Coin handling device

Abstract

The present invention provides a coin-processing device (100) comprising a sorting unit (110) for receiving coins or medals and sending them out at intervals one at a time. The sorting unit includes: a rotating member (113) in which a plurality of hole units (113X, 113X) having at least one coin or medal positioned therein are formed at intervals; projections (114) for guiding the coin or the medal to the outlet (112X) of the sorting unit, said projections (114) being disposed below the rotating member; and shutters (215, 115) that are biased in the outlet-closing direction, and are pushed away by coins or medals guided by the projections.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology of a coin processing apparatus for receiving coins or medals and processing them one by one.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an apparatus for receiving coins or medals and sorting them by type has been known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-147425 (Patent Document 1) discloses a coin processing apparatus. According to Patent Document 1, the coin processing apparatus includes a coin receiving unit, an identification unit for identifying coins, a guide unit having a lower contact surface capable of contacting the circumferential surface of a standing coin from below, a support unit having a standing contact surface capable of contacting either the front surface or the back surface of a standing coin, and at least one coin passage hole formed in the standing contact surface for supporting the coin in a standing state, an endless conveyor belt capable of clamping the coin in cooperation with the standing contact surface, a rotation drive unit for rotating the conveyor belt, a shutter capable of opening and closing at least a part of the opening surface of the coin passage hole, and a shutter drive unit for opening and closing the shutter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing apparatus capable of feeding out coins or medals one by one by a more compact mechanism.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coin processing apparatus including a sorting unit for receiving coins or medals and discharging them one by one at intervals. The sorting unit includes a rotating member having a plurality of apertures formed at intervals for setting at least one coin or medal, a convex portion disposed below the rotating member for guiding the coin or medal to the outlet of the sorting unit, and a shutter biased in a direction to close the outlet and pushed away by the coin or medal guided by the convex portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0006] As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a coin processing apparatus capable of discharging coins or medals one by one by a more compact mechanism.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. <First Embodiment> <Overall Configuration of Coin Processing Apparatus 100>

[0009] First, the overall configuration of the coin processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an external view of the coin processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the coin processing apparatus 100 is composed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 101, with a coin insertion slot 102 provided at the upper part and a coin discharge port 103 provided at the lower part.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, the coin processing apparatus 100 is provided with a coin identification and sorting unit 105 for sorting and sending out coins by type at the upper part, a coin payout unit 150 for accumulating and paying out coins for each type in the middle part, and a control unit 190 at the lower part. In the present embodiment, the coin payout unit 150 is composed of an upper payout unit 151 for four denominations and a lower payout unit 152 for four denominations. The control unit 190 is provided with a microcomputer 191 for controlling each part of the coin processing apparatus 100 and other communication interfaces. The microcomputer 191 includes, for example, a CPU and various memories.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the coin identification and sorting unit 105 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of inserted coins are sequentially sent to the sorting unit 120 one by one by the sorting part 110. The sorting unit 120 identifies the type of each coin and sends it to the reject conveyance path 1510 formed outside the sorting unit, or to the first conveyance path 1511 formed outside the sorting unit, or to the second conveyance path 1512 formed inside the sorting unit, or to the third conveyance path 1513 formed outside the sorting unit, or to the fourth conveyance path 1514 formed inside the sorting unit, or to the fifth conveyance path 1515 formed outside the sorting unit, or to the sixth conveyance path 1516 formed inside the sorting unit, or to the seventh conveyance path 1517 formed outside the sorting unit, or to the eighth conveyance path 1518 formed inside the sorting unit, or to the overflow conveyance path 1519 formed outside the sorting unit.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, particularly showing the flow when sorting and storing the inserted coins. FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, particularly showing the flow when sorting and storing the inserted coins. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the coins sent to the reject conveyance path 1510 move downward at the right end in the front view and the front end in the side view, and are rejected from the coin discharge port 103. The coins sent to the overflow conveyance path 1519 move downward at the left end in the front view and the front end in the side view, and are sent to a container disposed below the coin processing apparatus 100. The coins sent to the first conveyance path 1511, the third conveyance path 1513, the fifth conveyance path 1515, and the seventh conveyance path 1517 outside the sorting unit 120 are accumulated in predetermined storage units of the upper pay-out unit 151 for each coin type. The coins sent to the second conveyance path 1512, the fourth conveyance path 1514, the sixth conveyance path 1516, and the eighth conveyance path 1518 inside the sorting unit 120 are accumulated in predetermined storage units of the lower pay-out unit 152 for each coin type.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, particularly showing the flow when paying out coins or collecting them into a collection BOX (not shown). FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, particularly showing the flow when paying out or collecting coins. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the coins accumulated via the first path, the third path, the fifth path, and the seventh path from the outside of the sorting unit 120 are sent forward to the upper pay-out unit 151 and then descend according to a command from the control unit 190, and are either discharged from the discharge port 103 or sent to the collection BOX from the collection port 104. The coins accumulated via the second path, the fourth path, the sixth path, and the eighth path from the lower side of the sorting unit 120 are sent forward to the lower pay-out unit 152 and then descend according to a command from the control unit 190, and are either discharged from the discharge port 103 or sent to the collection BOX from the collection port 104. <Configuration of the Coin Identification and Sorting Unit 105>

[0014] Next, the configuration of the coin discrimination and sorting unit 105 at the upper part of the coin processing apparatus 100 will be described. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the coin discrimination and sorting unit 105 mainly includes a sorting unit 110 and a sorting unit 120. The sorting unit 110 is arranged on the front side, i.e., the front part, of the coin processing apparatus 100, and is used to send the coins successively input from the coin insertion slot 102 to the sorting unit 120 one by one. The sorting unit 120 is arranged on the back side, i.e., the rear part, of the coin processing apparatus 100, and is used to identify the types of the coins sent from the sorting unit 110 and send them out to the conveying paths corresponding to the types.

