Money handling system

Abstract

To avoid occurrence of a large friction load between an electromagnetic lock lever and electromagnetic lock engagement unit.SOLUTION: A money handling system 1 includes a housing (coin portion housing 50), a medium processing unit (coin storage portion 36), a unit set lever 80, biasing means (biasing member 80sp), and an electromagnetic lock mechanism 2. The electromagnetic lock mechanism includes an electromagnetic lock lever 62 and a solenoid (electromagnetic solenoid 65). When the medium processing unit is located at a set position, a predetermined space (gap δ1) is interposed between an electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the electromagnetic lock lever.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a currency handling device. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, currency handling devices are configured so that a media processing unit, such as a coin storage unit or a banknote storage unit, can be pulled out from inside the device to the outside in order to collect cash, clean the inside of the device, remove jammed items, etc. The media processing unit is locked to prevent movement by an electromagnetic locking mechanism, but when collecting cash, cleaning the inside of the device, or removing jammed items, an operator can operate the currency handling device to unlock the electromagnetic locking mechanism, allowing these tasks to be performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This type of currency handling device is configured so that it is equipped with an electromagnetic locking mechanism and various sensors for detecting the state of the electromagnetic locking mechanism and the pulled-out state of the media processing unit (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-110003 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-202290 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, media processing units such as coin storage units become very heavy when they are filled with coins and other items. As a result, conventional currency handling devices have a problem in that when the electromagnetic lock lever engages with the electromagnetic lock engagement part provided on the housing, a large friction load is generated between the electromagnetic lock lever and the electromagnetic lock engagement part, making it difficult to operate the electromagnetic lock mechanism with the electromagnetic solenoid.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its main object is to provide a currency handling device that avoids the generation of large frictional loads between the electromagnetic lock lever and the electromagnetic lock engagement portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a currency handling device comprising: a housing; a media processing unit stored inside the housing so that it can be pulled out to the outside; a unit set lever that holds the media processing unit in a predetermined set position inside the housing by engaging with a unit engagement portion provided inside the housing; a biasing means that biases the unit set lever in a direction toward an engagement position in which the unit engagement portion and the unit set lever engage; and an electromagnetic locking mechanism that restricts the operation of pulling the media processing unit out, wherein the electromagnetic locking mechanism has an electromagnetic locking lever that restricts movement of the media processing unit by engaging with an electromagnetic locking engagement portion provided inside the housing, and a solenoid that drives the electromagnetic locking lever, and when the media processing unit is placed in the set position, there is a predetermined gap between the electromagnetic locking engagement portion and the electromagnetic locking lever. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a large friction load from occurring between the electromagnetic lock lever and the electromagnetic lock engagement portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a currency handling device according to an embodiment. [Figure 1B] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a currency handling device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the currency handling device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a slide rail. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a slide rail. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the coin storage section (media processing unit). [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram (1) of the operation of the coin storage section (media processing unit). [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram (2) of the operation of the coin storage section (media processing unit). [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram (3) of the operation of the coin storage section (media processing unit). [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram (4) of the operation of the coin storage section (media processing unit). [Figure 9] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram (5) of the operation of the coin storage unit (media processing unit). [Figure 10] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram (6) of the operation of the coin storage unit (media processing unit). [Figure 11] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram (7) of the operation of the coin storage unit (media processing unit). [Figure 12] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram (8) of the operation of the coin storage unit (media processing unit). [Figure 13] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram (9) of the operation of the coin storage unit (media processing unit). [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the coin storage unit (media processing unit). [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram (11) of the operation of the coin storage unit (media processing unit). [Figure 16] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram (12) of the operation of the coin storage unit (media processing unit). [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram (13) of the operation of the coin storage unit (media processing unit). [Figure 18] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram (14) of the operation of the coin storage unit (media processing unit). [Figure 19] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram (15) of the operation of the coin storage unit (media processing unit). [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a coin storage section (media processing unit) of a currency handling device of a first comparative example. [Figure 21]FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram (1) of a coin storage section (media processing unit) of a currency handling device of a first comparative example. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram (2) of the coin storage section (media processing unit) of the currency handling device of the second comparative example. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram (3) of the coin storage section (media processing unit) of the currency handling device of the second comparative example. [Figure 24] 10 is an explanatory diagram of a locking hook of the coin storage section (media processing unit). FIG. [Figure 25] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the switches and levers of the currency handling device according to the embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a modified currency handling device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[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 the illustrated examples. Furthermore, in each drawing, common or similar components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0010] <Internal configuration of currency handling device 1> The internal configuration of the currency handling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1A and 1B. Figures 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing an example of the internal configuration of the currency handling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, and show the currency handling apparatus 1 as viewed from the front. Note that Figure 1B is a view of the currency handling apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1A as viewed from the right side.

[0011] The currency handling device 1 manages coins CN handled at cash registers installed in stores, etc. The currency handling device 1 accepts coins CN in bulk, then performs coin recognition on each coin CN to determine its denomination. The currency handling device 1 then sorts the coins CN by denomination based on the results of the recognition, and stores the sorted coins CN. The currency handling device 1 is configured to be able to dispense the stored coins CN.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1A, the currency handling device 1 has a coin receiving section 10, a coin dispensing section 12, a coin recognition section 14, a sorting and conveying section 20, a rejected coin storage section 26, a temporary holding section 30, a return box 34, a coin storage section 36, a conveying switching section 38, a withdrawal box 40, a collection box 44, a control unit 90, and a coin section housing 50 that houses these.

[0013] The coin receiving unit 10 is a portion that receives coins CN that are inserted. The coin receiving unit 10 is located above and on the front side of the currency handling device 1. The coin receiving unit 10 has an insertion port 11 through which coins CN are inserted. The insertion port 11 has a wide opening so that coins CN can be easily inserted all at once. Coins CN inserted into the coin receiving unit 10 fall into the coin feeding unit 12.

[0014] The coin feeding unit 12 is located below the coin receiving unit 10, and feeds out coins CN that have dropped from the coin receiving unit 10 one by one. A rotating disk (not shown), for example, is provided inside the coin feeding unit 12. The coins CN inside the coin feeding unit 12 move due to centrifugal force generated when the rotating disk rotates, and are fed out one by one to the coin verification unit 14.

[0015] The coin verification unit 14 determines the authenticity, denomination, etc. of the coin CN dispensed from the coin dispensing unit 12. The coin verification unit 14 has a sensor that recognizes the coin CN, and determines the authenticity, denomination, etc. of the coin CN based on the characteristics of the coin CN detected by the sensor. The coin verification unit 14 transports the identified coin CN to the sorting and transport unit 20.

[0016] The sorting and transporting unit 20 sorts and transports coins CN based on the discrimination result by the coin verification unit 14. The sorting and transporting unit 20 has a reject port 21 and denomination-specific discharge ports 22a to 22f shown in FIG. 1B. Coins CN that are discriminated as not genuine by the coin verification unit 14 pass through the reject port 21. Coins CN that are discriminated as genuine pass through the denomination-specific discharge ports 22a to 22f.

[0017] The rejected coin storage unit 26 stores coins CN that have passed through the reject port 21. A reject chute is arranged below the reject port 21 (along the route of arrow A10 shown in FIG. 1B) to guide coins CN that have passed through the reject port 21 to the rejected coin storage unit 26. The rejected coin storage unit 26 has an openable door 28 on the front of the currency handling device 1.

