishment from the replenishment safe to the coin storage cylinder does not use the withdrawal route of the coin withdrawal means, the coin withdrawal process is performed while the coin withdrawal route is being performed. It is possible to withdraw coins by gold processing.

On the other hand, in the middle of the withdrawal route, there is a coin storage box for storing coins that exceed the capacity of the coin storage cylinder. With such a coin storage box, coins that exceed the capacity of the coin storage cylinder can be stored. Even if the coin is deposited, the deposit process of the coin will not be delayed.

"Embodiment" An embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the schematic configuration of the coin depositing / dispensing machine will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a coin depositing / dispensing machine main body, and an coin depositing / dispensing port (coin depositing / dispensing port) for an operator to deposit and withdraw coins at an upper portion of the coin depositing / dispensing machine main body 1. Two are provided. This deposit / withdrawal port 2 is
A receiving tray 2a for storing coins is provided so as to rotate about a horizontal axis 2b. Below the deposit / withdrawal port 2, a receiving coin in a mixed state dropped from the receiving tray 2a is received. One hopper 3 is provided. The first hopper 3 is one in which the discs 3a are arranged in a tilted state, and the coins are continuously fed one by one toward the discrimination route (discrimination means) 4 by the rotation of the discs 3a. ing. Further, a discrimination section 4a is provided in the middle of the discrimination route 4 so as to determine the denomination and the number of coins sent from the first hopper 3 and calculate the total amount of the coins. Has become.

On the other hand, below the discrimination route 4, the discrimination route 4
A temporary storage belt (temporary storage means) 5 for temporarily storing the coins conveyed by is provided.

This temporary storage belt 5 is provided so that coins are placed on the upper surface of the conveyor, and the total amount of coins calculated by the discrimination unit 4a is determined to be correct (by the operator) (possible). In this case, after opening the gate 5a at the right end of the temporary storage belt 5 in the figure, the conveyor is moved to the right in the figure to deposit the coins stored on the upper surface of the second hopper (described later). If the total amount of coins is judged to be wrong (no), the gate 5b at the left end of the temporary storage belt 5 in the figure is opened, and the conveyor is moved to the left in the figure. The coin is moved and the coin is passed through a withdrawal route (reference numerals 11 to 13 will be described later) to the deposit / withdrawal port 2
Will be refunded from.

In addition, the judgment whether the total amount of the coins is correct is
The operation is performed by an operator who has inserted a coin into the deposit / withdrawal port 2 and presses a confirmation button (not shown).

As described above, the second hopper 6 into which coins are inserted is provided on the right side of the temporary storage belt 5 in FIG. Similar to the first hopper 3, the second hopper 6 is provided with a disc 6a in which coins are stored in an inclined state, and the coins are sorted and stored by a rotation route 7 of the discs 6a. It is designed to continuously feed one by one. The sorting / storing route 7 is arranged behind the temporary storage belt 5 in FIG. 1, and a gap portion (not shown) corresponding to the size of the coin diameter is provided along the starting direction of the coin. By passing the coins sent out from the second hopper 6 through the gap portion, the coins of 1 yen, 50 yen, 5 yen, 100 yen, 10 yen, and 500 yen can be obtained. The classified coin storage cylinders 8 are sequentially stored in the cylindrical bodies 8A to 8F.

When the coin storage cylinder 8 is full, the second hopper 6 is provided below the left end portion of the sorting storage route 7 in FIG.
A coin storage box 9 for storing coins sent from is provided.

A first payment belt 11 is provided below the coin storage cylinder 8 so that the coins discharged from the coin storage cylinder 8 are directed to the coin direction changing mechanism 12 on the upper part of the depositing / dispensing machine main body 1. It is designed to be transported.

The coin direction changing mechanism 12 has a slope (not shown) for transferring the coins conveyed by the first payment belt 11 to the second payment belt 13 connected to the deposit / withdrawal port 2. This slope corresponds to the first payment belt 11
Between the front of the coin dropping direction (indicated by reference numeral 11a) and one end of the second pay belt 13 (indicated by reference numeral 13a) in a U-shape in plan view and with its conveying surface inclined. It has been done. Further, a guide member (not shown) is provided outside the slope to slide the peripheral edge of the coin that slides down the slope to change the moving direction of the coin from left to right in FIG. . Then, the moving direction of the coin can be changed from left to right in FIG. 1 by these slopes and guide members.

