A device for transferring metal coins and its application equipment

Abstract

This invention discloses a device for conveying metal coins, including a channel for coin movement and an acceleration device that can accelerate the metal coin in a specific direction. The acceleration device accelerates the metal coin in a specific direction to a designated position in a non-contact manner in the movement channel. The device accelerates the metal coin in a non-contact manner and is not limited to metal coins of fixed size or weight. It can be applied to metal coins of all sizes and weights, and its applicability is stronger than mechanical structures that directly contact and accelerate coins.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of coin transfer, specifically to a device and its application equipment for transferring metal coins. Background Technology

[0002] In machines that use metal coins, such as amusement park rides, vending machines, and coin recycling equipment, it is necessary to transport metal coins to a specific location within the machine. Generally, the weight of the metal coin itself or devices such as conveyor belts, mechanical elastic devices, and friction wheels are used. All of these devices use direct contact with the metal coin to give it kinetic energy, thereby accelerating the coin in a specific direction. However, due to the differences in the size and material of the metal coins themselves, as well as wear and tear during use and dirt adhering to the surface, contact-type coin transport often encounters problems such as coin jamming, deviation from the specific direction of movement, and unsatisfactory acceleration effects. This leads to problems such as the need for frequent machine maintenance and adjustments, low machine efficiency, and stringent requirements on coin quality. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device for conveying metal coins, which accelerates metal coins in a non-contact manner, without being limited to metal coins of fixed size or weight, and can be applied to metal coins of all sizes and weights, making it more versatile than mechanical structures that accelerate coins through direct contact.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a device for conveying metal coins, comprising a channel for coin movement and an acceleration device that can accelerate the metal coin in a specific direction. The acceleration device uses a non-contact method to accelerate the metal coin in the movement channel to a designated position in a specific direction.

[0005] Specifically, the acceleration device includes an electromagnetic mechanism that places the metal coin in an alternating magnetic field. This electromagnetic mechanism is connected to or mounted on a motion mechanism that provides linear velocity in a specific direction. Within the magnetic field, magnetic field lines alternately pass through the front and back of the metal coin, generating an alternating current in the coin. Because the magnetic field is alternating, the current in the metal coin is also alternating, ensuring that the force acting on the metal coin remains in a specific direction, thus guaranteeing that the metal coin can accelerate in that specific direction.

[0006] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the electromagnetic mechanism is an electromagnet, which comprises several sets of electromagnets in upper and lower parts. The movement channel of the metal coin is disposed between the upper and lower electromagnets. The windings of the upper and lower electromagnets are respectively connected to alternating current with an initial phase difference of 180°. The upper and lower electromagnets are respectively disposed on a movement mechanism that can provide linear velocity in a specific direction. Specifically, the upper and lower electromagnets can be respectively disposed on two turntables, which are disposed on the upper and lower sides of the movement channel of the metal coin. One turntable is powered by a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism can be a mechanical device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, such as a motor, or it can be manually driven, such as by a manual crank. When the turntable rotates, it magnetically couples with the other turntable, thereby driving the other turntable to rotate.

[0007] As a further aspect of the present invention, the electromagnetic mechanism is a set of two magnetic pole rotors with N-pole permanent magnets and S-pole permanent magnets, wherein the N-pole permanent magnets and S-pole permanent magnets are alternately distributed on the cylindrical curved surface of the magnetic pole rotors. The rotors are connected to or mounted on a motion mechanism that can provide linear velocity in a specific direction. Specifically, the connection or mounting of the rotors on the motion mechanism means that the rotors are connected to the motion mechanism in the following ways: one rotor is connected to the drive mechanism, and when this rotor rotates, it generates magnetic coupling with the other rotor, thereby driving the other rotor; the rotors are mounted on the motion mechanism in the following ways: the two rotors are respectively mounted on two rotating wheels, and the two rotating wheels are respectively mounted on the upper and lower sides of the metal coin movement channel. One of the rotating wheels is powered by the drive mechanism. Since the rotating wheel has magnetic pole rotors, magnetic coupling is generated between the two rotating wheels, thereby causing the other rotating wheel to rotate.

