JPH11339093A - Coin hopper device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To send necessary pieces of coins of required denomination from each storing part based on a pay signal that is issued from a register, etc., at the time of payment by making a means which is for guiding a coin from a pay means to outlet means consist of two pins, a leaf spring and other springs. SOLUTION: Regulating pins 45 are disposed in the neighborhood of an outlet part provided on a wall member to pass a 10-yen coin. The pins 45 are planted on a free edge part of a leaf spring 46 attached to the lower plane side of a board 25 at one edge and project from the upper surface of the board 25 through holes 25m which are mutually formed concentrically on a body part 25f and a cam plate 25h. And, because the spring 46 is bendable, they are freely come out and go down from the upper surface of the board. Further, the spring 46 is fastened to the board 25 through washers 48 and coil springs 49 by using machine screws 47.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin hopper for discharging coins stored in a bulk state one by one.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin hopper device suitable for a coin receiving and dispensing device installed in a food counter or a fast food shop. The term “coin” in this specification includes coins that are currencies and small discs such as medals and tokens for games.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, at a store, a sales clerk inputs and records the amount of goods purchased by a customer into a register. On the other hand, the paid money is counted and classified, sorted in the register for each denomination, and coins and bills of each denomination are taken out in order to pass change.

[0003]

However, giving and receiving such complicated money to a large number of customers consumes a relatively large amount of time. In addition, there is a task of recording the sales amount in a register by key operation input or post input. As a result, there are inconveniences such as a long queue waiting at the cash register during busy times. In particular, when an unfamiliar person takes charge of the cash register operation, the waiting time is lengthened, which causes a change error or the like.

In many cases, money received from a customer and stored in a cash register is used as change. Therefore, it is difficult to grasp the amount of money in the cash register during operation. Is calculated and collected over a long period of time when closing the cash register after closing the store or when changing the cashier.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is a coin which enables quick and error-free transfer of money to and from a customer and instantaneous confirmation of money in the coin. The purpose is to provide a receiving / dispensing device.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a coin receiving / receiving apparatus according to the present invention.
The dispensing device includes a plurality of storage units each capable of storing coins, sorting and sorting means for selecting coins input from the outside for each denomination and distributing the coins to each of the storage units, and a storage unit according to a payout command. And a distributing means for distributing a required coin from the storage unit, wherein the sorting and sorting means includes a plurality of sorting units extending over each of the storage units and having an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of any one of the various coins. An arrangement in which an opening has a gauge having a coin guide formed at a portion corresponding to each of the storage sections, and a conveying means for conveying the coin reaching the gauge along the coin guide. It is.

[0007]

[Function] In the coin receiving / dispensing device having such a configuration,
Coins inserted through the slot are sorted by denomination sorting means for each denomination, distributed to each storage unit and stored,
At the time of payout, the sending means operates based on a payout signal issued from a register or the like, and the required number of coins of a required denomination are sent out from each storage unit.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A coin receiving / dispensing apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the coin receiving and dispensing apparatus has a casing 2 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and a front panel 3 provided on a front portion of the casing 2. doing. 4, the casing 2 has a top plate 2a, a bottom plate 2b, left and right side plates 2c and 2d, and a back plate 2e. Assemble with each other.

In the upper right part of the front panel 3, a slot 3a for inserting coins (described later) into the apparatus is formed, and a coin receiving plate on a substantially disk surrounds the slot 3a. 4 is attached. An outlet 3b for taking out coins carried out of the apparatus is formed substantially at the lower center of the front panel 3, and a tray 6 having a recess 6a is provided in the outlet 3b. ,
The carried-out coin stays in the concave portion 6a. The coin reaching the recess 6a is picked up by a cashier in charge of the cash register, and provided as change to the customer.

Next, an internal mechanism surrounded by the casing 2 and the front panel 3 will be described. First, the configuration for paying out various coins will be described.

As is apparent from FIGS. 2 to 5 and particularly from FIG. 4, a pair of front and rear vertical frames 8 and 9 each formed in a plane are formed on a bottom plate 2b constituting a bottom portion of the housing 2. A horizontal frame 10, which is also formed in a flat plate shape, is installed between the upper ends of the vertical frames 8, 9 in parallel with each other.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the space defined by the vertical frames 8, 9 and the horizontal frame 10 on the bottom plate 2b, six coin feeders 11 to 16 are provided. It is arranged. Specifically, as is clear from FIG. 5, these coin dispensers 11 to 16
Three are arranged in one row in the front-rear direction, and are arranged in two rows on the left and right. In addition, each coin dispenser 1
Reference numerals 1 to 16 are detachably attached to the bottom plate 2b. Note that these coin dispensers 11 to 16 are omitted in FIGS.

Here, these coin dispensers 11 to 16
Will be described in detail. However, since each of the coin dispensers 11 to 16 has the same configuration as each other, 1
Only one coin dispenser 16 will be described, and description of the other coin dispensers 11 to 15 will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the coin dispenser 16 is provided with a hopper 21 as a storage unit capable of storing a large number of coins, and a required coin from the hopper in response to a payout command (described later). Sending means 22 for sending. Specifically, the coin dispenser 16 has 10 coins in the hopper 21.
The coins (to be described later) are stored, and the coins are sent out by the operation of the sending means 22. The other coin dispensers 11 to 15 store 500-yen coins, 1-yen coins, 50-yen coins, 5-yen coins, and 100-yen coins in the hoppers provided therein, respectively, and the sending means provided for each. These coins are sent out according to the payout command.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the hopper 21 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and its bottom portion 21a is inclined. Guided by action and delivered smoothly.

On the other hand, the sending means 22 for sending out 10-yen coins in the hopper 21 is configured as follows.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG.
2 has a substrate 25 formed in a substantially rectangular shape. The substrate 25 slidably supports a 10-yen coin.

A pair of leg members 2 are provided on both lower surfaces of the substrate 25.
6 and 27 are attached. Specifically, two mounting pins 26a, 27a are provided on the upper surface side of both front and rear ends of the two leg members 26, 27, respectively. The mounting pins 26a and 27a are fitted. More specifically, the elongated hole 25a is provided with a flexible claw portion 25c therein, and the claw portion 25c is attached to the mounting pins 26a and 27a fitted in the elongated hole 25a. , Thereby preventing the slot 25a from coming off. A leaf spring 29 is provided behind the notch 25b, and the leaf spring 29 is configured to abut along the lower surface of the rear edge of the substrate 25. Both ends of the leaf spring 29 are engaged with concave portions 26c, 27c formed on the rear upper surfaces of the leg members 26, 27, respectively. That is, the mounting pin 27a is locked to the notch 25b by the elastic force of the leaf spring 29.

In such a configuration, if the leaf spring 29 is bent and removed against its elastic force, and the claw portion 25c in the elongated hole 25a is similarly bent and removed from the mounting pin 25c,
Each of the mounting pins 26a and 27a has a slot 25a and a notch 2
5b, the two leg members 26 and 27 can be removed from the substrate 25. When the two leg members 26 and 27 are attached to the substrate 25, the reverse procedure may be followed.

Guide grooves 26d and 27d are formed below the two leg members 26 and 27 over the entire length of the two leg members. As described above, the coin dispenser 16 is detachably attached to the bottom plate 2b of the casing 2 together with the other coin dispensers 11 to 15,
The guide grooves 26d and 27d are provided for this mounting.

That is, on the bottom plate 2b,
A rail-shaped guide member (not shown) is slidably fitted in the guide grooves 26d and 27d, and the coin feeder 16 is inserted horizontally as indicated by an arrow in FIG. The guide grooves 26d and 27d are fitted to the guide members. A locking pin (not shown) is protruded in the vicinity of the rear ends of the guide grooves 26d and 27d, and a concave groove is formed in the guide member at a position corresponding to the locking pin. The coin dispenser 16 is locked at a predetermined position by engaging the locking pin with the groove. Further, when removing the coin dispenser 16 from the apparatus, if the rear end of the coin dispenser 16 is slightly lifted, the locking pin comes out of the concave groove, so that the coin can be pulled out in that state. it can.

