Coin processing device

Abstract

To shorten the time required to remove foreign matters and to make it hard for the foreign matter to be flawed or get dirty.SOLUTION: A coin processing device 1 has: a coin storage part 220 which stores coins; a rotary disk 230 which is provided inside the coin storage part, and rotates on a rotary shaft 232 to move coins to the outer periphery; a passage opening 222 that the coins having moved to the outer periphery pass through; and a foreign matter accumulation part (foreign matter tray 231) which is arranged below the rotary disk and which accumulates foreign matters. Foreign matter removal holes 230a which are smaller than the diameter of the coins are formed in the rotary disk. The foreign matter accumulation part is provided to accumulate foreign matters falling from the foreign matter removal holes and provided so as to be drawn out from below the rotary disk.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coin processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, coin processing devices have a foreign object removal mechanism that removes foreign objects that have been erroneously inserted into a coin slot (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The coin processing device described in Patent Document 1 is configured such that a foreign object removal hole is provided in a disk that rotates inside the coin slot to feed coins out of the coin slot, and when a foreign object is erroneously inserted into the coin slot, the foreign object is dropped from the foreign object removal hole under the disk and removed. This type of coin processing device collects the foreign object by moving the foreign object that has fallen under the disk from the foreign object removal hole inside an annular space below the disk and further moving it into a dust box through an opening provided inside the annular space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-83469 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional coin processing device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it takes time to remove foreign objects because the foreign objects cannot be removed unless they are moved to a dust box. In addition, the conventional coin processing device may scratch or stain the foreign objects before moving them to the dust box, and if the foreign objects are relatively expensive items such as accessories, this may reduce their value, so it is desired to make it difficult for the foreign objects to be scratched or stained.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its main object is to provide a coin processing device that shortens the time required to remove foreign objects and makes it difficult for foreign objects to become scratched or stained. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is a coin processing device comprising a coin storage section for storing coins, a rotating disk provided inside the coin storage section and rotating around a rotation axis to move the coins to the outer periphery, a passing port through which the coins moved to the outer periphery pass, and a foreign matter accumulation section provided below the rotating disk for accumulating foreign matter, wherein the rotating disk has a foreign matter removal hole formed therein that is smaller than the diameter of the coin, and the foreign matter accumulation section accumulates foreign matter that falls from the foreign matter removal hole and is configured to be able to be pulled out to the outside from below the rotating disk. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time required to remove foreign matter and to make it difficult for the foreign matter to be scratched or stained. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the coin processing device according to the embodiment as viewed from the front. [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the coin processing device according to the embodiment as viewed from the right side. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic plan view of the coin feeding section, the coin verification section, and the coin sorting section. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic side view of the coin feeding section, the coin verification section, and the coin sorting section. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the coin feeding section and the coin verification section. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the coin feeding section and the coin verification section. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a foreign object tray (foreign object accumulation unit). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each drawing is merely a schematic illustration to allow a sufficient understanding of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to only the illustrated examples. In addition, in each drawing, common or similar components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0010] <Configuration of the coin handling device> Hereinafter, the configuration of the coin processing device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B. Fig. 1A is a schematic configuration diagram of the coin processing device 1 according to this embodiment as viewed from the front. Fig. 1B is a schematic configuration diagram of the coin processing device 1 according to this embodiment as viewed from the right side.

[0011] The coin processing device 1 is a device that manages coins handled at a cash register installed in a store or the like. After accepting multiple coins at once, the coin processing device 1 validates each coin to determine its denomination. The coin processing device 1 then sorts the coins by denomination according to the results of the discrimination, stores the sorted coins in a denomination-specific hopper 36, and then dispenses them.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1A, the coin processing device 1 has a coin receiving section 10, a coin dispensing section 12, a coin recognition section 14, a coin sorting section 20, a rejected coin storage section 26, a temporary holding section 30, a return box 34, a denomination-specific hopper 36, a transport gate 38, a withdrawal box 40, a collection storehouse 44, and a control unit 90.

[0013] The coin receiving unit 10 is a section that receives inserted coins C. The coin receiving unit 10 is located on the upper and front side of the coin processing device 1. The coin receiving unit 10 has an insertion port 11 through which the coins C are inserted. The insertion port 11 opens widely so that multiple coins C can be easily inserted at once. The coins C inserted into the coin receiving unit 10 fall into the coin dispensing unit 12.

[0014] The coin dispensing unit 12 is disposed below the coin receiving unit 10, and separates the coins C that have dropped from the coin receiving unit 10 one by one and dispenses them to the coin verification unit 14. A rotating disk (not shown), for example, is provided inside the coin dispensing unit 12. The coins C inside the coin dispensing unit 12 move due to centrifugal force generated when the rotating disk (not shown) rotates, and are separated one by one and dispensed to the coin verification unit 14.

