Coin delivery device and coin processing device
The coin dispensing device addresses the issue of coins getting stuck by using an anti-slip sheet with notches on a rotating disk and a guide member, ensuring smooth coin dispensing.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024080202
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-16
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing coin dispensing devices face issues where coins can get caught between the rotating disk and the rubber sheet, leading to spinning and sticking, resulting in poor dispensing.
The device incorporates a rotating disk with an anti-slip sheet of smaller diameter and a guide member featuring notches to accommodate trapped coins, ensuring smooth dispensing.
Prevents coin accumulation and allows for seamless dispensing by securely guiding coins through the device.
Smart Images

Figure 2025174119000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a coin dispensing device and a coin processing device equipped with the coin dispensing device. [Background technology]
[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there has been known a coin dispensing device that separates coins inserted from outside a machine one by one and dispenses the coins into a conveyance path that conveys the coins within the machine (for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003] The coin dispensing device described in Patent Document 1 includes a rotating disk and a hopper arranged around the rotating disk, and as the rotating disk rotates, coins of various denominations that have been input together and stored in the hopper are dispensed one by one from a dispensing opening formed in the hopper into a coin passage. In addition, a rubber sheet is provided on the top surface of the rotating disk to ensure friction with the coins on the rotating disk. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 56-52488 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] However, with the coin processing device described in Patent Document 1, one end of the coin could get caught on the step between the top surface of the rotating disk and the peripheral surface of the rubber sheet, and the other end of the coin could get caught on the side of the hopper, which could cause the coin to spin freely on the rotating disk and become stuck, resulting in poor dispensing.
[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a coin dispensing device and a coin processing device that can smoothly dispense coins. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the coin dispensing device of the present invention comprises a rotating disk that rotates with coins placed on it, an anti-slip sheet that is formed with a smaller diameter than the rotating disk and has an approximately circular outer periphery that is provided on the rotating disk, and a guide member that is erected around the rotating disk and has a dispensing outlet for dispensing the coins on the rotating disk, and at least one or more notches are formed on the outer edge of the anti-slip sheet that can accommodate a portion of the coin that is trapped on the upper surface of the rotating disk and is sandwiched between the circumferential surface of the anti-slip sheet and the side of the guide member.
[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the coin processing device according to the present invention includes the coin feeding device described above. [Effects of the Invention]
[0009] The present invention can prevent coins from accumulating and allow coins to be dispensed smoothly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a teller machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Block diagram of the main parts of the cash register. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the internal structure of the coin processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing the internal structure of the temporary storage. [Figure 5] AA arrow view in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] BB arrow view in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] Enlarged view of part C in Figure 7. [Figure 9] A diagram showing coins remaining in the gap between the supply disk and the rotating disk. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the accumulated coins move radially inward of the rotating disk. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state in which the accumulation of coins has been resolved. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a first modified example of a cutout portion. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a second modified example of the cutout portion. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a third modified example of the cutout portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An embodiment of a cash dispenser to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, hereinafter, when referring to the number, numerical value, amount, range, etc. of components, unless otherwise specified or when it is clearly limited to a specific number in principle, it is not limited to that specific number, and it may be more or less than the specific number.
[0012] Furthermore, when referring to the shape or positional relationship of components, etc., it includes things that are substantially similar or approximate to those shapes, etc., unless otherwise specified or when it is clearly considered otherwise in principle.
[0013] In addition, the drawings may exaggerate characteristic parts to make the features easier to understand, and the dimensional proportions of the components may not be the same as in reality. In addition, in cross-sectional views, hatching of some components may be omitted to make the cross-sectional structure of the components easier to understand.
[0014] <Configuration of the cash register> FIG. 1 shows a teller machine 1 that processes banknotes, coins, etc. The teller machine 1 is installed in a branch of a financial institution such as a bank, and manages currency processing for the entire branch. The teller machine 1 performs, for example, transaction processing such as deposits or withdrawals by staff for large customers, withdrawal processing by staff of funds taken out to external clients, deposit processing of funds brought back from external clients, and closing management of the deposit and withdrawal status for the entire financial institution branch after closing. In the following explanation, the side of the teller machine 1 facing the operator is referred to as the front, the side opposite the operator from the teller machine 1 is referred to as the rear, and left and right as viewed from the operator are referred to as left and right.
[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the teller machine 1 comprises a coin processing device 10 that performs processes such as depositing and dispensing coins, a new note processing device 20 that performs processes such as depositing and dispensing new banknotes (hereinafter referred to as "new notes"), and a banknote processing device 30 that performs processes such as depositing and dispensing banknotes, with the coin processing device 10, new note processing device 20, and banknote processing device 30 arranged in this order from right to left in the left-right direction (width direction) of the teller machine 1.
[0016] The coin processing device 10 includes a coin processing unit (not shown) provided within the main body 11. The coin processing unit performs processes such as loose coin deposit processing, loose coin dispensing processing, coin roll deposit processing, coin roll dispensing processing, and packaging processing.
