Coin processing device and currency handling device

Abstract

To enable easy control and exclusion of abnormal coins from passing with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A coin deposit / withdrawal device 5 of a cash register change machine 1 can control the progress of abnormal coins CNA whose apparent thickness is greater than a length L1 while allowing normal coins CN to pass through an abnormal coin control unit 60 in a transport unit 35. The coin deposit / withdrawal device 5, while controlling the transport of the abnormal coins CNA by the abnormal coin control unit 60, makes a transport pin 47 of the transport unit 35 travel in a reverse direction, and moves a control guide 61 in a forward oblique upper direction through the abnormal coins CNA, so that a control interval LC is temporarily expanded. This allows the coin deposit / withdrawal device 5 to smoothly remove the abnormal coins CNA trapped between a control surface 61C and a guide surface 41G, transport them in the reverse direction, and discharge them through a return port 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coin processing device and a currency handling device, and is suitable for use in a cash register change dispenser used at the cash registers of retail stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, cash register change dispensers that combine a POS register connected to a POS (Point Of Sales) system with a change dispenser that processes the deposit and withdrawal of bills and coins have become widespread. In addition to those operated by retail store cashiers, self-service cash registers that are operated by customers are also becoming more common.

[0003] This cash register change machine is composed of a control device having, for example, a touch panel that accepts operations from a cashier or a customer (hereinafter referred to as a user) and presents information and controls the entire system, a banknote processing device that processes banknotes, a coin processing device that processes coins, etc. Among these, the coin processing device may have, for example, an insertion port that separates coins inserted by a user into individual coins, a transport section that transports the coins, a recognition section that recognizes the type of coin, etc., a storage cabinet that stores coins by denomination and dispenses coins for change, a dispensing tray that accumulates the dispensed coins, and a return port for returning foreign objects other than coins, etc. In addition, in the coin processing device, since coins are generally made of metal or the like and have sufficient rigidity, the shape of each section is configured to match the shape of the coin.

[0004] On the other hand, since coins are handled under various circumstances, they may be deformed by the application of excessive force, or may have foreign matter attached thereto, resulting in an apparent shape different from the original. Hereinafter, such coins will be referred to as abnormal coins. When such an abnormal coin is inserted into a coin processing device, a blockage or the like may occur inside the device, making it impossible to continue various processes, and maintenance work by a maintenance worker may be required.

[0005] In view of this, a coin deposit / withdrawal device (coin processing device) has been proposed that is provided with a rotating disk at the deposit / withdrawal port (insertion port) and a coin regulating guide that forms a predetermined gap between the disk and the coin (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this coin processing device, if the thickness of a coin inserted into the deposit / withdrawal port is greater than the gap, i.e., if the coin is an abnormal coin, the coin regulating guide can regulate the passage of the abnormal coin into the transport path and eject the coin into the reject transport path (return port). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 6-162305 A (Fig. 2, etc.) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the coin processing device configured as described above, when the passage of an abnormal coin is restricted by the coin restriction guide, the abnormal coin may become caught between the coin restriction guide and the disk, and may not be able to be discharged to the reject transport path. Therefore, in this coin processing device, a series of operations is performed in which the coin restriction guide is temporarily separated from the disk to enlarge the gap, and then a specified guide is moved to transport the abnormal coin to the reject transport path.

[0008] However, in order to perform a series of operations in this coin processing device, it is necessary to supply driving forces to a plurality of components, such as driving forces for moving the coin regulating guide toward and away from the disk, driving forces for moving the guide, etc. For this reason, this coin processing device requires a plurality of driving force sources (rotary solenoids, etc.), and each of these needs to be driven and controlled, which causes a problem of a complicated configuration.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to propose a coin processing device and a currency handling device that can easily regulate and remove the passage of abnormal coins with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problem, the coin processing device of the present invention includes a conveying guide having a guide surface for guiding coins and forming a conveying path for the coins; The conveyor belt is provided on the conveyor belt and is located on the side where the conveyor path is formed with respect to the guide surface of the conveyor guide. Apply force to coins in positive or negative directions Carrying pin The coin conveying device includes a conveying unit that conveys the coin in the forward or reverse direction along the conveying guide, and a regulating surface that faces the guide surface at a predetermined reference interval, and when the coin is conveyed in the forward direction by the conveying unit, the regulating member allows normal coins that are of a normal shape to pass, but regulates the passage of abnormal coins whose thickness is greater than the reference interval. When the abnormal coin is conveyed in the reverse direction by the conveying unit, Carrying pin Based on the force supplied from the guide surface, the guide surface and the regulating surface are displaced in a direction to widen the gap from a reference gap.

[0011] The present invention also provides a currency handling device having a general control unit and a coin processing device that processes coins based on the control of the general control unit, the coin processing device including a conveying guide having a guide surface for guiding coins and forming a conveying path for the coins; The conveyor belt is provided on the conveyor belt and is located on the side where the conveyor path is formed with respect to the guide surface of the conveyor guide. Apply force to coins in positive or negative directions Carrying pin The coin conveying device includes a conveying unit that conveys the coin in the forward or reverse direction along the conveying guide, and a regulating surface that faces the guide surface at a predetermined reference interval, and when the coin is conveyed in the forward direction by the conveying unit, the regulating member allows normal coins that are of a normal shape to pass, but regulates the passage of abnormal coins whose thickness is greater than the reference interval. When the abnormal coin is conveyed in the reverse direction by the conveying unit, Carrying pin Based on the force supplied from the guide surface, the gap between the guide surface and the regulating surface is displaced in a direction to be wider than the reference gap. Furthermore, in the coin processing device of the present invention, there is provided a transport guide having a guide surface for guiding coins and forming a transport path for the coin, a transport section for transporting coins in the forward or reverse direction along the transport guide, and a regulating surface facing the guide surface at a predetermined standard distance, and when the coin is transported in the forward direction by the transport section, a regulating member is provided which allows normal coins with a normal shape to pass while regulating the passage of abnormal coins whose thickness is greater than the standard distance, and when an abnormal coin is transported in the reverse direction by the transport section, the regulating member is displaced in a direction that includes a component in a direction that widens the distance between the guide surface and the regulating surface beyond the standard distance, and a component in the reverse direction.

[0012] The present invention allows normal coins to pass while restricting the passage of abnormal coins when conveying coins in the forward direction with the distance between the guide surface of the conveying guide and the regulating surface of the regulating member set to a reference distance. In addition, the present invention restricts the passage of abnormal coins with the regulating member, and even if the abnormal coin is caught between the conveying surface and the regulating surface, the force of the conveying unit to convey the abnormal coin in the reverse direction can be used to displace the regulating member, and at this time, the distance between the conveying surface and the regulating surface can be made larger than the reference distance, making it possible to easily convey the abnormal coin. Also, the present invention restricts the passage of abnormal coins with the regulating member, and even if the abnormal coin is caught between the conveying surface and the regulating surface, the regulating member can be displaced by using the force of the conveying unit to convey the abnormal coin in the reverse direction, and at this time, the abnormal coin can be easily conveyed by expanding the distance between the conveying surface and the regulating surface. Carrying pin Since the regulating member can be displaced by the force supplied from the regulating member, there is no need to provide a dedicated driving force source for driving the regulating member, and this does not lead to a complicated device configuration or increased manufacturing costs. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a coin processing device and a currency handling device that can easily regulate and remove the passage of abnormal coins with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the overall configuration of the cash register change dispenser. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a coin depositing and dispensing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a conveying unit. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an abnormal coin regulating unit and a transport sensor according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing regulation of abnormal coins (1) according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing regulation of abnormal coins (2) according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an abnormal coin regulation unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing normal coin transportation according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing regulation of abnormal coins (1) according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing regulation of abnormal coins (2) according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] 1. First embodiment [1-1. Overall configuration of the cash register change machine] As shown in the external view in Fig. 1, the cash register change machine 1 according to the first embodiment is composed of an upper POS register 2 and a lower change machine 3, which are independent devices. The cash register change machine 1 as a currency handling device is operated by a cashier at a checkout counter (a so-called cash register) of a retail store such as a supermarket or convenience store when a customer pays for products that he or she wishes to purchase. Incidentally, in stores that have introduced a system known as a self-checkout, the cash register change machine 1 may be operated by the customer himself or herself, rather than by a cashier, to carry out the payment procedure.

[0017] In the following description, the side facing a cashier or other such person (hereinafter referred to as the user) is referred to as the front side and the opposite side as the rear side, and further the left and right and top and bottom are defined as viewed from the user.

