Media processing device and currency handling device

Abstract

To be able to adequately store media sorted from a conveyor path and minimize the size of a device.SOLUTION: A coin processor 10 according to a deposit / withdrawal machine 1 is provided with a denomination-classified gate 35 and connected to a denomination-classified chute 17 at each of a plurality of branch points 44 arranged in a row in a fifth partial transport route R5 of a deposit transport unit 15. In some of these denomination-classified chutes 17, some branching directions are set to the right, and the other branching directions are set to the left. Therefore, in the coin processor 10, multiple denomination-classified withdrawal hoppers 18 can be arranged in multiple rows without the need to be arranged in a single row. This allows the coin processor 10 to increase the capacity of each of the money hoppers 18 without excessively increasing the length of the entire device in the left-right and vertical directions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a media processing device and a currency handling device, and is suitable for use in processing media such as coins. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the automation of settlement processes, etc., coin processing devices that perform processes related to coin deposits, withdrawals, etc. have become widespread. For example, when performing a deposit process, this coin processing device transports coins inserted into a coin slot using a deposit transport unit, while identifying the denomination of the coin using a coin recognition unit, and stores the coins in coin storage vaults according to their denominations.

[0003] Among these, one proposed deposit transport unit is one that forms a transport path along the path along which coins travel, provides multiple gates for each denomination on the transport path to switch the coin path, and provides a chute for sliding coins down and a coin storage vault beyond each gate (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this deposit transport unit, coins are sorted by appropriately driving each gate according to the denomination recognized by the coin recognition unit, and are then transported from the gate of the corresponding denomination to the coin storage vault of the corresponding denomination for storage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-89783 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a coin processing device, since the deposit transport unit separates coins by denomination and stores them in the coin storage vaults, it is necessary to provide the same number of gates, chutes, and coin storage vaults as the number of coin denominations handled (for example, six denominations). In addition, in the deposit transport unit, it is desirable to form the transport path on which each gate is located as short and linear as possible so as to prevent coin jams and complete transport in a short time. Furthermore, since the chute uses gravity to slide the coins down, it is desirable that it be as short and linear as possible. Therefore, in a coin processing device, each gate is located on a linear transport path, and each chute connected to each gate is also formed as a short linear path, and the coin storage vaults connected to these chutes are also arranged in a linear row.

[0006] On the other hand, with regard to coin processing devices, there is a demand for expanding the capacity of the coin storage vault to increase the number of coins that can be stored. However, if the capacity of each of the coin storage vaults arranged in a row were to be increased, the entire media processing device would expand in the direction along the transport path and in the vertical direction. This could result in the coin processing device no longer satisfying the constraints regarding the size of the installation space. In other words, there has been a problem with coin processing devices in that it is difficult to expand the capacity of the coin storage vaults while keeping the overall size of the device small.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to propose a media processing device and a currency handling device that can sufficiently store media distributed from the conveying path while preventing the device from becoming too large. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve this problem, the media processing device of the present invention includes a transport path having a transport path surface along which the media is transported, forming a transport path along which the media should be transported and having multiple branch points; a pin belt having a plurality of pins arranged on a belt that runs along a conveyance path, the pins contacting the upstream side of the medium placed on the conveyance path;The system includes a plurality of storage cabinets for storing media, a plurality of branch paths each forming a branch path connecting a branch point of the transport path to the storage cabinets, a plurality of switching units provided at each of the branch points for switching the destination of the media to either the transport path or the branch path, and a plurality of delivery units for delivering the media from the plurality of branch paths to the plurality of storage cabinets, and in the width direction perpendicular to the transport path on the transport path surface, at least one of the plurality of branch paths has a branch direction from the branch point to the delivery unit opposite to the branch direction of the other branch paths. The conveying path has a conveying guide that restricts the range in which the medium can move in the width direction, and the pin abuts on the anti-branching direction side of the center of gravity of the medium before the branching point, which is opposite to the branching direction of the branching path. I did so.

[0009] In addition, the currency handling device of the present invention is provided with an input port into which media are inserted, and a media processing device that processes the media inserted into the input port, and the media processing device has a conveying path surface along which the media is conveyed, forming a conveying path along which the media should be conveyed, and a conveying path with multiple branching points set therein; a pin belt having a plurality of pins arranged on a belt that runs along a conveyance path, the pins contacting the upstream side of the medium placed on the conveyance path; The system includes a plurality of storage cabinets for storing media, a plurality of branch paths that form branch paths connecting branch points of the transport path with the storage cabinets, a plurality of switching units that are provided at the branch points and switch the destination of the media to either the transport path or the branch path, and a plurality of delivery units that deliver the media from the plurality of branch paths to the plurality of storage cabinets, and in the width direction on the transport path surface that is perpendicular to the transport path, at least one of the plurality of branch paths has a branch direction from the branch point to the delivery unit that is opposite to the branch direction of the other branch paths. The conveying path has a conveying guide that restricts the range in which the medium can move in the width direction, and the pin abuts on the anti-branching direction side of the center of gravity of the medium before the branching point, which is opposite to the branching direction of the branching path. I did so.

[0010] In the present invention, the branching direction in the width direction of at least one of the multiple branching paths connected to multiple branching points on the conveying path is oriented opposite to the branching directions of the other branching paths. This allows the transfer sections of each branching path to be positioned on both sides of the width direction of the conveying path, eliminating the need to arrange each storage cabinet in a straight line along the conveying path, increasing the degree of freedom in arrangement and ensuring sufficient capacity. In addition, the present invention abuts the pins of the pin belt running along the transport path on the upstream side of the medium, and abuts the pins on the opposite side of the branching direction from the center of gravity of the medium just before the branching point, so that the medium can proceed smoothly in the branching direction without being pinched between the transport guide and the pin at the branching point. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a media processing device and a currency handling device that can adequately store media sorted from a conveying path and that can prevent the device from becoming too large. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a depositing and dispensing machine. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a coin processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a deposit transport unit. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a deposit transport unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a schematic diagram showing a coin sorting operation according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a deposit transport unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a deposit transport unit according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] 1. First Embodiment [1-1. Form of deposit / withdrawal machine] Fig. 1 shows the appearance of a depositing and dispensing machine 1 according to the first embodiment. The depositing and dispensing machine 1, which serves as a currency handling device, is a device that can deposit and dispense banknotes and coins in response to user operation, and has a rectangular parallelepiped device housing 2. The depositing and dispensing machine 1 is a device that allows customers to perform checkout processes by operating it themselves, for example, in a retail store, and is also called a self-checkout or semi-self-checkout.

[0015] In the following, the side of the deposit / dispensing machine 1 that the user faces will be referred to as the front side, and the opposite side will be referred to as the rear side.The left and right sides as seen from the user facing the front side will be referred to as the left side and right side, respectively, and the upper and lower sides will be further defined and explained.

[0016] The device housing 2 is configured as a box shape that is longer vertically than in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. Near the center of the top surface 2T of the device housing 2 are provided a receipt printer 3 that outputs receipts containing transaction details, and an operation display unit 4 that functions as a display unit that displays various screens and an operation unit that accepts operation inputs for the various screens displayed on the display unit. The operation display unit 4 may be, for example, a touch panel that combines a liquid crystal display panel and a touch sensor.