[0017] In the loose coin deposit process, loose coins inserted through coin deposit port 12 provided on the top surface of coin processing device 10 are sorted by denomination and stored in loose coin storage means within the machine. In the loose coin withdrawal process, loose coins fed out from the loose coin storage means within the machine are dispensed to the outside of the machine from coin withdrawal box 13 provided below the front of coin processing device 10. In the coin roll deposit process, coin rolls loaded through coin roll deposit port 14 provided approximately in the center of the front of coin processing device 10 are sorted by denomination and stored in coin roll storage means within the machine. In the coin roll withdrawal process, coin rolls fed out from the coin roll storage means within the machine are dispensed to the outside of the machine from first coin roll dispensing port 15 provided above coin roll deposit port 14 or second coin roll dispensing port 16 provided below coin roll deposit port 14. In the packaging process, coin bars made from loose coins inserted through the coin deposit port 12 or loose coins dispensed from the loose coin storage means inside the machine are dispensed from the third coin bar dispensing port 17 located below the second coin bar dispensing port 16 or stored in the coin bar storage means inside the machine.
[0018] The new note processing device 20 includes a new note processing section (not shown) provided in the main body 21, and a cabinet 22 stored in the main body 21 so that it can be pulled out toward the front.
[0019] The new note processing unit performs, for example, new note deposit processing and new note dispensing processing. In the new note deposit processing, new notes inserted through the new note deposit / withdrawal port 23 provided at the top front of the new note processing device 20 are sorted by denomination and stored in new note storage means within the machine. In the new note dispensing processing, new notes fed from the new note storage means within the machine are dispensed outside the machine from the new note deposit / withdrawal port 23.
[0020] Cabinet 22 is capable of storing items therein. Examples of items stored in cabinet 22 include, but are not limited to, currency (small bundles of banknotes, large bundles of banknotes, coin bars, shrink-wrapped packs of multiple coin bars, unfit tickets, unfit coins, commemorative coins, payment reserve funds, etc.), securities such as bills and checks, consumables (wrapping film for wrapping loose coins, sealing strips for wrapping loose banknotes, journal paper, etc.), coin storage boxes, certificates, or passbooks. A handle 24 is formed on the front of cabinet 22, which an operator can use to pull out cabinet 22.
[0021] The banknote handling device 30 includes a banknote processing unit (not shown) provided in the main body 31. The banknote processing unit performs processes such as depositing loose banknotes, dispensing loose banknotes, and sealing loose banknotes.
[0022] In the loose banknote deposit process, loose banknotes inserted through the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 32 provided in approximately the center of the front of the banknote processing device 30 are sorted by denomination and stored in the loose banknote storage means within the machine. In the loose banknote dispensing process, loose banknotes fed out from the loose banknote storage means within the machine are dispensed to the outside of the machine from the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 32. In the sealing process, small bundles of banknotes made from the loose banknotes inserted through the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 32 or the loose banknotes fed out from the loose banknote storage means within the machine are dispensed from the bundle dispensing port 33 provided in the upper part of the front of the banknote processing device 30.
[0023] The teller machine 1 is provided with a touch panel type operation display unit 2. Since the operation display unit 2 is located on the top surface of the main body 21, which is located approximately in the center of the teller machine 1 in the left-right direction, an operator who stands in front of the operation display unit 2 and performs various operations using the operation display unit 2 can easily access any of the various deposit and withdrawal ports of the teller machine 1 (coin deposit port 12, coin withdrawal box 13, coin roll deposit port 14, first coin roll withdrawal port 15, second coin roll withdrawal port 16, third coin roll withdrawal port 17, new note deposit and withdrawal port 23, banknote deposit and withdrawal port 32, bundle withdrawal port 33, etc.) without moving significantly left or right from that position. Furthermore, since the operation display unit 2 is located on the top surface of the main body 21 and the cabinet 22 is stored within the main body 21, an operator who stands in front of the operation display unit 2 and performs various operations using the operation display unit 2 can easily access the cabinet 22 without moving significantly from that position. The cash dispenser 1 is also equipped with a printer 3 for printing various receipts.
[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, the cash dispenser 1 is provided with a control unit 4 that controls its operation. The control unit 4 includes an operation control unit 5, a display control unit 6, and a memory unit 7. The memory unit 7 stores various information necessary for the operation of the cash dispenser 1.
[0025] The display control unit 6 controls the screen displayed on the operation display unit 2. The operation display unit 2 displays an operation screen including selection items such as multiple icons and input forms that are pre-registered according to initial settings or the operator's operation, as well as guide messages and warnings. The operation display unit 2 can also display guidance information that prompts the operator to perform a specified task. Note that the selection items displayed on the operation display unit 2 are not limited to the form of icons or input forms. When the operator inputs a touch (press) operation into the operation display unit 2, the control unit 4 controls various operations of the cash dispenser 1 according to the operation input by the operator that the operation display unit 2 accepts.
[0026] <Configuration of coin handling device> Next, the coin processing device 10 will be described in detail.
[0027] As shown in Fig. 3, a coin dispensing device 40 is provided below the coin deposit port 12, which dispenses loose coins dropped into the coin deposit port 12. The coin dispensing device 40 includes a supply disk 41 and a rotating disk 42 adjacent to the side of the supply disk 41. The supply disk 41 and the rotating disk 42 are provided so as to be rotatable in a horizontal state around their respective rotation centers.