[0015] The coin verification unit 14 determines the authenticity, denomination, etc. of the coin C dispensed from the coin dispensing unit 12. The coin verification unit 14 has a verification sensor 340 (FIG. 2) that recognizes the characteristics of the coin C, and determines the authenticity, denomination, etc. of the coin C based on the characteristics of the coin C detected by the verification sensor 340 (FIG. 2). The coin processing device 1 transports the coin C identified by the coin verification unit 14 to the coin sorting unit 20.

[0016] The coin sorting unit 20 sorts and transports the coins C based on the discrimination result by the coin verification unit 14. The coin sorting unit 20 has a reject port 21 and denomination-specific discharge ports 22a to 22f. Coins C that are discriminated as not genuine by the coin verification unit 14 pass through the reject port 21. On the other hand, coins C that are discriminated as genuine by the coin verification unit 14 pass through the denomination-specific discharge ports 22a to 22f.

[0017] The rejected coin storage unit 26 stores coins C that have passed through the reject port 21. A reject chute is disposed below the reject port 21, which guides coins C that have passed through the reject port 21 to the rejected coin storage unit 26. Coins C that have passed through the reject port 21 are sent to the rejected coin storage unit 26 along the route indicated by arrow R in FIG. 1B. The rejected coin storage unit 26 has an openable door 28 (FIG. 1B) on the front side of the coin processing device 1. By opening the door 28, an operator of the coin processing device 1 can pull out the rejected coin storage unit 26 to the outside of the coin processing device 1.

[0018] The temporary storage unit 30 temporarily stores, by denomination, the coins C discharged from the denomination-specific discharge outlets 22a-22f (FIG. 1B). Below the denomination-specific discharge outlets 22a-22f (FIG. 1B), chutes 51a-51f (FIG. 1B) are provided to guide the coins C discharged from the denomination-specific discharge outlets 22a-22f to the temporary storage unit 30. For example, the chute 51a guides the coins C discharged from the denomination-specific discharge outlet 22a to the storage unit 31a of the temporary storage unit 30 provided below the chute 51a.

[0019] The temporary storage unit 30 has storage units 31a-31f (FIG. 1B) which are storage units for different denominations. The storage units 31a-31f (FIG. 1B) store coins C guided from corresponding chutes 51a-51f (FIG. 1B). The storage units 31a-31f (FIG. 1B) are arranged in a straight line, dividing the inside of a frame surrounding the four sides of the temporary storage unit 30 by denomination. The temporary storage unit 30 is also configured to be movable in the directions of arrows H and S shown in FIG. 1A with respect to a guide 32 forming the bottom.

[0020] The return box 34 stores coins C that fall from the temporary storage unit 30 when the temporary storage unit 30 moves in the direction of arrow H shown in Fig. 1A. The return box 34 can be pulled out of the coin processing device 1 from the front of the coin processing device 1 by an operator.

[0021] The denomination-specific hoppers 36 store, by denomination, the coins C that drop from the temporary storage unit 30 when the temporary storage unit 30 moves in the direction of the arrow S shown in Fig. 1A. The denomination-specific hoppers 36 are made up of a plurality of denomination-specific hoppers 36a-36f (Fig. 1B). The denomination-specific hoppers 36a-36f (Fig. 1B) are arranged in a straight line so as to correspond to the denomination-specific storage units 31a-31f (Fig. 1B). The denomination-specific hoppers 36a-36f (Fig. 1B) have a feeding unit (not shown) that separates and feeds out the coins C one by one.

[0022] The transport gate 38 is provided for each of the denomination-specific hoppers 36a to 36f, and branches the transport destination of the coins C fed from the denomination-specific hoppers 36a to 36f. The transport gate 38 branches into a route indicated by an arrow T and a route indicated by an arrow U shown in FIG. 1A as the transport destination.

[0023] The dispensing box 40 stores the coins C to be dispensed. The dispensing box 40 stores the coins C that are fed from the denomination-specific hoppers 36a to 36f and transported by the transport gate 38 along the route indicated by the arrow T. The dispensing box 40 is provided detachably to the main body of the coin processing device 1.

[0024] 1B, small dispensing boxes 42a-42f for each denomination, from which coins C can be individually dispensed, are arranged in a straight line inside the dispensing box 40. The small dispensing boxes 42a-42f (FIG. 1B) are provided in correspondence with the denomination-specific hoppers 36a-36f (FIG. 1B).