[0008] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the electromagnetic mechanism can be configured with several sets of magnetic pole rotors to achieve multi-stage acceleration of the metal coin. In this embodiment, the electromagnetic mechanism is configured with two sets of magnetic pole rotors.

[0009] As a further aspect of the present invention, the first driven magnetic pole rotor of the first group and the second active magnetic pole rotor of the second group of magnetic pole rotors are connected by a synchronization mechanism. The synchronization mechanism can be a synchronization belt or a synchronization chain, etc. When the second active magnetic pole rotor rotates, it generates magnetic coupling with the second driven magnetic pole rotor, thereby driving the second driven magnetic pole rotor to rotate.

[0010] On the other hand, the present invention also provides an amusement device, including the aforementioned device for conveying metal coins.

[0011] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a metal coin ejection device, including the above-described metal coin conveying device. Attached Figure Description

[0012] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the acceleration device of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the electromagnetic mechanism structure in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the acceleration device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the acceleration device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the acceleration device in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A structural diagram from another perspective;

[0019] Figure 7 for Figure 5 Cross-sectional view along the X-axis;

[0020] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:

[0021] 1-Motion mechanism, 2-Motion channel, 3-Arrow a, 4-Arrow b, 5-Electromagnetic mechanism, 6-Synchronous belt, 7-First motor, 8-Mounting plate, 9-Synchronous pulley, 10-Acceleration device, 101-First rotating wheel, 102-Second rotating wheel, 501-First electromagnet, 502-Second electromagnet, 503-First magnetic pole rotor, 504-Second magnetic pole rotor, 505-First active magnetic pole rotor, 506-First driven magnetic pole rotor, 507-Second driven magnetic pole rotor, 508-Second active magnetic pole rotor. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] Please see Figure 1To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a device for conveying metal coins, comprising a channel 2 for coin movement and an acceleration device 10 that can accelerate the metal coin in a specific direction. The acceleration device 10 uses a non-contact method to accelerate the metal coin in the channel 2 to a designated position in a specific direction.

[0024] Specifically, the acceleration device 10 includes an electromagnetic mechanism 5 that can subject the metal coin to an alternating magnetic field. The electromagnetic mechanism 5 is connected to or mounted on the motion mechanism 1, which can provide linear velocity in a specific direction. Within the magnetic field, magnetic field lines alternately pass through the front and back of the metal coin, causing the metal coin to generate an alternating current. Because the magnetic field is alternating, the current on the metal coin is also alternating, and the force acting on the metal coin always remains in a specific direction, thereby ensuring that the metal coin can accelerate in a specific direction.

[0025] Implementation 1

[0026] like Figure 2-3 As shown, in this embodiment, the electromagnetic mechanism 5 is a moving electromagnet. The electromagnet includes several sets of electromagnets 501 and 502 in both the upper and lower parts. The channel for the movement of the metal coin is set between the electromagnets 501 and 502 in the upper and lower parts. The windings of the electromagnets 501 located on the upper side of the movement channel 2 and the windings of the electromagnets 502 located on the lower side of the movement channel 2 are respectively connected to alternating current with an initial phase difference of 180°. It should be noted that the purpose of setting the electromagnets 501 and 502 to be connected to alternating current with an initial phase difference of 180° is to ensure that their magnetic poles are always opposite. To achieve the above-mentioned phase difference alternating current, a rectifier circuit commonly used in this field can be used. The description of the circuit principle is omitted here.

[0027] Several sets of electromagnets 501 and 502 are respectively disposed on the first rotating wheel 101 and the second rotating wheel 102. The first rotating wheel 101 and the second rotating wheel 102 are disposed on the upper and lower sides of the motion channel 2 for the movement of the metal coin. One end of the first rotating wheel 101 is connected to the motor through a transmission connecting component. When the first rotating wheel 101 rotates, it generates magnetic coupling with the second rotating wheel 102, thereby driving the second rotating wheel 102 to rotate. When the direction of the linear velocity of the first rotating wheel 101 and the second rotating wheel 102 is in the direction indicated by arrow a, the metal coin is subjected to a force in the same direction as the direction indicated by arrow b, and the metal coin accelerates in the direction indicated by arrow b.