As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG.
At a substantially central portion of the upper surface of 5, a circular rotating plate 32 is disposed so as to face the substrate 25. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the rotating plate 32. As is apparent from FIG.
2 has a plurality of circular guide holes 32a for guiding the 10-yen coin in the hopper 21 onto the substrate 25 while passing the coin, and in this case, four circular guide holes 32a are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction and on the same circumference. Is formed. As is clear from FIGS. 8 and 9, the rotating plate 32 is a motor 1 as a driving means attached to the lower surface of the substrate 25 by small screws 33.
6b is fitted to the output shaft 16c, and is rotated by the operation of the motor 16b. The motor 16b and its mounting state are also shown in FIG. In order to make the rotation of the rotary plate 32 relative to the substrate 25 smooth, a sliding contact ring 36 having a smooth surface is interposed between both the rotary plate 32 and the substrate 25 as shown in FIGS. I have.

As shown in FIG. 9, the rotary plate 32 is separated from the substrate 25 by a gap e, except for a mounting portion for the output shaft 16c of the motor 16b. The gap e is set to be slightly larger than the thickness of the 10-yen coin 38 to be sent. However, in the present embodiment, the coin dispenser 16 handles 10-yen coins 38, but it can be diverted for other coins having different thicknesses, for example, for 1-yen coins and 500-yen coins. e is set to be larger than the thickness of the thickest 500 yen coin.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 8, 9 and 12, a cylindrical wall member 40 is disposed on the substrate 25 so as to surround the rotary plate 32. Small screw 41
To the substrate 25. As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 12, an outlet 40a through which a 10-yen coin 38 (even a 500-yen coin is possible) is formed at a predetermined position at the lower end of the wall member 40.

The hopper 21 is mounted on the wall member 40. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, a cylindrical fitting portion 21b is formed at the lower portion of the hopper 21, and as shown in FIGS.
1b is fitted inside the wall member 40, and is positioned in contact with a projection 40c (also shown in FIG. 8) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the wall member 40. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a substantially rectangular locking projection 21c is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 21b. As shown in FIG. An L-shaped notch 40d is formed corresponding to the locking projection 21c. That is, the L-shaped notch 4
0d, while inserting the locking projection 21c into the vertical portion,
1b is fitted to the wall member 40, and then the hopper 21 is slightly rotated to fit the locking projection 21c into the horizontal portion of the notch 40d. Thus, the hopper 21 is prevented from coming off. In such a configuration, the 10-yen coin in the hopper 21 reaches the above-mentioned rotating plate 32 through the inside of the wall member 40, and enters the guide hole 32 a formed in the rotating plate 32 with the rotation of the rotating plate 32. It reaches on the substrate 25. As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, a coil spring 42a is provided in the hopper 21.
And one end 42d is attached to the inner periphery of the hopper 21 by using a mounting plate 42b and a small screw 42c.
It is attached at. As is clear from FIG. 7, the other end 42e of the coil spring 42a is in a hanging state, and each of the hopper bottoms starts moving by being connected to the rotating plate 32 while riding on the rotating plate 32. The coins are sequentially dropped into the guide holes 32a so as to be leveled at the other end 42e.

As described above, the 10-yen coin that has entered the guide hole 32a of the rotating plate 32 and has reached the substrate 25 is transferred along the surface of the substrate 25 and is transferred to the outlet 40a of the wall member 40.
The following configuration is provided in order to transmit the data through

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, on the lower surface of the rotating plate 32, as shown in FIG.
Four arc-shaped transfer projections 32c for horizontally pushing and transferring a yen coin are formed. These transfer projections 3
2c, as is apparent from FIG.
It is formed along an imaginary circle (not shown) passing through the center of each guide hole 32a with the center of rotation 2 as the center. Further, as is apparent from FIG. 9, these transfer projections 32c
Are formed so as to leave a very small gap from the surface of the substrate 25. The 10-yen coin that has entered the guide hole 32a of the rotating plate 32 is pushed by the transfer projections 32c by the rotation of the rotating plate 32, and is transferred on the substrate 25.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, four guide grooves 32e are formed in the rotary plate 32 so as to be located between the four guide holes 32a. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, these guide grooves 32 e are formed so as to extend linearly so as to be directed radially from the rotation center of the rotary plate 32.
2 is open at the outer periphery.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, an extruding pin 43 serving as an extruding member for extruding a 10-yen coin toward the outlet 40a is fitted in each of the guide grooves 32e. More specifically, these extrusion pins 43 are formed in a substantially columnar shape, and as is apparent from FIG.
At 3a, it is slidably fitted in the guide groove 32e. The center of the push pin 43 is an enlarged diameter portion 43b, which engages with the edge of the 10-yen coin 38 by this enlarged diameter portion 43b to push out the coin. The pushing pin 43 is provided in the guide groove 3.
When the coin is located at the outer end of 2e, the 10-yen coin is pushed out of the outlet 40a, and is referred to as a pushing position. Subsequently, the push pins 43 are connected to the rotating plate 3.
The means for moving between the pushing position and the disengagement position for disengaging from the pushing position based on the rotation of 2, that is, the pushing member moving means will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 12,
A cam groove 25e is formed in the substrate 25, as shown in FIG.
As is clear from FIG.
Are slidably fitted in the cam groove 25e. The cam groove 25e functions as the pushing member moving means. That is, as is apparent from FIG. 12, the cam groove 25e has a shape in which a part of a perfect circle bulges outward, and the top of the bulge corresponds to the outer end of the guide groove 32e.
Further, the perfect circular portion is formed so as to correspond to the inner end of the guide groove 32e. 9, 11 and 12.
As shown in the figure, the cam groove 25e is
It is formed by inserting a cam plate 25h having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the concave portion 25g into a concave portion 25g (reference numeral is shown only in FIG. 11) formed in 5f. Further, as is apparent from FIG. 11, the cam plate 25h is formed on the cam plate 25h.
The two positioning holes 25i are positioned by fitting them into positioning pins 25j projecting from the main body portion 25f, and the main body portion 25f is fixed by two small screws 33.
Firmly fastened to However, this machine screw 33
Share the same thing that fastens the motor 34 to the substrate 25. Also, as shown in FIG.
The cam plate 25h also uses the small screws 44a and the nuts 44b in the vicinity of the bulging portion to form the main body portion 2h.
5f.

As shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 11 and FIG.
A restricting pin 45 is provided near an outlet 40a provided in the wall member 40 for passing a zero yen coin 38 (see FIG. 12). As is clear from FIGS. 11 and 12,
The regulating pin 45 is implanted on a free end of a leaf spring 46 attached at one end to the lower surface side of the substrate 25,
The holes 25k and 25m (both shown in FIG. 11) formed concentrically with the main body portion 25f and the cam plate 25h protrude from the upper surface of (the cam plate 25h of) the substrate 25. Since the leaf spring 46 bends, the leaf spring 46 can come and go with respect to the upper surface of the substrate. As shown in FIG. 11, the leaf spring 46 uses a small screw 47 and a washer 48 and a coil spring 49.
Is fastened to the substrate 25 via the.

As is apparent from FIG. 12, the regulating pin 45 engages with the 10-yen coin 38 pushed and transferred by the transfer projection 32c of the rotating plate 32 so as to face the outlet 40a. And push pin 43
In cooperation with, the ten-yen coin 38 is sent out of the exit 40a.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 11 and 12, an outlet roller 51 is provided near the outlet 40a. As shown in FIG. 11, the outlet roller 51 is provided with an arm member 52 swingably mounted on a substrate 25 by a boss 52a and a small screw 52b in a horizontal plane.
(Also shown in FIG. 12) at the free end. A coil spring 53 is connected to the free end of the arm member 52, whereby the arm member 52 is urged in a direction in which the outlet roller 51 faces the outlet portion 40a, that is, clockwise.

As is clear from FIG. 12, the outlet roller 51 abuts on the opposite side of the 10-yen coin 38 sent out by the push-out pin 43 and the regulating pin 45 on the opposite side of each pin. This is for restricting the 10-yen coin 38 from jumping out.

The same applies to the other five coin dispensers 11 to 15, but as shown in FIG.
6, the hopper 2 as a storage unit provided
Delivery detection means 16 for detecting the delivery of a 10-yen coin from 1
a, and the sending detection means 16a is configured as follows.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the delivery detecting means 16a is provided at the outlet 40 formed on the wall member 40 so that a 10-yen coin 38 (see FIGS. 9 and 12) is delivered.
has a small bracket 55 arranged in the vicinity of a.
The small bracket 55 is fastened to the upper surface of the substrate 25 by small screws 55a, as shown in FIG.
A wall 55b extending upward is formed at one end of the small bracket 55, and a photo sensor 56 is fastened to the wall 55b by a small screw 57 (shown in FIG. 13). The photosensor 56 includes a light-emitting element for irradiating light and a light-receiving element (both not shown) for receiving the irradiation light, and emits a detection signal depending on whether or not the light-receiving element receives light.

