JPH08315221A - Coin throw-in device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To eliminate the possibility that rainwater enters a coin throw-in device through a coin insertion slot and leftover drink, etc., is poured by constituting an opening/closing body, provided to the coin throw-in slot, so that it is opened by receiving the throw-in load of a coin. CONSTITUTION: A nearly channel-shaped bracket 3 fixed integrally to a frame constituting the coin throw-in device has a couple of left and right throw-in opening members 5 and 6 arranged opposite to an external plate throw-in opening which is bored in an external plate and longitudinally long. One throw-in member 6 which form the coin throw-in slot is freely movable between a closure position where a coin passing path is closed and an opening position where it is opened, and this throw-in slot member 6 is normally positioned at the closure position by receiving a pressing force from a push body 9b, but moves to the opening position by receiving the throw-in load of the thrown-in coin. Consequently, the coin throw-in slot is opened only when the coin C is thrown in.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin inserting device such as an automatic vending machine, a pay rental room, a pay toilet, a coin shower, an automatic ticket vending machine and a coin timer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, many users are able to pay out articles by inserting coins (coins and designated coins) or use dedicated devices and auxiliary devices in many places. However, a coin insertion device is provided in these devices. By the way, the coin insertion device detects coins inserted from the insertion port, but the insertion port is always open, so that rainwater easily intrudes from here, and inconvenient However, foreign matter such as unfilled drinking water and sticks may be thrown in through this slot, which may obstruct the passage of coins and cause damage or rusting. It remains and becomes unusable. In addition, an electric system such as a detection switch that detects coins is arranged below the insertion slot, but damage to the electric system such as a serious failure due to the invading fluid (liquid) etc. There is.

On the other hand, most of such coin inserting devices are arranged indoors and outdoors. In such a case, an illegal user inserts a work tool such as a wire from the coin insertion slot to activate the coin detecting means, and pays out goods, steals special-purpose device equipment, auxiliary device equipment, and the person who illegally uses It is an insidious situation, and it is required to take security measures for this.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention was devised with the object of providing a coin insertion device capable of eliminating these drawbacks in view of the above-mentioned circumstances. In addition, an opening / closing body that opens upon receiving a coin insertion load is provided.

According to the present invention, with this structure, the coin slot is normally closed and is opened only when the coin is inserted.

[0006]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, 1 is a coin insertion device,
The bracket 3, which is substantially U-shaped and integrally fixed to the frame 2 that constitutes the charging device 1, has a pair of left and right charging holes that face the vertically long outer plate charging port 4a formed in the outer plate 4. Mouth members 5 and 6 are provided. These insertion port members 5 and 6 are a pair of wheels 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b provided in front of and behind the insertion coin C in the passage route, and these wheels 5 and 6, respectively.
A wide endless body 5c, 6c is suspended around a, 5b and 6a, 6b, respectively, but both left wheel bodies 5a, 5b are freely rotatable in a state of being positioned on the bracket 3. And the endless body 5c is set along the passage of the coin C. On the other hand, of the wheels 6a and 6b on the right side, the wheel 6a on the hand side of the passage is
A long hole (may be a groove or the like) 3a formed in the bracket 3 is rotatably and rotatably supported in the left-right direction (a direction in which the upper hand-side wheel body 5a on the left side is separated and contacted), and a lower-hand side wheel. The body 6b is rotatably supported while being positioned on the bracket 3. The endless body 6c suspended by the right wheel bodies 6a and 6b is a movable endless body that can move between the closed position where the upper hand side portion closes the coin passage path and the opened position where the coin passage passage is opened. Of the moving input port member. In this embodiment, 5d and 6d are auxiliary wheels. Incidentally, these insertion port members may be of a rotary roller type using those corresponding to the upper hand side wheels 5a and 6a instead of the endless type.

