Article supply device

Abstract

To provide an article supply device with preventive measures taken against the use of counterfeit coins.SOLUTION: An article supply device 1 includes: a feed unit 5 into which legitimate coins and counterfeit coins can be fed; a passageway 20a through which coins fed from the feed unit 5 can be moved; and an attraction unit 23 that is not capable of attracting legitimate coins and is capable of attracting counterfeit coins within the passageway 20a. The attraction unit 23 is provided as a component of the passageway 20a. The attraction unit 23, which can attract only counterfeit coins within the passageway 20a through which the inserted coins pass, is provided on a flat surface with no unevenness or other irregularities in a side wall as a component of the passageway 20a and part of the side wall of the passageway 20a. This provides a coin insertion mechanism that functions stably without interfering with the passage of legitimate coins.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an article supply device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there are various article supply devices (vending machines) for automatically selling products. In the article supply device, various functions for determining the price required for purchasing a product are provided. For example, in Patent Document 1, the coin holding section is configured such that the coins held in the coin holding section in a row are electrically connected in series. Further, a first electrode that contacts the coin located on one end side of the row is provided in the coin holding section, and a second electrode that contacts the coin located on the other end side of the row is provided in the coin holding section. A configuration is disclosed in which it is determined whether the required number of coins has been inserted based on whether a current flows between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, it is determined whether the required number of coins has been inserted for purchasing a product. However, in the article supply device, it has been necessary to deal with the problem of using counterfeit coins conventionally.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an article supply device in which countermeasures against the use of counterfeit coins are taken.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The article supply device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an insertion part into which a first type of coin and a second type of coin can be inserted, a passage part through which the coins inserted from the insertion part can move, and an adsorption part in the passage part that cannot adsorb the first type of coin and can adsorb the second type of coin. The adsorption part is provided as a component of the passage part.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article supply device with countermeasures against the use of counterfeit coins.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the article supply device according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the article supply device 1 of this aspect, and Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the article supply device 1.

[0010] The article supply device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a device capable of supplying, for example, an article P in a spherical capsule case containing toys or parts. More specifically described, the article supply device 1 includes a storage unit 10 capable of storing a plurality of articles P in a random arrangement, and a supply unit 30 rotatably provided at the bottom 10b of the storage unit 10 and having a turntable 31 capable of randomly selecting and supplying the articles P one by one. It also includes a lock unit 41 that locks the supply unit 30 so that it cannot operate, and a control unit 40 that drives the lock unit 41 to release the lock on the condition that the cost is paid from the coin C input unit 5. Then, in the unlocked state, the operation unit 4 provided on the front surface 2f is rotated. As a result, the gear train 4b provided on the tip side of the shaft 4a of the operation unit 4 rotates, and the turntable 31 is rotated via its rack gear 31g. The article P held in the holding hole 31h of the turntable 31 drops at the passage hole 10bh provided in the bottom 10b and is supplied to the supply port 9 through the article passage portion 9a.

[0011] In the article supply device 1, a coin insertion unit 20 is provided on the right side of the operation unit 4 (the right side toward the device). This coin insertion unit 20 is connected to the insertion unit 5 provided on the front surface 2f of the main body unit 2. Then, the coin C inserted from the insertion unit 5 passes through the passage portion 20a formed in the coin insertion unit 20 and drops and is held in the holding portion 25 on the lower side of the unit. Also, when a regular coin is inserted, the coin C held in the holding portion 25 is stored in, for example, the coin storage portion 29 provided below the holding portion 25 when a predetermined amount of money is inserted and a predetermined operation is performed. However, the coin C inserted may be a counterfeit coin of the second type instead of the regular coin of the first type. In this case, in the adsorption portion 23 provided in the passage portion 20a, it is configured to be capturable as will be described later.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main part of the coin insertion unit 20 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the coin insertion unit 20 is a thin unit that combines a left half case 21 and a right half case 22 from the left and right directions, with a first side wall portion 21w and a second side wall portion 22w, which are the left and right side walls, approaching and facing each other to form an internal space. Here, the left half case 21 including the first side wall portion 21w is made of a colored and opaque material, while the right half case 22 including the second side wall portion 22w is made of a material with a color different from that of the left half case 21, for example, a light-transmissive material. Therefore, the inside of the unit can be seen through the second side wall portion 22w as shown in Fig. 3.

