Coin processor and automatic transaction device

Abstract

To transport coins in a stable manner.SOLUTION: A coin processor 10 includes: a collection tank 41 forming a coin collection space 50 in which coins CN are collected; an inclined disk 45 forming the coin collection space 50 together with the collection tank 41, having a disk surface 45S facing the coin collection space 50 and forming a separating projection 47 that contacts the coins CN and conveys the coins CN, and rotating to separate the coins CN in the coin collection space 50; a conveyor 51 for conveying the coins CN separated by the inclined disk 45 along a conveyor path W while facing a left conveyor surface LS connected to the disk surface 45S; and a coin control unit 12 that performs intermittent separation control to temporarily stop the rotation of the inclined disk 45 at a predetermined timing and resume the rotation of the inclined disk 45 after a predetermined stop time has elapsed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coin processing device and an automatic transaction device, and is suitably applied to, for example, an automatic teller machine (ATM) which allows a customer to insert bills and coins and performs a desired transaction. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, automated teller machines used in financial institutions, supermarkets, and the like have been widely used to allow customers or store clerks to deposit cash, such as bills and coins, and to dispense cash to customers or store clerks depending on the content of a transaction with a customer.

[0003] Some of these automated teller machines and the like have a coin processing device inside that processes coins, for example. The coin processing device has, for example, a deposit / withdrawal section that receives and hands over coins to and from customers or store clerks, a separation section that accumulates coins and separates and pays out the accumulated coins one by one, a transport section that transports the coins, an identification section (also called a recognition section) that identifies the denomination and authenticity of the coins, and a storage section that stores the coins by denomination.

[0004] As the separating section, for example, a slanted disk (also called a rotating body) with a central axis tilted from the horizontal direction is configured to be rotatable, protrusions are provided on the disk surface, and a lower end of a stacking cover (also called a stacking section) that forms a stacking space for stacking coins is formed to fit along the lower part of the outer periphery of the rotating body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this separating section, coins are hooked onto the protrusions one by one and dispensed by rotating the rotating body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-86655 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In such coin processing devices, continuous rotation of the rotor may cause problems in transporting coins.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a coin processing device and an automatic transaction device that are capable of transporting coins stably. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve this problem, the coin processing device of the present invention is provided with an accumulation unit that forms an accumulation space in which coins are accumulated, a separation unit that separates the coins in the accumulation space by rotating a rotating body that forms the accumulation space together with the accumulation unit and has a disk surface facing the accumulation space and has protrusions that abut against the coins and transport them, a transport unit that transports the coins separated by the separation unit along a transport path while facing a transport surface connected to the disk surface, and a control unit that performs intermittent separation control that temporarily suspends the rotation of the rotating body at a predetermined timing and resumes rotation of the rotating body after a predetermined stop time has elapsed.

[0009] The automatic transaction apparatus of the present invention is provided with an operation unit that accepts operations from a user, and the coin processing apparatus described above.

[0010] The present invention can prevent problems with coin transportation caused by continuous rotation of the rotating body, such as coins not being transferred properly from the accumulation space to the transport section, or coins overflowing from the temporary storage section downstream of the accumulation section. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of coin conveyance failures caused by the continuous rotation of the rotating body, such as the inability to normally transfer coins from the accumulation space to the conveyance unit or the overflow of coins in the temporary storage unit on the downstream side of the accumulation unit, and it is possible to realize a coin processing device and an automatic transaction device that can stably convey coins.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the cash dispenser. [Diagram 2] It is a right side view showing the internal configuration of the coin processing device. [Diagram 3] It shows the external configuration of the upper separation unit, where (A) is a front view and (B) is a right side view. [Figure 4] It shows the internal configuration (1) of the upper separation unit and is a cross-sectional view taken along the A-A arrow in Fig. 3(A). [Diagram 5] It shows the internal configuration (2) of the upper separation unit and is a cross-sectional view taken along the B-B arrow in Fig. 4. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing the configuration of the separation gate. [Figure 7] It is a right side view showing the state of coins passing through the separation gate (1). [Figure 8] It shows the state of coins passing through the separation gate (2) and is a cross-sectional view taken along the C-C arrow in Fig. 7(C). [Figure 9] It shows the locked state and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 8.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Configuration of the Cash Dispenser] As shown in FIG. 1, an automated teller machine 1 as an automatic transaction device is composed mainly of a box-shaped housing 2 and is installed, for example, in financial institutions and various commercial facilities, and carries out cash-related transactions such as deposit and withdrawal processing between the machine and users (i.e., customers of the financial institution or commercial facility, bank employees, maintenance personnel, etc.).

[0015] The housing 2 has a reception unit 3 provided at the front where a user can easily insert banknotes and operate the touch panel while facing the reception unit 3. The reception unit 3 is provided with a passbook slot 4, a card slot 5, a coin slot 6, a banknote slot 7, an operation display unit 8, etc., and directly exchanges cash, cards, etc. with the user, and also notifies the user of transaction-related information and accepts operation instructions.

[0016] The passbook slot 4 is where passbooks are inserted or ejected. At the back of the passbook slot 4 is a passbook processing unit (not shown) that reads magnetic information from a magnetic recording unit provided on the back cover or the like of the passbook and records the details of transactions in the passbook. The card slot 5 is where various cards such as cash cards are inserted or ejected. At the back of the card slot 5 is a card processing unit (not shown) that reads account numbers and the like magnetically recorded on various cards.

[0017] The coin deposit / withdrawal slot 6 is a section into which coins to be deposited by a user are inserted and from which coins to be dispensed to a user are ejected. The paper money deposit / withdrawal slot 7 is a section into which paper money to be deposited by a user is inserted and from which paper money to be dispensed to a user is ejected. The coin deposit / withdrawal slot 6 and the paper money deposit / withdrawal slot 7 are each opened or closed by driving a shutter. The operation display unit 8 serving as an operation unit is a touch panel that integrates a liquid crystal display panel that displays the operation screen and transaction details during a transaction, and a touch sensor that detects input operations by the user.

[0018] In the following, the side of the automated teller machine 1 that a user faces will be referred to as the front side, and the opposite side will be referred to as the rear side, and the left and right sides as seen from a user facing the front side will be referred to as the left side and right side, respectively, and upper and lower sides will be further defined and explained.

[0019] Inside the housing 2, there are provided a main control unit 9 which controls the entire automated teller machine 1, a coin processing device 10 which performs various processes related to coins which are the subject of transactions, and a banknote processing device (not shown) which performs various processes related to banknotes. The main control unit 9 is mainly composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) which is not shown, and performs various processes such as deposit processing and withdrawal processing by reading and executing predetermined programs from a ROM (Read Only Memory) or flash memory which are not shown. The main control unit 9 also has an internal storage unit which is made up of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, a flash memory, etc., and stores various information in this storage unit.

[0020] The coin processing device 10 is configured in a shape similar to a rectangular parallelepiped overall, and is attached to the housing 2 via a slide rail (not shown). An openable door (not shown) is provided on the front or rear side of the housing 2. Therefore, when maintenance work or the like is performed on the automated teller machine 1, the door on the front or rear side of the housing 2 is opened, and the coin processing device 10 is slid forward or backward to position the coin processing device 10 outside the housing 2 or store it inside the housing 2.

[0021] [1-2. Configuration of coin processing device] As shown in FIG. 2, the coin processing device 10 has a plurality of parts for performing various processes related to coins built into the coin processing device housing 11. The coin is made of a non-magnetic material having sufficient strength, such as an alloy of copper and nickel or aluminum, and is formed in a thin plate shape. Incidentally, the coin processing device 10 is assumed to handle a plurality of types of coins with different diameters and thicknesses. In the following, the coin with the largest diameter handled by the coin processing device 10 is referred to as the maximum diameter coin, and the coin with the smallest diameter is referred to as the minimum diameter coin. In the following, the coin with the thickest thickness handled by the coin processing device 10 is referred to as the thickest coin, and the coin with the thinnest thickness is referred to as the thinnest coin. In the coin processing device 10 installed in Japan, the maximum diameter coin and the thickest coin are 500 yen coins, the smallest diameter coin is 1 yen coins, and the thinnest coins are 1 yen coins, 5 yen coins, and 10 yen coins. By the way, the thickness of 1 yen, 5 yen, and 10 yen coins is approximately 1.5 mm.

[0022] Inside the coin processing device housing 11, provided relatively on the upper side or near the center are a deposit / withdrawal section 13, a chute section 14, an upper separation section 15, a recognition and transport section 16, a delivery section 17, a pin belt transport section 18, six stacker sections 21, a withdrawal transport section 22, and a temporary holding section 23. Also, inside the coin processing device housing 11, provided relatively on the lower side are a coin control section 12, a replenishment recovery storehouse 24, a first replenishment reject storehouse 25, a second replenishment reject storehouse 26, a reject storehouse 27, a forgotten coin take-in storehouse 28, and a lower separation section 29.

[0023] The coin control unit 12, like the main control unit 9, is configured around a CPU (not shown), and performs various processes related to deposit transactions, withdrawal transactions, etc. by reading and executing predetermined programs from a ROM, flash memory, etc. (not shown), thereby providing overall control of the coin processing device 10. The coin control unit 12 also has an internal memory unit consisting of a RAM, flash memory, etc., and stores various information in this memory unit.

[0024] The deposit / withdrawal unit 13 receives and delivers coins to and from a user, thereby allowing the user to deposit or withdraw coins. The deposit / withdrawal unit 13 has a container 13A that has an opening on the upper side and stores coins, a shutter 13B that opens and closes the opening, and a sensor (not shown) that detects the presence or absence of coins in the container 13A.

[0025] When a user inserts a coin into container 13A with shutter 13B open, deposit / withdrawal unit 13 closes shutter 13B, delivers the coin from container 13A to chute unit 14, and causes the coin to descend within chute unit 14 and reach upper separation unit 15. Furthermore, when a coin is transported from pin belt transport unit 18 (described below) with shutter 13B closed, deposit / withdrawal unit 13 stores the coin in container 13A and then opens shutter 13B to allow the user to receive the coin.