[0028] A guide member 43 having a gourd shape in a plan view is provided on the outer periphery of the supply disk 41 and the rotary disk 42. The guide member 43 has a delivery opening 43a formed therein.
[0029] Coins dropped into the coin deposit port 12 are guided to the rotating disk 42 along the guide member 43 as the supply disk 41 rotates. Coins discharged from the supply disk 41 are guided to the payout outlet 43a along the guide member 43 as the rotating disk 42 rotates, and pass through the payout outlet 43a to be paid out one by one to the coin passage 50.
[0030] The coin passage 50 comprises a pair of guides 51, 51 and a passage surface 52 provided between the guides 51, 51 to guide the coins dispensed from the rotating disk 42, and is arranged horizontally along the side portion 11a, front portion 11b and side portion 11c of the main body 11 to surround the rotating disk 42.
[0031] The coin passage 50 is divided into a first straight portion 53 connected to the rotating disk 42 and arranged along the side portion 11a in the space between the rotating disk 42 and the side portion 11a; a first bent portion 54 bent at a right angle from the first straight portion 53 toward the rotating disk 42; a second straight portion 55 connected to the opposite side of the first bent portion 54 from the first straight portion 53 and thereby forming a right angle from the first straight portion 53; a second bent portion 56 connected to the opposite side of the second straight portion 55 from the first bent portion 54 and bent at a right angle from the second straight portion 55 toward the rotating disk 42; and a third straight portion 57 connected to the opposite side of the second bent portion 56 from the second straight portion 55 and thereby forming a right angle from the second straight portion 55.
[0032] A conveying unit 60 is provided above the coin passage 50 to convey coins on the passage surface 52 along the passage surface 52. The conveying unit 60 includes a conveying belt 61 that conveys coins dispensed from the rotary disk 42 along the first straight portion 53, the first bent portion 54, and a part of the second straight portion 55, a conveying belt 62 that further conveys coins conveyed by the conveying belt 61 to the rear end position of the second straight portion 55, and a conveying belt 63 that further conveys coins conveyed by the conveying belt 62 along the second bent portion 56 and the third straight portion 57.
[0033] Conveyor belts 61, 62, and 63 are endless belts made of elastic, high-friction material such as rubber, and are each looped around a pair of pulleys (not shown) whose rotation axes are arranged horizontally and parallel to each other. Conveyor belts 61 and 62 are rotated by driving one of their coaxially arranged pulleys by a shared DC brushless motor (drive motor) (not shown). Conveyor belt 63 is rotated by driving one of its pulleys by a separate DC brushless motor (drive motor) (not shown). The lower sides of conveyor belts 61, 62, and 63, which face passage surface 52, press coins on passage surface 52 toward passage surface 52, generating friction between the coins and the belts, and the coins are moved along passage surface 52 by the friction.
[0034] A rotatable guide roller 64 is provided at the tip of one of the guides 51 between the rotary disk 42 and the first straight section 53. The guide roller 64 returns coins that collide with and become stuck at the tip of the guide 51 into the rotary disk 42 or guides them to the coin passage 50.
[0035] A material detection sensor 65 is disposed on the first straight section 53 so as to form part of the passage surface 52. The material detection sensor 65 detects the material of coins transported on the first straight section 53 based on their magnetic properties. Coin detection sensors 65a and 65b are provided on both sides of the material detection sensor 65 to time the capture of detection data by the material detection sensor 65. When both coin detection sensors 65a and 65b detect a coin, the material detection sensor 65 captures the detection data.
[0036] An image detection unit 66 is disposed in front of the second straight section 55 so as to form part of the passage surface 52. The image detection unit 66 detects images of coins transported on the second straight section 55. Coin detection sensors 66a and 66b are provided on both sides of the image detection unit 66 to time the capture of detection data by the image detection unit 66. When both coin detection sensors 66a and 66b detect a coin, the image detection unit 66 captures the detection data.
[0037] The outputs of the material detection sensor 65 and the image detection unit 66 are input to a discrimination unit (not shown). The discrimination unit, for example, compares the detection data of the material detection sensor 65 with the reference data for the material of each coin denomination in turn, and if it determines that the detection data for the material does not match the reference data for the material of any coin denomination, it immediately discriminates the coin as a counterfeit. On the other hand, if it determines that the detection data for the material matches the reference data for the material of any coin denomination, it next reads the reference data for an image of the coin with the matching material, and compares the reference data for this image with the detection data for the same detected coin by the image detection unit 66 to determine whether they match. If it is determined that the reference data and detection data for these images match, it determines that the coin is a genuine coin of the detected denomination. On the other hand, if it is determined that the reference data and detection data for these images do not match, it determines that the coin is a counterfeit coin.
[0038] A reject hole 67 is formed in the passage surface 52 at the rear of the second straight section 55. The reject hole 67 rejects coins that are determined to be counterfeit based on the detection results of the material detection sensor 65 and the image detection section 66. A first stopper member 67a and a second stopper member 67b are provided opposite each other on the upstream side of the reject hole 67 in the coin conveyance direction.