[0013] In the coin insertion unit 20, a passage portion 20a is formed from a starting end portion 20as (upper right side in the figure) where the coin C is inserted into the unit to an end portion 20ae of the entrance of a holding portion 25 that holds the coin C. The passage portion 20a is configured such that the coin C moves by gravity. For example, in the first coin introduction portion including the starting end portion 20as, an inclined portion 20ab that forms an inclined surface for the coin C to roll is provided. A dropping portion 20ac is provided on the rear side of the inclined portion 20ab, and the coin C drops from the inclined portion 20ab. The dropped coin C is guided by the passage wall 20w and drops again, passing through an opening that is the end portion 20ae of the passage portion 20a and dropping to the holding portion 25.

[0014] In addition, in the dropping portion 23ac, a first swing plate 20ag is provided on the upper side and a second swing plate 20ah is provided on the lower side. When the coin C is placed on these two swing plates 20ag and 20ah, they rotate under the weight of the coin C and guide the coin C in the inclined direction of the plate portion. This can, for example, change the moving direction of the coin C and slow down the dropping speed of the coin C.

[0015] The coin C that has fallen into the holding part 25 is held by the holding part 25 that can hold a genuine coin. This holding part 25 has an inclination such that the genuine coin that has fallen into the holding part 25 can move toward the front face 2f side (see Fig. 2) by its own weight. Also, the moving position of the coin C at this time is regulated by the position regulating pin 25a so that a prescribed number of coins C can be held.

[0016] At the opening of the terminal part 20ae, a coin distributing member 20b for distributing the coin C to both the left and right sides is provided. Although not shown in Fig. 3, a holding part having the same configuration as the holding part 25 is also provided on the first side wall part 21w side, and the coin distributing member 20b is configured to be able to distribute the coin C to the left and right.

[0017] Also, a return button 7 is provided below the insertion part 5. This return button 7 can, for example, when the user wants to return the coin C that has already been inserted, discharge the coin C held in the holding part 25 to the return port 6 by performing a pressing operation.

[0018] Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the suction part 23 shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the portion along the line A - A in Fig. 4. The suction part 23 for capturing counterfeit coins is provided, as shown in the figure, in the region where the inclined part 20ab is arranged, that is, at a position close to the starting end part 20as. In this inclined part 20ab, the inserted coin C does not move so fast, and is configured to be adsorbed by the suction part 23 in front of the dropping part 20ac (where the moving speed becomes fast) so as not to drop into the dropping part 20ac.

[0019] Further, the adsorption part 23 is arranged as a part of the side wall part which is a component of the passage part 20a. The adsorption part 23 is composed of, for example, a pair of magnets, a first adsorption part 231, and a second adsorption part 232. Further, the first adsorption part 231 and the second adsorption part 232 are provided at an appropriate interval according to the size (d1) of the coin C. In this way, by being provided side by side vertically with a predetermined distance therebetween, the configuration is such that the magnetic force of the adsorption part 23 is strengthened. That is, the first adsorption part 231 and the second adsorption part 232 are arranged at a distance within the range where they affect each other's magnetic fields. Also, the configuration in which the first adsorption part 231 and the second adsorption part 232 are arranged side by side vertically is a configuration that can cope with forged coins of different sizes.

[0020] Also, the adsorption part 23 is provided on the first side wall part 21w via the attachment part 24. The attachment part 24 holds, for example, the first adsorption part 231 and the second adsorption part 232 in the recess 24c of the cylindrical part 24a on one end side thereof. Also, the attachment part 24 is fixed from the outside of the first side wall part 21w by, for example, screws 24b or the like. A pair of circular openings are formed in the first side wall part 21w, and the attachment part 24 is attached such that the cylindrical part 24a is fitted into these openings.

[0021] The adsorption surface 23a of the adsorption part 23 and the tip surface 24at of the cylindrical part 24a are in the same plane as the first side wall part 21w. That is, since the adsorption surface 23a constitutes the same surface as the first side wall part 21w that constitutes the plane of the passage part 20a, an effective magnetic force can be applied to and attract (adsorb) the forged coin. Note that the tip surface 24at of the cylindrical part 24a may be slightly recessed with respect to the first side wall part 21w.