[0025] 1A, the collection box 44 stores coins C collected by an operator. The collection box 44 stores coins C that are fed from denomination-specific hoppers 36a to 36f (FIG. 1B) and transported by the transport gate 38 along the route indicated by arrow U.

[0026] The control unit 90 controls the overall operation of the coin processing device 1. The control unit 90 has a control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of each of the above-mentioned components, and a storage unit (not shown) that stores programs executed by the control unit and various data.

[0027] <Configuration of the coin feeding unit, coin verification unit, and coin sorting unit> Hereinafter, the configurations of the coin feeding section 12, the coin verification section 14, and the coin sorting section 20 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 6. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the coin feeding section 12, the coin verification section 14, and the coin sorting section 20. Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the coin feeding section 12, the coin verification section 14, and the coin sorting section 20, showing the configuration when the coin processing device 1 is viewed along the arrow of line X1-X1 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the coin feeding section 12 and the coin verification section 14 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view of the coin feeding section 12 and the coin verification section 14 shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a configuration diagram of the foreign object tray 231 (foreign object accumulation section).

[0028] (Configuration of the coin dispensing section) The coin feeding unit 12 receives a plurality of inserted coins C, separates them one by one, and feeds them to the coin verification unit 14. As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the coin feeding unit 12 has a coin storage unit 220, a rotating disk 230, and a disk drive unit 240. As shown in Fig. 5, a rubber skirt 13 may be provided inside the coin storage unit 220, through which the coin C inserted from the insertion port 11 passes when it falls onto the rotating disk 230. Even if the coin C that falls onto the rotating disk 230 collides with the rotating disk 230 or other coins accumulated on the rotating disk 230 and jumps up, the rubber skirt 13 receives the jumped up coin C and returns it to the top of the rotating disk 230.

[0029] The coin storage unit 220 is a portion that stores the coins C that have dropped from the coin receiving unit 10. A rotating disk 230 is provided inside (storage space) of the coin storage unit 220. The inner peripheral surface (inner side surface) of the coin storage unit 220 is a portion (disk guide) that guides the rotating disk 230, and is formed in a shape that follows the outer periphery of the rotating disk 230 so that the rotating disk 230 can rotate. In addition, a gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the coin storage unit 220 and the rotating disk 230 so that the coins C are not pinched. The coin storage unit 220 has a height that ensures a space that can store a certain number of coins C (approximately 100 or more). A passing opening 222 (disk guide gate) for sending the coins C to the coin verification unit 14 is provided on a side surface of the coin storage unit 220. The width and height of the passing opening 222 are set so that the coins C can pass through one by one.

[0030] The rotating disk 230 is a circular member provided inside the coin storage unit 220, and sends coins C to the coin verification unit 14 by rotating. The rotating disk 230 is disposed directly below the coin receiving unit 10. Coins C inserted into the coin receiving unit 10 fall onto the rotating disk 230. The rotating disk 230 receives a rotational driving force from the disk driving unit 240 and rotates in a predetermined direction. The coin C on the rotating disk 230 receives a centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotating disk 230 and moves to the side side of the coin storage unit 220 (the outer periphery side of the rotating disk 230) and passes through the passing opening 222.

[0031] The disk drive unit 240 is a drive unit that rotates the rotating disk 230 in a predetermined direction. The disk drive unit 240 has a disk motor 242 and a gear train 244 attached to the disk motor 242. The disk motor 242 transmits a rotational driving force to the rotating shaft 232 of the rotating disk 230 via the gear train 244. As a result, the rotating disk 230 rotates together with the rotating shaft 232 in the same direction.

[0032] The rotating disk 230 is provided with a plurality of foreign matter removal holes 230a along the rotation direction. The foreign matter removal holes 230a are formed to penetrate the rotating disk 230 in the vertical direction. The diameter of the foreign matter removal holes 230a is set to be smaller than the minimum diameter of the coins to be handled. Therefore, the rotating disk 230 is configured so that the coins to be handled do not pass through the foreign matter removal holes 230a and fall downward, while foreign matter smaller than the diameter of the coins to be handled falls downward through the foreign matter removal holes 230a.

[0033] A foreign object tray 231 is disposed below the rotating disk 230 as a foreign object accumulation section. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the foreign object tray 231 is structured to be insertable and removable in the direction of arrow A. In Figures 4 and 5, the foreign object tray 231 depicted by a two-dot chain line shows a state where it is removed from the coin dispensing section 12, and the foreign object tray 231 depicted by a solid line shows a state where it is attached to the coin dispensing section 12.

[0034] 6, the rear end side (attachment direction side) of foreign object tray 231 has an arc shape with a curvature similar to that of rotating disk 230. The front end side of foreign object tray 231 has a straight line shape. Furthermore, handle portion 231a is formed on the front end side of foreign object tray 231.