[0039] The first stopper member 67a protrudes independently into the second straight section 55, thereby causing coins to fall into the reject hole 67 at the second straight section 55, while the protrusion into the second straight section 55 is released, thereby preventing coins from falling into the reject hole 67.
[0040] The second stopper member 67b protrudes independently into the second straight section 55, thereby causing small-diameter coin-like foreign objects transported on the opposite side of the first stopper member 67a within the second straight section 55 to fall into the reject hole 67, while the protrusion into the second straight section 55 is released, preventing coins from falling into the reject hole 67.
[0041] Furthermore, the first stopper member 67a and the second stopper member 67b simultaneously protrude into the second straight section 55, thereby preventing the passage of coins being transported along the second straight section 55. As a result, if the discriminator (not shown) is unable to distinguish between genuine coins of any denomination and counterfeit coins being transported, the coins are prevented from passing or being rejected, and the conveyor belts 61, 62 can be reversed to return the undistinguished coins to the rotating disk 42 in order to re-distinguish the undistinguished coins.
[0042] Furthermore, a coin detection sensor 67c is provided upstream of the reject hole 67 in the coin transport direction. The coin detection sensor 67c detects the timing for driving the first stopper member 67a or the second stopper member 67b. Coins that fall through the reject hole 67 are collected in a reject box (not shown) located below the reject hole 67, and then removed from the reject box and discarded outside the machine.
[0043] A denomination-specific sorting section 70 is provided on the third straight section 57. The denomination-specific sorting section 70 sorts, by denomination, coins that have been determined to be genuine by the discriminator based on the detection results of the material detection sensor 65 and the image detection section 66. The denomination-specific sorting section 70 includes sorting holes 71a to 71f and coin detection sensors 72a to 72f.
[0044] The sorting holes 71a to 71f are arranged so that the coins conveyed fall into the sorting holes 71a to 71f in order of denomination, starting with the smallest coin diameter. The coins that fall into the sorting holes 71a to 71f are stored by denomination in a temporary storage 80, which will be described later.
[0045] The coin detection sensors 72a to 72f are arranged immediately before each of the sorting holes 71a to 71f. The difference between the number of coins that pass through each of the coin detection sensors 72a to 72f that are adjacent to each other is counted as the number of coins sorted into the sorting holes 71a to 71f that are located between them.
[0046] 4, a temporary storage 80 is disposed below the sorting holes 71a to 71f. The temporary storage 80 includes a temporary storage box 81, a bottom plate 82, and a horizontal partition plate 83. The temporary storage box 81, the bottom plate 82, and the horizontal partition plate 83 are provided in this order from the top.
[0047] The temporary storage box 81 has an upper opening 81a that receives coins dropped from the sorting holes 71a to 71f, and a lower opening 81b through which the received coins can fall, and is vertically pierced from the upper opening 81a to the lower opening 81b.
[0048] The bottom plate 82 is disposed adjacent to the underside of the temporary storage box 81 and is provided so as to be movable left and right within the main body 11. The bottom plate 82 can open and close the lower opening 81b so as to allow or restrict the falling of coins from the temporary storage box 81 depending on the position.
[0049] The horizontal partition plate 83 is fixedly disposed below the bottom plate 82. In the horizontal partition plate 83, coin insertion holes 83a and 83b are formed, in that order from right to left. Six coin insertion holes 83a and six coin insertion holes 83b are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The coin insertion hole 83a is located at a horizontal position corresponding to the temporary storage box 81 when the temporary storage box is located at a predetermined position on the right side, and the coin insertion hole 83b is located at a horizontal position corresponding to the temporary storage box 81 when the temporary storage box is located at a predetermined position on the left side.
[0050] Below the coin insertion hole 83a, there is provided a return box 84 for collectively storing coins dropped through the coin insertion hole 83a. The return box 84 is configured to be detachable from the main body 11.
[0051] Below the coin insertion slots 83b, there is arranged a storage passage 86 which is partitioned so that passage sections 85 for each denomination are arranged in the front-rear direction corresponding to each coin insertion slot 83b. The upper opening 85a of each passage section 85 has a shape which extends outward in the horizontal direction beyond the corresponding coin insertion slot 83b.
[0052] Below the return box 84 and the storage passage 86, there is provided a denomination-specific storage cabinet 87, which is partitioned so that storage sections 87a for each denomination corresponding to the passage sections 85 for each denomination are arranged in the front-to-rear direction. In the denomination-specific storage cabinet 87, a full detection sensor 88 is provided for each storage section 87a, which detects whether the upper end of the coin stored in each storage section 87a has exceeded a predetermined height.
[0053] 5, the temporary storage box 81 is partitioned by a plurality of vertical partition plates 81c and a side surface 81d of the temporary storage box 81 so that temporary storage spaces 89 corresponding to each of the sorting holes 71a to 71f are arranged in the front-to-rear direction to receive coins dropped from the sorting holes 71a to 71f by denomination. The length direction of the temporary storage 80 is aligned with the front-to-rear direction to match the arrangement direction of the sorting holes 71a to 71f.
