Coin processing device and automated transaction device

Abstract

To provide a coin processing device and an automated transaction device that further reduce the occurrence of transport failures. [Solution] A coin processing device comprising: a cylindrical storage section having a cylindrical storage space for storing coins; a placement section having a placement surface on which coins are placed and provided to be movable vertically within the storage space; and a stage drive section that contacts the lower part of the placement section and moves the placement section vertically, wherein the stage drive section is able to move further downward after the placement section reaches a predetermined position at the lower end of the storage space, separating from the lower part of the placement section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coin processing device and an automatic transaction device.

Background Art

[0002] In financial institutions and the like, automatic transaction devices such as Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) that cause customers to deposit cash such as banknotes or coins or withdraw cash from customers according to the transaction content with customers are widely spread.

[0003] Inside such an automatic transaction device, a coin processing device for performing coin-related processing is provided. The coin processing device includes, for example, a deposit section that exchanges coins with a customer, a transport section that transports coins inside, an identification section that identifies the denomination and authenticity of the inserted coins, and a cylinder storage section that stores coins by denomination.

[0004] For example, in Patent Document 1 below, a coin processing device is disclosed that inserts coins from above into a cylinder storage section arranged at an accumulation position, moves the cylinder storage section from the accumulation position to a withdrawal position, and then feeds out coins from below the cylinder storage section.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the coin processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when moving the cylinder storage section from the accumulation position to the withdrawal position, the stage where the coins are accumulated interferes with other components, and the cylinder storage section cannot be moved, resulting in poor conveyance of the accumulated coins.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved coin processing device and an automated transaction device that can further suppress coin transport failures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, a coin processing device is provided comprising: a cylindrical storage section having a cylindrical storage space for storing coins; a placement section having a placement surface on which coins are placed and provided to be movable vertically within the storage space; and a stage drive section that contacts the lower part of the placement section and moves the placement section in the vertical direction, wherein the stage drive section is able to move further downward after the placement section reaches a predetermined position at the lower end of the storage space, and is separated from the lower part of the placement section.

[0009] The mounting portion may be stopped at the predetermined position by contacting a stopper provided at a position corresponding to the lower peripheral edge of the mounting portion described above.

[0010] The device further includes a transport surface for guiding the coins when the cylindrical storage section is moved, and the aforementioned placement surface and the transport surface may be substantially flush when the device stops at a predetermined position.

[0011] The system may further include a light-shielding portion that extends downward from the mounting portion or the stage drive portion, and an optical sensor that detects the arrival of the mounting portion to a predetermined position when light is blocked by the light-shielding portion.

[0012] The mounting portion and the stage drive portion are connected by an elastic member, and when the stage drive portion moves further downward, separating from the lower part of the mounting portion, the elastic member may apply tensile tension between the mounting portion and the stage drive portion.

[0013] The lower part of the mounting portion is provided with a hole extending in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the stage drive portion is provided with a protrusion extending in the horizontal direction that fits into the hole, and the protrusion may move the mounting portion in the vertical direction by coming into contact with the lower part of the mounting portion.

[0014] The hole is elongated in shape and extends in the vertical direction, and the protrusion is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction inside the hole, and after the mounting portion stops at the predetermined position, it may be further movable in a direction away from the state in contact with the lower part of the mounting portion.

[0015] The mounting portion is provided with a slit portion which is an elongated hole-shaped opening extending in the vertical direction, and the protrusion is provided with a guide portion which protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the protrusion extends, and when the protrusion is fitted into the hole, the guide portion may be fitted into the slit portion.

[0016] The coins may be inserted into the storage space from above and accumulated horizontally on the aforementioned surface of the aforementioned storage unit.

[0017] The stage drive unit may move the aforementioned coin holder downward as the number of coins placed on the aforementioned holder increases.

[0018] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, an automatic transaction device is provided comprising a coin processing device for processing the deposit and withdrawal of coins and a banknote processing device for processing the deposit and withdrawal of banknotes, wherein the coin processing device comprises a cylindrical storage section having a cylindrical storage space in which coins are stored, a mounting section having a mounting surface on which coins are placed and provided to be movable vertically inside the storage space, and a stage drive unit that contacts the lower part of the mounting section and moves the mounting section in the vertical direction, wherein the stage drive unit is able to move further downward after the mounting section reaches a predetermined position at the lower end of the storage space, separating from the lower part of the mounting section.

[0019] With the above configuration, when the placement unit stops at a predetermined position, the cylindrical storage unit containing coins is moved from above the placement unit to a conveyance surface that is substantially flush with the placement surface of the placement unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to further suppress conveyance failures of coins.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the automatic transaction device. [Figure 2] It is a side view showing the configuration of the coin processing device. [Figure 3] It is a plan view of the storage unit viewed from above. [Figure 4] It is a side view of the storage unit viewed from the front. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram showing the state during the descent of the stage according to the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a schematic diagram showing the state where the lower limit position of the stage according to the present invention has been reached. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of the stage according to the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of the stage according to the present invention disassembled into a placement unit, a connection unit, and a shaft sliding unit. [Figure 9] It is a side view showing the detailed structure of the stage according to the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the stage and the stopper according to the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view excluding the placement unit from the perspective view shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] It is a schematic diagram showing the state during the descent of the stage according to the modification. [Figure 13] It is a schematic diagram showing the state where the lower limit position of the stage according to the modification has been reached.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0023] <1. Configuration of the automated trading system> (1.1. Overall Structure) Referring to Figure 1, the overall configuration of the automated trading device to which the present invention is applied will be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the automated trading device 1.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the automated trading device 1 has a box-shaped enclosure 2 and is a device that executes cash-related transactions such as deposit transactions or withdrawal transactions with users (i.e., customers of financial institutions). The automated trading device 1 is installed, for example, in financial institutions, public facilities, or commercial facilities. Hereinafter, the side of the automated trading device 1 that faces the user is defined as the front side, and the side opposite the front side is defined as the rear side. Furthermore, the top, bottom, left, and right sides are defined as the top, bottom, left, and right sides, respectively, from the perspective of a user facing the front side.

