JPH10302109A - Automatic change payment device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify maintenance and a structure by preventing powdery dust from sticking to an optical sensor for coin detection. SOLUTION: With respect to an automatic change payment device which pays coins C in a coin storage part 16 by a coin discharge part 28, a light- transmissive sensor cover 33 which covers an optical sensor 26 (a photodetector 26b in this example) is fitted to a through hole 37 formed in a guide plate 34 which determines a carrying route of coins C. Then, powdery dust is prevented from sticking to the optical sensor 26. The sensor cover 33 is fitted to the through hole 37 with a step, which is recessed in such degree from the surface of the guide plate 34 that minute powdery dust can be stored in this step, formed in the through hole to prevent the sensor cover 33 from being flawed, add further, powdery dust is stored in the recessed part in the through hole 37, which is formed by the difference in height between the surface of the sensor cover 33 and that of the guide plate 34, to prevent powdery dust from flowing out to other parts. Further, the step formed in the through hole 37 is made small-sized to easily sweep away powdery dust stuck to the surface of the sensor cover 33.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic change dispensing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of coin storage sections divided for each denomination are arranged in parallel, and these coin storage sections are arranged in a size of 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, 500 yen, or the like. Storing coins, POS terminal (Point Of Sales) and ECR (Electronic
There is an automatic change dispensing device that pays out coins in a coin storage unit to a coin payout exit by a belt when there is a change according to a command from a cash register.

In such an automatic change dispensing device, the operation of each section is controlled by detecting the quality of the coin being transported.
In order to count the number of coins stored in the coin storage unit or the number of coins paid out from the coin storage unit, an optical sensor is arranged in the coin transport path.

One example is shown in FIG. In this example, in order to pay out the coin C in the coin storage section 16 for storing coins C by denomination to a coin payout port (not shown), the coin storage section 16 is provided.
A payout belt 17 is provided to extend from the bottom surface of the coin to the coin payout exit. The payout belt 17 is suspended around a driving roller 18 and a driven roller 19, respectively. A separation roller 20 for separating the coins C one by one is provided at an outlet of the coin storage unit 16. At a downstream side of the separation roller 20, the coins C are temporarily stopped for each denomination and necessary. A coin shutter 23 whose operation is controlled so as to feed out a number of coins C is supported rotatably about a support shaft 24. These coin shutters 23 have one end 23.
a, the leading coin C on the payout belt 17 is pressed, but when the shutter solenoid 25 connected to the other end is driven, the coin C is rotated around the support shaft 24 to pay out the designated number of coins C. It is configured to put out. Further, immediately after each coin shutter 23, a payout sensor 26 as an optical sensor for counting the number of coins paid out for each denomination is provided. The payout sensor 26 is a transmission type sensor in which a light emitting element 26a and a light receiving element 26b are arranged to face each other.
A through hole 37 is formed in the guide plate 34 that supports the payout belt 17 and defines the transport path of the coins C. The light emitting element 26a and the light receiving element b are arranged to face each other with the through hole 37 interposed therebetween.

Accordingly, the coin C in the coin storage section 16 is rotated by rotating the payout belt 17 to cause the coin shutter 23 to move.
The coin is conveyed until it comes into contact with one end 23a of the coin, and waits for payout. When the coin solenoid 23 is opened by driving the shutter solenoid 25, the coin is paid out. The coins paid out at this time are detected by the payout sensor 26, and the number of coins paid out is counted by incrementing the counter each time the selection signal is output.

An automatic change dispensing apparatus having a coin denomination discriminating function uses an optical sensor in a coin transport path from a coin slot to a denomination discriminating unit to detect a state of coin transport. ing. The optical sensor in this case is provided with a structure substantially similar to the optical sensor 26 described above.

[0007]

In such an automatic change dispensing apparatus, dust such as wear debris generated by the rubbing of coins C and dust or the like adhering to the conveying path and conveying members of the coins C adheres to the coins C. Then, the dust is carried by the coin C and the payout belt 17 and moves, and falls from the through hole 37. For this reason, the light receiving element 26b becomes dirty and the coin C cannot be detected if left unattended. Since it is very difficult to clean the light receiving element 26b disposed below the guide plate 34, the cleaning member 50 is required for easy cleaning. Therefore, the number of parts increases.

