Coin processing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a coin processing device (100) comprising: a separation unit (110) for receiving coins or game coins and sending out the coins or game coins one by one; a sorting unit (120) which, while receiving the coins or the game coins one by one from the separating unit and moving the coins or the game coins along an arc, determines the types of the coins or the game coins and guides the coins or the game coins to the path of each type; a common motor (106) for providing a driving force to the separation unit and the sorting unit; and a computer (191) that controls the motor. When the separation unit is rotated by a first predetermined amount in a state in which the rotation of the separation unit is stopped, the computer rotates the motor in the reverse direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology of a coin handling device for receiving coins or game tokens and sorting them by type. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a device for receiving coins or game tokens and sorting them by type. For example, a coin handling device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-147425 (Patent Document 1). According to Patent Document 1, the coin handling device includes: a coin receiving unit; an identification unit that identifies coins; a guiding unit having a lower contact surface that can contact the circumferential surface of a coin in an upright state from below; a supporting unit having an upright contact surface that can contact either the front or the back of a coin in an upright state, at least one coin passage hole being formed in the upright contact surface and supporting the coin in an upright state; an annular conveyor belt that can cooperate with the upright contact surface to clamp the coin; a rotation driving unit that rotates the conveyor belt; a baffle that can open and close at least a part of the opening surface of the coin passage hole; and a baffle driving unit that opens and closes the baffle. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-147425 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a coin handling device that can perform sorting processing normally even when coins or game tokens are jammed. Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coin handling device including: a separating unit for receiving coins or game tokens and sending them out one by one; a sorting unit for receiving coins or game tokens one by one from the separating unit, moving the coins or game tokens along an arc, determining the types of the coins or game tokens, and guiding them to paths for each type; a common motor for providing driving force to the separating unit and the sorting unit; and a computer for controlling the motor. When the sorting unit rotates a first specified amount in a state where the rotation of the separating unit has stopped, the computer causes the motor to rotate in the reverse direction. Effects of the Invention

[0006] As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a coin handling device that can perform sorting processing normally even when coins or game tokens are jammed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Figure 1It is a schematic diagram showing the overall coin handling device 100 of the first embodiment. Figure 2 It is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall structure of the coin handling device 100 of the first embodiment. Figure 3 It is a top view showing the coin identification and sorting unit of the coin handling device 100 of the first embodiment. Figure 4 It is a front cross-sectional view showing the overall coin handling device 100 of the first embodiment with the coin flow during coin insertion. Figure 5 It is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall coin handling device 100 of the first embodiment with the coin flow during coin insertion. Figure 6 It is a front cross-sectional view showing the overall coin handling device 100 of the first embodiment with the coin flow during coin ejection. Figure 7 It is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall coin handling device 100 of the first embodiment with the coin flow during coin ejection. Figure 8 It is an upper perspective view showing the coin identification and sorting unit of the first embodiment. Figure 9 It is an upper perspective view showing the coin identification and sorting unit with the conveying and rotating body of the first embodiment removed. Figure 10 It is an upper perspective view showing the coin insertion part and the separation part of the first embodiment. Figure 11 It is an upper perspective view showing the separation part of the first embodiment. Figure 12 It is an upper perspective view of the coin identification and sorting unit for showing the scraper of the first embodiment. Figure 13 It is a side cross-sectional view of the separation part for showing the scraper of the first embodiment. Figure 14 It is a top view showing the handover area from the separation part to the sorting part of the first embodiment. Figure 15 It is an upper perspective view showing the discharge part for discharging to the rejection path in the sorting part of the first embodiment. Figure 16 It is an upper perspective view showing the discharging action for discharging to the rejection path in the sorting part of the first embodiment. Figure 17 It is an upper perspective view showing the discharging action for discharging coins to various conveying paths in the sorting part of the first embodiment. Figure 18 It is a top view of the coin identification and sorting unit of the first embodiment. Figure 19 It is a perspective view of a transmission mechanism for transmitting driving force to a separation unit and a sorting unit according to the first embodiment. Figure 20 It is a first perspective view of a driving force transmission mechanism in a state where the separation unit of the first embodiment is blocked. Figure 21 It is a second perspective view of a driving force transmission mechanism in a state where the separation unit of the first embodiment is blocked. Figure 22 It is a bottom perspective view showing the structure of the middle gear according to the first embodiment. Figure 23 It is a top perspective view showing the structure of the lower gear according to the first embodiment. Figure 24 It is a side view of a transmission mechanism between the middle gear, the lower gear and the separation drive shaft according to the first embodiment. Figure 25 It is a top perspective view showing the structure of the guide pin according to the first embodiment. Detailed Embodiment

[0008] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, they will not be described in detail. <First Embodiment> <Overall Structure of Coin Processing Device 100>

[0009] First, the overall structure of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 It is an external view of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment. Refer to Figure 1 , the coin processing device 100 is composed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 101, a coin insertion port 102 is provided at the upper part, and a coin discharge port 103 is provided at the lower part.