[0028] Example 2

[0029] like Figure 4As shown in this embodiment, the electromagnetic mechanism 5 is a set of first magnetic pole rotors 503 and second magnetic pole rotors 504 with N-pole permanent magnets and S-pole permanent magnets. The N-pole permanent magnets and S-pole permanent magnets are alternately distributed on the cylindrical curved surfaces of the first magnetic pole rotors 503 and second magnetic pole rotors 504. The first magnetic pole rotors 503 and second magnetic pole rotors 504 are respectively disposed on the first rotating wheel 101 and the second rotating wheel 102. The first magnetic pole rotor 503 is connected to the motor through a transmission connection component. When the motor drives the first magnetic pole rotor 503 to rotate, the first magnetic pole rotor 503 and the second magnetic pole rotor 504 generate magnetic coupling, thereby driving the second magnetic pole rotor 504 to rotate. When the first rotating wheel 503 rotates and the direction of the linear velocity of the second rotating wheel 504 is in the direction pointed to by arrow a, the metal coin is subjected to a force in the same direction as the direction pointed to by arrow b, and the metal coin accelerates in the direction pointed to by arrow b.

[0030] Example 3

[0031] like Figure 5-7As shown, in this embodiment, the acceleration device 10 includes two sets of magnetic pole rotors, including a first motor 7, a first active magnetic pole rotor 505, a first driven magnetic pole rotor 506, a second driven magnetic pole rotor 507, and a second active magnetic pole rotor 508. A motion channel 2 for the movement of the metal coin is disposed on a mounting plate 8. The first active magnetic pole rotor 505, the first driven magnetic pole rotor 506, the second driven magnetic pole rotor 507, and the second active magnetic pole rotor 508 have N-pole permanent magnets and S-pole permanent magnets alternately distributed on their cylindrical curved surfaces. The first motor 7, the first active magnetic pole rotor 505, and the second driven magnetic pole rotor 507 are disposed on one side of the mounting plate 8, and the first driven magnetic pole rotor 506 and the second active magnetic pole rotor 508 are disposed on the other side of the mounting plate 8. The first motor 7 is connected to the first active magnetic pole rotor 505 via a transmission component. The first driven magnetic pole rotor 506 is connected to the second active magnetic pole rotor 508 on the same side via a synchronous belt 6 and a gear 9. When the first motor 7 drives the first active magnetic pole rotor 505 to rotate, the first active magnetic pole rotor 505 and the first driven magnetic pole rotor 506 are magnetically coupled, thereby driving the first driven magnetic pole rotor 506 to rotate. The first driven magnetic pole rotor 506 drives the second active magnetic pole rotor 508 to rotate via the synchronous belt 6 and the gear 9. When the second active magnetic pole rotor 508 rotates, it is magnetically coupled with the second driven magnetic pole rotor 507, thereby driving the second driven magnetic pole rotor 507 to rotate. When the first wheel 505 rotates and the direction of the linear velocity of the second wheel 506 is in the direction indicated by arrow a, the metal coin is subjected to a force in the same direction as arrow b, and the metal coin accelerates in the direction indicated by arrow b. The second driven magnetic pole rotor 507 and the second active magnetic pole rotor 508 are based on the same principle as described above, and will not be repeated here. Of course, setting multiple sets of magnetic pole rotors can achieve multi-stage acceleration of coins to meet the needs of some application devices that require faster acceleration of coins.

[0032] The metal coin conveying device of the present invention can be used in amusement equipment. In order to increase the entertainment value of the game, amusement equipment usually launches game coins to a designated position inside the amusement equipment, or uses the coin to directly hit the target object in the game. After applying the metal coin conveying device of the present invention to amusement equipment, the speed of coin launching can be infinitely adjustable, and the launching speed of the coin can be close to the linear speed of the wheel, which is something that contact coin conveying devices cannot do.

[0033] The coin conveying device of the present invention can be used as a coin launching device. Coin launching devices are generally used in equipment with coin launching functions, such as amusement equipment or coin recycling devices. The coin conveying device of the present invention can give the coin instantaneous acceleration. By adjusting the rotation speed of the electromagnetic mechanism and the launching angle of the coin at the end of the movement channel, the launching distance of the coin can be controlled. Alternatively, the launching device can be mounted on a turntable base, and the direction of turntable rotation can be used to launch the coin to different directions and distances, such as launching the coin to containers or other targets at different directions and distances. It should be noted that some commonly used devices used in combination with the device of the present invention, such as vibratory feeders and coin feeding mechanisms, can be any device in the art with corresponding functions. Therefore, the specific description of the above-mentioned device structure will not be repeated here.