[0017] Furthermore, on the front surface 2F of the device housing 2, a banknote deposit slot 5 into which banknotes are inserted is provided near the upper left, and a banknote withdrawal slot 6 from which banknotes are ejected is provided below the banknote deposit slot 5. Furthermore, on the front surface 2F of the device housing 2, to the right of the banknote deposit slot 5, a coin deposit slot 7 into which coins are inserted is provided, and below the banknote withdrawal slot 6, a coin withdrawal slot 8 from which coins are ejected is provided.

[0018] Inside the depositing and dispensing machine 1, there are provided a banknote processing device (not shown) that performs processes related to the deposit and dispensing of banknotes, and a coin processing device 10 that performs processes related to the deposit and dispensing of coins. However, since the banknote processing device has an existing configuration, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0019] [1-2. Configuration of coin processing device] Next, the configuration of the coin processing device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 2(A) and (B). Figure 2(A) is a schematic front view showing the coin processing device 10 as viewed from the front side. Figure 2(B) is a schematic side view showing the coin processing device 10 as viewed from the right side. Note that, for convenience of explanation, some components are omitted in Figures 2(A) and (B), or the interior of some components is shown as a see-through view. Also, in Figures 2(A) and (B), part of the path along which coins are transported is indicated by dashed arrows.

[0020] The coin processing device 10 as a medium processing device includes a coin control unit 11 that controls the entire device, as well as a coin insertion unit 12, a coin feeding unit 13, a coin delivery unit 14, a deposit transport unit 15, a reject chute 16, denomination-specific chutes 17 (17A to 17F), denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18 (18A to 18F), a horizontal dispensing transport unit 19, a collection box 20, and a lift dispensing transport unit 21. For ease of explanation, hereinafter, coins will also be referred to as the medium, and the deposit transport unit 15 will also be referred to as the medium transport unit. Incidentally, the coin processing device 10 is designed to handle coins of multiple denominations (for example, six denominations). These coins differ in diameter, thickness, material, etc. depending on the denomination.

[0021] The coin insertion unit 12 is located at the upper front side of the coin processing device 10, and is formed in a slope shape connecting the coin insertion slot 7 provided at the upper front of the device housing 2 with the coin dispensing unit 13 at the lower rear. This coin insertion unit 12 allows coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 7 to slide down and rear, and store them inside the coin dispensing unit 13.

[0022] The coin feeding unit 13 is located below and behind the coin insertion unit 12, and has a space therein for storing coins, a mechanism for separating the stored coins one by one, and an outlet for discharging the coins to the rear side, etc. This coin feeding unit 13 separates the coins that have passed through the coin insertion unit 12 one by one and feeds them from the outlet to the coin sending unit 14 at the rear.

[0023] The coin sending unit 14 is disposed behind the coin feeding unit 13, and includes rollers disposed opposite each other in the vertical direction, a motor (not shown) for rotating the rollers, etc. The coin sending unit 14 clamps the coins fed from the coin feeding unit 13 between the rollers and sends them to the deposit transport unit 15 located behind.

[0024] Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the coin processing device 10 taken along the A1-A2 cutting line in Fig. 2(B). Fig. 3 shows the deposited money transport unit 15 as viewed from above. As shown in Fig. 3, the deposited money transport unit 15 has a coin transport route R set therein, and a transport path 31 for transporting coins CN is formed along the transport route R. The deposited money transport unit 15 also has a pin belt 32, a coin verification unit 33, a reject gate 34, and six denomination-specific gates 35 (35A to 35F), etc.

[0025] The conveying path R is formed so as to circle the outer periphery of a rectangle in a clockwise direction as a whole, and has multiple partial conveying paths, such as a first partial conveying path R1, a second partial conveying path R2, a third partial conveying path R3, a fourth partial conveying path R4, and a fifth partial conveying path R5.

[0026] The first partial conveying path R1 is the portion connecting the front right side and the rear left side at the rear side of the coin sending unit 14. The second partial conveying path R2 is the portion that proceeds from the rear end of the first partial conveying path R1 to the left. The third partial conveying path R3 is the portion that proceeds from the left end of the second partial conveying path R2 to the rear. The fourth partial conveying path R4 is the portion that proceeds from the rear end of the third partial conveying path R3 to the right. The fifth partial conveying path R5 is the portion that proceeds from the right end of the fourth partial conveying path R4 to the front. Hereinafter, the direction in which the coin CN is conveyed will be referred to as the conveying direction, and the direction perpendicular to this conveying direction will be referred to as the width direction. Furthermore, with regard to the conveying direction of the coin CN, the side from which the coin is conveyed will also be referred to as the upstream side, and the side to which the coin is conveyed will also be referred to as the downstream side.

[0027] Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a part of the fifth partial transport path R5 and its surrounding area of ​​the deposit transport unit 15. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the transport path 31 is provided with a transport path surface 41, a transport guide 42, and a guide groove 43. In addition, the transport path 31 has six branch points 44.

[0028] The conveying path surface 41 is formed in a substantially horizontal plane generally along the conveying path R. On this conveying path surface 41, a conveying center line X31, which is an imaginary line representing the center in the width direction, is a straight line along the front-rear direction in the fifth conveying path portion R5 (FIG. 4). In other words, the conveying center line X31 is also a straight line representing the direction along the fifth conveying path portion R5.

[0029] The conveying guides 42 are provided on both sides of the conveying path surface 41 in the width direction, and are erected upward from the conveying path surface 41. Hereinafter, the portion of the conveying guide 42 located on the left side of the fifth partial conveying path R5 will be referred to as the left conveying guide 42L, and the portion located on the right side will be referred to as the right conveying guide 42R. The above-mentioned conveying center line X31 is located midway between the left conveying guide 42L and the right conveying guide 42R. The distance from the conveying center line X31 to the left conveying guide 42L and the distance from the conveying center line X31 to the right conveying guide 42R are slightly larger (longer) than the radius of the coin CN. In other words, in the conveying path 31, the conveying path width W0, which is the distance between the left conveying guide 42L and the right conveying guide 42R, is slightly larger than the diameter of the coin CN with the largest diameter (hereinafter also referred to as the maximum diameter coin) among the coins CN of each denomination that can be handled.

[0030] The guide groove 43 is centered on a guide groove center line X43 that is parallel to the conveyance center line X31, and is a linear groove with a predetermined width and depth. The guide groove center line X43 is located to the left of the conveyance center line X31. The distance from the guide groove center line X43 to the left conveyance guide 42L is shorter than the distance from the guide groove center line X43 to the right conveyance guide 42R, and is also shorter than the radius of the coin CN.

[0031] The branch points 44 include one branch point 44A set downstream in the third partial conveying path R3, and five branch points 44B to 44F set in the fifth partial conveying path R5, which are spaced apart in the front-rear direction. At each branch point 44, a hole large enough to allow a coin CN to pass through is formed in the conveying path surface 41, and a denomination-specific gate 35 (35A to 35F) is provided.

