WO1998012515A1 - Sensing devices - Google Patents

Sensing devices Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998012515A1
WO1998012515A1 PCT/GB1997/002454 GB9702454W WO9812515A1 WO 1998012515 A1 WO1998012515 A1 WO 1998012515A1 GB 9702454 W GB9702454 W GB 9702454W WO 9812515 A1 WO9812515 A1 WO 9812515A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
circuit board
printed circuit
sensing device
strain gauge
tokens
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1997/002454
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Mike Bell
Original Assignee
Coin Controls Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Coin Controls Limited filed Critical Coin Controls Limited
Priority to AU42143/97A priority Critical patent/AU4214397A/en
Publication of WO1998012515A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998012515A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01G—WEIGHING
    • G01G3/00—Weighing apparatus characterised by the use of elastically-deformable members, e.g. spring balances
    • G01G3/12—Weighing apparatus characterised by the use of elastically-deformable members, e.g. spring balances wherein the weighing element is in the form of a solid body stressed by pressure or tension during weighing
    • G01G3/14—Weighing apparatus characterised by the use of elastically-deformable members, e.g. spring balances wherein the weighing element is in the form of a solid body stressed by pressure or tension during weighing measuring variations of electrical resistance
    • G01G3/1402—Special supports with preselected places to mount the resistance strain gauges; Mounting of supports
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01G—WEIGHING
    • G01G19/00—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups
    • G01G19/40—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight
    • G01G19/42—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight for counting by weighing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to sensing devices and particularly, though not exclusively, to sensing devices for use in weighing hoppers containing coins or tokens, for example in coin handling apparatus.
  • Coins and tokens are often stored in hoppers and in some circumstances it can be desirable to weigh the hoppers, for example to enable the number of coins within the hopper to be calculated or estimated.
  • sensing devices are presently available to weigh hoppers in coin handling machines, but these sensing devices are relatively expensive to manufacture and install.
  • the known devices involve the use of a beam which is deflected by the weight of the hopper, a separate strain gauge mounted on the beam, a printed circuit board carrying components for processing signal receive from the strain gauge, and associated connecting wiring looms.
  • the invention provides a sensing device comprising a printed circuit board, a strain gauge on the printed circuit board, and mounting means for the printed circuit board, such that when a load is applied to the printed circuit board, for example by a hopper containing coins or tokens, the circuit board is caused to deform with respect to the mounting means, thus causing the strain gauge to operate.
  • the strain gauge may be provided by printing the strain gauge onto the printed circuit board circuitry but the invention includes the possibility of using the strain gauge bonded onto or otherwise attached to the printed circuit board which would still provide significant advantages with regard to cost and compactness, compared to the prior art arrangements.
  • the mounting means may comprise a substantially rigid mounting plate fitted underneath the strain gauge, the plate having means to apply a counter load to the printed circuit board, when the printed circuit board receives the load from above, thus deforming the printed circuit board.
  • the means to apply counter load may comprise a raised portion of the plate.
  • the raised portion may comprise a peg or pip.
  • the mounting plate may be arranged to have other spaced apart raised portions to define a limiting position for the printed circuit board.
  • a hopper for coins or tokens may be mounted on top of the printed circuit board.
  • Figure I is an exploded view of an embodiment of sensing device according to the invention.
  • the sensing device shown in Figure 1 comprises three basic components, namely a hopper 10, a printed circuit board 1 1 and a mounting plate 12.
  • a hopper 10 is a conventional compact hopper to provide a reservoir for coins or tokens within a coin handling machine.
  • the printed circuit board 1 1 is a rectangular board having components thereon including a strain gauge 8 and circuitry 9 to detect a strain signal from the gauge and process the signal. There is a hole 13 at each corner of the board.
  • the mounting plate 12 is of steel and is substantially rigid. It has four guide pegs 14 which engage in the holes 13 of the printed circuit board, and it has three spaced apart, raised ribs 15. Positioned between these ribs is a raised portion in the form of a peg or pip 16 which projects above the level of the ribs 15.
  • the effect of the arrangement is that when load is applied to the printed circuit board by the hopper 10, a counter load is applied to the board by the pip 16 causing the board to flex. This deforms the strain gauge and produces a signal. The maximum position of flexure comes about when the peripheral area of the board seats on the ribs 15.
  • Figure 1 is diagrammatic and it should be understood that the unit may include a number of other components, which could form part of the printed circuit board, including, for example, a microprocessor, calibration means, a memory, switches and even a display.
  • the display could for example be calibrated to show weight, or to show the number of coins or tokens of a given weight contained in the hopper.