[0026] The upper separation section 15 is composed of an accumulation / separation section 15A, which is a portion occupying a relatively large volume on the lower side, and a separation / transport section 15B formed so as to protrude upward from the accumulation / separation section 15A. The upper separation section 15 accumulates coins in the accumulation / separation section 15A, separates the coins one by one, transports them upward by the separation / transport section 15B, and further transports them backward along the transport path to the recognition / transport section 16.

[0027] The recognition and transport unit 16 is located to the right of the chute unit 14, and captures images of coins as it transports them, and judges whether the coin can be handled or not based on the denomination, authenticity, degree of damage, etc. of the coin based on the obtained image signals. The recognition and transport unit 16 then notifies the coin control unit 12 of the obtained judgment result as the recognition result of the coin, and delivers the coin to the delivery unit 17. The delivery unit 17 delivers the coin received from the recognition and transport unit 16 to the pin belt transport unit 18.

[0028] The pin belt conveying section 18 surrounds the lower front side, lower side, rear side and upper side of the stacker section 21 with the front pin belt conveying section 18F, the lower pin belt conveying section 18L, the rear pin belt conveying section 18R and the upper pin belt conveying section 18U, respectively, forming a conveying path for conveying coins. The pin belt conveying section 18 is composed of a conveying guide that contacts the plate surface of the coin and guides it to proceed along the conveying path, and a pin belt that runs roughly along the conveying path. The pin belt is provided with a pin that contacts the tail side of the coin and pushes it in the conveying direction. The pin belt conveying section 18 conveys the coin received from the delivery section 17 along the conveying path and releases it into the container 13A of the deposit / withdrawal section 13 by running the pin belt.

[0029] In addition, the pin belt conveying unit 18 is provided with branching units 19 for branching the coin conveying path at multiple locations in the lower front portion and the portion located below the stacker unit 21. On the left side of each branching unit 19, a guide unit 30 for guiding the coins is provided.

[0030] Each branching unit 19 has a rotatable guide plate and an actuator (neither shown), and by rotating the guide plate based on the control of the coin control unit 12, it switches between continuing to advance the coin along the pin belt transport unit 18 or branching it to each guide unit 30. Each guide unit 30 advances the coin to the replenishment recovery storehouse 24, the first replenishment reject storehouse 25, the second replenishment reject storehouse 26, the temporary storage unit 23, the reject storehouse 27, the forgotten coin collection storehouse 28, etc. Hereinafter, the branching unit 19 connected to the guide unit 30 that advances the coin to the temporary storage unit 23 is also referred to as the temporary storage unit branching unit 34.

[0031] Furthermore, the pin belt conveying section 18 is provided with six stacker branching sections 20 at six locations above the six stacker sections 21. A guide section 31 that guides coins to the stacker section 21 is provided on the left side of each stacker branching section 20. Each stacker branching section 20 is configured similarly to each branching section 19, and switches between continuing to advance the coin along the pin belt conveying section 18 or branching to each stacker section 21 by rotating a guide plate based on the control of the coin control section 12.

[0032] Each stacker unit 21 is associated with a coin of a predetermined denomination, and has a guide unit 31 provided on the upper side, a stacking unit 32 that stacks coins in a vertical stack below the guide unit 31, and a payout unit 33 that pays out coins from the lower side of the stacking unit 32. When the stacker unit 21 receives coins transported by the pin belt transport unit 18 from the stacker branch unit 20, the guide unit 31 guides the coins to the stacking unit 32 for stacking. Under the control of the coin control unit 12, the stacker unit 21 also pays out coins stacked in the stacking unit 32 one by one using the payout unit 33, and drops them into the dispensing transport unit 22 or temporary storage unit 23 below.

[0033] The dispensing conveying unit 22 is located to the right of the pin belt conveying unit 18, and is configured as a hollow rectangular parallelepiped with the top and front open, forming a space inside in which coins can be stored. The dispensing conveying unit 22 also has a belt conveying mechanism consisting of a belt, pulleys, etc. built into the bottom, and places or accumulates coins dispensed from the stacker unit 21 on the belt. With coins placed or accumulated on the belt, this dispensing conveying unit 22 runs the upper part of the belt forward, causing the coins to drop into the temporary storage unit 23 at the front.

[0034] The temporary storage section 23 is configured such that the rear end of the dispensing conveying section 22 is lowered and the front end is raised, and further the left and right side plates are triangular, forming a temporary storage section coin accumulation space 23S for accommodating coins therein, and a belt conveying mechanism is built into the bottom. Therefore, the temporary storage section 23 places or accumulates coins dispensed from the stacker section 21 and coins conveyed from the dispensing conveying section 22 on the temporary storage section belt 23B. In addition, the temporary storage section 23 feeds the coins to the front upper separation section 15 and drops them into the inside by running the upper part of the temporary storage section belt 23B diagonally upward in a state where the coins are placed or accumulated on the temporary storage section belt 23B. Hereinafter, the counterclockwise rotation in FIG. 2 of the temporary storage section belt 23B so that the upper part runs diagonally upward in a front direction is also referred to as forward rotation. The temporary storage section 23 can also run the upper part of the temporary storage section belt 23B diagonally backward and downward. Hereinafter, the clockwise rotation in FIG. 2 so that the upper part of the temporary storage section belt 23B runs backward and downward is also referred to as reverse rotation.

[0035] The replenishment and recovery box 24 has a stacking section for stacking coins therein, a transport mechanism for transporting the coins stacked in the stacking section, and the like. This replenishment and recovery box 24 stacks coins guided by the guide section 30, and also sends out coins stacked inside it forward and delivers them to the lower separation section 29. The first replenishment and reject box 25 and the second replenishment and reject box 26 each have a space therein for stacking coins, and stack the coins guided by the guide section 30. The reject box 27 and the forgotten coin collection box 28 each have a space therein for stacking coins, and stack the coins guided by the guide section 30.

[0036] The lower separation section 29 is disposed at a position adjacent to the rear side of the refill / recovery box 24. Although the lower separation section 29 has a similar configuration to the upper separation section 15, the mounting direction of the lower separation section 29 relative to the coin processing device housing 11 is different from that of the upper separation section 15. The lower separation section 29 is composed of an accumulation / separation section 29A and a separation / transport section 29B corresponding to the accumulation / separation section 15A and the separation / transport section 15B, respectively. The lower separation section 29 receives coins from the refill / recovery box 24 and accumulates them therein, and also separates the accumulated coins one by one, transports them upward one by one, and releases them into the temporary storage section 23.

[0037] [1-3. Coin transportation in various processes] Next, various processes involving the transportation of coins in the coin processing device 10, i.e., the transportation and accumulation of coins in deposit processing, dispensing processing, etc. will be described. Here, each process in the coin processing device 10 when a deposit transaction and a dispensing transaction are performed between the automated teller machine 1 and a user will be described.

[0038] When a deposit transaction is made between the user and the automated teller machine 1 (FIG. 1), the coin processing device 10 counts the number of coins deposited by the user while recognizing the denomination, etc., of the coins in a first-stage deposit counting process, and then transports and stores each coin to an appropriate storage location in a second-stage deposit storage process. Specifically, when the user inserts coins into the deposit / withdrawal unit 13 in the first-stage deposit counting process, the coin processing device 10 stores the coins in the temporary holding unit 23 via the chute unit 14, upper separation unit 15, recognition and transport unit 16, delivery unit 17, and pin belt transport unit 18 in this order.

[0039] At this time, the coin processing device 10 tallies the deposit amount based on the recognition results of each coin by the recognition and transport unit 16, displays this on the operation and display unit 8 (Fig. 1), and allows the user to select whether to continue or cancel the deposit transaction. If the user selects to continue, the coin processing device 10 performs the subsequent deposit storage process, whereas if the user selects to cancel, the coin processing device 10 cancels the deposit transaction and transports the coins to the deposit / withdrawal unit 13 to return them, in the same manner as in the withdrawal process described below.

[0040] In the subsequent deposit storage process, the coin processing device 10 transports and accumulates coins from the temporary holding unit 23 to the stacker unit 21 via the upper separation unit 15, the recognition and transport unit 16, the delivery unit 17, the pin belt transport unit 18, and the stacker branch unit 20 in that order. At this time, the coin processing device 10 transports the coin to the stacker unit 21 according to the denomination of the coin, based on the recognition result of each coin by the recognition and transport unit 16.

[0041] Furthermore, when a withdrawal transaction is performed between the automated teller machine 1 (FIG. 1) and a user, the coin processing device 10 conveys coins of an amount instructed by the user to the deposit / withdrawal unit 13 and dispenses them by a withdrawal process. Specifically, when the coin processing device 10 receives an operation input from the user via the operation display unit 8 (FIG. 1) indicating that a withdrawal transaction should be started and the amount to be dispensed, the coin processing device 10 starts the withdrawal process, and feeds out coins of a denomination and number corresponding to the amount to be dispensed from each stacker unit 21, and accumulates them in the temporary holding unit 23 via the withdrawal conveying unit 22. Next, the coin processing device 10 conveys the coins to the deposit / withdrawal unit 13 via the temporary holding unit 23, upper separation unit 15, recognition conveying unit 16, delivery unit 17, and pin belt conveying unit 18 in this order, and allows the user to receive them.

[0042] Incidentally, in addition to deposit and withdrawal processes, the coin processing device 10 is also capable of carrying out a replenishment process in which coins are replenished from the replenishment and recovery box 24 to the stacker unit 21, and a recovery process in which coins are recovered from the stacker unit 21 to the replenishment and recovery box 24.