[0025] The enclosure 2 is equipped with a customer service unit 3 in a location easily accessible to the user facing the automated transaction device 1. The customer service unit 3 includes a card slot 4, a coin slot 5, an operation display unit 6, a keypad 7, and a receipt issuing slot 8, and handles the exchange of cash and cards with the user, as well as providing transaction information and receiving operation instructions.

[0026] The card slot 4 is an opening through which cash cards and the like are inserted or ejected. Behind the card slot 4 is a card processing unit (not shown) that reads account numbers and other information magnetically recorded on cash cards and the like.

[0027] The coin deposit / discharge slot 5 is an opening into which coins are deposited by the user and into which coins are dispensed to the user. The opening of the coin deposit / discharge slot 5 is opened or closed by driving a shutter. Similarly, the receiving unit 3 is also provided with a banknote deposit / discharge slot (not shown) into which banknotes are deposited by the user and into which banknotes are dispensed to the user.

[0028] The operation display unit 6 is a touch panel type display device that displays a transaction screen showing the transaction details and detects user input operations performed on the operation screen. The numeric keypad 7 is a physical key that accepts input of numbers from "0" to "9". The numeric keypad 7 is used for inputting a PIN or transaction amount. The receipt issuing slot 8 is an opening that issues a receipt printed with the transaction details at the end of the transaction.

[0029] Inside the enclosure 2 are a main control unit 9 that controls the overall operation of the automated trading device 1, a coin processing device 10 that performs various processing related to coins, and a banknote processing device (not shown) that performs various processing related to banknotes. The main control unit 9 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and performs deposit processing or withdrawal processing, etc., by reading and executing a predetermined program from ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The main control unit 9 also has a storage unit inside, which is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, or flash memory, etc., and stores various information in the storage unit.

[0030] The front side of the enclosure 2 is provided with an enclosure opening that connects the internal space enclosed by the enclosure 2 to the external space, and a front door that can open and close the enclosure opening. When a transaction is conducted with a customer, the automated trading device 1 protects its interior by closing the front door. On the other hand, when maintenance work is performed by an employee of a financial institution or a maintenance worker, the automated trading device 1 allows work in the internal space by opening the front door.

[0031] (1.2. Configuration of coin processing equipment) Referring to Figure 2, the configuration of the coin processing device 10 provided in the automated trading device 1 will be described. Figure 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the coin processing device 10.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the upper side of the coin processing device 10 is provided with a coin deposit / discharge unit 13, a chute unit 14, an upper separation unit 15, a recognition and transport unit 16, a transfer unit 17, a pin belt transport unit 18, six stacker units 21, a dispensing and transport unit 22, and a temporary holding unit 23. The lower side of the coin processing device 10 is provided with a coin control unit 12, a replenishment and collection unit 24, a first replenishment and rejection unit 25, a second replenishment and rejection unit 26, a rejection unit 27, a forgotten coin collection unit 28, and a lower separation unit 29. With these configurations, the coin processing device 10 can perform various operations on coins.

[0033] The coin control unit 12, like the main control unit 9, is composed of a CPU and performs coin-related processing by reading and executing a predetermined program from ROM or the like. The coin control unit 12 has an internal storage unit composed of RAM, a hard disk drive, or flash memory, and stores various information in the storage unit.

[0034] The deposit / withdrawal section 13 is an opening into which coins are deposited by users and coins are dispensed to users. When coins are inserted by a user, the deposit / withdrawal section 13 transfers the inserted coins to the chute section 14, causing the inserted coins to reach the upper separation section 15 located below the chute section 14. When dispensing coins to a user, the deposit / withdrawal section 13 collects the coins transported from the pin belt transport section 18 and then dispenses them to the user.

[0035] The chute section 14 is provided as a cylindrical structure with an inner diameter sufficiently larger than the diameter of the coins, and uses gravity to drop the coins from the deposit / withdrawal section 13 to the upper separation section 15. The upper separation section 15 consists of a collection / separation section 15A, a separation / transportation section 15B, and an inclined disc 15C. The coins that fall from the chute section 14 are collected in the collection space of the collection / separation section 15A, and the coins collected in the collection space are picked up one by one by the inclined disc 15C that rotates in the collection space and handed over to the separation / transportation section 15B.

[0036] The separation and transport unit 15B consists of a transport guide that guides the coins and a pin belt that runs along the transport guide. The transport guide forms a transport path that moves upward and then bends diagonally downward and backward. The pin belt is stretched by pulleys (not shown) or the like so as to run along the transport path of the transport guide. By running the pin belt in synchronization with the rotation of the inclined disc 15C, the separation and transport unit 15B can transport the coins handed over from the accumulation and separation unit 15A along the transport guide and hand them over to the recognition and transport unit 16.

