WO1991006928A1

WO1991006928A1 - Sorting mechanism for coins

Info

Publication number: WO1991006928A1
Application number: PCT/FI1990/000260
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paavo Lahtinen
Original assignee: Paavo Lahtinen
Priority date: 1989-10-31
Filing date: 1990-10-31
Publication date: 1991-05-16
Also published as: FI895156A0; AU6548290A

Abstract

The invention relates to a sorting mechanism for coins, comprising means (1) for dispensing coins (A - F) to be sorted one by one onto a conveyor track (2, 3), identification elements (8, 9) associated with the conveyor track for identifying the coins upon their passage past the identification elements, a number of gates (5) on the path of the coins, as well as means (6) for opening and closing the gates on the basis of control data received from identification elements (8, 9). The mechanism further includes selection elements (7, 10), which are controlled by identification elements (8, 9) and which select for opening a predetermined gate matching the identified coin. The selection elements (7, 10) comprise a plurality of independent electronic circuits (10), each being excited according to the characteristics of a given coin (A - F) to be identified. A single or a plurality of induction coils (8) included in identification elements (8, 9) are adapted for co-operation with said several individual electronic circuits (10), the control command to open a gate (5) being only issued by that particular electronic circuit (10) whose excitation matches a coin travelling past said induction coil (8).

Description

Sorting mechanism for coins.

The present invention relates to a sorting mechanism for coins, comprising means for dispensing the coins to be sorted one by one onto a conveyor line, identifica¬ tion means associated with the conveyor line for identi¬ fying the coins upon their passage past said identifica¬ tion means, a number of gates on the path of the coins, as well as means for opening and closing the gates on the basis of control data received from the identifica¬ tion means.

In a sorting mechanism for metal coins, it is necessary to positively identify a rather large number of differ¬ ent metal coins. This is generally achieved by using mechanical sorting equipment, which on the basis of a. varying size of coins mechanically separate them from each other. Such mechanical sorting devices are very xpensive, the operation thereof involves a loud dis¬ turbing sound and, in addition, such mechanisms have a short life and towards the end of their service life they are susceptible to malfunctions caused by wearing. Neither are mechanical devices capable of distinguish¬ ing equal-sized coins of different countries from each other.

On the other hand, there are prior known electronic identification devices which are capable of identify¬ ing in a manner that a coin dropped in a coin channel can be either accepted or rejected. This type of elec¬ tronic identification devices are used in vending and slot machines. Such electronic identification devices have been described e.g. in Patent publications GE-451 694; US-4 574 935; and US-3 741 363. These prior known coin identifiers are provided with two LC resonance circuits, one serving as a reference cir¬ cuit and the other as an identification circuit. When a coin finds itself in the field of a detection coil in¬ cluded in the identification circuit, the oscillatory properties (frequency and amplitude) of said identifi¬ cation circuit will be determined on the basis of the material composition and mass of a coin. Thus, the entire material composition of a coin, which determines its permeability and conductivity, will be acting as an identification criterion.

An object of the invention is to provide a sorting mech¬ anism which is capable of exploiting this prior known identification principle in a manner that a single in¬ ductive detector coil can be used for identifying an unlimited number of different coins. This object cannot be achieved e.g. with a sorting device anticipated in US-Patent publication 3 059 749 which includes a sepa¬ rate detector coil for each coin to be identified and assorted.

This object of the invention will be achieved on the basis of the inventive features set forth in the annex¬ ed claim 1.

A few embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a sorting mechanism of the invention as a structural and electronic chart, and

fig. 2 shows an optional embodiment for the mechanical design of the mechanism. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of a part of a mech¬ anism according to one embodiment of the inven¬ tion which can be provided with an extension in the form of a rolling chute 4 with its sorting gates 5 as shown in fig. 1 or 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of a conveyor belt 20 for carrying out a rough pre¬ sorting of coins on the basis of the size.

In fig. 1 , reference numeral 1 designates a dispensing hopper 1 for coins A - F, whose dispensing gate opens on top of the horizontal section of a conveyor belt 2. The vertical, upwards extending runs of conveyor belts 2 and 3 are supported opposite each other. The coins to be assorted are carried between belts 2, 3 to the top end of said belts, wherein the coins will be ad¬ vanced through a gap between the belts into an inclined rolling chute 4 provided at the bottom thereof with a number of opening and closing gates 5. The number of gates 5 is equal to that of different coins to be sorted, e.g. equal to the number of all different coins in a particular country. Electrically controlled solenoids

6 each separately pull its allocated gate 5 open as electric current is switched on in solenoid 6 and gate 5 is closed e.g. by means of a spring force as electric current is switched off in solenoid 6. A microprocessor

7 controls the opening of solenoids 6 on the basis of that piece of data which microprocessor 7 receives from coins identification and selection elements 8 - 13, de¬ scribed in more detail hereinbelow.