[0018] The POS register 2 has a register control unit 11, a display operation unit 12, and a receipt processing unit (not shown), etc. The POS register 2 is also connected to a barcode reader (not shown), and recognizes a product by reading the barcode attached to the product with this barcode reader.

[0019] The cash register control unit 11, which serves as the overall control unit, has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. (not shown), and performs various processes by executing predetermined programs read from the ROM etc. by the CPU, thereby providing overall control. The display operation unit 12 is a so-called touch panel, and displays the name and price of recognized products, and also accepts input operations by the user and transmits them to the cash register control unit 11. In response to this, the cash register control unit 11 can increase or decrease the quantity of products, correct the price, etc. The receipt processing unit (not shown) prints the name and price of the recognized products on a receipt, and discharges it from the receipt discharge port.

[0020] Meanwhile, the change machine 3 is broadly composed of a banknote deposit and withdrawal device 4 that handles banknotes, a coin deposit and withdrawal device 5 that handles coins, and a display operation unit 6 located at the upper front side. Incidentally, like general coins, coins are made of metals such as nickel, copper, aluminum, etc., or alloys or combinations of these metals, and are formed into thin plates.

[0021] The paper money receiving and dispensing device 4 takes in paper money deposited by a user from a paper money receiving and dispensing section 21 and stores it in an internal paper money storage 22, and also feeds out paper money instructed by a cash register control section 11 from the paper money storage 22 and dispenses it as change from the paper money receiving and dispensing section 21.

[0022] The coin depositing and dispensing device 5 as a coin processing device has an internal coin control unit 30 as a control unit, with a coin insertion unit 31 provided on the upper left side of the front side, a coin dispensing tray 32 provided below that, and a return port 33 provided further to the left of that. Based on the control of the coin control unit 30, this coin depositing and dispensing device 5 takes in coins inserted by a user into the coin insertion unit 31 and stores them in an internal storage, and also dispenses coins of a denomination and number according to the amount instructed by the cash register control unit 11 from the coin dispensing tray 32 as change (this will be described in detail later).

[0023] The display operation unit 6 is configured by a combination of a predetermined display panel and predetermined operation buttons. The display panel of the display operation unit 6 displays, as the operating status of the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 4 and the coin deposit and withdrawal device 5, for example, that the coin deposit and withdrawal device 5 has a shortage of coins for change, that a predetermined sensor has detected an abnormality, and the location of the abnormality. The operation buttons of the display operation unit 6 also receive instructions, for example, regarding the transportation of coins, via a press operation by a user, etc.

[0024] In the settlement procedure in which a customer pays for products, for example, the cash register change machine 1 calculates the purchase price of the products by reading the barcodes attached to each product using the POS register 2, and notifies the customer of the calculated price. In response, the customer deposits money equal to or more than the purchase price, i.e., banknotes and coins, with the cashier. The cashier inserts the banknotes received from the customer into the banknote deposit / withdrawal section 21 of the banknote deposit / withdrawal device 4, and inserts the coins into the coin insertion section 31 of the coin deposit / withdrawal device 5. In response, the coin deposit / withdrawal device 5 performs a deposit process, and notifies the cash register control section 11 of the total amount of the deposited coins. The banknote deposit / withdrawal device 4 similarly notifies the cash register control section 11 of the total amount of the deposited banknotes.

[0025] The cash register control unit 11 calculates the amount of change by subtracting the purchase price of the product from the total amount of the deposited bills and coins, and calculates the amount to be dispensed from the bill deposit and withdrawal device 4 and the coin deposit and withdrawal device 5 (hereinafter referred to as the withdrawal amount) and notifies the bill deposit and withdrawal device 4 and the coin deposit and withdrawal device 5, respectively. The coin deposit and withdrawal device 5 performs a withdrawal process according to the notified withdrawal amount, and ejects coins of the ejected amount onto the coin ejection tray 32, which the user receives. The bill deposit and withdrawal device 4 similarly ejects bills of the ejected amount into the bill deposit and withdrawal unit 21, which the user receives. If the user is a cashier, the cashier returns the bills and coins of the change to the customer together with a receipt, etc., completing a series of settlement procedures.

[0026] [1-2. Configuration of the coin deposit and withdrawal device] Next, the configuration of the coin depositing and dispensing device 5 will be described. As shown in the schematic plan view of Fig. 2, the coin depositing and dispensing device 5 has, in addition to the above-mentioned coin control unit 30, coin insertion unit 31, coin dispensing tray 32, and return port 33, a transport unit 35, a recognition unit 36, a reject branching unit 37, six sorting branching units 38, and six storage units 39. Incidentally, in the coin depositing and dispensing device 5, the coin dispensing tray 32, the return port 33, and the storage unit 39 are arranged at a relatively low position, and the rest of the transport unit 35 and the like are arranged at a relatively high position.

[0027] 1, the coin insertion portion 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an opening at the top and a central axis aligned in the up-down direction as a whole, with a cylindrically recessed insertion space 31S formed inside and a rotatable disk 31C built into the bottom. The coin insertion portion 31 also incorporates an insertion sensor 31N that detects the presence or absence of a coin in the insertion space 31S, etc.

[0028] When the coin insertion section 31 detects via the insertion sensor 31N that a coin has been inserted into the insertion space 31S, it rotates the disk 31C in a predetermined payout direction, and exerts centrifugal force on the coin to transport it to the outer periphery of the disk 31C and hand it over to the transport section 35.

[0029] The conveying section 35 forms a conveying path along the front-to-back direction on the left side of the storage unit 39 (hereinafter also referred to as the left conveying section 35L), and also forms a conveying path along the left-to-right direction on the rear side of the storage unit 39 (hereinafter also referred to as the rear conveying section 35R), so that coins can be conveyed rearward along these conveying paths and then further leftward.

[0030] Hereinafter, the direction along the conveying path, i.e., the front-rear direction in the left conveying section 35L and the left-right direction in the rear conveying section 35R, will also be referred to as the conveying direction. Also, below, the rear direction in the left conveying section 35L and the right direction in the rear conveying section 35R will also be referred to as the forward direction, and the front direction in the left conveying section 35L and the left direction in the rear conveying section 35R will also be referred to as the reverse direction.

[0031] As shown in the plan view of Fig. 2 and the schematic cross-sectional view of Fig. 3, the conveying section 35 is composed of a conveying guide 41, a conveying side guide 42, a belt roller 43, a belt motor 44, and a pin belt 45. The conveying guide 41 is a plate-like member with a flat upper surface (hereinafter referred to as guide surface 41G), and is disposed along the conveying path. The length of the conveying guide 41 in the left-right direction in the left conveying section 35L and in the front-rear direction in the rear conveying section 35R (hereinafter these directions are also referred to as width directions) is slightly larger (longer) than the diameter of a coin.

[0032] The conveying side guides 42 are provided at both ends of the conveying guide 41 in the width direction, and their upper ends reach a position sufficiently higher than the guide surface 41G. Therefore, when a coin CN is placed on the guide surface 41G with its plate surface facing up and down, the conveying guide 41 and the conveying side guide 42 can advance the coin CN in the conveying direction along the conveying path when an external force is applied to the coin CN in the conveying direction.

[0033] The belt rollers 43 (FIG. 2) are arranged near the front end, the rear left end, and the rear right end on the upper side of the conveying guide 41. The belt motor 44 (FIG. 2) is adapted to transmit driving force from its output shaft to some of the belt rollers 43. This belt motor 44 is adapted to rotate in both directions based on the control of the coin control unit 30.

[0034] The pin belt 45 (FIG. 3) is composed of a conveyor belt 46 and a plurality of conveyor pins 47. The conveyor belt 46 is an endless belt made of a flexible material, and is stretched so as to wind around the belt roller 43. That is, the conveyor belt 46 is stretched above the conveyor guide 41. The conveyor pins 47 are configured as cylinders whose central axes are aligned in the up-down direction as a whole, and are attached so as to protrude downward from the conveyor belt 46 at predetermined intervals in the running direction of the conveyor belt 46. The lower end of the conveyor pin 47 abuts against the guide surface 41G of the conveyor guide 41, or forms a small gap between the guide surface 41G and the conveyor pin 47.

[0035] With this configuration, when the conveying unit 35 runs the pin belt 45 in the positive conveying direction based on the control of the coin control unit 30, the conveying pin 47 abuts the coin CN received from the coin insertion unit 31 near its front end, applying a force in the positive direction, and conveying the coin in the positive conveying direction along the conveying path.