Reference numeral 7 is a drive motor provided integrally with the frame 2, and an output shaft 7a of the drive motor 7 is interlockingly connected to the lower hand wheel bodies 5b and 6b. By driving the drive motor 7 based on the control command, the endless bodies 5c and 6c are set to move toward the direction in which the inserted coin C is forcibly transferred to the lower side of the passage. In this embodiment, the lower hand wheels 5b and 6b are provided so as to be positioned slightly lower than the upper hand wheels 5a and 6a so that the coin C can be easily transferred to the lower side of the passage. Although consideration is given, the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper hand side wheels 5a and 6a and the lower hand side wheels 5b and 6b may be provided at the same height position.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a pressing member provided on the bracket 3. The pressing member 9 is a cylinder cylinder 9a integrally fixed to the bracket 3, and is moved in the left-right direction while penetrating the cylinder cylinder 9a. Pressing body 9b provided freely
And an ammunition 9c installed in the cylinder tube 9a to press the pressing body 9b. The tip end of the pressing body 9b abuts on the movable endless body 6c by the urging force of the ammunition 9c. Therefore, the movable endless body 6c is set to be pressed and biased toward the closed position side, but the roller 9d is pivotally supported at the tip of the pressing body 9b for transferring coins of the movable endless body 6c. Consideration is given not to give load resistance to the movement of. The movable endless body 6c is normally positioned at the closed position by the pressing force from the pressing body 9b, and in this state, the movable endless body 6c receives an insertion load based on the coin C being inserted from the outer plate insertion opening 4a, It is set to move to the opening position against the machine 9c.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an opening detection sensor provided on the bracket 3, and the opening detection sensor 10 detects movement of the pressing body 9b based on the movement of the movable endless body 6c to the opening position. Therefore, in the present embodiment, therefore, a photo switch method is used which detects the presence or absence of movement of the moving body 9e integrally fixed to the base end portion protruding from the bracket 3 of the pressing body 9b by the intermittent optical path. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various types such as a mechanical type using a microswitch can be adopted.

On the other hand, the frame 2 is provided with upper fixed guides 2a, 2a and a lower movable guide 2b for forming the coin passage A, and the lower movable guide 2b is Comprising the route switching means of the present invention, the coin return route B branched from the coin passing route A and a first guide position for guiding the inserted coin C to the coin receiving member 15 described later. The first support shaft 2 so as to swing and transform into the second guide position that guides to the side
It is pivotally supported by c. When the movable guide 2b is set to the second guide position, the coin passage path A is closed by the movable guide 2b, but the movable guide 2b is always urged toward the first guide position by the bullet 2d. By operating a return lever (not shown) or operating a movable guide actuator (for example, a solenoid) 29 based on a command from the controller 8, the movable guide 2d is displaced to a second guide position against the biasing force of the bullet 2d. It is set to.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a backing plate which is swingably supported at a position above the frame 2 via the second support shaft 12a so as to form the coin passage A. Passing coin detecting means for detecting coins passing through the route A is provided. That is, the opening 12b is opened in the backing plate 12, and the contact-type sensor arm 13 is arranged in the opening 12b to detect the contact of a passing object passing through the coin passing path A. In this embodiment, the sensor arm 13 is positioned so as to detect a passing object at the same timing after the detection by the opening detection sensor 10 accompanying the insertion of a coin is completed. Reference numeral 14 denotes a passing coin detection sensor, and the passing coin detection sensor 14 is interlockingly connected so as to perform detection operation based on the detection operation of the sensor arm 13.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a coin receiving member that is pivotally supported by the frame 2 via a third support shaft 15a so as to be positioned at the passage end position of the coin passage A. A coin receiving portion 15b is formed at the tip end of the coin, which is branched and formed into a substantially square shape, and receives and locks the peripheral portion of the coin C passing through the coin passage A. On the other hand, 25 is the first swing arm 25a
And the second swing arm 25b are link members bent and formed in a substantially L shape, and the bent portions are swingably supported by the frame 2 via a fourth support shaft 25c. However, a projection 25d that is in contact with the base end of the coin receiving member 15 is integrally fixed to the tip of the first swing arm 25a. Further, the tip end portion of the second swing arm 25b has a switch protrusion 16 of the coin detection sensor 16 including a micro switch.
It is in contact with a. And the coin receiving member 15 is
In an empty state where the coin receiving portion 15b does not receive the coin C, the urging force of a bullet (not shown) built in the coin detection sensor 16 is applied to the switch protrusion 16a and the link member 2.
When the coin C is received by the coin receiving portion 15b in this posture, the coin receiving member 15 receives the coins through the coin receiving portion 15b. Is changed to a coin detecting posture in which the coin receiving portion 15b side moves downward against the urging force of the sensor built-in ammunition, and the link member 25 swings about the fourth support shaft 25c as a fulcrum. As a result, the switch protrusion 16a is depressed and coin detection is performed. Incidentally, 17 is a coin receiving portion 15b.
A member for preventing falling of the coin C, which is received and locked by the support plate 17, is provided by a support shaft 17a.
Of the coin receiving portion 15b.
Biased towards the side.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a discharging device for discharging the coin C received by the coin receiving member 15.
The discharging device 18 includes an electric motor 19 and the electric motor 1
The ejecting body 20 is configured to have a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the notch 20a is formed in the peripheral surface thereof to form a cam. The claw 20b is provided. Then, the coin receiving member 15
The coin receiving portion 15b fits into the notch 20a in the coin waiting posture, and the coin receiving portion 15b escapes from the notch 20a in the lowered coin detecting posture and is positioned below the coin receiving portion 15b. The received coin C is loosely fitted into the notch 20a. Then, the electric motor 19 is driven for a preset timer time by the coin detection of the coin detection sensor 16 when the coin receiving member 15 is in the coin detection posture, and thereby the electric motor 19 is fitted into the loose fitting state. When the coin C to be matched is discharged by the cam claw 20b, the coin receiving portion 15
It is set to discharge from b.