[0018] The escrow unit 30 (see FIG. 1A) temporarily stores, by denomination, the coins CN discharged from the denomination-specific discharge outlets 22a to 22f. Below the denomination-specific discharge outlets 22a to 22f, chutes 33a to 33f are provided to guide the coins CN discharged from the denomination-specific discharge outlets 22a to 22f to the escrow unit 30. For example, the chute 33a guides the coin CN discharged from the denomination-specific discharge outlet 22a to the storage unit 31a of the escrow unit 30 provided below.

[0019] The temporary storage unit 30 also includes storage units 31a to 31f, which are an example of storage units for each denomination, arranged in a straight line by dividing the inside of a frame surrounding the four sides of the periphery by denomination. The storage units 31a to 31f store coins CN guided from the corresponding chutes 33a to 33f. The temporary storage unit 30 is movable in the directions indicated by arrows A11 and A12 in FIG. 1A relative to a guide 32 forming the bottom.

[0020] The return box 34 stores coins CN that fall from the temporary storage unit 30 when the temporary storage unit 30 moves in the direction of arrow A11. The return box 34 can be pulled out from the front of the currency handling device 1 by an operator.

[0021] The coin storage unit 36 ​​(see FIG. 1B) is a medium handling unit that stores, by denomination, coins CN that drop from the temporary storage unit 30 when the temporary storage unit 30 moves in the direction of arrow A12. The coin storage unit 36 ​​has a plurality of denomination-specific hoppers 36a-36f that are aligned in a line to correspond to the denomination-specific storage units 31a-31f. The denomination-specific hoppers 36a-36f have a feeding unit that feeds out coins CN one by one.

[0022] The conveyance switching unit 38 is provided for each of the denomination-specific hoppers 36a to 36f, and switches the conveyance destination of the coins CN dispensed from the denomination-specific hoppers 36a to 36f. The conveyance switching unit 38 has a switching blade that rotates between a first position and a second position. When the switching blade is located at the first position, the coins CN are conveyed along the route indicated by arrow A13 in Fig. 1A, and when the switching blade is located at the second position, the coins CN are conveyed along the route indicated by arrow A14.

[0023] The dispensing box 40 stores coins CN to be dispensed. The dispensing box 40 stores coins CN that have been conveyed by the conveyance switching unit 38 along the route indicated by the arrow A13. The dispensing box 40 is detachably provided on the device main body. The dispensing box 40 stores small dispensing boxes 42a to 42f for each denomination, from which coins CN can be individually dispensed, arranged in a straight line.

[0024] The collection box 44 stores the collected coins CN. The collection box 44 stores the coins CN that have been transported by the transport switching unit 38 along the route indicated by the arrow A14.

[0025] The control unit 90 (see FIG. 1A) controls the overall operation of the currency handling device 1. The control unit 90 has a control unit that controls the operation of each of the components described above, and a storage unit that stores programs executed by the control unit and various data.

[0026] <Internal configuration of the coin storage unit 36 ​​(medium processing unit)> Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the coin storage unit 36 ​​according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B, and 4. FIG.

[0027] 2 is a front view of the coin storage unit 36. The coin storage unit 36 ​​is provided with denomination-specific hoppers 36a to 36f, a unit frame 60, an electromagnetic lock unit 61, and a unit set lever 80.

[0028] On the left, right and lower sides of the coin storage unit 36, there are provided a left housing part 50a, a right housing part 50b and a lower housing part 50c, which are parts of the coin unit housing 50, respectively. An electromagnetic lock engaging portion 53 is provided on the right side of the left housing portion 50a. The coin storage unit 36 ​​is connected to the left housing part 50a and the right housing part 50b by a left slide rail 51 and a right slide rail 52. The left slide rail 51 and the right slide rail 52 support the coin storage unit 36 ​​from both sides, and extend and contract to move the coin storage unit 36 ​​in the front-to-rear direction.

[0029] The structure of the left slide rail 51 will be described with reference to Figures 3A and 3B. Figures 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams of the left slide rail 51 as viewed from the right side. The left slide rail 51 is provided inside the coin section housing 50 (on the left side in Figure 2). The left slide rail 51 has a metal inner rail 51a that is long in the front-to-rear direction, an intermediate rail 51b, an outer rail 51c, and a limiter component (not shown) for regulating the amount of withdrawal. As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the intermediate rail 51b is configured to move (be pulled out) forward relative to the outer rail 51c. The inner rail 51a is also configured to move (be pulled out) forward relative to the intermediate rail 51b. The amount of movement of the inner rail 51a and the intermediate rail 51b is regulated by a limiter component (not shown). The outer rail 51c is fastened to the left housing section 50a by a fastening component (not shown). The inner rail 51a is fastened to the coin storage section 36 by a fastening component (not shown). With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 3B, the coin storage unit 36 ​​can be moved forward relative to the left housing part 50a. Hereinafter, the state shown in FIG. 3B will be referred to as the "coin storage unit pulled out state." Note that FIG. 11, which will be described later, shows the configuration of the coin storage unit 36 ​​in the coin storage unit pulled out state. Also, the inner rail 51a and the intermediate rail 51b can be returned from the state shown in FIG. 3B to the state shown in FIG. 3A. Hereinafter, the state shown in FIG. 3A will be referred to as the "coin storage unit set state." Note that FIG. 5, which will be described later, shows the configuration of the coin storage unit 36 ​​in the coin storage unit set state.

[0030] On the other hand, the right slide rail 52 is provided on the right side inside the coin section housing 50. The right slide rail 52 has a shape that is symmetrical in the left-right direction to the left slide rail 51. The right slide rail 52 has a structure similar to that of the left slide rail 51, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0031] The unit frame 60 has a metal box structure and is shaped to cover the front, rear, right, left, and bottom surfaces of the denomination-specific hoppers 36a to 36f except for their top surfaces. A left slide rail 51 and a right slide rail 52 are provided on the left and right surfaces of the unit frame 60.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a right side view of the coin storage unit 36. Fig. 4 shows the configuration of the coin storage unit 36, omitting the right slide rail 52 and the right housing part 50b. As shown in Fig. 4, a set lever support part 68 that supports the unit set lever 80 and the urging member 80sp is provided on the front side of the unit frame 60. The set lever support part 68 is formed so as to protrude frontward from the unit frame 60. The unit set lever 80 is attached to the set lever support part 68 so as to be rotatable around a set lever fulcrum part 80ax.

[0033] The unit set lever 80 has a set lever fulcrum portion 80ax, a lever operating portion 80b, and a locking hook 80g. The set lever fulcrum portion 80ax is a rotation fulcrum of the unit set lever 80. In the illustrated example, the set lever fulcrum portion 80ax is provided at the lower portion near the front end of the unit set lever 80. The lever operating portion 80b is a portion that an operator touches when operating the unit set lever 80. In the illustrated example, the lever operating portion 80b is provided at the upper portion near the front end of the unit set lever 80. The locking hook 80g is a portion that engages with the housing lower portion 50c of the coin section housing 50. The housing lower portion 50c is provided at a predetermined position inside the coin section housing 50. The locking hook 80g is provided at the lower portion near the rear end of the unit set lever 80 so as to protrude downward from the flat lower surface of the unit set lever 80. The locking hook 80g has an inner hook portion 80e and an outer hook portion 80f. The inner hook portion 80e is a portion that engages with a unit engagement portion 50ce provided on the coin section housing 50 when the coin storage section 36 is placed in a predetermined set position. The set position means a position where the coin storage section 36 is completely stored inside the coin section housing 50. The outer hook portion 80f is a portion that abuts against a slope 50cf provided on the coin section housing 50 when the coin storage section 36, which has been pulled out to the outside, is pushed into the coin section housing 50 by an operator.

