coin handling machine

Abstract

To provide a coin processor and a coin packaging / unloading device capable of reducing problems that occur during the conveyance of packaged coins in a machine.SOLUTION: A coin processor includes: a first guide 111 for guiding the falling of a packaged coin B; a first gate 113 that supports the packaged coin B falling in the first guide 111 and releases the supported packaged coin B in a first downward direction by rotation in a first rotational direction; a second guide 151 for guiding the packaged coins B that are released in a second downward direction by rotation of the first gate 113 in the second rotational direction; a second gate 153 provided at a lower opening 152 of the second guide 151 that supports the packaged coin B falling in the second guide 151 and opens and closes the lower opening 152 of the second guide 151 by rotation; and a drive source 181 that rotates the first gate 113 and the second gate 153 in conjunction with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coin processing On the spot Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] A coin processing machine is known that has an input port at the top of the housing through which loose coins are inserted by an operator, and that accumulates a predetermined number of loose coins inserted through the input port, wraps them in wrapping paper, and creates coin rolls (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5165260 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such coin processing machines, problems may occur with wrapped coins (coin bars) made from loose coins, such as the wrapping paper being turned up or damaged while being transported within the machine.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a coin processing method that can suppress problems that occur during the transport of wrapped coins within a machine. Machine The purpose is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the coin processing machine of the present invention comprises a guide section that guides wrapped coins that slide down one by one with their axes in a horizontal position; a gate that is provided at the lower opening of the guide section and supports wrapped coins that have slid down within the guide section, and rotates to open and close the lower opening of the guide section; a first sensor that detects wrapped coins remaining on the guide section when the gate is in a closed state; and a second sensor that is provided upstream of the first sensor at a predetermined distance and detects wrapped coins that slide down on the guide section. a display unit that displays guidance; a control unit, When the first sensor and the second sensor simultaneously detect the wrapped coin, it is determined that the wrapped coin has slid down the guide section in an abnormal position with its axis vertical, and the display section is notified of the abnormal position of the wrapped coin. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a coin processing method that can suppress problems that occur during the transport of wrapped coins within a machine The machine can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a front view showing a coin wrapping and carrying-out device including a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a side view showing a coin packaging and dispensing device including a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a coin wrapping unit of a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing a sorting mechanism of a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing a sorting mechanism of a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing a sorting mechanism of a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing a sorting mechanism of a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing a sorting mechanism of a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing a sorting mechanism of a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing a sorting mechanism of a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13]1 is a front cross-sectional view showing a sorting mechanism of a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing a sorting mechanism of a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing a sorting mechanism of a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing a sorting mechanism of a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the sorting mechanism of the coin processing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 1 is a perspective view showing a sorting mechanism of a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 19] 2 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a second lower opening of a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view of a modified example of the sorting mechanism of the coin processing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A coin processing machine and a coin packaging and dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] 1 and 2, the coin processing machine 11 of this embodiment is provided with a touch sensor panel type operation and display unit 21 on one side. In the following description, the side of the coin processing machine 11 on which the operation and display unit 21 is provided will be referred to as the "front," the side opposite the side on which the operation and display unit 21 is provided will be referred to as the "rear," the left side as viewed from the front will be referred to as the "left," and the right side as viewed from the front will be referred to as the "right." The "front" is the side that an operator who operates the coin processing machine 11 mainly faces.

[0012] Specifically, the coin handling machine 11 is a coin wrapping machine that produces wrapped coins (hereinafter referred to as "coin rolls") by collecting a predetermined number of loose coins of a single denomination to be wrapped, which are specified via the operation and display unit 21, and wrapping them in a wrapping sheet. On the left and rear side of the top surface of the coin handling machine 11, there is provided a coin insertion slot 22 that opens upward and through which loose coins are inserted from outside the machine.

[0013] The operation display unit 21 described above is provided at the upper left side of the front of the coin processing machine 11. The operation display unit 21 is used by the operator to input various settings such as denomination designation information for the wrapping operation and to input operations to start and stop the wrapping process, and also displays the results of counting loose coins in the coin processing machine 11, as well as guidance and setting contents for various settings such as the wrapping operation and printing content. In addition, a rejection box 23 is provided on the right side of the front, which discharges unacceptable deposit-rejected coins such as unidentifiable coins and damaged coins from among the loose coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 22 so that they can be removed outside the machine. The rejection box 23 stores loose coins that are sent out from the device main body 25 of the coin processing machine 11 while set in the device main body 25, and can be pulled out forward from the device main body 25 so that the stored loose coins can be removed outside the machine.

[0014] On the right side of the front of the coin processing machine 11, below the rejection box 23, there is provided a sorting box 27 that stores loose coins other than the designated denomination to be wrapped, among the loose coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 22, so that they can be removed outside the machine. The sorting box 27 stores loose coins that are sent out from the device main body 25 while set in the device main body 25, and by pulling the sorting box forward from the device main body 25, the stored loose coins can be removed outside the machine.