The description of the coin direction changing mechanism 12 is described in detail in Japanese Patent Application No. 61-183079 filed previously by the present applicant.

Next, a coin replenishing device for replenishing the coin storage cylinder 8 with coins will be described.

In FIG. 1, the reference numeral 20 indicates a second hopper 6
It is a replenishing safe installed above the
A predetermined number of coins counted in advance are stored. The lower surface of the replenishing safe 20 is a gate 20a. When the gate 20a rotates about a shaft 20b and is in an open state (in the state shown in FIG. 1), the replenishing safe 20 The coins therein are sent to the supply passage (coin supply passage) 21.

The supply passage 21 is arranged vertically in an inclined state in order to connect the replenishment safe 20 and the second hopper 6, and the discharge port 21 below the supply passage 21.
a is provided above the disk 6a of the second hopper 6.

Then, the replenishment coins supplied into the disc 6a of the second hopper 6 via the supply passage 21 are sorted and stored in the sorting storage route 7
Each denomination is passed through and is sent to the storage cylinders 8A to 8F corresponding to the denomination for storage.

The replenishing safe 20 may be fixed to the coin depositing / dispensing machine body 1 or may be detachable from the coin depositing / dispensing machine body 1. When the replenishing safe 20 is configured to be detachable from the coin depositing / dispensing machine main body 1, the replenishing safe 20 and the coin depositing / dispensing machine main body 1 are engaged and disengaged. The gate 20a needs to be opened only when the coin depositing / dispensing machine main body 1 is engaged. Further, when the gate 20a is opened and the coins in the replenishing safe 20 are being fed into the second hopper 6, the gate 5a provided at the right end portion of the temporary storage belt 5 in the figure is in a closed state. (The state shown in FIG. 1) is set so that coins cannot be supplied to the second hopper 6 from the temporary storage belt 5 side.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2A to FIG.
A description will be given with reference to FIG.

First, before explaining the coin replenishing process shown in FIG. 2 (C), the coin withdrawing process and the coin depositing process will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B).

FIG. 2 (A) is a diagram showing a withdrawal process for withdrawing the coins stored in the coin storage cylinder 8 to the deposit / withdrawal port 2. That is, in the withdrawal process shown in FIG. 2 (A), when a withdrawal command is issued from the operation unit (not shown), coins of a denomination corresponding to the instructed command are withdrawn from the coin storage cylinder 8 and thereafter. , These coins are conveyed to the pay-in / pay-out port 2 and paid out through the first pay-out route 11, the coin direction changing mechanism 12, and the second pay-out route 13.

FIG. 2 (B) is a diagram showing a deposit process in which coins inserted into the deposit / withdrawal port 2 are selected and fed into the corresponding coin storage cylinders 8. That is, in the deposit process of FIG. 2 (B), first, when a coin is inserted into the tray 2a of the deposit / withdrawal port 2,
The saucer 2a rotates around the shaft 2b, and the coins in the saucer 2a are sent to the discrimination route 4.

Then, the coins sent to the discrimination route 4 are counted (the total amount is calculated) in the discrimination unit 4a and then placed on the upper surface of the temporary storage belt 5, and then the discrimination unit is operated by the operator. It is judged whether or not the coin discrimination result by 4a is correct. When the operator discriminates the coin discrimination result as “OK”, the gate 5a is opened and the coins on the temporary storage belt 5 are sent to the second hopper 6, and When the operator determines that the discrimination result of coins is “No”, the gate 5b is opened and the coins on the temporary storage belt 5 are sent to the payment belt 11.

Then, the coin sent to the second hopper 6 after the discrimination result by the operator is “OK” is the disc 6a of the hopper 6.
When the coins are rotated, they are sent to the next sorting and storing route 7 and sorted and stored in the corresponding coin storing cylinder 8.