[0036] In addition, when the conveying unit 35, based on the control of the coin control unit 30, causes the pin belt 45 to run in the opposite direction to the conveying direction, the conveying pin 47 can abut against the coin on the conveying path near its rear end, applying a force in the opposite direction to the coin, and conveying the coin along the conveying path in the opposite direction to the conveying direction.

[0037] The recognition unit 36 ​​(FIG. 2) is provided near the front of the left transport unit 35L and has various sensors such as optical sensors and magnetic sensors. Based on the detection results obtained from the coins transported by the left transport unit 35L by the various sensors, the recognition unit 36 ​​determines whether the coin is valid and its denomination, and notifies the coin control unit 30. In response, the coin control unit 30 determines the destination of the coin.

[0038] Incidentally, the recognition unit 36 ​​determines whether the coin is one of the six denominations of 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, or 500 yen that are the denominations to be handled (i.e., whether it is a genuine coin) or whether it is a coin that cannot be identified as any of the denominations and may not be genuine (hereinafter, this will be referred to as a rejected coin). If the coin is genuine, the coin control unit 30 causes the left conveying unit 35L to continue traveling in the forward direction, thereby moving the coin backward, i.e., toward the rear conveying unit 35R, whereas if it is a rejected coin, it causes the left conveying unit 35L to travel in the reverse direction, thereby moving the coin forward.

[0039] The reject branching section 37 is provided in front of the recognition section 36 in the left conveying section 35L, and is composed of a reject hole section 51 that penetrates the conveying guide 41 in the vertical direction, a plate-shaped reject blade 52 that is configured to be rotatable relative to the conveying guide 41, etc. Based on the control of the coin control section 30, the reject branching section 37 can be switched between a state in which the upper surface of the reject blade 52 is approximately aligned with the upper surface of the conveying guide 41 (hereinafter referred to as a closed state), and a state in which the rear side of the reject blade 52 is lifted and the upper surface is inclined relative to the conveying guide 41 (hereinafter referred to as an open state).

[0040] In the closed state, the reject branching section 37 allows coins transported from the front side (i.e., the upstream side) by the left transport section 35L to proceed directly to the rear side (i.e., the downstream side). In the open state, the reject branching section 37 allows coins transported from the rear side by the left transport section 35L to fall downward from the reject hole section 51. A reject transport section 53 is provided below the reject hole section 51. The reject transport section 53 has a so-called chute structure, and allows coins to proceed from the lower side of the reject hole section 51 to the return port 33 (FIG. 1).

[0041] Each sorting branching section 38 is provided directly above each storage 39 on the rear conveying section 35R, and is configured similarly to the reject branching section 37. Based on the control of the coin control section 30, each sorting branching section 38 closes or opens a sorting hole section 56 that penetrates the conveying guide 41 in the vertical direction by rotating a sorting blade 57 configured similarly to the reject blade 52.

[0042] Based on the recognition result in the recognition unit 36, the coin control unit 30 opens one of the sorting branching units 38 and closes the other sorting branching units 38, thereby causing coins to drop and be stored in the storage cabinet 39 located directly below the open sorting branching unit 38.

[0043] Each of the six storage boxes 39 is assigned a denomination and stores coins of the assigned denomination. Each storage box 39 is also equipped with a separation mechanism that separates and dispenses coins one by one, and can separate and dispense (i.e., dispense) coins one by one under the control of the coin control unit 30. The dispensed coins are stored in the coin dispensing tray 32.

[0044] [1-3. Configuration of abnormal coin control unit and conveyance sensor] In addition to the above-mentioned configuration, the coin deposit and withdrawal device 5 is provided with an abnormal coin regulating section 60 and a transport sensor 70 on the rear side of the recognition section 36 in the left transport section 35L. The abnormal coin regulating section 60 is composed of a left regulation guide 61L, a right regulation guide 61R, a left guide shaft 62L, a right guide shaft 62R, and two springs 63, as shown in schematic right side view and front side view in Fig. 4(A) and (B).

[0045] The left regulating guide 61L is made of, for example, a specific metal material and is configured as a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole. The left-right length of this left regulating guide 61L is about half the length in the width direction (left-right direction in the left conveying section 35L) of the conveying guide 41, and the vertical length is about several times the thickness of the coin.

[0046] The lower surface of the left restriction guide 61L, that is, the restriction surface 61C, is generally flat, but the vicinity of the left end protrudes downward by a length L1 (hereinafter also referred to as the reference distance), forming a lower protruding portion 61P (hereinafter also referred to as the restriction contact portion). This length L1 is slightly larger than the maximum thickness of the coins to be handled (for example, the thickness of a 500 yen coin).

[0047] The left restriction guide 61L is formed with a through hole 61H, which is a round hole penetrating generally in the front-rear direction. The through hole 61H is inclined downward from the front side to the rear side. Incidentally, an axis X61H, which is a virtual central axis of the through hole 61H, is inclined by a predetermined inclination angle α with respect to the restriction surface 61C and the lower surface of the lower protrusion 61P.

[0048] The right restriction guide 61R is configured to be substantially symmetrical to the left restriction guide 61L. That is, the right restriction guide 61R has a restriction surface 61C, a lower protrusion 61P, and a through hole 61H that are configured to be symmetrical to the left restriction guide 61L. For convenience of explanation, the left restriction guide 61L and the right restriction guide 61R will be collectively referred to as the restriction guide 61 or the restriction member hereinafter.

[0049] A pin passing space S61 is formed between the right and left restriction guides 61R and 61L. The length of the pin passing space S61 in the left-right direction, i.e., the distance between the left and right restriction guides 61L and 61R, is sufficiently larger than the diameter of the transport pins 47 (FIG. 3) in the transport section 35.

[0050] The left guide shaft 62L is configured in a generally elongated cylindrical shape along the front-rear direction, and is inclined downward as it advances toward the rear. The length of the left guide shaft 62L in the front-rear direction is sufficiently longer than that of the left restriction guide 61L. The front and rear ends of the left guide shaft 62L are fixed to support members (not shown). Incidentally, the axis X62, which is the imaginary central axis of the left guide shaft 62L, is inclined by an inclination angle α with respect to the guide surface 41G of the conveying guide 41.

[0051] The left guide shaft 62L is inserted through a through hole 61H of the left regulation guide 61L. Therefore, the left regulation guide 61L can move in a downward rear direction or an upward front direction along the left guide shaft 62L.

[0052] When the left restriction guide 61L moves in a downward rearward direction, it stops at the stage where the lower surface of the lower protrusion 61P abuts against the guide surface 41G, which is the upper surface of the conveyance guide 41. At this time, the distance between the guide surface 41G and the restriction surface 61C (hereinafter referred to as the restriction distance LC) is length L1. Hereinafter, this state is referred to as the restriction state, and the position of the left restriction guide 61L at this time is referred to as the restriction position. Even if an external force is further applied in the backward direction in this restriction state, the left restriction guide 61L will not move further in the downward rearward direction and will stop at the restriction position because the lower surface of the lower protrusion 61P has already abutted against the guide surface 41G.

[0053] Furthermore, when the left restriction guide 61L moves obliquely upward and forward from the restriction position, the restriction distance LC, which is the distance between the guide surface 41G and the restriction surface 61C, increases from the length L1.

[0054] The right guide shaft 62R is configured to be substantially symmetrical with the left guide shaft 62L, and is inserted into the through hole 61H of the right regulation guide 61R. Therefore, like the left regulation guide 61L, the right regulation guide 61R can move in a rearward and downward diagonal direction or a frontward and upward diagonal direction along the right guide shaft 62R, and the regulation interval LC can be changed accordingly. For convenience of explanation, the left guide shaft 62L and the right guide shaft 62R are hereinafter collectively referred to as the guide shafts 62.

[0055] The spring 63 as the biasing portion is a so-called coil spring, and is provided between the front surface of the left restriction guide 61L and the support member (not shown) and between the front surface of the right restriction guide 61R and the support member (not shown) in a state slightly compressed from the natural state. Therefore, the spring 63 can apply a biasing force toward the left restriction guide 61L and the right restriction guide 61R by the action of the restoring force in a generally rearward direction.

[0056] As a result, the left and right restriction guides 61L and 61R are in a restricted state when no external force is applied, and the restriction interval LC is set to length L1, whereas when an external force in the forward direction is applied, they move from the restricted state diagonally upward toward the front, and the restriction interval LC is expanded from length L1.