[0034] The set lever fulcrum 80ax of the unit set lever 80 is provided with a biasing member 80sp that biases the unit set lever 80 in the B11 direction around the set lever fulcrum 80ax. Here, we will assume that the biasing member 80sp is a torsion spring. However, the biasing member 80sp can also be a tension spring or a leaf spring. A slope 50cf is provided on the front side of the lower housing part 50c, with a gentle inclination (e.g., 10° to 30°) from the upper rear to the lower front (a slope that slopes downward toward the front). A unit engagement part 50ce is provided on the rear side of the lower housing part 50c.

[0035] In the coin storage unit set state, the unit set lever 80 is in a state in which the hook inner portion 80e and the unit engagement portion 50ce are engaged. In this state, the biasing member 80sp exerts a forward force from the hook inner portion 80e to the unit engagement portion 50ce, i.e., a force B15 that pushes the coin storage unit 36 ​​into the coin storage unit set state. The strength of the pushing force B15 is set by the biasing member 80sp so that it is greater than the friction load generated on the left slide rail 51 and the right slide rail 52 when the maximum number of coins are loaded in the denomination-specific hoppers 36a to 36f of the coin storage unit 36.

[0036] <Operation of the coin storage unit 36 ​​(medium processing unit)> 5 to 19 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the coin storage unit 36 ​​(medium processing unit). FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the coin storage unit 36 ​​in the coin storage unit set state. FIG. 5 is a left side view of the coin storage unit 36. As shown in FIG. 5, the coin storage unit 36 ​​is provided with an electromagnetic locking mechanism 2 that restricts the operation of withdrawing coins to the outside of the coin storage unit 36. The electromagnetic locking mechanism 2 switches between an allowable state that allows the operation of withdrawing coins to the outside of the coin storage unit 36 ​​and a restricted state that restricts the withdrawal operation. The electromagnetic locking mechanism 2 has an electromagnetic locking unit 61 that fixes the coin storage unit 36 ​​on the left side surface of the coin storage unit 36. The electromagnetic locking unit 61 has an electromagnetic locking lever 62, a set detection sensor 63, an electromagnetic lock detection sensor 64, an electromagnetic solenoid 65, and an electromagnetic locking link 66.

[0037] The electromagnetic lock lever 62 is a member that restricts movement of the coin storage unit 36 ​​by engaging with an electromagnetic lock engaging portion 53 provided inside the coin unit housing 50. The electromagnetic lock engaging portion 53 is provided at a predetermined position inside the coin unit housing 50. The electromagnetic lock lever 62 has a rotation shaft 62ax, a link connecting portion 62b, a slope portion 62c, a locking portion 62d, a detecting portion 62e, a limiter 62f, and a biasing member 62t. The rotation shaft 62ax is an axis that extends in the left-right direction, and the electromagnetic lock lever 62 is configured to rotate around this axis. The rotation shaft 62ax is attached to the left surface of the unit frame 60. The electromagnetic lock lever 62 rotates around the rotation shaft 62ax in either a locking direction (direction C11 in FIG. 5) or an unlocking direction (direction C12 in FIG. 5). The link connection portion 62b is provided below the electromagnetic lock lever 62 and is connected to an electromagnetic lock link 66. When the electromagnetic solenoid 65 is operated, the electromagnetic lock lever 62 is operated in the release direction. The electromagnetic solenoid 65 is a component that drives the electromagnetic lock lever 62. By driving the electromagnetic lock lever 62, the electromagnetic solenoid 65 transitions the electromagnetic lock lever 62 to either a locked state (the state in FIG. 5) in which movement of the coin storage unit 36 ​​is locked, or a released state (the state in FIG. 8) in which the lock is released. The inclined surface 62c is a gentle inclined surface (a sloped surface that slopes downward at an angle of 10 to 30 degrees toward the rear) that extends from the lower rear of the electromagnetic lock lever 62 toward the upper front. When the coin storage unit 36 ​​is transitioned from the coin storage unit withdrawn state and the electromagnetic solenoid 65 is not operated to the coin storage unit set state, the inclined surface 62c collides with the electromagnetic lock engaging portion 53, causing the electromagnetic lock lever 62 to rotate in the release direction. The locking portion 62d is a locking portion that restricts the withdrawal of the coin storage unit 36 ​​by engaging with the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 when the coin storage unit 36 ​​is withdrawn when the coin storage unit is set and the electromagnetic solenoid 65 is not operating.

[0038] Here, the distance (gap) between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the lock portion 62d is represented by "δ (not shown)", and the distance δ in each state is represented by adding a number after δ. In the coin storage unit set state, the distance δ (not shown) between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the lock portion 62d is a gap of δ1. The gap δ1 represents the allowable amount of movement of the coin storage unit 36 ​​by the unit set lever 80. The gap δ1 is formed when the biasing member 80sp biases the unit set lever 80 and the locking hook 80g of the unit set lever 80 abuts against the unit engagement portion 50ce of the coin unit casing 50. In other words, the gap δ1 is formed when the biasing member 80sp abuts the locking hook 80g against the unit engagement portion 50ce to move the coin storage unit 36 ​​rearward. The limiter 62f is a limiter for the electromagnetic lock lever 62 in the lock direction (direction C11 in FIG. 5) and is attached to the left surface of the unit frame 60. The biasing member 62t is a biasing member for biasing the electromagnetic lock lever 62 in the set direction. The biasing member 62t is composed of, for example, a torsion spring, and the biasing force is weaker than the force that moves the electromagnetic lock lever 62 in the release direction by the electromagnetic solenoid 65. The detection unit 62e is made of a metal part that is opaque to light or has a magnetic response. The detection unit 62e is provided on the front side of the electromagnetic lock lever 62, and when the electromagnetic lock lever 62 is moved in the release direction by the electromagnetic solenoid 65, it moves to the detection position of the electromagnetic lock detection sensor 64 (see FIG. 7).

[0039] The set detection sensor 63 is a detection means for detecting the set state of the coin storage section. The set detection sensor 63 has a sensor base 63b, a switch 63s, a sensor lever 63c, and a lever fulcrum 63a. The sensor base 63b is the base of the set detection sensor 63 and is attached to the left surface of the unit frame 60. ON / OFF information of the set detection sensor 63 can be obtained from the control unit 90 via an electric cable (not shown). The lever fulcrum 63a is provided at the upper rear of the sensor base 63b. The lever fulcrum 63a is a rotation fulcrum for connecting the sensor lever 63c to the sensor base 63b around the left-right axis. The switch 63s is a switch component provided at the lower rear of the sensor base 63b and is configured to pop out backward by a biasing component (not shown). The switch 63s changes from OFF to ON when pushed forward by the sensor lever 63c. The sensor lever 63c is a lever part that has a portion on the lower left side for contacting the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53, and rotates around the lever fulcrum portion 63a, pushing the switch 63s forward and changing it from OFF to ON, so that the control unit 90 can detect that the set detection sensor 63 is in the ON state, i.e., that the coin storage section is in the set state.