FIG. 2 (C) is a diagram showing a coin replenishing process for taking out coins from the replenishing safe 20 and replenishing the coin storage cylinder 8. That is, in the coin replenishing process shown in FIG. 2 (C), when the coins in the coin storage cylinder 8 are insufficient and a replenishment command is issued from the operation unit (not shown), the gate 20a is opened (at this time, the gate 5a). Is closed), the coins in the refill safe 20 are supplied to the second hopper 6 via the common passage 21. And
The coins in the second hopper 6 are sorted by denomination through the sorting / storing route 7, and further the storage cylinder 8A corresponding to the denomination is selected.
It is sent to ~ 8F and replenished and stored.

While the coin replenishing process from the replenishing safe 20 to the coin storage cylinder 8 is being performed, the following (1)
The withdrawal process and the deposit process shown in (2) are possible.

(1) Withdrawal process The coin replenishing process shown in FIG. 2 (C) is performed with the depositing route (payment / withdrawal port 2 → first hopper 3 → discrimination route 4 → temporary storage belt 5 → gate 5a → second hopper 6). → Sorting storage route 7
→ Part of the coin storage cylinder 8) is used, and the withdrawal route (coin storage cylinder 8 → payment belt 11 → coin direction changing mechanism 12 →
Since the payment belt 13 → the deposit / withdrawal port 2) is not used, the dispensing process shown in FIG. 2 (A) can be performed in parallel with the coin replenishing process shown in FIG. 2 (C).

(2) Depositing process The coin replenishing process shown in FIG. 2 (C) is performed by the depositing route (payment / withdrawal port 2 → first hopper 3 → discrimination route 4 → temporary storage belt 5 → gate 5a → second hopper 6 → Sorted storage route 7
→ Since a part of the coin storage cylinder 8) is used, the deposit process can be performed within a range that does not affect the coin replenishment process.

That is, the coin replenishing process shown in FIG. 2 (C) is a part of the deposit route, that is, “second hopper 6 → selection storage route 7”.
→ "Coin storage cylinder 8" is used, so the coin deposit process is performed without using the coin deposit / withdrawal port 2 → the first hopper 3 → the discrimination route 4 → the temporary storage belt 5 Is possible (from this deposit / withdrawal port 2 to the temporary storage belt 5
The process up to is called the discrimination process).

Therefore, in the coin replenishing device in the coin depositing / dispensing machine, it is possible to perform the withdrawal process or the discrimination process (a part of the deposit process) in parallel with the coin replenishment process. Compared with the conventional coin replenishing device that could not perform both withdrawal processing and deposit processing, it is possible to greatly improve the work efficiency, and thus to try to deposit and withdraw coins. There is an effect that the waiting time of the customer who is operating can be suppressed to the minimum and the service to the customer can be improved.

Although the coin replenishing device is provided with the replenishing safe 20, the invention is not limited to this, and the replenishing safe 20 is not provided and only the supply passage 21 connected to the outside is provided in the vicinity of the second hopper 6. The second hopper 6 is provided through the supply passage 21.
Alternatively, a predetermined amount of coins may be supplied.

Also, in the process of judgment in the deposit process, the discrimination section
When the operator discriminates the coin discrimination result by 4a as correct (OK), the coin feeding to the second hopper 6 is temporarily suspended until the coin replenishing process is completed. Then, when the operator determines that the discrimination result of the coin by the discriminating unit 4a is wrong (no), the coin on the temporary storage belt 5 is changed to “gate 5b → payment belt 11 → coin direction changing mechanism 12”.
→ It is possible to pay out to the deposit / withdrawal port 2 through the payment belt 13.

In addition, it is desirable to store coins of the denomination that is most likely to run short in the replenishment safe 20, but a plurality of such replenishment safes 20 are provided for all (or some) denominations. In addition, it may be possible to immediately respond to which denomination is insufficient.

Further, the first hopper 3, the discrimination route 4, the temporary storage belt 5, the gate 5a, the second hopper 6, and the sorting storage route 7 are applied to the coin depositing means (the depositing route), and the payment belt 11, the coin direction. The conversion mechanism 12 and the payment belt 13 are applied to a coin dispensing means (dispensing route), and the replenishing safe 20, the gate 20a, and the supply passage 21 are applied to a coin replenishing device.