[0057] The conveying sensor 70 is an optical sensor, and is composed of a light-emitting unit 71 arranged above the conveying guide 41, and a light-receiving unit 72 arranged below the conveying guide 41. The light-emitting unit 71 emits a predetermined detection light LD downward. Incidentally, a sensor hole 41H is drilled in the conveying guide 41 on the optical path of the detection light LD to allow the detection light LD to pass. The light-receiving unit 72 receives the detection light LD and generates a detection signal consisting of an electrical signal according to the intensity (or amount of light) of the detection light LD, and notifies the coin control unit 30 of this. Based on this detection signal, the coin control unit 30 recognizes that the coin CN has passed, that the coin CN has stopped, etc.

[0058] [1-4. Passage and regulation of coins in the abnormal coin regulation section] When a coin CN of normal shape, i.e., a coin CN that is roughly disc-shaped and has no bends or foreign matter attached thereto (hereinafter also referred to as a normal coin), is being transported by the left transport section 35L (Figure 2), the transport pin 47 abuts against the front end of the coin CN, and the transport pin 47 applies a force in the rearward direction to the coin CN.

[0059] At this time, the coin CN is at least recognized as a coin to be handled by the recognition unit 36 ​​(FIG. 2), and since its thickness is shorter (thinner) than the length L1, it smoothly advances rearward without coming into contact with the front side surface or the regulation surface 61C of the regulation guide 61, and passes under the regulation guide 61 (regulation surface 61C). Incidentally, the transport pin 47 passes rearward through the pin passing space S61 formed between the left regulation guide 61L and the right regulation guide 61R.

[0060] On the other hand, the left transport section 35L (FIG. 2) may transport a coin CN (hereinafter referred to as an abnormal coin CNA) that is eligible for handling but has a different external shape compared to a normal state due to deformation, the attachment of foreign matter, etc., to the abnormal coin regulation section 60. Here, as shown in FIG. 5(A) corresponding to FIG. 4(A), an abnormal coin CNA that has been deformed from a normal shape is transported by the transport pin 47A of the left transport section 35L, and the apparent thickness of the abnormal coin CNA is larger (longer) than the length L1. Incidentally, in FIG. 5(A) etc., the direction in which each component moves is indicated by an outline arrow arranged near the moving component.

[0061] In this case, as shown in Fig. 5(B), in the abnormal coin regulating unit 60, the abnormal coin CNA cannot pass under the regulating guide 61, and comes to rest with a part of it in contact with the regulating surface 61C or the front surface of the regulating guide 61. That is, in the abnormal coin regulating unit 60, the regulating guide 61 restricts the conveyance of the abnormal coin CNA, specifically, the abnormal coin CNA gets caught in the regulating guide 61 and is sandwiched between the regulating surface 61C and the guide surface 41G.

[0062] At this time, in the abnormal coin control section 60, the abnormal coin CNA is sandwiched between the control surface 61C and the guide surface 41G, and a relatively large frictional force acts between the two, making it difficult for the abnormal coin CNA to move even if a forward force acts on the abnormal coin CNA.

[0063] Here, the detection light LD continues to be blocked by the abnormal coin CNA in the transport sensor 70. At this time, the coin control unit 30 determines that a blockage of the coin CN has occurred in the abnormal coin regulation unit 60, presumes that the coin CN is an abnormal coin CNA, and starts the abnormal coin discharge process to discharge the abnormal coin CNA to the return port 33 via the reject branch unit 37 (FIG. 2).

[0064] Specifically, the coin control unit 30 reverses the conveying direction of the coin CN in the conveying unit 35, and changes the moving direction of each conveying pin 47 in the left conveying unit 35L to the forward direction. As a result, in the abnormal coin regulation unit 60, as shown in Fig. 5(C), the conveying pin 47A that was in contact with the front side of the trapped abnormal coin CNA moves forward and away from the abnormal coin CNA.

[0065] Next, the left transport unit 35L also advances the transport pin 47B located behind the abnormal coin regulating unit 60 forward, and as shown in Fig. 6(A), moves the transport pin 47B close to the rear side of the abnormal coin regulating unit 60. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 6(B), the left transport unit 35L advances the transport pin 47B forward between the left regulating guide 61L and the right regulating guide 61R, i.e., in the pin passing space S61, until it abuts against the vicinity of the rear end of the abnormal coin CNA.

[0066] Here, in the abnormal coin regulating unit 60, a force acts in the forward direction on the abnormal coin CNA from the transport pin 47B, but because a part of the abnormal coin CNA abuts against the regulating surface 61C, a frictional force acts between the abnormal coin CNA and the regulating guide 61. As a result, in the abnormal coin regulating unit 60, a force acts in the forward direction from the abnormal coin CNA to the regulating guide 61, which causes the regulating guide 61 to move (displace) slightly in an upward and forward diagonal direction along the guide shaft 62 as shown in Fig. 6(C), and causes the regulating interval LC, which is the interval between the regulating surface 61C and the guide surface 41G, to be slightly enlarged from the length L1 (Fig. 4).

[0067] Accordingly, in the abnormal coin regulating unit 60, the frictional force acting between the abnormal coin CNA and the regulating surface 61C and guide surface 41G decreases, and the abnormal coin CNA moves forward together with the conveying pin 47B, and eventually the abnormal coin CNA is pushed out to the front side of the regulating guide 61. Also, in the abnormal coin regulating unit 60, the regulating guide 61 moves diagonally backward and downward due to the restoring force of the spring 63, returning to the regulated state (FIG. 4) in which the lower surface of the lower protrusion 61P abuts against the guide surface 41G.

[0068] Thereafter, the coin control unit 30 transitions the reject branch unit 37 to an open state while continuing to reverse the conveying direction of the left conveying unit 35L, causing the abnormal coin CNA to drop through the reject hole 51 and reach the return port 33 (Figure 1).

[0069] Incidentally, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the reverse conveying operation in the conveying section 35, the coin control section 30 assumes that the abnormal coin CNA has been dropped through the reject hole section 51, and returns the conveying direction in the conveying section 35 to the forward direction and returns the reject branch section 37 to the closed state.

[0070] [1-5. Effects, etc.] In the above configuration, the coin deposit and dispensing device 5 of the cash register change machine 1 according to the first embodiment has an abnormal coin regulating unit 60 provided behind the recognition unit 36 ​​in the left transport section 35L of the transport section 35, and a transport sensor 70 provided immediately before the abnormal coin regulating unit 60. The transport section 35 causes the pin belt 45 (FIG. 3) to travel in the forward direction, thereby abutting the transport pin 47 against the vicinity of the front end of the coin CN, and transports the coin CN on the guide surface 41G of the transport guide 41 in the forward transport direction.

[0071] Here, the abnormal coin regulating unit 60 allows coins CN with a normal shape to pass under the regulating surface 61C of the regulating guide 61 (FIG. 4(A)). On the other hand, for abnormal coins CNA that are relatively thick due to deformation or the attachment of foreign matter, the abnormal coin regulating unit 60 restricts their movement in the rearward direction, which is the positive direction of transport, by abutting them against the front surface of the regulating guide 61 or the regulating surface 61C (FIGS. 5(A) and (B)).

[0072] As a result, in the coin depositing and dispensing device 5, the abnormal coin regulating unit 60 can reliably prevent the abnormal coin CNA from being transported downstream, i.e., to the storage vault 39, etc. Therefore, in the coin depositing and dispensing device 5, it is possible to prevent the abnormal coin CNA from causing a blockage in the payout mechanism (not shown) etc. incorporated inside the storage vault 39, and it is possible to eliminate the need for complicated maintenance work etc. for clearing such a blockage.

[0073] In addition, when the coin control unit 30 of the coin deposit and withdrawal device 5 detects via the conveying sensor 70 that the conveying of the coin CN has stopped, i.e., that the conveying of the abnormal coin CNA has been restricted by the abnormal coin regulating unit 60, it switches the conveying direction in the conveying unit 35 from the forward direction to the reverse direction, and advances the conveying pin 47 in the left conveying unit 35L forward (Figure 5 (C)).

[0074] As a result, in the abnormal coin control section 60, a force acts in a forward direction on the control guide 61 from the conveying pin 47B located behind the abnormal coin CNA via the abnormal coin CNA, causing the control guide 61 to move diagonally upward and forward along the guide shaft 62, thereby expanding the control interval LC from length L1 (Figures 6 (A) to (C)).

[0075] Therefore, in the coin deposit / withdrawal device 5, even if an abnormal coin CNA is pinched between the regulating surface 61C and the guide surface 41G in the abnormal coin regulating section 60 and cannot be easily moved, the pinch can be eliminated by increasing the regulating interval LC, and the abnormal coin CNA can be easily moved.