[0015] First, the mechanism before the coins are inserted into the sorting unit 110 will be briefly described. Referring to FIG. 10, a detection sensor 116 is provided immediately below the coin insertion slot 102, and notifies the microcomputer 191 of the control unit 190 of the coin insertion. Downstream of the detection sensor 116, a passage switching flapper 117 and a solenoid 141 for opening and closing the flapper 117 are provided. When the microcomputer 191 can accept the coins, it controls the solenoid 141 to switch the flapper 117 so that the inserted coins flow to the sorting unit 110. On the other hand, when the microcomputer 191 cannot accept the coins, it controls the solenoid 141 to switch the flapper 117 so that the inserted coins flow through the return duct 142 to the coin discharge port 103. <Configuration of the sorting unit 110>

[0016] Next, the sorting section 110 will be described. Returning to FIGS. 8 and 9, the sorting section 110 is provided with a circular base 111 and a cylindrical side wall 112. On the upper surface of the base 111, a coin intake turntable 113 is arranged. A plurality of holes 113X into which coins are fitted are formed in the coin intake turntable 113. In the present embodiment, three holes 113X are formed. That is, the holes 113X are formed every 120° around the drive shaft. The coin intake turntable 113 is driven by a motor described later, and the coins fitted in the holes 113X are pushed out one by one from the discharge port 112X at the rear of the side wall 112 to the sorting section 120. More specifically, the coins rotate clockwise in a plan view in accordance with the movement of the holes 113X of the coin intake turntable 113, and when they hit the guide pins 114, 114, 114, they are pushed backward along the arrangement of the guide pins 114, 114, 114, that is, outward of the side wall 112.

[0017] Here, a mechanism for sending out coins one by one from the sorting section 110 to the sorting section 120 will be described. That is, regarding the coin processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, even when the coins start to be conveyed by the coin intake turntable 113 with a plurality of coins overlapping in one hole 113X, a mechanism for outputting only one coin from one hole 113X from the discharge port 112X of the recess of the sorting section 110 is provided.

[0018] More specifically, as described above, when one coin fitted in the hole 113X abuts against the guide pins 114, 114, 114, it is pushed out from the discharge port 112X of the side wall 112 along the arrangement of the guide pins 114, 114, 114 while being pushed by the coin intake turntable 113. However, as shown in FIG. 11, when a plurality of coins are accommodated in the hole 113X in an overlapping state, there is a possibility that the plurality of coins may be discharged from the discharge port 112X at the same time.

[0019] Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, in the present embodiment, a scraper 115 for retaining the upper coin within the side wall 112 is attached to the discharge port 112X of the side wall 112. The scraper 115 is configured to be liftable clockwise in a side view about an upper portion as an axis. The scraper 115 is biased by a biasing member 118 in a downward closing direction. In a state where the scraper 115 is closed downward, a gap of about 1 mm to 1.5 mm is formed between a lower end portion of the scraper 115 and the base 111.

[0020] Further, in the present embodiment, the height of the portions of the guide pins 114, 114, 114 protruding above the surface of the base 111 is set to be even lower than the thinnest coin targeted by the apparatus. For example, it is about 1 mm. As a result, even if two thin coins are stacked and inserted into the hole 113X of the intake turntable 113, the lower coin C1 is pushed by the guide pins 114, 114, 114 and discharged from the gap under the scraper 115 to the outside of the side wall 112, that is, to the sorting unit 120.

[0021] And even if the lower coin C1 is thick, the coin C1 is pushed by the intake turntable 113 and discharged from the discharge port 112X to the outside of the side wall 112, that is, to the sorting unit 120 along the guide pins 114, 114, 114 while pushing up the scraper 115.

[0022] On the other hand, the upper coin C2 does not collide with the guide pins 114 and is pushed by the scraper 115 to be pushed inside the side wall 112.

[0023] Thus, in the present embodiment, even when the coins are sent in a stacked state of two, only the upper coin C2 is blocked by the scraper 115 and advances above the guide pins 114, so that only the lower coin C1 is sent out to the sorting unit 120. <Configuration of Sorting Unit 120>

[0024] Next, the sorting unit 120 will be described. Referring to FIGS. 8, 9, and 14, the sorting unit 120 is provided with a circular base 121 and side walls 122 provided on the outer periphery of the base 121. Above the base 121, a conveying rotating body 123 is arranged. A plurality of conveying pins 123X, 123X... for pushing the coins forward while pushing them from the rear are formed on the conveying rotating body 123. In the present embodiment, five conveying pins 123X, 123X... are formed. That is, the conveying pins 123X, 123X... are attached every 72° around the axis of the conveying rotating body 123. The conveying rotating body 123 is driven by the drive motor 106 to slide the coins one by one counterclockwise in a plan view through the passage between the side wall 122 and the conveying guide 131. That is, in the present embodiment, the sorting unit 120 can simultaneously convey up to five coins or send them out to the conveying path.