By the way, when a plurality of coins C are inserted in the coin passage A, the coins C which are fitted in the loose fitting shape are inserted.
As soon as the coins are discharged, the succeeding coins will slide down and be received by the coin receiving portion 15b, so that the coin receiving member 15 continuously maintains the coin detecting posture until all the inserted coins are discharged. However, in the present embodiment, since the number of inserted coins is counted by the coin detection sensor 16, the coin receiving member 1 for the succeeding coin is used.
Consideration has been given to shifting the timing of sliding to No. 5. That is, reference numeral 21 is a stopper provided so as to be retractable at a position above the coin receiving portion 15b of the coin passage A, and the stopper 21 is a first swing support shaft rotatably supported by the frame 2. The stopper 21 is integrally attached to the coin 26, and the stopper 21 is retracted from the coin passage A by the ammunition 27 interposed between the first swing support shaft 26 and the frame 2. It is always urged toward the immersion position side that allows the passage of. On the other hand, a cam body 2 having a notch 20c on the outer peripheral side of the bottom of the discharge body 20.
0d is provided. Reference numeral 28 denotes a second swing support shaft rotatably supported by the frame 2, and the second swing support shaft 28 has first and second actuating arms 2 protruding in opposite directions.
8a and 28b are integrally provided, but the first protrusion 28c attached to the tip of the first operating arm 28a is in contact with the cam body 20d of the discharge body 20, and the second operating arm is also provided. The second protrusion 28d attached to the tip of 28b is in contact with the stopper actuating arm 26a provided integrally with the first swing support shaft 26. Further, the coin receiving portion 1
The first protrusion 28c at the tip of the first operating arm 28a is set to fit into the notch 20c of the cam body 20d while the 5b is fitted into the notch 20a of the discharge body 20. Then, when the preceding coin C is received by the coin receiving portion 15b and the coin receiving member 15 is in the coin detecting posture, the electric motor 19 is driven by the coin detection of the coin detecting sensor 16 to rotate the discharging body 20 as described above. However, with this, the first protrusion 28c comes out of the notch 20c and comes into contact with the outer peripheral edge of the cam body 20d, and the first operating arm 28a swings in the direction of arrow D in FIG. . Further, the second operating arm 28b swings in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 6 in conjunction with the swing of the first operating arm 28a, and along with this, the second protrusion 2 at the tip of the second operating arm 28b.
8d presses the stopper actuating arm 26a, whereby
The stopper 21 projects against the urging force of the bullet 27 into the coin passage A to prevent the succeeding coin C from sliding down. Then, the protruding stopper 21 has the first protrusion 28c again with the notch 20 at the same timing that the preceding coin C is discharged by the discharging operation of the cam claw 20b and the coin receiving member 15 returns to the coin waiting posture.
By returning to the immersive position by immersing in c, the subsequent coin C
Is configured to be allowed to slide to the coin receiving portion 15b side. There is a slight time lag from when the preceding coin C is received by the coin receiving portion 15b until the stopper 21 projects, but in the present embodiment, the coin C is
Is a structure in which the coins are transferred by the endless bodies 5c and 6c, the preceding coin C and the succeeding coin C sliding down the coin passage A are not in a completely continuous state, and the time lag is not a problem. Absent.

On the other hand, the control section 8 is composed of a microcomputer, and the control section 8 is provided with detection means such as the opening detection sensor 10, the passing coin detection sensor 14, the coin detection sensor 16 and the like. Input the signal,
Drive motor 7, electric motor 19, and actuating actuator (actuator for carrying out products,
One or more may be used. ) 22, informing means 23, movable guide actuator 29, etc., and outputs a control command.

The main routine of the coin insertion control in the control unit 8 will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 10. After the system is started and the initial settings are made, the opening detection control, the passage detection control, and the coin ejection are performed. Control and product payment control subroutines are sequentially performed.

