Currency vault

Abstract

To improve security.SOLUTION: A collection cassette 14 includes: a coin storage unit 24 having a coin storage unit housing 50 having a coin storage space 52 for storing a coin CN therein formed therein, and a coin input port 56 formed in a coin storage housing left-side plate 50L of the coin storage unit housing 50 and communicating the coin storage space 52 with the external of the coin storage unit housing 50. The coin storage unit is provided with a coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US provided on an upper side of the coin storage space 52 in an upright state of the coin storage unit 24, and a rib 60 provided so as to extend in a downward direction from the coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US toward the coin storage space 52, and in an inverted state of the coin storage unit 24, allowing the coin CN stored in the coin storage space 52 to have such a posture that an end of the coin CN on the coin input port 56 side is located on an upper side, which is a side separated from the coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US of the coin input port 56, than an edge on an upper side, which is a side separated from the coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a currency storage vault, and is suitable for application to a currency storage vault for a cash register change system used at checkout counters in retail stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, cash register change systems that combine a change machine that processes the deposit and withdrawal of banknotes and coins with a POS (Point Of Sales) register connected to a POS system or the like have become widespread. Among these change machines, a banknote deposit and withdrawal device that serves as a banknote processing device that processes banknotes includes a deposit and withdrawal unit that exchanges banknotes with a cashier, a transport unit that transports banknotes, a discrimination unit that discriminates the denomination and authenticity of inserted banknotes, a banknote storage vault that stores reusable banknotes by denomination, a rejection vault that stores banknotes to be rejected, and a recovery vault that recovers some or all of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage vault as sales proceeds (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In addition, in a banknote deposit and withdrawal device, a banknote collection cassette that can be attached and detached to the banknote deposit and withdrawal device has a collection banknote storage section and a coin storage section, and the coin storage section has a box-shaped main body that stores coins and a coin insertion port formed on the top surface of the main body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-302503 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in such a banknote deposit and withdrawal device, if the banknote collection cassette is lifted and turned over so that the coin slot faces downwards, and the banknote collection cassette is shaken, coins may be removed from the coin slot, which could compromise security.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to propose a currency storage vault that can improve security. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve this problem, the coin storage of the present invention has a coin storage casing in which a coin storage space for storing coins is formed, and a coin insertion port formed in an insertion port side panel of the coin storage casing and connecting the coin storage space with the outside of the coin storage casing, and is provided with a coin storage section ceiling surface provided above the coin storage space when the coin storage casing is in an upright position, and a position tilting section provided extending in a direction from the coin storage section ceiling surface toward the coin storage space, and which positions coins stored in the coin storage space in an inverted position such that the end of the coin on the coin insertion port side is positioned on the side farther away from the coin storage section ceiling surface than the edge of the coin insertion port on the side farther away from the coin storage section ceiling surface. The distance between the inlet side inner surface, which is the inner wall surface of the inlet side plate, and the posture inclined portion is shorter than the radius of the smallest diameter coin, which is the coin with the smallest diameter among the coins handled in the currency storage. I did so.

[0008] As a result, the present invention can prevent coins from reaching the coin slot when the currency storage cabinet is in an inverted state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a currency storage vault that can improve security can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the banknote deposit and withdrawal device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the banknote deposit and withdrawal device in a banknote deposit and withdrawal device storage state. [Figure 3]2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the banknote deposit and withdrawal device in a state where the banknote deposit and withdrawal device is pulled out. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the collection cassette when the main storage door is closed. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the collection cassette when the main storage door is open. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the configuration of the coin storage unit in the banknote storage door open state according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the configuration of the coin storage unit in an upright state according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 7, showing the internal configuration of the coin storage unit in the upright state according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the dimensional relationship according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the configuration of the coin storage unit in an inverted state according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 10, showing the internal configuration of the coin storing section in an inverted state according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a left side view showing the configuration of a coin storage unit in an upright state according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a left side view showing the configuration of a coin storage unit in an inverted state according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 13, showing the internal configuration of the coin storing section in an inverted state according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a left side view showing the configuration (1) of a coin storage unit in an upright state according to another embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration (2) of the coin storage section in the upright state according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] 1. First Embodiment [1-1. Configuration of the banknote deposit and withdrawal device] As shown in the external view of Fig. 1, a banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 as a banknote unit is installed at a checkout counter (a so-called cash register) in a retail store such as a supermarket or convenience store, and is a checkout machine operated by a cashier when a customer pays for products they wish to purchase. This banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 is connected to a POS register (not shown) and operates under the control of the POS register. In the following description, the side that the cashier (hereinafter also referred to as the user) faces the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 and the opposite side are referred to as the front and rear, respectively, and left, right, and top and bottom are further defined as viewed from the user.

[0013] The paper money receiving and dispensing device 1 takes in paper money inserted into the paper money receiving and dispensing port 2 by a user and stores it in a paper money storage box 12, and also takes out the paper money from the paper money storage box 12 and dispenses it as change from the paper money receiving and dispensing port 2.