[0037] The recognition and transport unit 16 captures images of the coins transported from the separation and transport unit 15B of the upper separation unit 15 using the imaging unit, and then transports the coins backward to the handover unit 17. The image signal of the coins is output to the coin control unit 12 and used to identify the type and authenticity of the coins.

[0038] The transfer unit 17 receives the coins from the recognition and transport unit 16 and places them on the transport path of the subsequent pin belt transport unit 18, thereby transferring the coins to the pin belt transport unit 18. This allows the transfer unit 17 to sequentially transfer the coins, each imaged one by one by the recognition and transport unit 16, to the pin belt transport unit 18.

[0039] The pin belt transport section 18 is positioned to surround the front lower, lower, rear, and upper sides of the stacker section 21. The pin belt transport section 18 consists of a transport guide that forms a transport path for coins, and a pin belt that runs along the transport guide. The pin belt is tensioned by pulleys (not shown) or the like so that it runs along the transport path of the transport guide. The pin belt transport section 18 transports the coins received from the transfer section 17 in a counterclockwise direction around the stacker section 21, facing directly towards Figure 2, and then transports them to the deposit / withdrawal section 13.

[0040] The pin belt transport section 18 is provided with six branching points. The six branching points diverte the destination of coins traveling along the pin belt transport section 18 to the replenishment collection unit 24, the first replenishment reject unit 25 or the second replenishment reject unit 26, the temporary holding unit 23, the reject unit 27, the forgotten coin collection unit 28, or a replenishment collection unit 24A that may be provided in place of the replenishment collection unit 24. Each branching point can switch between allowing coins to continue traveling along the pin belt transport section 18 or to travel to the respective destination branched off from the pin belt transport section 18 by rotating a branching plate based on the control of the coin control unit 12.

[0041] Furthermore, the pin belt transport section 18 is provided with six stacker branching sections above each of the six stacker sections 21. Each stacker branching section can switch between continuing to move the coins along the pin belt transport section 18 or moving them to one of the stacker sections 21 that branch off from the pin belt transport section 18 by rotating a branching plate based on the control of the coin control section 12.

[0042] The six stacker sections 21 (stacker sections 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, 21F) are each arranged along the front-to-back direction, corresponding to a predetermined denomination of coins. Each stacker section 21 consists of a storage section 50 that occupies most of the stacker section 21, and a dispensing mechanism 69 provided below the storage section 50.

[0043] The storage unit 50 has a cylindrical storage section 56 into which horizontally placed coins are sequentially stacked vertically. For example, the storage unit 50 may have three cylindrical storage sections 56 that are movable relative to each other in a horizontal plane. Coins passed from the stacker branching section to the cylindrical storage section 56 are guided to the vicinity of the upper end of the cylindrical storage section 56 and placed on top of other coins accumulated in the cylindrical storage section 56.

[0044] The dispensing mechanism 69 is located near the lower end of the cylinder storage section 56 and dispenses the lowest coins from the coins accumulated in the cylinder storage section 56 one by one. Specifically, the dispensing mechanism 69 transports the coins accumulated in the cylinder storage section 56 to the right by running a conveying mechanism, which is a combination of a belt and a pulley, from directly below the cylinder storage section 56 to the right. The coins dispensed from the cylinder storage section 56 by the dispensing mechanism 69 fall into the dispensing conveying section 22 below.

[0045] The coin dispensing and transporting unit 22 has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape with its top and front open, and stores coins dispensed from the stacker units 21C, 21D, 21E, and 21F inside its rectangular parallelepiped shape. Based on the control of the coin control unit 12, the coin dispensing and transporting unit 22 transports the stored coins forward and drops them into the temporary holding unit 23.

[0046] The temporary holding section 23 is located in front of the dispensing and transporting section 22 and temporarily stores coins. Specifically, the temporary holding section 23 stores coins dispensed from the stacker sections 21A and 21B, and coins dispensed from the stacker sections 21C, 21D, 21E, and 21F and transported by the dispensing and transporting section 22 in its internal space. A transport mechanism that travels diagonally upward and forward is provided on the lower surface of the temporary holding section 23, allowing the stored coins to be transferred from the front end of the transport mechanism to the upper separation section 15.

[0047] The replenishment and collection unit 24 is provided in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped on the lower front side of the coin processing device 10. The replenishment and collection unit 24 collects coins that have been transported from the pin belt transport unit 18. A transport mechanism that travels diagonally upward and backward is provided on the lower surface of the replenishment and collection unit 24, and the collected coins can be transferred from the rear end of the transport mechanism to the lower separation unit 29.

[0048] The first replenishment reject compartment 25 is located on the upper right side of the rear of the replenishment collection compartment 24, and is a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is significantly smaller than the replenishment collection compartment 24. The first replenishment reject compartment 25 collects coins that have been transported from the pin belt conveying section 18. The second replenishment reject compartment 26 is located on the upper left side of the rear of the replenishment collection compartment 24 (i.e., to the left of the first replenishment reject compartment 25), and is a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is significantly smaller than the replenishment collection compartment 24. The second replenishment reject compartment 26 collects coins that have been transported from the pin belt conveying section 18.

[0049] The reject compartment 27 is provided in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped on the right side of the lower rear of the coin processing device 10. The reject compartment 27 collects coins that have been transported from the pin belt transport unit 18. The lost coin collection compartment 28 is provided in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped on the left side of the lower rear of the coin processing device 10 (i.e., to the left of the reject compartment 27). The lost coin collection compartment 28 collects coins that have been transported from the pin belt transport unit 18.

[0050] The lower separation unit 29 is positioned adjacent to the rear of the replenishment and collection unit 24. Similar to the upper separation unit 15, the lower separation unit 29 consists of a collection and separation unit 29A, a separation and transport unit 29B, and an inclined disc 29C. Coins received from the replenishment and collection unit 24 are collected in the collection space of the collection and separation unit 29A. The coins collected in the collection space are picked up one by one by the inclined disc 29C, which rotates within the collection space, and handed over to the separation and transport unit 29B. The separation and transport unit 29B transports the coins received from the inclined disc 29C by lifting them upward one by one and releasing them to the temporary holding unit 23. In this way, the lower separation unit 29 can transport coins dispensed from the replenishment and collection unit 24 to the temporary holding unit 23.

[0051] (1.3. Layout of the storage compartment) The configuration of the storage compartment 50 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a plan view of the storage compartment 50 from above. Figure 4 is a side view of the storage compartment 50 from the front.

[0052] As shown in Figure 3, the storage section 50 has a cylindrical storage section rotating body 55 which includes three cylindrical storage sections 56. The cylindrical storage section rotating body 55 is configured in a substantially cylindrical shape that extends in the vertical direction, and the three cylindrical storage sections 56 are enclosed on the inner circumference of the substantially cylindrical shape. The cylindrical storage section rotating body 55 is provided so as to be rotatable in a counterclockwise rotational direction r1, for example, facing directly to Figure 3, around a rotation axis 55AR located at the center. The range of the rotational trajectory when the cylindrical storage section rotating body 55 rotates is from the upper end to the lower end of the cylindrical storage section rotating body 55 in the vertical direction.

[0053] Three cylindrical storage compartments 56 are provided on the inner circumference of the cylindrical storage compartment rotating body 55 at angles of 120° to each other. Inside each cylindrical storage compartment 56, a cylindrical storage space SPC, having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the coin to be stored, extends vertically. The lower end of the storage space SPC communicates with the outside of the cylindrical storage compartment rotating body 55. On the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical storage compartment rotating body 55, a slit 55SL is provided, extending from the upper end to the lower end of the cylindrical storage compartment rotating body 55, connecting each storage space SPC of the cylindrical storage compartment 56 to the outside of the cylindrical storage compartment rotating body 55.

[0054] The rotating cylinder storage unit 55 is set to have a receiving position Pr for inserting coins advanced from the pin belt transport unit 18 into the cylinder storage unit 56, and a dispensing position Pe for dispensing coins from the cylinder storage unit 56 to the dispensing transport unit 22 or the temporary holding unit 23. The receiving position Pr is set on the left end of the rotating cylinder storage unit 55, and coins inserted from above the rotating cylinder storage unit 55 are accumulated on the stage 67. The dispensing position Pe is set on the right end after rotating 120° in the rotation direction r1 from the receiving position Pr, and coins are dispensed from below the rotating cylinder storage unit 55 by the dispensing transport unit 72. In other words, the receiving position Pr and the dispensing position Pe are set to different positions when the rotating cylinder storage unit 55 is viewed from above in a plan view. In deposit transactions, the coin processing device 10 inserts coins into the cylinder storage unit 56 located at the receiving position Pr and accumulates them on the stage 67 inside the cylinder storage unit 56. On the other hand, in a withdrawal transaction, the coin processing device 10 can dispense coins from the cylinder storage section 56 located at the dispensing position Pe.

[0055] The coin processing device 10 can switch between the cylinder storage units 56 located at the receiving position Pr and the cylinder storage units 56 located at the dispensing position Pe by rotating the cylinder storage unit rotating body 55 in the rotation direction r1. For example, if the maximum number of coins has accumulated in the cylinder storage unit 56 located at the receiving position Pr, the coin processing device 10 may rotate the cylinder storage unit rotating body 55 in the rotation direction r1 to move the cylinder storage unit 56 with the maximum number of coins accumulated to the dispensing position Pe, and move the cylinder storage unit 56 with no coins accumulated to the receiving position Pr.

[0056] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, coins transported from the pin belt conveying section 18 are accumulated on the mounting surface 67pS of a stage 67 that moves up and down inside the cylindrical storage section 56 located at the receiving position Pr. The stage 67 is connected to a belt stretched between pulleys 65 positioned near the upper and lower ends of a vertically extending shaft 66, for example. The pulleys 65 are rotated by a drive source (not shown), causing the belt to move, and thereby the stage 67 moves up and down along the shaft 66.

[0057] Specifically, the stage 67 consists of a mounting section 67p, a shaft sliding section 67g, and a connecting section 67c. The mounting section 67p is a platform that can move vertically along the storage space SPC inside the cylindrical storage section 56, and coins are stacked horizontally on the mounting surface 67pS, which is the upper surface of the mounting section 67p. The shaft sliding section 67g is provided in a cylindrical shape that fits with the shaft 66 so that it can slide with the shaft 66 and move vertically. As a result, the shaft sliding section 67g can move the stage 67 vertically along the shaft 66. The connecting section 67c passes through a slit 55SL provided in the cylindrical storage section 56 at the receiving position Pr and connects the mounting section 67p and the shaft sliding section 67g. As a result, the stage 67 can move the mounting section 67p, which is provided in the storage space SPC inside the cylindrical storage section 56 at the receiving position Pr, vertically along the shaft 66.

[0058] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the dispensing mechanism 69 consists of a dispensing and transporting section 72 and a blocking section 75. The dispensing mechanism 69 can dispense coins accumulated in the cylinder storage section 56 located at the dispensing position Pe to the outside in order from the bottom using the dispensing and transporting section 72.

[0059] The dispensing and conveying unit 72 consists of a separation belt 73 and a pair of pulleys 74. The separation belt 73 is stretched around a pair of pulleys 74 positioned near the left end and near the right end, respectively. The dispensing and conveying unit 72 can move the separation belt 73 along the left-right direction by rotating the pair of pulleys 74 based on the control of the coin control unit 12.

[0060] The blocking section 75 consists of a solenoid 76 and a blocking pin 77. The blocking pin 77 is driven up and down by the solenoid 76 to open or close the coin dispensing opening (not shown) provided at the lower end of the cylinder storage section 56 at the dispensing position Pe. The coin dispensing opening is an opening for dispensing coins one by one from the lower end of the cylinder storage section 56 at the dispensing position Pe. The coins dispensed one by one from the cylinder storage section 56 at the dispensing position Pe are transported to the dispensing transport section 22 or the temporary holding section 23.

[0061] As shown in Figure 4, the optical axis L1 of the top surface detection sensor SE2, which detects the mounting surface 67pS or the top surface of the uppermost coin CNu, is positioned on the upper movement path of the stage 67. The top surface detection sensor SE2 is an optical sensor in which, for example, a light-emitting unit that emits detection light along the optical axis L1 and a light-receiving unit that receives the detection light are arranged opposite each other across the storage space SPC. Based on the light reception result of the detection light from the top surface detection sensor SE2, the coin control unit 12 controls the stage 67 so that the mounting surface 67pS or the top surface of the uppermost coin CNu is positioned below a predetermined top surface position.

[0062] Furthermore, a bottom sensor SE3 for detecting the stage 67 is provided on the movement path of the stage 67 below the lower end of the cylinder storage unit rotating body 55. The bottom sensor SE3 is, for example, an optical sensor in which a light-emitting unit that emits detection light and a light-receiving unit that receives detection light are arranged opposite each other. When the stage 67 is in the lower limit position, the bottom sensor SE3 notifies the coin control unit 12 of a light reception result indicating that it has not received detection light. Based on the light reception result of the bottom sensor SE3, the coin control unit 12 can determine whether or not the stage 67 is in the lower limit position. When the stage 67 is in the lower limit position, the stage 67 is retracted below the range of the rotation trajectory when the cylinder storage unit rotating body 55 rotates, so interference with the cylinder storage unit rotating body 55 can be avoided when the cylinder storage unit rotating body 55 rotates.

[0063] <2. Technical Features of the Invention> (2.1. Overview) Next, an overview of the present invention will be described.

[0064] As described above, when the maximum number of coins is accumulated in the cylinder storage section 56 located at the receiving position Pr, the coin processing device 10 rotates the cylinder storage section rotating body 55 in the rotation direction r1 to move the cylinder storage section 56 with the maximum number of coins accumulated to the dispensing position Pe. At this time, the stage 67 is retracted to a lower limit position below the range of the rotation trajectory when the cylinder storage section rotating body 55 rotates, so the coins accumulated on the mounting surface 67pS of the stage 67, and the cylinder storage section 56, move from above the mounting surface 67pS to the dispensing position Pe.

[0065] However, due to variations in the dimensions of each part, the mounting surface 67pS of the stage 67 and the transport surface at the dispensing position Pe may not be flush and may be misaligned vertically. In such cases, when rotating the cylinder storage unit rotating body 55, the transport surface at the dispensing position Pe may interfere with the coin, preventing the cylinder storage unit rotating body 55 from rotating and potentially causing a transport failure.

[0066] The present invention was conceived in view of the above circumstances. The present invention is configured such that the coin accumulation portion 67p and the shaft sliding portion 67g and connecting portion 67c that drive the coin accumulation portion 67p can be separated. According to this, when the coin accumulation portion 67p of the stage 67 reaches the lower limit position, the present invention allows the shaft sliding portion 67g and connecting portion 67c to be moved further downward so that they are separated from the coin accumulation portion 67p. Therefore, the present invention can reduce factors that disrupt the flush relationship between the conveying surface at the dispensing position Pe and the coin accumulation surface 67pS of the stage 67, and thus can suppress the occurrence of conveying defects.

[0067] (2.2. Structure) The configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the stage 67 according to the present invention during descent. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the stage 67 according to the present invention when it has reached the lower limit position.

[0068] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the stage 67 is composed of a mounting section 67p, a shaft sliding section 67g, a connecting section 67c, and a light-shielding section 67s. The shaft sliding section 67g and the connecting section 67c correspond to the stage drive section in the present invention.

[0069] The mounting section 67p is a platform that can move vertically along the storage space SPC inside the cylinder storage section 56. Coins CN are stacked horizontally on the mounting surface 67pS, which is the upper surface of the mounting section 67p. The mounting section 67p stops when it reaches the lower limit position at the lower end of the storage space SPC. Specifically, a stopper 81 is provided at the lower limit position, corresponding to the lower edge of the mounting section 67p. The mounting section 67p comes into contact with the stopper 81, restricting its downward movement and stopping at the lower limit position. The lower limit position is the position where the transport surface TS, which guides the movement of coins when the cylinder storage section 56 is moved to the dispensing position Pe by the rotation of the cylinder storage section rotating body 55, and the mounting surface 67pS of the mounting section 67p are substantially flush. The lower limit position corresponds to a predetermined position at the lower end of the storage space SPC in this invention.

[0070] The shaft sliding portion 67g is provided in a cylindrical shape that fits with the shaft 66 so that it can slide against the shaft 66 and move in the vertical direction. The connecting portion 67c connects to the shaft sliding portion 67g and extends into the storage space SPC inside the cylindrical storage portion 56, and abuts against the lower surface of the mounting portion 67p inside the storage space SPC. As a result, the stage 67 can move the mounting portion 67p along the shaft 66 in the vertical direction by lifting the mounting portion 67p, which is provided in the storage space SPC inside the cylindrical storage portion 56, by bringing it into contact with the connecting portion 67c.

[0071] When the mounting section 67p reaches its lower limit and stops by contacting the stopper 81, the connecting section 67c, which is detachable from the lower part of the mounting section 67p, can move further downward (see Figure 6). As a result, by separating the connecting section 67c from the mounting section 67p, it can be removed from the factors that cause misalignment of the mounting surface 67pS of the mounting section 67p, thereby reducing the factors that disrupt the flush relationship between the mounting surface 67pS of the stage 67 and the stage 67. As a result, the stage 67 according to the present invention can suppress vertical misalignment between the transport surface TS on which the cylinder storage section 56 moves and the mounting surface 67pS of the mounting section 67p, thereby suppressing the occurrence of transport defects.

[0072] The light-shielding portion 67s extends below the mounting portion 67p and blocks the optical axis L2 of the bottom sensor SE3 when the mounting portion 67p reaches its lower limit position. The bottom sensor SE3 is an optical sensor in which a light-emitting portion 80S that emits detection light along the optical axis L2 and a light-receiving portion 80B that receives the detection light emitted along the optical axis L2 are arranged opposite each other. The bottom sensor SE3 can detect whether or not the optical axis L2 is blocked by the light-shielding portion 67s by detecting whether or not the detection light has been received by the light-receiving portion 80B. As a result, the coin processing device 10 can detect that the mounting portion 67p has reached its lower limit position because the light-receiving portion 80B of the bottom sensor SE3 no longer receives detection light.

[0073] In Figures 5 and 6, an example is shown in which the light-shielding portion 67s extends from the mounting portion 67p. However, as will be described later in the modified example, the light-shielding portion 67s may also extend from the connecting portion 67c.

[0074] (2.3.Detailed structure) The detailed structure of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 11.

[0075] First, the detailed structure of the assembly of the mounting portion 67p and the connecting portion 67c will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of the stage 67 according to the present invention. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the stage 67 according to the present invention disassembled into the mounting portion 67p, the connecting portion 67c, and the shaft sliding portion 67g. Figure 9 is a side view showing the detailed structure of the stage 67 according to the present invention.

[0076] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the mounting section 67p has a flat mounting surface 67pS on its upper surface, and a hole 67pH, a slit 67pL, and a through hole 67pT on its lower surface.

[0077] The hole 67pH is a through-hole provided in a direction (left-right direction) perpendicular to the extending direction (up-down direction) of the shaft 66. The shape of the through-hole 67pH is an elongated hole with the extending direction (up-down direction) of the shaft 66 as its longitudinal direction. The protrusion 67cA of the connecting part 67c, which will be described later, is fitted into the hole 67pH. In this way, the mounting part 67p and the connecting part 67c are assembled together.

[0078] The slit portion 67pL is a vertically elongated opening provided in a direction (front-to-back direction) perpendicular to the extending direction (up-down direction) of the shaft 66 and the penetrating direction (left-to-right direction) of the hole portion 67pH. The hole shape of the slit portion 67pL is an elongated hole shape with the extending direction (up-down direction) of the shaft 66 as its longitudinal direction. The convex shape of the guide portion 67cB of the connecting portion 67c, which will be described later, is fitted into the slit portion 67pL. As a result, the relative movement of the mounting portion 67p and the connecting portion 67c in the extending direction (left-to-right direction) of the hole portion 67pH is inhibited, and thus the positional relationship in that direction is fixed.

[0079] The through hole 67pT is an opening located on the lower left side of the hole portion 67pH, wider than the front-to-back width of the hole portion 67pH. The through hole 67pT is provided to allow the guide portion 67cB, which protrudes in the front-to-back direction, to pass through when inserting and fitting the convex portion 67cA of the connecting portion 67c (described later) into the hole portion 67pH. The shape of the through hole 67pT is shorter than the elongated shape of the hole portion 67pH, and is an elongated shape with a vertical length sufficient for the guide portion 67cB to pass through.

[0080] The connecting portion 67c has a protruding portion 67cA and a guide portion 67cB. The connecting portion 67c is connected to a cylindrical shaft sliding portion 67g that is movable in the vertical direction by fitting with the shaft 66.

