Coin storage unit, coin processing device, and method for replacing rollers

Abstract

The present invention provides a coin processing device that allows for easy replacement of components to match the type of coin being accepted. [Solution] A coin storage unit 151, 152 is provided, comprising a plurality of storage spaces 1511, 1512... provided for each of the 10 types of coins, and a plurality of rollers 154, 154... provided for each of the plurality of discharge sections corresponding to each of the plurality of storage spaces, wherein the plurality of rollers are configured to be replaceable.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] ,

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[0001] The present invention relates to a coin processing device technology for accepting coins, storing them by type, and dispensing the coins.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, devices for accepting coins and sorting them by type have been known. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024-067367 (Patent Document 1) discloses a coin processing device. According to Patent Document 1, there is provided a coin processing device including a handling unit for accepting coins or medals and sending them out at intervals of one by one, and a sorting unit for accepting coins or medals one by one from the handling unit, judging the type of the coins or medals while moving them along an arc, and guiding them to a path for each type.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] [[ID=]23]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device that can easily replace members according to the coins to be accepted.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to an aspect of this invention, there is provided a coin storage unit including a plurality of storage spaces provided for each type of coin, and a plurality of rollers provided in each of a plurality of discharge parts corresponding to each of the plurality of storage spaces, the plurality of rollers being configured to be replaceable.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] As described above, the present invention provides a coin processing device that can easily replace components to match the coins being accepted. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an illustrative diagram showing the overall appearance of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a right-side cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment, with the bucket in the raised position. [Figure 3] This is a right-side cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment, with the bucket in the lowered position. [Figure 4] This is an overhead perspective view showing the identification and sorting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing the identification and sorting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a left side cross-sectional view showing the front of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment, with the bucket in the lowered position. [Figure 7] This is a front perspective view of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment, with the tray and front wall removed and the bucket lowered. [Figure 8] This is a left side cross-sectional view showing the front of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment, with the bucket in the raised position. [Figure 9] This is a front perspective view of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment, with the tray and front wall removed and the bucket raised. [Figure 10] This is a front perspective view showing the front of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment, with the front wall removed and the bucket raised. [Figure 11] This is an enlarged perspective view showing the front of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment, with the front wall removed, and the area around the bucket when the bucket is raised. [Figure 12] This is an upper right perspective view of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a plan view of the upper storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a plan view of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] It is an upper perspective view of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] It is a rear perspective view of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] It is a front view of the vicinity of the coin discharge portion of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 18] It is a plan sectional view below the sorting roller in the vicinity of the coin discharge portion of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 19] It is a plan sectional view above the sorting roller in the vicinity of the coin discharge portion of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 20] It is a front perspective view of the lower storage unit at the first timing regarding coin discharge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 21] It is a front view of the lower storage unit at the first timing regarding coin discharge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 22] It is a front perspective view of the lower storage unit at the second timing regarding coin discharge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 23] It is a front view of the lower storage unit at the second timing regarding coin discharge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 24] It is a front perspective view of the lower storage unit at the third timing regarding coin discharge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 25] It is a front view of the lower storage unit at the third timing regarding coin discharge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 26] It is a front perspective view of the lower storage unit at the fourth timing regarding coin discharge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 27]Front view of the lower storage unit at the fourth timing regarding coin ejection according to the first embodiment. [Figure 28] Front perspective view of the lower storage unit at the fifth timing regarding coin ejection according to the first embodiment. [Figure 29] Front view of the lower storage unit at the fifth timing regarding coin ejection according to the first embodiment. [Figure 30] Right side cross-sectional view at the position of the detection sensor and the right pin of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 31] Right side cross-sectional view at the position of the left pin of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 32] Perspective view showing the side guide block, ceiling guide, and discharging roller that are exchanged according to the thickness and width of the coin according to the first embodiment. 6] [Figure 33] Upper perspective view of the lower storage unit showing the first to third steps when exchanging the discharging roller according to the thickness of the coin according to the first embodiment. [Figure 34] Right side view of the lower storage unit showing the third step when exchanging the discharging roller according to the thickness of the coin according to the first embodiment. [Figure 35] Upper perspective view of the lower storage unit showing the fourth step when exchanging the discharging roller according to the thickness of the coin according to the first embodiment. [Figure 36] Right side view of the lower storage unit showing the fourth step when exchanging the discharging roller according to the thickness of the coin according to the first embodiment. [Figure 37] Upper perspective view of the lower storage unit showing the fifth step when exchanging the discharging roller according to the thickness of the coin according to the first embodiment. [Figure 38] Upper perspective view showing the rotation axis and the discharging roller showing the sixth step when exchanging the discharging roller according to the thickness of the coin according to the first embodiment. [Figure 39]This is an overhead perspective view of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment, in which the side guide blocks and ceiling guide are housed to match the width and thickness of the coins. [Figure 40] This is a front view of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment, in which the side guide blocks and ceiling guide are housed to match the width and thickness of the coins. [Figure 41] This is a right-side cross-sectional view of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment, in which the side guide block and ceiling guide are housed to match the width and thickness of the coins. [Figure 42] This is an upper perspective view of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment, in which the side guide blocks are extracted to match the width and thickness of the coins. [Figure 43] This is a front view of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment, in which the side guide blocks are extracted to match the width and thickness of the coins. [Figure 44] This is a right-side cross-sectional view of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment, in which the side guide block has been extracted to match the width and thickness of the coin. [Figure 45] This is an overhead perspective view of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment, in which the side guide blocks and ceiling guides are cut out to match the width and thickness of the coins. [Figure 46] This is a front view of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment, in which the side guide blocks and ceiling guides are cut out to match the width and thickness of the coins. [Figure 47] This is a right-side cross-sectional view of a lower storage unit according to the first embodiment, in which the side guide block and ceiling guide are cut out to match the width and thickness of the coins. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] [First Embodiment] <Overall configuration of coin processing device 100> First, the overall configuration of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is an external view of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 1, the coin processing device 100 is composed of a roughly rectangular prism housing 101, with a coin input slot 102 on the top surface and a coin discharge slot, which will be described later, on the front surface.