[0010] Figure 2 It is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment. Refer to Figure 2, the coin processing device 100 is provided with a coin identification and sorting unit 105 for sorting and discharging coins by type at the upper part, a coin dispensing unit 150 for accumulating and dispensing coins by type in the middle part, and a control unit 190 at the lower part. It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the coin dispensing unit 150 is composed of an upper dispensing unit 151 for four denominations and a lower dispensing unit 152 for four denominations. The control unit 190 is provided with a microcomputer 191 for controlling each part of the coin processing device 100, other communication interfaces, etc. The microcomputer 191 includes, for example, a CPU, various memories, etc.

[0011] Figure 3 is a top view of the coin identification and sorting unit 105 of the present embodiment. Refer to Figure 3 , a plurality of coins inserted are sequentially sent one by one to the sorting unit 120 by the separating unit 110. The sorting unit 120 identifies the type of each coin and sends it to the rejection conveying path 1510 formed outside the sorting unit, or to the first conveying path 1511 formed outside the sorting unit, or to the second conveying path 1512 formed inside the sorting unit, or to the third conveying path 1513 formed outside the sorting unit, or to the fourth conveying path 1514 formed inside the sorting unit, or to the fifth conveying path 1515 formed outside the sorting unit, or to the sixth conveying path 1516 formed inside the sorting unit, or to the seventh conveying path 1517 formed outside the sorting unit, or to the eighth conveying path 1518 formed inside the sorting unit, or to the overflow conveying path 1519 formed outside the sorting unit.

[0012] Figure 4 is a front sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 of the present embodiment, particularly showing the flow direction when sorting and storing the inserted coins. Figure 5 is a side sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 of the present embodiment, particularly showing the flow direction when sorting and storing the inserted coins. Refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5, the coins sent to the rejection conveying path 1510 move downward at the right end when viewed from the front and at the front end when viewed from the side, and are rejected from the coin discharge port 103. The coins sent to the overflow conveying path 1519 move downward at the left end when viewed from the front and at the front end when viewed from the side, and are sent to a container disposed below the coin processing device 100. The coins sent to the first conveying path 1511, the third conveying path 1513, the fifth conveying path 1515, and the seventh conveying path 1517 outside the sorting unit 120 are accumulated in the specified storage units of the upper payout unit 151 according to the denominations. The coins sent to the second conveying path 1512, the fourth conveying path 1514, the sixth conveying path 1516, and the eighth conveying path 1518 inside the sorting unit 120 are accumulated in the specified storage units of the lower payout unit 152 according to the denominations.

[0013] Figure 6 is a front sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 of the present embodiment, particularly showing the flow direction when coins are discharged or recovered into a recovery box (BOX) (not shown). Figure 7 is a side sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 of the present embodiment, particularly showing the flow direction when coins are discharged or recovered. Refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the coins accumulated from the outside of the sorting unit 120 via the first path, the third path, the fifth path, and the seventh path are sent forward through the upper payout unit 151 according to an instruction from the control unit 190, then descend, and are discharged from the discharge port 103 or sent to the recovery box from the recovery port 104. The coins accumulated from the lower side of the sorting unit 120 via the second path, the fourth path, the sixth path, and the eighth path are sent forward through the lower payout unit 152 according to an instruction from the control unit 190, then descend, and are discharged from the discharge port 103 or sent to the recovery box from the recovery port 104. <Structure of the coin identification and sorting unit 105>

[0014] Next, the structure of the coin identification and sorting unit 105 at the upper part of the coin processing device 100 will be described. Refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the coin identification and sorting unit 105 mainly includes a separation unit 110 and a sorting unit 120. The separation unit 110 is disposed on the front side, i.e., the front part, of the coin processing device 100, and is used to send the coins successively thrown in from the coin insertion port 102 one by one to the sorting unit 120. The sorting unit 120 is disposed on the back side, i.e., the rear part, of the coin processing device 100, and is used to determine the types of the coins sent from the separation unit 110 and send them to the corresponding conveying paths according to the types.