Abstract

A sensing device is provided comprising a printed circuit board (11), a strain gauge (8) on the printed circuit board (11), and mounting means (12) for the printed circuit board (11), so that when a load is applied to the printed circuit board (11), for example by a hopper (10) containing coins or tokens, the circuit board (11) is caused to deform with respect to the mounting means (12), thus causing the strain gauge (8) to operate. This provides a sensing device which is simpler and more economic than known sensing devices, and which is particularly suitable for use with hoppers containing coins or tokens, for example for use in the coin handling apparatus of vending machines, ticket machines and gaming means.

Description

SENSING DEVICES
The invention relates to sensing devices and particularly, though not exclusively, to sensing devices for use in weighing hoppers containing coins or tokens, for example in coin handling apparatus.
Many forms of coin handling apparatus exist including, for example, vending machines, ticket machines and gaming machines. Coins and tokens are often stored in hoppers and in some circumstances it can be desirable to weigh the hoppers, for example to enable the number of coins within the hopper to be calculated or estimated.
Some sensing devices are presently available to weigh hoppers in coin handling machines, but these sensing devices are relatively expensive to manufacture and install. The known devices involve the use of a beam which is deflected by the weight of the hopper, a separate strain gauge mounted on the beam, a printed circuit board carrying components for processing signal receive from the strain gauge, and associated connecting wiring looms.
We have developed a much simpler and more economic sensing device, specifically for use with hoppers containing coins or tokens, but which can also be used in many other sensing applications.
The invention provides a sensing device comprising a printed circuit board, a strain gauge on the printed circuit board, and mounting means for the printed circuit board, such that when a load is applied to the printed circuit board, for example by a hopper containing coins or tokens, the circuit board is caused to deform with respect to the mounting means, thus causing the strain gauge to operate.
Thus, all the essential components are combined into a single unit. There is no need to have a separate beam with a strain gauge mounted on the beam. The printed circuit board itself deforms and acts as the beam.
The strain gauge may be provided by printing the strain gauge onto the printed circuit board circuitry but the invention includes the possibility of using the strain gauge bonded onto or otherwise attached to the printed circuit board which would still provide significant advantages with regard to cost and compactness, compared to the prior art arrangements.
Since connections can be made direct on the printed circuit board between the strain gauge and other circuitry components, there is also a reduction in the amount of loom wiring required.
Not only does the invention represent advantages with regard to cost and compactness, but reliability is increased because of the directness of connection.
The mounting means may comprise a substantially rigid mounting plate fitted underneath the strain gauge, the plate having means to apply a counter load to the printed circuit board, when the printed circuit board receives the load from above, thus deforming the printed circuit board.
The means to apply counter load may comprise a raised portion of the plate. The raised portion may comprise a peg or pip.
The mounting plate may be arranged to have other spaced apart raised portions to define a limiting position for the printed circuit board.
There may be three other raised portions, each in the form of a rib.
A hopper for coins or tokens may be mounted on top of the printed circuit board.
By way of example, a specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-
Figure I is an exploded view of an embodiment of sensing device according to the invention.
The sensing device shown in Figure 1 comprises three basic components, namely a hopper 10, a printed circuit board 1 1 and a mounting plate 12.
A hopper 10 is a conventional compact hopper to provide a reservoir for coins or tokens within a coin handling machine.
The printed circuit board 1 1 is a rectangular board having components thereon including a strain gauge 8 and circuitry 9 to detect a strain signal from the gauge and process the signal. There is a hole 13 at each corner of the board. The mounting plate 12 is of steel and is substantially rigid. It has four guide pegs 14 which engage in the holes 13 of the printed circuit board, and it has three spaced apart, raised ribs 15. Positioned between these ribs is a raised portion in the form of a peg or pip 16 which projects above the level of the ribs 15.
The effect of the arrangement is that when load is applied to the printed circuit board by the hopper 10, a counter load is applied to the board by the pip 16 causing the board to flex. This deforms the strain gauge and produces a signal. The maximum position of flexure comes about when the peripheral area of the board seats on the ribs 15.
Figure 1 is diagrammatic and it should be understood that the unit may include a number of other components, which could form part of the printed circuit board, including, for example, a microprocessor, calibration means, a memory, switches and even a display. The display could for example be calibrated to show weight, or to show the number of coins or tokens of a given weight contained in the hopper.
The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A sensing device comprising a printed circuit board, a strain gauge on the printed circuit board, and mounting means for the printed circuit board, such that when a load is applied to the printed circuit board, for example by a hopper containing coins or tokens, the circuit board is caused to deform with respect to the mounting means, thus causing the strain gauge to operate.
2. A sensing device as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the strain gauge is provided by printing the strain gauge onto the printed circuit board circuitry.
3. A sensing device as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the strain gauge is bonded onto or otherwise attached to the printed circuit board.
4. A sensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the mounting means comprises a substantially rigid mounting plate fitted underneath the strain gauge, the plate having means to apply a counter load to the printed circuit board when the printed circuit board receives the load from above, thus deforming the printed circuit board.
5. A sensing device as claimed in Claim 4, in which the means to apply counter load comprises a raised portion of the plate.
6. A sensing device as claimed in Claim 5, in which the raised portion comprises a peg or pip.
7. A sensing device as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, having other spaced apart raised portions to define a limiting position for the printed circuit board.
8. A sensing device as claimed in Claim 7, in which there are three other raised portions, each in the form of a rib.
9. A sensing device constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
10. A sensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, with a hopper for coins or tokens mounted on top of the printed circuit board.
1 1. Coin handling apparatus when fitted with a sensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
PCT/GB1997/002454 1996-09-21 1997-09-16 Sensing devices WO1998012515A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU42143/97A AU4214397A (en) 1996-09-21 1997-09-16 Sensing devices