[0009] Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 in the state in which the bucket 160 is raised according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 in the state in which the bucket 160 is lowered according to this embodiment. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the coin processing device 100 is provided with an identification and sorting unit 110 at the top for feeding out coins 10 one by one, identifying them, sorting them by type and feeding them out. At the bottom, there is a storage and dispensing unit 150 for accumulating and dispensing coins 10 by type.

[0010] In this embodiment, the storage and dispensing unit 150 includes an upper storage unit 151 for four denominations and a lower storage unit 152 for four denominations. In this embodiment, the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152 can be removed while the front wall of the coin processing device 100 is removed.

[0011] In this embodiment, the coin processing device 100 has a control unit 190 located at the lower end of the identification and sorting unit 110. The control unit 190 is equipped with a microcontroller and various communication interfaces for controlling each part of the coin processing device 100. The microcontroller includes a CPU and various types of memory.

[0012] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the identification and sorting unit 110 with the top cover 101A removed according to this embodiment. Figure 5 is a plan view of the identification and sorting unit 110 with the top cover 101A removed according to this embodiment. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the multiple coins 10 that are inserted are sent one by one to the sorting unit 130 by the processing unit 120. For each coin 10, the sorting unit 130 identifies the type of coin 10 with the identification unit 1330 and sends it to the first transport path 1311 formed outside the sorting unit 130, the second transport path 1312 formed inside the sorting unit 130, the third transport path 1313 formed outside the sorting unit 130, the fourth transport path 1314 formed inside the sorting unit 130, or the fifth transport path formed outside the sorting unit 130. The materials are sent to the transport path 1315, the sixth transport path 1316 formed inside the sorting section 130, the seventh transport path 1317 formed outside the sorting section 130, the eighth transport path 1318 formed inside the sorting section 130, the overflow transport path 1319 formed outside the sorting section 130, or the reject transport path 1320 formed outside the sorting section 130.

[0013] Referring to Figures 2 to 5, the coins 10 sent to the first transport path 1311, the third transport path 1313, the fifth transport path 1315, and the seventh transport path 1317 outside the sorting unit 130 are accumulated in predetermined storage spaces of the lower storage unit 152, according to their denomination. The coins 10 sent to the second transport path 1312, the fourth transport path 1314, the sixth transport path 1316, and the eighth transport path 1318 inside the sorting unit 130 are accumulated in predetermined storage spaces of the upper storage unit 151, according to their denomination.

[0014] Figure 6 is a left side cross-sectional view of the front of the coin processing device 100 in the lowered state according to this embodiment. Figure 7 is a front perspective view of the coin processing device 100 showing the lowered state of the bucket 160. Note that Figure 7 shows the device with the bucket cover 105 and discharge tray 165 removed for illustrative purposes. Figure 8 is a left side cross-sectional view of the front of the coin processing device 100 in the raised state according to this embodiment. Figure 9 is a front perspective view of the coin processing device 100 showing the raised state of the bucket 160. Note that Figure 9 shows the device with the bucket cover 105 and discharge tray 165 removed for illustrative purposes. Figure 10 is also a front perspective view of the coin processing device 100 showing the raised state of the bucket 160. However, in Figure 10, the discharge tray 165 is shown for illustrative purposes.

[0015] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, in the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment, when dispensing coins 10, the bucket 160 lowers to its lower end in accordance with a command from the control unit 190. Then, in accordance with the command from the control unit 190, a specified number of coins 10 stored in each storage space are discharged forward and sent to the discharge tray 165 by the bucket 160.