Reference numeral 9 designates a block, comprising a plurality of independent electronic circuits or cards 10 with all independent electronic circuits 10 provided with a.single common detector or identification coil 8. When, for example, a coin C travels past coil 8, -the identification circuit (which includes coil 8) of every electronic circuit 10 has the same frequency and ampli¬ tude but only the reference circuit of electronic cir¬ cuit 1OC has a frequency and amplitude corresponding thereto. Thus, only said circuit 10C is to send out a signal of identified coin to microprocessor 7, under whose control a solenoid 6C pulls open a corresponding gate 5 after the delay time taken up by the coin over the distance between coil 8 and a corresponding gate 5. Although this inductive identification technique has a very abundant selectivity, it is not sufficient by it¬ self in all cases, particularly if coins of various countries must be distinguished from each other.

Thus, it is possible to effect discrimination by using additional identification elements which are also mount¬ ed adjacent to the rising, oppositely leaning runs of conveyor belts 2 and 3 the same way as coil 8.

A photocell identifier 11 can be used for producing an identification datum based on the diameter of a coin. A high-frequency radar 12 based either on electromagnetic radiation or on ultrasound can be used for producing an identification datum proportional to the thickness of a coin. Measuring can be based on the amount of energy reflecting back from a coin. If necessary, it is also possible to determine the amount of energy penetrated through a coin. In some cases it is also possible to employ an optical reading device 13 which produces an identification datum based on the circumferential lines or surface pattern of a coin. Additional identifica¬ tion elements 11, 12, 13 are linked with microprocessor 7 which picks off one or several of said independent electronic circuits 10 on the basis of preselection data provided by the additional identification elements, whereby only said one or several of preselected elec¬ tronic circuits 10 will be in operation when a coin is in register with induction coil 8. Thus, a possibility of error is substantially reduced as compared to a sort¬ ing process based on mere induction reference.

If the diameter of a coin is measured by using a photo¬ cell identifier 11, the width of belts 2, 3 must be equal to or less than the smallest diameter of coins to be identified.

The electronic design of the mechanism will be simpli¬ fied if the coins are supplied onto a conveyor track at fixed intervals. For this purpose, immediately adjacent to the dispensing hole of hopper 1 is fitted a solenoid- operated gate 14 which receives control of its timing from the clock of microprocessor 7. If necessary, the rolling chute 4 can be provided with an identifier 15 which determines the exact moment a coin drops in chute 4. This facilitates timing of the opening of gates 5.

Fig. 2 illustrates the design of a conveyor track on another principle. It includes a rotating disc 17 on a fixed base plate. The base plate for disc 17 is not shown in the drawing but the surface of said base plate is visible through holes 18 included in disc 17. The rim of disc 17 travels in an annular channel 19. Disc 17 is positioned in a coin chute in a manner that its plane is slightly inclined laterally from vertical plane. As disc 17 is rotating, coins are engaged in its holes 18. The walls of chute 19 prevent the coins from fall¬ ing. Chute 19 terminates in a rolling trough 4 having its back wall at such a distance from disc 17 that the coins are able to roll through a space between disc 17 and the back wall of rolling trough 4. The opening of gates 5 is adapted to occur the same way as described in connection with fig. 1. Thus, each sorting channel 16 only receives a single type of coins. The stacking and packaging of coins can be carried out by any of the prior known techniques which are also applied in con¬ nection with mechanical sorting devices. If the coins include ones that cannot be recognized, those are re¬ moved at the trailing end of rolling chute 4 into a reject channel.

In fig. 2, the control of gates 5 can also be effected by using an assembly of identification coil 8 ' and sole¬ noid 6 ' allocated to each gate 5, as shown at the trail¬ ing end of rolling chute 4. This system can be used over the entire or partial length of rolling chute 4 and it can operate in addition to or instead of identi¬ fication coil 8. An essential feature in the embodiment of figs. 1 and 2 is that the one-by-one supply of coins to a sorting process is effected mechanically and the actual sorting process is carried out electrically.