[0015] First, the mechanism before the coin insertion and separation unit 110 will be briefly described. Refer toFigure 10 Below the coin insertion slot 102, a detection sensor 116 is provided to notify the microcomputer 191 of the control unit 190 of the coin insertion. Downstream of the detection sensor 116, a path switching baffle 117 and a solenoid 141 for opening and closing the baffle 117 are provided. When the microcomputer 191 can receive a coin, it switches the baffle 117 by controlling the solenoid 141 so that the inserted coin flows to the separation unit 110. On the other hand, when the microcomputer 191 cannot receive a coin, it switches the baffle 117 by controlling the solenoid 141 so that the inserted coin flows through the refund pipe 142 to the coin discharge port 103. <Structure of the separation unit 110>

[0016] Next, the separation unit 110 will be described. Return to Figure 8 and Figure 9 In the separation unit 110, a circular base 111 and a cylindrical side wall 112 are provided. On the upper surface of the base 111, a take-in turntable 113 is arranged. A plurality of holes 113X for inserting coins are formed in the take-in turntable 113. In the present embodiment, three holes 113X are formed. That is, one hole 113X is formed every 120° around the drive shaft. The take-in turntable 113 is driven by a motor described later, and thus the coins inserted into the holes 113X are pushed out one by one from the discharge port 112X at the rear of the side wall 112 and sent to the sorting unit 120. More specifically, as the holes 113X of the take-in turntable 113 move, the coins rotate in a clockwise direction when viewed from above, and when they hit the guide pins 114, 114, 114, they are pushed backward along the arrangement of the guide pins 114, 114, 114, that is, to the outside of the side wall 112.

[0017] Here, a mechanism for sending the coins from the separation unit 110 to the sorting unit 120 one by one will be described. That is, for the coin processing device 100 of the present embodiment, the following mechanism is prepared: even when the coin conveyance is started by the take-in turntable 113 in a state where multiple coins are overlapped in one hole 113X, only one coin is output from the discharge port 112X of the recess of the separation unit 110 from one hole 113X.

[0018] More specifically, as described above, when one coin inserted into the hole 113X abuts against the guide pins 114, 114, 114, it is pushed out from the discharge port 112X of the side wall 112 along the arrangement of the guide pins 114, 114, 114 while being pushed by the take-in turntable 113. However, as Figure 11 shown, when multiple coins are accommodated in the hole 113X in an overlapping state, multiple coins may be discharged from the discharge port 112X at the same time.

[0019] Therefore, asFigure 12 and Figure 13 As shown in Figure 13 , in the present embodiment, a scraper 115 for leaving the upper coins inside the side wall 112 is installed at the discharge port 112X of the side wall 112. The scraper 115 is configured to be able to lift clockwise in a side view with the upper part as the axis. The scraper 115 is biased by a biasing member 118 in the direction of closing downward. In a state where the scraper 115 is closed downward, a gap of about 1 mm to 1.5 mm is formed between the lower end portion of the scraper 115 and the base 111.

[0020] In addition, in the present embodiment, the height of the portions of the guide pins 114, 114, 114 protruding upward from the surface of the base 111 is set to be lower than the thinnest coin targeted by the device. For example, it is about 1 mm or the like. Thus, even if two thinner coins enter the holes 113X of the pick-up turntable 113 overlappingly, the lower coin C1 will be pushed by the guide pins 114, 114, 114 and discharged from the gap below the scraper 115 to the outside of the side wall 112, that is, the sorting unit 120.

[0021] Moreover, even if the lower coin C1 is thicker, the coin C1 will be pushed upward along the guide pins 114, 114, 114 while being pushed by the pick-up turntable 113, and discharged from the discharge port 112X to the outside of the side wall 112, that is, the sorting unit 120.

[0022] On the other hand, the upper coin C2 will not collide with the guide pins 114, but will be pushed by the scraper 115 and thus be pushed toward the inside of the side wall 112.

[0023] In this way, in the present embodiment, even when the coins are sent in a state of being overlapped by two, only the upper coin C2 is blocked by the scraper 115 and advances above the guide pins 114. Therefore, only the lower coin C1 is sent to the sorting unit 120. <Structure of the sorting unit 120>

[0024] Next, the sorting unit 120 will be described. Refer to Figure 8 、 Figure 9 、 Figure 14, a circular base 121 and side walls 122 provided on the outer periphery of the base 121 are provided in the sorting unit 120. A conveying rotating body 123 is disposed above the base 121. A plurality of conveying pins 123X, 123X... for pushing the coins forward while pushing them from the rear are formed on the conveying rotating body 123. In the present embodiment, five conveying pins 123X, 123X... are formed. That is, the conveying pins 123X, 123X... are installed one every 72° with the axis of the conveying rotating body 123 as the center. The conveying rotating body 123 is driven by a drive motor 106, so that the coins slide one by one in the counterclockwise direction in the path between the side wall 122 and the conveying guide 131 in a top view. That is, in the present embodiment, the sorting unit 120 can convey at most five coins at the same time, or send them out to the conveying path.

[0025] More specifically, the front end portion of the side wall 122 of the sorting unit 120, that is, the wall surface on the separation unit 110 side is opened to form a coin receiving port 122X. The coins received from the coin receiving port 122X are pushed by the conveying pins 123X and advance in the right direction between the side wall 122 and the conveying guide 131. That is, in a top view, the coins advance counterclockwise around the circular base 121.