[0032] The pin belt 32 (FIG. 4) is composed of a belt 32B, a plurality of pins 32P, and a plurality of pulleys, motors, etc. (not shown). Each pulley is appropriately positioned on the upper side of the conveying path surface 41 (FIG. 3), such as inside a bend in the conveying route R. The belt 32B is a flexible endless belt, and is stretched so as to generally follow the conveying route R by going around each pulley on the upper side of the conveying path surface 41.

[0033] Belt 32B is located directly above guide groove center line X43 on fifth partial conveying path R5. Each pin 32P is formed in an elliptical cylindrical shape with its central axis aligned in the up-down direction, and is spaced apart at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction of belt 32B. The lower end of each pin 32P protrudes downward beyond the lower edge of belt 32B and reaches inside guide groove 43 formed in conveying path surface 41.

[0034] Therefore, when the pin belt 32 is caused to run, the vicinity of the lower end of each pin 32P can be advanced along the guide groove 43. At this time, if there is a coin CN on the conveying path surface 41, the pin belt 32 abuts against the upstream side of the coin CN (i.e., near the tail) to transmit a driving force, and the coin CN can be conveyed in the conveying direction on the conveying path surface 41.

[0035] The deposited coin conveying unit 15 (FIG. 3) uses the momentum of the coin CN fed from the coin sending unit 14 to advance diagonally backward and leftward along the first partial conveying path R1. Next, the deposited coin conveying unit 15 moves the pin belt 32 to abut the pin 32P against the upstream side of the coin CN received from the coin sending unit 14, and conveys the coin CN along the conveying path R while regulating the direction of advancement with the conveying guide 42 on the conveying path surface 41. At this time, the pin belt 32 advances the coin CN leftward along the second partial conveying path R2, backward along the third partial conveying path R3, rightward along the fourth partial conveying path R4, and further forward along the fifth partial conveying path R5.

[0036] The third partial transport path R3 is provided with a coin verification unit 33, a reject gate 34, and a denomination-specific gate 35A in this order from the upstream side (i.e., the front side) in the transport direction of the coin CN. The fifth partial transport path R5 is provided with denomination-specific gates 35B, 35C, 35D, 35E, and 35F in this order from the upstream side (i.e., the rear side) in the transport direction of the coin CN.

[0037] The coin verification unit 33 determines the denomination, authenticity, fitness, etc. of the coins CN transported along the transport route R. Hereinafter, coins CN of denominations that are not handled by the coin processing device 10 or coins CN that are determined to be abnormal, i.e., coins CN that cannot be handled by the coin processing device 10, are referred to as rejected coins.

[0038] The reject gate 34 has a passage hole and a plate-shaped gate plate drilled in the conveying path surface 41, and an actuator (not shown) that drives the gate plate. The passage hole is formed in a rectangular shape with one side longer than the diameter of the coin CN, and the reject chute 16 is located below it. The gate plate is formed in a thin plate shape and is attached to the conveying path surface 41 via a predetermined rotating mechanism, so that it can close or open the passage hole by rotating.

[0039] In a closed state where the gate plate is closed, the reject gate 34 allows a coin CN transported from the front along the transport path R to proceed rearward along the transport path R. On the other hand, in an open state where the gate plate is open, the reject gate 34 allows a coin CN transported from the front along the transport path R to drop from the passage hole into the reject chute 16 below. That is, by opening and closing the gate plate based on the control of the coin control unit 11, the reject gate 34 can switch between transporting the coin CN along the transport path R or dropping it into the reject chute 16, thereby sorting the coin CN.

[0040] The denomination-specific gates 35 (35A to 35F) are provided at six branch points 44 (44 to 44F) set on the conveying path 31. Each of these denomination-specific gates 35 is configured similarly to the reject gate 34, and is designed to open and close passage holes formed in the conveying path surface 41 using a plate-shaped gate plate. Each of these denomination-specific gates 35 is assigned to a different denomination. Furthermore, a denomination-specific chute 17 (17A to 17F) is provided below each passage hole.

[0041] When a coin CN of an assigned denomination is transported along the transport route R, the denomination-specific gate 35, which serves as a switching unit, opens its gate plate, causing the coin CN to fall through a passage hole into the denomination-specific chute 17 below. When a coin CN of another denomination is transported along the transport route R, the denomination-specific gate 35 keeps its gate plate closed, causing the coin CN to continue transporting along the transport route R. In other words, the denomination-specific gate 35 opens and closes its gate plate under the control of the coin control unit 11, thereby switching the route along which the coin CN should travel to either the transport route R side or the denomination-specific chute 17 side, and can sort the coin CN according to its denomination.

[0042] Each denomination-specific chute 17 (17A to 17F) as a branch path is arranged to connect the lower side of each denomination-specific gate 35 (i.e., each branch point 44) with the upper side of each denomination-specific dispensing hopper 18 (18A to 18F), and each is assigned a denomination. Here, the detailed configuration will be described using the denomination-specific chute 17D shown in Figure 4 as an example.

[0043] The denomination-specific chute 17D is composed of a chute road surface 51, a chute guide 52, a delivery section 53, etc. The chute road surface 51 is an inclined surface that gradually descends from the lower side of the denomination-specific gate 35 toward the upper side of the denomination-specific dispensing hopper 18. The chute road surface 51 is also formed along a chute center line X17, which is an imaginary straight line that serves as the center line in the width direction. The angle θ between this chute center line X17 and the downstream side of the conveyance center line X31, i.e., the conveyance direction, is an acute angle. Hereinafter, the path along the chute center line X17 will also be referred to as a branch path, and the direction along the chute center line X17 will also be referred to as a branch direction.

[0044] The chute guide 52 is composed of a rear chute guide 52B on the rear side and a front chute guide 52F on the front side. This chute guide 52 is configured similarly to the conveyance guide 42, and regulates the movement range of the coin CN at both ends of the width direction of the chute road surface 51. The delivery section 53 is located near the end of the chute road surface 51, i.e., near the point farthest from the denomination-specific gate 35D, and is a section that delivers the coin CN to the denomination-specific dispensing hopper 18. For convenience of explanation, in the following, in the fifth partial conveyance path R5 of the conveyance path 31, the direction from the branch point 44 toward the delivery section 53 in the width direction (i.e., the left-right direction) perpendicular to the conveyance direction (i.e., the forward direction) is also referred to as the branch direction.

[0045] With this configuration, each denomination-specific chute 17 allows the coins CN of each denomination dropped from each denomination-specific gate 35 (35A to 35F) to slide down along the chute road surface 51 while the movement range is regulated by the chute guide 52, and reaches the delivery section 53. At this time, the coins CN are delivered from the delivery section 53 to the corresponding denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18 (18A to 18F).

[0046] Incidentally, the chute 17 for each denomination does not have a mechanism for transmitting driving force to the coin CN, such as the pin belt 32, but uses gravity to slide the coin CN down along the chute road surface 51. For this reason, the chute 17 for each denomination is formed as short and straight as possible to minimize clogging of the coin CN.