[0035] Foreign object tray 231 has bottom surface 231b for placing foreign objects thereon, and wall portion 231c extending upward (vertically) from bottom surface 231b. Foreign object tray 231 defines accumulation space 231S for accumulating foreign objects by bottom surface 231b and wall portion 231c. Bottom surface 231b is large enough to cover almost the entire surface of rotating disk 230.

[0036] When the foreign object tray 231 is attached under the rotating disk 230 (Figure 5), the accumulation space 231S is formed over a range that is generally wider than the range of the rotational trajectory of the foreign object removal hole 230a (specifically, in the direction toward the outer periphery of the rotating disk 230 relative to the rotating shaft 232 (Figure 5)), except for the U-shaped groove 231U (details will be described later).

[0037] A U-shaped groove 231U is formed in the center of the width (horizontal width) in the left-right direction of the foreign object tray 231. The U-shaped groove 231U is a groove cut in the direction from the rear end side of the foreign object tray 231 toward the front end side. The U-shaped groove 231U allows the foreign object tray 231 to be pulled out from the inside of the coin processing device 1 to the outside, and conversely, pushed into the inside of the coin processing device 1 from the outside. In other words, the U-shaped groove 231U is a groove portion for inserting the rotating shaft 232 of the rotating disk 230 when pushing the foreign object tray 231 from the outside to the inside of the coin processing device 1. The coin processing device 1 can take out and remove foreign objects that have fallen and accumulated on the foreign object tray 231 by pulling out the foreign object tray 231 from the inside of the coin processing device 1 to the outside.

[0038] The width (horizontal width) of U-shaped groove 231U in the left-right direction is slightly longer than the diameter of rotating shaft 232, so that rotating shaft 232 can fit inside the groove. Also, the length from the rear end side to the front end side of U-shaped groove 231U is such that rotating shaft 232 (FIG. 5) is located at the front end portion of U-shaped groove 231U when foreign object tray 231 is attached (see solid lines in FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, the coin processing device 1 has a shielding plate 233 between the rotating disk 230 and the U-shaped groove 231U of the foreign object tray 231. The shielding plate 233 is a member for preventing foreign objects dropped from the rotating disk 230 from entering the U-shaped groove 231U. The shielding plate 233 is disposed above the U-shaped groove 231U so as to cover the U-shaped groove 231U. The rear end side of the shielding plate 233 is fixed to the frame of the coin feeding unit 12. The front end side of the shielding plate 233 is provided with a through hole 233a (circular hole) for passing the rotating shaft 232. The coin processing device 1 can prevent foreign objects from falling to places other than the foreign object tray 231 by the shielding plate 233. Therefore, the coin processing device 1 can reliably drop foreign objects onto the foreign object tray 231.

[0040] When a foreign object is mistakenly inserted into the insertion slot 11 along with the coins C, the foreign object passes through the foreign object removal hole 230a due to the rotation of the rotating disk 230 and falls downward, and is accumulated in the accumulation space 231S of the foreign object tray 231.

[0041] (Configuration of coin recognition unit) The coin verification unit 14 performs verification of the coin C dispensed from the coin dispenser 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the coin verification unit 14 has a conveyance path 310, a delivery roller 320, a conveyor belt 330, and a verification sensor 340.

[0042] The transport path 310 is a passage for transporting the coins C, and is provided between the coin feeding unit 12 and the coin sorting unit 20. The transport path 310 is formed of, for example, a plate-shaped transport plate, and has a transport surface for transporting the coins C.

[0043] The feed rollers 320 are a pair of rollers for feeding the coins C that have passed through the passage opening 222 of the coin feeding unit 12 toward the conveyor belt 330. The feed rollers 320 receive the driving force of the feed drive unit 322 and feed the coins C one by one while sandwiching them.

[0044] The conveyor belt 330 pinches the coin C sent out by the delivery roller 320 between itself and the conveying surface of the conveying path 310, and rotates in this state to convey the coin C. The conveyor belt 330 is stretched by a pair of pulleys 332, and runs in conjunction with the rotation of the pulleys 332. The pulleys 332 rotate by receiving a driving force from a belt drive unit 334.

[0045] The recognition sensor 340 recognizes the authenticity and denomination of the coin C being transported by the transport belt 330. Specifically, the recognition sensor 340 determines the diameter, material, thickness, presence or absence of a hole in the center, etc. of the coin C to recognize the authenticity and denomination of the coin C. The recognition sensor 340 is composed of, for example, a line sensor, a magnetic sensor, etc.