[0015] A clear box 28 is provided at the lower left side of the front of coin processing machine 11 for storing odd number coin rolls that are created by collecting loose coins that do not fill a predetermined packaging unit and wrapping them in a wrapping sheet so that they can be removed from the machine. Clear box 28 stores odd number coin rolls that are discharged from device main body 25 while set in device main body 25, and by pulling out clear box 28 forward from device main body 25, the stored odd number coin rolls can be removed from the machine. Note that clear box 28 stores not only odd number coin rolls, but also loose coins that have been collected but are discharged as they are without wrapping.

[0016] The coin processing machine 11 has a front end component 31 located at its front end, which is provided with a reject box 23, a sorting box 27, and a clear box 28. The front end component 31 protrudes forward from a lower end component 32 located below the front end component 31. The coin processing machine 11 pays out normal coin rolls, excluding odd coin rolls, from a position between the clear box 28 and the sorting box 27 in the left-right direction at the bottom of the front end component 31 downward.

[0017] The coin processing machines 11 are designed to be used primarily in cash processing centers, for example, and as shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of machines are aligned in the left-right direction with their front-to-rear positions aligned to form a coin wrapping and dispensing device 41. The coin wrapping and dispensing device 41 has a belt conveyor 42 (wrapped coin transport conveyor) that extends horizontally vertically below the front end component 31 (shown in Fig. 2) of each coin processing machine 11, and this belt conveyor 42 transports normal coin rolls dispensed from each coin processing machine 11. The coin wrapping and dispensing device 41 has a belt conveyor 43 (wrapped coin transport conveyor) that receives normal coin rolls transported by this belt conveyor 42 and transports them diagonally upward, and a receiving table 44 that receives the normal coin rolls transported by the belt conveyor 43. The normal coin rolls transported to the receiving table 44 are automatically or manually packed into bags or boxes in a subsequent process. Of the belt conveyors 42 and 43, the belt conveyor 42, which is a section, transports normal coin rolls almost horizontally.

[0018] Here, as shown in FIG. 4 , the coin packaging and dispensing device 41 has a coin feeder 51 arranged beside each coin processing machine 11. The coin feeder 51 receives a large amount of loose coins of a predetermined denomination and supplies the loose coins to the corresponding coin processing machine 11 according to the remaining amount of loose coins in the corresponding coin processing machine 11. The coin feeder 51 has a hopper cart 52 into which a large amount of loose coins of a predetermined denomination are fed, and a coin lift 53 that feeds the loose coins fed into the hopper cart 52 to the coin processing machine 11. The coin lift 53 automatically transports the loose coins to a height equal to or higher than the coin inlet 22 and feeds them into the coin inlet 22. For this reason, the coin lift 53 has a discharge section 54 at its end that discharges the loose coins vertically above the coin inlet 22 of the coin processing machine 11 and faces closely to the coin inlet 22. In other words, the coin lift 53 is disposed so as to cover vertically above the coin insertion slot 22. In the coin packaging and carrying-out device 41, loose coins are supplied from the coin supplying machine 51 toward the coin insertion slot 22 of the corresponding coin processing machine 11.

[0019] The coin processing machine 11 is provided therein with a coin wrapping unit 61, which is shown schematically in Fig. 5. The coin wrapping unit 61 collects and wraps a predetermined number of loose coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 22 to create coin rolls. The coin wrapping unit 61 has a collecting mechanism 62 that collects the loose coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 22. This collecting mechanism 62 has a receiving plate 63 that receives the loose coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 22, a turntable 64 that receives the loose coins dispensed by centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the receiving plate 63, a sorting ring (not shown) that dispenses the loose coins one by one by centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the turntable 64, and a coin passage 65 that receives and transports the loose coins dispensed from the sorting ring.

[0020] The coin passage 65 has a feed belt 71 at its top that transports loose coins one by one. An identification unit (not shown) is provided midway along the coin passage 65, and is designed to identify the authenticity and denomination of loose coins transported through the coin passage 65 as necessary. The coin passage 65 is provided with a rejection hole and a sorting hole (not shown), and loose coins that are identified as unacceptable by the identification unit fall through the rejection hole into the rejection box 23. Loose coins that are identified by the identification unit as being of a denomination other than the one to be wrapped fall through the sorting hole into the sorting box 27.

[0021] The accumulation mechanism 62 has a pair of accumulation drums 75 that accumulate loose coins that have passed through the coin passage 65. These accumulation drums 75 each have a spiral ridge 76, and are driven to rotate intermittently in opposite directions in synchronization with the supply of loose coins from the coin passage 65, with the height positions of the ridges 76 aligned. As a result, loose coins supplied through the coin passage 65 are placed on both ridges 76 of both accumulation drums 75 and lowered one level, and subsequently supplied loose coins are stacked on top of the previous loose coins, resulting in multiple loose coins being stacked vertically between these accumulation drums 75, forming accumulated coins. The accumulation mechanism 62 also has a horizontal shutter 77 below the accumulation drums 75 that places a predetermined number of accumulated coins on the upper surface of the shutter. When the horizontal shutter 77 is opened, the accumulated coins placed on its upper surface are dropped and transferred to a packaging mechanism 81 below.