[0016] More specifically, the coins 10 accumulated in the upper storage unit 151 are sent forward by a conveyor belt driven according to a command from the control unit 190 and fall onto the top surface of the bucket 160. Similarly, the coins 10 accumulated in the lower storage unit 152 are also sent forward by a conveyor belt driven according to a command from the control unit 190 and fall onto the top surface of the bucket 160.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the lower front of the housing 101 and the right and left front sides of the housing 101 are covered with a resin bucket cover 105. Then, as shown in Figures 8 to 10, the coins 10 are held by the bucket 160 body and the inner surface of the bucket cover 105 and lifted up to the discharge tray 165. More specifically, the bucket 160 is mainly composed of an inclined surface 160X that is lower at the front and higher at the rear. The coins 10 are held by this inclined surface 160X and the back surface of the bucket cover 105 of the coin processing device 100. More specifically, the coins 10 discharged from the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152 are held by the inclined surface 160X of the bucket 160, the back of the front portion of the housing 101 that forms the outer surface of the coin processing device 100, the left side of the front of the right side of the housing 101 of the coin processing device 100, and the right side of the front of the left side of the housing 101 of the coin processing device 100.

[0018] An opening in the bucket cover 105 is located above and behind the discharge tray 165. The bucket 160 rises to this opening according to instructions from the control unit 190. That is, it rises to a position above and behind the discharge tray 165. As a result, the coins 10 on the bucket 160 slide down and forward along the inclined surface 160X. That is, they slide down from the opening in the bucket cover 105 into the discharge tray 165.

[0019] Here, Figure 11 is an enlarged view showing the structure around the bucket 160 when the bucket 160 is raised according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, referring to Figures 5 and 11, coins that fail to be identified are sent to the reject transport path 1320 at the left end of the front of the sorting unit 130 and slide down in a forward and downward direction. Then, they slide down the upper surface of the inclined surface 160X of the bucket 160 and slide into the discharge tray 165 from above the bucket cover 105. It is preferable that the inclination of the bottom surface of the reject transport path 1320 and the inclination of the inclined surface 160X of the bucket 160 are at the same angle.

[0020] Returning to Figures 6 and 8, in this embodiment, a coin slot 102 is provided above the bucket 160. The coin slot 102 is provided with an opening / closing shutter 107. In addition, an inclined surface 108 of the same size as the bucket 160 is formed above the bucket 160 and below the opening / closing shutter 107.

[0021] When accepting a coin 10, that is, when receiving, sorting, or storing the coin 10, the opening / closing shutter 107 is lowered according to a signal from the control unit 190, guiding the coin 10 to the processing unit 120. On the other hand, when not accepting a coin 10, the opening / closing shutter 107 is raised according to a signal from the control unit 190, causing the inserted coin 10 to be discharged as is, that is, dropped onto the inclined surface 108.

[0022] As a result, even if a coin 10 is inserted into the coin slot 102 when it is not intended to accept coins, the coin 10 is smoothly discharged into the discharge tray 165 by the inclined surface 108. For example, even if the bucket 160 is lowered when the opening / closing shutter 107 is raised, the coin 10 inserted into the coin slot 102 will hit the inclined surface 108 and flow directly into the discharge tray 165, preventing it from falling to the position of the bucket 160.

[0023] Referring to Figures 5 and 12, the coins 10 sent to the overflow transport path 1319 are configured to fall from the discharge port on the front right of the sorting unit 130 down to the bottom along the right side of the housing 101 of the coin processing device 100. <Configuration of the storage / dispensing unit 150>

[0024] Next, the configuration of the storage and dispensing unit 150, which is located at the bottom of the coin processing device 100, will be described. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the upper storage unit 151 is located approximately in the center of the coin processing device 100 in the vertical direction, and the lower storage unit 152 is located at the bottom of the coin processing device 100.

[0025] The coins 10 stored in the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152 are then transported forward by the conveyor belt 154 and the sorting roller 155, discharged from the discharge port 1515 at the front end, and dropped onto the bucket 160. More specifically, a motor 157 is driven by a signal from the control unit 190, and this motor 157 drives the conveyor belt 154 and the sorting roller 155.

[0026] Referring to Figure 13, the configuration of the upper storage unit 151 according to this embodiment will be described. The upper storage unit 151 is provided with four storage spaces 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514 for storing four types of coins 10. The first storage space 1511 is connected to the second transport path 1312 of the sorting unit 130. The second storage space 1512 is connected to the fourth transport path 1314 of the sorting unit 130. The third storage space 1513 is connected to the sixth transport path 1316 of the sorting unit 130. The fourth storage space 1514 is connected to the eighth transport path 1318 of the sorting unit 130.

[0027] In this embodiment, storage spaces 1513 and 1514 are configured with a smaller width to accommodate smaller diameter coins 10, while storage spaces 1511 and 1512 are configured with a larger width to accommodate larger diameter coins 10. For example, storage spaces 1513 and 1514 are configured to accommodate coins 10 with a diameter of approximately 25 mm, while storage spaces 1513 and 1514 are configured to accommodate coins 10 with a diameter of up to approximately 35 mm. This allows for the handling of multiple types of coins 10 while keeping the width of the upper storage unit 151 to a minimum, and as a result, the overall width of the coin processing device 100 can be made more compact.