[0081] The protrusion 67cA extends in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction (vertical direction) of the shaft 66 (horizontal direction) and is the part that fits into the hole 67pH of the mounting portion 67p. The upper part of the protrusion 67cA comes into contact with the upper surface of the through hole 67pH, causing the connecting portion 67c to come into contact with the mounting portion 67p. Furthermore, the protrusion 67cA is provided so that its vertical length is shorter than the elongated shape of the through hole 67pH. As a result, the protrusion 67cA can move within the through hole 67pH in the extending direction of the shaft 66 (i.e., vertical direction), and the connecting portion 67c can move further downward while separating from the lower part of the mounting portion 67p (more specifically, the surface opposite to the mounting surface 67pS) after the mounting portion 67p has stopped at its lower limit position. Therefore, the connecting portion 67c, which fits with the hole 67pH of the mounting portion 67p at the protrusion 67cA, can move further downward, separating itself from the lower part of the mounting portion 67p.

[0082] The guide portion 67cB protrudes from the side surface of the convex portion 67cA in directions perpendicular to the extending direction of the shaft 66 (up and down direction) and the extending direction of the convex portion 67cA (left and right direction) (front and back direction), and is a protruding portion that fits into the slit portion 67pL of the mounting portion 67p. The vertical length of the guide portion 67cB is shorter than the vertical length of the slit portion 67pL, and the guide portion 67cB is provided with a width in the left and right direction that is narrower than the left and right width of the slit portion 67pL so that it can fit into the slit portion 67pL. By fitting the guide portion 67cB into the slit portion 67pL of the mounting portion 67p, the convex portion 67cA is prevented from coming out of the hole portion 67pH, and the positional relationship between the mounting portion 67p and the connecting portion 67c in the extending direction of the convex portion 67cA (left and right direction) can be fixed.

[0083] The mounting portion 67p and the connecting portion 67c can be fitted together by the following procedure. Specifically, first, the protrusion 67cA is inserted into the hole portion 67pH from the left. At this time, the guide portion 67cB, which protrudes from the side of the protrusion 67cA, passes through the through hole 67pT, which is an opening that extends in the front-rear direction from the hole portion 67pH, and enters the interior of the slit portion 67pL. Subsequently, the protrusion 67cA inserted into the hole portion 67pH moves upward, and the guide portion 67cB slides upward, causing the guide portion 67cB and the slit portion 67pL to fit together. As a result, the connecting portion 67c can move in the vertical direction while fixing its left-right positional relationship with the mounting portion 67p through the fitting of the guide portion 67cB and the slit portion 67pL.

[0084] Next, the detailed structure of the stopper 81 will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the stage 67 and the stopper 81 according to the present invention. Figure 11 is a perspective view from the perspective view shown in Figure 10, with the mounting portion 67p removed.

[0085] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the stoppers 81 are provided, for example, on both edges in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the protrusion 67cA of the connecting portion 67c extends, and by contacting the mounting portion 67p, they restrict downward movement and stop the mounting portion 67p at its lower limit position. At this time, as shown in Figure 10, the mounting surface 67pS and the transport surface TS are substantially flush. The stoppers 81 are provided on both edges in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the protrusion 67cA of the connecting portion 67c extends, so as not to interfere with the vertical movement of the connecting portion 67c extending from the shaft 66.

[0086] Furthermore, the stopper 81 may be provided so as to contact the mounting portion 67p at three or more points. This makes it possible for the stopper 81 to maintain a more uniform horizontality of the mounting surface 67pS of the mounting portion 67p.

[0087] According to the detailed structure described above, the stage 67 according to the present invention can move the connecting portion 67c further downward while separating it from the mounting portion 67p after the mounting portion 67p has been stopped by the stopper 81 at the lower limit position.

[0088] Next, the operation of the stage 67 according to the structure of the present invention will be described.

[0089] When accumulating coins, the connecting portion 67c is moved upward by sliding the shaft sliding portion 67g of the stage 67 upward from the state shown in Figure 6. As a result, the mounting portion 67p can move upward as the upper surface of the connecting portion 67c comes into contact with the lower part of the mounting portion 67p (specifically, the surface opposite to the mounting surface 67pS), as shown in Figure 5, and is lifted by the connecting portion 67c. Subsequently, the upward movement of the stage 67 is stopped when the mounting surface 67pS of the mounting portion 67p, or the upper surface of the coins accumulated on the mounting surface 67pS, is detected by the upper surface detection sensor SE2.

[0090] Once the coin stacking is complete, the shaft sliding portion 67g of the stage 67 is slid downward, causing the connecting portion 67c to move downward. As a result, the mounting portion 67p can move downward together with the connecting portion 67c due to its own weight and the weight of the stacked coins.

[0091] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 6, when the lower surface of the mounting portion 67p comes into contact with the stopper 81, the downward movement of the mounting portion 67p is restricted, and the movement of the mounting portion 67p stops. As a result, the mounting portion 67p reaches the lower limit position, and when the mounting portion 67p is at the lower limit position, the mounting surface 67pS and the transport surface TS are approximately flush. At this time, the light-shielding portion 67s extending below the mounting portion 67p blocks the optical axis L2 of the bottom sensor SE3, so the bottom sensor SE3 can detect that the mounting portion 67p has reached the lower limit position. On the other hand, the connecting portion 67c does not come into contact with the stopper 81, and therefore moves further downward together with the shaft sliding portion 67g, separating from the mounting portion 67p. As a result, the mounting portion 67p can be stopped with high precision at the lower limit position set by the stopper 81.