[0022] The wrapping mechanism 81 also constitutes the coin wrapping section 61. The wrapping mechanism 81 has a support rod 82 that can be raised and lowered to support the stacked coins dropped from the horizontal shutter 77 from below, three parallel wrapping rollers 83 arranged vertically around the support rod 82, and a wrapping motor (not shown) that rotates and drives these wrapping rollers 83. One of the wrapping rollers 83 can move toward or away from the other two. When one of the wrapping rollers 83 is separated from the other two, it receives the stacked coins sent from the stacking mechanism 62 between itself. When the one wrapping roller 83 receives the stacked coins in this manner, it moves toward the other two, thereby sandwiching the stacked coins between the three. When the wrapping roller 83 is rotated in this state and a wrapping sheet S is sandwiched between the wrapping roller 83 and the stacked coins, the wrapping sheet S is wrapped around the periphery of the stacked coins. The packaging mechanism 81 also has upper and lower crimping claws 84 for crimping both surplus portions of the packaging sheet S that protrude above and below the accumulated coins as wound as described above.

[0023] A wrapping paper supply mechanism 91 is provided on the side of the wrapping mechanism 81, supplying a wrapping sheet S such as a transparent polyethylene film to the wrapping mechanism 81. This wrapping paper supply mechanism 91 also constitutes the coin wrapping section 61. The wrapping paper supply mechanism 91 has a pair of paper feed rollers 92 that clamp the wrapping sheet S unwound from a wrapping paper roll R supported for rotation about a vertical axis, thereby pulling out the wrapping sheet S from the wrapping paper roll R by a length corresponding to the amount of rotation and supplying it toward the accumulated coins, a paper feed motor (not shown) that drives the paper feed rollers 92 to rotate at a constant speed, multiple guide rollers 93 that guide the wrapping sheet S unwound from the paper feed rollers 92 toward the wrapping roller 83 by the drive of the paper feed motor, and a cutter 94 that cuts the wrapping sheet S. Note that the cutter 94 is configured to cut the wrapping sheet S by the tension generated in the wrapping sheet S when the paper feed roller 92 is stopped and the wrapping roller 83 is driven to rotate.

[0024] In the coin wrapping section 61, the accumulation mechanism 62 accumulates loose coins of the denomination to be wrapped in a predetermined number of wrapping units (for example, 50 coins), and the wrapping mechanism 81 and wrapping paper supply mechanism 91 wrap a wrapping sheet S around the accumulated coins using three wrapping rollers 83, cut the wrapping sheet S with a cutter 94, and crimp the excess parts of the wrapping sheet S that protrude outward on both sides in the accumulation direction beyond the accumulated coins with crimping claws 84 to create a coin roll.

[0025] The coin processing machine 11 has a sorting mechanism 101 as shown in Figure 6. Of the coin rolls transported from the wrapping mechanism 81 of the coin wrapping unit 61, the sorting mechanism 101 sorts odd coin rolls into the clear box 28 on the left and normal coin rolls into the coin discharge unit 29 on the right. In other words, the sorting mechanism 101 sorts coin rolls left and right. The coin discharge unit 29 is located between the clear box 28 and the sorting box 27 in the left and right direction in the front end component unit 31, and dispenses normal coin rolls downward.

[0026] As shown in Figure 7, the sorting mechanism 101 has a cylindrical first guide section 111 that guides the fall of the coin roll B transported from the coin wrapping section 61, and a first gate 113 that is provided in a first lower opening 112 that opens downward at the lower end of the first guide section 111 and opens and closes the first lower opening 112.

[0027] The first guide portion 111 has a first left wall portion 121 on the left side that extends along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, and a first right wall portion 122 on the right side that extends along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The first lower opening 112 is formed between the lower edge of the first left wall portion 121 and the lower edge of the first right wall portion 122. Here, the lower edge of the first right wall portion 122 is located higher than the lower edge of the first left wall portion 121. Therefore, the right end position of the first lower opening 112 is located higher than the left end position.

[0028] The first gate 113 has a first support shaft 131 that is fixed in position and extends horizontally along the front-to-rear direction, and a first gate member 132 that is fixed to the first support shaft 131 and rotates around the first support shaft 131. The first support shaft 131 is provided at a central position in the left-to-right direction of the first lower opening 112.

[0029] The first gate member 132 has a flat main support portion 141 that extends in the front-to-rear direction, and a flat inclined support portion 142 that also extends in the front-to-rear direction. The inclined support portion 142 is inclined at an obtuse angle relative to the main support portion 141. The first gate member 132 is supported by the first support shaft 131 on the side opposite to the side from which the inclined support portion 142 extends in the thickness direction of the main support portion 141. The main support portion 141 is supported by the first support shaft 131 at an intermediate portion between the end on the inclined support portion 142 side and the end opposite the inclined support portion 142.

[0030] 7, when the first gate member 132 closes the first lower opening 112 of the first guide part 111, the main support part 141 is tilted slightly downward to the left relative to the horizontal, so that its left edge is close to the lower edge of the first left wall part 121, and the inclined support part 142 extends upward from the right end of the main support part 141, so that its upper edge is close to the lower edge of the first right wall part 122. As a result, the first gate member 132 closes the first lower opening 112, whose right end position is higher than its left end position.