[0076] At this time, the abnormal coin regulating unit 60 uses the force transmitted from the transport pin 47 to the regulating guide 61 via the abnormal coin CNA to move the regulating guide 61. Also, in the abnormal coin regulating unit 60, when the abnormal coin CNA leaves the regulating guide 61, the action of the spring 63 causes the regulating guide 61 to move diagonally downward and rearward, returning to the regulating position (FIG. 4).

[0077] Therefore, in the abnormal coin regulating unit 60, in both cases of moving the regulating guide 61 to widen the regulating interval LC and returning the regulating guide 61 to the regulating position (FIG. 4), there is no need to separately supply a driving force to the regulating guide 61, and there is no need to provide a driving force source such as a solenoid or actuator. In other words, the abnormal coin regulating unit 60 can have a relatively simple configuration without providing a driving force source.

[0078] Thereafter, the transport unit 35 (FIG. 2) continues to advance the transport pin 47B forward, and the abnormal coin CNA is dropped by the open reject branching unit 37 and can reach the return port 33.

[0079] In this way, in the coin deposit and withdrawal device 5, even if an abnormal coin CNA is inserted into the coin insertion section 31, the abnormal coin regulating section 60 can regulate the transportation of the abnormal coin CNA, and furthermore, the abnormal coin CNA can be allowed to reach the return port 33 and be easily removed.

[0080] Furthermore, in the abnormal coin regulating unit 60 (FIG. 4), lower protrusions 61P are provided on both the left and right outer sides of the regulating guide 61, protruding downward by a length L1 from the regulating surface 61C, and the lower protrusions 61P are brought into contact with the guide surface 41G of the conveying guide 41, thereby restricting the range of movement of the regulating guide 61 in the downward and rearward direction. Therefore, in the abnormal coin regulating unit 60, in the regulated state, the regulating interval LC, which is the interval between the regulating surface 61C and the guide surface 41G, can be precisely adjusted to the length L1.

[0081] Furthermore, in the abnormal coin regulating section 60 (FIG. 4), a pin passing space S61 is formed between the left regulating guide 61L and the right regulating guide 61R, and the transport pin 47 passes through this pin passing space S61. Therefore, in the abnormal coin regulating section 60, when a normal coin CN is transported by the transport pin 47, the transport pin 47 can move smoothly while maintaining the regulating interval LC without abutting against the regulating guide 61.

[0082] According to the above configuration, the coin depositing and dispensing device 5 of the cash register change machine 1 according to the first embodiment allows normal coins CN to pass, while restricting the progress of abnormal coins CNA whose apparent thickness is greater than the length L1, by the abnormal coin regulating unit 60 provided in the transport unit 35. Furthermore, in a state where the abnormal coin regulating unit 60 regulates the transport of the abnormal coin CNA, the coin depositing and dispensing device 5 causes the transport pin 47 of the transport unit 35 to travel in the reverse direction, and moves the regulation guide 61 diagonally upward and forward through the abnormal coin CNA, temporarily expanding the regulation interval LC. This allows the coin depositing and dispensing device 5 to smoothly remove the abnormal coin CNA that has been caught between the regulation surface 61C and the guide surface 41G, and discharges it through the return port 33 after transporting it in the reverse direction.

[0083] 2. Second embodiment A cash register change machine 201 (FIG. 1) according to the second embodiment differs from the cash register change machine 1 according to the first embodiment in that it has a coin depositing and dispensing device 205 instead of the coin depositing and dispensing device 5, but is otherwise configured similarly. A coin depositing and dispensing device 205 (FIG. 2) differs from the coin depositing and dispensing device 5 according to the first embodiment in that it has an abnormal coin regulating unit 260 instead of the abnormal coin regulating unit 60, but is otherwise configured similarly.

[0084] [2-1. Configuration of the Abnormal Coin Control Unit] As shown in schematic plan and cross-sectional views in Figures 7(A) and (B), the abnormal coin regulation unit 260 is composed of a left regulation guide 261L, a right regulation guide 261R, a left guide shaft 262L, a right guide shaft 262R, and two springs 263. Incidentally, Figure 7(B) shows a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A2 in Figure 7(A).

[0085] The left restriction guide 261L is made of, for example, a predetermined metal material and is configured as a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole, similar to the left restriction guide 61L according to the first embodiment. The left restriction guide 261L has a left-right length that is about half the width of the conveyance guide 41, and a vertical length that is about several times the thickness of the coin.

[0086] In the range of about 1 / 4 to 1 / 3 of the left regulating guide 261L toward the front, about half of the right side (i.e., inside) is omitted while about half of the left side (i.e., outside) is left. Hereinafter, the left half of the left side is called the front extension 261E, and the space corresponding to about half of the right side is called the front space S261. In addition, the right part of the front side surface of the left regulating guide 261L, that is, the part located on the rear side of the front space S261, is a front inclined surface 261FS that is inclined so as to progress rearward as it proceeds from the left side to the right side. Furthermore, the rear right part of the left regulating guide 261L has a shape that is cut off obliquely near the apex when viewed from above, in other words, a shape that is inclined so as to progress forward as it proceeds from the left side to the right side, and a rear inclined surface 261RS is formed.

[0087] The lower surface of the left restriction guide 261L, that is, the restriction surface 261C, is not provided with a portion corresponding to the lower protrusion 61P (FIG. 4) unlike the first embodiment, and is formed uniformly flat. Furthermore, the left restriction guide 261L is formed with a through hole 261H penetrating in the front-rear direction.

[0088] 7(B), when viewed from the rear (or front), the through-hole 261H is inclined upward so as to move away from the restriction surface 261C as it progresses from right to left (i.e., from inside to outside). In other words, when the through-hole 261H has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and an imaginary central axis along the long side is taken as an axis X261, the axis X261 is inclined by a predetermined inclination angle β with respect to the restriction surface 261C.

[0089] The right restriction guide 261R is configured to be substantially symmetrical to the left restriction guide 261L, as in the first embodiment. That is, the right restriction guide 261R has a restriction surface 261C and a through hole 261H configured to be symmetrical to the left restriction guide 261L. For convenience of explanation, the left restriction guide 261L and the right restriction guide 261R are collectively referred to as restriction guides 261 or restriction members below. In addition, the left restriction guide 261L is also referred to as a first restriction member, and the right restriction guide 261R is also referred to as a second restriction member below.

[0090] The left guide shaft 262L is configured with two shafts 262T arranged side by side. Each shaft 262T is a thin and cylindrical member extending along the front-rear direction, and its length in the front-rear direction is sufficiently longer than that of the left restriction guide 261L. In addition, the front and rear ends of each shaft 262T are fixed to a support member (not shown). Furthermore, each shaft 262T is arranged such that a virtual axis X262 connecting the central axes of the shafts 262T forms an inclination angle γ with respect to the guide surface 41G of the conveying guide 41.

[0091] The left guide shaft 262L is inserted through the through hole 261H of the left regulation guide 261L, as in the first embodiment. Here, in a cross section (FIG. 7(B)) seen from the rear side of the through hole 261H of the left regulation guide 261L, the longitudinal length, i.e., the length along the axis X261, is about 3 to 5 times the diameter of the shaft 262T, while the lateral length is slightly longer than the diameter of the shaft 262T.

[0092] Therefore, the left restriction guide 261L can move in a diagonally downward right direction or a diagonally upward left direction along the axes X261 and X262. Incidentally, stoppers 264 (shown in FIG. 7(A)) are provided on the front and rear sides of the left restriction guide 261L on the left guide shaft 262L, respectively, to restrict the movement of the left restriction guide 261L in the forward and rearward directions.

[0093] When the left restriction guide 261L advances in a diagonally downward right direction, it stops at the stage where the left inner side surface of the through hole 261H abuts against the left guide shaft 262L. At this time, the distance between the guide surface 41G and the restriction surface 261C (hereinafter, this will be referred to as the restriction distance LC in this embodiment) is length L1. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, this state will be referred to as the restriction state, and the position of the left restriction guide 261L at this time will be referred to as the restriction position. Even if an external force is further applied to the right in this restriction state, the left restriction guide 261L will not move further in the diagonally downward right direction and will stop at the restriction position because the left inner side surface of the through hole 261H has already abutted against the left guide shaft 262L.

[0094] Also, the inclination angle γ of the left guide shaft 262L is the same as the inclination angle β of the left restriction guide 261L. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 7(B), if the axis X261 of the through hole 261H of the left restriction guide 261L is aligned with the axis X262 of the left guide shaft 262L, the restriction surface 261C can be made parallel to the guide surface 41G. Furthermore, when the left restriction guide 261L moves diagonally upward to the left from the restriction position, the restriction interval LC between the two is enlarged from the length L1 while keeping the restriction surface 261C parallel to the guide surface 41G.

[0095] The right guide shaft 262R is configured to be approximately symmetrical to the left guide shaft 262L, and is inserted into the through hole 261H of the right regulation guide 261R. Therefore, the right regulation guide 261R can move diagonally downward to the left or diagonally upward to the right, symmetrical to the left regulation guide 261L, and the regulation interval LC can be changed accordingly. For convenience of explanation, the left guide shaft 262L and the right guide shaft 262R are hereinafter collectively referred to as the guide shafts 262.

[0096] The spring 263 as the urging portion is a so-called coil spring, similar to the spring 63 in the first embodiment, and is provided between the left side surface of the left restriction guide 261L and a predetermined support member (not shown), and between the right side surface of the right restriction guide 261R and a predetermined support member (not shown) in a state slightly compressed from the natural state. Therefore, each spring 263 can exert an urging force by the action of the restoring force generally in the right direction with respect to the left restriction guide 261L and generally in the left direction with respect to the right restriction guide 261R, that is, in the directions in which they approach each other.

[0097] As a result, the left and right restriction guides 261L and 261R are in a restricted state (FIG. 7) when no external force is applied, as in the first embodiment, and the restriction interval LC is set to a length L1. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8 corresponding to FIG. 7, when an external force in a direction moving away from each other is applied to the left and right restriction guides 261L and 261R, the left and right restriction guides 261L and 261R move from the restricted state to a diagonally upward left direction and a diagonally upward right direction, that is, in a direction moving away from each other (hereinafter also referred to as a moving away direction), and the restriction interval LC is expanded from the length L1. When the external force is no longer applied to the left and right restriction guides 261L and 261R, the left and right restriction guides 261L and 261R move to a diagonally downward right direction and a diagonally downward left direction, that is, in a direction moving closer to each other (hereinafter also referred to as a moving closer direction), due to the action of the spring 263, and the restriction interval LC is returned to the length L1 (FIG. 7).

[0098] [2-2. Passage and regulation of coins in the abnormal coin regulation section] First, the passage of a normal coin CN will be described. When a coin CN having a normal shape is being transported by the left transport unit 35L, the abnormal coin regulating unit 260 has the transport pin 47 in contact with the vicinity of the front end of the coin CN, and the transport pin 47 applies a force in the rear direction to the coin CN (FIG. 7).

[0099] At this time, the coin CN is at least recognized by the recognition unit 36 ​​as a coin to be handled, and since its thickness is shorter (thinner) than the length L1, it proceeds smoothly in the rear direction without coming into contact with the front side or regulating surface 261C of the regulating guide 261, and enters the underside of the regulating guide 261.

[0100] Next, the abnormal coin regulation unit 260 applies a leftward force to the left regulation guide 261L and a rightward force to the right regulation guide 261R as the conveying pin 47 abuts against the front inclined surface 261FS formed on the front side of the regulation guide 261. As a result, both regulation guides 261 move in directions away from each other and slightly expand the regulation interval LC as shown in FIG.

[0101] In this state, the transport pin 47 continues to bias the vicinity of the front end of the coin CN in the rearward direction while moving rearward between the regulating guides 261, thereby transporting the coin CN rearward below the regulating guides 261. When the transport pin 47 eventually passes between the two regulating guides 261, the regulating guides 261 return to the original regulated state (FIG. 7) by the action of the spring 263.

[0102] Next, the regulation of abnormal coins CNA will be described with reference to Figs. 9(A)-(C) and Figs. 10(A)-(C), which show the abnormal coin regulation unit 260 and the like in schematic form. For convenience of explanation, Fig. 9(A) and the like shows a right side view below the plan view in addition to the plan view and rear cross-sectional view similar to Figs. 7 and 8. Also, in Fig. 9(A) and the like, the guide shaft 262 and the stopper 264 and the like are omitted from the plan view and the right side view. Furthermore, in Fig. 9(A) and the like, as in Fig. 5(A) and the like, the direction in which each member moves is indicated by an outline arrow placed near or inside the moving member.

[0103] As shown in Figure 9(A), when an abnormal coin CNA is transported from the front by the left transport unit 35L, the abnormal coin CNA cannot pass under the regulation guide 261 and comes to a stop with part of it in contact with the regulation surface 261C of the regulation guide 261, as shown in Figure 9(B).

[0104] That is, in the abnormal coin control section 260, as in the first embodiment, the transport of the abnormal coin CNA is controlled by the control guide 261, specifically, the abnormal coin CNA is caught in the control guide 261 and sandwiched between the control surface 261C and the guide surface 41G.

[0105] At this time, in the abnormal coin control section 260, the abnormal coin CNA is sandwiched between the control surface 261C and the guide surface 41G, and a relatively large frictional force acts between the two, making it difficult for the abnormal coin CNA to move even if a forward force acts on the abnormal coin CNA.

[0106] Incidentally, since the restriction guide 261 has a front space S261 formed on the front side, when a part of the abnormal coin CNA is caught in contact with the restriction surface 261C or the like, the conveying pin 47A conveying the abnormal coin CNA is stopped slightly before the front inclined surface 261FS without contacting the front inclined surface 261FS. Therefore, the restriction guide 261 does not move from the restricted state at this point, and the restriction interval LC can be maintained at the length L1 (FIG. 7). Hereinafter, the front space S261 is also referred to as a contact avoidance portion.

[0107] Here, as in the first embodiment, the coin control unit 30 determines that a blockage of a coin CN has occurred in the abnormal coin regulating unit 260 based on the detection results from the conveying sensor 70 (Figure 2), and initiates an abnormal coin discharge process to discharge the coin CN (i.e., the abnormal coin CNA) to the return port 33 (Figure 1).

[0108] Specifically, the coin control unit 30 reverses the conveying direction of the coin CN in the conveying unit 35, and changes the moving direction of each conveying pin 47 in the left conveying unit 35L to the forward direction. As a result, in the abnormal coin regulation unit 260, as shown in Fig. 9(C), the conveying pin 47A that was in contact with the front side of the trapped abnormal coin CNA moves forward and away from the abnormal coin CNA.

[0109] Next, the left transport section 35L also advances the transport pin 47B, which was located behind the abnormal coin regulating section 260, forward, and moves the transport pin 47B closer to the rear side of the regulating guide 261, as shown in Fig. 10(A). When the transport pin 47B abuts against the rear inclined surface 261RS of the regulating guide 261, the abnormal coin regulating section 260 moves the left regulating guide 261L and the right regulating guide 261R away from each other, as shown in Fig. 10(B). At this time, in the abnormal coin regulating section 260, the regulating interval LC is slightly enlarged, similar to the case where the transport pin 47A advancing backward abuts against the front inclined surface 261FS (Fig. 8).

[0110] Thereafter, the left transport unit 35L advances the transport pin 47B forward between the left regulation guide 261L and the right regulation guide 261R until it abuts against the vicinity of the rear end of the abnormal coin CNA. As a result, in the abnormal coin regulation unit 260, a force acts in the forward direction from the transport pin 47B on the abnormal coin CNA.

[0111] At this time, in the abnormal coin control section 260, the control interval LC has already been expanded beyond the length L1, and the frictional force acting between the abnormal coin CNA and the control surface 261C and guide surface 41G has been significantly reduced, allowing the abnormal coin CNA to move forward smoothly.

[0112] 10(C), in the abnormal coin regulating section 260, when the transport pin 47B reaches the front side of the front inclined surface 261FS, both regulating guides 261 move closer to each other due to the restoring force of the spring 263, and accordingly return to the regulated state (FIG. 7) where the regulating interval LC is length L1. The transport pin 47B continues to move forward, pushing the abnormal coin CNA out to the front side of the regulating guide 261.

[0113] Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, the coin control unit 30 transitions the reject branching unit 37 to an open state while continuing to reverse the conveying direction of the left conveying unit 35L (Figure 2), causing the abnormal coin CNA to drop through the reject hole 51 and reach the return port 33 (Figure 1).

[0114] Incidentally, similarly to the first embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the reverse conveying operation in the conveying section 35, the coin control section 30 assumes that the abnormal coin CNA has been dropped through the reject hole 51, and returns the conveying direction in the conveying section 35 to the forward direction and returns the reject branch section 37 to the closed state.

[0115] [2-3. Effects, etc.] In the above configuration, the coin deposit / withdrawal device 205 of the cash register change machine 201 according to the second embodiment has an abnormal coin regulating unit 260 (Figure 7) provided behind the recognition unit 36 ​​in the left conveying section 35L of the conveying section 35, and a conveying sensor 70 provided immediately before that.