[0054] Within the main body 11, a pair of guide shafts 90a, 90b are arranged horizontally across the left and right wall portions 80a, 80b and along the front and rear wall portions 80c, 80b with the temporary storage box 81 in between. The temporary storage box 81 is supported by the guide shafts 90a, 90b so as to be movable left and right between the left and right wall portions 80a, 80b.
[0055] Pulleys 91a and 91b are rotatably provided at the front side of main body 11 and are offset from each other in the left-right direction. A belt 91c is looped around pulleys 91a and 91b. Furthermore, pulleys 92a and 92b are rotatably provided at the rear side of main body 11 and are offset from each other in the left-right direction. A belt 92c is looped around pulleys 92a and 92b.
[0056] A connecting part 91d is fixed to the front part of temporary storage box 81, and temporary storage box 81 is connected to the lower side of circular belt 91c via connecting part 91d. Similarly, the rear part of temporary storage box 81 is connected to the lower side of circular belt 92c via connecting part 92d.
[0057] The left pulleys 91a and 92a are connected to each other via a drive shaft 93a extending in the front-to-rear direction. A pulley 93b is fixed to the drive shaft 93a. A belt 93e is wound between the pulley 93b and a pulley 93d fixed to the rotation shaft of a storage box drive motor 93c.
[0058] By rotating the storage box drive motor 93c forward and backward, the belts 91c and 92c rotate forward and backward in sync, and the temporary storage box 81 moves horizontally along the guide shafts 90a and 90b, specifically between a storage box first position which is a predetermined position on the right side and a storage box second position which is a predetermined position on the left side. When the temporary storage box 81 is located at the storage box first position, the temporary storage box 81 can receive coins sorted by denomination from each of the sorting holes 71a to 71f.
[0059] As shown in Fig. 6, pulleys 94a and 94b are rotatably provided at the front side of main body 11 and are offset from each other in the left-right direction. A belt 94c is looped around pulleys 94a and 94b. Furthermore, pulleys 95a and 95b are rotatably provided at the rear side of main body 11 and are offset from each other in the left-right direction. A belt 95c is looped around pulleys 95a and 95b.
[0060] The front portion of the bottom plate 82 is connected to the lower side of the belt 94c via a locking plate 94d. Similarly, the rear portion of the bottom plate 82 is connected to the lower side of the belt 95c via a locking plate 95d.
[0061] The left pulleys 94a and 95a are connected to each other via a drive shaft 96a extending in the front-to-rear direction. A pulley 96b is fixed to the drive shaft 96a. A belt 96e is wound between the pulley 96b and a pulley 96d fixed to the rotary shaft of a bottom plate drive motor 96c.
[0062] By rotating the bottom plate drive motor 96c forward and backward, the belts 94c and 95c rotate forward and backward in sync, and the bottom plate 82 moves horizontally from side to side, specifically between a bottom plate first position, which is a predetermined position on the right side, and a bottom plate second position, which is a predetermined position on the left side.
[0063] Furthermore, when the bottom plate 82 is located at the bottom plate first position, the bottom plate 82 blocks all of the coin insertion holes 83a on the right side of the horizontal partition plate 83 and opens all of the coin insertion holes 83b on the left side. At this time, when the temporary storage box 81 is located at the storage box first position, the bottom plate 82 blocks the lower opening 81b of the temporary storage box 81. On the other hand, when the temporary storage box 80 is located at the storage box second position, the bottom plate 82 fully opens the lower opening 81b of the temporary storage box 81 to communicate with the coin insertion holes 83b. Hereinafter, the state in which the temporary storage box 81 is located at the storage box first position and the bottom plate 82 is located at the bottom plate first position will be referred to as the "receiving position."
[0064] Furthermore, when bottom plate 82 is located at the bottom plate second position, bottom plate 82 closes all of coin insertion holes 83b on the left side of horizontal partition plate 83 and opens all of coin insertion holes 83a on the right side. At this time, when temporary storage box 81 is located at the storage box second position, bottom plate 82 closes lower opening 81b of temporary storage box 81. On the other hand, when temporary storage box 80 is located at the storage box first position, bottom plate 82 fully opens lower opening 81b of temporary storage box 81 to communicate with coin insertion holes 83a.
[0065] Next, the operation of the coin processing device 10 will be described.
[0066] First, when the operator inserts loose coins into the coin deposit port 12 and operates the operation display unit 2 to start the sorting process, the control unit 4 drives the storage box drive motor 93c or the bottom plate drive motor 96c as necessary to set the temporary storage box 81 and bottom plate 82 to the receiving position.
[0067] In the receiving position, the temporary storage box 81 can receive coins sorted by denomination from each of the sorting holes 71a to 71f, and the bottom plate 82 completely closes the lower opening 81b of the temporary storage box 81.
[0068] Next, the control unit 4 drives the coin dispensing device 40, the transport unit 60, etc. to start the sorting process. The rotating disk 42 feeds coins one by one into the coin passage 50, and the transport unit 60 transports the coins on the coin passage 50 that have been fed out.