[0031] The first gate 113 is in a standby position when it is in the closed position where the first gate member 132 closes the first lower opening 112, and when in the standby state at the standby position, the metal bar B, which is transported from the packaging mechanism 81 and guided by the first guide section 111 to fall within the first guide section 111, is supported by the main support section 141, which is angled slightly downward to the left relative to the horizontal, and the first left wall section 121 of the first guide section 111. At this time, the metal bar B is in contact with the main support section 141 and the first left wall section 121 and is oriented in the front-to-rear direction.

[0032] The first gate 113 supports the metal bar B that has fallen within the first guide section 111 together with the first guide section 111, and by rotating in a first rotation direction, which is counterclockwise in Figure 7, releases the supported metal bar B from the first lower opening 112 of the first guide section 111 in a first downward direction to the left of the first support shaft 131, as shown in Figure 8.

[0033] The sorting mechanism 101 has a guide section 145 that guides the coin bars B (fraction coin bars) that fall in the first downward direction from the main support section 141 of the first gate 113 toward the clear box 28 and stores them in the clear box 28. The guide section 145 is a flat plate that extends in the front-to-rear direction and is slightly inclined downward to the left relative to the horizontal.

[0034] In this way, the first gate 113, in the standby state, releases the metal bar B supported by the first guide portion 111 toward the clear box 28 by rotating in the first rotation direction, and stores the metal bar B in the clear box 28.

[0035] On the other hand, the first gate 113 rotates from the standby state shown in Fig. 7 in which the money roll B is supported by the first guide part 111 in a second rotation direction, which is clockwise in Fig. 7, to eject the supported money roll B from the first lower opening 112 of the first guide part 111 in a second downward direction to the right of the first support shaft 131, as shown in Figs. 9 to 11. The second rotation direction is opposite to the first rotation direction, and the second downward direction is horizontally different from the first downward direction.

[0036] The sorting mechanism 101 has a cylindrical second guide section 151 that guides the falling of a coin roll B (normal coin roll) that is released in a second downward direction as shown in Fig. 11 by the rotation of the first gate 113 in the second rotation direction, and a second gate 153 that is provided in a second downward opening 152 (lower opening) that opens downward at the lower end of the second guide section 151 and opens and closes the second lower opening 152. In the closed state shown in Figs. 10 to 12, the second gate 153 supports the coin roll B that has fallen through the second guide section 151, and opens and closes the second lower opening 152 of the second guide section 151 by rotating. The second lower opening 152 and the second gate 153 constitute the coin release section 29 that releases normal coin rolls B out of the machine.

[0037] The second guide portion 151 has a second left wall portion 161 on the left side that is aligned in the front-to-rear direction and slopes downward to the right with respect to the horizontal, and a second right wall portion 162 on the right side that is aligned in the front-to-rear direction and slopes downward to the right with respect to the horizontal. The second lower opening 152 is formed between the lower edge of the second left wall portion 161 and the lower edge of the second right wall portion 162. Here, the lower edge of the second right wall portion 162 is located higher than the lower edge of the second left wall portion 161. Therefore, the right end position of the second lower opening 152 is located higher than the left end position.

[0038] The second gate 153 has a second support shaft 171 that is fixed in position and extends horizontally along the front-to-rear direction, and a second gate member 172 that is fixed to the second support shaft 171 and rotates around the second support shaft 171. The second support shaft 171 is provided to the right of the right end of the second lower opening 152.

[0039] The second gate member 172 has a flat plate shape that extends in the front-to-rear direction, and one edge side is supported by the second support shaft 171. When the second gate member 172 maximally blocks the second lower opening 152 of the second guide part 151 as shown in Fig. 12, the second gate member 172 slopes downward to the left with respect to the horizontal, with its left edge close to the lower edge of the second left wall part 161 and its right edge close to the lower edge of the second right wall part 162, thereby maximally blocking the second lower opening 152, whose right edge position is higher than its left edge position.

[0040] The second gate 153 is in the maximum closed position when the second gate member 172 slopes downward to the left relative to the horizontal and fully blocks the second lower opening 152, and in the maximum closed state at the maximum closed position, the metal bar B released from the first gate 113, guided by the second guide portion 151, and falling within the second guide portion 151 is supported by the second left wall portion 161 of the second guide portion 151. At this time, the metal bar B comes into contact with the second gate member 172 and the second left wall portion 161 and assumes a position along the front-to-rear direction.

[0041] The second gate 153 supports the money roll B that has fallen within the second guide section 151 together with the second guide section 151, and by rotating counterclockwise in FIG. 12, ejects the supported money roll B downward from the second lower opening 152 of the second guide section 151, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 16. A belt conveyor 42 is provided directly below the coin ejection section 29 that has the second lower opening 152 and the second gate 153, and the money roll B ejected downward from the second lower opening 152 of the second guide section 151 is placed on the belt conveyor 42. In other words, the second gate 153 ejects the money roll B that it supports together with the second guide section 151 from the coin ejection section 29 by rotating. Of the belt conveyors 42 and 43, the belt conveyor 42, which is a section thereof, is located directly below the second gate 153, and receives the coin bars B that are released when the second gate 153 is opened, and transports them almost horizontally.