[Advantages of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, since the outlet of the replenishing safe for replenishing and supplying coins is provided above the hopper located on the downstream side of the temporary storage means,
While the coin replenishing process by the coin replenishing unit is being performed through the hopper, the discriminating process of the deposited coin (a part of the depositing process) can be performed by the discriminating unit. In addition, coin replenishment into the coin storage cylinder by the outlet of the replenishment safe is
Since we do not use the withdrawal route of coin withdrawal means,
While the coin replenishing process is being performed by the outlet of the replenishing safe, the coin dispensing process can be performed by the coin dispensing means.

Therefore, according to the present invention, in parallel with the coin replenishment process,
Since the withdrawal process or the discrimination process (a part of the deposit process) can be performed, the conventional coin replenishment device that cannot perform both the withdrawal process and the deposit process for the coin replenishment process In comparison, it is possible to greatly improve the work efficiency, thereby minimizing the waiting time of the customer who tries to deposit and withdraw coins, and to improve the service to the customer. The effect is that you can.

In the middle of the withdrawal route, a coin storage box for storing coins that exceed the capacity of the coin storage cylinder is provided. With such an effect storage box, coins that exceed the capacity of the coin storage cylinder can be stored. Even if the coin is deposited, the deposit processing of the coin is not delayed, and in this respect, the coin deposit processing can be efficiently performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 and 2 are views showing an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall schematic configuration thereof, and FIG. 2 (A) is a diagram showing a withdrawal processing operation of withdrawing coins stored in a coin storage cylinder to a deposit / withdrawal port, FIG. 2 ( B) is a diagram showing a deposit processing operation of sorting coins inserted into the deposit / withdrawal port and sending them to the corresponding coin storage cylinders 8, and FIG. 2 (C) is a coin storage cylinder for taking out coins from the replenishing safe It is a figure which shows the coin replenishment processing operation which replenishes. ◇ 2 ... deposit / withdrawal port (coin deposit / withdrawal port) ◇ coin depositing means (depositing route) 3 …… first hopper 4 …… discrimination route (discriminating means) 5 …… temporary storage belt (temporary storage means) 6 ... … Second hopper (hopper) 7 …… Sorting and storing route ◇ Coin withdrawing means (withdrawing route) 11 …… Payment belt 12 …… Coin direction changing mechanism 13 …… Payment belt ◇ Coin replenishing device 20 …… Refill safe 20a …… Gate 21 …… Supply passage (coin supply passage) 21a …… Discharge port ◇ 8 (8A-8F) …… Coin storage cylinder

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A coin depositing means for sorting coins inserted from a coin deposit / withdrawal port and sending them into corresponding coin storage cylinders, and a coin dispenser for transporting the coins stored in the coin storage cylinders to the coin deposit / withdrawal port. In a circulation type coin depositing / dispensing machine provided with a gold means, the coin depositing means is a discrimination means for discriminating the coins deposited from the coin depositing / dispensing port, and temporarily storing the coins discriminated by the discriminating means. A temporary storage means, a hopper that receives coins stored in the temporary storage means and continuously discharges the coins one by one, and coins discharged from the hopper are classified by denomination and each coin is stored. When the sorting storage route to be stored in the cylinder and the discrimination result by the discrimination means are “OK”, the coin stored in the temporary storage means is conveyed to the hopper, and the discrimination result by the discrimination means is “No”. "
In the case where the coins stored in the temporary storage means are distributed to the coin dispensing means, the sorting means, and the coin dispensing means, the coins supplied from the coin storage cylinder or the A withdrawal route that conveys the coins supplied from the temporary storage means via the allocating means to the coin deposit / withdrawal port, and a coin provided in the middle of the withdrawal route to store coins that exceed the capacity of the coin storage cylinder. A coin storage box, and an outlet of a replenishing safe for supplying and replenishing coins corresponding to the denomination of the coin storage cylinder is provided above the hopper. A coin replenishing device in a depositing and dispensing machine.