[0040] Here, the distance between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the switch 63s is represented by "ω (not shown)", and the distance ω in each state is represented by adding a number after ω. In the coin storage unit set state (FIG. 5), the distance ω (not shown) between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the switch 63s is ω1. The electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 pushes the sensor lever 63c forward, and the sensor lever 63c rotates counterclockwise around the lever fulcrum portion 63a, pushing the switch 63s forward. In this state, the switch is in the ON state.

[0041] FIG. 6 shows the state in which the coin storage unit 36 ​​is pulled forward from the set state until the gap δ1 between the electromagnetic lock engagement unit 53 and the lock unit 62d changes to δ2 (=0 mm), i.e., until the electromagnetic lock engagement unit 53 and the lock unit 62d come into close contact with each other. In the state shown in FIG. 6, the distance between the electromagnetic lock engagement unit 53 and the switch 63s is ω2. The relationship ω2 - ω1 = δ1 holds. In this state, the coin storage unit 36 ​​has moved slightly forward relative to the electromagnetic lock engagement unit 53 from the state shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the sensor lever 63c abutting against the electromagnetic lock engagement unit 53 rotates clockwise around the lever fulcrum 63a as the coin storage unit 36 ​​moves, and the switch 63s is pushed slightly rearward by a biasing component (not shown). In this state, the ON range of the switch 63s is set so that the switch 63s remains ON. That is, the sensor lever 63c is configured to push the switch 63s so that the set detection sensor 63 is in the ON state when the coin storage unit 36 ​​is in the range shown in FIG. 6 from the coin storage unit set state (FIG. 5).

[0042] FIG. 7 shows a state in which the coin storage unit 36 ​​has been pulled slightly forward from the state shown in FIG. 6. In the state shown in FIG. 7, the distance between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the switch 63s is ω3. In this state, the unit set lever 80 is in a state in which the hook inner portion 80e and the unit engagement portion 50ce are engaged, and the biasing member 80sp exerts a forward force from the hook inner portion 80e to the unit engagement portion 50ce, i.e., a force pushing the coin storage unit 36 ​​in a direction to move it rearward so as to transition the coin storage unit 36 ​​to the coin storage unit set state. At this time, the distance ω (not shown) between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the switch 63s increases from ω1 (FIG. 5) to ω3 (FIG. 7), and the switch 63s is turned OFF.

[0043] The electromagnetic lock detection sensor 64 detects that the electromagnetic lock lever 62 has been operated in the release direction by the electromagnetic solenoid 65, and is a sensor component such as an optical sensor or a magnetic sensor. When the electromagnetic solenoid 65 rotates the electromagnetic lock lever 62 in the release direction, the detection unit 62e of the electromagnetic lock lever 62 moves to the detection position of the electromagnetic lock detection sensor 64 (FIG. 8). When the electromagnetic lock detection sensor 64 detects that the detection unit 62e has moved to the detection position, it changes from OFF to ON. In addition, information that the detection unit 62e is within the detection range, i.e., information that the electromagnetic lock lever 62 has been operated in the release direction by the electromagnetic solenoid 65, can be obtained from the control unit 90 via an electric cable (not shown).

[0044] The electromagnetic lock link 66 is a link component for transmitting the operation of the electromagnetic solenoid 65 to the electromagnetic lock lever 62. The electromagnetic lock link 66 has an L-shaped link component 66a that is long in the front-to-rear direction, a lever slide hole 66b that is a rectangular hole that is long in the front-to-rear direction and connected to a link connection portion 62b provided on the front side of the link component 66a, and a solenoid connection portion 66c to which an iron core 65a of the electromagnetic solenoid 65 is connected. In addition, the electromagnetic lock link 66 has a plurality of rectangular slide holes 66d that are long in the front-to-rear direction near the center of the link component 66a, and a plurality of slide posts 66e are provided on the left surface of the unit frame 60 while being inserted into each of the slide holes 66d.

[0045] The electromagnetic solenoid 65 has an iron core 65a and a case 65b. The iron core 65a is inserted into a hole located approximately in the vertical center of the rear surface of the case 65b. The iron core 65a can slide back and forth relative to the case 65b until the bottom of the hole and the front surface of the iron core 65a come into contact with each other. This contact position is referred to as the electromagnetic solenoid attraction position. The case 65b is fixed to the left surface of the unit frame 60 by a mounting part (not shown). The electromagnetic solenoid 65 is energized by operating the electromagnetic lock release of the coin storage unit on an operation screen (not shown), generating a magnetic flux inside the hole in the case 65b and moving the iron core 65a to the electromagnetic solenoid attraction position (Figure 8). The energized state is released by operating the electromagnetic lock release of the coin storage unit on an operation screen (not shown), or by waiting a certain period of time while the coin storage unit is pulled out.

[0046] Below, we will explain the operations when pulling out and setting the coin storage unit 36 ​​when directly collecting coins stored in the electromagnetic lock unit 61 of the currency handling device 1 and the denomination-specific hoppers 36a to 36f of the coin storage unit 36, or when performing maintenance work such as cleaning the interior or removing jams.

[0047] (Operation when withdrawing the coin storage unit 36 ​​(media processing unit)) FIG. 5 shows the coin storage unit 36 ​​in the coin storage unit set state. When the operator operates an operation screen (not shown) to instruct unlocking of the coin storage unit, the control unit 90 confirms that the set detection sensor 63 is in the ON state, i.e., that the coin storage unit 36 ​​is in the coin storage unit set state. Next, the control unit 90 energizes the electromagnetic solenoid 65, causing the iron core 65a to move to the electromagnetic solenoid attraction position at the rear of the case 65b. The state after movement is shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, when the iron core 65a moves to the electromagnetic solenoid attraction position, the electromagnetic lock link 66 slides forward, and accordingly, the electromagnetic lock lever 62 rotates around the rotation axis 62ax in the release direction (direction C12 in FIG. 5). As a result, the detection portion 62e of the electromagnetic lock lever 62 moves to the detection position of the electromagnetic lock detection sensor 64. This causes the electromagnetic lock detection sensor 64 to change from OFF to ON.

[0048] FIG. 9 shows a state in which the hook inner portion 80e and the unit engaging portion 50ce have been released from their engagement. In the example shown in FIG. 9, an operator operates the lever operating portion 80b to rotate the unit set lever 80 in the B12 direction around the set lever fulcrum portion 80ax, thereby releasing the engagement between the hook inner portion 80e and the unit engaging portion 50ce. FIG. 9 also shows a state in which, when pulling out the coin storage unit 36, the unit set lever 80 is rotated to a position where the hook inner portion 80e does not interfere with the unit engaging portion 50ce, thereby releasing the engagement between the hook inner portion 80e and the unit engaging portion 50ce. Pulling the lever operating portion 80b forward from this state moves the coin storage unit 36 ​​forward.

[0049] Figure 10 shows a state in which the coin storage unit 36 ​​is slightly pulled out from the state in Figure 9. In Figure 10, the distance between the electromagnetic lock engagement unit 53 and the switch 63s is ω3. At this time, the switch 63s is in the OFF state, and the control unit 90 detects that the set detection sensor 63 is in the OFF state.