[0047] Each of the denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18 (18A to 18F) has the function of storing coins CN and the function of dispensing the stored coins one by one. Furthermore, each denomination-specific dispensing hopper 18 is assigned a denomination. The denomination-specific dispensing hopper 18 stores the coins CN that have slid down along the denomination-specific chute 17. Furthermore, based on the control of the coin control unit 11, the denomination-specific dispensing hopper 18 separates the stored coins CN one by one and dispenses them to the horizontal dispensing transport unit 19 (FIGS. 2(A) and (B)) located below it. Furthermore, the denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18 are arranged in a grid pattern within the coin processing device 10, with three in the front-to-rear direction and two in the left-to-right direction.

[0048] The reject chute 16 (FIG. 2), like the denomination-specific chute 17, is configured as a passageway that guides coins CN while sliding them down, and connects the underside of the reject gate 34 with the vicinity of the horizontal dispensing conveying section 19. The reject chute 16 slides rejected coins that have fallen from the reject gate 34 down and drops them onto the horizontal dispensing conveying section 19.

[0049] The horizontal dispensing conveying unit 19 is located below the denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18 and the reject chute 16, and has a conveying belt that can travel in the front-to-rear direction. This horizontal dispensing conveying unit 19 conveys coins CN fed from the denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18 and rejected coins guided by the reject chute 16 (hereinafter, both are collectively referred to as coin CN) forward using the conveying belt. The horizontal dispensing conveying unit 19 also has a switching mechanism (not shown), and based on the control of the coin control unit 11, hands over the conveyed coin CN to either the collection box 20 below or the lift dispensing conveying unit 21 in front.

[0050] The collection box 20 is located below the horizontal dispensing transport section 19, and stores the coins CN transported by the horizontal dispensing transport section 19. For example, when collecting coins CN stored in the denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18, the collection box 20 stores the coins CN dispensed from the denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18.

[0051] The lift dispensing transport section 21 is located in front of the coin feeding section 13, deposit transport section 15, denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18, horizontal dispensing transport section 19, etc., and is configured to be relatively long in the vertical direction. This lift dispensing transport section 21 is composed of a plurality of endless belts, a plurality of pulleys, a motor (not shown), etc., and transports coins from the front part of the horizontal dispensing transport section 19 to the coin dispensing port 8 above.

[0052] Next, a brief description will be given of the deposit operation, the withdrawal operation, and the collection operation as operations of the coin processing device 10. Note that these operations are controlled comprehensively by the coin control unit 11.

[0053] When a user inserts a coin CN into the coin slot 7, the coin control unit 11 starts the deposit operation. The coin CN inserted into the coin slot 7 passes through the coin insertion unit 12, is dispensed one by one by the coin dispensing unit 13, and is sent out by the coin dispensing unit 14 to the conveying route R of the deposit conveying unit 15. The coin CN sent out to the conveying route R is conveyed by the pin belt 32, and an image is taken by the coin recognition unit 33, and the denomination, authenticity, fitness, etc. are determined based on the image.

[0054] Here, when the inserted coin CN is determined to be a reject coin, the coin control unit 11 opens the reject gate 34. As a result, the rejected coin passes through the reject chute 16 from the conveyance path R and is conveyed to the coin dispensing port 8 by the horizontal dispensing conveyance unit 19 and the lift dispensing conveyance unit 21. In this way, the coin processing device 10 conveys rejected coins from among the coins CN inserted by the user to the coin dispensing port 8 and returns them to the user.

[0055] On the other hand, if the inserted coin CN is determined to be normal, the coin control unit 11 opens the denomination-specific gate 35 corresponding to the denomination of the coin CN, and stores the coin in the denomination-specific dispensing hopper 18 corresponding to the denomination of the coin CN via the denomination-specific chute 17. In this way, the coin processing device 10 stores coins CN inserted by the user that are determined to be normal in the denomination-specific dispensing hopper 18 corresponding to that denomination. Hereinafter, the operation of switching the route of the coin CN by the denomination-specific gate 35 or the like in the deposit transport unit 15 according to the denomination of the coin CN and causing it to proceed is referred to as the sorting operation.

[0056] Furthermore, in the dispensing operation, the coin processing device 10 dispenses the number of coins CN designated for each denomination from each denomination-specific dispensing hopper 18 based on the control of the coin control unit 11. Next, the coin processing device 10 transports the dispensed coins CN to the coin dispensing port 8 by the horizontal dispensing transport unit 19 and the lift dispensing transport unit 21, and discharges them from the coin dispensing port 8.

[0057] Furthermore, in the collection operation, the coin processing device 10 dispenses stored coins CN from each denomination-specific dispensing hopper 18 based on the control of the coin control unit 11. Next, the coin processing device 10 transports the dispensed coins CN to the collection box 20 by the horizontal dispensing transport unit 19, and stores them in the collection box 20.

[0058] [1-3. Coin distribution operation] Next, the sorting operation according to the denomination of the coin CN in the deposit transport unit 15 will be described. Figures 5(A) and (B) are partially enlarged plan views of the vicinity of the denomination-specific gate 35D and denomination-specific chute 17D provided in the deposit transport unit 15. For convenience of explanation, in Figures 5(A) and (B), belt 32B of pin belt 32 is omitted and only pin 32P is shown. Also, here, it is assumed that the coin verification unit 33 has determined that the coin CN can be handled, and that its denomination is the denomination associated with the denomination-specific gate 35D and denomination-specific chute 17D.

[0059] The deposited coin conveying unit 15 conveys the coin CN along the conveying route R (FIG. 3) while bringing the pin 32P into contact with the upstream side of the coin CN by running the pin belt 32, and eventually causes the coin CN to arrive near the denomination-specific gate 35D as shown in FIG. 5(A). The deposited coin conveying unit 15 also rotates the gate plate of the denomination-specific gate 35D to open the passage hole.

[0060] The deposit conveying unit 15 continues to run the pin belt 32, thereby causing the coin CN to drop from the passage hole onto the chute road surface 51 of the denomination-specific chute 17D, as shown in Fig. 5(B). The dropped coin CN slides down along the slope of the chute road surface 51, and reaches the delivery unit 53 while being guided by the rear chute guide 52B and the front chute guide 52F, and is delivered to the denomination-specific dispensing hopper 18.

[0061] In addition, the deposit transport unit 15 similarly rotates the gate plate of the other denomination-specific gates 35 as appropriate to drop the coin CN into the denomination-specific chute 17, slides the coin CN along the denomination-specific chute 17, and delivers it to the denomination-specific dispensing hopper 18.

[0062] In other words, the deposit conveying unit 15 can sort the coins CN to proceed to the right or left side of the conveying direction by dropping them from each denomination-specific gate 35 into each denomination-specific chute 17 depending on the denomination of the coins CN being conveyed along the fifth partial conveying path R5.

[0063] [1-4. Effects, etc.] In the above configuration, the coin processing device 10 of the depositing / dispensing machine 1 according to the first embodiment has six branching points 44 set in the deposit transport section 15, denomination-specific gates 35 arranged therein, and denomination-specific chutes 17 arranged below each of them (FIGS. 2 and 3). In particular, in the fifth partial transport path R5, the deposit transport section 15 has some denomination-specific chutes 17 (17B, 17D, and 17F) branching to the right, and the remaining denomination-specific chutes 17 (17C and 17E) branching to the left (FIG. 4).

[0064] Therefore, in the coin processing device 10, the denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18B, 18D, and 18F to which coins CN are delivered from the denomination-specific chutes 17B, 17D, and 17F, respectively, can be arranged directly below or to the right of the fifth partial conveying path R5 (conveying path 31). On the other hand, in the coin processing device 10, the denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18C and 18E to which coins CN are delivered from the denomination-specific chutes 17C and 17E, respectively, can be arranged to the left of the fifth partial conveying path R5 (conveying path 31).

[0065] That is, in the coin processing device 10, five denomination-specific gates 35 (35B to 35F) can be arranged in a single linear row on the conveying path 31 in the fifth partial conveying path R5, while the corresponding denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18 (18B to 18F) can be arranged in multiple rows. This allows the coin processing device 10 to increase the capacity of each denomination-specific dispensing hopper 18 while effectively utilizing the internal space without excessively increasing the length of the entire device in the left-right and up-down directions. In addition, in the coin processing device 10, the capacity of each denomination-specific dispensing hopper 18 can also be made different for each denomination.

[0066] From another perspective, in the coin processing device 10, the delivery section 53 of each denomination-specific chute 17 is arranged so as to distribute coins to the right or left of the conveyance route R, and the branching direction of each denomination-specific chute 17 is set accordingly (Fig. 4). Therefore, in the coin processing device 10, the branching route from each branch point 44 to each delivery section 53 can be configured as a relatively short, straight line, i.e., an extremely simple shape, so that coins CN can slide down smoothly within the denomination-specific chute 17 without clogging or the like.

[0067] Furthermore, in the coin processing device 10, each denomination-specific gate 35 is simply switched to either drop or not drop the coin CN, and each denomination-specific chute 17 is configured so that the chute center line X17 (i.e., branching path) faces rightward or leftward relative to the conveying path R. Therefore, in the coin processing device 10, regardless of the branching direction of each denomination-specific chute 17 provided below each denomination-specific gate 35 in the deposit conveying section 15, all of the denomination-specific gates 35 can have the same configuration, and component parts can be standardized.

[0068] According to the above configuration, the coin processing device 10 of the depositing / dispensing machine 1 according to the first embodiment is provided with a denomination-specific gate 35 and a denomination-specific chute 17 connected to each of a plurality of branching points 44 arranged in a row on the fifth partial transport path R5 of the deposit transport section 15. Some of these denomination-specific chutes 17 branch to the right, and the rest branch to the left. Therefore, in the coin processing device 10, a plurality of denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18 do not need to be arranged in a row, but can be arranged in multiple rows. This allows the coin processing device 10 to increase the capacity of each denomination-specific dispensing hopper 18 without excessively increasing the length of the entire device in the left-right or up-down directions.

[0069] 2. Second Embodiment A depositing / dispensing machine 201 (FIG. 1) according to the second embodiment differs from the depositing / dispensing machine 1 according to the first embodiment in that it has a coin processing device 210 instead of the coin processing device 10, but is otherwise configured similarly. A coin processing device 210 (FIG. 2) differs from the coin processing device 10 according to the first embodiment in that it has a deposited money conveying unit 215 instead of the deposited money conveying unit 15, but is otherwise configured similarly.

[0070] In the deposited coin conveying section 15 (FIG. 4) according to the first embodiment, the guide groove 43 is formed in a straight line. That is, the guide groove center line X43 of the guide groove 43 is parallel to the conveying center line X31 and is located on the left side of the conveying center line X31. Therefore, in the deposited coin conveying section 15, there is a risk that the coin may not be conveyed properly depending on the position of the coin CN on the conveying path surface 41 in the width direction.

[0071] For example, as shown in Fig. 5(C), in the deposited coin transport unit 15, the delivery unit 53 in the denomination-specific chute 17E is located on the left side of the transport path 31. In this deposited coin transport unit 15, there is a possibility that the pin 32P may come into contact with the left side of the center of gravity Q of the coin CN on the upstream side of the coin CN that has arrived just before the denomination-specific gate 35E.

[0072] 5(D), in the deposit transport unit 15, when a coin CN falls through the passage hole of the denomination-specific gate 35E, a force is applied from the pin 32P to the coin CN in the width direction of the transport path 31, in the direction opposite to the branching direction toward the delivery unit 53. As a result, there is a risk that the coin CN will become unstable and behave violently on the chute path surface 51 after falling, or that it will become caught between the front chute guide 52F and the pin 32P, causing a jam.

[0073] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6 corresponding to Figure 4, the deposit transport unit 215 according to the second embodiment differs in that it has a transport path 231 instead of the transport path 31, but is otherwise configured similarly. Incidentally, for convenience of illustration, the denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18, belt 32B, etc. are omitted from Figure 6. Compared to the transport path 31 according to the first embodiment, the transport path 231 differs in that it has a guide groove 243 instead of the guide groove 43, but is otherwise configured similarly.

[0074] The guide groove 243 is configured by combining a straight guide groove 243L, which is a linear portion formed generally along the conveyance direction, and an oblique guide groove 243S, which is a linear portion inclined with respect to the conveyance direction. Specifically, the guide groove 243 is located to the left of the conveyance center line X31 in the denomination-specific gate 35D and the straight guide groove 243LD upstream thereof. In this straight guide groove 243LD, the distance between the guide groove center line X243 and the left conveyance guide 42L is smaller (shorter) than the radius of the coin CN. Therefore, when the pin 32P of the pin belt 32 is located in the straight guide groove 243LD, it abuts on the left side of the center of gravity Q on the upstream side of the coin CN.

[0075] Furthermore, the guide groove 243 is located to the right of the conveyance center line X31 in the denomination-specific gate 35E and the direct guide groove 243LE upstream thereof. In this direct guide groove 243LE, the distance between the guide groove center line X243 and the right conveyance guide 42R is smaller (shorter) than the radius of the coin CN. Therefore, when the pin 32P of the pin belt 32 is located in the direct guide groove 243LE, it abuts on the right side of the center of gravity Q on the upstream side of the coin CN.

[0076] Furthermore, the guide groove 243 has an inclined guide groove 243SDE formed between the straight guide groove 243LD and the straight guide groove 243LE, which is inclined with respect to the conveyance center line X31 and connects the front end of the straight guide groove 243LD with the rear end of the straight guide groove 243LE. Therefore, when the pin 32P of the pin belt 32 moves through the inclined guide groove 243SDE, the position at which it abuts on the upstream side of the coin CN moves from the left to the right.

[0077] That is, each of the direct guide grooves 243L of the guide groove 243 is located near and upstream of each branch point 44, biased in the width direction toward the opposite side (hereinafter referred to as the anti-branch direction) from the direction (branch direction) in which the delivery section 53 of the denomination-specific chute 17 is located. Therefore, each of the direct guide grooves 243L can abut the pin 32P of the pin belt 32 on the upstream side of the coin CN in the anti-branch direction, and apply a force to the coin CN in the branch direction.