[0046] (Configuration of coin sorting section) The coin sorting unit 20 sorts the coins C while transporting them, based on the recognition result by the coin verification unit 14. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the coin sorting unit 20 is described as being arranged at an angle with respect to the coin feeding unit 12 and the coin verification unit 14, which are arranged horizontally. This allows the coin sorting unit 20 in the coin processing device 1 to be arranged in layers, and the width of the coin sorting unit 20 can be reduced. However, the arrangement of the coin sorting unit 20 is not limited to this, and for example, it may be arranged horizontally like the coin feeding unit 12 and the coin verification unit 14.

[0047] The coin sorting unit 20 has a sorting housing (not shown) which is the casing of the coin sorting unit 20, a circular conveying path 411 (Figure 2), a conveying belt 420 (Figures 2 and 3), a rotating member 431 (Figures 2 and 3), and a pressure roller 436 (Figure 2).

[0048] The circular conveying path 411 (FIG. 2) is a path for conveying coins formed in a circular shape. As shown in FIG. 2, a conveying belt 420 and a rotating member 431 are arranged on the inner periphery side of the circular conveying path 411. In addition, a reject port 21 is provided in the middle of the circular conveying path 411.

[0049] The conveyor belt 420 is a member that conveys the coins C by running. The conveyor belt 420 is arranged so as to be wound around the side of a disk-shaped rotating member 431. The rotating member 431 is a member for running the conveyor belt 420. The rotating member 431 is formed in a disk shape and rotated by a drive motor 434. The drive motor 434 is a drive unit that rotates the rotating member 431 in a predetermined direction. The drive motor 434 transmits a rotational driving force to a rotation shaft 433 of the rotating member 431 via a drive belt 435 (FIG. 3) to rotate the rotating member 431. The rotating member 431 rotates to run the conveyor belt 420. A plurality of protruding pins 422 are attached to the conveyor belt 420 at arbitrary intervals. The conveyor belt 420 brings the protruding pins 422 into contact with the coins C by running. Then, the conveyor belt 420 conveys the coin C in this state, and the protruding pins 422 push the coin C to convey the coin C. The pressure roller 436 applies tension to the conveyor belt 420 so that the conveyor belt 420 wound around the side surface of the rotating member 431 does not become loose.

[0050] The coin sorting unit 20 also has a reject port 21 (Fig. 2) and denomination-specific discharge ports 22a-22f (Figs. 1B and 2). The reject port 21 is an outlet that can be opened and closed freely to pass rejected coins. The denomination-specific discharge ports 22a-22f (Figs. 1B and 2) are outlets that can be opened and closed freely to pass coins C that have been determined to be genuine according to their denominations. Note that Fig. 2 only illustrates the denomination-specific discharge ports 22a-22c, and does not illustrate the denomination-specific discharge ports 22d-22f. The opening and closing of the reject port 21 and the denomination-specific discharge ports 22a-22f (Figs. 1B and 2) is controlled by a control unit 90 (Fig. 1A).

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, a detection sensor 415 is provided near the entrance of the circular conveying path 411 to detect the coin C sent from the coin verification unit 14 to the coin sorting unit 20. The control unit 90 (FIG. 1A) uses the time when the detection sensor 415 detects the coin C as a reference, calculates a time from that time according to the travel distance of the conveying belt 420 (i.e., the rotation angle of the rotating member 431), and controls the opening and closing of the reject port 21 (FIG. 2) and the denomination-specific discharge ports 22a to 22f (FIG. 1B). In this embodiment, a rotation reference position 438 that is a reference for the rotation angle is set in the rotating member 431, and the driving motor 434 is described as being composed of a pulse motor. The control unit 90 (FIG. 1A) can recognize the rotation angle of the rotating member 431 by detecting the rotation reference position 438 with a detection sensor not shown and recognizing the rotation angle of the driving motor 434 based on the number of pulses after the detection of the rotation reference position 438.

[0052] <Operation of the coin processing device> Hereinafter, the operation of the coin processing device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1A to Fig. 5. The operation of the coin processing device 1 is executed by a control section of the control unit 90. That is, the control section (not shown) of the control unit 90 executes a program stored in a storage section (not shown) to execute the operations described below.

[0053] Specifically, first, when multiple coins C are inserted into the coin receiving unit 210 at once, the inserted coins C drop onto and are accumulated on the rotating disk 230 of the coin feeding unit 12. When the rotating disk 230 rotates, the coins C on the rotating disk 230 are subjected to centrifugal force due to the rotation and move along the outer circumferential surface of the coin storage unit 220, and are pushed out one by one from the passing opening 222 into the transport path 310 of the coin verification unit 14.