[0050] FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the coin storage unit 36 ​​in the pulled-out state. Specifically, FIG. 11 shows the state in which the coin storage unit 36 ​​is pulled out about halfway from the state in FIG. 10. The state in FIG. 11 is one in which a certain amount of time has passed since the state in FIG. 10, and the switch 63s is in the OFF state. As a result, the control unit 90 cancels the supply of electricity to the electromagnetic solenoid 65. At this time, the electromagnetic lock lever 62 is rotated in the lock direction around the rotation shaft 62ax by the biasing member 62t, and moves to a position where it abuts against the limiter 62f. Accordingly, the electromagnetic lock link 66 and the iron core 65a move rearward (FIG. 12).

[0051] Fig. 13 shows the coin storage unit pulled out state in which the coin storage unit 36 ​​is completely pulled out from the state in Fig. 12. In this state, the operator can access the denomination-specific hoppers 36a to 36f from above, and can perform tasks such as directly collecting stored coins, cleaning the inside, and removing jams.

[0052] (When inserting the coin storage unit 36 ​​(media processing unit) from the pulled-out state) When the operator has finished directly collecting the stored coins, cleaning the inside, and removing jammed coins, he or she will move the coin storage unit 36 ​​to the coin storage unit setting state. The operator pushes the front of the unit frame 60 backward to move the coin storage unit 36 ​​backward (setting direction).

[0053] FIG. 14 shows the state in which the coin storage unit 36 ​​has been moved rearward (in the setting direction) from the state shown in FIG. 13. In the state shown in FIG. 14, the outer hook portion 80f and the slope 50cf are in contact. When the coin storage unit 36 ​​is further moved in the setting direction from this state, a load B13 is generated from the slope 50cf to the outer hook portion 80f. The direction of the load B13 is upward and slightly forward because the slope 50cf is a gentle inclined surface from the upper rear to the lower front. This load causes the unit set lever 80 to rotate in the direction B12 around the set lever fulcrum portion 80ax, moving the coin storage unit 36 ​​in the setting direction. When the locking hook 80g eventually reaches the upper surface 50ct of the lower housing 50c, the coin storage unit 36 ​​continues to move in the setting direction while the locking hook 80g remains in contact with the upper surface 50ct.

[0054] FIG. 15 shows a state in which the coin storage unit 36 ​​has been moved in the setting direction from the state shown in FIG. 14. In the state shown in FIG. 15, the locking hook 80g abuts against the upper surface 50ct of the lower housing part 50c. The inclined surface 62c abuts against the lower front portion of the electromagnetic lock engagement part 53. When the coin storage unit 36 ​​is further moved in the setting direction from this state, a load B14 is generated from the lower front portion of the electromagnetic lock engagement part 53 to the inclined surface 62c. The direction of the load B14 is downward and slightly forward because the inclined surface 62c is a gentle slope from the lower rear to the upper front. This load causes the electromagnetic lock lever 62 to rotate about the rotation axis 62ax in the release direction, while the coin storage unit 36 ​​moves in the setting direction.

[0055] Fig. 16 shows a state in which the coin storage unit 36 ​​has been moved in the setting direction from the state in Fig. 15. In the state shown in Fig. 16, the hook inner portion 80e of the unit set lever 80 and the unit engagement portion 50ce are engaged, and the biasing member 80sp exerts a forward force from the hook inner portion 80e to the unit engagement portion 50ce, i.e., a force that pushes the coin storage unit 36 ​​into the coin storage unit set state. The strength of the pushing force B15 is greater than the friction load generated on the left slide rail 51 and the right slide rail 52 when the maximum number of coins are loaded in the denomination-specific hoppers 36a to 36f of the coin storage unit 36. Therefore, from then on, the unit set lever 80 moves the coin storage unit 36 ​​in the setting direction even if the operator does not push the unit frame 60 backward.

[0056] Figure 17 shows a state in which the coin storage unit 36 ​​has been moved in the setting direction by a pushing force B15 from the state in Figure 16. In the state shown in Figure 17, the distance between the electromagnetic lock engagement unit 53 and the switch 63s is ω3. Since the distance between the electromagnetic lock engagement unit 53 and the switch 63s is ω3, the switch 63s is in the OFF state, and if the coin storage unit 36 ​​is pushed in the setting direction even slightly from this state, the switch 63s is turned ON.

[0057] Figure 18 shows a state in which the coin storage unit 36 ​​has been moved in the setting direction by a pushing force B15 from the state in Figure 17. Note that, in the process of transitioning from the state in Figure 17 to the state in Figure 18, the electromagnetic lock lever 62 is locked with the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53. In the state shown in Figure 18, the distance between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the switch 63s is ω2, and the gap δ1 between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the lock portion 62d is δ2 (= 0 mm).

[0058] Fig. 19 shows a coin storage unit set state in which the coin storage unit 36 ​​has been moved in the set direction by a pushing force B15 from the state in Fig. 18. In the state shown in Fig. 19, the control unit 90 recognizes that the switch 63s is in the ON state and that the state of the electromagnetic lock detection sensor 64 indicates that the detection unit 62e is outside the detection range, and recognizes that the coin storage unit 36 ​​is in the coin storage unit set state.

[0059] Thereafter, the operator performs maintenance tasks such as closing the housing door of the currency handling device 1 (not shown) and operating the operation screen (not shown), and then executes the maintenance completion process.

[0060] According to the currency handling device 1, when performing maintenance work such as recovering coins stored in the denomination-specific hoppers 36a to 36f of the coin storage unit 36, cleaning the interior, or removing jammed coins, the worker pulls out the coin storage unit 36. When the coin storage unit transitions from the pulled-out state to the set state, the biasing member 80sp exerts a forward force from the hook inner portion 80e against the unit engagement portion 50ce, i.e., a force B15 that pushes the coin storage unit 36 ​​into the set state (FIG. 16). At a later timing, the switch 63s is turned ON (FIG. 17). At an even later timing, the gap between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the lock portion 62d becomes δ2 (=0 mm) (FIG. 18). At an even later timing, the coin storage unit transitions to the set state. At this time, the distance δ between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the lock portion 62d becomes δ1.

[0061] Therefore, when the coin storage unit 36 ​​is pushed in the setting direction to a position where the switch 63s is turned ON, the force B15 that pushes the coin storage unit 36 ​​into the coin storage unit set state automatically transitions to the state where the electromagnetic lock engagement unit 53 and the lock unit 62d are locked. This makes it possible to prevent the electromagnetic lock engagement unit 53 and the lock unit 62d from not being locked even though the switch 63s is turned ON, i.e., the electromagnetic lock lever from not being engaged.

[0062] Furthermore, when the coin storage unit is set, the distance δ between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the lock portion 62d is δ1 (they are not in contact). Therefore, when the electromagnetic lock lever 62 rotates in the release direction, no friction load is generated between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the lock portion 62d. Therefore, when the electromagnetic solenoid 65 is energized, the movement of the electromagnetic lock lever 62 in the release direction is not hindered.

[0063] Here, using Figures 20 to 23, we will explain issues with the operation of the coin storage unit 136 of the currency handling device com1 of the first comparative example and the coin storage unit 236 of the currency handling device com2 of the second comparative example. Figures 20 to 21 are explanatory diagrams of the coin storage unit 136 (media processing unit) of the currency handling device com1 of the first comparative example. Figures 22 to 23 are explanatory diagrams of the coin storage unit 236 (media processing unit) of the currency handling device com2 of the second comparative example.