[0025] More specifically, the front end portion of the side wall 122 of the sorting unit 120, that is, the wall surface on the side of the discharging unit 110, is open, and a coin receiving port 122X is formed. The coins received from the coin receiving port 122X are pushed by the conveying pins 123X and move rightward between the side wall 122 and the conveying guide 131. That is, in a plan view, the coins move counterclockwise around the circular base 121.

[0026] The identification unit 130 uses a magnetic sensor 132 or the like to judge the authenticity of the coins sent by the conveying pins 123X and identify the types of the coins. The identification unit 130 sends the judgment result and the identification result to the microcomputer 191 of the control unit 190. In the present embodiment, the memory of the microcomputer 191 stores the positions of the conveying path or the storage case for each type of coin. The microcomputer 191 conveys the coins to the rejection path or conveys them to the conveying path or storage location according to the type based on the judgment result and the identification result.

[0027] More specifically, when the microcomputer 191 recognizes, by the identification unit 130, that a coin is a coin to be rejected, as shown in FIG. 15, the sorting gate 1262 for the rejection path is opened, and the coin is sent out to the conveyance path 1510 for rejection.

[0028] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16(A), when it is determined by the identification unit 130 that a certain coin is a coin to be rejected, the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the coin by the timing sensor 1261. When the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the coin, it controls the solenoid 1263 for the sorting gate 1262 to lower the sorting gate 1262. As a result, a part of the side wall 122 is opened.

[0029] Then, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16(B), the microcomputer 191 lowers the sorting roller 1264 for rejection from the raised state to the base surface. As a result, the coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X is pressed against the sorting roller 1264 and pushed out to the outside. As a result, the coin falls into the conveyance path 1250 for rejection.

[0030] And in the present embodiment, downstream of the sorting gate 1262 for rejection, as shown in FIG. 17(A), there are provided a sorting gate 1272 for sending out the first type of coin to the conveyance path 1511 outside the sorting unit 120 and a sorting flap 1275 for sending out the second type of coin to the conveyance path 1512 below the sorting unit 120.

[0031] When the microcomputer 191 specifies, by the identification unit 130, that a coin is a coin of the first or second type, it detects the passage of the coin by the timing sensor 1271. When the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the first type of coin, as shown in FIG. 17(B), that is, the lower right drawing of FIG. 17, it controls the solenoid 1273 for the sorting gate 1272 to lower the sorting gate 1272. As a result, a part of the side wall 122 is opened.

[0032] Also, as shown in FIG. 17(B), the microcomputer 191 lowers the switching roller 1274 for the first type of coin from the raised state to the base surface. As a result, the coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X is pressed against the switching roller 1274 and pushed outwards. Consequently, the coin falls into the conveying path 1511 for the first type.

[0033] On the other hand, when the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the second type of coin, as shown in FIG. 17(C), that is, the upper right drawing of FIG. 17, it controls the solenoid 1276 for the sorting flap 1275 to lift the sorting flap 1275. Thereby, the lower part of the sorting flap 1275 is opened. As a result, the second type of coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X passes under the sorting flap 1275 and falls into the conveying path 1512 for the second type provided below the sorting unit 120.

[0034] In the present embodiment, downstream of the first type of sorting gate 1272, there is provided a sorting gate 1272, similar to FIG. 17(A), for sending the third type of coin out to the conveying path outside the sorting unit 120, and a sorting flap 1275 for sending the fourth type of coin out to the conveying path below the sorting unit 120.

[0035] More specifically, when the microcomputer 191 determines, by the identification unit 130, that the coin is of the third or fourth type, it detects the passage of the coin by the timing sensor 1271. When the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the third type of coin, as shown in FIG. 17(B), it controls the solenoid 1273 for the sorting gate 1272 to lower the sorting gate 1272. Thereby, a part of the side wall 122 is opened.

[0036] Also, as shown in FIG. 17(B), the microcomputer 191 lowers the switching roller 1274 for the third type of coin from above onto the base. As a result, the coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X is pressed against the switching roller 1274 and pushed outwards. Consequently, the coin falls into the conveying path 1513 for the third type.

[0037] On the other hand, when the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the fourth type of coin, as shown in FIG. 17(C), it controls the solenoid 1276 for the sorting flap 1275 to lift the sorting flap 1275. This opens the area below the sorting flap 1275. As a result, the fourth type of coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X passes under the sorting flap 1275 and falls into the conveying path 1514 for the fourth type below the sorting unit 120.

[0038] In the present embodiment, downstream of the sorting gate 1272 for the third type, there are provided a sorting gate 1272, similar to that in FIG. 17(A), for sending the fifth type of coin outside the sorting unit 120 to the conveying path, and a sorting flap 1275 for sending the sixth type of coin to the conveying path below the sorting unit 120.

[0039] When the microcomputer 191 determines, based on the identification unit 130, that the coin is of the fifth or sixth type, it detects the passage of the coin using the timing sensor 1271. When the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the fifth type of coin, as shown in FIG. 17(B), it controls the solenoid 1273 for the sorting gate 1272 to lower the sorting gate 1272. This opens a part of the side wall 122.