[0026] The identification unit 130 uses a magnetic sensor 132 or the like to judge the authenticity of the coins sent by the conveying pins 123X, or determine the types of the coins. The identification unit 130 sends the judgment result and the determination result to the microcomputer 191 of the control unit 190. In the present embodiment, the memory of the microcomputer 191 stores the positions of the conveying paths or the storage boxes for each type of coin. The microcomputer 191 conveys the coins to the rejection path based on the judgment result and the determination result, or conveys them to the corresponding conveying path and storage place according to the type.

[0027] More specifically, when the microcomputer 191 identifies through the identification unit 130 that the coin is a coin to be rejected, as Figure 15 shown, the sorting gate 1262 for the rejection path is opened, and the coin is sent out to the rejection conveying path 1510.

[0028] More specifically, as Figure 15 and Figure 16 (A) shows, for a certain coin, when it is judged by the identification unit 130 that the coin is a coin to be rejected, the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the coin through the timing sensor 1261. When the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the coin, it controls the solenoid 1263 for the sorting gate 1262 to lower the sorting gate 1262. As a result, a part of the side wall 122 is opened.

[0029] Then, as Figure 15 and Figure 16As shown in (B), the microcomputer 191 lowers the rejection switching roller 1264 from the floating state to the base surface. As a result, the coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X is pushed by the switching roller 1264 and pushed outward. As a result, the coin flows down to the rejection conveying path 1250.

[0030] Further, in the present embodiment, at a position downstream of the rejection sorting gate 1262, as Figure 17 shown in (A), a sorting gate 1272 for sending the first type of coin to the outside of the sorting unit 120 through the conveying path 1511 and a sorting baffle 1275 for sending the second type of coin to the lower side of the sorting unit 120 through the conveying path 1512 are provided.

[0031] When the microcomputer 191 determines that the coin is the first type or the second type of coin through the identification unit 130, the timing sensor 1271 detects the passage of the coin. When the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the first type of coin, as Figure 17 shown in the lower right figure of (B), that is, Figure 17 the solenoid 1273 for controlling the sorting gate 1272 is controlled to lower the sorting gate 1272. As a result, a part of the side wall 122 is opened.

[0032] In addition, as Figure 17 shown in (B), the microcomputer 191 lowers the switching roller 1274 for the first type of coin from the floating state to the base surface. As a result, the coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X is pushed by the switching roller 1274 and pushed outward. As a result, the coin flows down to the conveying path 1511 for the first type.

[0033] On the other hand, when the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the second type of coin, as Figure 17 shown in the upper right figure of (C), that is, Figure 17 the solenoid 1276 for controlling the sorting baffle 1275 is controlled to lift the sorting baffle 1275. As a result, the lower part of the sorting baffle 1275 is opened. As a result, the second type of coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X passes under the sorting baffle 1275 and flows down to the conveying path 1512 for the second type provided below the sorting unit 120.

[0034] In the present embodiment, at a position downstream of the sorting gate 1272 for the first type, there are provided a sorting gate 1272 similar to Figure 17 (A) for sending the third type of coin to the outside of the sorting unit 120 through the conveying path and a sorting baffle 1275 for sending the fourth type of coin to the lower side of the sorting unit 120 through the conveying path.

[0035] More specifically, when the microcomputer 191 determines that the coin is a third-type or fourth-type coin through the identification unit 130, it detects the passage of the coin through the timing sensor 1271. When the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the third-type coin, as Figure 17 shown in (B), it controls the solenoid 1273 for the sorting gate 1272 to lower the sorting gate 1272. As a result, a part of the side wall 122 is opened.

[0036] In addition, as Figure 17 shown in (B), the microcomputer 191 lowers the switching roller 1274 for the third-type coin from above to the base. Thus, the coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X is pushed by the switching roller 1274 and pushed outward. As a result, the coin flows down to the conveying path 1513 for the third type.

[0037] On the other hand, when the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the fourth-type coin, as Figure 17 shown in (C), it controls the solenoid 1276 for the sorting baffle 1275 to lift the sorting baffle 1275. As a result, the lower part of the sorting baffle 1275 is opened. Thus, the fourth-type coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X passes under the sorting baffle 1275 and flows down to the conveying path 1514 for the fourth type provided below the sorting unit 120.

[0038] In the present embodiment, at a position downstream of the sorting gate 1272 for the third type, there are provided a sorting gate 1272 for the conveying path for sending out the fifth-type coin to the outside of the sorting unit 120 and a sorting baffle 1275 for the conveying path for sending out the sixth-type coin to the lower side of the sorting unit 120, which are the same as Figure 17 (A).

[0039] When the microcomputer 191 determines that the coin is a fifth-type or sixth-type coin through the identification unit 130, it detects the passage of the coin through the timing sensor 1271. When the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the fifth-type coin, as Figure 17 shown in (B), it controls the solenoid 1273 for the sorting gate 1272 to lower the sorting gate 1272. As a result, a part of the side wall 122 is opened.