[0042] The sorting mechanism 101 has one motor 181 (drive source) that rotates the first gate 113 and the second gate 153 in conjunction with each other, and an interlocking mechanism 182 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 that rotates the first gate 113 and the second gate 153 in conjunction with each other. The motor 181 shown in FIG. 18 is fixed in position, is approximately aligned in height with the first support shaft 131, and is provided approximately vertically above the second support shaft 171. The drive shaft 183 of the motor 181 is provided parallel to the first support shaft 131 and the second support shaft 171.

[0043] As shown in Figure 17, the interlocking mechanism 182 has a drive gear 191 fixed to the drive shaft 183 of the motor 181, a first intermediate support shaft 192 fixedly positioned on the first support shaft 131 side of the drive gear 191, a first intermediate gear 193 fixed to the first intermediate support shaft 192 and meshing with the part of the drive gear 191 on the first support shaft 131 side, a first pulley 194 fixed to the first intermediate support shaft 192, a second pulley 195 fixed to the first support shaft 131, an endless belt 196 stretched between the first pulley 194 and the second pulley 195, and a tension roller 197 that presses the endless belt 196. The first intermediate support shaft 192, the first intermediate gear 193, the first pulley 194, the second pulley 195, the endless belt 196, and the tension roller 197 constitute a first transmission mechanism 198 that transmits the driving force of the motor 181 to the first gate 113 having the first support shaft 131.

[0044] The interlocking mechanism 182 also has a second intermediate support shaft 201 fixed in position below the drive shaft 183 of the motor 181, a second intermediate gear 202 fixed to the second intermediate support shaft 201 and meshing with the portion of the drive gear 191 on the second support shaft 171 side, a third intermediate support shaft 203 fixed in position below the second intermediate support shaft 201, a third intermediate gear 204 fixed to the third intermediate support shaft 203 and meshing with the portion of the second intermediate gear 202 on the second support shaft 171 side, a fourth intermediate gear 205 fixed to the third intermediate support shaft 203, and a second support shaft gear 206 fixed to the second support shaft 171 and meshing with the portion of the fourth intermediate gear 205 on the second support shaft 171 side. The second intermediate support shaft 201, the second intermediate gear 202, the third intermediate support shaft 203, the third intermediate gear 204, the fourth intermediate gear 205, and the second support shaft gear 206 constitute a second transmission mechanism 208 that transmits the driving force of the motor 181 to the second gate 153 having the second support shaft 171.

[0045] The first transmission mechanism 198 and the second transmission mechanism 208 are configured to rotate the first gate 113 and the second gate 153 in the same direction. The first transmission mechanism 198 and the second transmission mechanism 208 have different reduction ratios, and the rotation angle of the second gate 153 per rotation of the drive shaft 183 of the motor 181 is smaller than the rotation angle of the first gate 113.

[0046] When the drive shaft 183 and drive gear 191 of the motor 181 rotate in the clockwise direction in Figure 17, the first gate 113 including the first support shaft 131 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in Figure 17 due to the drive transmission of the first intermediate gear 193, first intermediate support shaft 192, first pulley 194, endless belt 196 and second pulley 195 that constitute the first transmission mechanism 198, and the second gate 153 including the second support shaft 171 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in Figure 17 due to the drive transmission of the second intermediate gear 202, third intermediate gear 204, fourth intermediate gear 205 and second support shaft gear 206 that constitute the second transmission mechanism 208.

[0047] Conversely, when the drive shaft 183 and drive gear 191 of the motor 181 rotate counterclockwise in Figure 17, the first gate 113 including the first support shaft 131 rotates clockwise in Figure 17 due to the drive transmission of the first intermediate gear 193, first intermediate support shaft 192, first pulley 194, endless belt 196 and second pulley 195 that constitute the first transmission mechanism 198, and the second gate 153 including the second support shaft 171 rotates clockwise in Figure 17 due to the drive transmission of the second intermediate gear 202, third intermediate gear 204, fourth intermediate gear 205 and second support shaft gear 206 that constitute the second transmission mechanism 208.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 16, the coin processing machine 11 has a sensor 211 (detection means) that detects a coin roll B near the second lower opening 152 in the second guide section 151. As shown in FIG. 19, the sensor 211 has a light-emitting section 212 and a light-receiving section 213, each having a single optical axis that runs horizontally in the front-to-rear direction. The sensor 211 detects that a coin roll B is present at the position of the sensor 211 if the light emitted from the light-emitting section 212 is blocked and not received by the light-receiving section 213. The sensor 211 detects that a coin roll B is not present at the position of the sensor 211 if the light emitted from the light-emitting section 212 is received by the light-receiving section 213. The sensor 211 detects a coin roll B in the second lower opening 152 of the second guide section 151 when the second gate 153 is in the maximum closed position, as shown in FIG.

[0049] The coin processing machine 11 has a control unit (not shown) that controls the overall operation of the coin wrapping unit 61, sorting mechanism 101, and the like.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7 , when the first gate 113 is in the standby position, the sorting mechanism 101 closes the first lower opening 112 with the first gate member 132. In the standby state at the standby position, a metal bar B conveyed from the packaging mechanism 81 and guided by the first guide section 111 falls within the first guide section 111. The metal bar B is supported by the main support section 141, which is slightly tilted downward to the left relative to the horizontal, and the first left wall section 121 of the first guide section 111. The main support section 141 and the first left wall section 121 position the metal bar B so that its central axis is horizontally aligned along the front-to-rear direction. When the first gate 113 is in the standby position, the second gate 153, connected to the first gate 113 via the interlocking mechanism 182, is also in the standby position. In the standby state at the standby position, the second gate 153 opens the second lower opening 152 of the second guide section 151 to just short of the maximum open position. That is, when the first gate 113 supports the metal bar B, the interlocking mechanism 182 causes the second gate 153 to open the second lower opening 152 of the second guide part 151 .