As is apparent from FIG. 13, a support pin 55c is implanted upward at a substantially central portion of the small bracket 55, and an arm member 59 is provided at the central portion with respect to the support pin 55c. It is mounted so that it can swing freely. In FIG. 13, reference numerals 60a and 60b denote washers and retaining rings attached to prevent the arm member 59 from coming off the support pins 55c.

A pin 59a is provided on the lower surface of one end of the arm member 59 so that the 10-yen coin sent out as described above can be engaged. Then, the arm member 59
The other end is a light shielding portion 59b interposed between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the photo sensor 56 and blocking light from entering the light receiving element.

The arm member 59 and the small bracket 55
Are formed with downward and upward wall portions 59d and 55e, respectively, and a coil spring 62 is hung on both wall portions 59d and 55e. The coil spring 62
A bias force is applied to the arm member 59 in the counterclockwise direction.

The small bracket 55 has another wall 55f extending upward, and a stopper 63 is attached to the wall 55f. The swing of the arm member 59 is restricted to a predetermined range by engaging with the stopper 63.

Here, the coin sending operation by the coin sending device 16 having the above configuration will be described. The same operation is performed for the other five coin dispensers 11 to 15.

Now, it is assumed that a large number of 10-yen coins are stored in the hopper 21 of the coin dispenser 16. In this state, the control unit (CPU: described later) that controls the operation of the coin dispenser 16 issues an operation command in response to a payout command signal from a register (not shown), so that the motor 16b operates and rotates. The plate 32 is driven to rotate counterclockwise. Then, each 10-yen coin in the hopper 21 sequentially enters the guide hole 32a of the rotating plate 32 through the wall member 40 from the one at the bottom of the hopper, and
Reach 5 above.

Focusing on the operation of sending out a single 10-yen coin, the 10-yen coin that has reached the substrate 25 is pushed by a transfer projection 32c protruding from the lower surface of the rotating plate 32, and The substrate 32 is transferred on the substrate 25 with the rotation of 32. 10 transferred by the transfer protrusion 32c in this manner.
When the coin reaches the vicinity of the outlet 40a formed in the wall member 40, it engages with the regulating pin 45 and is turned toward the outlet 40a. As shown in FIG. 12, almost simultaneously with the turning operation of the 10-yen coin, the push-out pin 43, which has been moved while following the 10-yen coin 38 with the rotation of the rotating plate 32, is moved to the circular portion of the cam groove 25e. From the bulging portion, and by the action of the bulging portion, is moved from the inside to the outside along the guide groove 32e, that is, from the detached position to the pushed position. With this, 10 yen coin 38
Is squeezed out by the regulating pin 45 and the pushing pin 43 as shown in FIG. At this time, the 10-yen coin 38 engages with the exit roller 51 as shown in FIG.

At the time of this delivery, the 10-yen coin 38 also engages with and pushes the pin 59a provided on the above-described arm member 59 (see FIGS. 8 and 13). Therefore, the arm member 59 swings counterclockwise, and the arm member 5
The light-shielding portion 59b included in 9 enters the gap 56a (see FIG. 13) of the photosensor 56. Accordingly, light emitted from the light emitting element of the photo sensor toward the light receiving element is blocked, and a detection signal is emitted. This detection signal is sent to the control unit, and the control unit confirms the sending of the 10-yen coin accordingly. Hereinafter, each guide hole 32 of the rotating plate 32
The above-described series of operations are performed in the same manner for 10-yen coins successively entering a. When the number of 10-yen coins reaches the required number, the control unit issues a stop command to stop the motor 16b. This completes the coin delivery.

By the way, the coin dispenser 16 having the above-described configuration is used.
Is capable of sending out all the coins up to the last one, and has a small number of component parts. It is small and contributes to miniaturization of the entire coin receiving and paying device. In the present embodiment, in addition to the push-out pin 43 as the push-out member, the transfer protrusion 32c is formed on the rotary plate 32, and furthermore, the regulating pin 45 is provided. In addition, even with the push pin 43 alone, the coin can be reliably sent to the last one. Further, the push pin 43 is provided with a guide hole 32a of the rotary plate 32.
Irrespective of the number of items, they are provided in at least one place. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, the same number of push pins 43 as the guide holes 32a may be provided, but the number of push pins 43 is not necessarily required.

There is provided an unloading means for unloading various coins sent from the above-mentioned six coin output devices 11 to 16 into the receiving tray 6 provided in the outlet 3b shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, respectively. The unloading means is configured as follows.

As shown in FIG. 5, each of the coin dispensers 11
Nos. 16 to 16 are arranged in the front-rear direction with three units in one row, and are arranged in two rows on the left and right. A belt 67 is provided between the two rows. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the belt 67 is made endless,
The coin outlets 11 to 16 are provided so as to extend between a coin sending position by a sending means included in each of the coin sending devices 11 to 16 and the outlet 3b. Various coins sent from the coin feeders 11 to 16 are supported by the belt 67 and carried out.
As shown in FIG. 5, fence members 69 are provided along both sides of the belt 67, so that coins being carried on the belt 67 are laterally shifted and do not fall off.

The belt 67 includes a pair of front and rear pulleys 71.
And 72. These pulleys 71, 7
2 is fitted to rotating shafts 73 and 74 rotatably attached to the fence member 69 via bearings, and a rear pulley 72 acts as a driving side;
The front pulley 71 is on the driven side.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a small-diameter toothed belt wheel 76 is fitted on one end of a rotary shaft 74 on which a pulley 72 on the driving side is fitted. A motor 77 is provided near the rotary shaft 74, and a large-diameter toothed pulley 78 is fitted to an output shaft 77 a of the motor 77. Then, the both toothed belt wheel 76
And 78, a toothed belt 79 (see FIG. 3) is wound around.

The pulleys 71 and 72, the rotary shafts 73 and 74, the toothed belt wheels 76 and 78, the motor 77, and the toothed belt 79 make the belt 67
Is configured to drive the belt. That is, when the motor 77 is operated, the pulley 72 is rotationally driven via the toothed belt wheel 78, the toothed belt 79, and the toothed belt wheel 76, and the driving force is applied to the belt 67 to operate.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the vertical frame 8 is formed with an inclined guide portion 8a for guiding each coin carried out by the belt 67 into the tray 6. . Further, as shown in both figures, a flat plate-shaped support member 81 is provided which slides on the coin supporting portion of the belt 67 and supports the coin supporting portion.

With the provision of the above-described carrying-out means, the person in charge of the register does not have to collect the various coins sent from the above-mentioned coin sending devices 11 to 16 by himself, and can immediately grab the coins. Cash register work can be performed quickly. In addition, by using the belt 67 for the unloading means as in the present embodiment, coins sent from the coin output units 11 to 16 can be unloaded to the receiving tray 6 at high speed, and required for the cash register operation. Time is reduced.

As another structure of the carrying means, instead of the belt 67, a slide-like member which is gradually inclined downward toward the receiving tray 6 is provided, and each of the coin feeders 11 to 16 is provided.
May be used to carry out various coins sent out of the company using only gravity. In such a transport unit, since the driving force generating unit such as the motor 77 described above is not required at all, the size and cost of the entire apparatus can be reduced.

Next, a configuration for receiving various coins inserted from outside the apparatus will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, on the front end portion of the horizontal frame 10 provided in the housing 2, a person in charge of a register, etc.
a (see FIGS. 1 and 2), coin supply means 83 for receiving various coins to be inserted and sequentially supplying the coins one by one to a gauge described later is arranged.
Attached to 0. This coin supply means 83
Is configured as follows. The coin supply means 8
3 is substantially the same as the delivery means 22 provided in the coin delivery device 16 described above, and will be schematically described.