[0040] In addition, as Figure 17 shown in (B), the microcomputer 191 lowers the switching roller 1274 for the fifth-type coin from above to the base. Thus, the coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X is pushed by the switching roller 1274 and pushed outward. As a result, the coin flows down to the conveying path 1515 for the fifth type.

[0041] On the other hand, when the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the sixth type of coin, as Figure 17 (C) shows, it controls the solenoid 1276 for the sorting baffle 1275 to lift the sorting baffle 1275. Thereby, the lower part of the sorting baffle 1275 is opened. Thus, the sixth type of coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X passes under the sorting baffle 1275 and flows down to the conveying path 1516 for the sixth type provided below the sorting unit 120.

[0042] In the present embodiment, at a position on the downstream side of the sorting gate 1272 for the fifth type, there are provided a sorting gate 1272 similar to Figure 17 (A) for sending out the seventh type of coin to the conveying path outside the sorting unit 120, and a sorting baffle 1275 for sending out the eighth type of coin to the conveying path below the sorting unit 120.

[0043] When the microcomputer 191 determines through the recognition unit 130 that the coin is the seventh or eighth type of coin, it detects the passage of the coin through the timing sensor 1271. When the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the seventh type of coin, as Figure 17 (B) shows, it controls the solenoid 1273 for the sorting gate 1272 to lower the sorting gate 1272. Thereby, a part of the side wall 122 is opened.

[0044] In addition, as Figure 17 (B) shows, the microcomputer 191 lowers the switching roller 1274 for the third type of coin from above to the base. Thus, the coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X is pushed by the switching roller 1274 and pushed outwards. As a result, the coin flows down to the conveying path 1517 for the seventh type.

[0045] On the other hand, when the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the eighth type of coin, as Figure 17 (C) shows, it controls the solenoid 1276 for the sorting baffle 1275 to lift the sorting baffle 1275. Thereby, the lower part of the sorting baffle 1275 is opened. Thus, the eighth type of coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X passes under the sorting baffle 1275 and flows down to the conveying path 1518 for the eighth type provided below the sorting unit 120.

[0046] As described above, the coin processing device 100 of the present embodiment conveys four types of coins to the outside of the circular sorting unit and four types of coins to the lower side, so that it can sort a variety of coins more compactly than before.

[0047] Note that, in this embodiment, when the coin storage box of the coin payout unit 150 is full, the microcomputer 191 keeps all the sorting gates 1272 and sorting baffles 1275 closed, as Figure 3 shown, so that the coins that roughly circle the sorting unit 120 once fall into the overflow conveying path 1519. <Driving Mechanism of Separation Unit 110 and Sorting Unit 120>

[0048] Next, the driving mechanism of the separation unit 110 and the sorting unit 120 will be described. As Figure 18 and Figure 19 shown, the driving force of the driving motor 106 is transmitted to the separation drive shaft 1131 of the intake turntable 113 of the separation unit 110 via a plurality of gear sets 107, i.e., the gear reduction unit. In this embodiment, between the gear set 107 and the separation drive shaft 1131, the driving force of the driving motor 106 is also provided to the conveying rotating body. More specifically, the driving force of the driving motor 106 is transmitted to the sorting drive shaft 1231 of the conveying rotating body 123 via the upper pulley 108T and the belt 1239 that are coaxial with the common shaft 1081 of the middle gear 108M disposed at the end of the gear set 107.

[0049] That is, in this embodiment, the intake turntable 113 of the separation unit 110 and the conveying rotating body 123 of the sorting unit 120 are driven simultaneously by the driving force of one driving motor 106.

[0050] In particular, in this embodiment, the timing of sending out coins by the rotation of the intake turntable 113 of the separation unit 110 is correlated with the timing when the conveying pins 123X of the conveying rotating body 123 of the sorting unit 120 start to convey coins. As described above, the intake turntable 113 of the separation unit 110 has three holes 113X, 113X, 113X, and the conveying rotating body 123 of the sorting unit 120 has five conveying pins 123X, 123X, 123X, 123X, 123X. Therefore, the number of teeth of the middle gear 108M and the lower gear 108B of the common shaft 1081, the diameter of the upper pulley 108T, the number of teeth of the gear 1135 of the separation drive shaft 1131, the diameter of the pulley of the sorting drive shaft 1231, etc. are designed such that during the period when the intake turntable 113 of the separation unit 110 rotates 120°, the conveying rotating body 123 of the sorting unit 120 rotates 72°.