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9619742.1A GB9619742D0 (en) 1996-09-21 1996-09-21 Sensing devices
GB9619742.1 1996-09-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998012515A1 true WO1998012515A1 (en) 1998-03-26

Family

ID=10800311

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1997/002454 WO1998012515A1 (en) 1996-09-21 1997-09-16 Sensing devices

Country Status (5)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4214397A (en)
GB (1) GB9619742D0 (en)
TW (1) TW352427B (en)
WO (1) WO1998012515A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA978404B (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6176774B1 (en) 1995-03-31 2001-01-23 Spinteknology, Inc. Coin hopper weighing system

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2155190A (en) * 1984-03-01 1985-09-18 Cherlyn Electronics Counting by weighing
FR2608759A1 (en) * 1986-12-19 1988-06-24 Dal Dan Felice Balance of the bathroom scales type
WO1993009521A1 (en) * 1991-11-04 1993-05-13 Vindicator Corporation A full bridge strain gage deflection sensor

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2155190A (en) * 1984-03-01 1985-09-18 Cherlyn Electronics Counting by weighing
FR2608759A1 (en) * 1986-12-19 1988-06-24 Dal Dan Felice Balance of the bathroom scales type
WO1993009521A1 (en) * 1991-11-04 1993-05-13 Vindicator Corporation A full bridge strain gage deflection sensor

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6176774B1 (en) 1995-03-31 2001-01-23 Spinteknology, Inc. Coin hopper weighing system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ZA978404B (en) 1998-03-26
GB9619742D0 (en) 1996-11-06
TW352427B (en) 1999-02-11
AU4214397A (en) 1998-04-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0852778B1 (en) Apparatus and method for data gathering in games of chance
US4661908A (en) Sales data processing system
EP0301451A3 (en) Automated self-service checkout system
US5192855A (en) Improvements in cash payment machines enabling acceptance of credit card payment
US20140106859A1 (en) Gaming machine, a controller for a gaming machine, a gaming system, and a gaming method
EP0918306A3 (en) Inductive coin validation system and payphone using it
WO1998012515A1 (en) Sensing devices
EP0305154A2 (en) Electronic weighing instrument
CA1241114A (en) Scale with processor controlled power switching
US4832142A (en) Electronic scale apparatus
SK13832000A3 (en) Device for detecting and representing product characteristics
US6211472B1 (en) Flat electronic scales
US20230392977A1 (en) Retail weighing scale
JP6512618B1 (en) Waste paper recovery system
JP2936732B2 (en) Electronic cash register
AU732402B2 (en) Apparatus and method for data gathering in games of chance
AU2007100046C4 (en) A system and method for use with a gaming machine
GB2232261A (en) Weighing apparatus
JPS6478311A (en) Information processor
GB2163266A (en) Photocopying
JP3156486B2 (en) Airbag system
GB2297386A (en) Electronic weight determining apparatus
DE59503426D1 (en) Ticket vending machine with coin counter
AU2006252005B2 (en) A system and method for use with a gaming machine
AU2016247205A1 (en) A system and method for use with a gaming machine

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE GH HU ID IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV GH

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH KE LS MW SD SZ UG ZW AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

Ref document number: 1998514381

Format of ref document f/p: F

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA