Coin disposal device

Abstract

The present invention provides a coin processing device that can efficiently handle coins, including the ejection of rejected coins. [Solution] When the identification unit 40 identifies at least one of the coins C being transported by the coin sorting transport path 21 as a rejected coin, the control unit first transports the identified rejected coin C along the coin sorting transport path 21 toward the coin sorting units 60a to 60f on the transport belt 22 in the forward direction, then reverses the transport belt 22 to transport the identified rejected coin C and subsequent coins C on the coin sorting transport path 21 toward the front. Subsequently, the non-rejected coins C that are transported toward the front ahead of the identified rejected coin C due to the switching of forward and reverse transport of the transport belt 22 are moved to the dispensing transport path 16 by the transport guide 30, and then the identified rejected coin C is transported to the reject unit 50.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] ,

[0006] , , ,

[0005] , , ,

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a coin processing device for processing loose coins has been known. The coin processing device described in Patent Document 1 conveys the coins inserted into the coin insertion port while conveying them on a conveyance path, and discriminates them with a discrimination unit. The coins discriminated as genuine coins based on the discrimination result of the discrimination unit are conveyed to the coin sorting unit of each denomination by forward conveyance of the conveyance belt for sorting, and the coins discriminated as reject coins based on the discrimination result of the discrimination unit are conveyed to the reject unit by reverse conveyance of the conveyance belt and discharged outside the machine.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the coin processing device described in Patent Document 1, when conveying reject coins to the reject unit, genuine coins and unrecognized coins remaining on the conveyance path are also discharged from the reject unit together with the reject coins. Therefore, the number of rejected coins becomes unnecessarily large, and there is a risk that the efficiency of coin processing deteriorates. [[ID=~36]]

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device capable of efficiently performing coin processing involving the discharge of reject coins.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the coin processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a deposit transport path for transporting coins inserted from outside the machine; a sorting transport path having a sorting section on one side for sorting the coins by denomination and a reject section on the other side for discharging rejected coins, configured to allow the transfer of coins between the deposit transport path and the sorting transport path, and capable of transporting subsequent coins before preceding coins reach the sorting section; a transport belt capable of transporting the coins in both forward and reverse directions on the sorting transport path; an identification section provided between the sorting section and the reject section in the sorting transport path for identifying the coins; and a transport guide provided at the connection point between the deposit transport path and the sorting transport path for guiding the coins being transferred between the deposit transport path and the sorting transport path. The system comprises a control unit that controls the transport direction of the transport belt according to the identification result of the identification unit, and when the identification unit identifies at least one of the coins transported by the sorting transport path as a rejected coin, the control unit transports the transport belt in the forward direction with the rejected coin facing one side on the sorting transport path, and then transports the transport belt in the reverse direction to transport the rejected coin and the subsequent coins present on the sorting transport path toward the other side, and the subsequent coins that are not rejected and are transported toward the other side ahead of the rejected coin due to the switching of forward and reverse transport of the transport belt are moved to the deposit transport path by the transport guide, and then the rejected coin is transported to the reject unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This invention enables efficient coin processing, including the ejection of rejected coins. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A plan view showing a coin processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Functional block diagram of the main components of a coin processing device. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram showing how a transport guide directs coins from the dispensing transport path to the coin sorting transport path. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram showing a state in which coins are sandwiched between the slats of the conveyor belt and the side wall of the coin sorting conveyor path. [Figure 5] A perspective view showing the connection between the dispensing transport path and the coin sorting transport path. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the transport guide as viewed from the rear. [Figure 7] A schematic diagram showing the state in which rejected coins, regular coins, and unidentified coins are present on the coin sorting transport path when the conveyor belt stops after reject identification. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram showing the state in which regular coins and unidentified coins have moved from the coin sorting transport path to the dispensing transport path. [Figure 9] A schematic diagram showing a rejected coin being rejected from the coin sorting and transport path through a rejection hole. [Figure 10] A plan view showing a coin processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] A perspective view showing the connection between the dispensing transport path and the coin sorting transport path. [Figure 12] A schematic diagram showing the state in which rejected coins, regular coins, and unidentified coins are present on the coin sorting transport path when the conveyor belt stops after reject identification. [Figure 13] A schematic diagram showing the state in which regular coins and unidentified coins have moved from the coin sorting transport path to the dispensing transport path. [Figure 14] A schematic diagram showing a rejected coin being rejected from the coin sorting and transport path through a rejection hole. [Figure 15] A diagram showing a transport guide for the first modified example, viewed from the rear. [Figure 16] A diagram showing a transport guide for the second modified form as viewed from the rear. [Figure 17] A diagram showing a transport guide for the third modified form as viewed from the rear. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Each embodiment of the coin processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the following description, when referring to the number of components, numerical values, amounts, ranges, etc., unless otherwise specified or 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.

[0010] When referring to the shape, positional relationship, etc. of components, etc., unless otherwise specified or considered not to be so in principle, it includes those that are substantially approximated or similar to the shape, etc.

[0011] Also, the drawings may be exaggerated, such as by enlarging characteristic parts for easy understanding of the characteristics, and the dimensional ratios of components, etc. are not necessarily the same as in reality. Also, in cross-sectional views, in order to make the cross-sectional structure of components easy to understand, the hatching of some components may be omitted.

[0012] <First Embodiment> <Configuration of Coin Processing Apparatus> FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a coin processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the main part of the coin processing apparatus 1. The coin processing apparatus 1 is a coin depositing and withdrawing machine that performs a storage process of classifying and storing the loose coins of mixed denominations inputted by denomination while counting them by denomination, and a withdrawal process of withdrawing the coins stored by denomination. For example, it is used as a coin change machine constituting a register system. In the storage process, the loose coins C inputted from outside the machine through the coin deposit port 2 provided on the upper surface of the coin processing apparatus 1 are sorted and stored by denomination. In the withdrawal process, the loose coins C inside the machine are paid out to the outside of the machine through the coin withdrawal port 3 provided on the front surface of the coin processing apparatus 1. In the following description, "front" refers to the operator side, "rear" refers to the side opposite to the operator, and "left" and "right" refer to the left side and the right side as viewed from the operator side.

[0013] The coin processing device 1 includes a coin feeding unit 10 that separates the coins C inserted through the coin insertion slot 2 one by one and feeds them out toward the left side, and a coin sorting and conveying unit 20 that is connected to the coin feeding unit 10, receives the coins C fed out from the coin feeding unit 10, and conveys them backward. The coin feeding unit 10 is provided on the front side of the machine body and extends in the left-right direction along the front surface of the machine body. The coin sorting and conveying unit 20 is provided on the left side surface of the machine body and extends in the front-rear direction. The coin feeding unit 10 and the coin sorting and conveying unit 20 are arranged in a substantially L-shape as viewed from the plane as a whole.

[0014] The coin feeding unit 10 includes a cylindrical hopper 11 that guides the loose coins C inserted from outside the machine through the coin insertion slot 2 vertically downward, an endless coin insertion belt conveyor 12 provided vertically below the hopper 11 to form the bottom of the coin insertion slot 2 and capable of conveying the coins C along the front surface of the machine body to the left side, a separation roller 13 disposed above the left end of the coin insertion belt conveyor 12 and rotating to move the opposing portion in the opposite direction to the coin insertion belt conveyor 12, and a coin insertion port drive motor 14 that drives the coin insertion belt conveyor 12 and the separation roller 13.

[0015] The endless coin insertion belt conveyor 12 is inclined so that the left side is located higher, receives the coins C inserted into the hopper 11, and when conveying the received coins C to the left side, the separation roller 13 separates the coins C one by one and feeds them out to the feeding main body portion 15.

[0016] The feeding main body portion 15 includes a feeding conveyor path 16 that horizontally extends along the front surface of the machine body between the coin insertion belt conveyor 12 and the coin sorting and conveying unit 20, a feeding belt 17 provided parallel to the feeding conveyor path 16 above the feeding conveyor path 16, and a feeding drive motor 17a that drives the feeding belt 17. The feeding drive motor 17a is, for example, a stepping motor.

[0017] The dispensing conveyor path 16 has a width that allows the coins C, separated one by one by the deposit belt conveyor 12 and separation roller 13, to be transported in a single row in the direction of the dispensing conveyor path 16. As the dispensing belt 17 rotates, the dispensing conveyor path 16 and the dispensing belt 17 grip the coins C, and the frictional force causes the coins C in contact with the dispensing belt 17 to move together with the dispensing belt 17. As a result, the dispensing main unit 15 transports the coins C inserted into the coin deposit slot 2 toward the coin sorting conveyor unit 20 while maintaining their separated state, and dispenses them into the coin sorting conveyor unit 20.

[0018] The coin dispensing unit 10 is equipped with a dispensing coin detection sensor 18 at the left end of the dispensing transport path 16 to detect the first coin C dispensed from the dispensing body 15 to the coin sorting transport unit 20. The coin dispensing unit 10 is also equipped with a deposit residue detection sensor 19 to detect coins C remaining on the deposit belt conveyor 12. The dispensing coin detection sensor 18 and the deposit residue detection sensor 19 are, for example, optical sensors consisting of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. When the light-receiving element receives light emitted from the light-emitting element, it detects that there are no coins C, and when the light-receiving element does not receive light emitted from the light-emitting element, it detects that there are coins C.

[0019] The coin sorting and conveying unit 20 includes a coin sorting and conveying path 21 connected to the left end of the dispensing and conveying path 16 and extending horizontally in the front-rear direction along the side of the machine (left side), a conveying belt 22 provided above the coin sorting and conveying path 21 so as to extend in the front-rear direction, a conveying drive motor 22a that drives the conveying belt 22, and a rotary encoder 22b that detects the rotational position of the conveying drive motor 22a.

[0020] The coin sorting transport path 21 has a width that allows the coins C, which are dispensed one by one from the dispensing transport path 16, to move in a single line in the extending direction of the coin sorting transport path 21. The transport belt 22 comprises a pair of pulleys 23 positioned above both ends of the coin sorting transport path 21 in the front-rear direction, and a belt body 24 that is placed over these pulleys 23 and positioned parallel to the coin sorting transport path 21. The belt body 24 comprises an endless base portion 24a and a plurality of rib portions 24b that protrude outward from the outer circumference of the base portion 24a and are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0021] The pulley 23 is driven by the transport drive motor 22a, and the control unit 100 controls the forward and reverse rotation of the transport drive motor 22a, so that the transport belt 22 can transport coins C on the coin sorting transport path 21 in both forward and reverse directions. The forward and reverse transport of the transport belt 22 is controlled. When the transport drive motor 22a rotates forward, the slats 24b press the coins C on the coin sorting transport path 21 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction, moving them along the coin sorting transport path 21. On the other hand, when the transport drive motor 22a rotates backward, the slats 24b press the coins C on the coin sorting transport path 21 from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction, moving them along the coin sorting transport path 21.

[0022] The conveying direction in which the conveyor belt 22 conveys coins C intersects with the dispensing direction in which the coin dispensing unit 10 dispenses coins C. The coin sorting and conveying unit 20 is equipped with a strut position detection sensor 25 that detects the rotational position of the struts 24b of the conveyor belt 22. The strut position detection sensor 25 is an optical sensor consisting of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. When the light-receiving element receives light emitted from the light-emitting element, it detects that there are no struts 24b, and when the light-receiving element does not receive light emitted from the light-emitting element, it detects that there are struts 24b. The control unit 100 detects the rotational position of the struts 24b of the conveyor belt 22 from the detection result of the strut position detection sensor 25 and establishes a correspondence with the rotational position of the conveying drive motor 22a detected by the rotary encoder 22b. In this way, the control unit 100 determines the rotational position of each strut 24b from the rotational position of the conveying drive motor 22a.

[0023] A transport guide 30 is provided at the position where the coin dispensing unit 10 and the coin sorting and transporting unit 20 are connected. The transport guide 30 is curved so as to bulge out toward the front left of the machine when viewed from above, in order to allow for the smooth transfer of coins C between the dispensing transport path 16 and the coin sorting transport path 21, but the shape of the transport guide 30 is not limited to this.

[0024] The coin sorting and transport path 21 is equipped with an identification unit 40 that detects the magnetic properties, image, or outer diameter of the coins C passing through. The control unit 100 uses the identification results from the identification unit 40 to determine the authenticity and denomination of the coins C to be detected, and to count them by denomination.

[0025] In the coin sorting transport path 21, a reject section 50 is provided between the coin dispensing section 10 and the identification section 40. The reject section 50 includes a reject hole 51 formed in the coin sorting transport path 21 through which coins C can fall, a reject gate 52 that opens and closes the reject hole 51, and a reject solenoid 53 that opens and closes the reject gate 52. Based on the identification result of the identification section 40, the reject section 50 rejects unacceptable coins, such as counterfeit coins, from the coin sorting transport path 21.

[0026] The reject gate 52 is capable of swinging up and down around a pivot shaft (not shown) on the coin dispensing unit 10 side, i.e., the front side of the machine. The reject gate 52 swings between a closed state, where it is positioned on the same plane as the coin sorting transport path 21 and closes the reject hole 51, and an open state, where it swings at an acute angle above the coin sorting transport path 21 to open the reject hole 51. The reject gate 52 is formed in a concave shape so as not to interfere with the transport belt 22 when it is in the open state. The reject unit 50 drops coins C into the reject hole 51 when the reject gate 52 is in the open state, and transports coins C on the coin sorting transport path 21 when the reject gate 52 is in the closed state.

[0027] Furthermore, the reject section 50 is equipped with a reject chute 54 that receives coins C falling from the reject hole 51 and drops them into the coin dispensing opening 3 by their own weight. The coin dispensing opening 3 also serves as a reject port that discharges the rejected coins guided by the reject chute 54 so that they can be removed from the machine. The reject chute 54 extends downwards towards the coin dispensing opening 3.

[0028] The coin sorting transport path 21 is provided with coin sorting sections 60a to 60f for each denomination, on the opposite side of the coin dispensing section 10, with the identification section 40 in between, allowing coins C to fall from the coin sorting transport path 21. Each coin sorting section 60a to 60f for each denomination includes sorting holes 61a to 61f formed in the coin sorting transport path 21, each capable of dropping coins C of all denominations, sorting gates 62a to 62f for opening and closing these holes, sorting solenoids 63a to 63f shown in Figure 2 for driving the sorting gates 62a to 62f to open and close, and deposit counting sensors 64a to 64f for detecting coins C on the coin sorting transport path 21, timing the opening and closing of the sorting gates 62a to 62f, and counting the number of coins C that have fallen through each sorting hole 61a to 61f.

[0029] Each of the sorting gates 62a to 62f is capable of swinging up and down around a pivot shaft (not shown) on the opposite side of the coin dispensing unit 10, i.e., the rear of the machine. The sorting gates 62a to 62f swing between an open state, where they swing at a sharp angle above the coin sorting transport path 21 to open the sorting holes 61a to 61f, and a closed state, where they are positioned on the same plane as the coin sorting transport path 21 to close the sorting holes 61a to 61f. The sorting gates 62a to 62f are formed in a concave shape so as not to interfere with the transport belt 22 when in the open state.

[0030] The coin sorting unit 60a, which is equipped with a sorting hole 61a, a sorting gate 62a, a sorting solenoid 63a, and a deposit counting sensor 64a, sorts coins C of a first denomination (for example, 1 yen coins). Specifically, based on the timing when a coin C of the first denomination is detected by the deposit counting sensor 64a, the sorting solenoid 63a is driven to open the sorting gate 62a, causing the coin C to slide under the sorting gate 62a and fall into the sorting hole 61a. For coins C of denominations other than the first denomination, the sorting gate 62a is kept closed and the coins are moved along the coin sorting transport path 21 towards the deposit counting sensor 64b.

[0031] Similarly, coin sorting unit 60b, which is equipped with sorting holes 61b, sorting gate 62b, sorting solenoid 63b and deposit counting sensor 64b, sorts coins C of the second denomination (e.g., 5 yen coins), and coin sorting unit 60c, which is equipped with sorting holes 61c, sorting gate 62c, sorting solenoid 63c and deposit counting sensor 64c, sorts coins C of the third denomination (e.g., 10 yen coins), sorting holes 61d, sorting gate 62d, sorting solenoid 63d and deposit counting sensor 64d Coin sorting unit 60d equipped with sorting holes 61e, sorting gate 62e, sorting solenoid 63e, and deposit counting sensor 64e sorts coins C of the fourth denomination (e.g., 50 yen coins), coin sorting unit 60e equipped with sorting holes 61e, sorting gate 62e, sorting solenoid 63e, and deposit counting sensor 64e sorts coins C of the fifth denomination (e.g., 100 yen coins), and coin sorting unit 60f equipped with sorting holes 61f, sorting gate 62f, sorting solenoid 63f, and deposit counting sensor 64f sorts coins C of the sixth denomination (e.g., 500 yen coins). Note that the sorting gate 62f and sorting solenoid 63f may be omitted from coin sorting unit 60f. In addition, the denominations of coins C sorted by coin sorting units 60a to 60f can be arbitrarily set.

[0032] Directly below the coin sorting sections 60a to 60f for each denomination, there are six coin dispensing and storage sections 70a to 70f, each arranged in a front-to-back direction with the sides aligned horizontally, and separated from each other. Coins of the first denomination C that fall from the sorting hole 61a of the foremost coin sorting section 60a are stored in the foremost coin dispensing and storage section 70a; coins of the second denomination C that fall from the second sorting hole 61b from the front are stored in the second coin dispensing and storage section 70b from the front; coins of the third denomination C that fall from the third sorting hole 61c from the front are stored in the third coin dispensing and storage section 70c from the front; coins of the fourth denomination C that fall from the fourth sorting hole 61d from the front are stored in the fourth coin dispensing and storage section 70d from the front; coins of the fifth denomination C that fall from the fifth sorting hole 61e from the front are stored in the fifth coin dispensing and storage section 70e from the front; and coins of the sixth denomination C that fall from the rearmost sorting hole 61f are stored in the rearmost coin dispensing and storage section 70f.

[0033] The coin dispensing and storage sections 70a to 70f are arranged in a manner that extends in the left-right direction to form the bottom of each section and are equipped with endless belt conveyors 71a to 71f that transport coins C to the side opposite the coin sorting and transport section 20. The belt conveyors 71a to 71f are inclined such that the right side is higher than the left side, and a separation roller 72 is positioned at a predetermined location on the upper right side.

[0034] Furthermore, the coin dispensing and storage sections 70a to 70f are equipped with a separation roller 72 that rotates to move its opposing portion in the opposite direction to the conveying direction of the belt conveyors 71a to 71f, and a storage section drive motor 73 which is a common drive source that drives the belt conveyors 71a to 71f and the separation roller 72.

[0035] The coin dispensing and storage sections 70a to 70f use the driving force of the storage section drive motor 73 to rotate all the belt conveyors 71a to 71f at once, thereby transporting the coins C toward the coin dispensing and transport section 80, which will be described later. The driving force of the storage section drive motor 73 also uses the driving force of the separation roller 72 to separate the coins C that are being transported toward the coin dispensing and transport section 80 into individual coins.

[0036] Each of the coin dispensing and storage units 70a to 70f is equipped with a dispensing solenoid 75a to 75f that restricts or allows the dispensing of coins C by moving pins 74a to 74f from above toward the belt conveyors 71a to 71f downstream of the separation roller 72; a dispensing counting sensor 76a to 76f that counts the coins C dispensed from the belt conveyors 71a to 71f to the coin dispensing and transport unit 80 by the drive of the dispensing solenoids 75a to 75f; and a stored coin detection sensor 77a to 77f that detects the presence or absence of coins C stored in the coin dispensing and storage units 70a to 70f.

[0037] The coin dispensing and transporting section 80 includes an endless coin dispensing belt conveyor 81 located to the right of the coin dispensing and storage sections 70a to 70f and extending horizontally in the front-rear direction along the side of the machine (right side), a separation roller 82 positioned above the front of the coin dispensing belt conveyor 81 and rotating to move its opposite portion in the opposite direction to the coin dispensing belt conveyor 81, and a coin dispensing drive motor 83 that drives the coin dispensing belt conveyor 81 and the separation roller 82.

[0038] Furthermore, the coin dispensing and transporting unit 80 includes a terminal transport path 84 that extends forward from the dispensing belt conveyor 81 and connects to the coin deposit slot 2, a terminal belt 85 provided above the terminal transport path 84 and parallel to the terminal transport path 84, and a terminal drive motor 86 that drives the terminal belt 85.

[0039] The terminal transport path 84 is provided with a branch section 90. The branch section 90 includes a branch hole 91 formed in the terminal transport path 84 through which coins C can be dropped, a branch gate 92 that opens and closes the branch hole 91, and a branch solenoid 93 that opens and closes the branch gate 92.

[0040] The branch gate 92 swings up and down around a pivot axis (not shown) on the coin deposit slot 2 side, i.e., the front side of the machine. The branch gate 92 swings between an open state, where it swings sharply above the terminal transport path 84 to open the branch hole 91, and a closed state, where it is positioned on the same plane as the terminal transport path 84 to close the branch hole 91. The branch gate 92 is formed in a concave shape so as not to interfere with the terminal belt 85 when it is in the open state. The branching section 90 drops coins C into the branch hole 91 when the branch gate 92 is in the open state, and transports coins C downstream of the terminal transport path 84, i.e., onto the deposit belt conveyor 12 of the coin deposit slot 2, when the branch gate 92 is in the closed state.

[0041] Furthermore, the branching section 90 is equipped with a coin chute 94 that receives coins C falling from the branching hole 91 and drops them by their own weight into a coin dispensing slot (reject slot) 3 located at the bottom of the front of the machine.

[0042] The dispensing belt conveyor 81 receives the coins C dispensed from the coin dispensing storage sections 70a to 70f, and transports the received coins C toward the front of the machine. At this time, the separation roller 82 separates the coins C one by one. The coins C separated one by one by the separation roller 82 then pass through the branch gate 92, which is opened by the drive of the branch solenoid 93, and fall out of the branch hole 91, and are discharged to the coin dispensing opening 3 via the dispensing chute 94. The coins C discharged to the coin dispensing opening 3 can be removed from the machine. Here, the dispensing chute 94 has a bottom surface that guides the coins C that slopes downwards toward the front, and extends from the underside of the deposit belt conveyor 12 to the coin dispensing opening 3.

[0043] The coin processing device 1 comprises a control unit 100, an operation unit 101, and a display unit 102. The control unit 100 controls each component of the coin processing device 1. The control unit 100 is communicatively connected to the deposit slot drive motor 14, the dispensing drive motor 17a, the dispensing coin detection sensor 18, the deposit remaining coin detection sensor 19, the transport drive motor 22a, the rotary encoder 22b, the slat position detection sensor 25, the identification unit 40, the reject solenoid 53, the sorting solenoids 63a to 63f, the deposit counting sensors 64a to 64f, the storage unit drive motor 73, the dispensing solenoids 75a to 75f, the dispensing counting sensors 76a to 76f, the stored coin detection sensors 77a to 77f, the dispensing drive motor 83, the terminal drive motor 86, and the branch solenoid 93. Furthermore, the operation unit 101, which receives operation input from the operator, and the display unit 102, which displays information for the operator, are both connected to the control unit 100.

[0044] Next, we will describe some examples of the various processes performed by the coin processing device 1.

[0045] <Payment Processing> When the deposit residue detection sensor 19 detects that coins C inserted into the coin deposit slot 2 from outside the machine are on the deposit belt conveyor 12, the control unit 100 makes it possible to receive a deposit instruction operation to the operation unit 101 and displays this information on the display unit 102. When a deposit instruction operation is input to the operation unit 101, the control unit 100 starts the deposit processing of the coin processing device 1 and causes the deposit slot drive motor 14, the feed drive motor 17a, and the transport drive motor 22a to all rotate in the forward direction.

[0046] The deposit belt conveyor 12 and the separation roller 13 separate the coins C on the deposit belt conveyor 12 one by one and feed them onto the feed conveyor path 16. The feed belt 17 then transports the coins C in a single line on the feed conveyor path 16 and feeds them out one by one towards the coin sorting conveyor path 21. The transport belt 22 performs forward transport, transporting the coins C guided by the transport guide 30 to the coin sorting conveyor path 21 in a single line towards the coin sorting sections 60a to 60f.

[0047] At this time, the control unit 100 understands the correspondence between the rotational position of the transport drive motor 22a and the rotational position of the slats 24b based on the detection results of the rotary encoder 22b and the slat position detection sensor 25. As a result, while the transport drive motor 22a is rotating at a constant rotational speed, the control unit 100 stops the dispensing drive motor 17a as necessary to determine the timing at which the coins C detected by the dispensing coin detection sensor 18 on the dispensing transport path 16 can be dispensed between adjacent slats 24b, 24b where no coins C exist, and drives the dispensing drive motor 17a to dispense the coins C between these slats 24b, 24b using the dispensing belt 17.

[0048] At that time, the control unit 100 controls the timing of dispensing so that only one coin C is dispensed for each section between adjacent slats 24b, 24b, and further controls the timing of dispensing so that coins C are dispensed continuously for each section, such as dispensing only one coin C for each section, then one coin C for the next section, and so on. In this way, the control unit 100 dispenses one coin C at a time from the dispensing transport path 16 to the coin sorting transport path 21 for each section between adjacent slats 24b, 24b, based on the detection results of the slat position detection sensor 25 and the dispensing coin detection sensor 18.

[0049] As shown in Figure 3, when the conveyor belt 22 rotates forward, the coins C dispensed into the coin sorting conveyor path 21 are pressed against the ribs 24b on the upstream side and guided to gently change direction towards the rear along the side of the conveyor guide 30. By guiding the coins C along the side of the conveyor guide 30, it is possible to prevent the coins C from returning to the dispensing conveyor path 16 due to the recoil from colliding with the side wall 21a of the coin sorting conveyor path 21, and also to prevent the coins C from getting stuck between the ribs 24b and the dispensing conveyor path 16 at the connection point between the dispensing conveyor path 16 and the coin sorting conveyor path 21, as shown in Figure 4. The coins C are then moved by the conveyor belt 22 towards the coin sorting sections 60a to 60f, passing over the closed reject gates 52 and identification sections 40 in that order.

[0050] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the transport guide 30 is provided across the left and right side walls 21a. The transport guide 30 is provided on both the left and right sides of the belt body 24 and is equipped with a pair of guide pieces 31 capable of guiding coins C. The outer ends of each guide piece 31 that are in contact with the side walls 21a are fixed to the side walls 21a. The inner ends of the pair of guide pieces 31 are integrated via a connecting portion 32. The connecting portion 32 is provided so as to traverse the inside of the annular transport belt 22 from left to right so as not to interfere with the belt body 24. Note that the transport guide 30 may also be provided with the pair of guide pieces 31 as separate components, without the connecting portion 32.

[0051] The identification unit 40 identifies coins C passing over it. Based on the identification result of the identification unit 40, acceptable coins (genuine coins) C that are genuine and undamaged are transported by the transport belt 22 along the coin sorting transport path 21 toward the coin sorting units 60a to 60f. The control unit 100, based on the timing when an acceptable coin C is detected by the corresponding denomination among the deposit counting sensors 64a to 64f, drives the sorting solenoid 63a to 63f for the corresponding denomination, opens the sorting gate 62a to 62f for the corresponding denomination, and drops the acceptable coin C through the sorting holes 61a to 61f for the corresponding denomination and stores it in the coin dispensing and storage units 70a to 70f for the corresponding denomination.

[0052] On the other hand, if the identification unit 40 identifies any counterfeit coins, damaged coins, or rejected coins whose denomination cannot be determined, the control unit 100 immediately stops the deposit slot drive motor 14 at the time of rejection identification. Furthermore, if the dispensing coin detection sensor 18 has not detected coin C at the time of rejection identification, the dispensing drive motor 17a is also immediately stopped. If the dispensing coin detection sensor 18 has detected coin C at the time of rejection identification, the dispensing drive motor 17a is stopped after waiting until the dispensing coin detection sensor 18 stops detecting coin C for the first time, that is, until the coins that are being dispensed onto the coin sorting transport path 21 are dispensed. In this way, the deposit process is interrupted.

[0053] Furthermore, from the moment of rejection identification, the control unit 100 rotates the transport drive motor 22a in the forward direction until all coins C located on the coin sorting section 60a to 60f side of the rejected coin C are dropped into the corresponding denominations among the sorting holes 61a to 61f. This stores the confirmed coins located on the coin sorting section 60a to 60f side of the rejected coins into the corresponding denominations among the coin dispensing and storage sections 70a to 70f.

[0054] At this point, depending on the arrangement pitch of the ribs 24b, there may be one or more coins C on the coin sorting transport path 21 that are either rejected coins or on the coin dispensing side of the rejected coins towards the coin dispensing unit 10. In the following explanation, we will use the example shown in Figure 7, where there are two coins identified as valid coins (valid coins C2, C3) and one unidentified coin (unidentified coin C4) on the coin dispensing unit 10 side of a coin identified as a rejected coin (rejected coin C1).

[0055] From the viewpoint of preventing jamming, the control unit 100 rotates the transport drive motor 22a in the forward direction until the unidentified coin C4, which is caught on the end of the reject section 50 on the identification section 40 side, has completely passed the reject section 50, and then stops the transport drive motor 22a and stops the transport belt 22. The distance between the identification section 40 and the coin sorting section 60f is set so that when the transport drive motor 22a is rotated in the forward direction in this way, the rejected coin C1 cannot move to the coin sorting section 60f.

[0056] Furthermore, the timing for stopping the conveyor belt 22 does not have to be before the unidentified coin C4 completely passes the reject section 50. This shortens the time required to move the regular coins C2, C3 and the unidentified coin C4 to the dispensing conveyor path 16 and to release the rejected coin C1 to the coin dispensing opening 3, as described later, and also allows the distance between the identification section 40 and the coin sorting section 60f to be set shorter.

[0057] The control unit 100 performs a so-called switchback control, which involves reversing the rotation of the transport drive motor 22a after the machine stops due to rejection identification, causing the transport belt 22 to transport in reverse. As a result, the rejected coin C1, the valid coins C2 and C3, and the unidentified coin C4 are pressed forward by the slats 24b located downstream of each other. This reverse transport by the transport belt 22 moves the rejected coin C1, the valid coins C2 and C3, and the unidentified coin C4 to the position of the rejection section 50.

[0058] Based on the detection results of the rotary encoder 22b and the rib position detection sensor 25, the control unit 100 drives the reject solenoid 53 in time with the timing when the rib 24b that presses the positive coins C2, C3 and the unidentified coin C4 passes through the reject gate 52, thereby closing the reject gate 52. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 8, the conveyor belt 22 reverses direction to convey the rib 24b to a position where it has passed the conveyor guide 30. After the rib 24b presses the positive coins C2, C3 and the unidentified coin C4 and passes over the reject gate 52, the positive coins C2, C3 and the unidentified coin C4 are moved away from the coin sorting conveyor path 21 along the conveyor guide 30 and guided to the dispensing conveyor path 16.

[0059] Meanwhile, based on the detection results of the rotary encoder 22b and the rib position detection sensor 25, the control unit 100 drives the reject solenoid 53 to open the reject gate 52, as shown in Figure 9, in time with the timing when the rib 24b that presses the rejected coin C1 passes through the reject gate 52. Subsequently, the conveyor belt 22 reverses direction to convey the rib 24b to a position where it has passed the reject section 50, causing the rejected coin C1 to fall from the reject hole 51 and be rejected to the coin dispensing opening 3 via the reject chute 54.

[0060] In this way, at the time of the switchback, coins C1 to C4 located on the coin sorting transport path 21 are such that the regular coins C2 and C3 and the unidentified coin C4 pass over the reject gate 52 and retreat to the dispensing transport path 16, while the rejected coin C1 slips under the reject gate 52, falls through the reject hole 51, and is released to the coin dispensing opening 3 via the reject chute 54.

[0061] Furthermore, since the control unit 100 detects the position of the crossbars 24b of the reverse-moving conveyor belt 22 from the detection results of the crossbar position detection sensor 25, it can accurately reverse-move the conveyor belt 22 to a position where the correct coins C2, C3 and unidentified coin C4 are beyond the conveyor guide 30, and also reverse-move the conveyor belt 22 to the reject coin C1 to the reject section 50.

[0062] The control unit 100 reverses the transport drive motor 22a to transport the positive coins C2, C3 and the unidentified coin C4 in reverse to the dispensing transport path 16 and to move them away from the coin sorting transport path 21. Then, it reverses the transport drive motor 22a until the rejected coin C1 falls out of the reject hole 51. After that, it stops the transport drive motor 22a and, as at the start of the deposit process, rotates the deposit slot drive motor 14, the dispensing drive motor 17a and the transport drive motor 22a in the forward direction to restart the deposit process for the positive coins C2, C3 and the unidentified coin C4 that were moved away from the coin sorting transport path 21 to the dispensing transport path 16 by the switchback, and then restarts the deposit process for the coins C that follow them.

[0063] During the deposit process, when the deposit residue detection sensor 19 detects that the coins C in the coin deposit slot 2 have run out, and when the dispensing coin detection sensor 18, the identification unit 40, and the deposit counting sensors 64a to 64f all cease to detect coins C, and a predetermined time has elapsed to determine that all coins C in the coin deposit slot 2 have been transported to either the coin dispensing slot 3 or the coin dispensing storage unit 70a to 70f, the control unit 100 stops the deposit slot drive motor 14, the dispensing drive motor 17a, and the transport drive motor 22a.

[0064] Furthermore, based on the identification results from the identification unit 40 and the deposit counting sensors 64a to 64f, the count values ​​for each denomination of coins C received in the deposit process and stored in the coin dispensing and storage units 70a to 70f are calculated, and the deposit process is terminated.

[0065] <Withdrawal Processing> During the cash withdrawal process, the control unit 100 rotates the storage unit drive motor 73, the cash withdrawal drive motor 83, and the terminal drive motor 86 in the forward direction. As a result, the belt conveyors 71a to 71f and the separation roller 72 separate and move the coins C one by one towards the coin withdrawal transport unit 80. The control unit 100 also drives the branch solenoid 93 to open the branch gate 92.