In this example, the cleaning member 50 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 51, and wipes off dust adhering to the surface of the light receiving element 26b by swinging the cleaning member 50. In order to separate the cleaning member 50 from the light receiving element 26b when the hand is released, a spring 52
In order to stabilize the cleaning member 50 at a fixed position against the urging force of the spring 52, a stopper (not shown) that contacts the cleaning member 50 is provided. However, there is a problem that the number of parts further increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and prevents dust from adhering to an optical sensor for detecting the passage of a coin, and further simplifies maintenance and the structure.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
An automatic change dispensing apparatus including a coin storage unit for storing the conveyed coins by denomination and a coin dispensing unit that conveys the coins in the coin storage unit and pays out the coins to a coin payout exit, defines a conveyance path of the coins. A through hole is formed in the guide plate, and an optical sensor for optically detecting the passage of coins is disposed opposite to the through hole, and a light-transmitting sensor cover that covers the optical sensor is fitted in the through hole. At the same time, the surface of the sensor cover was recessed from the surface of the guide plate to form a step to such an extent that minute dust was collected. As the optical sensor, a transmissive optical sensor may be used (claim 2), or a reflective optical sensor may be used (claim 3).

Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the optical sensor by the sensor cover. Also, the sensor cover is fitted into a through hole formed in the guide plate that defines the coin transport path, but the sensor cover is fitted into the through hole with its surface slightly recessed from the surface of the guide plate. As a result, the sensor cover is not damaged, and the dust such as dust is collected in the concave portion in the through-hole created by the step between the surface of the sensor cover and the surface of the guide plate, and the dust to other parts is not collected. Outflow can be prevented. In this case, since the step in the through hole is small, dust adhering to the surface of the sensor cover can be easily wiped off.

Here, both the light-transmitting type and the reflection-type light sensors have an element forming a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element. For the purpose of the invention, the element protected by the sensor cover is:
The elements disposed below the guide plate that determines the coin transport path, and the elements disposed close to the surface of the guide plate even when disposed above the guide plate are targets.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a longitudinal left side view showing the relationship between a coin storage section and a coin payout section, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the whole, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the entire appearance, FIG. 4 is a coin storage section and a coin payout section. FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a support structure of the light receiving element of the optical sensor.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
A coin insertion slot 2 is provided at the front right side of the coin insertion slot 2 and is open upward to receive coins C collectively. The coin insertion slot 2 is provided with a plurality of sets of insertion sensors 3 that photoelectrically detect the presence or absence of the coin C. A loading roller 4 is provided at one end of the coin loading slot 2, and a loading section 5 is formed by the loading roller 4 and the coin loading slot 2. The input rollers 4 are disposed directly above the input belt 6 that conveys the coins C in a row with a gap through which one coin C passes. The rotation direction of the input roller 4 is determined so that when the coin C is superimposed on the input belt 6, coins C other than the lowermost coin C are returned to the coin insertion slot 2 side.

The feeding belt 6 is provided with a conveyor belt 7 having a higher conveying speed so that the coins C can be fed at a predetermined gap by increasing the feeding speed of the coins C. Are continuously provided. An outer diameter check unit 9 for checking the outer diameter of the coin C and a denomination determining unit (not shown) for determining the denomination of the coin C are provided on the conveyor belt 7. A reject overflow section 10 is provided at the end of the outer diameter check section 9. The reject overflow section 10 interrupts coin transport and removes the transported coin C when the transported coin C is not a genuine coin or when a coin storage section described later is full. . Further, the transport belt 8
Is provided with a transport belt 11 for converting the transport direction to a right angle and transporting the coin C to the coin sorting position. The input roller 4, the input belt 6, and the transport belts 7, 8, and 11 constitute a coin transport unit that transports the coin C inserted into the coin slot 2 to a coin sorting position.

Next, a sorting hole 12 for each denomination whose hole width dimension is sequentially increased along the conveyor belt 11 is provided, and a coin sorting portion 13 located at a coin sorting position is formed therein. Sorting hole 12 is 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 1
6 for each denomination of 00 yen and 500 yen
Are provided. A counting sensor 14 is provided for each sorting hole 12. Further, a coin storage section 16 having an upper opening which is separated by a partition plate 15 for each coin C in communication with each of the sorting holes 12 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, a payout belt 17 is provided on a bottom surface of the coin storage section 16 so as to be suspended between a driving roller 18 and a driven roller 19. Payout belt 1
Numeral 7 is a set of two long and short coins forming a pair for each type of coin C, and is inclined and arranged so that the height increases toward the downstream side in the coin transport direction. A separation roller 20 for separating the coins C one by one is provided at the outlet of the coin storage unit 16.
Are provided so as to traverse all the exit portions, and a coin standby section 21 is provided for each denomination, in which a predetermined number of coins C are arranged in a line and made to stand by. Payout belt 1
The longer one of 7 extends to the coin standby unit 21 and passes through the coin standby unit 21 to the coin payout position.
In addition, the coin waiting section 21 has two
A presser plate 22 having a dimension so that more than one coin C does not overlap is provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, operation control is performed on the upper portion of the vicinity of the tip end of each payout belt 17 so as to temporarily stop the coins C by denomination and to send out the required number of coins C. Coin shutter 23 is the spindle 2
4 is supported so as to be freely rotatable. These coin shutters 23 hold the leading coin C on the payout belt 17 at one end 23a, but rotate around the support shaft 24 when the shutter solenoid 25 connected to the other end is driven to specify the coin. It is configured to pay out coins C by the number of coins. Further, immediately after each coin shutter 23, the payout sensor 26, which is an optical sensor for counting the number of coins paid out for each denomination, and the material of the coins C paid out for each denomination are inspected. And a payout check sensor (not shown) for checking whether the coin is a genuine coin. These payout check sensors are a type of magnetic sensor such as a proximity switch that reacts to metal. Here, a coin payout unit 28 having a conveyor belt structure configured to convey coins C stored in the coin storage unit 16 by denomination and drop them to a coin payout position is configured.