[0051] Thus, in the coin handling device 100 of the present embodiment, the coins inserted from the coin insertion port 102 are separated one by one by the separation unit 110 and sent to the sorting unit 120. The three holes 113X, 113X, 113X of the intake turntable 113 and the five conveying pins 123X, 123X, 123X, 123X, 123X of the conveying rotating body 123 of the sorting unit 120 are synchronized with each other, and are configured to transfer coins at the same timing all the time. Then, the coins sent to the sorting unit 120 are determined for authenticity, denomination, etc. in the identification unit 130, and are conveyed to each conveying path based on the result. <Clogging release mechanism>

[0052] Next, a mechanism for recovery in the case where the intake turntable 113 of the separation unit 110 stops, for example, when coins are clogged, will be described. In the present embodiment, as Figure 20 shown, when the intake turntable 113 stops, for a certain period, the common shaft 1081 and the sorting unit 120 continue to be driven in a state where the transmission to the separation drive shaft 1131 is released.

[0053] More specifically, in the present embodiment, when the separation unit 110 is clogged, as Figure 21 shown, the driving force of the drive motor 106 is transmitted to the middle gear 108M, the upper pulley 108T, and the sorting unit 120, but the transmission of the driving force to the lower gear 108B and the separation drive shaft 1131 is cut off.

[0054] More specifically, referring to Figure 19 and Figure 21 , a middle gear 108M for receiving the driving force from the gear set 107 is provided in the middle of the common shaft 1081. An upper pulley 108T is provided at the upper part of the common shaft 1081. A lower gear 108B is provided at the lower part of the common shaft 1081. The lower gear 108B is urged upward by a push spring 109.

[0055] In the present embodiment, as Figure 22 shown, the middle gear 108M is composed of a gear portion 108MA that rotates integrally with the common shaft 1081 and a clutch portion 108MB having a convex portion 108X formed on the lower surface. As long as the two rotate integrally, the two components can be fixedly assembled or integrally formed. An inclined portion 108XA that contacts or slides with an inclined portion 108YA of the lower gear 108B described later, and an upright portion 108XB for abutting against an upright portion 108YB of the lower gear 108B described later are formed on the convex portion 108X.

[0056] As Figure 23As shown, the lower gear 108B has a groove portion 108Y formed on its upper surface that can accommodate the convex portion 108X of the middle gear 108M. An inclined portion 108YA opposed to the inclined portion 108XA of the convex portion 108X and an upright portion 108YB opposed to the upright portion 108XB are formed in a part of the groove portion 108Y. The lower gear 108B is pivotally supported on the common shaft 1081 in a freely rotatable manner and is configured to be engaged with the clutch portion 108MB of the middle gear 108M by the pressing spring 109.

[0057] And, normally, due to the acting force of the pressing spring 109, the convex portion 108X of the middle gear 108M enters the groove portion 108Y of the lower gear 108B. In a state where the inclined portion 108XA of the middle gear 108M abuts against the inclined portion 108YA of the lower gear 108B, the driving force transmitted to the middle gear 108M is transmitted to the lower gear 108B. As a result, the separation drive shaft 1131 is driven via the separation gear 1135.

[0058] However, when the sorting unit 120, the coin intake turntable 113, and the separation drive shaft 1131 stop, for example, when a coin gets stuck in the coin intake turntable 113, as Figure 24 shown, it is configured that the inclined portion 108XA of the convex portion 108X of the clutch portion 108MB of the middle gear 108M pushes the inclined portion 108YA of the lower gear 108B, thereby pushing the lower gear 108B downward against the acting force of the pressing spring 109. That is, the convex portion 108X of the middle gear 108M passes over the inclined portion 108YA of the lower gear 108B.

[0059] After passing over, the convex portion 108X of the middle gear 108M moves without resistance inside the groove portion 108Y of the lower gear 108B. That is, during the period before the convex portion 108X reaches the inclined portion 108YA again, the middle gear 108M and the common shaft 1081 can rotate freely relative to the lower gear 108B. That is, in a state where the separation unit 110 stops, the common shaft 1081, the upper pulley 108T, and the sorting unit 120 are in a driven state.

[0060] More specifically, in the present embodiment, as described above, the coin intake turntable 113 and the conveying rotating body 123 are configured to transfer coins one by one synchronously. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a stepping clutch gear composed of the lower gear 108B and the middle gear 108M is provided on the common shaft 1081 that is a branch of the separation unit 110 and the sorting unit 120. Thus, when a load above a certain level is applied due to the stop of the coin intake turntable 113, this stepping clutch automatically disengages, and in a state where the drive to the coin intake turntable 113 is cut off, only the conveying rotating body 123 can be driven.

[0061] Here, as shown in Figure 19 In this embodiment, a separation sensor 1133 and a sorting sensor 1233 are provided. The separation sensor 1133 is used to detect the rotation of the separation drive shaft 1131, which is the drive shaft of the loading turntable 113, and the sorting sensor 1233 is used to detect the rotation of the sorting drive shaft 1231, which is the drive shaft of the conveying rotor 123. Thus, the microcomputer 191 of this embodiment can detect whether the loading turntable 113 is rotating forward, stopped, or rotating backward via the separation sensor 1133. In addition, the microcomputer 191 can detect whether the conveying rotor 123 is rotating forward, stopped, or rotating backward via the sorting sensor 1233.