[0069] Coins that are determined to be genuine by the material detection sensor 65 and the image detection unit 66 are sorted by denomination through each sorting hole 71a to 71f, and fall into the temporary storage vault 80 where they are temporarily stored in a sorted state by denomination.
[0070] When a sensor or the like detects that all coins on the coin passage 50 have been removed and the sorting operation has been completed, the control unit 4 displays the count values of each denomination of the coin detection sensors 72a to 72f and a display prompting the operator to perform an approval or disapproval operation on the operation display unit 2. When the operator inputs an approval operation in accordance with this display, a storage operation is executed to store the coins in the temporary storage box 80 into the denomination-specific storage box 87.
[0071] During the storage operation, the control unit 4 horizontally moves the temporary storage box 81, which is located at the storage box first position, to the storage box second position, thereby opening the lower opening 81b of the temporary storage box 81, and coins sorted by denomination into the temporary storage space 89 fall from the temporary storage box 81 and are stored in the storage unit 87a corresponding to the denomination through the coin insertion hole 83b corresponding to each denomination and the passage unit 85.
[0072] In another storage operation, the control unit 4 horizontally moves the temporary storage box 81 and bottom plate 82 set in the receiving position together to the storage box second position and the bottom plate second position, and then horizontally moves the bottom plate 82, which is located at the bottom plate second position, to the bottom plate first position, thereby opening the lower opening 81b of the temporary storage box 81, and coins sorted by denomination into the temporary storage space 89 fall from the temporary storage box 81 and are stored in the storage section 87a corresponding to the denomination through the coin insertion hole 83b and passage section 85 corresponding to each denomination.
[0073] On the other hand, when the operator inputs a non-approval operation, a collection operation is executed to sort the coins in the temporary storage box 80 into the return box 84.
[0074] During the collection operation, the control unit 4 horizontally moves the bottom plate 82, which is located at the bottom plate first position, to the bottom plate second position, thereby opening the lower opening 81b of the temporary storage box 81, and coins sorted by denomination into the temporary storage space 89 fall from the temporary storage box 81 and are collected all at once in the return box 84 via the coin insertion hole 83a.
[0075] <Configuration of the coin dispensing device> Next, a specific description will be given of the coin dispensing device 40. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the coin dispensing device 40, and Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of part C in Fig. 7.
[0076] A cone 41a is provided in the center of the supply disk 41 to guide coins located near the center of the supply disk 41 toward the outer periphery. The supply disk 41 is positioned higher than the rotating disk 42, and a slope 44 is provided between the supply disk 41 and the rotating disk 42.
[0077] A cone 42a is formed in the center of the rotary disk 42 to guide coins located near the center of the rotary disk 42 toward the outer periphery.
[0078] The guide member 43 includes a hopper 43b that is provided around the supply disk 41 and has a generally arc-shaped configuration in a plan view, and a payout guide 43c that is provided around the rotary disk 42 and has a generally arc-shaped configuration in a plan view.
[0079] The hopper 43b and the payout guide 43c each have an opening in the portion corresponding to the slope 44, and both ends of the hopper 43b extend across the slope 44 to a position where they overlap with part of the payout guide 43c, so that the hopper 43b and the payout guide 43c are connected without interfering with the slope 44.
[0080] Specifically, the hopper 43b includes a slope guide portion 43d curved along the slope 44, and an edge guide portion 43e that is provided continuously with the slope guide portion 43d and that bulges slightly toward the rotary disk 42 so as to cover the end portion 43f of the payout guide 43c. Also, a payout opening 43a is formed in the payout guide 43c.
[0081] A substantially annular anti-slip sheet 45 is provided on the rotating disk 42. The outer periphery of the anti-slip sheet 45 is formed into a substantially circular shape with a diameter slightly smaller than that of the rotating disk 42. The anti-slip sheet 45 is attached to the rotating disk 42 substantially concentrically with the rotation center of the rotating disk 42. The thickness of the anti-slip sheet 45 is set to, for example, 2 mm, but is not limited to this.
[0082] In order to ensure a frictional force with the coin, the upper surface 45a of the non-slip sheet 45 is set to have a friction coefficient greater than that of the upper surface 42b of the rotating disk 42. The material of the non-slip sheet 45 is made of rubber, for example, but is not limited to this.
[0083] Four notches 46 are formed on the outer periphery of the anti-slip sheet 45. The notches 46 are arranged at equal intervals with gaps between them. The number of notches 46 is not limited to four, and may be three or less or five or more.
[0084] The notch 46 is formed to a size that can accommodate a portion of a coin. Specifically, the size of the notch 46 is set in consideration of various conditions, such as: (1) when a portion of a smallest diameter coin among the coins dispensed by the coin dispensing device 40 is accommodated in the notch 46, at least a portion of the smallest diameter coin can protrude from the outer periphery of the rotary disk 42 and contact the slope guide portion 43d; (2) the coin accommodated in the notch 46 does not get stuck between the notch 46 and a hole for removing dust formed in the wall portion surrounding the rotary disk 42; and (3) when a portion of a largest diameter coin among the coins dispensed by the coin dispensing device 40 is accommodated in the notch 46, the amount by which the largest diameter coin protrudes from the outer periphery of the rotary disk 42, the amount by which the largest diameter coin partially accommodated in the notch 46 protrudes from the outer periphery of the rotary disk 42, is smaller than the amount by which the largest diameter coin abutting the outer periphery of the non-slip sheet 45 protrudes from the outer periphery of the rotary disk 42 by the amount by which it falls into the notch 46. The opening width of the notch 46 is set to, for example, about 8 mm.