[0028] Behind the first storage space 1511, a space is formed for coins 10 from the first transport path 1311 to fall into the lower storage unit 152. Behind the second storage space 1512, a space is formed for coins 10 from the third transport path 1313 to fall into the lower storage unit 152. Behind the third storage space 1513, a space is formed for coins 10 from the fifth transport path 1315 to fall into the lower storage unit 152. Behind the fourth storage space 1514, a space is formed for coins 10 from the seventh transport path 1317 to fall into the lower storage unit 152.

[0029] Referring to Figure 14, the configuration of the lower storage unit 152 according to this embodiment will be described. The lower storage unit 152 is also provided with four storage spaces 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514 for storing four types of coins 10. The first storage space 1511 is connected to the first transport path 1311 of the sorting unit 130. The second storage space 1512 is connected to the third transport path 1313 of the sorting unit 130. The third storage space 1513 is connected to the fifth transport path 1315 of the sorting unit 130. The fourth storage space 1514 is connected to the seventh transport path 1317 of the sorting unit 130.

[0030] Furthermore, regarding the lower storage unit 152, the storage spaces 1513 and 1514 are configured to have a smaller width to accommodate smaller diameter coins 10, while the storage spaces 1511 and 1512 are configured to have a larger width to accommodate larger diameter coins 10. For example, storage spaces 1513 and 1514 are configured to accommodate coins 10 with a diameter of approximately 25 mm, while storage spaces 1513 and 1514 are configured to accommodate coins 10 with a diameter of up to approximately 35 mm. This allows for the handling of multiple types of coins 10 while keeping the width of the lower storage unit 152 to a minimum, and as a result, the overall width of the coin processing device 100 can be made more compact.

[0031] Next, we will describe the configuration common to the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152. The following description will focus on the lower storage unit 152, but since the upper storage unit 151 also has a similar configuration, the description will not be repeated.

[0032] Referring to Figures 15 and 16, a horizontal cover 153H is provided on the upper part of the lower storage unit 152 to prevent the coins 10 sent to the storage spaces 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514 from flying out upwards.

[0033] A vertical cover 153V is connected downwards to the front end of the horizontal cover 153H. The vertical cover 153V extends to directly above the sorting rollers 155, 155... Each of the sorting rollers 155, 155... is an elastic resin member, and its surface has an uneven shape, or comb shape, when viewed from the rear and from the front. The lower end of the vertical cover 153V is also formed in an uneven shape, or comb shape, to match the uneven shape of the sorting rollers 155. This prevents coins from getting stuck above the sorting rollers 155, 155...

[0034] The diameters of the sorting rollers 155, 155... are adjusted according to the type of coin 10 passing through them. Figure 17 is a front enlarged view of the discharge section of the lower storage unit 152 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 17, each of the sorting rollers 155, 155, 155, 155 is set to have a diameter corresponding to the thickness of the coins 10 stocked in the rear storage spaces 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514. That is, if the coins 10 stocked in storage space 1514 are thick, a roller with a smaller diameter, such as the roller 155L on the left, is used. Conversely, if the coins 10 stocked in storage space 1511 are thin, a roller with a larger diameter, such as the roller 155R on the right, is used.

[0035] Also, referring to Figures 18 and 19, side guide blocks 161, 161, ... are positioned behind the sorting roller 155 to guide the coins 10 passing through the sorting roller 155, 155... towards the right end. The side guide blocks 161, 161, ... are adjusted according to the type of coins 10 passing through. That is, each of the side guide blocks 161, 161, ... is set to have a width corresponding to the width of the coins 10 stocked in the rear storage spaces 1511, 1512, 1513, 1514. For example, if the coins 10 stocked in storage space 1514 are wide, a narrower side guide block, such as the left side guide block 161L, is used. Conversely, if the coins 10 stocked in storage space 1511 are small, a wider side guide block, such as the right side guide block 161R, is used.

[0036] Next, we will describe the configuration for dispensing only a specified number of coins 10. Note that the following description focuses on the configuration for dispensing only a specified number of coins 10 in the coin dispensing unit for coins stored in the first storage space 1511 on the right. However, similar configurations are provided for the coin dispensing units for coins stored in the other second, third, and fourth storage spaces 1512, 1513, and 1514.