[0043] [1-4. Configuration of the upper separation section] Next, the configuration of the upper separation section 15 will be described. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the upper separation section 15 is configured with a lower accumulation / separation section 15A and an upper separation / transport section 15B integrally formed around a separation section frame 40 located in the center or on the left side of the entire section. The separation section frame 40 is configured by appropriately cutting and bending a metal plate member, and multiple parts such as gears, shafts, and motors are built in it.

[0044] [1-4-1. Configuration of accumulation tank and tilt disk] Various parts such as an accumulation tank 41 and an inclined disk 45 are attached to the portion of the separation frame 40 that corresponds to the accumulation separation section 15A. The inclined disk 45 is formed in a disk shape as a whole, inclined so that a disk surface 45S, which is the right surface, faces the upper right side, and is supported rotatably around an inclined disk central axis 45X. Incidentally, in FIG. 4, for convenience of explanation, some parts are simplified or omitted.

[0045] The accumulation tank 41 is located to the right of the inclined disk 45, and is configured as a molded part molded from a specific resin material, for example. The accumulation tank 41 has a three-dimensional shape in which the central axis of the bowl as a whole is inclined to coincide with the inclined disk central axis 45X, and the outer periphery is located immediately adjacent to the disk surface 45S, forming a curved surface that moves away from the disk surface 45S as it approaches the inclined disk central axis 45X.

[0046] The accumulation tank 41 covers almost the entire disk surface 45S on the right side of the inclined disk 45, forming a space (hereinafter referred to as a coin accumulation space 50) between the accumulation tank 41 and the disk surface 45S. A relatively large receiving opening 41A is formed on the upper rear side of the accumulation tank 41, and is connected to the chute unit 14 and the temporary storage unit 23 (FIG. 2). When a coin is delivered from the chute unit 14 or the temporary storage unit 23 through the receiving opening 41A, the upper separation unit 15 accumulates the coin in the coin accumulation space 50.

[0047] The inclined disk 45 is formed in a disk shape with a diameter sufficiently large compared to that of a coin, and the disk surface 45S, which is the right surface, is formed to be approximately flat. Incidentally, the inclined disk 45 is manufactured, for example, by cutting a metal plate with a relatively high hardness. This inclined disk 45 is inclined so that the inclined disk central axis 45X faces upward with respect to the horizontal direction, specifically, diagonally upward to the right. Therefore, the disk surface 45S is inclined so that the upper part is slightly tilted leftward with respect to the vertical direction. Hereinafter, the direction along the inclined disk central axis 45X is also referred to as the central axis direction.

[0048] Furthermore, the inclined disk 45 is supported so as to be rotatable about the inclined disk central axis 45X, and is supplied with a driving force from a disk drive unit 46 consisting of a combination of a motor, gears, etc. When the inclined disk 45 is supplied with a driving force from the disk drive unit 46 based on the control of the coin control unit 12, the inclined disk 45 rotates about the inclined disk central axis 45X in the direction of arrow R1 (clockwise in FIG. 4, hereinafter also referred to as the forward rotation direction) or in the opposite direction of arrow R2 (hereinafter also referred to as the reverse rotation direction). Hereinafter, the rotation of the inclined disk 45 in the forward rotation direction is also referred to as forward rotation, and the rotation of the inclined disk 45 in the reverse rotation direction is also referred to as reverse rotation.

[0049] A plurality of separation protrusions 47 protruding in the upper right direction, which is the normal direction, are provided on the disk surface 45S of the inclined disk 45. The separation protrusions 47 divide the outer periphery of the inclined disk 45 into a plurality of almost equal parts, and are attached to the disk surface 45S at a position slightly inward from the outer periphery.

[0050] The separation protrusion 47 is generally configured in a shape similar to a rectangular parallelepiped, and more specifically, in a shape similar to a wedge that is thinner on the inner periphery side than on the outer periphery side. That is, the separation protrusion 47 is relatively long in the radial direction connecting the inclined disk center axis 45X on the disk surface 45S and the outer periphery 45T, relatively short in the circumferential direction, and sufficiently short (i.e. thin) in the left-right direction. In addition, the length (i.e. thickness) of the separation protrusion 47 in the left-right direction is equal to or less than the thickness of one coin.

[0051] Furthermore, the inclined disk 45 has cutouts 48 formed by carving out the outer periphery toward the center at locations on the outer periphery near each separation protrusion 47. When viewed from the right, the cutouts 48 have a shape similar to a triangle with one side being the outer periphery 45T of the inclined disk 45, and are substantially adjacent to the separation protrusion 47 near the apex of the inclined disk 45 close to the inclined disk central axis 45X.

[0052] In addition, residual agitating protrusions 49 are attached to the periphery of each cutout portion 48 in the disc surface 45S, i.e., near the outer periphery, of the inclined disc 45. The residual agitating protrusions 49 are cylindrical overall, with their central axis pointing diagonally upward to the right from the disc surface 45S of the inclined disc 45 and aligned along the normal direction of the disc surface 45S. The height of the residual agitating protrusions 49 from the disc surface 45S is the same as that of the separation protrusions 47.

[0053] [1-4-2. Structure of the transport unit] In the upper separation section 15, in the lower accumulation / separation section 15A, a portion of the accumulation tank 41 is located in a position very close to the outside of the outer periphery 45T in a range of roughly the lower half of the inclined disk 45. In addition, in the upper separation section 15, a conveying section 51, which is a part of the separation / conveying section 15B, is disposed above the front portion of the inclined disk 45. This conveying section 51 forms a conveying path W that runs upward from near the front end of the inclined disk 45 and then curves backward.

[0054] Specifically, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the conveying section 51 forms a space for conveying coins (hereinafter also referred to as the conveying space SC) by a front conveying guide 52, left conveying guides 53 and 54, a rear conveying guide 55, a right conveying guide 56 and a regulating member 57, along a portion of the conveying path W.

[0055] The front conveying guide 52 has a flat rear side (i.e., the surface on the conveying path W side) and is disposed so that its lower end is continuous with the inner side of the accumulation tank 41. For convenience of explanation, the rear side of the front conveying guide 52 will also be referred to as the front conveying surface FS below. This front conveying surface FS is a flat surface parallel to the conveying direction in which coins should be conveyed along the conveying path W in the conveying space SC in the conveying section 51. Incidentally, the upper end of the front conveying guide 52 reaches a position higher than the upper end of the inclined disk 45.

[0056] Left conveying guides 53 and 54 are provided on the left side of the rear side of the front conveying guide 52. The right side surface of the left conveying guide 53 (i.e., the surface on the conveying space SC side) is formed as a plane that is slightly inclined in the direction toward the left as it advances upward with respect to a virtual plane formed by extending the disk surface 45S of the inclined disk 45 in the upward direction, and its lower end is located slightly to the left of the disk surface 45S of the inclined disk 45. In other words, the right side surface of the left conveying guide 53 is connected to the disk surface 45S of the inclined disk 45 with a slight step difference, and is a plane with a slightly different inclination.

[0057] The left transport guide 53 has a front portion in contact with the front transport guide 52, and a lower rear portion formed in a gentle arc shape along the outer periphery 45T of the inclined disk 45. The rear portion of the left transport guide 53 is formed in a flat shape with a normal line generally facing rearward, and is generally linear in the up-down direction when viewed from the right.

[0058] The left transport guide 54 is provided at a position slightly away from the left transport guide 53, on the rear side of the left transport guide 53. The right side surface of the left transport guide 54 (i.e., the surface on the transport space SC side) is formed in a plane that is substantially parallel to the right side surface of the left transport guide 53. Hereinafter, the plane formed by the right side surface of the left transport guide 53 and the front portion of the right side surface of the left transport guide 54 is also referred to as the left transport surface LS.

[0059] The lower rear portion of the left transport guide 54 is formed as a gently curved arc surface that follows the outer periphery 45T of the inclined disk 45. The front portion of the left transport guide 54 is slightly rearward from the rear portion of the left transport guide 53, is formed as a flat surface whose normal line faces generally forward, and is generally linear along the up-down direction when viewed from the right. As a result, a groove shape (hereinafter referred to as groove portion 59) that generally follows the transport path W is formed in the upper separation section 15 between the left transport guide 53 and the left transport guide 54.

[0060] The rear conveying guide 55 is provided behind the left conveying guide 54. The rear conveying guide 55 is formed in a generally thin, flat plate shape.

[0061] Incidentally, in the conveying section 51, the front conveying guide 52 and the left conveying guide 53 are configured as a single component, and the left conveying guide 54 and the rear conveying guide 55 are configured as a single component, and each is attached to the separation section frame 40 (Figure 3).

[0062] The right conveying guide 56 is located in a range of about 1 / 2 to 1 / 3 of the upper side on the right side of the left conveying guides 53 and 54. This right conveying guide 56 is composed of a combination of parts cut and bent from metal plates, parts molded from resin material, etc. Note that a part of the right conveying guide 56 is omitted in Figures 5 and 6.

[0063] The left side surface of the right transport guide 56 (i.e., the surface on the transport space SC side, hereinafter referred to as the right transport surface RS) is formed in a flat surface that is approximately parallel to the right side surfaces of the left transport guides 53 and 54, i.e., the left transport surface LS. In addition, the right transport guide 56 is spaced apart from the right transport surface RS and the left transport surface LS by a distance that is equal to or greater than one coin thickness but less than two coin thicknesses.

[0064] The regulating member 57 is located below the right conveying guide 56 and to the right of the left conveying guide 53. In other words, the regulating member 57 is located outside the range facing the disk surface 45S of the inclined disk 45 in the central axis direction, and outside the range facing the trajectory along which the separation protrusion 47 passes due to the rotation of the inclined disk 45 in the central axis direction. The regulating member 57 is also located above the center of the disk surface 45S of the inclined disk 45, and above the range in which the maximum number of coins (e.g., 100 coins) that can be accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50 is accumulated.