As shown in FIG. 14, the coin supply means 83 has a substrate 85 formed in a substantially rectangular shape.
The substrate 85 slidably supports various coins. As shown in FIG. 14, a circular rotating plate 86 is disposed substantially at the center of the upper surface of the substrate 85 so as to face the substrate 85. 4 and 5, the rotating plate 8 is used.
6 is omitted. The rotary plate 86 has the above-described inlet 3a.
A plurality of substantially circular guide holes 86a, in this case three, are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction and on the same circumference in order to guide the various kinds of coins to be introduced onto the substrate 85 while passing them. The guide hole 86a has a one-yen coin, five
0 yen coin, 5 yen coin, 100 yen coin, 10 yen coin and 5 yen
All the 00-yen coins can be accommodated, and in particular, as shown in FIG.

The rotary plate 86 is fitted to the upper end of a spindle 88 rotatably mounted on the substrate 85. A small-diameter toothed belt wheel 89 is fitted to the lower end of the spindle 88. A motor 91 is mounted near the coin supply means 83 and on the lower surface side of the horizontal frame 10, and a large-diameter toothed belt wheel 92 is attached to an output shaft 91a (see FIG. 5) of the motor 91. Is fitted. The two toothed belt wheels 89 and 92
A toothed belt 94 is looped around. That is, when the motor 91 is operated, the spindle 88 is rotationally driven via the toothed belt wheel 92, the toothed belt 94, and the toothed belt wheel 89, whereby the rotating plate 86 is rotated. Note that, as shown in FIG.
In order to make the rotation smooth, a sliding contact ring 96 having a smooth surface is interposed between both the rotating plate 86 and the substrate 85.

The rotary plate 86 is separated from the substrate 85 by a predetermined gap, except for a mounting portion for the spindle 88. This gap is provided by the coin supply means 8.
50 which has the largest thickness among the various coins to be inserted into 3
It is set to be slightly larger than the thickness of the zero yen coin.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 14, on the substrate 85, a cylindrical wall member 98 is provided so as to surround the rotary plate 86, and small screws 99 (see FIG. 14). )
To the substrate 85. As shown in FIG. 14, at a predetermined position at the lower end of the wall member 98, an outlet 98a through which the various coins described above can pass is formed.

In the above configuration, the input port 3a (FIG. 1)
Various coins inserted from the outside through the wall member 98 reach the rotating plate 86 through the inside of the wall member 98, and enter the guide holes 86 a formed in the rotating plate 86 with the rotation of the rotating plate 86, and the substrate 85. Reach the top.

As described above, various coins that have entered the guide holes 86a of the rotating plate 86 and reached the substrate 85 are
The following configuration is provided for transporting along the surface of No. 5 and sending it out through the outlet 98a of the wall member 98.

As shown in FIG. 14, on the lower surface of the rotary plate 86, there are formed four transfer projections 86c for horizontally pushing and transferring the coins having reached the substrate 85 as described above. More specifically, these transfer projections 86c are formed in an arc shape so as to follow an imaginary circle passing through the center of each guide hole 86a with the rotation center of the rotating plate 86 as the center. These transfer projections 86c are formed so as to leave a very small gap from the surface of the substrate 85. The coins having entered the guide holes 86a of the rotating plate 86 are pushed by the respective transfer projections 86c by the rotation of the rotating plate 86, and are transferred on the substrate 85.

The rotary plate 86 has four guide grooves 86e formed between the four guide holes 86a. More specifically, these guide grooves 86 e are formed to extend linearly so as to extend radially from the center of rotation of the rotary plate 86, and open at the outer periphery of the rotary plate 86.

An extruding pin 100 serving as an extruding member for extruding coins toward the outlet 98a is fitted into each of the guide grooves 86e. More specifically, the push pins 100 are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, are disposed between the substrate 85 and the rotary plate 86, and have guide grooves 8 at their upper ends.
6e is slidably fitted into the connector 6e. The center of the push pin 100 is an enlarged diameter portion, which engages with the edge of the coin and pushes out the coin. Extrusion pin 100
When the coin is located at the outer end of the guide groove 86e, the coin is pushed out of the outlet 98a. Subsequently, these extrusion pins 100
The following describes a means for moving the member between the pushing position and a separating position at which the pushing member is separated from the pushing position based on the rotation of the rotary plate 86, that is, a pushing member moving means.

As shown in FIG. 14, a cam groove 85e is formed in the substrate 85, and the lower end of the push-out pin 100 is slidably fitted in the cam groove 85e.
The cam groove 85e functions as the pushing member moving means. That is, as shown in the drawing, the cam groove 85e has a shape in which a part of a perfect circle bulges outward, and the top of the bulge corresponds to the outer end of the guide groove 86e. The portion is formed so as to correspond to the inner end of the guide groove 86e.

As described above, the restricting pin 102 is located near the outlet 98a provided in the wall member 98 for allowing coins to pass therethrough.
Are arranged. The regulating pin 102 is a leaf spring (not shown) attached to the lower surface of the substrate 85 in a cantilever manner.
And protrudes from the upper surface of the substrate through holes (not denoted by reference numerals) formed in the substrate 85.

The restricting pin 102 engages with various coins pushed and transferred by the transfer projection 86c of the rotating plate 86 to change the direction toward the outlet 98a.
Further, the coin is sent out of the outlet 98a in cooperation with the push pin 100.

An arm member 103 is provided in the vicinity of the outlet 98a, and is swingably mounted on the substrate 85 by a support pin 103a in a horizontal plane. The extruding pin 100 and the restricting pin 102
The pin abuts on the side opposite to the pins with respect to the coin sent out by the coin, thereby restricting the coin from jumping out. Although not shown, a spring is connected to the arm member 102 so that the arm member 103 has its free end 1
03b is urged in the direction toward the outlet 98a, that is, clockwise.

The operation of supplying coins by the coin supply means 83 having the above-described configuration will be described.

The motor 91 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 operates,
The rotating plate 86 is driven to rotate counterclockwise. In this state, various coins are inserted through a slot 3a (see FIGS. 1 and 2) by a person in charge of a register or the like. These coins pass through the inside of the wall member 98 and are guided through the guide holes 86 of the rotating plate 86.
a, and reaches the substrate 85.

Focusing on one of the inserted coins, the coin reaching the substrate 85 is pushed by a transfer projection 86 c protruding from the lower surface of the rotating plate 86, and Is transferred on the substrate 85 with the rotation of. When the coins transferred by the transfer protrusion 86c reach the vicinity of the outlet 98a formed in the wall member 98, the coins engage with the regulating pins 102 and are turned toward the outlet 98a. Almost at the same time as the coin turning operation,
The push-out pin 100, which has moved in a state of following the coin with the rotation of the rotary plate 86, moves from the round portion of the cam groove 85e to the bulging portion.
Is moved from inside to outside, that is, from the above-described release position to the extrusion position. Thus, the coin is sent out through the outlet 98a so as to be squeezed out by the regulating pin 102 and the pushing pin 100. At this time, the coin is engaged with the arm member 103, so that the coin is smoothly sent out without jumping out.

Thereafter, the above-described series of operations are performed in the same manner for the coins that successively enter the respective guide holes 86a of the rotating plate 86.

By providing the coin supply means 83 described above, even if a number of coins are inserted at once by the person in charge of the register, they are prevented from being stuck at the insertion slot 3a (see FIG. 1). . Further, the coin supply means 83 having such a configuration can supply all the inserted coins to the last one, and is small because of the small number of parts, and is small in size as a whole coin receiving and dispensing apparatus. It also contributes to the development.

There is provided sorting and sorting means for sorting and sorting various coins supplied by the above-described coin feeding means 83 for each denomination, and the sorting and sorting means is configured as follows. In addition, the various coins sorted by the sorting and sorting means are the same as the above-mentioned six coin dispensers 11 to 16.
Are stored in hoppers (in this embodiment, only the hopper 21 and the like are shown in detail with respect to the coin feeder 16 in this embodiment).