[0034] The driving mechanism described in this invention can be a mechanical device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, such as an electric motor, or it can be powered by human effort, such as by a manual crank. For example, when the device of this invention is applied to amusement equipment, the driving mechanism uses a manual crank to provide driving force. This allows the speed of the wheel to be converted from the speed of the crank rotation, thereby controlling the distance the coin is launched. This method can increase player participation and enhance the gaming experience.

[0035] Other embodiments of this disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure that follow the general principles of this disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this disclosure are indicated by the claims.

[0036] It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for conveying metal coins, comprising a channel (2) for coin movement and an acceleration device (10) for accelerating the metal coin in a specific direction, characterized in that, The acceleration device (10) uses a non-contact method to accelerate the metal coin in a specific direction in the motion channel (2); The acceleration device (10) includes an electromagnetic mechanism (5), which is connected to the motion mechanism (1) or is disposed on the motion mechanism (1); The motion mechanism (1) includes a first rotating wheel (101) and a second rotating wheel (102), wherein the first rotating wheel (101) is connected to the drive mechanism; The electromagnetic mechanism (5) includes a first electromagnet (501) and a second electromagnet (502). The first electromagnet (501) and the second electromagnet (502) are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the motion channel (2). The windings of the first electromagnet (501) and the second electromagnet (502) are respectively connected to alternating current with an initial phase difference of 180°. The first rotating wheel (101) is provided with several sets of the first electromagnets (501), and the second rotating wheel (102) is provided with several sets of the second electromagnets (502); The driving mechanism is a manual crank structure.

2. A device for conveying metal coins, comprising a channel (2) for coin movement and an acceleration device (10) for accelerating the metal coin in a specific direction, characterized in that, The acceleration device (10) uses a non-contact method to accelerate the metal coin in a specific direction in the motion channel (2); The acceleration device (10) includes an electromagnetic mechanism (5), which is connected to the motion mechanism (1) or is disposed on the motion mechanism (1); The electromagnetic mechanism (5) includes a first magnetic pole rotor (503) and a second magnetic pole rotor (504), and N-pole permanent magnets and S-pole permanent magnets are alternately distributed on the cylindrical curved surfaces of the first magnetic pole rotor (503) and the second magnetic pole rotor (504). The first magnetic pole rotor (503) is disposed on the first rotating wheel (101), and the second magnetic pole rotor (504) is disposed on the second rotating wheel (102); The first magnetic pole rotor (503) is connected to the motor through a transmission connection component.

3. A device for conveying metal coins, comprising a channel (2) for coin movement and an acceleration device (10) for accelerating the metal coin in a specific direction, characterized in that, The acceleration device (10) uses a non-contact method to accelerate the metal coin in a specific direction in the motion channel (2); The acceleration device (10) includes an electromagnetic mechanism (5), which is connected to the motion mechanism (1) or is disposed on the motion mechanism (1); The electromagnetic mechanism (5) includes a first active magnetic pole rotor (505), a first driven magnetic pole rotor (506), a second driven magnetic pole rotor (507), and a second active magnetic pole rotor (508); The first active magnetic pole rotor (505) is connected to the motor (7), and the first driven magnetic pole rotor (506) is connected to the second active magnetic pole rotor (508) through a synchronization mechanism; the synchronization mechanism is a timing belt (6) and a gear (9); The first active magnetic pole rotor (505), the first driven magnetic pole rotor (506), the second driven magnetic pole rotor (507) and the second active magnetic pole rotor (508) have N-pole permanent magnets and S-pole permanent magnets alternately distributed on their cylindrical surfaces.

4. An amusement ride, characterized in that, The amusement equipment includes a device for transporting metal coins as described in any one of claims 1-3.

5. A metal coin ejection device, characterized in that, The coin ejection device includes the device for conveying metal coins as described in any one of claims 1-3.

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