[0065] The regulating member 57 is formed as a thin plate in the left-right direction as a whole, and when viewed from the right side, it has a shape like a long rectangle in the up-down direction with a large part cut away near the lower rear end and with the upper front end cut away. The regulating member 57 is made of, for example, stainless steel.

[0066] Furthermore, the regulating member 57 has a regulating member conveying surface 57S, which is the left side surface (i.e., the surface on the conveying space SC side), in a planar shape that is approximately parallel to the disk surface 45S of the inclined disk 45, and is positioned slightly to the left of directly below the left side surface of the right conveying guide 56. The regulating member 57 has a distance between the regulating member conveying surface 57S and the left conveying surface LS that is at least the width of one coin but less than two coins. The regulating member 57 has a front side surface that abuts against or is very close to the rear side surface (i.e., the front conveying surface FS) of the front conveying guide 52, and a rear side surface that is located approximately to the right of the rear side surface of the left conveying guide 53. The regulating member 57 has an upper side surface that abuts against or is close to the lower surface of the right conveying guide 56.

[0067] In addition, the regulating member 57 has a regulating surface 57R, which is the rear lower side surface, inclined at a predetermined regulating surface inclination angle with respect to the front conveying surface FS, which is the rear side surface of the front conveying guide 52. This regulating surface inclination angle is set to, for example, about 20 degrees. The regulating surface 57R is a plane parallel to the normal line of the disc surface 45S of the inclined disc 45. Furthermore, the regulating surface 57R is located above the lower rear part of the left conveying guide 53 (i.e., the part along the outer periphery 45T of the inclined disc 45). In other words, the regulating member 57 is located above the center of the disc surface 45S and at a position where it is not buried by the coins when the maximum number of coins that can be accumulated are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50.

[0068] The regulating member 57 is connected to the mounting member 58 near the front end of the right side surface. The mounting member 58 is configured as if a thin plate member is bent, and has a relay portion 58A and a mounting portion 58B. The relay portion 58A is formed in a rectangular or rectangular thin plate shape that is short in the front-rear direction, and its left end is connected to the regulating member 57. The mounting portion 58B is formed in a rectangular or rectangular thin plate shape that is short in the up-down direction, and its rear end is connected to the upper end of the relay portion 58A. The mounting portion 58B has a mounting hole (not shown) that penetrates in the up-down direction, and is fixed to a predetermined portion of the right conveying guide 56 by a predetermined mounting screw. That is, the regulating member 57 is attached to the lower side of the right conveying guide 56 via the mounting member 58 that is integrally formed.

[0069] Incidentally, the mounting hole of the mounting portion 58B is an elongated hole that is long in a direction along the normal to the disk surface 45S of the inclined disk 45, i.e., roughly in the left-right direction. Therefore, in the transport section 51, by changing the mounting position of the mounting member 58 relative to the right transport guide 56 in the left-right direction, it is possible to easily adjust the distance between the regulating member transport surface 57S of the regulating member 57 and the right side surface of the left transport guide 53 (i.e., the left transport surface LS), i.e., the left-right length of the transport space SC.

[0070] The regulating member conveying surface 57S of the regulating member 57 and the left conveying surface LS of the left conveying guide 53 constitute a separation gate 60 that separates the coins conveyed from the stacking / separating section 15A to the separating / conveying section 15B one by one.

[0071] [1-4-3. Pin belt configuration] Meanwhile, a belt pulley 61 is disposed on the left side of the inclined disk 45 inside the separation unit frame 40 (FIG. 4). The belt pulley 61 is formed into a flat disk shape as a whole, and the diameter thereof is slightly smaller than the diameter of the inclined disk 45. This belt pulley 61 rotates integrally with the inclined disk 45.

[0072] Furthermore, the upper separation section 15 is provided with a front pulley 62, an upper pulley 63, and a rear pulley 64 above the belt pulley 61. The front pulley 62 is located above the front pulley 61. The upper pulley 63 is located above the rear pulley 62. The rear pulley 64 is located below the rear pulley 63 and above the belt pulley 61. The front pulley 62, the upper pulley 63, and the rear pulley 64 are each rotatably supported by the separation section frame 40, and each of the right surfaces is located on the same plane as the right surface of the belt pulley 61 or in the vicinity thereof.

[0073] Furthermore, the upper separation section 15 is provided with a belt 65. The belt 65 is an endless belt made of a flexible material such as resin or rubber, and is stretched so as to go around the belt pulley 61 and the upper pulley 63 and also abut against the peripheral side surfaces of the front pulley 62 and the rear pulley 64. The belt 65 runs so as to rotate in the direction of the arrow R1 (hereinafter also referred to as the forward rotation direction) or the direction of the arrow R2 (hereinafter also referred to as the reverse rotation direction) with the rotation of the belt pulley 61. Hereinafter, the belt 65 running so as to rotate in the forward rotation direction is also referred to as forward rotation, and the belt 65 running so as to rotate in the reverse rotation direction is also referred to as reverse rotation.

[0074] Furthermore, pins 66 are attached to the belt 65 at predetermined intervals. The pins 66 are formed in a cylindrical shape with their central axis oriented approximately parallel to the inclined disk central axis 45X, and their right ends (i.e., tips) protrude to the right of the disk surface 45S of the inclined disk 45, reaching a position approximately equal to the right surface of the separation protrusion 47. Hereinafter, the belt 65 and the multiple pins 66 are collectively referred to as a pin belt.

[0075] In the upper separation section 15, the attachment interval and attachment position of the pins 66 in the belt 65 are set in accordance with the positions of the notches 48 in the inclined disk 45. Therefore, when the belt 65 abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the belt pulley 61, the protruding portion of the pin 66 enters the notch 48 of the inclined disk 45 and is located within the notch 48 at a position close to the inclined disk central axis 45X, i.e., close to the separation protrusion 47.

[0076] When the inclined disk 45 rotates around the inclined disk central axis 45X, the pin 66 rotates integrally with the inclined disk 45 and the belt pulley 61 while maintaining the state of being inserted into the notch 48. That is, the pin 66 runs in an arc in synchronization with the outer periphery 45T of the inclined disk 45. In addition, in the upper separation section 15, the belt 65 advances along the groove 59 in a portion where the belt 65 is stretched from the vicinity of the rear end of the front pulley 62 to the vicinity of the front end of the upper pulley 63. At this time, the pin 66 protrudes near its right end to the right of the left conveying surface LS (i.e., the right side surface of the left conveying guides 53 and 54), that is, into the conveying space SC.

[0077] [1-5. Separation and transportation of coins by the upper separation section] Next, a manner in which one coin is separated from the other coins and conveyed when multiple coins are accumulated in the upper separation section 15 will be described. The upper separation section 15 first rotates the inclined disk 45 in the direction of the arrow R1 (i.e., the forward rotation direction) by the driving force supplied from the motor of the disk drive section 46 (FIG. 3). As a result, the upper separation section 15 hooks the coins one by one onto the separation protrusion 47 while appropriately stirring the coins accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50 with the separation protrusion 47. At this time, the left side of the coin abuts against the disk surface 45S of the inclined disk 45, and a part of the trailing side of the circumferential side (the part opposite to the direction of movement, for example, the rear side when the coin is moving forward) abuts against the rear separation protrusion 47, and a part of the lower side abuts against the inner surface of the accumulation tank 41.

[0078] Furthermore, the upper separation section 15 continues to rotate the inclined disc 45, thereby abutting the left side surface of the coin against the disc surface 45S of the inclined disc 45, and while maintaining the peripheral side of the coin in abutment against the separation protrusion 47 and the accumulation tank 41, slides the coin along the inner surface of the accumulation tank 41, and lifts it upward and forward.

[0079] 7(A), when the coin CN reaches the vicinity of the front end of the inclined disk 45, the upper separation unit 15 abuts the front end portion of the coin CN against the rear side of the front conveying guide 52, i.e., the front conveying surface FS, and the separation protrusion 47 applies a force from the lower rear side of the coin CN in a front-upward direction, in other words, supplies a driving force. This allows the upper separation unit 15 to move the coin CN upward while sliding the front end of the coin CN on the front conveying surface FS as the inclined disk 45 rotates.

[0080] As the upper separation section 15 continues to rotate the inclined disk 45, the left side surface of the coin CN changes from a state in which the coin CN is in contact with the disk surface 45S of the inclined disk 45 to a state in which the coin CN is in contact with the right side surfaces of the left conveying guides 53 and 54, i.e., the left conveying surface LS, as shown in Fig. 7(B). At this time, in the upper separation section 15, when the center of the coin CN passes through the boundary between the disk surface 45S and the left conveying surface LS, the coin CN is delivered from the upstream stacking / separation section 15A to the downstream separation / conveyance section 15B.

[0081] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7(C) and 8, the upper separation section 15 slides the vicinity of the front end of the coin CN along the front conveying surface FS, slides the left side surface along the left conveying surface LS, and faces a portion of the right side surface against the regulating member conveying surface 57S of the regulating member 57, i.e., brings the coin CN into a state where it has reached the conveying space SC.

[0082] Thereafter, the upper separation unit 15 continues to run the belt 65, so that the pin 66 takes over from the separation protrusion 47 and abuts against the lower rear side of the coin CN, applying a force to the coin CN, and then gradually separates the pin 66 from the separation protrusion 47, causing the coin CN to advance upward along the groove portion 59, which is the gap between the left conveying guides 53 and 54. This enables the upper separation unit 15 to advance the coin CN upward along the conveying path W, and then conveys the coin CN backward along the conveying path W before handing it over to the recognition and conveying unit 16 (FIG. 2).

[0083] In this manner, the upper separation unit 15 separates the coins CN one by one using the separation gate 60, transfers the coins CN from the stacking / separation unit 15A to the separation / transport unit 15B, and advances the coins CN into the transport space SC and transports them along the transport path W.