[0116] When a coin CN is transported by the transport unit 35, the abnormal coin regulating unit 260 allows a coin CN with a normal shape to pass under the regulating surface 261C of the regulating guide 261 (FIG. 8). On the other hand, the abnormal coin regulating unit 260 restricts the progress of an abnormal coin CNA in the forward direction of transport, that is, backward, by bringing it into contact with the regulating surface 261C of the regulating guide 261 (FIG. 9(B)).

[0117] As a result, in the coin depositing and dispensing device 205, similar to the first embodiment, the abnormal coin regulating unit 260 can reliably prevent the abnormal coin CNA from being transported downstream, i.e., to the storage 39, etc. Therefore, in the coin depositing and dispensing device 205, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the abnormal coin CNA from causing a jam in the payout mechanism (not shown) etc. built into the storage 39, and it is possible to eliminate the need for complicated maintenance work etc. for clearing such a jam.

[0118] In addition, when the coin control unit 30 of the coin deposit and withdrawal device 205 detects, based on a detection signal from the transport sensor 70, that the transport of an abnormal coin CNA is being restricted by the abnormal coin regulating unit 260, it switches the transport direction in the transport unit 35 from the forward direction to the reverse direction, and advances the transport pin 47 in the left transport unit 35L forward (Figure 9 (C)).

[0119] Accordingly, in the abnormal coin control section 260, the transport pin 47B located behind the abnormal coin CNA is abutted against the rear inclined surface 261RS of the control guide 261, moving (displacing) the control guides 261 in a direction separating them from each other and expanding the control interval LC from the length L1 (Figure 10 (B)).

[0120] Therefore, in the coin deposit / withdrawal device 205, even if an abnormal coin CNA is pinched between the regulating surface 261C and the guide surface 41G in the abnormal coin regulating section 260 and cannot be easily moved, the pinch can be eliminated by increasing the regulating interval LC, and the abnormal coin CNA can be easily moved.

[0121] At this time, the abnormal coin regulating unit 260 can move the regulating guides 261 in directions separating them from each other by utilizing the force applied from the transport pin 47 to the rear inclined surface 261RS of the regulating guide 261. Also, in the abnormal coin regulating unit 260, when the transport pin 47 moving forward passes between both regulating guides 261, the action of the spring 263 causes both regulating guides 261 to move closer to each other while descending, and return to the regulating position (FIG. 7).

[0122] Therefore, in the abnormal coin regulating unit 260, in both cases of moving the regulating guide 261 to widen the regulating interval LC and returning the regulating guide 261 to the regulating position (FIG. 7), there is no need to separately supply driving force to the regulating guide 261, and there is no need to provide a driving force source such as a solenoid or actuator. That is, the abnormal coin regulating unit 260 can have a relatively simple configuration without providing a driving force source, similar to the first embodiment.

[0123] Thereafter, the transport unit 35 (FIG. 2) continues to advance the transport pin 47B forward, and the abnormal coin CNA is dropped by the open reject branching unit 37 and can reach the return port 33.

[0124] In this way, in the coin deposit and withdrawal device 205, even if an abnormal coin CNA is inserted into the coin insertion section 31, the abnormal coin regulating section 260 can regulate the transportation of the abnormal coin CNA, as in the first embodiment, and furthermore, the abnormal coin CNA can be allowed to reach the return port 33 and be easily removed.

[0125] In addition, in the abnormal coin control section 260 (Figure 7), a front space S261 is formed in front of the control guide 261, so that when the conveying pin 47 conveys an abnormal coin CNA in the rear direction (i.e., the forward direction), the conveying pin 47 can proceed rearward beyond the front end of the front extension section 261E before coming into contact with the front inclined surface 261FS.

[0126] As a result, in the abnormal coin control section 260, when the control guide 261 is controlling the transport of an abnormal coin CNA, the transport pin 47 can be prevented from abutting the front inclined surface 261FS, so that the control interval LC can be maintained at length L1 and the abnormal coin CNA can be prevented from passing by mistake.

[0127] According to the above configuration, the coin depositing and dispensing device 205 of the cash register change machine 201 according to the second embodiment allows normal coins CN to pass, while restricting the progress of abnormal coins CNA whose apparent thickness is greater than the length L1, by the abnormal coin regulating unit 260 provided in the transport unit 35. Furthermore, in a state where the transport of the abnormal coin CNA is restricted by the abnormal coin regulating unit 260, the coin depositing and dispensing device 205 causes the transport pins 47 of the transport unit 35 to travel in the reverse direction, and the restriction guides 261 are moved diagonally upward while being pulled away from each other by the force from the transport pins 47, temporarily expanding the restriction interval LC. This allows the coin depositing and dispensing device 205 to smoothly remove the abnormal coin CNA that has been caught between the restriction surface 261C and the guide surface 41G, and to discharge the abnormal coin CNA from the return port 33 after transporting it in the reverse direction.

[0128] 3. Other embodiments In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the through hole 61H is provided in the regulating guide 61, the guide shaft 62 passes through the through hole 61H, and the guide shaft 62 is inclined with respect to the guide surface 41G (FIG. 4). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the guide shaft 62 may be arranged on the upper side of the regulating guide 61 or on the outer side in the left-right direction, and a bearing movable along the guide shaft 62 may be fixed to the regulating guide 61. In short, it is only required that the regulating guide 61 can move in the up-down direction along with the movement in the front-rear direction by including an upward component or a downward component in the moving direction, and that the regulating interval LC is maintained at the length L1 when a force is applied in the forward direction, while the regulating interval LC is expanded when a force is applied in the reverse direction. The same is true for the second embodiment, and it is only required that the regulating guides 261 can move in the up-down direction along with the movement in the left-right direction, so that the regulating interval LC can be expanded when a force in the forward or rearward direction is applied from the conveying pin 47.

[0129] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the spring 63 made of a coil spring is used to bias the restriction guide 61 backward, i.e., in the direction to return to the regulated state (FIG. 4). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the restriction guide 61 may be biased by various members such as a leaf spring or rubber. Alternatively, the restriction guide 61 may be returned to the regulated state by using only its own weight. In short, it is sufficient if the restriction interval LC is maintained to be in the regulated state when an abnormal coin CNA is transported in the forward direction, and the restriction interval LC can be temporarily expanded when the abnormal coin CNA is transported in the reverse direction. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0130] Further, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, a case has been described in which a lower protrusion 61P having a protruding amount from a regulating surface 61C of length L1 is provided on the lower side of each regulating guide 61, and the lower protrusion 61P is brought into contact with the guide surface 41G of the conveying guide 41 to regulate the rearward movement of the regulating guide 61 to set the regulating interval LC to length L1 (FIG. 4). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the lower protrusion 61P may be omitted from each regulating guide 61, and an upper protrusion protruding upward by length L1 may be formed near both ends of the guide surface 41G of the conveying guide 41. Alternatively, for example, the lower protrusion 61P may be omitted from each regulating guide 61, and a stopper similar to the stopper 264 (FIG. 7) in the second embodiment may be provided at a position near the rear of the guide shaft 62. In short, it is sufficient to regulate the rearward movement of the regulating guide 61 and to adjust the regulating interval LC when the regulating guide 61 is positioned at the rearmost side to length L1.

[0131] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned second embodiment, the case where the restriction guide 261 is moved along the guide shaft 262, i.e., along the axes X261 and X262, to transition to the restricted state or other states has been described (FIGS. 7 to 10). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the through hole 261H and the guide shaft 262 may be omitted, and a rotation shaft having a central axis along the front-rear direction may be provided on the outer side in the left-right direction of both restriction guides 261, or a rotation shaft having a central axis along the left-right direction may be provided on the rear side of the restriction guide 261. In these cases, the restriction guide 261 is rotated about the rotation shaft in response to contact with the conveying pin 47 to change its attitude or position, thereby transitioning to the restricted state or other states.