[0092] <3. Variant> Modified versions of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing the stage 67 in the process of descending according to the modified version. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing the stage 67 in the modified version having reached its lower limit.

[0093] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, in the modified stage 67, the mounting portion 67p and the connecting portion 67c are connected by an elastic member 85.

[0094] The elastic member 85 is a spring that generates tensile tension between the mounting portion 67p and the connecting portion 67c, and may be, for example, a coil spring. The elastic member 85 applies tensile tension between the mounting portion 67p and the connecting portion 67c when the mounting portion 67p stops at its lower limit position and the connecting portion 67c separates from the mounting portion 67p. As a result, the elastic member 85 can press the mounting portion 67p more strongly against the stopper 81, thereby further suppressing the mounting portion 67p lifting away from the stopper 81 and creating a step between the mounting surface 67pS and the conveying surface TS. Therefore, the elastic member 85 can more strongly guarantee that the mounting surface 67pS and the conveying surface TS are flush, thereby further suppressing the occurrence of conveying defects.

[0095] Furthermore, in the modified stage 67, the light-shielding portion 67s may extend from the connecting portion 67c. By providing the light-shielding portion 67s extending from the connecting portion 67c connected to the shaft sliding portion 67g, it is possible to further suppress the time variation from the detection of light shielding of the optical axis L2 by the bottom sensor SE3 to the stopping of the shaft sliding portion 67g.

[0096] The light-shielding portion 67s may be provided so as to block the optical axis L2 of the bottom sensor SE3 when the connecting portion 67c is separated from the mounting portion 67p. In this case, the light-shielding portion 67s can more reliably ensure that tensile tension is acting between the mounting portion 67p and the connecting portion 67c when the bottom sensor SE3 detects that the optical axis L2 has been blocked. Therefore, the modified stage 67 can more strongly ensure that the mounting surface 67pS and the transport surface TS are flush, and thus can further suppress the occurrence of transport defects.

[0097] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are also understood to fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0098] 1. Automated trading device 10 Coin processing device 18 Pin Belt Conveyor Unit 21 Stacker section 50 Storage compartments 55 Rotating body of the cylindrical storage section 56. Tube storage section 66 shaft 67 stages 67p Mounting section 67 pS mounting surface 67g shaft sliding part 67c Connection 67s light shielding part 69 Feeding mechanism 81 Stopper 85 Elastic members SPC storage space Pr acceptance location Pe feeding position TS transport surface SE3 Bottom Sensor

Claims

1. A cylindrical storage section having a cylindrical storage space in which coins are stored, A mounting section having a mounting surface on which the coin is placed, and which is provided to be movable vertically within the storage space, A stage drive unit that contacts the lower part of the mounting portion and moves the mounting portion in the vertical direction, Equipped with, The coin processing device is such that the stage drive unit is able to move further downward, separated from the lower part of the aforementioned placement unit, after the aforementioned placement unit has reached a predetermined position at the lower end of the storage space.

2. The coin processing device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion stops at the predetermined position by contacting a stopper provided at a position corresponding to the lower peripheral edge of the mounting portion described above.

3. The system further includes a transport surface for guiding the coins when the cylindrical storage section is moved. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the placement surface and the transport surface, which are stopped at the predetermined position, are substantially flush.

4. A light-shielding portion is provided so as to extend downward from the mounting portion or the stage drive portion, An optical sensor that detects the arrival of the aforementioned placement part at the predetermined position by being shielded from light by the light-shielding part, The coin processing device according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. The mounting section and the stage drive section are connected by an elastic member. The coin processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the stage drive unit moves further downward, separating from the lower part of the aforementioned mounting unit, the elastic member applies tensile tension between the aforementioned mounting unit and the stage drive unit.

6. The lower part of the mounting portion is provided with a hole that extends in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, The stage drive unit is provided with a projection that extends in the horizontal direction and fits into the hole. The coin processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the convex portion abuts against the lower part of the aforementioned mounting portion, thereby moving the aforementioned mounting portion in the vertical direction.

7. The aforementioned hole has an elongated shape extending in the vertical direction, The coin processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the convex portion is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction inside the hole, and after the aforementioned mounting portion stops at the predetermined position, it is further movable in a direction away from the state in which it is in contact with the lower part of the aforementioned mounting portion.

8. The mounting portion is provided with a slit portion which is an elongated hole-shaped opening extending in the vertical direction. The aforementioned protrusion is provided with a guide portion that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the protrusion extends. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the protrusion is fitted with the hole, the guide portion is fitted with the slit portion.

9. The coin processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the coins are inserted into the storage space from above and accumulated horizontally on the placement surface of the placement section described above.

10. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the stage drive unit moves the aforementioned coin placement unit downward as the number of coins placed on the aforementioned placement unit increases.

11. A coin processing device that handles the deposit and withdrawal of coins, A banknote processing device that handles the deposit and withdrawal of banknotes, Equipped with, The aforementioned coin processing device is A cylindrical storage section having a cylindrical storage space in which coins are stored, A mounting section having a mounting surface on which the coin is placed, and which is provided to be movable vertically within the storage space, The stage includes a stage drive unit that contacts the lower part of the mounting portion and moves the mounting portion in the vertical direction, The stage drive unit is an automated trading device that, after the aforementioned mounting unit reaches a predetermined position at the lower end of the storage space, is able to move further downward while being separated from the lower part of the aforementioned mounting unit.

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