[0040] Also, as shown in FIG. 17(B), the microcomputer 191 lowers the switching roller 1274 for the fifth type of coin from above onto the base. As a result, the coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X is pressed against the switching roller 1274 and pushed outwards. Consequently, the coin falls into the conveying path 1515 for the fifth type.

[0041] On the other hand, when the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the sixth type of coin, as shown in FIG. 17(C), it controls the solenoid 1276 for the sorting flap 1275 to lift the sorting flap 1275. As a result, the lower part of the sorting flap 1275 is opened. Thereby, the sixth type of coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X passes under the sorting flap 1275 and falls into the conveying path 1516 for the sixth type below the sorting unit 120.

[0042] In the present embodiment, downstream of the sorting gate 1272 for the fifth type, there are provided a sorting gate 1272 for sending out the seventh type of coin, similar to that shown in FIG. 17(A), to the conveying path outside the sorting unit 120, and a sorting flap 1275 for sending out the eighth type of coin to the conveying path below the sorting unit 120.

[0043] When the microcomputer 191 identifies by the identification unit 130 that the coin is the seventh or eighth type of coin, it detects the passage of the coin by the timing sensor 1271. When the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the seventh type of coin, as shown in FIG. 17(B), it controls the solenoid 1273 for the sorting gate 1272 to lower the sorting gate 1272. As a result, a part of the side wall 122 is opened.

[0044] Also, as shown in FIG. 17(B), the microcomputer 191 lowers the switching roller 1274 for the third type of coin from above onto the base. As a result, the coin pushed by the conveying pin 123X is pressed against the switching roller 1274 and pushed out to the outside. As a result, the coin falls into the conveying path 1517 for the seventh type.

[0045] On the other hand, when the microcomputer 191 detects the passage of the eighth type of coin, as shown in FIG. 17(C), it controls the solenoid 1276 for the sorting flap 1275 to lift the sorting flap 1275. As a result, the lower part of the sorting flap 1275 is opened. Thus, the eighth type of coin pushed by the conveying pins 123X passes under the sorting flap 1275 and falls into the conveying path 1518 for the eighth type below the sorting unit 120.

[0046] As described above, the coin processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment conveys four types of coins outward of the circular sorting unit and four types of coins downward, so that it is possible to sort a plurality of types of coins more compactly than in the prior art.

[0047] In the present embodiment, when the coin storage case of the coin payout unit 150 is full, the microcomputer 191 keeps all the sorting gates 1272 and the sorting flaps 1275 closed, and as shown in FIG. 3, drops the coins that have traveled almost one round of the sorting unit 120 into the overflow conveying path 1519. <Drive mechanism of the turning unit 110 and the sorting unit 120>

[0048] Next, the drive mechanisms of the turning unit 110 and the sorting unit 120 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the driving force of the drive motor 106 is transmitted to the turning drive shaft 1131 of the coin-taking rotary disk 113 of the turning unit 110 via a plurality of gear groups 107, that is, a gear reduction unit. In the present embodiment, between the gear group 107 and the turning drive shaft 1131, the driving force of the drive motor 106 is also provided to the conveying rotating body. More specifically, the driving force of the drive motor 106 is transmitted to the sorting drive shaft 1231 of the conveying rotating body 123 via an upper pulley 108T having the same axis as the common axis 1081 of the middle gear 108M disposed at the end of the gear group 107 and a belt 1239.

[0049] That is, in this embodiment, the driving force of one drive motor 106 is used to drive the take-in turntable 113 of the sorting section 110 and the transport rotor 123 of the sorting section 120 simultaneously.

[0050] In particular, in this embodiment, the timing at which coins are sent out by the rotation of intake turntable 113 of sorting unit 110 corresponds to the timing at which transport pins 123X of transport rotor 123 of sorting unit 120 start to send coins. As described above, intake turntable 113 of sorting unit 110 has three holes 113X, 113X, 113X, and transport rotor 123 of sorting unit 120 has five transport pins 123X, 123X, 123X, 123X, 123X. Therefore, the number of teeth of the middle gear 108M and lower gear 108B of the common shaft 1081, the diameter of the upper pulley 108T, the number of teeth of the gear 1135 of the sorting drive shaft 1131, and the diameter of the pulley of the sorting drive shaft 1231 are designed so that the conveying rotor 123 of the sorting section 120 rotates 72° while the intake turntable 113 of the sorting section 110 rotates 120°.

[0051] In this way, in the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment, coins inserted through the coin insertion slot 102 are sorted one by one by the sorting section 110 and sent to the sorting section 120. The three holes 113X, 113X, 113X of the take-in turntable 113 and the five transport pins 123X, 123X, 123X, 123X of the transport rotor 123 of the sorting section 120 are synchronized with each other, and are structured to always transfer coins at the same timing. The coins sent to the sorting section 120 are then judged by the recognition section 130 as to whether they are genuine or counterfeit, their denominations, etc., and are transported to the respective transport paths based on the results. <Mechanism for clearing jams>

[0052] The following describes a mechanism for recovery in the case where the coin intake rotating disk 113 of the discharging section 110 stops, such as when coins jam. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, when the coin intake rotating disk 113 stops, the common shaft 1081 and the sorting section 120 continue to be driven for a certain period with the transmission to the discharging drive shaft 1131 released.