[0085] 7 are each formed in a substantially V-shape that widens from the inside to the outside in the radial direction of the anti-slip sheet 45. The shape of the cutout 46 is not limited to a substantially V-shape, and may be an arc or a straight line, for example.
[0086] Furthermore, the inner surface 46a of the notch 46 is formed substantially vertically, but may be formed in a tapered shape or the like so that the coin C can easily ride up onto the upper surface 45a of the non-slip sheet 45.
[0087] When the coin dispensing device 40 dispenses coins, the coins dropped into the coin deposit port 12 are first stored in a hopper 43b on the supply disc 41, and then discharged along the hopper 43b and onto the rotating disc 42 via a slope 44 due to the centrifugal force acting radially outward on the supply disc 41 as the supply disc 41 rotates and the rotational force acting forward in the direction of rotation of the supply disc 41.
[0088] Next, the coins discharged from the supply disc 41 are stored in the payout guide 43c on the rotating disc 42, and are guided along the payout guide 43c to the payout outlet 43a by the centrifugal force toward the radial outward side of the rotating disc 42 and the rotational force toward the front side of the rotation direction of the rotating disc 42 as the rotating disc 42 rotates, and pass through the payout outlet 43a and are paid out one by one to the coin passage 50.
[0089] Incidentally, in the coin dispensing device 40, a gap is generated between the supply disk 41 and the rotary disk 42 by the amount of the slope 44. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 9, a coin C may become stuck in the gap between the supply disk 41 and the rotary disk 42 while being sandwiched between the peripheral surface 45b of the non-slip sheet 45 and the side surface 43g of the slope guide portion 43d on the upper surface 42b of the rotary disk 42 and spinning idly as the rotary disk 42 rotates counterclockwise on the page of Fig. 9.
[0090] 10, when the rotating disk 42 rotates and the notch 46 formed on the outer periphery of the non-slip sheet 45 reaches the coin C, a portion of the coin C falls into the notch 46 and slides radially inward of the rotating disk 42. As a result, the amount by which the coin C, part of which has fallen into the notch 46, protrudes from the outer periphery of the rotating disk 42 becomes smaller than when the coin C is retained.
[0091] As the rotating disc 42 continues to rotate, one side of the coin C flying out from the outer periphery of the rotating disc 42 is caught on the slope guide portion 43d or the edge guide portion 43e, and the other side of the coin C is pushed against the inner surface 46a of the cutout portion 46, causing the coin C to climb onto the non-slip sheet 45, eliminating the accumulation of the coin C, as shown in Fig. 11. Thereafter, the coin C that has moved to the upper surface 45a of the non-slip sheet 45 is guided to the payout opening 43a along the payout guide 43c by the centrifugal force and rotational force that accompany the rotation of the rotating disc 42.
[0092] In this way, the coin dispensing device 40 of this embodiment comprises a rotating disk 42 that rotates with coins C placed on it, an approximately circular anti-slip sheet 45 that is formed with a smaller diameter than the rotating disk 42 and is provided on the rotating disk 42, and a guide member 43 that is erected around the rotating disk 42 and has a dispensing outlet 43a formed therein for dispensing coins C on the rotating disk 42, and is configured so that the outer edge of the anti-slip sheet 45 has at least one or more notches 46 formed therein that can accommodate a portion of the coin C that is trapped and spinning freely on the upper surface 42b of the rotating disk 42, sandwiched between the peripheral surface 45b of the anti-slip sheet 45 and the side surface 43g of the guide member 43.
[0093] According to this configuration, a portion of the coin C is stored in the notch 46, and one side of the coin C that flies out from the outer periphery of the rotating disk 42 is hooked onto the guide member 43, and the other side of the coin C is pushed by the inner surface 46a of the notch 46, so that the coin C rides up onto the anti-slip sheet 45, eliminating the accumulation of the coin C and allowing the coin C to be dispensed smoothly.
[0094] Furthermore, the coin dispensing device 40 according to this embodiment is configured such that the notch 46 is formed in a substantially V-shape that widens from the inside to the outside in the radial direction of the anti-slip sheet 45.
[0095] According to this configuration, when a portion of the coin C is stored in the approximately V-shaped notch 46, and one side of the coin C is hooked onto the guide member 43 and the other side of the coin C is pushed by the inner surface 46a of the notch 46, the coin C is more likely to climb onto the anti-slip sheet 45, which more smoothly eliminates the accumulation of the coin C and allows the coin C to be dispensed smoothly.
[0096] The coin processing device 10 according to this embodiment is configured to include the coin feeding device 40.
[0097] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent malfunctions in feeding of coins C and to perform coin processing smoothly.
[0098] Next, various modifications of this embodiment will be described. Note that the configurations other than those described below are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.