[0022] When a counterfeit coin is adsorbed by the adsorption part 23, the passage part 20a is configured not to move the genuine coin ahead of the adsorption part 23. When a counterfeit coin is adsorbed by the adsorption part 23, the width (d3) of the passage part 20a is set such that the width (d4) obtained by subtracting the thickness (d2) of the adsorbed coin C is smaller than the width of the genuine coin. This can be achieved, for example, by setting the width (d3) of the passage part 20a to be close to the coin width of the genuine coin C.

[0023] Also, when taking out the counterfeit coin adsorbed by the adsorption part 23, the coin insertion unit 20 can be taken out from the main body part 2. At this time, since the adsorption part 23 is at a position close to the start end part 20as of the passage part 20a, the counterfeit coin adsorbed from the start end part 20as side can be easily taken out.

[0024] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing another aspect of the adsorption part 23. In the adsorption part 23 shown in FIG. 6, the first adsorption part 231 and the second adsorption part 232 are provided at positions shifted in the front-back and up-down directions in the coin moving direction. Here, in particular, the distance between the two adsorption parts 231 and 232 in the moving direction of the coin C is configured to be large. And the distance (d5) between the two adsorption parts 231 and 232 is set to be less than the maximum diameter of the genuine coin C or the counterfeit coin. Thereby, a magnetic force can be applied to the counterfeit coin in a long region in the coin moving direction, and a closed loop of the magnetic field can be formed by the magnetic force lines between the two adsorption parts 231 and 232, enabling more reliable capture.

[0025] As described above, in the article supply device 1 of this aspect, within the passage part 20a through which the inserted coin passes, the genuine coin is not adsorbed because it is not affected by the magnetic force, and only counterfeit coins made of a magnetic material can be adsorbed in many cases. Further, since the adsorption part 23 is provided so as to form a flat surface on the side wall part as a component of the passage part 20a, for example, a part of the side wall part of the passage part 20a, it does not hinder the passage of the genuine coin, and a coin insertion mechanism that exhibits a stable function can be provided.

[0026] In addition, in the article supply device 1 of this aspect, when a counterfeit coin is adsorbed by the adsorption part 23, the legitimate coin is configured not to be moved ahead of the adsorption part 23, so that the sale of the product can be stopped.

[0027] Further, in the article supply device 1 of this aspect, the position where the counterfeit coin is captured by the adsorption part 23 is carried out at a position close to the coin insertion part 5, so that the counterfeit coin can be easily taken out from the coin insertion part 5 side, and there is no need to provide a separate take-out port configuration.

[0028] Moreover, in the article supply device 1 of this aspect, since the passage part 20a has a facing structure of two side wall parts and the adsorption part 23 is arranged on one side (the first side wall part 21w), the flat part of the coin C can be made to face the surface of the adsorption part 23. Thereby, the capturing force (magnetic force) of the adsorption part 23 with respect to the counterfeit coin can be increased, and a reliable countermeasure against counterfeit coins becomes possible.

[0029] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, the first side wall part 21w provided with the adsorption part 23 on the side wall part of the passage part 20a is configured with a color different from that of the second side wall part 22w. Thus, when taking out the counterfeit coin or during other maintenance operations, the position of the adsorption part 23 is easy to recognize and the workability is good. In addition, since the second side wall part 22w is made of a light-transmissive material, the passage part 20a can be visually observed from the outside, and the maintainability of the coin insertion unit 20 can be improved.

[0030] In the article supply device 1 of this aspect, since the passage part 20a is provided with a dropping part 20ac where coins can drop, coin movement can be made rapid. Also, when a coin is inserted, a dropping sound is generated, enabling the purchaser to recognize that the insertion operation has been successfully performed. Further, when a counterfeit coin is inserted, it is captured by the inclined part 23ab in front of the dropping part 20ac and does not drop, eliminating the generation of the dropping sound. As a result, it is possible to inform the person inserting the counterfeit coin that the insertion has failed. Also, since the adsorption part 23 is provided on the inclined part 23ab, a movement speed at which it is easy to capture counterfeit coins can be set according to the inclination angle.