[0054] The coin C pushed out onto the conveying path 310 is conveyed by the conveyor belt 330, and the authenticity and denomination of the coin C are recognized by the recognition sensor 340. The recognition sensor 340 outputs the recognition result of the coin C to the control unit 90. Based on the received recognition result, the control unit 90 determines which of the multiple denomination-specific discharge outlets 22a-22f (FIG. 1B) is to discharge the recognized coin C. After recognition, the coin C is further conveyed by the conveyor belt 330, and is fed into between the protruding pins 422 of the conveyor belt 420.

[0055] Thereafter, the conveyor belt 420 rotates, causing the protruding pin 422 to push the coin C. As a result, the coin processing device 1 conveys the coin C along the circular conveyor path 411 of the coin sorting unit 20. The coin C being conveyed is discharged from the denomination-specific discharge port 22 determined by the control unit 90.

[0056] For example, when coin C is a rejected coin, the control unit 90 opens the sorting gate of the reject port 21, and the rejected coin is discharged from the reject port 21 to a rejected coin transport unit (not shown). The rejected coin transport unit (not shown) transports the rejected coin to the rejected coin storage unit 26 (FIGS. 1A and 1B).

[0057] Also, for example, when the coin C is a genuine coin, the control unit 90 opens the sorting gate of the corresponding denomination-specific discharge outlet 22a-22f (FIG. 1B), and the coin C is discharged from the denomination-specific discharge outlet 22a-22f (FIG. 1B) to the corresponding evacuation areas 23a-23f (FIG. 2). However, FIG. 2 illustrates only the denomination-specific discharge outlets 22a-22c, and does not illustrate the denomination-specific discharge outlets 22d-22f. Also, FIG. 2 illustrates only the evacuation areas 23a-23c, and does not illustrate the evacuation areas 23d-23f. The coin C discharged to any of the evacuation areas 23a-23f falls into any of the chutes 51a-51f (FIG. 1B) arranged directly below any of the evacuation areas 23a-23f.

[0058] The coins C that have fallen into the chutes 51a to 51f (FIG. 1B) are guided to and accumulated in the corresponding storage units 31a to 31f (FIG. 1B) of the temporary storage unit 30. Then, when the accumulated amount (accumulated number) of any of the storage units 31a to 31f of the temporary storage unit 30 reaches a preset amount, or when there are no more coins C to be paid out by the coin payout unit 12, the control unit 90 stops the payout process of the coins C and then temporarily ends the process.

[0059] Thereafter, the control unit 90 displays the amounts by denomination, the total amount, and the like based on the counting result on a display screen (not shown) to allow the operator of the coin processing device 1 to confirm them.

[0060] When the current process is a deposit process, the operator selects and inputs storage of coins C using the operation buttons on the display screen. Then, the control unit 90 moves the temporary storage section 30 from above the guide 32 in the direction of the arrow S (FIG. 1A). As a result, the coins C accumulated on the guide 32 drop into the denomination-specific hoppers 36a to 36f (FIG. 1B) and are stored by denomination.

[0061] Furthermore, if the operator does not store the coin C in the coin processing device 1, if the current process is a counting process, if a jam occurs during a deposit process, etc., the operator selects and inputs the return of the coin C using the operation buttons on the display screen. Then, the control unit 90 moves the temporary holding section 30 from above the guide 32 in the direction of arrow H ( FIG. 1A ). As a result, the coins C accumulated on the guide 32 fall into the return box 34. The operator pulls out the return box 34 from the coin processing device 1 and removes the coin C from the return box 34.

[0062] Here, let us assume that, when an operator inserts multiple coins C into the insertion slot 11, he or she mistakenly mixes in foreign objects such as staples or small accessories, and the foreign objects are mistakenly inserted into the insertion slot 11. In this case, it is desirable for the coin processing device 1 to shorten the time required to remove the foreign objects, to make it difficult for the foreign objects to become scratched or dirty, and to prevent the foreign objects from being dispensed from the coin dispensing unit 12 to the coin recognition unit 14 together with the coins C.

[0063] Therefore, in this embodiment, the coin processing device 1 is configured so that foreign objects are not fed from the coin feeding section 12 to the coin verification section 14 together with the coins C. This point will be described below.

[0064] In this embodiment, it is assumed that an operator mistakenly mixes in foreign objects such as staples or small accessories when inserting multiple coins C into the insertion slot 11, and the foreign objects are mistakenly inserted into the insertion slot 11. In this case, the coin processing device 1 rotates the rotating disk 230, and the centrifugal force of the rotating disk 230 moves the coins C and the foreign objects to the outer periphery of the rotating disk 230. At that time, the foreign objects fall downward through the foreign object removal hole 230a provided in the rotating disk 230, and the fallen foreign objects are accumulated on the foreign object tray 231. As a result, the coin processing device 1 accumulates (piles up) the foreign objects on the foreign object tray 231.