[0084] Here, a stopper (not shown) is provided on the conveying path W at the connection point between the upper separation unit 15 and the recognition and conveying unit 16. The stopper is pushed by the moving pin 66 to move away from the conveying path W, making it possible to transfer the coin CN from the upper separation unit 15 to the recognition and conveying unit 16. On the other hand, when the travel of the belt 65 stops with the coin CN located on the conveying path W at the connection point between the upper separation unit 15 and the recognition and conveying unit 16, the stopper is no longer pushed by the pin 66. In this state, the stopper is located on the conveying path W, making it impossible to transfer the coin CN from the upper separation unit 15 to the recognition and conveying unit 16.

[0085] [1-6. Configuration of coin detection sensor] As shown in Fig. 3, the upper separation section 15 is provided with a coin detection sensor 70 that detects coins in the coin accumulation space 50. The coin detection sensor 70 is an optical sensor, and is composed of a light-emitting section 70e and a light-receiving section 70r. The light-emitting section 70e is attached to the separation section frame 40 behind the inclined disk 45, and emits detection light Lx in an obliquely upward-forward direction toward the coin accumulation space 50. The light-receiving section 70r is attached to the separation section frame 40 obliquely upward-forward than the light-emitting section 70e on the front side of the inclined disk 45, and receives the detection light Lx that is emitted from the light-emitting section 70e and passes through the upper side of the coin accumulation space 50.

[0086] This coin detection sensor 70 notifies the coin control unit 12 (FIG. 2) of the light reception result of the detection light Lx. Specifically, when a coin located particularly at the upper end in the coin accumulation space 50 crosses the detection light Lx of the coin detection sensor 70, the coin detection sensor 70 notifies the coin control unit 12 of a light reception result indicating that the detection light Lx is blocked by the coin and is not being received (i.e., an ON state (light-blocking state)). On the other hand, when a coin does not cross the detection light Lx of the coin detection sensor 70, the coin detection sensor 70 notifies the coin control unit 12 of a light reception result indicating that the detection light Lx is being received (i.e., an OFF state (light-transmitting state)). The coin control unit 12 determines whether or not a certain number of coins or more are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50 based on this light reception result. In other words, when the coin control unit 12 obtains an ON state as the light reception result, it determines that a certain number or more of coins are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, whereas when it obtains an OFF state as the light reception result, it determines that less than a certain number of coins are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50.

[0087] [1-7. Configuration of separation protrusion rotation position detection sensor] A separation protrusion rotational position detection sensor (not shown) that detects the rotational position of the inclined disk 45 is provided on the left side of the inclined disk 45. The separation protrusion rotational position detection sensor is an optical sensor in which a light emitting section and a light receiving section are arranged facing each other across a groove provided on the belt pulley 61 that allows a detector to pass through.

[0088] This separation protrusion rotational position detection sensor notifies the coin control unit 12 (FIG. 2) of the light reception result by the light receiving unit of the detection light emitted by the light emitting unit. Specifically, when the detector crosses the detection light of the separation protrusion rotational position detection sensor, the separation protrusion rotational position detection sensor notifies the coin control unit 12 of a light reception result indicating that the detection light is blocked by the detector and is not being received (i.e., ON state (light blocking state)). On the other hand, when the detector does not cross the detection light of the separation protrusion rotational position detection sensor, the separation protrusion rotational position detection sensor notifies the coin control unit 12 of a light reception result indicating that the detection light is being received (i.e., OFF state (light transmitting state)). Based on this light reception result, the coin control unit 12 calculates the amount of rotation (i.e., rotation angle) from a reference rotation position on the inclined disk 45. The coin control unit 12 also detects the rotational position of the separation protrusion 47 based on the calculated rotation angle of the inclined disk 45, thereby detecting the timing at which the separation protrusion 47 passes near the lower side of the lower end of the separation gate 60.

[0089] [1-8. Configuration of the temporary storage full detection sensor] As shown in Fig. 2, a temporary storage section full detection sensor 80 that detects coins in the temporary storage section coin accumulation space 23S is provided near the upper side of the temporary storage section coin accumulation space 23S in the temporary storage section 23. This temporary storage section full detection sensor 80 is an optical sensor, and notifies the coin control section 12 (Fig. 2) of the result of receiving detection light. Specifically, when a coin located particularly at the upper end in the temporary storage coin accumulation space 23S crosses the detection light of the temporary storage full detection sensor 80, the temporary storage full detection sensor 80 notifies the coin control unit 12 of a light reception result indicating that the detection light is blocked by the coin and the detection light is not received (i.e., ON state (light-blocking state)). On the other hand, when a coin does not cross the detection light of the temporary storage full detection sensor 80, the temporary storage full detection sensor 80 notifies the coin control unit 12 of a light reception result indicating that the detection light is received (i.e., OFF state (light-transmitting state)). Based on this light reception result, the coin control unit 12 judges whether the number of coins accumulated in the temporary storage unit 23 has reached the upper limit and the temporary storage unit 23 has reached the full state. That is, when the coin control unit 12 acquires the ON state as the light reception result, it determines that the temporary storage unit 23 has reached the full state, whereas when the coin control unit 12 acquires the OFF state as the light reception result, it determines that the temporary storage unit 23 is not yet full.

[0090] [1-9. Configuration of the recognition part delivery detection sensor] As shown in FIG. 2, a recognition unit delivery detection sensor 82 for detecting coins is provided on the conveying path W at the connection point between the upper separation unit 15 and the recognition and conveying unit 16. The recognition unit delivery detection sensor 82 is an optical sensor, and notifies the coin control unit 12 (FIG. 2) of the result of receiving the detection light. Specifically, when a coin conveyed from the upper separation unit 15 to the recognition and conveying unit 16 crosses the detection light of the recognition unit delivery detection sensor 82, the recognition unit delivery detection sensor 82 notifies the coin control unit 12 of the light reception result indicating that the detection light is blocked by the coin and the detection light is not received (i.e., ON state (light-blocking state)). On the other hand, when the coin does not cross the detection light of the recognition unit delivery detection sensor 82, the recognition unit delivery detection sensor 82 notifies the coin control unit 12 of the light reception result indicating that the detection light is received (i.e., OFF state (light-transmitting state)). The coin control unit 12 judges, based on the result of this light reception, whether or not the coin has been transported to the connecting point between the upper separation unit 15 and the recognition and transport unit 16.

[0091] [1-10. Separation control during deposit counting and temporary storage coin transport control] [1-10-1. About separation control] During the above-mentioned deposit counting process, when it is detected that all coins inserted into the deposit / withdrawal unit 13 by the user have fallen into the coin accumulation space 50 of the upper separation unit 15 via the chute unit 14, the coin control unit 12 starts the separation operation of the upper separation unit 15 and acquires the light reception result of the coin detection sensor 70. If the light reception result is in the OFF state (light-transmitting state), the coin control unit 12 determines that less than a certain number of coins are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, and performs the continuous separation control described below. On the other hand, if the light reception result is in the ON state (light-blocking state), the coin control unit 12 determines that more than a certain number of coins are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, and performs the intermittent separation control described below. The coin control unit 12 repeatedly switches between the continuous separation control and the intermittent separation control according to the light reception result of the coin detection sensor 70 until there are no more coins remaining in the coin accumulation space 50 and the separation operation is terminated.

[0092] [1-10-1-1. Continuous separation control] In the continuous separation control, the coin control unit 12 rotates the motor of the disk drive unit 46 to rotate the inclined disk 45 in the direction of arrow R1 in addition to rotating the belt 65 in the direction of arrow R1, so that the coins accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50 are hooked one by one onto the separation protrusions 47, lifted up, and transported to the separation transport unit 15B via the separation gate 60, and further transported backward along the transport path W to the recognition transport unit 16. Thereafter, the coin control unit 12 continues to rotate the motor of the disk drive unit 46 continuously at a constant speed.

[0093] In this way, when less than a certain number of coins are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, the coin control unit 12 performs continuous separation control of the inclined disk 45 by continuously rotating the motor of the disk drive unit 46 at a constant speed.

[0094] [1-10-1-2. Intermittent separation control] In the intermittent separation control, the coin control unit 12 rotates the motor of the disk drive unit 46 to rotate the inclined disk 45 in the direction of the arrow R1 and rotates the belt 65 in the direction of the arrow R1, so that the coins accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50 are hooked one by one onto the separation protrusion 47, lifted, and reach a position slightly below the lower end of the separation gate 60 (FIG. 7(A)). At this time, when the coin control unit 12 detects that the separation protrusion 47 has reached a position slightly below the lower end of the separation gate 60 based on the detection result of the separation protrusion rotation position detection sensor, it temporarily stops the rotation of the motor of the disk drive unit 46, thereby temporarily stopping the rotation of the inclined disk 45 and the belt 65. Specifically, the coin control unit 12 temporarily stops the rotation of the motor of the disk drive unit 46 at a timing immediately before the maximum diameter coin placed on the separation protrusion 47 enters above the lower end of the regulating member 57. At this time, if the coin is lifted up by the separation protrusion 47 while in an unstable state, the coin will either lose balance and fall from the separation protrusion 47 before passing through the separation gate 60, or will stabilize on the separation protrusion 47 without falling.

[0095] After a predetermined stop time has elapsed since the rotation of the motor of the disk drive unit 46 was temporarily stopped, the coin control unit 12 rotates the motor of the disk drive unit 46 again to rotate the inclined disk 45 and the belt 65 in the forward direction again, transporting the coin above the separation gate 60 to the separation transport unit 15B, and then transporting it backward along the transport path W to hand it over to the recognition transport unit 16. After that, when the coin control unit 12 detects from the detection result of the separation protrusion rotation position detection sensor that the separation protrusion 47 has reached a position slightly below the lower end of the separation gate 60, the coin control unit 12 temporarily stops the rotation of the motor of the disk drive unit 46 and then rotates the motor of the disk drive unit 46 again after the stop time has elapsed. In this embodiment, the stop time is set to a time for the coin to freely fall a distance equivalent to its diameter, for example.