[0062] Moreover, in this embodiment, the microcomputer 191 is programmed such that when it is detected via the sorting sensor 1233 that the sorting unit 120 has rotated a specified amount or for a specified time since the separation unit 110 was detected to have stopped via the separation sensor 1133, it is determined that all sorting of the coins within the sorting unit 120 has been processed, and the reverse rotation of the drive motor 106 is performed to carry out the reverse rotation operation of the separation unit 110 and the sorting unit 120.

[0063] For example, after the microcomputer 191 detects via the separation sensor 1133 that the separation drive shaft 1131 has stopped, when it is confirmed via the sorting sensor 1233 that the sorting drive shaft 1231 has rotated a specified angle, such as 300°, the drive motor 106 is rotated in the reverse direction.

[0064] That is, in this embodiment, the number of teeth of the various gears of the common shaft 1081, the diameter of the upper pulley 108T, the diameter of the pulley of the sorting drive shaft 1231, etc. are designed such that the sorting drive shaft 1231 can rotate at least a specified angle, such as 300°, during the period from when the convex portion 108X crosses the inclined portion 108YA until it reaches the inclined portion 108YA again.

[0065] It should be noted that when the drive motor 106 rotates in the reverse direction, the convex portion 108X of the middle gear 108M enters the groove portion 108Y of the lower gear 108B due to the acting force of the compression spring 109. After the middle gear 108M rotates in the reverse direction by a specified amount, in the state where the upright portion 108XB of the middle gear 108M abuts against the upright portion 108YB of the lower gear 108B, the driving force transmitted to the middle gear 108M is transmitted to the lower gear 108B. As a result, the separation drive shaft 1131 and the sorting drive shaft 1231 are driven in the reverse direction together via the separation gear 1135.

[0066] After that, the microcomputer 191 is programmed to rotate the drive motor 106 forward again when it is detected via the separation sensor 1133 that the separation drive shaft 1131 has reversed by a specified angle, such as 360°. Even during forward rotation, due to the force of the pressing spring 109, the convex portion 108X of the middle gear 108M enters the groove portion 108Y of the lower gear 108B. After the middle gear 108M rotates a specified amount, the driving force transmitted to the middle gear 108M is transmitted to the lower gear 108B in a state where the inclined portion 108XA of the middle gear 108M abuts against the inclined portion 108YA of the lower gear 108B. As a result, the separation drive shaft 1131 and the sorting drive shaft 1231 are driven in the positive direction via the separation gear 1135.

[0067] It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the guide pins 114, 114, 114 are provided at a position downstream of the discharge port 112X. More specifically, as Figure 25 shown, the guide pins 114, 114, 114 are provided on the downstream side of the guide member 114X. And inclined portions 114Y, 114Y, 114Y are formed at positions on the guide member 114X downstream of the guide pins 114, 114, 114. And the guide member 114X is pivotally supported by the upstream end of its base portion 114Z so as to be rotatable and configured to be movable in the vertical direction, and is biased upward by a pressing spring 1149.

[0068] Thus, when the coins flowing into the hole 113X come, the coins collide with the vertical side surfaces of the guide pins 114, 114, 114 and are guided to the discharge port 112X.

[0069] It should be noted that the coin intake turntable 113 is held in a state of floating to a position slightly higher than the protruding amount of the guide pin 114.

[0070] And, as described above, when the coin intake turntable 113 reverses, the coins, the coin intake turntable 113 come into contact with the inclined portions 114Y, 114Y, 114Y, and the guide member 114X is pushed downward, so that it can reverse smoothly. <Second Embodiment>

[0071] In the above embodiment, four types of coins are sent out to the outside of the sorting unit 120 via the four sorting gates 1272, and four coin conveying paths are provided below the sorting unit 120 via the four sorting baffles 1275. However, the number of gates and the number of outer conveying paths are not limited, and the number of baffles and the number of lower conveying paths are also not limited.

[0072] In addition, by setting only one or more gates, a conveying path can be provided only outside the sorting unit 120, or by setting only one or more baffles, a conveying path can be provided only below the sorting unit 120. <Third Embodiment>

[0073] In the above embodiment, the intake turntable 113 of the separation unit 110 and the conveying rotating body 123 of the sorting unit 120 are driven or reversed by one drive motor 106. However, the intake turntable 113 of the separation unit 110 and the conveying rotating body 123 of the sorting unit 120 can also be driven by separate motors. Moreover, the microcomputer 191 can drive these motors or reverse them based on the detection results of the separation sensor 1133 and the sorting sensor 1233.