[0065] In addition, in the coin processing device 1, a shielding plate 233 is disposed so as to cover the upper part of the U-shaped groove 231U in a state in which the foreign object tray 231U is pushed into the inside of the coin processing device 1 (attached state) so as to prevent foreign objects from falling between the U-shaped groove 231U of the foreign object tray 231. This shielding plate 233 is a thin plate-like member supported by a frame constituting the coin feeding section 12, and is provided so as to block the gap between the rotating disk 230 and the U-shaped groove 231U of the foreign object tray 230 and to cover the upper part of the U-shaped groove 231. This allows the coin processing device 1 to drop foreign objects falling through the foreign object removal hole 230a onto the foreign object tray 231 without getting into the U-shaped groove 231U.

[0066] In this embodiment, the shielding plate 233 is described as being thin plate-like. However, the shielding plate 233 may be formed in a mountain shape by bending the longitudinal direction of the shielding plate 233 with the central part of the shielding plate as the apex. In this way, foreign objects falling directly above the shielding plate 233 can be slid toward the foreign object tray 231, so that the coin processing device 1 can more reliably drop foreign objects onto the accumulation space 231S of the foreign object tray 231.

[0067] The foreign object tray 231 is pulled out by an administrator as necessary when cleaning the equipment for regular maintenance or when a customer reports that they have dropped a foreign object such as an accessory. This allows the coin processing device 1 to easily remove and take out foreign objects. Moreover, the coin processing device 1 directly collects foreign objects that fall through the foreign object removal hole 230a onto the foreign object tray 231, thereby shortening the time required for foreign object removal and making it difficult for the foreign objects to become scratched or dirty.

[0068] <Main features of the coin processing device> (1) As shown in FIG. 4, the coin processing device 1 according to this embodiment has a coin storage unit 220, a rotating disk 230, a passing port 222, and a foreign object tray 231 (foreign object accumulation unit). The coin storage unit 220 is a place for storing coins inserted into the coin processing device 1. The rotating disk 230 is a member provided inside the coin storage unit 220 and rotates around a rotating shaft 232 to move coins to the outer periphery. The passing port 222 is a place through which the coins that have moved to the outer periphery pass. The foreign object tray 231 is a member provided below the rotating disk 230 and accumulates foreign objects. The rotating disk 230 is formed with a foreign object removal hole 230a having a shape smaller than the diameter of the coin. The foreign object tray 231 accumulates foreign objects that have fallen from the foreign object removal hole 230a, and is provided so as to be able to be pulled out from below the rotating disk 230 to the outside.

[0069] The coin processing device 1 according to this embodiment drops foreign objects from the foreign object removal hole 230a provided in the rotating disk 230, and accumulates the foreign objects on the foreign object tray 231. The coin processing device 1 can easily remove and take out the foreign objects by pulling out the foreign object tray 231 from below the rotating disk 230 to the outside. Moreover, the coin processing device 1 can reduce the time required to remove foreign objects, and make it difficult for the foreign objects to be scratched or stained.

[0070] (2) As shown in FIG. 4, in the coin processing device 1 according to this embodiment, the foreign object tray 231 may have a shape larger (wider) than the rotation trajectory of the foreign object removal hole 230a.

[0071] In the coin processing device 1 of this embodiment, the foreign object tray 231 has a shape that is larger (wider) than the rotational trajectory of the foreign object removal hole 230a (i.e., the foreign object tray 231 exists to cover the range of the rotational trajectory of the foreign object removal hole 230a), so that foreign objects can fall through the foreign object removal hole 230a provided in the rotating disk 230 and accumulate on the foreign object tray 231.

[0072] (3) As shown in Fig. 4, in the coin processing device 1 according to this embodiment, the foreign object tray 231 (more specifically, the bottom surface portion 231b) is preferably about the same size as the diameter of the rotating disk 230. However, the size of the foreign object tray 231 is not limited to about the same size as the diameter of the rotating disk 230, and can be smaller than the diameter of the rotating disk 230, as long as the foreign object tray 231 is present so as to cover the range of the rotation trajectory of the foreign object removal hole 203a.

[0073] The coin processing device 1 according to this embodiment allows foreign objects to fall from the foreign object removal hole 230a provided in the rotating disk 230, and can accumulate the foreign objects on the foreign object tray 231.

[0074] (4) As shown in FIG. 4, in the coin processing device 1 according to this embodiment, the foreign object tray 231 has a tray shape having a width in the left-right direction (horizontal width) approximately equal to the diameter of the rotating disk 230.