[0078] This allows the deposit transport unit 215 to avoid problems such as applying force from the pin 32P to the coin CN in the anti-branching direction, opposite to the branching direction, as shown in Figures 5(C) and (D), which could cause the coin CN to become unstable or become jammed.

[0079] In this case, with regard to the pin belt 32, while the belt 32B is tensioned linearly along the conveyance center line X31 on the conveyance path surface 41, only the lower ends of the pins 32P can be displaced left and right in accordance with the guide groove 243. In other words, the pin belt 32 does not need to have a complicated configuration, such as adding a pulley to match the shape of the guide groove 243 and bending the running path of the belt 32B.

[0080] Furthermore, the deposit transport unit 215 bends the guide groove 243 while keeping the transport guide 42 of the transport path 31 straight. Therefore, the deposit transport unit 215 does not cause wear of various parts due to friction with the coin CN or poor transport of the coin CN, which may occur when the transport guide 42 is bent.

[0081] In other respects, the coin processing device 210 according to the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the coin processing device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0082] According to the above configuration, the coin processing device 210 of the depositing / dispensing machine 201 according to the second embodiment has a denomination-specific gate 35 and a denomination-specific chute 17 connected to each of a plurality of branching points 44 arranged in a row on the fifth partial transport path R5 of the deposit transport unit 215. Some of these denomination-specific chutes 17 branch to the right, while the remaining branch to the left. Therefore, in the coin processing device 210, a plurality of denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18 can be arranged in multiple rows without arranging them in a single row, thereby achieving a large capacity without increasing the device configuration size. Furthermore, the deposit transport unit 215 has the guide groove 243 bent so that it approaches each branching point and its upstream side in the anti-branching direction. This allows the deposit transport unit 215 to stably sort coins CN while preventing them from moving around or clogging.

[0083] 3. Third Embodiment A depositing / dispensing machine 301 (FIG. 1) according to the third embodiment differs from the depositing / dispensing machine 1 according to the first embodiment in that it has a coin processing device 310 instead of the coin processing device 10, but is otherwise configured similarly. A coin processing device 310 (FIG. 2) differs from the coin processing device 10 according to the first embodiment in that it has a deposited money conveying unit 315 instead of the deposited money conveying unit 15, but is otherwise configured similarly.

[0084] As shown in Figure 7, which corresponds to Figures 4 and 6, the deposit transport unit 315 differs in that it has a transport path 331 instead of the transport path 31, but is otherwise configured in the same way. For convenience of illustration, the denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18 and belt 32B are omitted from Figure 7. Compared to the transport path 31 of the first embodiment, the transport path 331 differs in that auxiliary transport guides 345 (345D and 345E) have been added, but is otherwise configured in the same way.

[0085] Each auxiliary conveyance guide 345 is provided upstream of each branch point 44, on the opposite side to the branching direction at the branch point 44. In other words, each auxiliary conveyance guide 345 is provided between adjacent branch points 44 in the conveyance direction, on the opposite side to the branching direction at the downstream branch point 44. Specifically, the auxiliary conveyance guides 345 are provided on the fifth partial conveyance path R5 on the right side between branch points 44B and 44C, the left side between branch points 44C and 44D, the right side between branch points 44D and 44E, and the left side between branch points 44E and 44F.

[0086] For example, the auxiliary conveying guide 345D is attached upstream of the denomination-specific gate 35D to the right of the left conveying guide 42L, i.e., on the opposite side of the branching direction at the branching point 44D in the left-right direction. A restricting portion 346D on the right side of the auxiliary conveying guide 345D is located to the right of the left conveying guide 42L, and the leftward movement limit of the coin CN is set to the right of the left conveying guide 42L. In addition, the distance between the restricting portion 346D and the guide groove center line X43 is smaller (shorter) than the radius of the coin CN.

[0087] Therefore, when the deposited coin transport unit 315 transports the coin CN from the upstream side using the pin 32P and reaches the vicinity of the denomination-specific gate 35D, it positions the center of gravity Q of the coin CN to the right of the guide groove center line X43, i.e., in the branching direction. This allows the deposited coin transport unit 315 to abut the pin 32P of the pin belt 32 on the left side of the center of gravity Q on the upstream side of the coin CN.

[0088] The auxiliary conveyance guide 345E is attached downstream of the denomination-specific gate 35D and upstream of the denomination-specific gate 35E, to the left of the right conveyance guide 42R, i.e., on the opposite side of the branching direction at the branching point 44E in the left-right direction. This auxiliary conveyance guide 345E has a regulating portion 346E that regulates the rightward movement range of the coin CN, and is composed of an upstream regulating portion 346E1 on the upstream side and a downstream regulating portion 346E2 on the downstream side. The upstream regulating portion 346E1 has a flat surface that is inclined relative to the conveyance direction so that it moves leftward as it moves downstream, i.e., so that it moves generally in the branching direction at the branching point 44E. On the other hand, the downstream regulating portion 346E2 has a flat surface that is aligned with the conveyance direction.

[0089] That is, the auxiliary conveying guide 345E is formed into a trapezoidal shape when projected onto the conveying path surface 41, with the linear right portion facing the right conveying guide 42R as the lower base, the linear downstream regulating portion 346E2 as the upper base, and the linear upstream regulating portion 346E1 as one oblique side. In other words, the auxiliary conveying guide 345E sets the rightward movement limit of the coin CN to the left of the right conveying guide 42R at the downstream regulating portion 346E2, which corresponds to the upper base of the trapezoid.

[0090] Therefore, when the deposited coin conveying unit 315 causes the coin CN to reach the downstream side of the denomination-specific gate 35D with the pin 32P, it conveys the coin CN forward while causing it to abut against the left rear portion of the auxiliary conveying guide 345E, gradually shifting the coin CN to the left. Eventually, by the time the coin CN reaches the denomination-specific gate 35E, the deposited coin conveying unit 315 will position the center of gravity Q to the left of the guide groove center line X43. This allows the deposited coin conveying unit 315 to abut the pin 32P of the pin belt 32 to the right of the center of gravity Q on the upstream side of the coin CN.

[0091] That is, the auxiliary conveying guide 345 is provided at a position adjacent to the conveying guide 42 on the anti-branching direction side in the width direction, near and upstream of each branching point 44. Furthermore, the auxiliary conveying guide 345 makes the distance between the regulating portion 346 and the guide groove center line X43 smaller than the radius of the coin CN, at least near each branching point 44. Therefore, the auxiliary conveying guide 345 can abut the pin 32P of the pin belt 32 on the anti-branching direction side on the upstream side of the coin CN near each branching point 44, and apply a force to the coin CN in the branching direction.

[0092] This allows the deposited money transport unit 315 to establish the same relationship as in the second embodiment regarding the contact points of the pins 32P with the coin CN. In other words, the deposited money transport unit 315 does not cause problems such as the pins 32P applying force to the coin CN in the anti-branch direction opposite to the branch direction, as shown in Figures 5(C) and 5(D), which would make the position of the coin CN unstable or cause jamming.