[0066] Then, the dispensing solenoids 75a to 75f are driven while counting using the dispensing counting sensors 76a to 76f, and the number of coins C corresponding to the number of coins of each denomination is dispensed from the coin dispensing storage units 70a to 70f onto the dispensing belt conveyor 81.

[0067] The coins C dispensed onto the dispensing belt conveyor 81 are transported by the dispensing belt conveyor 81 to the separation roller 82, where they are separated one by one and dispensed onto the terminal transport path 84.

[0068] The coins C dispensed onto the terminal transport path 84 are transported by the terminal belt 85, fall through the branching hole 91 with the branching gate 92 in the open position, and are guided by the dispensing chute 94 to be released into the coin dispensing opening 3. This makes it possible to remove the coins C corresponding to the number of coins dispensed for each denomination from the coin dispensing opening 3.

[0069] Once sufficient time has elapsed for all the coins counted by the dispensing counting sensors 76a to 76f to fall from the branching hole 91, the control unit 100 stops the storage unit drive motor 73, the dispensing drive motor 83, and the terminal drive motor 86.

[0070] <Detailed review process> During the inspection process, the control unit 100 rotates the storage unit drive motor 73, the dispensing drive motor 83, and the terminal drive motor 86 in the forward direction. As a result, the belt conveyors 71a to 71f and the separation roller 72 separate and move the coins C one by one towards the coin dispensing transport unit 80. At this time, the control unit 100 does not drive the branch solenoid 93, and the branch gate 92 is in the closed state.

[0071] Next, for example, the dispensing solenoid 86a is driven to dispense the coins C stored in the coin dispensing storage unit 70a onto the dispensing belt conveyor 81. The coins C dispensed onto the dispensing belt conveyor 81 are transported by the dispensing belt conveyor 81 to the separation roller 82, where they are separated one by one and dispensed onto the terminal transport path 84. The coins C dispensed onto the terminal transport path 84 are transported by the terminal belt 85, pass over the closed branch gate 92, and are discharged into the coin deposit slot 2. In this way, all the coins C in the coin dispensing storage unit 70a are temporarily moved to the coin deposit slot 2.

[0072] Next, in the same manner as the deposit process, the coins C in the coin deposit slot 2 are returned to the coin withdrawal and storage unit 70a. The number of coins C returned to the coin withdrawal and storage unit 70a, based on the identification result of the identification unit 40 at that time, becomes the verification result of the coin withdrawal and storage unit 70a. This process is performed for all of the coin withdrawal and storage units 70a to 70f.

[0073] If the identification unit 40 identifies a rejected coin during the inspection process, the inspection process is interrupted in the same manner as the deposit process, and the coins located on the coin sorting transport path 21, including the coin C identified as a rejected coin, are reverse-transported. Coins C identified as valid coins or unidentified coins C are moved to the dispensing transport path 16, while the coin C identified as a rejected coin slips under the reject gate 52, falls through the reject hole 51, and is discharged to the coin dispensing opening 3 via the reject chute 54. Then, the inspection process for the coins C identified as valid coins or unidentified coins C that have been moved from the coin sorting transport path 21 to the dispensing transport path 16 is resumed by the switchback, followed by the inspection process for the subsequent coins C.

[0074] Although the explanation described an example where a coin C identified by the identification unit 40 as being unable to determine its denomination (a coin of unknown denomination) is discharged to the coin dispensing slot 3 as a rejected coin, it is also acceptable to have the coin C identified as being unable to determine its denomination be moved to the dispensing transport path 16 via the transport guide 30 as a non-rejected coin, and then, after processing resumes, the identification unit 40 re-identifies the coin C identified as being unable to determine its denomination.

[0075] In other words, the control unit 100 reverses the conveyor belt 22 to close the reject gate 52 and move the coins C identified as unidentifiable in denomination to the dispensing conveyor path 16, and after the coins C identified as reject coins fall from the reject hole 51, it reverses the conveyor belt 22 and closes the reject gate 52 to dispensing the coins C identified as unidentifiable in denomination to the coin sorting conveyor path 21, and then moves over the closed reject gate 52 and identification unit 40 in that order toward the coin sorting units 60a to 60f, and the coins C identified as unidentifiable in denomination may be re-identified by the identification unit 40.

[0076] Thus, the coin processing device 1 according to this embodiment is configured to allow the transfer of coins C between the dispensing transport path 16 for transporting coins C inserted from the outside, and to allow the transfer of coins C between the dispensing transport path 16 and the subsequent coins C before the preceding coins C reach the coin sorting paths 60a to 60f. A coin sorting transport path 21 capable of transporting coins C, a transport belt 22 capable of transporting coins C in both forward and reverse directions on the coin sorting transport path 21, an identification unit 40 provided between the coin sorting sections 60a to 60f and the reject section 50 in the coin sorting transport path 21 for identifying coins C, a transport guide 30 provided at the connection point between the dispensing transport path 16 and the coin sorting transport path 21 for guiding coins C being passed between the dispensing transport path 16 and the coin sorting transport path 21, and identification The system includes a control unit 100 that controls the transport direction of the transport belt 22 according to the identification result of the unit 40. When the identification unit 40 identifies at least one of the coins C being transported by the coin sorting transport path 21 as a rejected coin, the control unit 100 first transports the transport belt 22 in the forward direction toward the coin sorting units 60a to 60f along the coin sorting transport path 21 with the identified rejected coin C, then reverses the transport belt 22 to transport the identified rejected coin C and subsequent coins C on the coin sorting transport path 21 toward the front. Subsequent coins C that are not rejected and are transported toward the front ahead of the identified rejected coin C due to the switching of forward and reverse transport of the transport belt 22 are moved to the dispensing transport path 16 by the transport guide 30, and then the identified rejected coin C is transported to the reject unit 50.

[0077] With this configuration, at the time of the switchback, coins C located on the coin sorting transport path 21 that are identified as genuine coins or unidentified coins C are moved to the dispensing transport path 16, and coins C identified as rejected coins are discharged via the rejection section 50. As a result, only coins C identified as rejected coins can be selectively discharged, enabling efficient coin processing.

[0078] Furthermore, in the coin processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the reject section 50 is provided between the coin sorting sections 60a to 60f and the transport guide 30 and includes a reject hole 51 through which coins C identified as reject coins fall from the coin sorting transport path 21, and an openable and closable reject gate 52 provided to close the reject hole 51. When a coin C that is not a reject coin is transported forward on the coin sorting transport path 21 and passes over the reject gate 52, the reject gate 52 closes, and the coin C that is not a reject coin is moved away from the coin sorting transport path 21 to the dispensing transport path 16. When a coin C that is identified as a reject coin is transported forward following the coin C that is not a reject coin on the coin sorting transport path 21 and passes over the reject gate 52, the reject gate 52 opens, and the coin C that is identified as a reject coin falls into the reject hole 51.

[0079] With this configuration, at the time of the switchback, coins C located on the coin sorting transport path 21 that are identified as genuine coins or unidentified coins C pass over the reject gate 52 and are moved to the dispensing transport path 16, while coins C identified as rejected coins slip under the reject gate 52 and fall out of the reject hole 51 to be discharged. This allows for the selective discharge of only coins C identified as rejected coins, thus enabling efficient coin processing.