[0053] More specifically, in the present embodiment, when the discharging section 110 jams, as shown in FIG. 21, the driving force of the drive motor 106 is transmitted to the middle gear 108M, the upper pulley 108T, and the sorting section 120, but the transmission of the driving force to the lower gear 108B and the discharging drive shaft 1131 is cut off.

[0054] More specifically, referring to FIGS. 19 and 21, a middle gear 108M for receiving the driving force from the gear group 107 is provided in the middle of the common shaft 1081. An upper pulley 108T is provided at the upper part of the common shaft 1081. A lower gear 108B is provided at the lower part of the common shaft 1081. The lower gear 108B is biased upward by a push spring 109.

[0055] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, the middle gear 108M is composed of a gear portion 108MA that rotates integrally with the common shaft 1081 and a clutch portion 108MB having a convex portion 108X formed on the lower surface. The two only need to rotate integrally, and may be fixed and assembled as two members, or may be integrally formed. The convex portion 108X is formed with an inclined portion 108XA that contacts and slides with an inclined portion 108YA of the lower gear 108B described later, and an upright portion 108XB for abutting against an upright portion 108YB of the lower gear 108B described later.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 23, the lower gear 108B has a groove portion 108Y formed on its upper surface for accommodating the convex portion 108X of the middle gear 108M. In a part of the groove portion 108Y, an inclined portion 108YA facing the inclined portion 108XA of the convex portion 108X and an upright portion 108YB facing the upright portion 108XB are formed. The lower gear 108B is pivotally supported on the common shaft 1081 so as to be idly rotatable, and is configured to engage with the clutch portion 108MB of the middle gear 108M by a pressing spring 109.

[0057] Normally, due to the biasing force of the pressing spring 109, the convex portion 108X of the middle gear 108M enters the groove portion 108Y of the lower gear 108B. With the inclined portion 108XA of the middle gear 108M in contact with the inclined portion 108YA of the lower gear 108B, the driving force transmitted to the middle gear 108M is transmitted to the lower gear 108B. As a result, the sorting drive shaft 1131 is driven via the sorting gear 1135.

[0058] However, when a coin is pinched by the coin intake turntable 113 or when the sorting unit 120, the coin intake turntable 113, or the sorting drive shaft 1131 stops, as shown in Fig. 24, the inclined portion 108XA of the convex portion 108X of the clutch portion 108MB of the middle gear 108M presses the inclined portion 108YA of the lower gear 108B, thereby pushing the lower gear 108B downward against the biasing force of the pressing spring 109. That is, the convex portion 108X of the middle gear 108M overrides the inclined portion 108YA of the lower gear 108B.

[0059] After overriding, the convex portion 108X of the middle gear 108M moves inside the groove portion 108Y of the lower gear 108B without resistance. That is, until the convex portion 108X reaches the inclined portion 108YA again, the middle gear 108M and the common shaft 1081 can rotate idly with respect to the lower gear 108B. That is, with the sorting unit 110 stopped, the common shaft 1081, the upper pulley 108T, and the sorting unit 120 are in a driven state.

[0060] More specifically, in this embodiment, as described above, the coin intake turntable 113 and the conveyance rotor 123 are configured to be synchronized to transfer coins one by one. Therefore, in this embodiment, a step clutch gear composed of a lower gear 108B and a middle gear 108M is provided on a common shaft 1081 that branches between the sorting section 110 and the selection section 120. As a result, when a load equal to or greater than a certain level is applied due to the stop of the coin intake turntable 113, the step clutch automatically disengages, and only the conveyance rotor 123 can be driven with the drive to the coin intake turntable 113 cut off.

[0061] Here, as shown in FIG. 19, in this embodiment, a sorting sensor 1133 for detecting the rotation of the sorting drive shaft 1131, which is the drive shaft of the coin intake turntable 113, and a selection sensor 1233 for detecting the rotation of the selection drive shaft 1231, which is the drive shaft of the conveyance rotor 123, are provided. As a result, the microcomputer 191 according to this embodiment can detect, via the sorting sensor 1133, whether the coin intake turntable 113 is rotating forward, stopped, or rotating in reverse. Further, the microcomputer 191 can detect, via the selection sensor 1233, whether the conveyance rotor 123 is rotating forward, stopped, or rotating in reverse.

[0062] Then, in this embodiment, when the microcomputer 191 detects, via the selection sensor 1233, that the selection section 120 has rotated by a predetermined amount or for a predetermined time since detecting, via the sorting sensor 1133, that the sorting section 110 has stopped, the microcomputer 191 determines that all coin sorting within the selection section 120 has been processed, and is programmed to perform a reverse rotation operation of the sorting section 110 and the selection section 120 by reversing the drive motor 106.

[0063] For example, when the microcomputer 191 detects, via the sorting sensor 1133, that the sorting drive shaft 1131 has stopped, and then confirms, via the selection sensor 1233, that the selection drive shaft 1231 has rotated by a predetermined angle, such as 300°, the microcomputer 191 reversely rotates the drive motor 106.