[0093] In the deposit conveying unit 315, as in the first embodiment, the conveying path width W0, which is the distance between the left conveying guide 42L and the right conveying guide 42R in the conveying path 331, is slightly larger than the diameter of the largest diameter coin. However, in the conveying path 331, when the range through which the coin CN can pass is restricted by the auxiliary conveying guide 345, the restricted conveying path width W1, which is the length in the width direction (i.e., left-right direction) of the portion through which the coin CN can pass, becomes smaller (i.e., narrower) than the conveying path width W0.

[0094] Here, if the coin CN with the largest diameter among the coins CN being transported is branched at branch point 44 of the transport path 331, then downstream of branch point 44, only coins CN of denominations with a smaller diameter than the branched denomination need to be transported.

[0095] Therefore, in the deposit conveying unit 315, at each branching point 44 of the conveying path 331, coins CN are branched along the conveying path in order of denomination with the largest diameter, and the regulated conveying path width W1 at the location where each auxiliary conveying guide 345 is provided is shorter (i.e., narrower) on the downstream side than on the upstream side. For example, in the deposit conveying unit 315, the regulated conveying path width W1E at the location where the downstream auxiliary conveying guide 345E is provided is shorter (narrower) than the regulated conveying path width W1D at the location where the upstream auxiliary conveying guide 345D is provided.

[0096] In addition, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the guide groove 43 is formed in a straight line in the deposited money transporting section 315. That is, in the deposited money transporting section 315, the guide groove 43 does not apply a large force to the pin 32P of the pin belt 32, so that the possibility of the pin 32P or the guide groove 43 becoming worn or the pin 32P becoming disengaged from the guide groove 43 can be kept extremely low.

[0097] In other respects, the coin processing device 310 according to the third embodiment can achieve the same effects as the coin processing device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0098] According to the above configuration, the coin processing device 310 of the depositing / dispensing machine 301 according to the third embodiment has a denomination-specific gate 35 and a denomination-specific chute 17 connected to each of a plurality of branching points 44 arranged in a row on the fifth partial transport path R5 of the deposit transport unit 315. Some of these denomination-specific chutes 17 branch to the right, while the remaining branch to the left. Therefore, in the coin processing device 310, a plurality of denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18 can be arranged in multiple rows without lining them up in a row, thereby achieving a large capacity without increasing the device configuration size. Furthermore, the deposit transport unit 315 has an auxiliary transport guide 345 arranged upstream of each branching point, opposite the branching direction. This allows the deposit transport unit 315 to stably sort coins CN while preventing them from moving or clogging.

[0099] 4. Other Embodiments In the first embodiment described above, the branching direction of each denomination-specific chute 17 on the fifth partial conveying path R5 of the deposit conveying unit 15 is alternately distributed to the right or left along the conveying path 31 (FIG. 4). That is, the branching directions of the two denomination-specific chutes 17 connected to two adjacent branching points 44 on the conveying path R are opposite each other in the width direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the denominations may be distributed non-alternately, for example, to the right, then right, and then left along the conveying path 31. The point is that it is sufficient that at least one of the multiple denomination-specific chutes 17 corresponding to the multiple branching points 44 arranged along the conveying path has a branching direction opposite to that of the other denomination-specific chutes 17. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0100] In the first embodiment described above, the denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18 are arranged in a grid pattern with three hoppers arranged in the front-rear direction and two hoppers arranged in the left-right direction ( FIG. 3 ). However, the present invention is not limited to this. Other grid-like arrangements with different numbers of hoppers, such as two hoppers arranged in the front-rear direction and three hoppers arranged in the left-right direction, are also possible. Various regular arrangements, such as a staggered arrangement, and various irregular arrangements are also possible. The key is that at least one of the denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18 is arranged in a different position in the width direction from the other denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18. The number of coins stored (capacity) and size of the denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18 may be the same, or some may be different from the others. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0101] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the chute center line X17 of the denomination-specific chute 17 is described as being linear (FIG. 4). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be gently curved, for example. The key is that it is sufficient to allow the coins CN to slide smoothly down from the branch point 44 to the delivery section 53. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0102] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the guide groove center line X43 of the guide groove 43 is disposed on the left side of the conveyance center line X31 in the conveyance path 31 (FIG. 4). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the guide groove center line X43 may be disposed on the right side of the conveyance center line X31 or at a position overlapping the conveyance center line X31. The same applies to the third embodiment.

[0103] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the guide groove center line X243 of the guide groove 243 is bent while the belt 32B of the pin belt 32 remains straight (FIG. 6). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by appropriately arranging a pulley in accordance with the bend in the guide groove center line X243, the belt 32B may be caused to run along a path that is curved in the same manner as the guide groove center line X243. This reduces the possibility that the pin 32P will come off the guide groove 243.

[0104] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the guide groove 243 is configured in an overall broken line shape by combining the linear orthogonal guide groove 243L and the linear oblique guide groove 243S (FIG. 6). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the guide groove 243 may have various shapes, such as a gently curving oblique guide groove 243S.

[0105] Furthermore, in the third embodiment described above, the auxiliary transport guide 345 is provided on both the left and right sides of the transport path 331 (FIG. 7). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the position of the guide groove center line X43 in the left-right direction may be adjusted appropriately, and the auxiliary transport guide 345 may be omitted on either the left or right side, and the auxiliary transport guide 345 may be provided only on the other side.

[0106] Furthermore, in the third embodiment described above, the auxiliary conveying guide 345 is provided in addition to the conveying guide 42 in the conveying path 331 (FIG. 7). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the left conveying guide 42L and the right conveying guide 42R may each be bent to form a shape similar to the restricting portion 346. Furthermore, the auxiliary conveying guide 345 is not limited to being fixed to the conveying guide 42, and may be attached to the conveying guide 42 via, for example, a predetermined elastic member. This allows the auxiliary conveying guide 345 to be displaced to an appropriate position depending on the radius of the coin CN, for example, when conveying multiple types of coins CN with different radii in the deposit conveying section 15.

[0107] Furthermore, in the third embodiment described above, the shape of the auxiliary transport guide 345E when projected onto the transport path surface 41 is a trapezoid with one of its hypotenuses being a linear upstream regulating portion 346E1 inclined with respect to the transport direction (FIG. 7). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the upstream regulating portion 346E1 may be configured by connecting multiple planes so that its shape when projected onto the transport path surface 41 is a broken line, or it may be configured as a curved surface so that its shape when projected onto the transport path surface 41 is a curved line. Alternatively, for example, a continuous curved surface may be configured so that no explicit boundary is provided between the upstream regulating portion 346E1 and the downstream regulating portion 346E2 so that the shape of the regulating portion 346E when projected onto the transport path surface 41 is a continuous curve.

[0108] Furthermore, in the above-described third embodiment, when coins CN are branched along the conveyance path in order of denomination, starting with the largest diameter, at each branch point 44 of the conveyance path 331, the regulated conveyance path width W1 at the location where each auxiliary conveyance guide 345 is provided is set shorter downstream than upstream. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, coins CN of each denomination may be branched along the conveyance path in various orders at each branch point 44 of the conveyance path 331. In this case, each regulated conveyance path width W1 only needs to be larger than the diameter of the coins CN to be branched at each branch point 44 downstream.