[0132] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the case where the transport sensor 70 is disposed immediately before the abnormal coin regulation unit 60, and the coin control unit 30 recognizes the occurrence of a jam of coins in the abnormal coin regulation unit 60 based on a detection signal from the transport sensor 70 has been described (FIGS. 2 and 4). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the transport sensor 70 may be disposed behind the abnormal coin regulation unit 60, and when a coin CN recognized by the recognition unit 36 ​​is not detected by the transport sensor 70 within a predetermined time, the occurrence of a jam of coins in the abnormal coin regulation unit 60 may be recognized. Alternatively, for example, the transport sensor 70 may be omitted, and a belt travel sensor that monitors the running state of the pin belt 45 (FIGS. 2 and 3) may be provided, and the coin control unit 30 may recognize the occurrence of a jam of coins in the abnormal coin regulation unit 60 based on a detection signal from the belt travel sensor. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0133] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, when a blockage due to an abnormal coin CNA occurs in the abnormal coin regulating unit 60, the conveying direction in the conveying unit 35 is switched from the forward direction to the reverse direction, and returned to the forward direction after a predetermined time has passed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a sensor for detecting the coin CN may be provided in the rejected conveying unit 53 (FIG. 2) or the return port 33 (FIG. 1), etc., and the conveying direction in the conveying unit 35 may be returned from the reverse direction to the forward direction upon detection of the coin CN by the sensor. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0134] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the conveyor belt 46 of the pin belt 45 is provided above the conveyor guide 41 in the conveyor section 35 (FIG. 3), and the conveyor pins 47 are shaped to protrude downward from the conveyor belt 46. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a groove penetrating the conveyor guide 41 in the vertical direction may be formed along the conveying direction, the conveyor belt 46 may be disposed below the conveyor guide 41, and the conveyor pins 47 may protrude upward from the conveyor belt 46 and reach above the guide surface 41G of the conveyor guide 41. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0135] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, a pin belt 45 that runs separately from the fixed transport guide 41 is provided in the transport section 35 (FIG. 3), and the coin CN is transported by the running of the pin belt 45. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the transport guide 41 and the pin belt 45, a belt conveyor-like transport belt may be provided, protrusions corresponding to the transport pins 47 are provided at predetermined intervals along the running direction on the surface of the transport belt, and the coin CN may be transported by running the transport belt with the coin CN placed on the upper surface. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0136] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the left regulation guide 61L and the right regulation guide 61R are configured to be independent from each other (FIG. 4). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the left regulation guide 61L and the right regulation guide 61R may be configured to be connected. In this case, for example, as described above, a groove may be provided in the conveying guide 41, the conveying belt 46 may be disposed below the conveying guide 41, and the conveying pin 47 may be configured to protrude upward from the conveying belt 46, or other configuration may be adopted that can avoid interference between the left regulation guide 61L and the right regulation guide 61R and the conveying pin 47.

[0137] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, when a jam occurs in the abnormal coin regulating unit 60 due to an abnormal coin CNA, the coin control unit 30 controls the conveying direction of the conveying unit 35 to be reversed, so that the abnormal coin CNA is conveyed and removed from the return slot 33. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the coin control unit 30 recognizes that a jam occurs in the abnormal coin regulating unit 60 due to an abnormal coin CNA, it may notify the register control unit 11 of the POS register 2 (FIG. 1) of this, and cause the display operation unit 12 to display a message or the like indicating that the abnormal coin CNA will be discharged from the return slot 33. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0138] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the change machine 3 of the cash register change machine 1 (FIG. 1) is described as being composed of the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 4, the coin deposit and withdrawal device 5, and the display operation unit 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 4 may be omitted from the change machine 3, and only coins may be handled by the coin deposit and withdrawal device 5. The same applies to the second embodiment.

[0139] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and other embodiments. That is, the scope of application of the present invention extends to embodiments in which the above-described embodiments and the other embodiments are combined in part or in whole in any manner, or to embodiments in which parts are extracted.

[0140] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the coin depositing and dispensing device 5 as the coin processing device is configured by the transport guide 41 as the transport guide, the transport unit 35 as the transport unit, and the regulating guide 61 as the regulating member. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device may be configured by transport guides, transport units, and regulating members having various other configurations. [Industrial Applicability]

[0141] The present invention can be used in, for example, a cash register change dispenser that processes deposits and withdrawals of coins during checkout procedures at retail stores and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 1, 201...cash register change machine, 3...change machine, 5, 205...coin deposit and withdrawal device, 11...cash register control unit, 12...display operation unit, 30...coin control unit, 33...return port, 35...conveyor unit, 35L...left conveyor unit, 35R...rear conveyor unit, 36...recognition unit, 37...reject branch unit, 41...conveyor guide, 41G...guide surface, 43...belt roller, 45...pin belt, 46...conveyor belt, 47...conveyor pin, 60, 260...abnormal coin rule Control part, 61, 261...control guide, 61C, 261C...control surface, 61H, 261H...through hole, 61P...lower protrusion, 62, 262...guide shaft, 63, 363...spring, 70...conveying sensor, 261E...front extension, 261FS...front inclined surface, 261RS...rear inclined surface, 264...stopper, CN...coin, CNA...abnormal coin, LC...control interval, S61...pin passage space, S261...front space, X261...axis.

Claims

1. A conveying guide having a guide surface for guiding coins and forming a conveying path for the coins; a conveying section that is provided on the conveying belt and is located on the side where the conveying path is formed with respect to the guide surface of the conveying guide, and conveys the coin in the forward direction or the reverse direction along the conveying guide by a conveying pin that supplies a force to the coin in the forward direction or the reverse direction; a regulating member having a regulating surface facing the guiding surface at a predetermined reference interval, which allows normal coins having a normal shape to pass while regulating the passage of abnormal coins having a thickness greater than the reference interval when the coins are conveyed in the forward direction by the conveying unit; Equipped with When the abnormal coin is transported in the reverse direction by the transport unit, the regulating member is displaced in a direction to widen the gap between the guide surface and the regulating surface from the reference gap based on the force supplied from the transport pin. A coin processing device.

2. When the abnormal coin is transported in the reverse direction by the transport unit, the regulating member is displaced in a direction including a component in a direction widening the gap between the guide surface and the regulating surface to be larger than the reference gap, and a component in the reverse direction.

2. The coin processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The regulating member maintains the distance between the guide surface and the regulating surface at the reference distance when the coin is transported in the forward direction by the transport unit.

3. The coin processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The regulating member has a regulating contact portion that protrudes from the regulating surface toward the guide surface by the reference distance and contacts the guide surface.

2. The coin processing device according to claim 1 .

5. The regulating member forms a pin passing space through which the conveying pin passes without interfering with the conveying pin.

2. The coin processing device according to claim 1 .

6. The conveying pin protrudes toward the guide surface of the conveying guide by a protrusion length greater than the reference interval, The regulating member is capable of changing at least one of a position and a posture, and increases a distance between the guide surface and the regulating surface by contacting the conveying pin.

2. The coin processing device according to claim 1 .

7. The regulating member includes a first regulating member and a second regulating member that are independent of each other, The first and second regulating members are movable in a separation direction in which they move away from each other and widen the gap between the guide surface and the regulating surface, and in an approaching direction in which they move closer to each other and narrow the gap between the guide surface and the regulating surface. The first and second regulating members are movable in the separation direction by coming into contact with the conveying pin.

7. The coin processing device according to claim 6.

8. a biasing portion that biases the restricting member in the approaching direction; 8. The coin processing device according to claim 7, further comprising:

9. The regulating member includes a contact avoidance portion that avoids contact with the conveying pin moving in the forward direction when the regulating member contacts the abnormal coin and restricts the conveying of the abnormal coin. The coin processing device according to claim 7 .

10. A currency handling device having a centralized control unit and a coin processing device that processes coins based on the control of the centralized control unit, The coin processing device includes: A conveying guide having a guide surface for guiding the coin and forming a conveying path for the coin; a conveying section that is provided on the conveying belt and is located on the side where the conveying path is formed with respect to the guide surface of the conveying guide, and conveys the coin in the forward direction or the reverse direction along the conveying guide by a conveying pin that supplies a force to the coin in the forward direction or the reverse direction; a regulating member having a regulating surface facing the guiding surface at a predetermined reference interval, which allows normal coins having a normal shape to pass while regulating the passage of abnormal coins having a thickness greater than the reference interval when the coins are conveyed in the forward direction by the conveying unit; Equipped with When the abnormal coin is transported in the reverse direction by the transport unit, the regulating member is displaced in a direction to widen the gap between the guide surface and the regulating surface from the reference gap based on the force supplied from the transport pin. A currency handling device characterized by:

11. A conveying guide having a guide surface for guiding coins and forming a conveying path for the coins; A conveying unit that conveys the coin in a forward direction or a reverse direction along the conveying guide; a regulating member having a regulating surface facing the guiding surface at a predetermined reference interval, which allows normal coins having a normal shape to pass while regulating the passage of abnormal coins having a thickness greater than the reference interval when the coins are conveyed in the forward direction by the conveying unit; Equipped with When the abnormal coin is transported in the reverse direction by the transport unit, the regulating member is displaced in a direction including a component in a direction widening the gap between the guide surface and the regulating surface to be larger than the reference gap, and a component in the reverse direction. A coin processing device.

Images