[0064] That is, in the present embodiment, the number of teeth of various gears of the common shaft 1081, the diameter of the upper pulley 108T, the diameter of the pulley of the sorting drive shaft 1231, etc. are designed such that the sorting drive shaft 1231 can rotate at least a predetermined angle, for example, 300°, etc., after the convex portion 108X crosses the inclined portion 108YA and reaches the inclined portion 108YA again.

[0065] When the drive motor 106 rotates reversely, the convex portion 108X of the middle gear 108M enters the groove portion 108Y of the lower gear 108B by the biasing force of the push spring 109. After the middle gear 108M rotates in the reverse direction by a predetermined amount, with the upright portion 108XB of the middle gear 108M in contact with the upright portion 108YB of the lower gear 108B, the driving force transmitted to the middle gear 108M is transmitted to the lower gear 108B. As a result, together with the sorting drive shaft 1231, the sorting drive shaft 1131 is driven in the reverse direction via the sorting gear 1135.

[0066] Thereafter, when the microcomputer 191 detects via the sorting sensor 1133 that the sorting drive shaft 1131 has reversed by a predetermined angle, for example, 360°, etc., it is programmed to rotate the drive motor 106 forward again. Also during forward rotation, the convex portion 108X of the middle gear 108M enters the groove portion 108Y of the lower gear 108B by the biasing force of the push spring 109. After the middle gear 108M rotates by a predetermined amount, with the inclined portion 108XA of the middle gear 108M in contact with the inclined portion 108YA of the lower gear 108B, the driving force transmitted to the middle gear 108M is transmitted to the lower gear 108B. As a result, together with the sorting drive shaft 1231, the sorting drive shaft 1131 is driven in the forward direction via the sorting gear 1135.

[0067] In this embodiment, the guide pins 114, 114, 114 are provided downstream of the discharge port 112X. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 25, the guide pins 114, 114, 114 are provided on the downstream side of the guide member 114X. And on the downstream side of the guide member 114X with respect to the guide pins 114, 114, 114, inclined portions 114Y, 114Y, 114Y are formed. And the guide member 114X is configured to be movable in the vertical direction by pivotally supporting the upstream end of its base portion 114Z rotatably, and is biased upward by a push spring 1149.

[0068] As a result, when a coin enters the hole 113X and flows in, the coin hits against the vertical side surfaces of the guide pins 114, 114, 114 and is guided toward the discharge port 112X.

[0069] Note that the coin intake turntable 113 is held in a state of being lifted to a position slightly higher than the protruding amount of the guide pin 114.

[0070] And as described above, when the coin intake turntable 113 is reversed, the coin and the coin intake turntable 113 come into contact with the inclined portions 114Y, 114Y, 114Y and push the guide member 114X downward, so that it can be reversed smoothly. <Second Embodiment>

[0071] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, a scraper 115 for retaining the upper coin C2 inside the side wall 112 is attached to the discharge port 112X of the side wall 112 of the sorting portion 110. However, the mechanism for sending out only one coin C1 from the sorting portion 110 to the sorting unit 120 is not limited to such a configuration.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 26 to 29, the discharging portion 110B according to the present embodiment is provided with a circular base 111 and a cylindrical side wall 112. On the upper surface of the base 111, a coin-taking rotating disk 213 is arranged. A plurality of holes 213X into which coins are fitted are formed in the coin-taking rotating disk 213. In the present embodiment, three holes 213X are formed. That is, the holes 213X are formed every 120° around the drive shaft.

[0073] And in each of the three holes 213X, a discharge port 213Y for one coin is formed obliquely rearward toward the outside. A scraper 215 is provided at each of the discharge ports 213Y. The scraper 215 is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction and is biased downward by a spring or the like.

[0074] In the present embodiment, in a plan view, the tip surface of the scraper 215 is formed in a curved surface shape having the same curvature as the inner circumference of the hole 213X of the coin-taking rotating disk 213. That is, in a plan view, the hole 213X and the scraper 215 form a single smooth circle.

[0075] Then, as shown in FIGS. 30 to 31, when the coin-taking rotating disk 213 is rotated by the drive motor 106, the coin C1 that has fallen into the hole 213X is pushed by the scraper 215 and is pushed out one by one from the discharge port 213Y of the hole 213X and the discharge port 212X at the rear of the side wall 212 to the outside and sent into the sorting portion 120. More specifically, the coin C1 rotates clockwise in a plan view in accordance with the movement of the hole 213X of the coin-taking rotating disk 213, and when it hits the guide pins 114, 114, 114, it is pushed obliquely rearward, that is, to the outside of the side wall 112, along the arrangement of the guide pins 114, 114, 114.

[0076] Hereinafter, a mechanism for sending coins one by one from the sorting unit 210 to the sorting unit 120 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. That is, also with respect to the coin processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, even when the coins C1 and C2 start to be conveyed by the intake turntable 213 with a plurality of coins C1 and C2 overlapping in one hole 213X, a mechanism for pushing out only one coin C1 from one hole 213X through the discharge port 213Y and the discharge port 112X is provided.