Further, the payout belt 17 of the coin payout section 28
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a housing-shaped coin outlet 29 having an open upper surface is arranged at a coin payout position where the coin C is dropped by denomination. A drawer 30 (see FIG. 3) constituting a drawer (not shown) is provided in a space formed below the payout belt 17 and the coin payout port 29, which are components of the coin payout section 28, inside the main body case 1. It is provided so that it can be pulled out under the control of the terminal / ECR. Further, a display 31 and various operation units 32 are provided on the left side of the main body case 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the aforementioned payout sensor 2
Reference numeral 6 denotes a transmission type optical sensor having a light emitting element 26a and a light receiving element 26b. The upper surface and the periphery of the light receiving element 26b are covered with a cup-shaped sensor cover 33 made of a translucent material. The light receiving element 26b defines a conveyance path for the coin C and is below a guide plate 34 that supports the payout belt 17 from below. Are located in The guide plate 34 has a sensor cover 3
A cylindrical fitting portion 35 that holds the outer periphery of 3 is integrally formed. The light emitting element 26a is supported in a fitted state by a cylindrical support 36 having a lower end opening fixedly provided above the guide plate 34. Further, a through hole 37 corresponding to the optical axis of the light emitting element 26a and the light receiving element 26b is formed in the guide plate 34 as shown in FIG. A circular boss 33 a formed at the tip of the sensor cover 33 is fitted into the through hole 37. In this fitted state, the circular boss 33a
The guide plate 34 is fitted so as to be slightly depressed from the surface of the guide plate 34 such that minute dust is collected in the through hole 37, and a step h is formed between the surface of the circular boss 33a and the surface of the guide plate 34. The positions of the optical axes of the light emitting element 26a and the light receiving element 26b are set at positions off the center of the coins C to be paid out in a line.

In such a configuration, when a coin C is inserted into the coin insertion slot 2, the insertion sensor 3 detects the coin C, and based on the detection signal, the input roller 4, the input belt 6, and the transport belts 7, 8. , The conveyor belt 11 is driven.
For this reason, the coins C inserted into the coin insertion slot 2 are separated and conveyed one by one between the input roller 4 and the input belt 6, and are conveyed with the interval between the coins C widened by the conveying belt 7. Is done. In the process, the outer diameter check unit 9 and a denomination determining unit (not shown) determine whether the coin is a genuine coin or a false coin. If the coin is not genuine or the coin storage unit 16 overflows, the coin C is rejected by the reject overflow unit 10.

If the coin storage section 16 does not overflow, the coin C determined to be genuine is changed in direction from the conveyor belt 8 to the conveyor belt 11 and is conveyed.
The sorting is done for each denomination. That is, the coins are dropped into the sorting hole 12 according to the denomination and are stored in the coin storage unit 16. The number of coins C dropped from the sorting hole 12 is counted by the counting sensor 14. When there is no coin C in the coin standby unit 21, the operation control is performed so that the payout belt 17 is driven and a predetermined number of coins C are always present in the coin standby unit 21.

Next, the closing process is performed in the POS terminal / ECR, and when there is a coin C payout command from the POS terminal / ECR, the payout belt 17 is driven and the coin shutter 23 is opened for each denomination. Since it is driven by the solenoid 25, a required number of coins C are sent out. The coin C thus sent out is paid out to the coin payout port 29.

The coin C thus dispensed is detected to have passed by a change in the output of the light receiving element 26b every time the optical axis between the light emitting element 26a and the light receiving element 26b is blocked. In this case, the light emitting element 26a and the light receiving element 26b
Is set at a position deviated from the center of coins C to be dispensed in a line, so that even if a plurality of coins C continuously pass in contact with each other, the light receiving element 26b Outputs pulses corresponding to the number of sheets passed. Since this output is incremented by a counter (not shown) or the like, the number of coins C paid out is counted.