[0109] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the case where the destination of the coin CN is switched by rotating the gate plate in the denomination-specific gate 35 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the destination of the coin CN may be switched by, for example, moving the gate plate. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0110] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the belt 32B of the pin belt 32 is run, and the pins 32P provided on the belt 32B are brought into contact with the upstream side of the coin CN, thereby transmitting a driving force to the coin CN for transport (FIG. 4). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the driving force may be transmitted to the coin CN and transported using various configurations, such as running a belt without pins and bringing the belt into contact with the coin CN. The same applies to the third embodiment.

[0111] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, six branch points 44 are provided in the deposit transport section 15, each of which is provided with a denomination-specific gate 35 (FIG. 3). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, five or fewer or seven or more branch points 44 may be provided in the deposit transport section 15, each of which may be provided with a denomination-specific gate 35. These branch points 44 may be arranged in a single linear row, or may be divided into two or more linear rows. In this case, it is sufficient to provide the same number of denomination-specific chutes 17 and denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18 as the denomination-specific gates 35. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0112] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the depositing and dispensing machine 1 (FIG. 1) is provided with a banknote handling device and a coin handling device 10, and both banknotes and coins are handled. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the banknote handling device may be omitted from the depositing and dispensing machine 1, and only coins may be handled. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0113] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and other embodiments, and the scope of application of the present invention extends to embodiments in which the above-described embodiments and other embodiments are combined in part or in whole, or in which only a part of the above-described embodiments is extracted.

[0114] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the coin processing device 10 is configured as a coin processing device by the conveyance path 31 as a conveyance path, the denomination-specific dispensing hoppers 18 as storage containers, the denomination-specific chutes 17 as branch paths, the denomination-specific gates 35 as switching units, and the delivery unit 53 as a delivery unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the coin processing device may be configured by conveyance paths, storage containers, branch paths, switching units, and delivery units having various other configurations. [Industrial Applicability]

[0115] The present invention can be used, for example, in a coin recognition unit that identifies the denomination of a coin. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1, 201, 301... Deposit / withdrawal machine, 7... Coin slot, 10, 210, 310... Coin processing device, 15, 215, 315... Deposit transport section, 17... Chute by denomination, 18... Dispensing hopper by denomination, 31, 231, 331... Transport path, 32... Pin belt, 33... Coin recognition section, 35... Gate by denomination, 41... Transport path surface, 42... Transport guide, 43, 243... Guide groove, 44... Branch point Location, 51...chute surface, 52...chute guide, 53...delivery section, 243L...straight guide groove, 243S...diagonal guide groove, 345...auxiliary conveying guide, 346...regulating section, 346E1...upstream regulation section, 346E2...downstream regulation section, CN...coin, Q...center of gravity, R...conveying path, X17...chute center line, X31...conveying center line, X43, X243...guide groove center line.

Claims

1. a conveyance path having a conveyance path surface along which a medium is conveyed, forming a conveyance path along which the medium is conveyed from an upstream side to a downstream side, and having a plurality of branching points; a pin belt having a plurality of pins arranged on a belt that runs along the transport path, the pins contacting the upstream side of the medium placed on the transport path; a plurality of storage cabinets each storing the medium; a plurality of branch paths each forming a branch route connecting the branch point of the transport path and the storage; a plurality of switching units provided at the plurality of branch locations, each switching unit switching the destination of the medium to either the transport path or the branch path; a plurality of delivery units that deliver the media from the plurality of branch paths to the plurality of storage cabinets, respectively; Equipped with With respect to a width direction on the conveying path surface perpendicular to the conveying route, at least one of the plurality of branch paths has a branching direction from the branching point toward the delivery section opposite to the branching direction of the other branch paths, the transport path has a transport guide that regulates a range in which the medium can move in the width direction, In the width direction, the pin abuts on the opposite side of the branching direction of the branch path from the center of gravity of the medium before the branching point. A media processing device characterized by:

2. A guide groove formed in the conveying path for regulating the position of the pin in the width direction. Further comprising: In the width direction, the guide groove regulates the position of the pin before the branching point so that the pin abuts on the side opposite to the branching direction from the center of gravity of the medium. The media processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The guide groove is a direct guide groove formed generally along the conveying path and positioned in the opposite direction to the branching point in the width direction, in the vicinity of the branching point and upstream thereof; a slant guide groove which is a portion inclined with respect to the conveying path; 3. The media processing device of claim 2, further comprising:

4. With respect to the width direction, the transport guide regulates the position of the medium so that the pin abuts on the side opposite to the branching direction from the center of gravity of the medium before the branching point. The media processing device according to claim 1 .

5. an auxiliary transport guide that is provided upstream of the branch point in the transport path and on the opposite side to the branch direction, and that regulates the position of the medium in the width direction; The media processing device of claim 4 further comprising:

6. The auxiliary transport guide is configured such that an upstream regulation portion, which is on the upstream side of regulation portions that regulate the movement range of the medium in the anti-branching direction, is inclined so as to move in the branching direction as it moves downstream, and a downstream regulation portion, which is on the downstream side of the upstream regulation portion, is formed along the transport path. The media processing device according to claim 5 .

7. The auxiliary transport guide is provided on the transport path surface at a location facing the transport guide on the side opposite the branching direction, and its shape when projected onto the transport path surface is a trapezoid with a portion facing the transport guide as a lower base, the downstream-side regulating portion as an upper base, and the upstream-side regulating portion as one oblique side. The media processing device according to claim 6 .

8. The branching direction forms an acute angle with the conveying direction, which is the direction in which the conveying path advances, on the conveying path surface. The media processing device according to claim 1 .

9. The branching directions of the two branch paths respectively connected to the two branching points adjacent to each other on the conveying path are opposite to each other in the width direction. The media processing device according to claim 1 .

10. At least one of the plurality of storage cabinets is disposed at a position different from the other storage cabinets in the width direction. The media processing device according to claim 1 .

11. an input port into which the medium is input; a medium processing device that processes the medium inserted into the insertion port; A currency handling device comprising: The media processing device includes: a conveyance path having a conveyance path surface along which the medium is conveyed, forming a conveyance path along which the medium is conveyed from an upstream side to a downstream side, and having a plurality of branching points; a pin belt having a plurality of pins arranged on a belt that runs along the transport path, the pins contacting the upstream side of the medium placed on the transport path; a plurality of storage cabinets each storing the medium; a plurality of branch paths each forming a branch route connecting the branch point of the transport path and the storage; a plurality of switching units provided at the plurality of branch locations, each switching unit switching the destination of the medium to either the transport path or the branch path; a plurality of delivery units that deliver the media from the plurality of branch paths to the plurality of storage cabinets, respectively; Equipped with With respect to a width direction on the conveying path surface perpendicular to the conveying route, at least one of the plurality of branch paths has a branching direction from the branching point toward the delivery section opposite to the branching direction of the other branch paths, the transport path has a transport guide that regulates a range in which the medium can move in the width direction, In the width direction, the pin abuts on the opposite side of the branching direction of the branch path from the center of gravity of the medium before the branching point. A currency handling device characterized by:

Images