[0075] The coin processing device 1 according to this embodiment can effectively accumulate foreign objects on the foreign object tray 231 while making the size of the foreign object tray 231 as small as possible.

[0076] (5) As shown in FIG. 4, in the coin processing device 1 of this embodiment, a U-shaped groove 231U (groove portion) is formed in the center of the foreign object tray 231, into which the rotating shaft 232 enters when the foreign object tray 231 moves downward from the outside to the rotating disk 230.

[0077] In the coin processing device 1 of this embodiment, the U-shaped groove 231U is formed in the center of the left-right width (horizontal width) of the foreign object tray 231, so that the foreign object tray 231 can be easily attached and removed below the rotating disk 230.

[0078] (6) As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the coin processing device 1 of this embodiment, the coin storage section 220 has a shielding plate 233 that covers the upper part of the U-shaped groove 231U when the foreign object tray 231 is positioned below the rotating disk 230.

[0079] The coin processing device 1 of this embodiment has a shielding plate 233 above the U-shaped groove 231U that covers the U-shaped groove 231U, thereby preventing foreign objects that fall from the rotating disk 230 from entering the U-shaped groove 231U.

[0080] (7) As shown in FIG. 6, in the coin processing device 1 according to this embodiment, the foreign object tray 231 is provided with a handle portion 231a.

[0081] In the coin processing device 1 according to this embodiment, the foreign object tray 231 can be easily removed by the handle portion 231a.

[0082] As described above, according to the coin processing device 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the time required for removing foreign objects, and also to make it difficult for the foreign objects to be scratched or stained.

[0083] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0084] For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail to clearly explain the gist of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to having all of the components described. In addition, the present invention can be modified by adding other components to certain components, or by replacing some components with other components. In addition, the present invention can be modified by deleting some components.

[0085] Furthermore, for example, the present invention can be applied not only to a device having a function for processing coins, but also to a device having a function for processing paper money. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1 Coin processing device 10 Coin Receiving Section 11 Inlet 12 Coin dispensing section 14 Coin Recognition Unit 13 Rubber Skirt 20 Coin Sorting Department 21 Reject Port 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f Outlet by denomination 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, 23e, 23f Evacuation Area 26 Reject coin storage section 28 Door 30 Temporary holding section 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e, 31f Holding section 32 Guide 34 Return Box 36,36a,36b,36c,36d,36e,36f Denomination-specific hoppers 38 Transport Gate 40 Withdrawal Box 42a,42b,42c,42d,42e,42f Small withdrawal box 44 Collection Depot 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, 51e, 51f Shoot 90 Control Unit 220 Coin storage section 222 Passage gate 230 Rotating Disc 230a Foreign matter removal hole 231 Foreign object tray (foreign object accumulation section) 231a Handle 231b Bottom part 231c Wall section 231S Accumulation Space 231U U-shaped groove (groove) 232 Rotational Axis 233 Shielding plate 233a Through hole (circular hole) 240 Disk Drive Unit 242 Disk Motor 244 Gear train 310 Transport Path 320 Delivery roller 330 Conveyor Belt 332 Pulley 334 Belt drive unit 340 Recognition Sensor 411 Circular conveyor 415 Detection Sensor 420 Conveyor Belt 422 Protruding pin 431 Rotating parts 433 Rotational Axis 434 Drive motor 435 Drive Belt 436 Pressure Roller 438 Rotation Reference Position C coin

Claims

1. a coin storage section for storing coins; A rotating disk that is provided inside the coin housing unit and rotates around a rotation axis to move the coins to the outer periphery; a coin passage opening through which the coins that have moved to the outer periphery pass; a foreign matter collecting section disposed below the rotating disk and configured to collect foreign matter; The rotating disk is formed with a foreign object removal hole having a shape smaller than the diameter of the coin, The foreign matter collecting section collects the foreign matter that has fallen through the foreign matter removal hole, and is provided so as to be able to be pulled out from below the rotating disk to the outside. A coin processing device.

2. The foreign matter accumulation portion has a shape larger than the rotation locus of the foreign matter removal hole.

2. The coin processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The foreign matter collecting portion is in the form of a tray having a width approximately equal to the diameter of the rotating disk.

2. The coin processing device according to claim 1 .

4. A groove is formed in the center of the width of the foreign object accumulating portion, into which the rotating shaft is inserted when the foreign object accumulating portion moves from the outside to below the rotating disk.

4. The coin processing device according to claim 3.

5. The coin storage unit has a shielding plate that covers an upper portion of the groove when the foreign object accumulation unit is disposed below the rotary disk.

5. The coin processing device according to claim 4.

6. The foreign matter collecting section is provided with a handle.

2. The coin processing device according to claim 1 .

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