[0096] In this way, when a certain number of coins or more are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, the coin control unit 12 performs intermittent separation control by temporarily stopping the inclined disk 45 and belt 65 just before the coin scooped up by the separation protrusion 47 reaches the separation gate 60, and then resuming forward rotation after the stop time has elapsed.

[0097] Here, in the continuous separation control, the inclined disk 45 actually keeps rotating continuously, but this continuous separation control can also be considered as an intermittent separation control in which the stop time is set to 0 seconds, the inclined disk 45 stops once, and then resumes rotation after the stop time (0 seconds) has elapsed. Therefore, it can be said that the coin control unit 12 makes the stop time longer when a certain number of coins or more are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50 than when less than the certain number of coins are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50.

[0098] [1-10-2. Coin transport control in temporary storage section] [1-10-2-1. Coin interval expansion control] Furthermore, when performing the above-mentioned deposit counting process, if it is detected based on the detection result from the recognition and transport unit 16 that the number of coins transported to the temporary holding unit 23 is less than when the unit is full but is equal to or greater than the predetermined number for coin interval expansion control, the coin control unit 12 monitors the detection result from the recognition unit delivery detection sensor 82, and when the recognition unit delivery detection sensor 82 detects a coin, it temporarily stops the rotation of the motor of the disk drive unit 46, thereby temporarily stopping the rotation of the inclined disk 45 and the belt 65. As a result, the coin is not delivered from the pin 66 to the recognition and transport unit 16, but stops at the connection point between the upper separation unit 15 and the recognition and transport unit 16.

[0099] At this time, the coin control unit 12 continues to drive the pin belt transport unit 18 to transport the coin (preceding coin) on the pin belt transport unit 18 to the temporary storage unit 23. After a predetermined coin interval expansion stop time has elapsed since the rotation of the motor of the disk drive unit 46 was temporarily stopped, the coin control unit 12 resumes the forward rotation of the inclined disk 45 and the belt 65 by rotating the motor of the disk drive unit 46 again, and delivers the coin from the upper separation unit 15 to the recognition and transport unit 16. In this embodiment, the coin interval expansion stop time is set, for example, to a time period during which the subsequent coin is delivered from the recognition and transport unit 16 to the pin belt transport unit 18 at the timing when the subsequent coin is pushed by a pin that is one pin behind the pin that pushes the preceding coin in the pin belt transport unit 18.

[0100] Even after that, if the coin control unit 12 detects based on the detection result from the recognition and transport unit 16 that the number of coins transported to the temporary storage unit 23 has exceeded the coin interval expansion control number until the separation operation is completed, it performs coin interval expansion control by temporarily halting the rotation of the motor of the disk drive unit 46 to prevent the coins from being delivered from the upper separation unit 15 to the recognition and transport unit 16, and then rotating the motor again after the coin interval expansion stop time has elapsed. In this way, the coin control unit 12 widens the interval between the succeeding coin, which is a coin stopped at the connection point between the upper separation unit 15 and the recognition and transport unit 16, and the preceding coin that was transported to the recognition and transport unit 16 ahead of the succeeding coin, thereby reducing the number of coins transported to the temporary storage unit 23 per unit time and preventing the temporary storage unit 23 from becoming full.

[0101] [1-10-2-2. Control when temporary storage section is full] On the other hand, when it is detected that the temporary storage section 23 is full based on the detection result from the temporary storage section full detection sensor 80, the coin control section 12 rotates the guide plate in the temporary storage section branch section 34 to close the hole section communicating between the pin belt transport section 18 and the guide section 30, thereby preventing any more coins from being transported from the pin belt transport section 18 to the temporary storage section 23, and temporarily stops the rotation of the motor of the disk drive section 46 to temporarily stop the rotation of the inclined disk 45 and the belt 65. At this time, the coin control section 12 continues to drive the pin belt transport section 18, and transports all coins that have been fed from the upper separation section 15 and reached the pin belt transport section 18 to the deposit / withdrawal section 13 and are then evacuated, and stops the pin belt transport section 18.

[0102] Next, the coin control unit 12 rotates the temporary storage belt 23B forward and backward a predetermined number of times to swing the upper part of the temporary storage belt 23B back and forth, thereby breaking up the shape of the multiple coins piled up on the temporary storage belt 23B (hereinafter also referred to as a leveling operation). When it detects that the temporary storage unit 23 is no longer full based on the detection result from the temporary storage unit full detection sensor 80, the coin control unit 12 rotates the guide plate in the temporary storage unit branching unit 34 to open a hole that communicates between the pin belt transport unit 18 and the guide unit 30, so that coins are transported from the pin belt transport unit 18 to the temporary storage unit 23, and resumes driving the pin belt transport unit 18. The coin control unit 12 also drops the coins that have been evacuated to the deposit / withdrawal unit 13 into the upper separation unit 15, and then rotates the motor of the disc drive unit 46 again to resume the forward rotation of the inclined disc 45 and belt 65, transporting the coins from the accumulation / separation unit 15A to the separation and transporting unit 15B, and then transports them backward along the transport path to the recognition and transporting unit 16.

[0103] Even after that, until the separation operation is completed, if the coin control unit 12 detects that the temporary storage unit 23 has reached a full state based on the detection result from the temporary storage unit full detection sensor 80, it closes the temporary storage unit branching unit 34, temporarily suspends the rotation of the inclined disk 45 and belt 65, and stops the pin belt transport unit 18 after the coins have been evacuated to the deposit / withdrawal unit 13, and then performs temporary storage unit full state control by swinging the temporary storage unit belt 23B to eliminate the full state of the temporary storage unit 23, opening the temporary storage unit branching unit 34, resuming the driving of the pin belt transport unit 18, transporting coins from the deposit / withdrawal unit 13 to the upper separation unit 15, and resuming the rotation of the inclined disk 45 and belt 65.

[0104] [1-11. Effects, etc.] Incidentally, when a large number of coins are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50 of the upper separation section 15, a coin may be bumped into and obstructed by the coins accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, and may be picked up by the separation protrusion 47 in an unstable state. As shown in FIG. 9, a coin CN picked up by the separation protrusion 47 in such an unstable state may be bounced off the separation gate 60 without passing through it, and may be caught up by the succeeding coin CNf, and may be sandwiched between the regulating member 57 and the succeeding coin CNf. In some cases, a coin CN picked up by the separation protrusion 47 in an unstable state may be sandwiched between the regulating member 57 and the separation protrusion 47.

[0105] In this case, the inclined disk 45 cannot rotate forward and is locked, so the coin processing device 10 must perform a retry operation of first rotating the inclined disk 45 in the reverse direction and then rotating it forward again. However, this requires time to perform the retry operation, which reduces the processing speed of the deposit process. In addition, there are cases where the locked state is not released even after the retry operation is performed, in which case the coin processing device 10 must suspend operation.

[0106] In response to this, the coin processing device 10 performs intermittent separation control, rotates the inclined disk 45 in the forward direction, and hooks and lifts the coins accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50 one by one onto the separation protrusion 47. When the coins reach a position slightly below the lower end of the separation gate 60, the rotation of the inclined disk 45 is temporarily stopped. Therefore, the coin processing device 10 can make the coins picked up by the separation protrusion 47 in an unstable state lose their balance and fall from the separation protrusion 47 before they reach the separation gate 60, or can stabilize their posture on the separation protrusion 47 without falling from the separation protrusion 47. This makes it possible for the coin processing device 10 to prevent the inclined disk 45 from being locked due to the coin CN being caught between the regulating member 57 and the succeeding coin CNf or between the regulating member 57 and the separation protrusion 47, thereby improving reliability.

[0107] In addition, when a small amount of coins is accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, where less than a certain number of coins are accumulated, the coin processing device 10 performs continuous separation control by continuously rotating the inclined disk 45 without stopping it, while when a large amount of coins is accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, where more than a certain number of coins are accumulated, the coin processing device 10 performs intermittent separation control by intermittently stopping and rotating the inclined disk 45.

[0108] Therefore, the coin processing device 10 can prevent the occurrence of a locked state in the case of a large accumulation state in which the coins picked up by the separating protrusion 47 are likely to collide with other coins accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50 and become unstable, and can also prioritize maintaining the processing speed over preventing the occurrence of a locked state and prevent a decrease in the processing speed in the case of a small accumulation state in which the coins picked up by the separating protrusion 47 are unlikely to collide with other coins accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50 and become unstable. As a result, the coin processing device 10 can improve reliability by suppressing the occurrence of a locked state while minimizing a decrease in processing speed according to the number of coins accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50.

[0109] Furthermore, when a large number of coins are deposited, the coin processing device 10, if the temporary storage section 23 is detected to be full by the temporary storage section full detection sensor 80, performs the above-mentioned temporary storage section full time control and performs a leveling operation of the temporary storage section 23 to prevent the coins stored in the temporary storage section 23 from overflowing. However, when the temporary storage section 23 is full, even if the leveling operation is performed, coins near the temporary storage section belt 23B move but the upper piled up coins do not move, and coins overflow from the temporary storage section 23, which may cause the coin processing device 10 to halt operation.

[0110] In response to this, it is possible to lower the position of the optical axis of the detection light of the temporary storage section full detection sensor 80, thereby determining that the temporary storage section coin accumulation space 23S is full relatively early after coins start to be stored in the temporary storage section, thereby preventing coins from overflowing from the temporary storage section 23. However, in that case, the coin processing device 10 is unable to fully utilize the temporary storage section coin accumulation space 23S and determines that the temporary storage section coin accumulation space 23S is full many times during the deposit counting process, resulting in a decrease in the processing speed of the deposit counting process.