[0037] Figure 20 is a front perspective view showing the moment just before the last coin 10 to be dispensed is transported directly below pins 159L and 159R. Figure 21 is a front view showing the moment just before the last coin 10 to be dispensed is transported directly below pins 159L and 159R. Figure 22 is a front perspective view showing the state when the last coin 10 to be dispensed is positioned directly below pins 159L and 159R. Figure 23 is a front view showing the state when the last coin 10 to be dispensed is positioned directly below pins 159L and 159R. Figure 24 is a front perspective view showing the moment just after the last coin 10 to be dispensed has passed directly below pins 159L and 159R. Figure 25 is a front view showing the moment just after the last coin 10 to be dispensed has passed directly below pins 159L and 159R. Figure 26 is a front perspective view showing the state when pins 159L and 159R are blocking the next coin 10X. Figure 27 is a front view showing the state where pins 159L and 159R are blocking the next coin 10X. Figure 28 is a front perspective view showing the state where the last coin 10 to be discharged has fallen into the bucket. Figure 29 is a front view showing the state where the last coin 10 to be discharged has fallen into the bucket. Figure 30 is a side cross-sectional view of the position of the right pin 159R and the coin detection sensor 158Y when the two pins 159L and 159R are in a lowered state. Figure 31 is a side cross-sectional view of the position of the left pin 159L when the two pins 159L and 159R are in a lowered state.

[0038] In this embodiment, in order to discharge only a specified number of coins 10, when the last coin 10 to be discharged is being transported, two pins 159R and 159L block the transport of the next coin 10X. The two pins 159R and 159L are biased downward by springs or the like, and are configured to be temporarily lifted upward by a solenoid in response to a signal from the control unit 190. More specifically, in this embodiment, the right pin 159R is configured to descend to a position where it contacts the transport belt 154. The left pin 159L is configured to descend to a position lower than the transport belt 154.

[0039] As shown in Figure 30, in this embodiment, the passage of coins 10 being transported by the conveyor belt 154 is detected by the LED light of the photointerrupter. In this embodiment, a light 158X (light-emitting element) is positioned below the right side of the conveyor belt 154, and a coin detection sensor 158Y (light-receiving element) for detecting light 158Z is positioned above the light 158X.

[0040] The control unit 190 then drives all the transport belts 154, 154... and all the handling rollers 155, 155... when discharging the coins 10. The control unit 190 uses a coin detection sensor 158Y to confirm the passage of the coins 10 while illuminating them with a light 158X. For each type of coin 10, the control unit 190 allows the transport of the coins 10 by raising two pins 159L, 159R with a solenoid until a specified number of coins 10 have passed. Once a specified number of coins 10 of each type of coin 10 have been transported, the control unit 190 lowers the two pins 159L, 159R to stop the transport of the coins 10, as shown in Figures 30 and 31.

[0041] More specifically, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, the control unit 190, for each type of coin 10, lifts two pins 159L and 159R by solenoids based on a signal from the coin detection sensor 158Y, allowing the transport of the coins 10 until a specified number of coins 10 have passed.

[0042] Then, when the light detection is blocked by the last coin 10, the right pin 159R and the left pin 159L are lowered while the conveyor belt 154 and the sorting roller 155 remain driven, as shown in Figures 22 and 23.

[0043] At this time, the right pin 159R pushes the right end of the coin 10 downward, but the left pin 159L presses the approximate center of the coin 10 against the conveyor belt 154, so that the coin 10 is smoothly moved forward by the conveyor belt 154. In other words, the downward push of the right end of the coin 10 by the right pin 159R reduces the possibility that the left side of the coin 10 will lift up or that the coin 10 will slip due to not engaging with the conveyor belt 154.

[0044] As shown in Figures 24 and 25, when the last coin 10 is transported forward along the right end, the right pin 159R descends into the gap behind the coin 10. This blocks the transport of the next coin 10X, as shown in Figures 26 and 27. In this way, in this embodiment, by moving the two pins 159L and 159R up and down using solenoids in accordance with commands from the control unit 190, the desired number of coins 10 can be smoothly discharged and dropped onto the bucket 160. <Configuration for parts replacement>

[0045] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 32, for each type of coin 10 stored in the storage spaces 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514, the side guide blocks 161, 161... corresponding to the diameter of the coin 10, the ceiling guides 162, 162... corresponding to the thickness of the coin 10, and the sorting rollers 155, 155... corresponding to the thickness of the coin 10 can be easily replaced or changed. Note that the types and number of side guide blocks 161, 161..., ceiling guides 162, 162..., and sorting rollers 155, 155... are not limited. There may be more or fewer.

[0046] The following describes a configuration common to both the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152, which allows for the replacement of various parts of the dispensing section to match the width and thickness of the coins 10. <Configuration for replacing the handling roller>

[0047] First, the configuration for replacing the sorting rollers 155, which have different diameters depending on the thickness of the coins 10, will be described. First, as shown in Figure 33(A), the worker removes the left-hand screw 171L that secures the horizontal cover 153H to the lower storage unit 152 from the side of the lower storage unit 152. Similarly, as shown in Figure 33(B), the worker removes the right-hand screw 171R that secures the horizontal cover 153H to the lower storage unit 152 from the side of the lower storage unit 152. This allows the horizontal cover 153H and the vertical cover 153V to be lifted and removed from the lower storage unit 152, as shown in Figure 33(C).