The sorting and sorting means has a circular gauge 111 shown in FIGS. As is clear from FIGS. 4 and 5, the gauge 111 is formed of a steel plate or the like and is provided so as to extend over each of the coin dispensers 11 to 16 to form an annular coin guide over the entire circumference. It has a portion (not denoted by a reference numeral) and is attached to the horizontal frame 10 via a leg member 112 (see FIG. 4). The coin guide portion has a tapered main surface receiving surface 111c that gradually decreases in diameter and receives the main surface of the coin, and a coin edge that is continuous with the lower end of the main surface receiving surface 111c. An edge receiving surface 111d is formed. In FIG. 4,
A coin guided along the main surface receiving surface 111c and the edge receiving surface 111d, in this case, a 10-yen coin 38 is shown. Further, in the coin guide portion having such a configuration, the coins are prevented from falling out due to the centrifugal force by the action of the taper of the main surface receiving surface 111c, are securely transported and sorted, and are also transported and sorted. Since the coin rolls along the edge receiving surface 111d, the conveyance resistance is suppressed to a low level. Therefore, the conveyance means to be described later needs to be a small-output small-sized one. It is planned.
Further, by forming the gauge 111 with such a thin plate-like member, the size and weight of the entire apparatus can be reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the main surface receiving surface 111c has a plurality of, in this case, six openings 111f,
111g, 111h, 111i, 111j and 111k
Are formed along the circumferential direction. As shown in the figure, these openings 111f to 111k are formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and their inner diameters in the long-side direction, that is, the opening lengths are 1-yen coin, 50-yen coin, 5-yen coin, 100-yen coin, and 1-yen coin.
The coins are set to be slightly larger than the diameters of the 0-yen coin and the 500-yen coin, and as is apparent from FIG. 5, each of the coin dispensers 11 to 11 having a hopper for storing the various coins for each denomination. 16 is formed at a position corresponding to 16.

That is, various kinds of coins sequentially supplied by the 83 to the above-mentioned coin supply means reach the gauge 111 and are conveyed along the coin guide portion of the gauge 111 by the conveying means described below. However, in the course of this transport, various coins fall through any of the openings 111f to 111k having the inner diameters corresponding to the respective diameters, fall into the hoppers, and are stored. The horizontal frame 10 is interposed between the gauge 111 and each of the hoppers. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the horizontal frame 10 has an opening through which the falling coins pass. 10a is formed corresponding to each of the openings 111f to 111k. As described above, by forming each of the openings 111f to 111k in order from the smaller diameter to the larger diameter, various coins can be stored in the specified storage portion without error.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the openings 111f to 111k of the gauge 111 and each of the openings 10a formed in the horizontal frame 10 corresponding thereto.
Between them, insertion detecting means 115 to 120 for detecting insertion of various coins into the respective hoppers are arranged, and small brackets 115a to 115 are respectively provided.
It is attached to the horizontal frame 10 via a. These insertion detecting means 115 to 120 include a photosensor (not denoted by reference numerals) having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and a light shielding portion for blocking irradiation light emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the light receiving element. An operator (not shown) is provided at one end, and the other end of the operator is installed so as to face each of the openings 111f to 111k. That is, when various coins fall through the openings 111f to 111k, respectively, they are engaged with and actuated on the actuator, whereby light emitted from the light emitting element toward the light receiving element is blocked. As a result, a detection signal is issued. This detection signal is sent to the above-mentioned control unit, and the control unit confirms the insertion of coins in response thereto.

Each of the above-mentioned input detecting means 115 to 12
In addition to 0, there is provided a sending detecting means (only the sending detecting means 16a provided in the coin sending device 16) for detecting a hard sending from the hopper provided in each of the coin sending devices 11 to 16 described above. Therefore, the number of coins inserted into the coin receiving / dispensing apparatus and the number of coins sent out of the apparatus can be counted and managed. As a result, even when the cash register is operating, it is possible to check the money instantly, and as a result, when collecting money after closing the store, it is necessary to spend a long time calculating the sales as before. Absent.

Next, a description will be given of a conveying means for conveying various coins supplied one by one onto the gauge 111 by the above-mentioned coin supplying means 83 along the coin guide portion of the gauge 111.

The transfer means has a circular rotating member 125 shown in FIGS. The rotating member 125 is formed of a steel plate or the like, and is disposed above the gauge 111 concentrically with the coin guide of the gauge 111. A spindle 125b is fitted to the center of the rotating member 125 via a boss 125a in a hanging state, and is rotatably attached to the horizontal frame 10 by the spindle 125b. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
7, a bearing 128 is interposed between the spindle 125b and the boss 127.

On the outer periphery of the rotating member 125, a large number of
In this case, 12 transport members 130 are attached at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. More specifically, as is apparent from FIG. 3, a mounting member 131 is fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the rotating member 125 with a small screw or the like, and the conveying member 130 is fixed at one end to the mounting member 131 by a pin 130a. Is mounted so as to be able to swing through. The pin 1
30a extends in the horizontal direction, so that each transport member 130a
Is made in the vertical direction.

Each of the transport members 130 is mounted on the rotating member 1.
The coin 25 moves along the coin guide portion of the gauge 111 with the rotation of the coin 25, and comes into contact with the coin and conveys it. For this reason, as shown in FIGS.
At the center portion of 0, a pushing portion 130b for contacting and pushing the edge of the coin is formed in a hanging state. As is apparent from FIG.
11 is located in a non-contact state with a gap smaller than the thickness of the coin to be conveyed with respect to the main surface receiving surface 111c (the surface for receiving and guiding the main surface of the coin).

At the free end of each of the transport members 130, a small ball bearing 133 as a rolling element is provided. Also, as shown in FIG.
A spring 134 is provided to urge 0 downward. The ball bearing 133 is provided on the coin guide when the transport member 130 moves along the coin guide of the gauge 111, in this case, the main surface receiving surface 111c.
Roll on top. By adopting such a configuration, the gap between the pushing portion 130b of each transport member 130 and the main surface receiving surface 111c of the gauge 111 is always kept constant, and the gauge 1
This gap does not expand even if the deformation or the like of 11 has occurred, and a transport error due to the expansion of the gap is avoided.

In the coin receiving / dispensing device, the transport member 130 is provided and the coin is directly pushed and transported by the transport member 130, so that no leakage occurs and all the coins are discharged. Transported reliably,
Be sorted out.

The transfer member 130 is provided with the gauge 1
A plurality of coin guides are provided at equal intervals over the entire circumference of the coin guide section 11, so that even if a large number of coins are inserted from the outside of the apparatus, they are successively and smoothly conveyed without delay and provided for sorting. Is done.

Each of the transport members 130 is connected to each of the transport members 1.
The rotating member 125 supporting the moving member 30 is moved by being rotated by the driving force generated by the above-described motor 91 disposed on the lower surface side of the front end portion of the horizontal frame 10 as the driving force generating means. Therefore, the driving force generated by the motor 91 is applied to the rotating member 125,
A driving force transmitting mechanism for transmitting the driving force to the driving force transmitting mechanism 30 is provided. The driving force transmitting mechanism is configured as follows.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the output shaft 91a of the motor 91 is fitted with a toothed belt wheel 92 for transmitting the driving force to the coin supply means 83 described above. A small-diameter toothed belt wheel 137 is fitted on the upper part. The boss portion 125a of the rotating member 125 is a toothed belt wheel, and a toothed belt 138 is wound around the toothed belt wheel. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper end of the boss portion 125a has a flange 125d.
Is fitted to prevent the toothed belt 138 from coming off from the boss portion 125a.

The driving force transmission mechanism is constituted by the toothed belt wheel 137, the boss 125a as the toothed belt wheel, and the toothed belt 138.

[0091] Further, a conveying member driving means for moving each of the conveying members 130 along the coin guide portion of the gauge 111 by the driving force transmission mechanism, the motor 91 as driving force generating means, and the rotating member 125. Is configured. Further, the transport member driving unit and each transport member 130 constitute a transport unit that transports each coin supplied onto the gauge 111 from the coin supply unit 83 along the coin guide portion of the gauge 111. .

Further, the above-mentioned sorting means is constituted by the transport means and the gauge 111.

By the way, as is clear from the above description, the above-described coin supply means 83 is operated by applying the driving force from the motor 91 provided to move the respective transport members 130 as described above. That is, the single motor 91 is used in common for moving the conveying member and for driving the coin supply means. Therefore, the number of motors provided in the coin receiving / dispensing device is reduced, and the size and cost of the device as a whole are reduced. Further, in this configuration, the movement of the transport member 130 and the operation of the coin supply unit 83 are necessarily synchronized. If the synchronization is not achieved, the push-out pin 100 (shown in FIG. 14) provided by the coin supply means 83 for pushing out the coin and the transport member 130 are in an antagonistic state with the coin interposed therebetween, so that they cannot operate with each other. It is possible. In the coin receiving / dispensing device according to the present invention, such a situation is avoided because both operate synchronously as described above.