[0111] In response to this, when the coin processing device 10 performs a deposit counting process, if it detects based on the detection results from the recognition and transport unit 16 that the number of coins transported to the temporary storage unit 23 has reached or exceeded the coin interval expansion control number, which is less than the number required when the unit is full, then when the recognition unit delivery detection sensor 82 detects a coin, it temporarily suspends the rotation of the inclined disk 45 and belt 65 to prevent the coin from being transported to the temporary storage unit 23, and after the coin interval expansion stop time, which is the stop time until the interval between the preceding coin and the succeeding coin becomes wider than a certain amount, has elapsed, thereby performing coin interval expansion control by resuming the forward rotation of the inclined disk 45 and belt 65.

[0112] Therefore, the coin processing device 10 performs the coin interval expansion control before the temporary storage unit 23 becomes full, and thereby can reduce the number of coins to be transported to the temporary storage unit 23 per unit time when the number of coins transported to the temporary storage unit 23 becomes equal to or exceeds the coin interval expansion control number. This allows the coin processing device 10 to prevent the temporary storage unit 23 from becoming full and the smoothing operation from being unable to be completed in time, thereby improving reliability.

[0113] According to the above configuration, the coin processing device 10 of the automated teller machine 1 is provided with: an accumulation tank 41 which forms the coin accumulation space 50 in which coins CN are accumulated; an inclined disk 45 which, together with the accumulation tank 41, forms the coin accumulation space 50 and has a disk surface 45S facing the coin accumulation space 50, and has a separation protrusion 47 as a protrusion which abuts against the coin CN to transport the coin CN and rotates to separate the coins CN in the coin accumulation space 50; a transport unit 51 which transports the coin CN separated by the inclined disk 45 along the transport path W while facing the left transport surface LS which is a transport surface connected to the disk surface 45S; and a coin control unit 12 which performs intermittent separation control which temporarily suspends the rotation of the inclined disk 45 at a predetermined timing and resumes the forward rotation of the inclined disk 45 after a predetermined stop time has elapsed.

[0114] This enables the coin processing device 10 to prevent problems with the transport of coins CN caused by the continuous rotation of the inclined disk 45, such as the inability to properly transfer coins CN from the coin accumulation space 50 to the transport section 51, or coins CN overflowing from the temporary storage section 23 downstream of the upper separation section 15.

[0115] 2. Second embodiment [2-1. Configuration of the automated teller machine, coin handling device and coin control unit] An automated teller machine 101 (FIG. 1) according to the second embodiment differs from the automated teller machine 1 according to the first embodiment in that it has a coin processing device 110 instead of the coin processing device 10, but is otherwise configured in a similar manner. A coin processing device 110 (FIG. 2) according to the second embodiment differs from the coin processing device 10 according to the first embodiment in that it has a coin control unit 112 instead of the coin control unit 12, but is otherwise configured in a similar manner. The coin control unit 112 (FIG. 2) according to the second embodiment differs from the coin control unit 12 according to the first embodiment in that it performs different separation control during the deposited coin counting process, but is otherwise configured in a similar manner.

[0116] [2-2. Separation control during deposit counting and temporary storage coin transport control] [2-2-1. Separation control] When performing the above-mentioned deposit counting process, upon detecting that all coins inserted into the deposit / withdrawal unit 13 by the user have fallen into the coin accumulation space 50 of the upper separation unit 15 via the chute unit 14, the coin control unit 112 starts the separation operation of the upper separation unit 15 and acquires the light reception result of the coin detection sensor 70. If the light reception result is in the OFF state (light-transmitting state), the coin control unit 112 determines that less than a certain number of coins are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, and performs short-time stop intermittent separation control, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the light reception result is in the ON state (light-shielding state), the coin control unit 112 determines that more than a certain number of coins are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, and performs long-time stop intermittent separation control, which will be described later. The coin control unit 112 repeatedly switches between short-time stop intermittent separation control and long-time stop intermittent separation control according to the light reception result of the coin detection sensor 70 until there are no more coins remaining in the coin accumulation space 50 and the separation operation is terminated.

[0117] [2-2-1-1. Short-time stop intermittent separation control] In the short-time stop intermittent separation control, the coin control unit 112 rotates the motor of the disk drive unit 46 to rotate the inclined disk 45 in the direction of arrow R1 and rotates the belt 65 in the direction of arrow R1, so that the coins accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50 are hooked one by one onto the separation protrusion 47, lifted, and reach a position slightly below the lower end of the separation gate 60. At this time, when the coin control unit 112 detects from the detection result of the separation protrusion rotation position detection sensor that the separation protrusion 47 has reached a position slightly below the lower end of the separation gate 60, it temporarily stops the rotation of the motor of the disk drive unit 46 to temporarily stop the rotation of the inclined disk 45 and the belt 65. At this time, if the coin is picked up by the separation protrusion 47 while in an unstable state, the coin will lose balance and fall from the separation protrusion 47 before passing through the separation gate 60, or will not fall from the separation protrusion 47 and will remain in a stable position on the separation protrusion 47.

[0118] After a predetermined short stop time has elapsed since the rotation of the motor of the disk drive unit 46 was temporarily stopped, the coin control unit 112 rotates the motor of the disk drive unit 46 again to rotate the inclined disk 45 and the belt 65 again, and transports the coin above the separation gate 60 to the separation transport unit 15B, and then transports it backward along the transport path W to hand it over to the recognition transport unit 16. After that, when the coin control unit 112 detects from the detection result of the separation protrusion rotation position detection sensor that the separation protrusion 47 has reached a position slightly below the lower end of the separation gate 60, the coin control unit 112 temporarily stops the rotation of the motor of the disk drive unit 46, and then rotates the motor of the disk drive unit 46 again after a short stop time has elapsed. In this embodiment, the stop time is set to a time shorter than the time it takes for a coin to freely fall a distance equal to its diameter.

[0119] In this way, when less than a certain number of coins are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, the coin control unit 112 performs short-time stop intermittent separation control in which the inclined disk 45 and belt 65 are stopped temporarily just before the coins scooped up by the separation protrusion 47 reach the separation gate 60, and then forward rotation is resumed after a short stop time has elapsed.

[0120] [2-2-1-2. Long-time stop intermittent separation control] In the long-time stop intermittent separation control, the coin control unit 112 rotates the motor of the disk drive unit 46 to rotate the inclined disk 45 in the direction of arrow R1 and rotates the belt 65 in the direction of arrow R1, so that the coins accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50 are hooked one by one onto the separation protrusion 47, lifted, and reach a position slightly below the lower end of the separation gate 60. At this time, when the coin control unit 112 detects from the detection result of the separation protrusion rotation position detection sensor that the separation protrusion 47 has reached a position slightly below the lower end of the separation gate 60, it temporarily stops the rotation of the motor of the disk drive unit 46 to temporarily stop the rotation of the inclined disk 45 and the belt 65. At this time, if the coin is picked up by the separation protrusion 47 while in an unstable state, the coin will lose balance and fall from the separation protrusion 47 before passing through the separation gate 60, or the coin will not fall from the separation protrusion 47 and will remain in a stable position on the separation protrusion 47.

[0121] After a predetermined long-time stop time has elapsed since the motor of the disk drive unit 46 was temporarily stopped, the coin control unit 112 rotates the motor of the disk drive unit 46 again to rotate the inclined disk 45 and the belt 65 again, transporting the coin above the separation gate 60 to the separation transport unit 15B, and then transporting it backward along the transport path W to hand it over to the recognition transport unit 16. After that, when the coin control unit 112 detects from the detection result of the separation protrusion rotation position detection sensor that the separation protrusion 47 has reached a position slightly below the lower end of the separation gate 60, the coin control unit 112 repeatedly temporarily stops the rotation of the motor of the disk drive unit 46 and then rotates the motor of the disk drive unit 46 again after the long-time stop time has elapsed. In this embodiment, the long-time stop time is set to, for example, a time for a coin to freely fall a distance equivalent to its diameter.

[0122] In this way, when a certain number of coins or more are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, the coin control unit 112 performs long-time stop intermittent separation control in which the inclined disk 45 and belt 65 are stopped temporarily just before the coins scooped up by the separation protrusion 47 reach the separation gate 60, and then forward rotation is resumed after a long-time stop time that is longer than the short-time stop time has elapsed.

[0123] [2-2-2. Coin transport control in temporary storage section] When carrying out the above-mentioned deposited amount counting process, the coin control unit 112 performs the same coin interval widening control and temporary storage unit full time control as the coin control unit 12 according to the first embodiment.

[0124] [2-3. Effects, etc.] In this way, when a small amount of coins is accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50 and less than a certain number of coins are accumulated, the coin processing device 110 performs short-time stop intermittent separation control in which the inclined disk 45 is rotated while intermittently stopping for a short-time stop time. On the other hand, when a large amount of coins is accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50 and more than a certain number of coins are accumulated, the coin processing device 110 performs long-time stop intermittent separation control in which the inclined disk 45 is rotated while intermittently stopping for a long-time stop time that is longer than the short-time stop time.

[0125] Therefore, in the case of a large amount of accumulated coins in which the coins picked up by the separation protrusion 47 are likely to collide with other coins accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50 and become unstable, the coin processing device 110 stops the inclined disk 45 for a long time, making it easier for the coins to fall from the separation protrusion 47 or to stabilize the position of the coins, thereby preventing the occurrence of a locked state. At the same time, in the case of a small amount of accumulated coins in which the coins picked up by the separation protrusion 47 are unlikely to collide with other coins accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50 and become unstable, the coin processing device 110 stops the inclined disk 45 for a short time, so that the processing speed is prioritized over preventing the occurrence of a locked state, while leaving the possibility of the coins falling from the separation protrusion 47 and the possibility of the coins' position stabilizing, and the processing speed is not reduced. As a result, the coin processing device 110 can minimize the reduction in processing speed, suppress the occurrence of a locked state, and improve reliability, depending on the number of coins accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50.