Fig. 3 illustrates a third example of a mechanical coin- carrying track 2 ' which includes recesses or holes in which the coins are engaged from a dispensing hopper 1. An identification coil 8 and an electronic unit 9 with its excitation circuits 10 are fitted below the upper run of belt 2 ' . The extension of belt 2 ' can be pro¬ vided by a rolling chute 4 with its sorting gates 5, as shown in fig. 1 or 2.

Fig. 4 illustrates a conveyor belt 20 including holes or notches 21, 22, 23 of various sizes in parallel rows. A stack of coins in dispensing hopper 1 rests upon belt 20 and the belt friction attracts the coins to pass below the bottom edge of hopper 1 into a runner 24 included in a control board 25. The smallest coins drop in forward-positioned smaller recesses or holes 21, the medium-sized coins, which are too large for recesses or holes 21, advance forward and drop in re¬ cesses or holes 22. The coins that are too large for recesses or holes 22 advance further under the attrac¬ tion of the friction of belt 20 in an inclined runner 24 until they drop in the largest recesses or holes 23. Hence, a rough pre-sorting has been effected on the basis of the size. From each row of recesses or holes 21 , 22 and 23 the coins are carried into their own rolling chutes, which are similar to those 4 of fig. 1 or 2. This mechanical pre-sorting provides for an easier electric sorting process. The use of belt 20 also reduces a noise problem which is generally a part of traditional mechanical sorting equipment. The width of belt 20 can be varies and the same applies to the number of rows of holes therein. Therefore, the folding rolls mounted at the ends of said belt are made up of extensible modules 26.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the above- described embodiments. For example, a microprocessor 7 can be replaced by signal processing and logic cir¬ cuits, through which the pre-identification elements 11, 12, 13 directly control electronic circuits 10 which, in turn, directly control solenoids 6 or their power supply switches.

Claims

1. A sorting mechanism for coins, comprising means (1) for dispensing coins (A - F) to be sorted one by one onto a conveyor track (2, 3; 17, 18, 19) , identi¬ fication elements (8, 9) associated with the conveyor track for identifying the coins upon their passage past said identification elements, a number of gates

(5) on the path of the coins, as well as means (6) for opening and closing the gates on the basis of con¬ trol data received from identification elements (8, 9) , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the mechanism further includes selection elements (7, 10) , which are con¬ trolled by identification elements (8, 9) and which select for opening a pre-determined gate matching the identified coin, that said selection elements (7, 10) comprise a plurality of independent electronic circuits

(10) , each of which is excited according to the charac¬ teristics of a certain coin (A - F) to be identified, and that a single or a plurality of induction coils

(8) included in identification elements (8, 9) are adapted to co-operation with said several individual electronic circuits (10) , the^' control command opening a gate (5) being only transmitted by that electronic circuit (10) whose excitation matches a coin travel¬ ing past said induction coil (8) .

2. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the conveyor track further in¬ cludes one or a plurality of the following identifi¬ cation elements: a photocell identifier (11) which pro¬ duces an identification datum based on the diameter of a coin; a high-frequency radar (12) which produces an identification datum proportional to the thickness of a coin; and an optical reading device (13) which pro- duces an identification datum based on the circumfer¬ ential lines or surface pattern of a coin.

3. A mechanism as set forth in claim 2, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that additional identification ele¬ ments (11; 12; 13) are adapted to select one or a plu¬ rality of said independent electronic circuits (10) on the basis of preselection data produced by said additional identification elements, whereby only said one or a plurality of preselected electronic circuits (10) is in operation when a coin a in register with an induction coil- (8) linked with said circuit.

4. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that the conveyor track comprises at least a single endless belt (2, 2', 20) .

5. A mechanism as set forth in claim 4, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the endless belt is provided with shallow recesses or openings (21, 22, 23), at least some (23) of which have a diameter exceeding that of the largest coin to be sorted.

6. A mechanism as set forth in claim 5, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that said recesses or openings (21, 22, 23) are arranged in two or more parallel rows or they have a different diameter in each row, so that the largest coins to be sorted can only be fitted in the recesses or openings of a single row.

7. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the conveyor track comprises two endless flexible belts (2, 3) , the coins being adapted to be carried between the oppositely pressed runs there¬ of.

8. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d by means (14; 17, 18) for dispensing coins onto a conveyor track at fixed intervals.

9. A mechanism as set forth in claim 4, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that the dispensing aperture of a coin-dispensing hopper (1) opens above the horizontal or inclined section of belt (2, 2', 20).

10. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a single inductive identifica¬ tion coil (8) is linked for co-operation with two or more independent electronic circuits (10) and that each independent electronic circuit (10) provides an • open/close control for just one determined gate (5) .