[0099] The multiple cutouts 46 may be formed in different shapes. Figure 12 shows two cutouts 46, one larger than the other, that are formed in roughly similar shapes. This makes it easier to eliminate accumulation of various types of coins by setting the shape of each cutout 46 according to the desired coin diameter.
[0100] Furthermore, multiple notches 46 may be formed continuously with one another. Figure 13 shows five notches 46 formed so that at least one end of each notch 46 is continuous with the end of an adjacent notch 46. This reduces the time it takes for the notch 46 to reach the accumulated coins as the rotary disk 42 rotates, allowing the accumulated coins to be cleared in a short time.
[0101] Furthermore, the shape of the notch 46 may be formed asymmetrically with respect to a line extending radially from the center of rotation of the non-slip sheet 45. Fig. 14 shows a notch 46 in which the angle Θ1 formed by the inner surface 46a of the notch 46 on the rear side in the rotation direction of the rotating disk 42 and the line L connecting the inner vertex V of the notch 46 and the center of rotation of the non-slip sheet 45 is narrower than the angle Θ2 formed by the inner surface 46a of the notch 46 on the front side in the rotation direction of the rotating disk 42 and the line L. With this configuration, it is easy to store a part of the coin C in the notch 46, and when one side of the coin C is hooked on the slope guide portion 43d and the other side of the coin C is pushed by the inner surface 46a of the notch 46, the coin C easily rides up onto the non-slip sheet 45.
[0102] Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways other than those described above, and the above-described embodiments or variations can be combined as appropriate, as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention, and it is natural that the present invention extends to such modifications and combinations.
[0103] For example, the teller machine 1 may have the coin processing device 10, new note processing device 20, and banknote processing device 30 arranged in an order other than this from right to left (widthwise). Furthermore, the teller machine 1 is not limited to having three devices, the coin processing device 10, new note processing device 20, and banknote processing device 30, arranged side by side, but may have fewer than three devices including the coin processing device 10 arranged side by side, or may have more than three devices including the coin processing device 10 arranged side by side. Furthermore, the operation display unit 2 may be arranged on the top surface of the main body of a device other than the new note processing device 20.
[0104] Furthermore, although the present invention has been described using the coin processing device 10 incorporated in the teller machine 1 as an example, it may also be applied to a coin processing device or a coin processing machine or the like as a standalone device. [Explanation of symbols]
[0105] 1: teller machine, 2: operation display unit, 3: printer, 4: control unit, 5: operation control unit, 6: Display control unit, 7: Memory unit, 10: Coin processing device, 11: Main body, 12: Coin deposit port, 13: Coin withdrawal box, 14: Roll deposit slot, 15: First coin withdrawal slot, 16: second coin roll dispensing port, 17: third coin roll dispensing port, 18: supply disk, 19: rotating disk, 20: new note processing device, 21: main body, 22: cabinet, 23: new note deposit / withdrawal port, 24: Handle, 30: Banknote processing device, 31: Main body, 32: Banknote deposit / withdrawal port, 33: Bundle dispensing port, 40: Coin feeding device, 41: Supply disk, 42: Rotating disk, 43: guide member, 43a: feeding outlet, 43b: first guide portion, 43c: second guide portion, 43d: slope guide portion, 43e: edge guide portion, 43g: side surface (of guide member), 44: Slope, 45: Anti-slip sheet, 46: Notch, 46a: Inner surface (of the notch), 50: coin passage, 51: guide, 52: passage surface, 53: first straight portion, 54: first bent portion, 55: second straight section, 56: second bent section, 57: third straight section, 60: conveying section, 61 to 63: conveyor belt, 64: guide roller, 65: material detection sensor, 66: Image detection unit, 67: Reject hole, 70: Denomination sorting unit, 71a to 71f: sorting holes, 72a to 72f: coin detection sensors, 80: temporary storage, 81: temporary storage box, 82: bottom plate, 83: horizontal partition board, 84: return box, 85: passageway, 86: Storage passage, 87: Denomination-specific storage, 88: Full detection sensor, 89: Temporary storage space
Claims
1. A rotating disk that holds coins and rotates, an anti-slip sheet having a generally circular outer periphery and formed to have a diameter smaller than that of the rotary disk and provided on the rotary disk; a guide member provided around the rotary disk and having a feeding port for feeding the coins on the rotary disk; Equipped with A coin dispensing device characterized in that the outer edge of the anti-slip sheet has at least one notch formed thereon that can accommodate a portion of the coin that is trapped between the outer surface of the anti-slip sheet and the side of the guide member on the upper surface of the rotating disk.
2. The coin dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the notch is formed in a substantially V-shape that widens from the inside to the outside in the radial direction of the anti-slip sheet.
3. The coin dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cutouts are formed in different shapes.
4. The coin dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cutouts are formed continuously with one another.
5. The coin dispensing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the cutout portion is formed by widening from the inside to the outside in the radial direction of the anti-slip sheet, and is formed asymmetrically with respect to a line connecting the inner vertex of the cutout portion and the center of rotation of the anti-slip sheet.
6. A coin processing device comprising the coin dispensing device according to claim 1.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Apparatus for composite analysis
JP1977000488A