[0077] More specifically, when one or a plurality of coins C1 and C2 that have fallen into the hole 213X come into contact with the guide pins 114, 114, 114, they move along the arrangement of the guide pins 114, 114, 114 while being pushed by the side surface of the hole 213X of the intake turntable 213 or the scraper 215. Here, when a plurality of coins C1 and C2 are accommodated in the hole 213X in an overlapping state, there is a possibility that the plurality of coins C1 and C2 will be simultaneously pushed out toward the discharge port 112X.

[0078] Therefore, first, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 32, scrapers 215 are provided diagonally behind each of the three holes 213X. The scraper 215 has an inclined surface 215X formed on its lower surface. The scraper 215 is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction and is biased downward by an elastic member 215Y.

[0079] Note that the scraper 215 according to this embodiment is configured to stop at a position +α mm higher than the assumed thickness of the coin C1 when it is pushed upward. In a state where the scraper 115 is closed downward, a gap of about 1 mm to 1.5 mm is formed between the lower end portion of the scraper 115 and the base 111.

[0080] And in the present embodiment, the height of the portions of the guide pins 114, 114, 114 that protrude above the surface of the base 111 is set to be even lower than the thinnest coin targeted by the device. For example, it is about 1 mm. As a result, even if two thin coins are stacked and inserted into the hole 213X of the intake turntable 213, only the lowermost coin C1 is pushed by the guide pins 114, 114, 114 and pushes the inclined surface 215X of the scraper 215 upward and rearward. That is, the scraper 215 is lifted upward against the biasing force. As a result, only the lowermost coin C1 is discharged through the discharge port 213Y and the discharge port 112X of the side wall 112 to the sorting unit 120.

[0081] And even if the lower coin C1 is about α mm thick, while being pushed by the intake turntable 213, the coin C1 is discharged from the discharge port 213Y and the discharge port 112X along the guide pins 114, 114, 114 while pushing up the scraper 215, to the outside of the side wall 112, that is, to the sorting unit 120.

[0082] On the other hand, the upper coin C2 does not collide with the guide pins 114 and is stopped by the scraper 215 and is pushed back inside the side wall 112 and the hole 213X.

[0083] Thus, in the present embodiment, even when the coins are sent in a stacked state of two, only the upper coin C2 is blocked by the scraper 215 and advances above the guide pins 114, so that only the lower coin C1 is sent to the sorting unit 120.

[0084] Because it is configured in this way, the discharging unit 110B according to the present embodiment exhibits effects such as the following, for example.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 33, since the height (gap) of the coin discharge port 213Y from the base 111 of the coin intake turntable 213 is the thickness of the coin with the maximum target thickness + α mm, when the smallest coins of a type with a difference in thickness between the maximum and minimum of about twice are inserted, they may be conveyed overlapping each other. However, since the height of the guide pins 114, 114... for feeding is set even lower than the thickness of the coin with the minimum target thickness, even if two thin coins are stacked and enter the hole 213X of the coin intake turntable 213, the upper coin C2 will not collide with the guide pins 114, 114... and will be pushed back to the inside of the side wall 112 and the hole 213X.

[0086] Also, the situation of the coins agitated by the coin intake turntable 213 is diverse. Depending on the shape of the guide pins 114, 114... and the coin intake turntable 213, the coin C2 may also be pushed in the direction of the sorting unit 120 along with the ejected coin C1. When a scraper is attached to the side wall 112, the coin C2 may enter beyond the inner peripheral surface of the hole 213X, and it may not be possible to smoothly return the upper coin C2 into the coin intake turntable 213. In the discharging unit 110B according to the present embodiment, since the tip surface of the scraper 215 is on the same curved surface as the inner peripheral surface of the hole 213X, the overlapping upper coin C1 can be more smoothly returned into the coin intake turntable 213.

[0087] Also, regarding the device provided with a scraper on the side wall 112, as shown in Fig. 34(A), coins may enter between the rear of the hole 213X and the side wall 112. Therefore, when the diameter of the hole 213X is 32 mm, there is a possibility that two coins of about 20 mm will be discharged from the discharge port 112X at the same time. However, as shown in Fig. 34(B), by providing the scraper 215 along the hole 213X, when the diameter of the hole 213X is 32 mm, the possibility of even two coins of about 18 mm entering at the same time is reduced. That is, the discharging unit 110B according to the present embodiment can reduce the possibility of discharging two small coins at the same time. <The Third Embodiment>

[0088] In the above-described embodiment, four types of coins were sent out to the outside of the sorting unit 120 via four sorting gates 1272, and a conveyance path for four types of coins was provided below the sorting unit 120 via four sorting flaps 1275. However, the number of gates and the number of outer conveyance paths are not limited, and the number of flaps and the number of lower conveyance paths are not limited either.

[0089] Also, by providing only one or a plurality of gates, a conveyance path may be provided only outside the sorting unit 120, or by providing only one or a plurality of flaps, a conveyance path may be provided only below the sorting unit 120. <Fourth Embodiment>

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, one drive motor 106 was used to drive and reverse the take-in rotating disk 113 of the sorting unit 110 and the conveyance rotating body 123 of the sorting unit 120. However, the take-in rotating disk 113 of the sorting unit 110 and the conveyance rotating body 123 of the sorting unit 120 may be driven by separate motors. And the microcomputer 191 may drive or reverse those motors based on the detection results of the sorting sensor 1133 and the sorting sensor 1233.