More specifically, a rotating member 125 to which the conveying member 130 is attached and a rotating plate 86 (shown in FIG. 14) provided in the coin supply means 83 are provided with toothed belt wheels 89, 92, 125a ( However, based on the ratio of the number of teeth of 137 and the number of teeth of 137, they are rotationally driven synchronously at a predetermined rotational speed ratio. Since this configuration is employed, the operation of the push pin 100 provided in the coin supply means 83 and the operation of the transport member 130 are completely synchronized, and the timing of synchronization can be freely adjusted by appropriately changing the rotation speed ratio. Can be set to Therefore, it is unlikely that the push pin 100 and the conveying member 130 will be in an antagonistic state with a coin interposed therebetween.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an operation control system of the coin receiving / dispensing device. It should be noted that, among the components described so far, components that should be included in the control system are denoted by reference numerals in FIG. That is, the coin detecting device 16a (see FIGS. 8 and 13) provided for the coin sending detector 16 (see FIGS. 4 to 13) for detecting the coin sending, and the coin sending devices 11 (see FIGS. 8 and 13).
Detecting means 115 to 120 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) provided for detecting the insertion of various coins into the hoppers of Nos. 1 to 16; a motor 16b (see FIG. 6) of the coin dispenser 16; Motor 9 commonly used for moving the transport member 130 and for driving the coin supply means 83
1 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) and a motor 77 for driving a belt 67 that carries out various coins sent from the coin feeders 11 to 16 toward the tray 6. Further, in the figure, reference numerals 11a to 15a are the same as the above-mentioned sending detection means 16a provided in the above-mentioned coin sending device 16 whose configuration is specifically described, and the other five coin sending devices 11 to 15 2 shows a sending detection means provided. Similarly, reference numerals 11b to 15b indicate the coin dispenser 16
2 shows a motor provided in the other coin feeders 11 to 15 in a manner similar to the motor 16b provided in the coin feeding device.

Also, in FIG.
Denotes a control unit (hereinafter, referred to as a CPU) as a central processing unit that controls the operation of the coin receiving / dispensing device. It is connected.

As shown, the CPU 141 has a ROM
(Read only memory) 143 in accordance with a control program stored in advance and in the RAM (ra
A command is issued to the control target in accordance with the data stored in the “ndom acces memory” 144. Further, the CPU 141 is connected to the register 145, and necessary signals are transmitted and received between the two. The display unit 146 is connected to a display unit 146 (not shown in FIG. 1) provided on the front panel 3 (see FIG. 1). A backup power supply 153 is connected to the RAM 144.

Subsequently, various operations can be performed in the coin receiving / dispensing apparatus according to the invention, and these are shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS.

The operation modes of the coin receiving and dispensing device include a management mode for performing total dispensing and memory clearing, an operation mode for performing normal receiving and dispensing, and a maintenance mode for checking the functional operation of each unit. Each operation mode is set using the key 150 shown in FIG. By switching to the management mode other than the maintenance mode and the operation mode, FIG.
The functions of the switches of the display unit 146 shown in FIG. 6, that is, the functions of the select switch 146a, the clear switch 146b, and the start switch 146c are switched. The reference numeral 146d shown in FIG.
It shows a display unit composed of multicolor light emitting diodes or the like for displaying in correspondence with each denomination of yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen. Red indicating that the money in the hoppers 16 to 16 is empty or almost empty, green in each of the hoppers is normal when green,
The status display in each hopper can be visually recognized by changing the status of the hoppers in each hopper to a full or almost full status so as to be orange, and further illuminating and blinking the various types of identification. 146e is a liquid crystal display unit. The liquid crystal display unit 146e displays the amount of money of each denomination, the amount of money paid out, the display of an error code, and the like.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the activation control of the coin receiving / dispensing device according to the present invention.

First, when a power switch (not shown) of the coin receiving / dispensing device is turned on (step S ₁ ), the device is activated and the CPU 141 shown in FIG.
The program data is read from 144. This example historical data written in the RAM 144, i.e. the initialization setting by reading the data that manages depositing and dispensing status as a history of the number by denomination is made (step S _2). When the past data exceeds the capacity of the memory, the past data is sequentially updated to the latest one. Next, each operation mode is selected by the mode switching key 150 shown in FIG. As described above, the operation mode includes the management mode, the operation mode, and the maintenance mode. In the mode switch reading (step S ₃ ) shown in FIG. 17, which of these operation modes is set is read. Will be described first when the maintenance mode is set.
Therefore, it is next determined whether or not the maintenance mode is set (step S ₄ ). If the maintenance mode (step S ₄ ) is Y (Yes), the maintenance mode processing (step S ₅ ) is performed, and N (No)
In the case of a return to the mode switch reading (step S _3).

In this maintenance mode, all the display units 146d shown in FIG. 16 are turned on. Then, after confirming that all of the display on the display unit 146d is lit, the operator sequentially presses each switch (select, clear, start) to confirm that the light emitting diode is turned off. Next, 1 yen, 5 yen, 1
One or more of six kinds of coins of 0 yen ... 500 yen each 1
The coin is supplied to the insertion port 3a shown in FIG. 3 and an external switch (not shown) is pressed to activate the coin supply means 83 to start receiving. After the acceptance starts, it will proceed automatically. At this time,
The amount of the inserted coin is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 146e (see FIG. 16) for a certain period of time, for example, three seconds. The liquid crystal display unit 1
After the displayed amount of money is displayed at 46e, the amount of money inserted is ejected from the coin dispensers 11 to 16 shown in FIG. 5 for each denomination. It represents the amount of dispensing the coins in the liquid crystal display unit 146e ends (step S _6). As described above, by selecting the maintenance mode, it is possible to check the functional operation of each unit.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, when the management mode is selected by the mode switching key 150 shown in FIG.
When the mode switch is read (step S ₃ ), the mode is switched to the management mode, and it is determined whether the mode is the management mode (step S ₇ ). In the case of Y (Yes) in this management mode (Step _{S 7),} performs the management mode processing (step _{S 8),} in the case of N (No) is returned to the mode switch reading (Step _{S 3).}

When this management mode is selected, the function of each switch (select, clear, start) is changed. That is, each time the select switch is pressed, the denomination display section 146d lights in green, for example, in the order of 1 yen → 5 yen... → 500 yen in denominations, and the liquid crystal display section 146e corresponds to the selected denomination. Indicates the amount of money in the hopper of each of the coin dispensers 11 to 16. Next, the clear switch clears the memory of the amount / number of coins of the denomination selected by the select switch, that is, the past data in the RAM 144 shown in FIG. 15 by pressing this switch. By pressing the start switch for a predetermined time, for example, 2 seconds or more, the total number of coins selected by the select switch, that is, the coins in each hopper can be paid out. Pressing this switch during dispensing will interrupt dispensing.

When the operation mode is selected by the mode switching key 150 shown in FIG. 1 as shown in FIG. 17, the mode switch is read (step S ₃ ) and the operation mode is switched to the operation mode. A determination is made (step S ₉ ).
In this operation mode (step S ₉ ), Y (Ye
In the case of s), the operation mode processing (step S ₉ ) is performed, and in the case of N (No), the process returns to the reading of the mode switch (step S ₃ ).

When this operation mode is selected, the function of each switch (select, clear, start) is changed in the same manner as in the management mode. However, in this mode, normal acceptance and payout are performed. Each time the select switch is pressed, the denomination display unit 146d (FIG. 16)
) Are displayed in the order of 1 yen → 5 yen... → 500 yen. If there is no input of the select or start switch within a certain time, for example, within three seconds, the money type display unit 146d displays the money amount. The start switch selects a denomination with a select switch, and when the start switch is pressed within a predetermined time, for example, within 3 seconds, the selected coin can be paid out. For example, when the start switch is pressed for less than 2 seconds, one sheet can be paid out, and when the start time is 2 seconds or longer, 10 sheets can be paid out. When the payout is normally performed, the amount is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 146e. After inputting the start switch, the input can be performed again within a predetermined time, for example, within 3 seconds, and the selected denomination can be paid out in the same manner as described above. If the start switch is pressed while the money type display unit 146d is displaying the amount of money, the capturing operation is started. Each time the clear switch is pressed, the belt 67 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) operates for a certain time, for example, one second. This is to completely eject coins when coins remain inside.