Next, the opening detection control subroutine will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 11. First, it is determined whether or not the opening detection sensor 10 is detecting. Here, when it is determined that the detection is performed, it is subsequently determined whether or not F ₁ (flag ₁ ) is set to “0”. When F ₁ is set to “0”, F ₁ is set to “1” and the first timer T ₁ is started, and then the drive motor 7 is driven to transfer the coin C. On the other hand, when F ₁ is not “0”, that is, when it is set to “1”, the drive motor 7 is driven as it is. Next, in the control unit 8, the first timer T
Whether ₁ has passed the preset first timer time t ₁ (the first timer time t ₁ is set to a time commensurate with the passage of the coins 5 and 6) Make a decision. Here, if the first timer time t ₁ has not elapsed, the process returns to the main routine, while the first timer time t 1
_When it is determined that ₁ has passed, it is considered that some abnormality has occurred, an operation command is output to the notification means 23, and the movable guide 2b is moved to the movable guide actuator 29 to the second position. An operation command is output to set the guide position to block the coin passage path A, and the drive motor 7
Is stopped, the first timer T ₁ is reset, and F ₁ is set to “0”. On the other hand, if it is determined that the opening detection sensor 10 does not detect, the stop command is output to the drive motor 7 and the first timer T ₁ is reset. And F ₁ is set to “0”.

Further, the passage detection control subroutine will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 12. First, it is determined whether or not the passage coin detection sensor 14 is detected. Here, when it is determined that the detection is performed, it is subsequently determined whether or not F ₂ (flag ₂ ) is set to “0”. And after to start the second timer T ₂ to set the F ₂ to "1" when the F ₂ is set to "0", also in the case where F ₂ is set to "1" Subsequently, the second timer T ₂ has passed a preset second timer time t ₂ (the second timer time t ₂ is set to a time commensurate with the passage of the coin through the sensor arm 13). Determine whether or not. Here, if the second timer time t ₂ has not elapsed, the process returns to the main routine, while if it is determined that the second timer time t ₂ has elapsed, it is considered that some abnormality has occurred. Then, an operation command is output to the notification means 23, and an operation command is output to the movable guide actuator 29 so as to set the movable guide 2b to the second guide position to close the coin passage path A and ( ₂ ) Reset the timer T ₂ ,
Further, set F ₂ to “0”. On the other hand, if it is determined that the passing coin detection sensor 14 does not detect it, the second timer T ₂ is reset and F ₂ is set to “0”. .

Further, the coin discharge control subroutine will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 13. First, it is determined whether or not the coin detection sensor 16 is detected. Here, when it is determined that the coin is detected, a drive command is output to the electric motor 19, and subsequently it is determined whether or not the coin detection sensor 16 was previously detected. Here, if it was not detected last time, the number of coins is counted, and then the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if it was also detected previously, the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, the coin detection sensor 16
If it is determined that is not detected, it outputs a stop command to the electric motor 19.

In the commodity payment control subroutine, after the coin is discharged by the coin discharge control, an operation command for carrying out the product is output to the operation actuator 22. The details are as follows. Since it is out of the range of the coin insertion device 1, the description thereof will be omitted here.

In the embodiment of the present invention constructed as described above, the one insertion port member 6 forming the coin insertion port is
It is configured to be movable between a closed position that closes the coin passage path and an open position that opens the coin passage path.
Is normally located at the closed position by receiving the pressing force from the pressing body 9b, but is moved to the open position by receiving the insertion load based on the insertion of the coin C. As a result, the coin slot is opened only when coins are inserted, and like the conventional one that is always open, rainwater enters from the slot and drinking water left unintentioned by unskilled people. It is possible to avoid the fear that the coins will be poured in and the like, and to avoid damage to the coin passage path, rusting, coin jamming, failure of the electric system such as the detection switch, etc. due to these.

Further, when the coin C passes through the insertion port members 5 and 6, it will pass under the pressing force of the pressing body 9b through the insertion port member 6, but in this case, they face each other. The coin insertion members 5 and 6 are driven by the drive motor 7 that is driven based on the detection of the opening of the insertion member 6.
Since the coin C is forcibly transferred to the lower side of the passage route by rotating in the direction along which the coin C is inserted, the coin C is automatically sent to the lower side of the passage route. There is no fear that the coin C will stop at the 5 and 6 parts.

Further, in this device, the aperture detection sensor 10
And when the passing coin detection sensor 14 detects the time exceeding preset timer times t ₁ and t ₂ , the coin C or a foreign object is jammed, or an inadequate person uses a wire or the like from the coin insertion slot. The foreign matter is inserted into the coin passage passage, and the alarm means 23 is activated on the assumption that some abnormality has occurred, and the coin passage passage A is blocked by the movable guide 2b. There is no concern that the clogged object will be left as it is or that the clogged object will move further to the inner side, and it is preferable for crime prevention measures.