In this case, even if the coin C or dust adhering to the payout belt 17 is carried along the surface of the guide plate 34, the light receiving element 26b of the payout sensor 26 located below the guide plate 34 Since it is covered by the sensor cover 33, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the light receiving element 26b. The sensor cover 33 is fitted in a through hole 37 formed in the guide plate 34 that defines the transport path of the coin C. However, the sensor cover 33 has a minimum step such that small dust can be collected in the through hole 37. Since it is fitted in the through hole 37 in the state where the h is formed, it is not rubbed by the payout belt 17, and therefore, is not scratched. Further, since dust can be accumulated in the concave portion in the through hole 37 caused by the step h between the surface of the sensor cover 33 and the surface of the guide plate 34, it is possible to prevent the dust from flowing out to other portions.
In this case, since the step h in the through hole 37 is small, dust adhering to the surface of the sensor cover 33 can be easily wiped. Note that if the step h is deep, it is difficult to wipe off dust and the like, and if it is shallow, the step h is damaged by contact with the coin C.
mm is desirable.

The light emitting element 26a may be provided inside the sensor cover 33 fitted in the through hole 37 of the guide plate 34, and the light receiving element 26b may be supported by the upper support 36. When a guide plate (not shown) for holding coins C is disposed opposite to guide plate 34 above and guides light emitting element 26a or light receiving element 26b close to the surface of the guide plate above it, Since dust also adheres to the elements 26a and 26b, a through hole similar to the through hole 37 is also formed in the upper guide plate, and the light emitting element 26a or the light receiving element is provided inside the sensor cover fitted in the through hole. The element 26b may be provided. Also in this case, the sensor cover is fitted into the through hole such that a step is formed between the surface of the guide plate and the surface of the sensor cover in the through hole formed in the upper guide plate. Further, in the case of a reflection type optical sensor, both the light emitting element and the light receiving element are covered with a sensor cover, and the sensor cover is fitted into the guide plate 34 or the through hole of the guide plate facing the same. Is also good.

Further, in the present embodiment, the coin slot 2
Has a function of discriminating a denomination between the coin C and the coin storage unit 16. However, in the case of an optical sensor that is arranged in the conveyance path of the coin C and optically detects the passage of the coin C, the coin C Since there is damage and adhesion of dust due to contact with the optical sensor, the present invention can be applied to such an optical sensor regardless of the position of the optical sensor.

[0028]

The present invention provides an automatic change dispensing system comprising a coin storage unit for storing conveyed coins by denomination, and a coin dispensing unit for conveying coins in the coin storage unit and dispensing the coins to a coin payout port. In the apparatus, a through hole is formed in a guide plate that defines a coin transport path, and an optical sensor that optically detects the passage of a coin is provided opposite to the through hole, and the optical sensor is fitted in the through hole and Since the light-transmitting sensor cover that covers the optical sensor is provided, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the optical sensor with the sensor cover. The sensor cover is fitted into a through hole formed in the guide plate that defines the coin conveyance path, but the surface of the sensor cover is slightly smaller than the surface of the guide plate to such an extent that small dust is collected in the through hole. The sensor cover is not damaged because it is fitted in a recessed state.Furthermore, dust such as dust accumulates in the recess in the through hole created by the step between the surface of the sensor cover and the surface of the guide plate. Thus, it is possible to prevent dust from flowing out to other parts. In this case, since the step in the through hole is small, dust adhering to the surface of the sensor cover can be easily wiped off.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal left side view showing a relationship between a coin storage unit and a coin payout unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall plan view.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a coin storage unit and a coin payout unit.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a support structure of a light receiving element of the optical sensor.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal left side view showing a relationship between a coin storage unit and a coin payout unit in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 C Coin 16 Coin storage unit 26 Optical sensor 28 Coin payout unit 29 Coin payout port 33 Sensor cover 34 Guide plate 37 Through hole h Step

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An automatic change dispensing apparatus comprising: a coin storage unit for storing conveyed coins by denomination; and a coin dispensing unit that conveys coins in the coin storage unit and pays out the coins to a coin payout port. A through hole is formed in the guide plate that defines the transport path of the light source, and an optical sensor that optically detects the passage of coins is provided opposite to the through hole, and a translucent material that covers the optical sensor in the through hole. Wherein the sensor cover is fitted with the sensor cover, and the surface of the sensor cover is recessed from the surface of the guide plate so as to form a step so as to accumulate minute dust. 2. The automatic change dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein a light-transmitting optical sensor is used as the optical sensor. 3. The automatic change dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein a reflection type optical sensor is used as the optical sensor.