[0080] <Second Embodiment> Next, a coin processing device 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 10 is a plan view showing the main parts of the coin processing device 1 according to the second embodiment. Note that the coin processing device 1 according to this embodiment differs from the coin processing device 1 according to the first embodiment described above in the following respects, while other components are common. Therefore, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0081] As shown in Figure 11, the transport guide 30 comprises a pair of guide pieces 31 provided on the left and right sides of the transport belt 22, and a guide drive source (not shown) that drives each guide piece 31 to move back and forth along the coin sorting transport path 21.

[0082] The control unit 100 drives the guide drive source, causing each guide piece 31 to swing around a vertical rotation axis provided at the end of each guide piece 31, moving forward and backward within the coin sorting and transport path 21. Specifically, a pair of guide pieces 31 swing between a non-guide position where they are retracted outside the coin sorting and transport path 21, allowing coins C to pass inside the pair of guide pieces 31, and a guide position where they advance into the coin sorting and transport path 21, guiding the transfer of coins C between the dispensing and transport path 16 and the coin sorting and transport path 21. The guide pieces 31 are separated to the left and right of the transport belt 22 so as not to interfere with the transport belt 22 when in the guide position.

[0083] The reject section 50 is formed in the coin sorting transport path 21 in front of the connection between the dispensing transport path 16 and the coin sorting transport path 21, and includes a normally open reject hole 55 for dropping coins C identified as reject coins from the coin sorting transport path 21, and a reject chute 56 for receiving the coins C that fall from the reject hole 55 and dropping them into the coin dispensing opening 3 by their own weight.

[0084] Next, in this embodiment, the procedure for removing coin C from the coin sorting transport path 21 during a switchback in deposit processing or scrutiny processing will be described. In the following description, we will use the example shown in Figure 12, where there are two coins identified as valid coins (valid coins C2, C3) and one unidentified coin (unidentified coin C4) on the coin dispensing unit 10 side of the coin identified as a rejected coin (rejected coin C1).

[0085] From the moment the identification unit 40 identifies a coin as a reject, the control unit 100 rotates the transport drive motor 22a in the forward direction until all coins C located on the coin sorting unit 60a to 60f side of the identified reject coin C can be dropped into the corresponding denominations among the sorting holes 61a to 61f. After the confirmed coins located on the coin sorting unit 60a to 60f side of the reject coins are stored in the corresponding denominations among the coin dispensing and storage units 70a to 70f, the control unit 100 stops the transport drive motor 22a and stops the transport belt 22.

[0086] The control unit 100 performs a so-called switchback control, which involves reversing the rotation of the transport drive motor 22a after the machine stops due to rejection identification, causing the transport belt 22 to transport in reverse. As a result, the rejected coin C1, the valid coins C2 and C3, and the unidentified coin C4 are pressed by the slats 24b located downstream of each coin and transported forward. This reverse transport by the transport belt 22 transports the rejected coin C1, the valid coins C2 and C3, and the unidentified coin C4 toward the rejection hole 55.

[0087] Based on the detection results of the rotary encoder 22b and the rib position detection sensor 25, the control unit 100 drives the guide drive source in time with the timing when the rib 24b that presses the positive coins C2, C3 and the unidentified coin C4 passes the transport guide 30, causing the pair of guide pieces 31 to swing into the coin sorting transport path 21 and position them in the guide, and then closes the transport guide 30. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 13, the transport belt 22 reverses transport until the rib 24b is beyond the transport guide 30, causing the positive coins C2, C3 and the unidentified coin C4 to be moved away from the coin sorting transport path 21 along the transport guide 30 and guided to the dispensing transport path 16.

[0088] Meanwhile, based on the detection results of the rotary encoder 22b and the rib position detection sensor 25, the control unit 100 drives the guide drive source in time with the timing when the rib 24b that presses the rejected coin C1 passes through the reject gate 52, as shown in Figure 14, to swing the pair of guide pieces 31 out of the coin sorting transport path 21 to a non-guided position and close the transport guide 30. Subsequently, the transport belt 22 reverses transport until the rib 24b is beyond the reject hole 55, causing the rejected coin C1 to fall through the reject hole 55 and be rejected to the coin dispensing opening 3 via the reject chute 56.

[0089] In this way, at the time of the switchback, coins C1 to C4 located on the coin sorting transport path 21 are moved to the dispensing transport path 16 by the transport guide 30 as correct coins C2 and C3 and unidentified coin C4, while rejected coin C1 passes through the transport guide 30, falls through the reject hole 55 and is released to the coin dispensing opening 3 via the reject chute 56.

[0090] Alternatively, coins C identified as unidentifiable in denomination may be moved to the dispensing transport path 16 via the transport guide 30, and after the switchback, the identification unit 40 may re-identify the coins C identified as unidentifiable in denomination.

[0091] In other words, the control unit 100 may close the guide piece 31 to move the coin C identified as unidentifiable in denomination to the dispensing transport path 16, then rotate the transport belt 22 forward to dispensing the coin C identified as unidentifiable in denomination to the coin sorting transport path 21, and then move it over the identification unit 40 toward the coin sorting units 60a to 60f to re-identify the coin C identified as unidentifiable in denomination.

[0092] The configuration of the pair of guide pieces 31 that can move back and forth within the coin sorting transport path 21 of the transport guide 30 is not limited to the one described above. For example, as shown in Figure 15, the pair of guide pieces 31 may be configured to move up and down between a non-guide position where the guide pieces 31 are stored below the coin sorting transport path 21 such that the upper surface 31a is on the same plane as the coin sorting transport path 21, and the guide pieces 31 are positioned so that the coins C can pass over them, and a guide position where the guide pieces 31 protrude above the coin sorting transport path 21, guiding the transfer of coins C between the dispensing transport path 16 and the coin sorting transport path 21.

[0093] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 16, the pair of guide pieces 31 may be configured to move up and down between a non-guide position in which the guide pieces 31 are positioned above the coin sorting transport path 21 and coins C can pass between the lower surface 31b of the guide pieces 31 and the coin sorting transport path 21, and a guide position in which the lower surface 31b of the guide pieces 31 are positioned so close to the coin sorting transport path 21 that coins C cannot pass, guiding the transfer of coins C between the dispensing transport path 16 and the coin sorting transport path 21.

[0094] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 17, the pair of guide pieces 31 may be configured to move horizontally between a non-guided position where the coins C can pass through the inside of the pair of guide pieces 31 by retracting to the side of the coin sorting transport path 21, and a guided position where the coins C can move into the coin sorting transport path 21 and guide the transfer of coins C between the dispensing transport path 16 and the coin sorting transport path 21.