It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and a pair of horizontally arranged upper and lower inlet port members 30, 31 may be used as the inlet port member as shown in FIG. Of course it can be done. In this case, if the hopper 32 is provided in the middle of the coin passage and the coins are turned by the hopper 32, the members such as the coin receiving member, the discharging device and the stopper are the same as those used in the above embodiment. be able to.

[0025]

In summary, since the present invention is constructed as described above, an opening / closing member is provided at the coin insertion slot, and this opening / closing member is inserted based on the insertion of a coin. It will be opened under load. As a result, the coin slot is opened only when coins are inserted, and like the conventional one that is always open, rainwater enters from the slot and drinking water left unintentioned by unskilled people. It is possible to avoid the fear that the coins will be poured in and the like, and to avoid damage to the coin passage path, rusting, coin jamming, failure of the electric system such as the detection switch, etc. due to these. Furthermore, when the detection signal from the opening detection means or the passing coin detection means is input for more than the preset timer time, coins or foreign objects are jammed, or an inadequate person can wire from the coin slot. The coin passage route is blocked by deciding that some abnormality has occurred, such as inserting a foreign object, etc., and activating the notification means or switching the route switching means to the coin return route side. It is possible to avoid the risk of being left as it is, moving the clogged object further inward, and is also preferable in terms of crime prevention measures.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a coin insertion device.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the coin insertion device.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the coin insertion device showing a state where a contact plate is removed.

FIG. 4 (X) is a front view of the insertion port member when the movable endless body is in the closed position, and (Y) is a front view of the insertion port member when the movable endless body is in the open position.

FIG. 5 (X) is a plan view of the insertion port member portion when the movable endless body is in the closed position, and (Y) is a plan view of the insertion port member portion when the movable endless body is in the open position.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an ejection device unit in a coin waiting state.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a discharging device portion when an electric motor is driven.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an ejector unit.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing input / output to / from a control unit.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a main routine of coin insertion control.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of opening detection control.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of passage detection control.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of coin ejection control.

FIG. 14 is a view of an input port member showing another example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 coin insertion device 2b movable guide 5 insertion port member 5c endless body 6 insertion port member 6c endless body 7 drive motor 8 control unit 9c ammunition machine 10 opening detection sensor 14 passing coin detection sensor 23 notification means A coin passage route B coin return route

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A coin insertion device, wherein an opening / closing member that opens upon receiving a coin insertion load is provided at a coin insertion slot. 2. The opening / closing body according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing body is movably provided at an opening position that allows passage of inserted coins and a closing position that closes the insertion port, and the moving member. A coin insertion device, which is configured by using an ammunition that urges in a closing direction of the insertion slot. 3. The moving input port member according to claim 2,
A coin insertion device, wherein the coin insertion device is arranged in at least one of the insertion ports. 4. The moving input port member according to claim 3,
A coin insertion device, which is arranged on one side of an insertion opening, and the other insertion opening member facing the moving insertion opening member is arranged at a position along a coin insertion path in a state of not being opened and closed. 5. The coin insertion device according to claim 2, wherein the insertion slot is provided with opening detection means for detecting that the movable insertion slot member has moved to the opening position. . 6. The coin-inserting member according to claim 5, wherein each of the inserting-port members facing each other is a rotating member that rotates in a direction along which a coin is inserted. A coin insertion device, which is interlocked with a drive motor which is driven to rotate a rotating member in a direction along a coin inserting direction. 7. The coin inserting device according to claim 6, wherein the rotating member is a rotating roller that is rotatably supported, or an endless body suspended by a plurality of wheels. 8. The detection signal from the aperture detection means is input to the control unit to which the detection signal from the aperture detection means is input, for more than a predetermined timer time. A coin insertion device, characterized in that it is provided with an informing operation means for outputting an operation command to the informing means. 9. The passing coin detecting means according to claim 1, wherein a passing coin detecting means is provided in a passing path of the inserted coin, and a control signal to which a detection signal from the passing coin detecting means is inputted is provided. A coin insertion device, characterized in that auxiliary coin actuating means is provided for outputting an actuation command to the notifying means based on the fact that the detection signal is input for longer than a predetermined timer time. 10. The coin return path according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a coin return path is branched and formed, and a path switching means is provided at the branch portion for switching and guiding the coin between the coin passage path and the coin return path. Connecting the route switching means to the coin return route side in response to an operation command from the control unit when the detection signal from the passing coin detection means has passed a predetermined timer time Coin insertion device characterized by.