[0051] When the odd number coin roll B is conveyed from the coin wrapping unit 61 and supported by the main support unit 141 of the first gate 113, which is in the standby position as shown in FIG. 7, and the first left wall 121 of the first guide unit 111, the control unit then drives the motor 181 to rotate in a first rotational drive direction, causing the first transmission mechanism 198 of the interlocking mechanism 182 to rotate the first gate 113 in a first rotational direction, which is counterclockwise in FIG. 7. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the first gate 113 is positioned at a first rotational position where the main support unit 141 is separated from the first left wall 121, and the odd number coin roll B is released in a first downward direction from between the main support unit 141 and the first left wall 121. The odd number coin roll B is then guided by the guide unit 145 and stored in the clear box 28.

[0052] 7 to the first rotation position shown in FIG. 8, the interlocking mechanism 182 rotates the second gate 153 in a first rotation direction, which is counterclockwise in FIG. 7, in synchronization with the first gate 113, using the second transmission mechanism 208. As a result, the second gate 153 reaches a maximum open position where it is furthest from the second left wall portion 161 of the second guide portion 151. At this time, due to the difference in the reduction ratio with the first transmission mechanism 198, the second transmission mechanism 208 rotates the second gate 153 from the standby position shown in FIG. 7 to the maximum open position shown in FIG. 8 by an angle that is smaller than the rotation angle at which the first gate 113 rotates from the standby position shown in FIG. 7 to the first rotation position shown in FIG. 8.

[0053] Next, the control unit rotates the motor 181 in a second rotational drive direction opposite to the first rotational drive direction, and causes the first transmission mechanism 198 of the interlocking mechanism 182 to rotate the first gate 113, which is located at the first rotational position, in the second rotational direction, which is clockwise in Figure 8, to return it to the standby position shown in Figure 7, and in synchronous with this, causes the second transmission mechanism 208 of the interlocking mechanism 182 to rotate the second gate 153 in the second rotational direction, which is clockwise in Figure 8, to return it to the standby position shown in Figure 7.

[0054] When a normal metal roll B is conveyed from the packaging mechanism 81 and supported by the main support portion 141 of the first gate 113, which is in the standby position as shown in FIG. 7, and the first left wall portion 121 of the first guide portion 111, the control portion then drives the motor 181 in the second rotational drive direction, causing the first transmission mechanism 198 of the interlocking mechanism 182 to rotate the first gate 113 in the second rotational direction, which is clockwise in FIG. 7. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the first gate 113 moves away from the lower end of the first right wall portion 122 while the main support portion 141 is tilted downward to the right and the tilted support portion 142 is tilted upward to the right. The normal metal roll B is then supported by the main support portion 141 and the tilted support portion 142 due to the downward tilt of the main support portion 141.

[0055] In this way, when the first gate 113 rotates, the interlocking mechanism 182 rotates the second gate 153 in a second rotation direction, which is clockwise in Fig. 7, via the second transmission mechanism 208 in synchronous with the first gate 113. As a result, the second gate 153 approaches the second left wall portion 161 of the second guide portion 151, as shown in Fig. 9.

[0056] As the motor 181 continues to rotate in the second rotational drive direction, the first transmission mechanism 198 of the interlocking mechanism 182 further rotates the first gate 113 in the second rotational direction, which is clockwise in Fig. 9. As a result, the first gate 113 is tilted downward to the right as the inclined support portion 142 approaches the second left wall portion 161 of the second guide portion 151, as shown in Fig. 10, and moves the normal coin roll B toward the second guide portion 151.

[0057] In this way, when the first gate 113 rotates, the interlocking mechanism 182 synchronizes with the first gate 113 and causes the second transmission mechanism 208 to further rotate the second gate 153 in the second rotation direction, which is clockwise in Fig. 9. As a result, the second gate 153 approaches the second left wall portion 161 of the second guide portion 151 even more, as shown in Fig. 10, and enters a closed state that prevents normal coin rolls B from falling through the second lower opening 152 between the second gate 153 and the second left wall portion 161 of the second guide portion 151.

[0058] As the motor 181 continues to rotate in the second rotational drive direction, the first transmission mechanism 198 of the interlocking mechanism 182 further rotates the first gate 113 in the second rotational direction, which is clockwise in Fig. 10. As a result, the first gate 113 drops the normal coin roll B onto the second left wall 161 of the second guide part 151, as shown in Fig. 11, and further rotates to the second rotational position where the inclined support part 142 is closest to the second left wall 161 of the second guide part 151, as shown in Fig. 12. Then, the control unit stops the motor 181.