[0074] In the present embodiment, when coins are jammed in the separation unit 110, the microcomputer 191 can rotate only the sorting unit 120 forward while rotating only the separation unit 110 backward or forward. <Fourth Embodiment>

[0075] In the above embodiment, the coin processing device 100 processes coins, but the objects to be sorted are not limited to coins with monetary value. They can also be game coins used in games, etc., and can also identify the types of other circular metals, or sort them, or determine their authenticity. <Summary>

[0076] In the above embodiment, there is provided a coin processing device including: a separation unit for receiving coins or game coins and sending them out one by one; a sorting unit for receiving coins or game coins one by one from the separation unit, judging the types of the coins or game coins while moving the coins or game coins along an arc, and guiding them to the paths for each type; a shared motor for providing driving force to the separation unit and the sorting unit; and a computer for controlling the motor. When the sorting unit rotates a first specified amount while the rotation of the separation unit stops, the computer reverses the rotation of the motor.

[0077] Preferably, the first specified amount is an amount sufficient to guide all the coins or game coins in the sorting unit to the paths for each type.

[0078] Preferably, the coin processing device further includes: a first sensor for detecting the rotation of the separation unit; and a second sensor for detecting the rotation of the sorting unit. The computer identifies the situation where the sorting unit rotates a first specified amount while the rotation of the separation unit stops by using the first sensor and the second sensor.

[0079] Preferably, the coin handling device further includes a gear disposed on a transmission path for transmitting driving force from the motor to the rotating shaft of the separating unit. When a load is applied to the rotating shaft, the gear idles by a specified angle corresponding to a first specified amount.

[0080] It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed herein are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is represented by the claims, rather than by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. Explanation of reference numerals

[0081] 100: Coin handling device 101: Housing 102: Coin insertion port 103: Coin discharge port 104: Recovery port 105: Coin identification and sorting unit 106: Driving motor 107: Gear set 108M: Middle gear 108MA: Gear portion 108MB: Clutch portion 108X: Protrusion 108XA: Inclined portion 108XB: Upright portion 108B: Lower gear 108Y: Groove portion 108YA: Inclined portion 108YB: Upright portion 108T: Upper pulley 109: Pushing spring 110: Separating unit 111: Base 112: Side wall 112X: Discharge port 113: Loading turntable 113X: Coin holding hole 114: Guide pin 114X: Guide member 114Y: Inclined portion 114Z: Guide base 115: Scraper 116: Detection sensor 117: Passage switching baffle 118: Biasing member 120: Sorting unit 121: Base 122: Side wall 122X: Coin receiving port 123: Conveyor rotating body 123X: Conveyor pin 130: Identification unit 131: Conveyor guide 132: Magnetic sensor 141: Solenoid 142: Return pipe 150: Coin payout unit 151: Upper payout unit 152: Lower payout unit 190: Control unit 191: Microcomputer 1081: Common axis 1131: Separation drive shaft 1133: Separation sensor 1135: Separation gear 1149: Push spring 1231: Sorting drive shaft 1233: Sorting sensor 1239: Belt 1250: Conveyor path 1261: Timing sensor 1262: Sorting gate 1263: Solenoid 1264: Switching roller 1271: Timing sensor 1272: Sorting gate 1273: Solenoid 1274: Switching roller 1275: Sorting baffle 1276: Solenoid 1510: Reject conveyor path 1511: First conveyor path 1512: Second conveyor path 1513: Third conveyor path 1514: Fourth conveyor path 1515: Fifth conveyor path 1516: Sixth conveyor path 1517: Seventh conveyor path 1518: Eighth conveyor path 1519: Overflow conveyor path C1: Coin C2: Coin

Claims

1. A coin handling device, characterized in that, comprising: a separating unit configured to receive coins or tokens and send out the coins or tokens one by one; a sorting unit configured to receive the coins or tokens one by one from the separating unit, move the coins or tokens along an arc, determine the types of the coins or tokens, and guide the coins or tokens to paths for each type; a shared motor that provides driving force to the separating unit and the sorting unit; and a computer that controls the motor, wherein when the sorting unit rotates a first predetermined amount while the separating unit is in a state of stopped rotation, the computer causes the motor to rotate in the reverse direction.

2. The coin handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first predetermined amount is an amount sufficient to guide all the coins or tokens in the sorting unit to the paths for each type.

3. The coin handling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, further comprising: a first sensor configured to detect the rotation of the separating unit; and a second sensor configured to detect the rotation of the sorting unit, wherein the computer identifies a situation where the sorting unit rotates the first predetermined amount while the separating unit is in a state of stopped rotation by using the first sensor and the second sensor.

4. The coin handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, further comprising a gear disposed on a transmission path for transmitting driving force from the motor to a rotation shaft of the separating unit, and when a load is applied to the rotation shaft, the gear idles a predetermined angle corresponding to the first predetermined amount.

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