[0048] Next, as shown in Figure 35, the screws 172 for attaching the pivot shafts 163 of the sorting rollers 155, 155... to the lower storage unit 152 are removed from the side of the lower storage unit 152. More specifically, as shown in Figure 34, in this embodiment, the gear 176A of the motor 175 and the transmission gear 176B mesh with the side of the lower storage unit 152, and the belt gear 176C of the conveyor belt and the roller gear 176D of the sorting roller mesh with the transmission gear 176B.

[0049] In this embodiment, the transmission gear 176B and the roller gear 176D are pivotally supported on the frame 177, which is fixed to the lower storage unit 152, so as not to come loose from the frame 177. The frame 177 is fixed to the side of the lower storage unit 152 by a screw 172 at its projection 177X.

[0050] In this embodiment, by removing the screw 172, the worker can rotate the frame 177 counterclockwise around the roller gear 176D as shown in Figure 36. This allows the rib 177Y of the frame 177 to be pulled downward from the hook portion 152T of the lower storage unit 152 and pulled to the right from the notch portion 152S. In other words, the frame 177 can be removed from the lower storage unit 152 toward the right.

[0051] More specifically, as shown in Figure 37, the operator can remove the frame 177, the transmission gear 176B, the roller gear 176D, and the rotating shaft 163 of the handling roller from the hole 152U of the lower storage unit 152.

[0052] Then, as shown in Figure 38, the worker removes the screw 173 at the right end of the pivot shaft 163 of the shaping rollers 155, 155... from the end 163X of the pivot shaft 163. This allows the roller gear 176D and frame 177 to be removed from the end of the pivot shaft 163, and all the shaping rollers 155, 155... can be removed from the pivot shaft 163. In this embodiment, spacers 156, 156... are sandwiched between the shaping rollers 155, 155....

[0053] Although the processing rollers 155, 155... each have different diameters, their widths are all the same. In this embodiment, the storage spaces 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514 have different widths, so the spacers 156, 156... are configured to have different widths to match these dimensions. In this embodiment, the left spacer 156 has a smaller width, while the two right spacers 156, 156 have larger widths.

[0054] In this way, in this embodiment, the sorting rollers 155, 155... can be removed individually by removing the four screws 171A, 171B, 172, and 173 from the lower storage unit 152. Then, the operator can freely replace the sorting rollers 155, 155..., which have different diameters, according to the thickness of the coins to be stored in each of the storage spaces 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514.

[0055] After replacement, in the reverse order of above, as shown in Figure 38, the shaping rollers 155, spacers 156, shaping rollers 155, etc. are inserted alternately from the end of the pivot shaft 163, and finally the roller gear 176D is fitted together with the frame 177. The shaping rollers 155 and the pivot shaft 163 are fixed in place by meshing so that they do not rotate with each other. The roller gear 176D and the pivot shaft 163 are also fixed in place by meshing so that they do not rotate with each other. Finally, the roller gear 176D and the frame 177 are fixed to the pivot shaft 163 by screwing the screw 173 into the end of the pivot shaft 163.

[0056] As shown in Figures 35 to 37, the worker inserts the frame 177, along with the transmission gear 176B, roller gear 176D, and the pivot shaft 163 of the handling roller 155, into the hole 152U of the lower storage unit 152. At this time, the rib 177Y of the frame 177 fits into the notch 152S of the lower storage unit 152.

[0057] As shown in Figure 34, the frame 177 is rotated clockwise around the roller gear 176D as its axis. This causes the rib 177Y of the frame 177 to engage with the hook portion 152T of the lower storage unit 152. At the same time, the gear 176A of the motor 175 and the transmission gear 176B mesh on the side of the lower storage unit 152, and the transmission gear 176B meshes with the belt gear 176C of the conveyor belt.

[0058] The worker secures the projection 177X, i.e., the frame 177, to the lower storage unit 152 using screws 172.

[0059] As shown in Figure 33(C), the worker inserts the horizontal cover 153H and the vertical cover 153V into the lower storage unit 152. As shown in Figures 33(A) and (B), the worker secures the horizontal cover 153H and the vertical cover 153V to the lower storage unit 152 using the left-hand screw 171L and the right-hand screw 171R. <Configuration for replacing guide blocks>

[0060] Next, the configuration for replacing the side guide blocks 161,161... corresponding to the diameter of the coin 10 and the ceiling guides 162,162... corresponding to the thickness of the coin 10 will be described. Figure 39 is a front perspective view showing the side guide block 161 and ceiling guide 162 located at the discharge section at the front end of the second storage space 1512 from the right. Figure 40 is a front view of the lower storage unit 152 showing the side guide blocks 161,161,161,161 and ceiling guides 162,162,162,162 attached to the lower storage unit 152. Figure 41 is a side cross-sectional view thereof.