[0064] As shown in Figure 20, the currency handling device com1 of the first comparative example differs from the currency handling device 1 of this embodiment in that it is equipped with a coin storage unit 136 instead of the coin storage unit 36. The coin storage unit 136 is configured by removing the unit set lever 80 from the coin storage unit 36. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the coin storage unit 36.

[0065] FIG. 21 shows a state in which the coin storage unit 136 has been pulled out from the state shown in FIG. 20 until the gap between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the lock portion 62d becomes δ2 (=0 mm). The coin storage unit 136 is held in the state shown in FIG. 21 due to the friction load generated in the left slide rail 51 and the right slide rail 52. In this state, the electromagnetic solenoid 65 is energized to rotate the electromagnetic lock lever 62 in the release direction. However, the friction load F generated between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the lock portion 62d of the electromagnetic lock lever 62 prevents the electromagnetic lock lever 62 from rotating. Therefore, even if the operator commands the unlocking of the coin storage unit 136, the unlocking cannot be performed and an error occurs. Therefore, after confirming the error, the operator must, for example, push the front surface of the unit frame 60 backward to set the distance δ between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the lock portion 62d to δ1.

[0066] In contrast, as shown in Figure 19, the currency handling device 1 of this embodiment is configured to additionally include a unit set lever 80 in order to provide the gap δ1. In this currency handling device 1 of this embodiment, when the coin storage unit 36 ​​is in the set position, a predetermined distance (gap δ1) is provided between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the lock portion 62d of the electromagnetic lock lever 62. This currency handling device 1 of this embodiment can avoid the generation of friction load F between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the lock portion 62d of the electromagnetic lock lever 62. Therefore, the currency handling device 1 of this embodiment can solve this problem (i.e., avoid a state in which it becomes difficult to operate the electromagnetic lock mechanism 2 with the electromagnetic solenoid 65).

[0067] As shown in Figure 22, the currency handling device com2 of the second comparative example differs from the currency handling device 1 of this embodiment in that it has a coin storage unit 236 instead of the coin storage unit 36, and a lower housing part 250c instead of the lower housing part 50c. The coin storage unit 236 has a unit set lever 280 instead of the unit set lever 80. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the coin storage unit 36.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 19, the unit set lever 80 of the currency handling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment has a locking hook 80g formed on the flat lower surface near the rear end, protruding downward from the lower surface. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 22, the unit set lever 280 of the currency handling apparatus com2 according to the second comparative example has a locking hook 280g formed by forming a recess near the rear end of the flat lower surface. The rear inner wall portion of the locking hook 280g of the unit set lever 280 functions as a hook inner portion 280e that engages with a unit engaging portion 250ce provided on the lower housing portion 250c. Furthermore, the unit engaging portion 250ce is formed to protrude upward from the upper surface at the rear end of the lower housing portion 250c so as to engage with the recess of the unit set lever 280.

[0069] In the coin storage unit set state, the gap ε1 between the hook inner portion 280e and the unit engagement portion 250ce is set to ε1. The gap ε1 is smaller than the gap δ1. The gap ε1 represents the allowable amount of movement of the coin storage unit 236 by the unit set lever 280. The gap ε1 does not become zero even when the coin storage unit 236 is pulled out in the coin storage unit set state. Therefore, in the currency handling device com2 of the second comparative example, even if the coin storage unit 236 in the coin storage unit set state is pulled out within the range of the gap ε1, a state in which it becomes difficult to operate the electromagnetic lock mechanism 2 with the electromagnetic solenoid 65 does not occur. Furthermore, even if an attempt is made to pull out the coin storage unit 136 forcefully, the alignment of the hook inner portion 280e and the set lever fulcrum portion 280ax is approximately aligned with the pull-out direction of the coin storage unit 236. Therefore, when pulled out, the force received from the unit engagement portion 250ce does not cause the unit set lever 280 to rotate in the B12 direction, thereby avoiding a situation in which it becomes difficult to operate the electromagnetic lock mechanism 2 using the electromagnetic solenoid 65.

[0070] Here, as shown in Figure 23, let us assume that an operator pushes in the pulled-out coin storage unit 236. At that time, let us assume that the coin storage unit 236 in the set state is pushed in until the distance between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the switch 63s changes from ω3 to the set position. In the currency handling device com2 of the second comparative example, as will be described later, the locking hook 280g is less likely to engage with the unit engagement portion 250ce. Therefore, a problem occurs in that the coin storage unit 236 is erroneously recognized as not being in the set state even though the coin storage unit 236 is positioned in the set position.

[0071] This point will be explained with reference to Figure 24. Figure 24 is an explanatory diagram of the locking hook of the coin storage unit 236 (media processing unit). As shown in Figure 24, the arrangement of the hook inner part 280e of the locking hook 280g and the set lever fulcrum part 280ax is approximately aligned with the pull-out direction of the coin storage unit 236. Therefore, the movement distance in the front-to-rear direction of the rotation locus of the set lever fulcrum part 280ax of the hook outer part 280f of the locking hook 280g is smaller than that of the hook outer part 80f of the locking hook 80g of the unit set lever 80. This makes it difficult for the locking hook 280g to engage with the unit engagement part 250ce. Therefore, the currency handling device com2 of the second comparative example has a problem in that the position of the coin storage unit 236 may be erroneously recognized.

[0072] Therefore, the coin storage section 36 of the currency handling device 1 of this embodiment is superior to the coin storage section 136 of the currency handling device com1 of the first comparative example and the coin storage section 236 of the currency handling device com2 of the second comparative example in that it can solve these problems.

[0073] FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram of the switches and levers of the currency handling device 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 25, the solid line indicates the locking operation of the electromagnetic lock lever 62, the dashed-dotted line indicates the detection operation of the switch 63s of the set detection sensor 63, and the dashed line indicates the pushing (pulling) operation of the unit set lever 80 relative to the coin storage unit 36. When the operator pushes the coin storage unit 36 ​​into the coin housing 50, the state of the unit set lever 80, indicated by the dashed line, transitions from a state in which the coin storage unit 36 ​​is not pushed backward (not pulled in state) to a state in which the coin storage unit 36 ​​is pushed backward (pulled in state). In other words, the unit set lever 80, indicated by the dashed line, is biased by the biasing member 80sp to push (pull) the coin storage unit 36 ​​into the set position. When the state of the unit set lever 80, indicated by the dashed line, transitions to a state in which the coin storage unit 36 ​​is pushed backward, the state of the switch 63s of the set detection sensor 63, indicated by the dashed-dotted line, transitions from an OFF state to an ON state. That is, the switch 63s of the set detection sensor 63, shown by the dashed-dotted line, detects the placement of the coin storage unit 36 ​​at the set position. When the state of the switch 63s of the set detection sensor 63, shown by the dashed-dotted line, transitions to the ON state, the state of the electromagnetic lock lever 62, shown by the solid line, transitions from the released state to the locked state. That is, the electromagnetic lock lever 62, shown by the solid line, restricts the movement of the coin storage unit 36. When the electromagnetic lock lever 62 is in the locked state, a predetermined distance (gap δ1) is provided between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the lock portion 62d of the electromagnetic lock lever 62.