[0091] In the present embodiment, when coins are jammed in the sorting unit 110, the microcomputer 191 can reverse or rotate forward only the sorting unit 110 while rotating forward only the sorting unit 120. <Fifth Embodiment>

[0092] In the above-described embodiment, the coin processing apparatus 100 processes coins. However, the object to be sorted is not limited to coins having a monetary value, and may be medals used in games or the like, or may be something that recognizes, sorts, or determines the authenticity of other circular metal types. <Summary>

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, a coin processing apparatus is provided that includes a sorting unit for receiving coins or medals and feeding them out at intervals one by one. The sorting unit includes a rotating member in which a plurality of holes for setting at least one coin or medal are formed at intervals, a convex portion disposed below the rotating member for guiding the coin or medal to the outlet of the sorting unit, and a shutter biased in a direction to close the outlet and pushed away by the coin or medal guided by the convex portion.

[0094] Preferably, the shutter is formed with an inclined surface that constitutes a side wall of the hole portion, is biased downward, and is pushed upward against the biasing force by the inclined surface being pushed outward by the coin or medal.

[0095] Preferably, the shutter is provided on the outer periphery of the sorting unit and is configured to be rotatable outward while being biased inward about the upper end as an axis.

[0096] Preferably, the coin processing apparatus further includes a sorting unit that receives coins or medals one by one from the sorting unit, determines the type of the coin or medal while moving the coin or medal along an arc, and guides the coin or medal to a path for each type.

[0097] Preferably, the sorting device includes a plurality of conveying members that move along an arc. Each of the plurality of conveying members pushes forward one coin or medal. The interval at which the sorting unit feeds out a plurality of coins or medals and the interval at which the plurality of conveying members pass through the coin or medal identification unit are configured to be the same.

[0098] Preferably, the coin processing apparatus further includes a common motor that drives the rotating member of the sorting unit and the conveying members of the sorting unit.

[0099] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims are included.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0100] 100: Coin processing device 101: Housing 102: Coin insertion slot 103: Coin discharge port 104: Recovery port 105: Coin identification and sorting unit 106: Driving motor 107: Gear group 108M: Middle gear 108MA: Gear part 108MB: Clutch part 108X: Protrusion 108XA: Inclined part 108XB: Upright part 108B: Lower gear 108Y: Groove part 108YA: Inclined part 108YB: Upright part 108T: Upper pulley 109: Compression spring 110: Handling part 110B: Handling part 111: Base 112: Side wall 112X: Discharge port 113: Inlet rotating disk 113X: Coin storage hole 213: Inlet rotating disk 213X: Coin storage hole 213Y: Coin discharge port 114: Guide pin 114X: Guide member 114Y: Inclined part 114Z: Guide base 115: Scraper 215: Scraper 215X: Inclined surface 215Y: Elastic member 116: Detection sensor 117: Passage switching flapper 118: Biasing member 120: Sorting part 121: Base 122: Side wall 122X: Coin insertion slot 123: Conveyor rotating body 123X: Conveyor pin 130: Identification unit 131: Conveyor guide 132: Magnetic sensor 141: Solenoid 142: Return duct 150: Coin payout unit 151: Upper payout unit 152: Lower payout unit 190: Control unit 191: Microcomputer 1081: Common axis 1131: Handling drive shaft 1133: Handling sensor 1135: Handling gear 1149: Push spring 1231: Sorting drive shaft 1233: Sorting sensor 1239: Belt 1250: Conveyor path 1261: Timing sensor 1262: Sorting gate 1263: Solenoid 1264: Switching roller 1271: Timing sensor 1272: Sorting gate 1273: Solenoid 1274: Switching roller 1275: Sorting flap 1276: Solenoid 1510: Reject conveyor path 1511: First conveyor path 1512: Second conveyor path 1513: Third conveyor path 1514: Fourth conveyor path 1515: Fifth conveyor path 1516: Sixth conveyor path 1517: Seventh conveyor path 1518: Eighth conveyance path 1519: Overflow conveyance path C1: Coin C2: Coin

Claims

1. It is provided with a sorting part for receiving coins or medals and sending them out at intervals one by one, The sorting part is a rotating member in which a plurality of hole parts for setting at least one coin or medal are formed at intervals, a convex part arranged below the rotating member for guiding the coin or medal to the outlet of the sorting part, a shutter that is biased in a direction to close the outlet and is pushed aside by the coin or medal guided by the convex part, and includes The shutter is formed with an inclined surface that constitutes the side wall of the hole part, is biased downward, and is pushed upward against the biasing force when the inclined surface is pushed outward by the coin or medal, a coin processing device.

2. The coin processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a sorting part that receives the coins or medals one by one from the sorting part, determines the types of the coins or medals while moving the coins or medals along an arc, and guides them to paths for each type.

3. The sorting part includes a plurality of conveying members that move along the arc, each of the plurality of conveying members pushes forward one coin or medal, The coin processing device according to claim 2, wherein the interval between the sending-out intervals of the plurality of coins or medals by the sorting part and the interval at which the plurality of conveying members pass through the coin or medal identification part are configured to be the same.

4. The coin processing device according to claim 2, further comprising a common motor for driving the rotating member of the sorting part and the conveying members of the sorting part.

Images