[0061] As shown in Figures 39, 40, and 41, the lower storage unit 152 has detachable side guide blocks 161, 161... attached to each storage space 1511, 1512, 1513, 1514 at its discharge section to guide the coins 10 to the right end. More specifically, the upper locking portion 161X of each side guide block 161 is inserted into a rail 152Y formed on the left side of the coin discharge section for each coin 10 at the front end of the lower storage unit 152. In particular, in this embodiment, as described above, the side guide blocks 161, 161... have a unified left-right and up-down width of the upper locking portion 161X, but multiple types are prepared with different left-right widths at the bottom to guide the coins to the right. In this embodiment, side guide blocks 161, 161... with a small lower left-right width are provided for wide coins 10, side guide blocks 161, 161... with a medium lower left-right width are provided for medium-width coins 10, and side guide blocks 161, 161... with a large lower left-right width are provided for narrow coins 10.

[0062] Then, ceiling guides 162, 162, ... are detachably attached to hold down the ceiling of the coins 10 discharged from the sorting rollers 155, 155... More specifically, the upper locking portion 162X of each ceiling guide 162 is inserted into a rail 152Z formed in the ceiling of the coin discharge section for each coin 10 at the front end of the lower storage unit 152. In particular, in this embodiment, as described above, the left-right and up-down widths of the upper locking portion 162X of the ceiling guides 162, 162... are the same, but multiple types are prepared with different upper-down widths for holding down the coins from above. In this embodiment, ceiling guides 162, 162... with a small lower vertical width are provided for thicker coins 10, ceiling guides 162, 162... with a medium lower vertical width are provided for coins 10 of medium thickness, and ceiling guides 162, 162... with a large lower vertical width are provided for thinner coins 10.

[0063] In this embodiment, the worker can replace the side guide blocks 161, 161, 161, 161 to match the type of coin 10 to be stocked in the storage spaces 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514, and more specifically to match the width of the coin 10. Similarly, the worker can replace the ceiling guides 162, 162, 162, 162 to match the type of coin 10 to be placed in the storage spaces 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514, and more specifically to match the thickness of the coin 10.

[0064] More specifically, as shown in Figures 42, 43, and 44, the worker removes the side guide blocks 161, 161, 161, 161 from the lower storage unit 152 if necessary, such as when the type of coins 10 stocked in storage spaces 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514 is changed. More specifically, the locking portion 161X at the top of each side guide block 161 is removed from the rail 152Y formed to the left of the coin dispensing section for each coin 10 at the front end of the lower storage unit 152.

[0065] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 45, 46, and 47, the worker removes the ceiling guides 162, 162, 162, 162 from the lower storage unit 152 if necessary, such as when the type of coins 10 stocked in storage spaces 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514 is changed. More specifically, the locking portion 162X at the top of each ceiling guide 162 is removed from the rail 152Z formed on the ceiling portion of the coin dispensing section for each coin 10 at the front end of the lower storage unit 152.

[0066] Then, the worker selects the side guide blocks 161, 161, 161, 161, and 161 according to the width of the coins 10 to be stocked in the storage spaces 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514, and reinserts them into the lower storage unit 152 as shown in Figures 39, 40, and 41. That is, the worker inserts the upper locking portion 161X of each side guide block 161 selected according to the width of the coins 10 into the rail 152Y formed on the left side of the coin dispensing portion for each coin 10 at the front end of the lower storage unit 152.

[0067] Furthermore, the worker selects the ceiling guides 162, 162, 162, 162 according to the thickness of the coins 10 to be stocked in storage spaces 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514, and reinserts them into the lower storage unit 152 as shown in Figures 39, 40, and 41. That is, the worker inserts the upper locking portion 162X of each ceiling guide 162 selected according to the thickness of the coins 10 into the rail 152Z formed in the ceiling of the coin dispensing section at the front end of the lower storage unit 152.

[0068] In this way, in this embodiment, the side guide blocks 161, 161... and the ceiling guides 162, 162... can be easily removed from the lower storage unit 152, and the side guide blocks 161, 161... corresponding to the diameter of the coin 10 and the ceiling guides 162, 162... corresponding to the thickness of the coin 10 can be easily reinstalled. [Second Embodiment]

[0069] In the above embodiment, the left pin 159L and the right pin 159R are both configured to have the same thin, columnar shape. However, they may be configured to have different shapes or different lengths. For example, the right pin 159R may be made into a thin, rod-shaped shape, while the left pin 159L may be made into a thicker, rod-shaped shape.

[0070] Alternatively, the right pin 159R may be made into a thin rod shape, and the lower end of the left pin 159L may be made into a rotatable roller.

[0071] Alternatively, the right pin 159R may be formed from a harder material than the left pin 159L, and the left pin 159L may be formed from a softer material than the right pin 159R.