[0126] In other respects as well, the coin processing device 110 according to the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the coin processing device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0127] 3. Other embodiments In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the coin processing device 10 has been described as repeatedly switching between continuous separation control and intermittent separation control depending on the light reception result of the coin detection sensor 70 from the start to the end of the separation operation of the upper separation unit 15. The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device 10 may select continuous separation control or intermittent separation control depending on the light reception result of the coin detection sensor 70 when starting the separation operation of the upper separation unit 15, and thereafter repeat the selected continuous separation control or intermittent separation control until the separation operation is ended. Furthermore, the coin processing device 10 may always perform intermittent separation control from the start to the end of the separation operation, regardless of the number of coins accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50.

[0128] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned second embodiment, the coin processing device 110 has been described as repeatedly switching between short-time stop intermittent separation control and long-time stop intermittent separation control depending on the light reception result of the coin detection sensor 70 from the start to the end of the separation operation of the upper separation unit 15. The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device 110 may select short-time stop intermittent separation control or long-time stop intermittent separation control depending on the light reception result of the coin detection sensor 70 when starting the separation operation of the upper separation unit 15, and thereafter repeatedly perform the selected short-time stop intermittent separation control or long-time stop intermittent separation control until the separation operation is ended.

[0129] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, when a certain number or more of coins are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, the coin processing device 10 may, in the intermittent separation control, slow down the rotation speed of the inclined disk 45 during rotation to lengthen the time it takes for the coins scooped up by the separation protrusion 47 to reach the separation gate 60, thereby increasing the possibility of unstable coins falling from the separation protrusion 47, while, when less than a certain number of coins are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, the intermittent separation control may maintain the processing speed of the separation operation by setting the rotation speed of the inclined disk 45 during rotation to a normal rotation speed that is faster than when a certain number or more of coins are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0130] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the coin processing device 10 has been described as temporarily stopping the rotation of the inclined disk 45 when the separation protrusion 47 reaches slightly below the lower end of the separation gate 60 in the intermittent separation control, and then resuming the forward rotation after the stop time has elapsed. The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device 10 may slow down the rotation speed of the inclined disk 45 in the intermittent separation control when the separation protrusion 47 reaches slightly below the lower end of the separation gate 60, and then return it to the rotation speed in the continuous separation control after a predetermined time has elapsed. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0131] Further, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the coin processing device 10 has been described as temporarily stopping the rotation of the inclined disk 45 in the intermittent separation control when the separation protrusion 47 reaches a position slightly lower than the lower end of the separation gate 60, as detected by the detection result of the separation protrusion rotation position detection sensor. The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device 10 may temporarily stop the rotation of the inclined disk 45 in the intermittent separation control when various sensors detect a coin that has been lifted by the separation protrusion 47 and reaches a position slightly lower than the lower end of the separation gate 60. In this case, when no coin is placed on the separation protrusion 47 that has reached a position slightly lower than the lower end of the separation gate 60, the coin processing device 10 does not perform the intermittent separation control but performs the continuous separation control, so that the processing speed of the separation operation can be improved compared to the case where the intermittent separation control is performed regardless of whether or not a coin is placed on the separation protrusion 47. The same is true in the second embodiment.

[0132] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the coin processing device 10 has been described as switching between intermittent separation control and continuous separation control depending on whether or not a certain number of coins or more are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50. The present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device 10 may switch the temporary stop time of the inclined disk 45 in various stages depending on the number of coins accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, for example, by performing the above-mentioned long-time stop intermittent separation control when a certain number of coins or more are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, performing the above-mentioned short-time stop intermittent separation control when a certain number of coins or more that is less than the certain number are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50, and performing continuous separation control when less than the certain number of coins are accumulated in the coin accumulation space 50. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0133] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to the upper separation section 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to the lower separation section 29, for example.

[0134] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to the coin processing device 10 incorporated in the automated teller machine 1 as an automated transaction device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to various devices that perform coin-related transactions with customers, such as automatic ticket vending machines, cash management devices used by employees of financial institutions and clerks of retail stores to manage cash, change dispensers that dispense change, and the like.

[0135] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and other embodiments. That is, the scope of application of the present invention extends to embodiments in which the above-mentioned embodiments and the other embodiments are combined in part or in whole in any manner. The scope of application of the present invention also extends to embodiments in which a part of the configuration described in any of the above-mentioned embodiments and other embodiments is extracted and replaced or diverted with a part of the configuration of any of the above-mentioned embodiments and other embodiments, or an embodiment in which a part of the extracted configuration is added to any of the embodiments.

[0136] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, a description has been given of a case in which the coin processing device 10 is constituted as a coin processing device by the accumulation tank 41 as an accumulation unit, the inclined disk 45 as a rotor, the transport unit 51 as a transport unit, and the coin control unit 12 as a control unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device may be constituted by an accumulation unit, a rotor, a transport unit, and a control unit having various other configurations. [Industrial Applicability]

[0137] The present invention can be used, for example, in an automated teller machine that processes transactions related to coins between customers or store clerks. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 1, 101...automated teller machine, 2...casing, 3...reception section, 4...passbook inlet / outlet, 5...card inlet / outlet, 6...coin inlet / outlet, 7...banknote inlet / outlet, 8...operation display section, 9...main control section, 10, 110...coin processing device, 11...coin processing device housing, 12, 112...coin control section, 13...deposit / withdrawal section, 13A...container, 13B...shutter, 14...chute section, 15...upper separation section, 15A...accumulation separation section, 15B...separation and transport section, 16...recognition and transport section, 17...delivery section, 1 8: Pin belt conveying section, 19: Branching section, 20: Stacker branching section, 21: Stacker section, 22: Dispensing conveying section, 23: Temporary storage section, 23B: Temporary storage section belt, 23S: Temporary storage section coin accumulation space, 24: Replenishment recovery box, 25: First replenishment reject box, 26: Second replenishment reject box, 27: Reject box, 28: Forgotten coin intake box, 29: Lower separation section, 29A: Accumulation separation section, 29B: Separation conveying section, 30, 31: Guide section, 32: Accumulation section, 33: Payout section, 34 ……Temporary storage section branch section, 40……Separation section frame, 41……Accumulation tank, 41A……Receiving opening, 45……Inclined disk, 45S……Disk surface, 45X……Inclined disk central axis, 45T……Outer circumference, 46……Disk drive section, 47……Separation protrusion, 48……Notch, 49……Residual stirring protrusion, 50……Coin accumulation space, 51……Conveying section, 52……Front conveying guide, 53, 54……Left conveying guide, 55……Rear conveying guide, 56……Right conveying guide, 57……Regulating member, 57S……Regulating member conveying surface, 57R…… Regulating surface, SC...conveying space, FS...front conveying surface, W...conveying path, LS...left conveying surface, RS...right conveying surface, 58...mounting member, 58A...relay section, 58B...mounting section, 59...groove section, 60...separation gate, 61...belt pulley, 62...front pulley, 63...upper pulley, 64...rear pulley, 65...belt, 66...pin, 70...coin detection sensor, 70e...light-emitting section, 70r...light-receiving section, Lx...detection light, 80...temporary holding section full detection sensor, 82...recognition section handover detection sensor.

Claims

1. a stacking section that forms a stacking space in which coins are stacked; a rotor that forms the stacking space together with the stacking unit, has a disk surface facing the stacking space, and has a protrusion that comes into contact with the coins to transport the coins, and rotates to separate the coins in the stacking space; a conveying unit that conveys the coins separated by the rotating body along a conveying path while facing a conveying surface that is continuous with the disk surface; a control unit that performs intermittent separation control to temporarily suspend the rotation of the rotating body at a predetermined timing and resume the rotation of the rotating body after a predetermined stop time has elapsed; A coin processing device having the above structure.

2. The control unit is The intermittent separation control is performed by temporarily stopping the rotation of the rotating body in a predetermined rotation direction and restarting the rotation of the rotating body in the rotation direction after the stop time has elapsed. The coin processing device according to claim 1 .

3. a separation gate including a regulating member provided opposite the conveying surface outside the range facing the disk surface and arranged with a gap between the regulating member and the conveying surface narrower than the thickness of two coins; and the conveying surface. and The control unit is The intermittent separation control is performed by temporarily stopping the rotation of the rotating body before the coin lifted by the protrusion reaches the separation gate, and restarting the rotation of the rotating body after the stop time has elapsed to pass the coin through the separation gate. The coin processing device according to claim 2 .

4. A coin detection sensor that detects the amount of the coins accumulated in the accumulation space. and The control unit is When it is determined that the amount of the coins accumulated in the accumulation space is large based on the detection result of the coin detection sensor, the stop time is made longer than when it is determined that the amount of the coins accumulated in the accumulation space is small. The coin processing device according to claim 3 .

5. The control unit is When the amount of the coins accumulated in the accumulation space is large, the intermittent separation control is performed, whereas when the amount of the coins accumulated in the accumulation space is small, the intermittent separation control is not performed and the rotor is continuously rotated. The coin processing device according to claim 4.

6. The control unit is When the amount of the coins accumulated in the accumulation space is large, the intermittent separation control is performed after the rotation speed of the rotating body is made faster than when the amount of the coins accumulated in the accumulation space is small. The coin processing device according to claim 4.

7. a temporary storage unit that temporarily stores the coins transported by the transport unit; and The control unit is When the amount of the coins in the temporary storage unit is greater than a predetermined amount, the intermittent separation control is performed. The coin processing device according to claim 1 .

8. A temporary storage unit coin detection sensor that detects the amount of the coins accumulated in the temporary storage unit and The control unit is When the amount of the coins in the temporary storage unit is greater than the predetermined amount before it is determined that the temporary storage unit is full based on the detection result of the temporary storage unit coin detection sensor, the intermittent separation control is performed. The coin processing device according to claim 7.

9. an operation unit that accepts operations by a user; A coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. An automated transaction device having the above configuration.

Images