[0059] In this way, when the first gate 113 rotates, the interlocking mechanism 182 synchronizes with and further rotates the second gate 153 in the second rotation direction, which is clockwise in Fig. 10, via the second transmission mechanism 208. As a result, the second gate 153 approaches further the second left wall portion 161 of the second guide portion 151, as shown in Fig. 11, and then rotates to the maximum closed position where it is closest to the second left wall portion 161 of the second guide portion 151, and stops there, as shown in Fig. 12.

[0060] As described above, when the normal metal bar B held by the first gate 113 is released toward the second guide portion 151, which is the second downward direction, the second gate 153 is in a closed state, closing the second downward opening 152 of the second guide portion 151. At this time, due to the difference in the reduction ratio with the first transmission mechanism 198, the second transmission mechanism 208 rotates the second gate 153 from the standby position shown in Fig. 7 to the maximum closed position shown in Fig. 12 by an angle smaller than the rotation angle by which the first gate 113 rotates from the standby position shown in Fig. 7 to the second rotation position shown in Fig. 12.

[0061] After the second gate 153 reaches the closed state shown in Fig. 10, but before it reaches the fully closed position shown in Fig. 12, a normal coin roll B reaches the second gate 153 and is supported by the second gate 153 and the second left wall 161 of the second guide part 151. At this time, the second gate 153 and the second left wall 161 position the coin roll B so that its central axis is horizontal and aligned in the front-to-rear direction. In this state, the normal coin roll B is detected by the sensor 211.

[0062] When the sensor 211 detects a normal coin roll B continuously for a predetermined time, the control unit drives the motor 181 in the first rotational drive direction. Then, in the opposite direction to the above, the first transmission mechanism 198 of the interlocking mechanism 182 rotates the first gate 113 in the first rotational direction, which is counterclockwise in Fig. 12. Then, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, and further Figs. 15 and 16, the first gate 113 stops at the standby position where the inclined support part 142 approaches the first right wall part 122 of the first guide part 111 and closes the first lower opening 112, and returns to the standby state.

[0063] As described above, when the first gate 113 rotates, the interlocking mechanism 182 synchronizes with the rotation of the first gate 113, causing the second transmission mechanism 208 to rotate the second gate 153 in a second rotation direction, which is counterclockwise in FIG. 12. As a result, the second gate 153 moves away from the second left wall portion 161 of the second guide portion 151, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 14 and further in FIG. 15, and enters an open state that allows the normal coin roll B to fall through the second lower opening 152 and into the gap between the second gate 153 and the second left wall portion 161 of the second guide portion 151. The normal coin roll B then falls from the second lower opening 152 onto the belt conveyor 42. As shown in FIG. 16, the second gate 153 rotates to a standby position just before the maximum open position, stops, and returns to the standby state. At this time, too, due to the difference in reduction ratio with the first transmission mechanism 198, the second transmission mechanism 208 rotates the second gate 153 from the maximum closed position to the standby position at an angle smaller than the rotation angle at which the first gate 113 rotates from the second rotation position to the standby position.

[0064] As described above, the interlocking mechanism 182 synchronizes and interlocks the first gate 113 and the second gate 153 so that, when the first gate 113 supports a normal coin roll B, as shown in FIG. 7, the second gate 153 opens the second lower opening 152 of the second guide section 151, and, when the first gate 113 rotates in the second rotational direction to release the supported normal coin roll B in the second downward direction, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the second gate 153 closes the second lower opening 152 of the second guide section 151.

[0065] According to the coin processing machine 11 of the present embodiment described above, the first gate 113 supports the coin roll B that has fallen through the first guide unit 111, thereby temporarily adjusting the position of the coin roll B. The first gate 113 then rotates in a first rotational direction to release the supported coin roll B in a first downward direction, and rotates in a second rotational direction to release the supported coin roll B in a second downward direction. The coin roll B released in the second downward direction by the first gate 113 is then guided by the second guide unit 151, and the second gate 153 provided in the second lower opening 152 of the second guide unit 151 again supports the coin roll B that has fallen through the second guide unit 151, thereby adjusting the position of the coin roll B. The second gate 153 then rotates to open the second lower opening 152 of the second guide unit 151, thereby releasing the supported coin roll B. In this way, the first gate 113 and the second gate 153 adjust the position of the coin roll B, so it is possible to stabilize the behavior and position of the coin roll B when it is dropped in an appropriate state. This makes it possible to prevent problems such as curling or damage to the wrapping paper that occurs while the coin roll B is being transported within the machine.

[0066] In addition, since the system has an interlocking mechanism 182 that interlocks the first gate 113 and the second gate 153 by driving a single motor 181, it is possible to make the configuration more compact and reduce costs compared to when the first gate 113 and the second gate 153 are driven by separate motors.

[0067] Furthermore, when the first gate 113 rotates in the second rotational direction from a state in which it is supporting a normal coin roll B to release the supported normal coin roll B in the second downward direction, the interlocking mechanism 182 causes the second gate 153 to close the second downward opening 152 of the second guide part 151 and support the normal coin roll B. From this state, when the second gate 153 opens the second downward opening 152 of the second guide part 151 to release the normal coin roll B, the interlocking mechanism 182 returns the first gate 113 to a standby state in which it supports the coin roll B. Therefore, the first gate 113 and the second gate 153 can be interlocked while suppressing unnecessary movement.