[0031] Moreover, in the article supply device 1 of this aspect, since a plurality of adsorption parts 23 constituted by magnets are provided, it becomes possible to form a closed loop of the magnetic field between the magnets, increasing the magnetic flux density and enabling more reliable capture of counterfeit coins. Also, when a plurality of adsorption parts 23 are arranged with a large distance in the coin movement direction, if a closed loop of the magnetic field is not formed, the magnetic force capture force can be applied to the counterfeit coin multiple times. Thereby, for example, after reducing the movement speed at the first adsorption part, it becomes easier to capture the counterfeit coin at the next adsorption part, enabling reliable capture. Also, since a plurality of adsorption parts 23 are separated in the vertical direction with respect to the coin movement direction, it becomes easier to correspond to counterfeit coins of different sizes, enhancing the reliability as a countermeasure against counterfeit coins.

[0032] Also, since the distance between the plurality of adsorption parts 23 is set to be less than the maximum diameter of genuine coins, for example, in the coin movement direction, a state can be formed in which magnetic field lines pass through the counterfeit coin between the front and rear adsorption parts 23, and a strong capture force can be applied in the region that is maximally long in the coin movement direction. Thereby, the capture force of counterfeit coins is strengthened, enabling a more reliable countermeasure against counterfeit coins.

[0033] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, since the holding unit 25 has an inclination that allows the genuine coin to move under its own weight, a plurality of genuine coins can be held in the holding unit 25 side by side without any gaps, making it easy to hold and confirm (detect) the coins corresponding to the number of coins for the price of the product.

[0034] In the article supply device 1 of this embodiment, since the coin insertion unit 20 is formed with a configuration including at least the passage portion 20a and the holding unit 25, it can be easily removed and attached as a unit from the main body portion 2 of the article supply device 1, and the maintainability is good.

[0035] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained. However, the present invention can be appropriately modified within the scope of its technical idea. For example, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the coin insertion unit 20 is provided in the article supply device 1 that sells the article P in the capsule case has been described. However, the device provided with the coin insertion unit 20 is not limited to this, and it can be applied to various article selling devices.

[0036] Also, in the above embodiment, in the configuration of the adsorption unit 23, two magnets are arranged side by side. However, it is not limited to this, and a configuration in which one or three or more magnets are arranged side by side may also be acceptable.

[0037] As described above, the following matters are disclosed in this specification.

[0038] (1) An article supply device, An insertion unit capable of inserting a first type of coin and a second type of coin, A passage portion through which the coin inserted from the above insertion unit can move, In the above passage portion, an adsorption unit that cannot adsorb the first type of coin and can adsorb the second type of coin, and The above adsorption unit is provided as a component of the above passage portion, the article supply device.

[0039] (2) The article supply device according to (1), The adsorption part is configured as a part of the side wall of the passage part, the article supply device.

[0040] (3) The article supply device according to (2), The adsorption surface of the adsorption part forms the same plane as the wall surface of the side wall part, the article supply device.

[0041] (4) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (3), The adsorption part is provided so as not to protrude into the passage part, the article supply device.

[0042] (5) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (4), When the second type of coin is adsorbed to the adsorption part, the passage part is configured not to move the first type of coin ahead of the adsorption part, the article supply device.

[0043] (6) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (5), The passage part is configured to be able to discharge the second type of coin adsorbed to the adsorption part from the insertion part, the article supply device.

[0044] (7) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (6), The adsorption part is configured as a part of the side wall of the passage part The article supply device further includes an attachment part for attaching the adsorption part to the side wall part, The attachment part is configured as a part of the side wall part together with the adsorption part, the article supply device.

[0045] (8) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (7), The adsorption part is configured as a part of the side wall of the passage part The side wall portion includes a first side wall portion and a second side wall portion, The suction portion forms a part of the first side wall portion, an article supply device.

[0046] (9) The article supply device according to (8), The first side wall portion is formed in a colored manner, and the second side wall portion is formed in a color different from that of the first side wall portion, an article supply device.

[0047] (10) The article supply device according to (9), The second side wall portion is formed of a light-transmissive material, an article supply device.

[0048] (11) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (10), The passage portion includes a start end portion and a terminal end portion, The suction portion is provided at a position closer to the start end portion than the terminal end portion, an article supply device.

[0049] (12) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (11), The passage portion includes a dropping portion where a coin can drop, The passage portion is configured not to drop the second type of coin adsorbed by the suction portion into the dropping portion, an article supply device.

[0050] (13) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (12), The suction portion is formed of a magnet capable of adsorbing the second type of coin by magnetic force, an article supply device.

[0051] (14) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (13), The suction portion includes at least a first suction portion and a second suction portion, An article supply device in which the first suction part and the second suction part are provided at a predetermined distance from each other.