When the management mode processing (step S ₈ ) or the operation mode processing (step S ₁₀ ) is performed, it is determined in step S ₁₁ whether there is a serial line reception via the communication line interface 151 shown in FIG. Is performed. With this serial line reception,
Preferentially migrate to the communication mode processing (step _{S 12).} When this communication mode processing is performed, if there is a change or the like as a result of calculation at the register, that is, if there is a difference between the sales amount input to the register and the payment amount from the customer, the payout issued according to this difference. The coin feeders 11 to 16 and the belt 67 are operated based on the command signal, and change for each predetermined denomination is thrown into the concave portion 6a of the receiving tray 6 shown in FIG. If there is no reception of the serial line, i.e. in the case of N (No) and determines whether there is an input of an external receiving start switch not shown (step S _13). Returning to step S ₁₁ if there is no input of the receiving start switch, when there is an input of the receiving start switch, a coin feeding means 8 shown in FIG. 14
Coin acceptance process to 3 (step _{S 14)} is performed.
When this acceptance process is performed, a predetermined display selected for each denomination is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 146e shown in FIG.
₁₅ ) is performed. After the display returns to the state of step _{S 13.}

Next, the details of the coin receiving process (step S ₁₄ ) shown in FIG. 17 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, when there is an input of an external start switch (not shown) (steps S ₁₃ and S ₂₀ ) shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the timer 152 shown in FIG. 15 is reset (step S ₂₁ ). Then, a predetermined time or more, for example, performs a determination of whether the coin supply unit 83 shown in FIG. 14 is operating for more than 5 seconds (Step S _22), the coin supply shown in FIG. 14 in the case where after the lapse of this time Means 8
3 is stopped (step _{S 23),} and ends (step _S 24). Accept coins by operating the predetermined time the coin supply unit 83 in the step _{S 22} (step _S 25). Motor of the coin supply unit 83 is determined next whether the lock (step S _26), the reference numeral 115 when the motor lock has not been made, in Fig. 15 because the normal operation is being performed increment through the coin detection for each denomination performed by each supply detecting means shown in 120 (step S _27), the coin detection is performed by the insertion detection means, the counter 152 shown in FIG. 15 is a money amount counter (Sudeppu _{S 28),} and returns to step _{S 21} the timer repeats the same operation is updated. The lock of the motor is detected by an encoder (not shown).

However, if the coin detection is not performed by the insertion detecting means (step S ₂₇ ), it is determined whether the external receiving start switch (not shown) is pressed again (step S ₂₇ ). ₂₉ ), when this acceptance switch is pressed, that is, in the case of Y,
Reset the return timer to step S _21, the same operation according to the flow shown in FIG 18 performs the determination of whether the elapsed return more than a specified time step S ₂₂ if the acceptance switch is not pressed repeat.

[0111] Thus, the in the case of motor lock is detected at step S ₂₆ is performed processing at the time of motor lock to be described later (step S _30), then the determination of error is made (step S _31). Returning to step S ₂₆ if no error is determined in the error, to stop the coin supply unit 83 when the determination of this error has been made, to display an error code on the liquid crystal display unit 146e shown in FIG. 16. All the error codes are set so that the error can be cleared by switching the mode of the key 150 shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the payout process. Wherein the receiving start switch, as shown in FIG. 19 (Step S ₂₀₎ is pressed, it is determined whether there is a dispensing command is made (step S _40). If there is no payout command, the stop processing of the carrying-out means (step _S49 ) including the belt 67 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is performed, and the process ends (step _S53 ). If there is a payout command, the carry-out means (step _S41 ) is turned on, and the timer and the counter 152 shown in FIG. 15 are reset (step _S42 ). Since the process of step S ₄₂ are also counted number of retries which will be described later with consideration involved in depressed like which are also adapted to reset. When the timer and the counter 152 are reset, the motor 16b of the sending means 22 shown in FIG.
A determination is made as to whether (shown in FIG. 11) is locked is made (step S _43). If the motor 16b is not locked, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step _S44 ). If the motor 16b is not within the predetermined time, the sending detection means 11a to 16a of the coin feeders 11 to 16 are determined. It is determined whether or not has detected the sending of a coin (step _S45 ). When the coin delivery is detected by the delivery detecting means 11a to 16a, and decrements the inventory amount counter since balance of the coins in the hopper of each coin dispenser 11 to 16 is reduced (step S _46). Then, repeated or determination whether there is a dispensing command (Step S _40). In the case where the sending of the coin is not detected by the sending detecting means 11a to 16a, for example, the coin sending device 16
Performed with respect to a judgment of whether the motor 16b of the delivery means 22 (shown in FIG. 11) is locked (step S _43), whether the motor lock is older than a predetermined time determined (step S ₄₄₎ If the predetermined time has elapsed, the number of payout retries is determined (step _S47 ). That is, if the number of payout retries is within a predetermined number, the timer and the counter 15
Reset timer in the 2 repeats the determination in step S ₄₃ by counting the number of retries, an error process is executed (step S _48). If the payout number of retries is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the predetermined liquid crystal display unit 146e The error code is displayed and the carrying out means (step _S49 ) is stopped (step _S53 ).

However, the motor 16b of the sending means 22
There If you are locked performs processing when the motor locks that will be described later (step S _50), then whether the motor lock has been made a predetermined number of times or more, i.e., processing is done at the time of motor lock is more than a predetermined number of times A determination is made as to whether or not the game has been completed (step _S51 ). If it is within a predetermined number of times a judgment of step S _43, if the predetermined number of times or more stops performs stop processing of the unloading means (step S ₄₉₎ (step S _53).

Next, FIGS. 20 and 21 correspond to FIGS.
5 is a flowchart showing a process of detecting a motor lock of the motor 16 and the motor 16b of the sending means 22 shown in FIG.

In this motor lock detection, the operation is started by the communication mode or the acceptance start switch (step S).
_60), the motor is determined if in the normal rotation (Step S ₆₁₎ is performed, and if not in normal rotation, that is, when the reverse rotation is the lock detection is terminated without executing (step S _62). On the other hand, if the motor is rotating forward, it is determined whether or not the motor is being locked (step _S63 ). If the motor lock process is being performed, the lock is not detected because the motor is in reverse rotation. If the motor lock process is not being performed, the motor drive time is determined (step _S64 ). If there is no motor drive time, lock detection is not performed. If there is a motor drive time, motor lock detection determination is performed. Is performed (step _S65 ). If the motor lock is not detected, the process ends. If it is determined that the motor lock is detected, the time from the motor start to the lock is calculated in the CPU 141. If the result of this calculation is within (or less than) a predetermined time (step S ₆₆ ), it is considered that the lock may be caused by the same location or the same cause, so the number of retries is determined (step S ₆₇₎ ). If the number of retries is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the motor stop processing (step _S68 ) and error processing (step _S69 ) are performed and the process is terminated. If the number of retries is less than the predetermined number, the number of retries is incremented. (step _{S 71),} it performs the processing when the motor locks (step _{S 72),} the flow returns to the determination of step _{S 61.} Another place to If it has been more than a predetermined time is determined in the step S _66, it is considered to be locked by another cause to reset the number of retries (Step S _70), the number of retries (Step The process returns to the determination of _S67 ).

Next, when the motor lock process (step S ₇₂ ) shown in FIG. 20 is entered, the motor lock process is started as shown in FIG. Timer 152 shown in FIG.
Resets the stop time (step _S80 ) and stops the motor within a predetermined time (step _S82 ). This is to completely stop the motor in consideration of inertia and the like. When the stop time has passed the predetermined time, the reverse rotation time is reset (step _S83 ), and the motor is rotated reversely for the predetermined time to determine the reverse rotation time (step _S84 ,
_S85 ). That is, it is reversed by a predetermined angle. When the predetermined reverse rotation time has elapsed, the stop time is reset (step _S86 ), the motor is stopped for the predetermined time for the same reason as described above (step _S88 ), and the predetermined time elapses (step _S86 ).
₈₇ ) After that, the motor is rotated forward (step _S89 ), and the process ends (step _S90 ).