[0095] In this manner, the coin processing device 1 according to this embodiment includes a reject section 50 which includes a reject hole 55 for dropping coins C identified as reject coins from the coin sorting transport path 21, and a reject chute 56 which communicates with the reject hole 55 and the coin dispensing opening 3. The transport guide 30 is configured to move back and forth along the coin sorting transport path 21, and the coins C, which are non-reject coins, are transported forward along the coin sorting transport path 21 and pass through the connection section between the dispensing transport path 16 and the coin sorting transport path 21. When this happens, the transport guide 30 moves forward to the coin sorting transport path 21, and the coins C that are not rejected are moved to the dispensing transport path 16. When the coins C identified as rejected, which are transported forward along the coin sorting transport path 21 following the non-rejected coins C, pass the connection between the dispensing transport path 16 and the coin sorting transport path 21, the transport guide 30 moves away from the coin sorting transport path 21, and the coins C identified as rejected are transported to the reject hole 55.

[0096] With this configuration, at the time of the switchback, coins C located on the coin sorting transport path 21 that are identified as genuine coins or unidentified coins C are guided by the transport guide 30 from the coin sorting transport path 21 to the dispensing transport path 16 and moved to a safe place, while coins C identified as rejected coins fall through the reject hole 55 and are discharged to the coin dispensing opening 3 via the reject chute 56. As a result, only coins C identified as rejected coins can be selectively discharged, enabling efficient coin processing. Furthermore, compared to the coin processing device 1 according to the first embodiment, the reject gate 52 that opens and closes the reject hole 55 and the reject solenoid 53 that drives it with electricity are unnecessary, thus reducing costs. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0097] 1: Coin processing unit, 2: Coin deposit slot, 3: Coin dispensing slot, 10: Coin dispensing unit, 11: Hopper, 12: Deposit belt conveyor, 13: Separation roller, 14: Deposit slot drive motor, 15: Dispensing main unit, 16: Dispensing transport path (deposit transport path), 17: Dispensing belt, 17a: Dispensing drive motor, 18: Dispensing coin detection sensor, 19: Deposit residue detection sensor, 20: Coin sorting transport unit, 21: Coin sorting transport path, 21a: Side wall, 22: conveyor belt, 22a: conveyor drive motor, 22b: rotary encoder, 23: pulley, 24: belt body, 24a: base part, 24b: crossbar part, 25: crossbar position detection sensor, 30: conveyor guide, 31: guide piece, 32: connecting part, 40: identification part, 50: reject part, 51, 55: reject hole, 52: reject gate, 53: reject solenoid, 54, 56: reject Chute, 60a~60f: Coin sorting section, 61a~61f: Sorting holes, 62a~62f: Sorting gate, 63a~63f: Sorting solenoid, 64a~64f: Deposit counting sensor, 70a~70f: Coin dispensing and storage section, 71a~71f: Belt conveyor, 72: Separation roller, 73: Storage section drive motor, 74a~74f: Pin, 75a~75f: Dispensing solenoid, 76a~76f: Dispensing counting sensor, 7 7a~77f: Stored coin detection sensor, 80: Coin dispensing transport unit, 81: Dispensing belt conveyor, 82: Separation roller, 83: Dispensing drive motor, 84: Terminal transport path, 85: Terminal belt, 86: Terminal drive motor, 86a: Dispensing solenoid, 90: Branching unit, 91: Branching hole, 92: Branching gate, 93: Branching solenoid, 94: Dispensing chute, 100: Control unit, 101: Operation unit, 102: Display unit, C: Coin

Claims

1. A deposit transport path that transports coins inserted from outside the machine, A sorting section is provided on one side for sorting the coins by denomination, and a reject section is provided on the other side for discharging rejected coins, and the sorting transport path is configured to allow the transfer of coins between it and the deposit transport path, and is capable of transporting subsequent coins before preceding coins reach the sorting section, A conveyor belt capable of transporting the coins in both forward and reverse directions along the sorting and conveying path, In the sorting transport path, an identification unit is provided between the sorting unit and the reject unit to identify the coins, A transport guide is provided at the connection point between the deposit transport path and the sorting transport path, and guides the coins being passed between the deposit transport path and the sorting transport path. A control unit controls the conveying direction of the conveyor belt according to the identification result of the identification unit, Equipped with, The coin processing device is characterized in that, when the identification unit identifies at least one of the coins being transported by the sorting transport path as a rejected coin, the control unit transports the conveyor belt in the forward direction with the rejected coin facing one side on the sorting transport path, then reverses the conveyor belt to transport the rejected coin and the subsequent coins present on the sorting transport path toward the other side, the subsequent coins which are not rejected coins that are transported toward the other side prior to the rejected coin as a result of the switching of forward and reverse transport of the conveyor belt are moved to the deposit transport path by the transport guide, and then the rejected coin is transported to the reject section.

2. The aforementioned reject section is, A reject hole is provided between the sorting section and the transport guide, allowing the rejected coins to fall from the sorting transport path. A removable reject gate is provided to close the aforementioned reject hole, Equipped with, The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that when a non-rejected coin being transported to the other side along the sorting transport path passes through the reject gate, the reject gate closes and the non-rejected coin is moved to the deposit transport path, and when a rejected coin being transported to the other side following the non-rejected coin along the sorting transport path passes through the reject gate, the reject gate opens and the rejected coin falls into the reject hole.

3. The reject section is located on the other side of the transport guide and is equipped with a reject hole for dropping the rejected coins from the sorting transport path. The transport guide is configured to be able to move forward and backward along the sorting transport path. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that when the non-rejected coins being transported to the other side along the sorting transport path pass the connecting portion, the transport guide advances into the sorting transport path and the non-rejected coins are moved to the deposit transport path, and when the rejected coins being transported to the other side following the non-rejected coins along the sorting transport path pass the connecting portion, the transport guide moves away from the sorting transport path and the rejected coins are transported to the reject hole.

4. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the subsequent coins include an unidentified coin whose denomination cannot be determined by the identification unit, the control unit reverses the conveyor belt to move the unidentified coin to the deposit conveyor path using the conveyor guide, discharges the rejected coin from the reject unit, and then reverses the conveyor belt to move the unidentified coin towards the one side and conveys it along the sorting conveyor path for identification by the identification unit again.

5. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, if the subsequent coins include an unidentified coin whose denomination cannot be determined by the identification unit, the control unit reverses the conveyor belt to close the reject gate to move the unidentified coin to the deposit conveying path, opens the reject gate to convey the rejected coin to the reject hole, then reverses the conveyor belt to convey it and closes the reject gate to move the unidentified coin towards one side and convey it along the sorting conveying path to be identified again by the identification unit.

6. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein if the subsequent coins include an unidentified coin whose denomination cannot be determined by the identification unit, the control unit reverses the conveyor belt to advance the conveyor guide to the connection portion to move the unidentified coin to the deposit conveyor path, moves the conveyor guide away from the connection portion to convey the rejected coin to the reject hole, and then reverses the conveyor belt to convey it and advances the conveyor guide to the connection portion to move the unidentified coin towards one side and convey it along the sorting conveyor path to be identified again by the identification unit.

7. The coin processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the conveyor belt is provided with a plurality of slats that press the coins in the conveying direction for conveying the coins on the sorting conveyor path.

Images