[0068] Furthermore, due to the difference in reduction ratio between the first transmission mechanism 198 and the second transmission mechanism 208 of the interlocking mechanism 182, the rotation angle of the second gate 153 is kept small relative to the rotation angle of the first gate 113, thereby preventing an increase in space required for the track of the second gate 153.

[0069] Furthermore, the second lower opening 152 of the second guide section 151 has a sensor 211 that detects the coin roll B when the second gate 153 is closed, so it can be easily detected that the coin roll B is being supported by the second gate 153. This further reduces problems that may occur while the coin roll B is being transported within the machine.

[0070] Furthermore, when the sensor 211 detects the coin roll B continuously for a predetermined time, the control unit drives the motor 181 so that the second gate 153 opens the second lower opening 152 of the second guide unit 151, thereby more effectively detecting that the coin roll B is being supported by the second gate 153. This further reduces problems that may occur during the transportation of the coin roll B within the machine.

[0071] Furthermore, since the coin processing machine 11 is a coin wrapping machine having a coin insertion port 22 into which loose coins are inserted, and a coin wrapping section 61 that accumulates a predetermined number of coins inserted into the coin insertion port 22 and wraps them to create wrapped coins, it is possible to suppress malfunctions that occur during the transport of the coin roll B within the coin wrapping machine.

[0072] Furthermore, since the coin processing machine 11 is provided in a coin wrapping and carrying device 41 having a belt conveyor 42 that receives the bill of lading B released when the second gate 153 is opened and transports it almost horizontally for at least a portion of the distance, malfunctions that occur during the transport of the bill of lading B within the coin processing machine 11 can be suppressed, thereby suppressing malfunctions that occur to the bill of lading B in the coin wrapping and carrying device 41.

[0073] 20, in addition to the above-mentioned sensor 211, by providing a similar sensor 211A upstream in the extension direction of the second left wall 161, it is possible to detect the posture of the coin roll B when it slides down or remains on the second left wall 161. By setting the distance between the optical axes of the sensors 211 and 211A to an appropriate distance, the two sensors 211 and 211A will not simultaneously detect the coin roll B when it slides down with its axis in the horizontal direction. Therefore, if the two sensors 211 and 211A do not simultaneously detect the coin roll B, it can be determined that the coin roll B has slid down in a desirable posture and that it remains on the second gate 153 in a desirable posture.

[0074] On the other hand, when the coin roll B is in an undesirable position, for example, when the axis of the coin roll B is not horizontal but is vertical, two sensors 211, 211A simultaneously detect the coin roll B, making it possible to determine whether the coin roll B is in an abnormal position. If the coin roll B is not horizontal when it is released outside the machine, that is, if the coin roll B is vertical, it will fall with an impact from coin release unit 29 onto belt conveyor 42, which may cause deformation of the crimped portion of the packaging film of the coin roll B, deformation of the coin roll B itself, or even the coin roll B breaking apart. In such a case, the control unit may notify operation and display unit 21 of an abnormal position of the coin roll B based on the detection results of sensors 211, 211A. Furthermore, in a coin processing machine in which abnormal posture frequently occurs when coin rolls B are dispensed, deformation of the internal mechanism is expected, and therefore the number of abnormal postures relative to the total number of dispensed coins is counted and stored as history (log data) in the memory unit, and if the frequency of occurrence exceeds a predetermined value, a message urging inspection may be displayed on the operation display unit 21.

[0075] As described above, the configuration including the two pairs of sensors 211, 211A allows the coin processing machine 11 to monitor whether the coin roll B is being discharged outside the machine in an appropriate posture. This makes it possible to prevent problems that occur when the coin roll B is discharged outside the machine. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 11...coin processing machine, 22...coin inlet, 41...coin wrapping and discharging device, 42, 43...belt conveyor (wrapped coin transport conveyor), 61...coin wrapping section, 111...first guide section, 113...first gate, 151...second guide section, 152...second lower opening (lower opening), 153...second gate, 181...motor (driving source), 182...interlocking mechanism, 211...sensor (detection means), B...coin roll (wrapped coin).

Claims

1. a guide section for guiding the wrapped coins that slide down one by one with their axes in a horizontal direction; a gate that is provided at a lower opening of the guide portion, supports wrapped coins that have slid down inside the guide portion, and rotates to open and close the lower opening of the guide portion; a first sensor that detects whether wrapped coins remain on the guide portion when the gate is in a closed state; a second sensor provided upstream of the first sensor at a predetermined interval, the second sensor detecting wrapped coins sliding down on the guide portion; a display unit that displays guidance; a control unit, A coin processing machine characterized in that when the first sensor and the second sensor simultaneously detect a wrapped coin, the control unit determines that the wrapped coin has slid down the guide unit in an abnormal position with its axis vertical, and causes the display unit to report the abnormal position of the wrapped coin.

2. The control unit counts the number of times the abnormal attitude occurs relative to the total number of releases and stores the count in a storage unit as a history, and when the frequency of occurrence reaches a predetermined value or more, displays a message on the display unit to prompt an inspection.

2. The coin processing machine according to claim 1.

3. The control unit determines that the wrapped coin has slid down and remained on the guide unit in a normal position with its axis horizontal because the first sensor and the second sensor do not detect the wrapped coin at the same time.

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

Images