[0052] (15) The article supply device according to (14), in which the first suction part and the second suction part are provided at positions shifted in at least one of the front - rear and up - down directions in the coin movement direction.

[0053] (16) The article supply device according to (14) or (15), wherein the predetermined distance is less than the maximum diameter of the first - type coin or the second - type coin to be inserted.

[0054] (17) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein the passage part has a dropping part through which a coin can drop, the passage part includes an inclined part so that the first - type coin inserted into the insertion part can move by its own weight, the dropping part is configured to allow the first - type coin that has passed through the inclined part to freely fall.

[0055] (18) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (17), wherein the passage part has a dropping part through which a coin can drop, further includes a holding part capable of holding the first - type coin that has dropped through the dropping part, the holding part includes an inclination such that the first - type coin that has dropped through the dropping part can move by its own weight.

[0056] (19) The article supply device according to any one of (1) to (18), wherein a coin insertion unit is formed in a configuration including at least the passage part and the holding part.

Explanation of Symbols

[0057] 1 Article supply device 5 Input section 6 Return port 20 Coin insertion unit 20a Coin passage section 20ab Inclined section 20ac Falling section 20as Starting end 20ae Ending end 21w First side wall section 22w Second side wall section 23 Suction section 23a Suction surface 24 Mounting section 25 Holding section 231 First suction section 232 Second suction section C Coin

Claims

1. An article supply device comprising: a coin insertion section into which a first type of coin and a second type of coin can be inserted; a passage section through which the coin inserted from the coin insertion section can move; an adsorption section provided in the passage section, which cannot adsorb the first type of coin and can adsorb the second type of coin; wherein the adsorption section is configured as a part of a side wall of the passage section, provided so as not to protrude into the passage section, and its adsorption surface forms the same plane as the wall surface of the side wall; the passage section is configured such that when the second type of coin is adsorbed by the adsorption section, the first type of coin is not moved ahead of the adsorption section, and the second type of coin adsorbed by the adsorption section is configured to be discharged from the coin insertion section. An article supply device.

2. The article supply device according to claim 1, wherein the adsorption section is configured as a part of a side wall of the passage section, further comprising an attachment section for attaching the adsorption section to the side wall, wherein the attachment section is configured as a part of the side wall together with the adsorption section. An article supply device.

3. The article supply device according to claim 2, wherein the adsorption section is configured as a part of a side wall of the passage section, the side wall includes a first side wall and a second side wall, and the adsorption section forms a part of the first side wall. An article supply device.

4. The article supply device according to claim 3, wherein the first side wall is configured in a colored manner, and the second side wall is configured in a color different from that of the first side wall. An article supply device.

5. The article supply device according to claim 4, wherein the second side wall is configured of a light-transmissive material. An article supply device.

6. An article supply device comprising: a coin insertion section into which a first type of coin and a second type of coin can be inserted; a passage section including a start end, an end end, and a dropping section where a coin can drop, through which the coin inserted from the coin insertion section can move; an adsorption section provided in the passage section at a position closer to the start end than the end end, which cannot adsorb the first type of coin and can adsorb the second type of coin; the passage section is configured such that the second type of coin adsorbed by the adsorption section is not dropped into the dropping section; the adsorption section includes at least a first adsorption section and a second adsorption section, is configured of a magnet capable of adsorbing the second type of coin by magnetic force, and is provided as a component of the passage section. ​ An article supply device in which the first suction part and the second suction part are provided at a predetermined distance from each other.

7. The article supply device according to claim 6, wherein the first suction part and the second suction part are provided at positions shifted in at least one of the front-rear and up-down directions in the coin movement direction.

8. The article supply device according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined distance is a distance less than the maximum diameter of the first type of coin or the second type of coin to be inserted.

9. The article supply device according to claim 6, wherein the passage part includes an inclined part so that the first type of coin inserted into the insertion part can move by its own weight, and the dropping part is configured to allow the first type of coin that has passed through the inclined part to freely fall.

10. The article supply device according to claim 6, further comprising a holding part capable of holding the first type of coin that has dropped through the dropping part, wherein the holding part includes an inclination such that the first type of coin that has dropped through the dropping part can move by its own weight.

11. The article supply device according to claim 10, wherein a coin insertion unit is formed of a configuration including at least the passage part and the holding part.

Images