[0072] Alternatively, the right pin 159R may be formed from a longer member than the left pin 159L, and the left pin 159L may be formed from a shorter member than the right pin 159R.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the right pin 159R is configured to descend to a position where it contacts the conveyor belt 154. The left pin 159L is configured to descend to a position lower than the conveyor belt 154. However, the right pin 159R and the left pin 159L may move up and down to the same height relative to each other.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the right pin 159R and the left pin 159L moved up and down at the same time, but the right pin 159R may descend at an earlier timing than the left pin 159L. <Summary>

[0075] In the above embodiment, a coin storage unit is provided, comprising a plurality of storage spaces provided for each type of coin, and a plurality of rollers provided at each of the plurality of discharge sections corresponding to each of the plurality of storage spaces, wherein the plurality of rollers are configured to be replaceable.

[0076] Preferably, multiple rollers of different diameters are prepared.

[0077] Preferably, multiple rollers are pivotally supported on a single shaft. The multiple rollers are configured to be detachable when the single shaft is removed from the housing.

[0078] Preferably, the width of the first storage space and the width of the second storage space among the multiple storage spaces are different.

[0079] Preferably, the widths of the multiple rollers are configured to be the same size. The spacers between the multiple rollers vary according to the width of the storage space.

[0080] In the above embodiment, a coin processing device is provided that includes a sorting unit for receiving multiple coins and dispensing them one by one at intervals, a sorting unit for receiving coins one by one from the sorting unit, determining the type of coin, and guiding them to a path according to their type, and the above-mentioned coin storage unit located at the end of the path.

[0081] In the above embodiment, a method for replacing rollers is provided, comprising the steps of: removing the rotating shaft of the roller from a coin storage unit that stores coins; removing a plurality of rollers for each type of coin from the rotating shaft; fitting a plurality of rollers corresponding to the thickness of the coin at positions corresponding to each of the discharge paths for each type of coin; and attaching the rotating shaft including the rollers to the coin storage unit.

[0082] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 10: Coins 10X: coin 100: Coin processing device 101: Cabinet 101A: Top cover 102: Coin slot 105: Bucket cover 107: Opening and closing shutter 108: Inclined surface 110: Identification and sorting unit 120: Processing Department 130: Sorting Department 1311: First transport route 1312: Second transport route 1313: Third transport route 1314: Fourth transport route 1315: Fifth transport route 1316: The sixth transport route 1317: The 7th transport route 1318: The 8th transport route 1319: Overflow transport path 1320: Reject transport path 1330: Identification unit 150: Storage and dispensing section 151: Upper storage unit 152: Lower storage unit 1511: First storage space 1512: Second storage space 1513: Third storage space 1514: Fourth storage space 1515: Outlet 152S: Notch 152T: Hook part 152U: Hole 152Y: Rail 152Z: Rail 153H: Horizontal cover 153V: Vertical cover 154: Conveyor belt 155: Slicing roller 155L: Laura 155R: Laura 156: Spacer 157: Motor 158X: Light 158Y: Coin detection sensor 158Z: light 159L: Pin 159R: Pin 160: Bucket 160X: Inclined surface 161: Side guide block 161L: Side guide block 161R: Side guide block 161X: Locking part 162: Ceiling Guide 162X: Locking part 163: Rotary shaft 163X: End 165: Output tray 171A: Screw 171B: Screw 171L: Left-hand thread 171R: Right-hand thread 172: Screw 173: Screw 175: Motor 176A: Gear 176B: Transmission Gear 176C: Belt Gear 176D: Roller Gear 177: Frame 177X:Protrusion 177Y: Rib 190: Control Unit

Claims

1. Multiple storage spaces are provided for each type of coin, Each of the multiple discharge sections corresponding to each of the multiple storage spaces is provided with multiple rollers, A coin storage unit in which the aforementioned multiple rollers are configured to be replaceable.

2. The coin storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of rollers are provided that have different diameters.

3. The aforementioned multiple rollers are pivotally supported on a single shaft, The coin storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of rollers are configured to be detachable when the single shaft is removed from the housing.

4. The coin storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the width of the first storage space and the width of the second storage space among the multiple storage spaces are different.

5. The widths of the aforementioned multiple rollers are configured to be the same size. The coin storage unit according to claim 4, wherein the spacers between the plurality of rollers vary according to the width of the storage space.

6. A processing unit that accepts multiple coins and dispenses them one by one with intervals in between, A sorting unit receives the coins one by one from the processing unit, determines the type of coin, and guides them to a path corresponding to each type. A coin processing device comprising a coin storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is located at the end of the aforementioned path.

7. The steps include removing the rotating shaft of the roller from the coin storage unit that stores coins, The steps include removing multiple rollers for each type of coin from the aforementioned rotating shaft, The process involves fitting multiple rollers corresponding to the thickness of each coin into positions corresponding to the discharge path for each type of coin, A method for replacing a roller, comprising the step of attaching the rotating shaft including the roller to the coin storage unit.

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