[0074] <Main features of currency handling device 1> The currency handling device 1 according to this embodiment can be configured to have the following features. (1) As shown in FIG. 19, the currency handling device 1 according to this embodiment includes a coin section housing 50 (housing), a coin storage section 36 (media processing unit), a unit set lever 80, a biasing member 80sp (biasing means), and an electromagnetic locking mechanism 2. The coin section housing 50 is a housing for a mechanism that handles coins. The coin storage section 36 is a media processing unit that stores media such as coins, and is housed inside the coin section housing 50 so that it can be pulled out. The unit set lever 80 is a member that holds the coin storage section 36 at a predetermined set position inside the coin section housing 50 by engaging with a unit engagement portion 50ce provided inside the coin section housing 50. The biasing member 80sp is a biasing means that biases the unit set lever 80 in a direction (direction B11 in FIGS. 5, 6, 17, and 18) that puts the unit engagement portion 50ce and the unit set lever 80 into engagement. Here, the "engagement position" refers to a position in which the unit engagement portion 50ce and the unit set lever 80 (strictly speaking, the locking hook 80g of the unit set lever 80) are engaged, as shown in FIG. 19. The electromagnetic locking mechanism 2 is a mechanism that restricts the operation of withdrawing the coin storage unit 36 ​​to the outside. The electromagnetic locking mechanism 2 has an electromagnetic locking lever 62 and an electromagnetic solenoid 65 (solenoid). The electromagnetic locking lever 62 is a member that restricts movement of the coin storage unit 36 ​​by engaging with an electromagnetic locking engagement portion 53 provided inside the coin unit housing 50. The electromagnetic solenoid 65 is a component that drives the electromagnetic locking lever 62. When the coin storage unit 36 ​​is arranged in the set position, a predetermined distance (gap δ1) is provided between the electromagnetic locking engagement portion 53 and the electromagnetic locking lever 62. The predetermined interval (gap δ1) is formed when the biasing member 80sp biases the unit set lever 80 in the direction of the engagement posture, and the locking hook 80g of the unit set lever 80 abuts against the unit engagement portion 50ce of the coin section housing 50. In other words, the biasing member 80sp abuts the locking hook 80g against the unit engagement portion 50ce, moving the coin storage section 36 in the rear direction, thereby forming the predetermined interval (gap δ1).

[0075] In the currency handling device 1 according to this embodiment, when the coin storage unit 36 ​​is in the set position, a predetermined distance (gap δ1) is provided between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the electromagnetic lock lever 62. Therefore, the currency handling device 1 according to this embodiment can avoid the generation of a large friction load F (FIG. 21) between the electromagnetic lock lever 62 and the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53. The currency handling device 1 according to this embodiment can avoid a state in which it becomes difficult to operate the electromagnetic lock mechanism 2 with the electromagnetic solenoid 65.

[0076] (2) As shown in Figure 19, the currency handling device 1 of this embodiment further includes a set detection sensor 63 (detection means) that detects whether the coin storage section 36 is placed in the set position inside the coin section housing 50.

[0077] The currency handling device 1 according to this embodiment detects the storage state of the coin storage section 36 inside the coin section housing 50 using the set detection sensor 63, and can operate the electromagnetic locking mechanism 2 appropriately.

[0078] (3) As shown in FIG. 19 , in the currency handling device 1 configured as described in (2) above, the biasing member 80sp biases the unit set lever 80 to function as a pushing means for pushing the coin storage unit 36 ​​in a direction from a first position, where pushing of the coin storage unit 36 ​​into the coin housing 50 begins, toward a second position, where the coin storage unit 36 ​​has been pushed into the coin housing 50. Note that here, the “first position” refers to a position in which the unit set lever 80 and the coin housing 50 are not fully engaged, as shown in FIG. 16 , for example. The “second position” refers to a position in which the unit set lever 80 and the coin housing 50 are fully engaged, as shown in FIG. 19 , for example. When the coin storage unit 36 ​​starts moving from the first position to the second position, the set detection sensor 63 detects that the coin storage unit 36 ​​has been placed in the set position, as the storage state of the coin storage unit 36.

[0079] In this embodiment of the currency handling device 1, when the coin storage section 36 moves from the first position to the second position, the set detection sensor 63 can detect that the coin storage section 36 has been placed in the set position.

[0080] (4) As shown in Figure 19, in the currency handling device 1 configured as described in (3) above, the coin section housing 50 has a set lever fulcrum portion 80ax (rotation fulcrum) that rotatably supports the unit set lever 80. The unit set lever 80 also has a locking hook 80g that engages with the unit engagement portion 50ce. The biasing member 80sp is configured to push the coin storage section 36 with the locking hook 80g in the direction from the first position to the second position by rotating the unit set lever 80 about the set lever fulcrum portion 80ax.

[0081] In the currency handling device 1 according to this embodiment, the locking hook 80g can push the coin storage unit 36 ​​in the direction from the first position to the second position, so the currency handling device 1 according to this embodiment can reliably position the coin storage unit 36 ​​in the set position.

[0082] (5) As shown in Figure 19, in the currency handling device 1 configured as in (1) above, the coin section housing 50 has a set lever fulcrum portion 80ax (rotation fulcrum) that rotatably supports the unit set lever 80. The unit set lever 80 also has a locking hook 80g that engages with the unit engaging portion 50ce. The locking hook 80g is configured to protrude from a flat surface provided on the unit set lever 80 in a direction that engages with the unit engaging portion 50ce.

[0083] (6) As shown in FIG. 19, the currency handling device 1 configured as described in (1) above is provided with a set detection sensor 63 (detection means) that detects the set state (storage state) of the coin storage section 36 (media processing unit) inside the coin section housing 50 (housing). The set detection sensor 63 has a switch 63s and a sensor lever 63c that rotates around a lever fulcrum 63a to press in the switch 63s. When the coin storage section 36 (media processing unit) is in the storage state, the sensor lever 63c abuts against the electromagnetic lock engagement section 53 and rotates to press in the switch 63s, turning the switch 63s to the ON state. When the electromagnetic lock engagement section 53 and the electromagnetic lock lever 62 are in close contact with each other, the sensor lever 63c is configured to maintain the switch 63s in the ON state.

[0084] The currency handling device 1 according to this embodiment can detect the set state (storage state) of the coin storage section 36 inside the coin section casing 50 by the set detection sensor 63.

[0085] (7) As shown in Figure 25, in the currency handling device 1 configured as described in (6) above, the coin storage unit 36 ​​(media processing unit) is pushed into the coin storage unit housing 50 (housing). This causes the state of the unit set lever 80 to transition from a state in which the coin storage unit 36 ​​is not pushed backward to a state in which it is pushed backward, the state of the switch 63s of the set detection sensor 63 transitions from an OFF state to an ON state, and the state of the electromagnetic lock lever 62, which restricts the movement of the coin storage unit 36, transitions from a released state to a locked state. At this time, the currency handling device 1 is configured such that a predetermined distance (gap δ1) is provided between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53 and the lock portion 62d of the electromagnetic lock lever 62.

[0086] The currency handling device 1 according to this embodiment can avoid the generation of a large friction load F (FIG. 21) between the electromagnetic lock lever 62 and the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53. The currency handling device 1 according to this embodiment can avoid a situation in which it becomes difficult to operate the electromagnetic lock mechanism 2 using the electromagnetic solenoid 65.

[0087] In the currency handling device 1 according to this embodiment, the locking hook 80g makes it easy to push the coin storage unit 36 ​​in the direction of the set position.

[0088] As described above, the currency handling device 1 according to this embodiment can avoid the generation of a large friction load F (FIG. 21) between the electromagnetic lock lever 62 and the electromagnetic lock engagement portion 53. The currency handling device 1 according to this embodiment can avoid a situation in which it becomes difficult to operate the electromagnetic lock mechanism 2 using the electromagnetic solenoid 65.