[0117]

As described above, in the coin receiving and dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, coins received from customers by a cashier at a food counter or the like are immediately inserted into the apparatus, and the coins are immediately denominated by the sorting and sorting means. Each change is sorted out and stored in a predetermined storage unit, and when change is paid out, the sending means is based on a payout command signal issued according to the difference between the sales amount input to the register and the payment amount from the customer. It operates and the required number of coins of the required denomination are sent out from each storage unit. By installing the coin receiving / dispensing device having such a configuration, it is possible to complete the transfer of money between the customer and the customer within a very short time and without fear of a change in the delivery of money. In this case, the cash register operation can be continued without delay. In the coin receiving and dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, the coin guide for guiding and sorting various coins is formed in a substantially annular shape. Therefore, the gauge on which the coin guide is formed is reduced in size and the apparatus is used. The overall size can be reduced, and the work space for the cashier can be sufficiently widened without reducing the work space. Further, in the coin receiving and dispensing device according to the present invention, the plurality of openings formed in the coin guide portion and having an inner diameter slightly larger than any one of various kinds of coins are changed from a small diameter to a large diameter. Are formed in order. Therefore, various coins are accommodated without error in the specified storage unit. Further, in the coin receiving / dispensing device according to the present invention, the coin guide portion of the gauge is formed with the above-described opening for coin sorting, and is tapered so that the diameter gradually decreases downward. The main surface receiving surface,
An edge receiving surface for continuously receiving the edge of the coin is formed at a lower end of the main surface receiving surface. In this configuration, the coins are reliably transported and sorted by the action of the taper of the main surface receiving surface, which prevents the coins from falling off due to the centrifugal force, and the coins are transported and selected at the time of transport. Since the roller rolls along the receiving surface, the transport resistance is suppressed to a low level. Therefore, a small-sized and small-sized transport means is sufficient, and the apparatus can be downsized from this point. Further, by forming the gauge from a thin plate-like member, the size and weight of the entire device can be reduced. Furthermore, by providing detection means for detecting the insertion of coins into each of the storage units and the sending of coins from the storage units, and counting and managing the number of inserted and sent out coins, the cash amount can be maintained even during operation of the register. As a result, it is not necessary to spend a long time in calculating the sales amount as in the related art when collecting the amount of money after closing the store. Further, in the coin receiving and dispensing device according to the present invention, the transport means is movably provided along a coin guide portion of the gauge, and a transport member for abutting against the coin and transporting the same, Transport member driving means for moving the member. Since the coins are directly pushed and conveyed by the conveying member in this manner, no leakage occurs, and all coins are surely conveyed and sorted. In addition, the transport member includes
A rolling element that rolls on the coin guide portion of the gauge is provided. Therefore, the gap between the transport member and the coin guide is always kept constant, and even if the gauge is deformed, the gap does not increase, and there is no concern about a transport error due to the expansion of the gap. A plurality of the conveying members are provided at substantially equal intervals over the entire length of the coin guide portion of the gauge. As a result, even if a large number of coins are inserted from the outside of the apparatus, they are successively smooth without delay. Transported to The coin receiving / dispensing device according to the present invention has a coin supply means for receiving coins inserted from outside the device by a cashier or the like and sequentially supplying the coins to the gauge, for example, one by one. Therefore, even if a large number of coins are inserted at one time, they are prevented from being stuck at the insertion slot. Further, in the coin receiving and dispensing device according to the present invention, the transport member driving means for moving the transport member along the coin guide portion of the gauge includes a driving force generating means including, for example, a motor, and the driving force generating means. And a driving force transmitting mechanism for transmitting the generated driving force to the transport member, wherein the coin supply means is operated by applying the driving force from the driving force generating means. That is, a single driving force generating means is shared for moving the conveying member and for driving the coin feeding means. Therefore, the number of motors and the like as the driving force generating means is reduced, and the size and the cost of the entire apparatus are reduced. Further, in this configuration, the movement of the transport member and the operation of the coin supply means are inevitably synchronized. If the synchronization is not achieved, the pushing member provided for coin pushing out of the coin feeding means and the conveying member may be in an antagonistic state with the coin interposed therebetween, and may not be able to operate with each other. In the present invention, such a situation is avoided because both operate synchronously as described above. Next, in the coin receiving and dispensing device according to the present invention, the coin supply means includes a substrate slidably supporting the coin, a coin disposed opposite to the substrate, and rotatable with respect to the substrate. A rotating plate formed with a guide hole for guiding the substrate onto the substrate, a wall member surrounding the rotating plate and provided with an outlet through which coins can pass, and disposed between the substrate and the rotating plate. An extruding member movable between an extruding position for extruding coins toward the outlet portion and a disengaging position separating from the extruding position, and moving the extruding member to the extruding position and the disengaging position based on rotation of the rotating plate. And a pushing member moving means. The coin supply means having such a configuration can supply all the coins up to the last one, and is small because of the small number of components, contributing to the miniaturization of the entire apparatus. Further, in the coin receiving and dispensing device according to the present invention, the above-mentioned conveying means is provided rotatably concentrically with the coin guide portion of the gauge, and a rotating member to which the conveying member is attached; And a driving force generating means for generating a driving force for rotation, wherein the rotating plate and the rotating member included in the coin supply means are rotationally driven in synchronization with a predetermined rotational speed ratio. Since this configuration is employed, the operation of the pushing member provided in the coin supply means is completely synchronized with the operation of the transport member, and the timing of synchronization can be freely set by appropriately changing the rotation speed ratio. Therefore, a situation in which the pushing member and the conveying member are in an antagonistic state with a coin interposed therebetween cannot occur. Further, the coin receiving / dispensing device according to the present invention is provided with a carry-out means for carrying out the coins sent from each storage section by the above-mentioned sending means toward an exit. Therefore, the cashier does not need to collect the various coins sent from the storage unit by the sending means, but can immediately grab the coins and can quickly perform the cashier work. Further, as a specific example of the carry-out means, a belt which is provided to extend between a coin delivery position by the delivery means and the take-out port and which can support and transport coins, and a belt for driving the belt And driving means. According to this configuration, the coins sent from the storage unit can be carried out to the attachment port at a high speed, and the time required for the cashier operation is reduced. In the coin receiving and dispensing device according to the present invention, the sending means includes a substrate that slidably supports the coin, and a coin that is disposed to face the substrate and is rotatable with respect to the substrate so as to rotate the coin. A rotary plate having a guide hole formed on a substrate, a wall member surrounding the rotary plate and provided with an outlet through which coins can pass, and a coin disposed between the substrate and the rotary plate for coins. An extruding member movable between an extruding position for extruding toward the outlet portion and a disengaging position separating from the extruding position, and moving the extruding member to the extruding position and the separating position based on rotation of the rotary plate. And a pushing member moving means. The sending means having such a configuration can send out all the coins up to the last one, and is small in size due to the small number of components, contributing to downsizing of the entire apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire coin receiving / dispensing apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view including a cross section of a part of the coin receiving / dispensing device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view including a cross section of a part of the coin receiving / dispensing device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an internal mechanism of the coin receiving and paying device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a part of the internal mechanism shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a coin feeder included in the internal mechanism shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the coin dispenser shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the coin dispenser shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of the coin dispenser shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a rotating plate included in the coin dispenser shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the coin dispenser shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a plan view including a partial cross section of a main part of the coin dispenser shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the coin dispenser shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a coin supply unit included in the internal mechanism shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing operation control of the internal mechanism shown in FIGS. 2 to 14;

FIG. 16 is a front view showing a display unit provided on a front panel of the coin receiving / dispensing device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing activation control of the coin receiving / dispensing device shown in FIGS. 1 to 16;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of a coin receiving process included in the flowchart shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a payout process of the coin receiving and paying device shown in FIGS. 1 to 16;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a process of detecting a motor lock of each motor included in the internal mechanism shown in FIGS. 2 to 14 and processing at the time of motor lock;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing processing for detecting motor lock of each motor included in the internal mechanism shown in FIGS. 2 to 14 and for locking the motor.

[Explanation of symbols]

16: coin dispenser, coin hopper device, 38:10 coin, coin, hopper means... 21: hopper, 42
a: coil spring, outlet means ... 40: wall member, 40a: outlet portion, payout means ... 25: substrate,
32: rotating plate, 32a: guide hole, 43: push pin,
Extruding member, guide means... 45: regulating pin, 4
6: leaf spring, 49: coil spring, roller means ...
.. 51: exit roller, 52: arm member, 52a: boss, 53: coil spring.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A hopper means for storing a plurality of coins in bulk, an outlet means for discharging coins in the hopper means out of the hopper means, and the hopper means provided in the outlet means. Means for paying out the coins one by one and means for guiding the coins from the payout means to the exit means, at least the guide means has two pins and a leaf spring. And a sprig.