[0089] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0090] 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 an embodiment including all of the components described. Furthermore, the present invention may include some components by adding other components to them, or by replacing some components with other components. Furthermore, the present invention may also include some components by deleting them.

[0091] For example, the currency handling apparatus 1 according to the embodiment may be modified as shown in FIG. 26 as a currency handling apparatus 1A. FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of the currency handling apparatus 1A of the modified embodiment. As shown in FIG. 26, the currency handling apparatus 1A of the modified embodiment includes an electromagnetic locking mechanism 2A instead of the electromagnetic locking mechanism 2 (FIG. 5) of the currency handling apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. The electromagnetic locking mechanism 2A differs from the electromagnetic locking mechanism 2 (FIG. 5) in that a locking hook 380g includes a roller 380r. A ball bearing or the like is used as the roller 380r. The currency handling apparatus 1A of the modified embodiment includes a slope 350cf, a unit engagement portion 350ce, and an upper surface 350ct in a lower housing portion 350c. The unit set lever 380 is rotatably disposed around a set lever fulcrum portion 380ax and is biased by a biasing member 380sp. A roller 380r is provided on the locking hook 380g of the unit set lever 380. The roller 380r rolls, allowing the unit set lever 380 to move smoothly on the lower housing part 350c.

[0092] Furthermore, for example, in the currency handling device 1 according to the embodiment, when a certain time has elapsed since the state shown in FIG. 10 and the switch 63s is in the OFF state, the control unit 90 cancels the supply of power to the electromagnetic solenoid 65. However, the control unit 90 may continue to supply power to the electromagnetic solenoid 65 without canceling the supply of power. In this case, the operator pulls out the coin storage unit 36, performs maintenance work, and then transitions the coin storage unit 36 ​​to the coin storage unit set state. The operator then closes the housing door of the currency handling device 1 (not shown) and operates an operation screen (not shown). This causes the control unit 90 to continue supplying power to the electromagnetic solenoid 65 without canceling the supply of power. In this case, the operator does not need to operate the operation screen (not shown) to confirm that the malfunction has not been resolved, and then does not need to supply power to the electromagnetic solenoid 65, thereby eliminating the need for the operator to perform an operation.

[0093] Furthermore, for example, the electromagnetic locking mechanism 2 can be applied to places that store cash, such as a coin collection box or a bill storage unit, in addition to the coin storage unit .

[0094] Furthermore, for example, the biasing member 80sp can be configured as a tension spring, a leaf spring, or the like, in addition to a torsion spring. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1,1A,com1,com2 Currency handling equipment 2,2A electromagnetic locking mechanism 36,136,236 Coin storage unit (media processing unit) 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f Denomination hoppers 50 Coin unit housing (housing) 50a Left side of the housing 50b Right side of the housing 50c, 250c, 350c Bottom of the housing 50ce, 250ce, 350ce unit engagement part 50cf,350cf slope 50ct,350ct top surface 51 Left slide rail 51a Inner rail 51b Intermediate rail 51c outer rail 52 Right slide rail 53 Electromagnetic lock engagement part 60 unit frame 61 Electromagnetic lock unit 62 Electromagnetic lock lever 62b Link connection 62c Slope section 62d Lock Section 62e Detection unit 62f limiter 62t ​​biasing member 62ax rotating shaft 63 Set detection sensor (detection means) 63a Lever fulcrum 63b Sensor Base 63c Sensor lever 63s Switch 64 Electromagnetic lock detection sensor 65 Electromagnetic solenoid (solenoid) 65a iron core 65b case 66 Electromagnetic lock link 66a Link parts 66b Lever sliding hole 66c Solenoid connection 66d sliding hole 66e Sliding Post 68 Set lever support 80,280,380 Unit set lever 80b Lever operation part 80e, 280e Inside of the hook 80f Outer hook part 80g, 280g, 380g Locking hook 80ax, 280ax, 380ax Set lever fulcrum (rotating fulcrum) 80sp, 380sp Urging member (urging means, pushing means) 90 Control Unit CN coins F Friction load δ1 Gap (predetermined interval) B13, B14 load B15 Pushing force

Claims

1. The housing and a media processing unit housed inside the housing so as to be removable to the outside; a unit set lever that holds the media processing unit at a predetermined set position within the housing by engaging with a unit engagement portion provided within the housing; a biasing means for biasing the unit set lever in a direction in which the unit set lever assumes an engagement position in which the unit engagement portion and the unit set lever are engaged with each other; an electromagnetic locking mechanism that restricts the media processing unit from being pulled out to the outside, The electromagnetic locking mechanism is an electromagnetic lock lever that restricts movement of the media processing unit by engaging with an electromagnetic lock engaging portion provided inside the housing; a solenoid that drives the electromagnetic lock lever, When the media processing unit is placed in the set position, a predetermined distance is provided between the electromagnetic lock engaging portion and the electromagnetic lock lever. A currency handling device characterized by:

2. 2. The currency handling device according to claim 1, a detecting means for detecting whether the media processing unit is placed at the set position inside the housing; A currency handling device characterized by:

3. 3. The currency handling device according to claim 2, the biasing means functions as a pushing means for pushing the media processing unit in a direction from a first position where the pushing of the media processing unit into the housing begins to a second position where the media processing unit has been pushed into the housing by biasing the unit set lever; When the media processing unit starts to move from the first position to the second position, the detection means detects that the media processing unit has been placed at the set position as a storage state of the media processing unit. A currency handling device characterized by:

4. 4. The currency handling device according to claim 3, the housing has a rotation fulcrum that rotatably supports the unit set lever, the unit set lever has a locking hook that engages with the unit engaging portion, the biasing means rotates the unit set lever about the rotation fulcrum, thereby pushing the media processing unit with the locking hook in a direction from the first position toward the second position; A currency handling device characterized by:

5. 2. The currency handling device according to claim 1, the housing has a rotation fulcrum that rotatably supports the unit set lever, the unit set lever has a locking hook that engages with the unit engaging portion, The locking hook is formed so as to protrude from a flat surface provided on the unit set lever in a direction to engage with the unit engaging portion. A currency handling device characterized by:

6. 2. The currency handling device according to claim 1, a set detection sensor for detecting a storage state of the media processing unit inside the housing; The set detection sensor has a switch and a sensor lever that rotates around a lever fulcrum to press in the switch, When the media processing unit is in the housed state, the sensor lever abuts against the electromagnetic lock engaging portion and rotates to press the switch, thereby turning the switch on; When the electromagnetic lock engaging portion and the electromagnetic lock lever are in close contact with each other, the sensor lever maintains the switch in an ON state. A currency handling device characterized by:

7. 7. The currency handling apparatus according to claim 6, When the media processing unit is pushed into the housing, the state of the unit set lever transitions from a state in which the media processing unit is not pushed backward to a state in which it is pushed backward, the state of the switch of the set detection sensor transitions from an OFF state to an ON state, and the state of the electromagnetic lock lever that restricts the movement of the media processing unit transitions from a released state to a locked state, and a predetermined gap is provided between the electromagnetic lock engagement portion and the electromagnetic lock lever. A currency handling device characterized by:

8. 6. The currency handling apparatus according to claim 5, The unit set lever has a roller on the locking hook. A currency handling device characterized by:

Images