[0014] A change control unit 4 is also provided inside the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1. The change control unit 4 is configured mainly around a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown, and reads and executes various programs from a memory such as a flash memory to control the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 in an integrated manner and perform various processes such as deposit transactions and withdrawal transactions.

[0015] The banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 incorporates multiple parts that perform various processes related to banknotes, and the change control unit 4 controls each part (banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 6, validator unit 10, banknote storage vault 12, and collection cassette 14) in an integrated manner.

[0016] The banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 6 is located near the front end of the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1. This banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 6 takes in banknotes inserted into the banknote deposit and withdrawal slot 2 by a user, separates them one by one, and feeds them to the transport unit, and also stores banknotes to be dispensed to the user in a state where they are stacked with their paper faces facing up or down, i.e., aligned in the vertical direction, and dispenses them as change from the banknote deposit and withdrawal slot 2.

[0017] The transport unit (not shown) connects each part of the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 (banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 6, discrimination unit 10, banknote storage vault 12, and collection cassette 14) with a transport path, and transports rectangular banknotes in the direction of their short edges along the transport path using rollers, belts, etc. A blade (not shown) is provided at the branching point of the transport unit, and rotates under the control of the change control unit 4 to switch the destination of the banknote.

[0018] The validator 10 is located behind the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 6. While transporting deposited, dispensed, and collected banknotes inside, the validator 10 uses optical elements, magnetic detection elements, etc. to recognize the denomination, authenticity, fitness (whether damaged), and transport status of the banknotes, and notifies the change control unit 4 of the validation results. In response, the change control unit 4 determines the destination of the banknotes based on the obtained validation results.

[0019] The collection cassette 14 is located behind the banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 6, and has a banknote storage space 15 inside for collecting and storing banknotes. As shown in Figure 5, the collection cassette 14 is an integrated storage cabinet in which an upper rejected banknote storage unit 16 and a lower recovered banknote storage unit 17 are integrated together and the spaces are separated from each other by a reject stage 18, and is detachable from the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1.

[0020] Furthermore, when a rejected banknote is conveyed by the conveying unit, the rejected banknote storage unit 16 stores therein the rejected banknote, which is a banknote that has been determined by the validator 10 and the change controller 4 to have an abnormality such as skew, in which the banknote is conveyed in a state where it is tilted more than normal on the conveying path, or double feeding, in which multiple banknotes are conveyed overlapping each other, among the banknotes fed out from the banknote storage vault 12. When a collection process is performed to collect some or all of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage vault 12 as sales proceeds, and the collected banknote is conveyed by the conveying unit, the recovered banknote storage unit 17 stores therein the recovered banknote.

[0021] A banknote storage vault 12 is provided behind the collection cassette 14. The banknote storage vault 12 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a space inside for collecting and storing banknotes. When banknotes that have been determined to be minimally damaged and reusable by the validation unit 10 and the change control unit 4 are transported by the transport unit according to their denominations, the banknote storage vault 12 collects and stores the banknotes inside. Furthermore, when the banknote storage vault 12 receives an instruction from the change control unit 4 to feed banknotes, it separates the stored banknotes one by one, feeds them, and hands them over to the transport unit.

[0022] In this configuration, the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 performs processes such as depositing, dispensing, and collecting banknotes by controlling each section of the change control section 4 based on the results of banknote validation by the validation section 10.

[0023] Such a banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 is configured to be movable in the front-to-rear direction relative to the change machine housing 20 by slide rails 19 shown in Fig. 2. When a maintenance person or the like is performing maintenance work on the inside of the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1, the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 is pulled out forward from the change machine housing 20 as shown in Fig. 3 to enter a banknote deposit and withdrawal device pulled-out state, which makes it possible to perform maintenance work on the inside of the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1. On the other hand, when the maintenance work is completed and the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 is pushed rearward by the maintenance person or the like as shown in Fig. 2, the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 enters a banknote deposit and withdrawal device stored state in which it is stored inside the change machine housing 20.

[0024] The change machine housing 20 has a change machine housing left side wall 20L formed at its left end and standing upright. In the banknote deposit and withdrawal device stored state (FIG. 2), the change machine housing left side wall 20L faces the left-hand side of the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 with its right side surface in close proximity to the left side of the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1. Therefore, in the banknote deposit and withdrawal device stored state (FIG. 2), the collection cassette 14 attached inside the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 faces the left-hand side with its left side surface in close proximity to the change machine housing left side wall 20L. Therefore, in the banknote deposit and withdrawal device stored state (FIG. 2), the movement of the collection cassette 14 toward the left from inside the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 is restricted by the change machine housing left side wall 20L.

[0025] Furthermore, in the banknote deposit and withdrawal device stored state (FIG. 2), the collection cassette 14 faces the left-hand side wall 20L of the change machine housing in the left-hand direction with the coin insertion slot 56 shown in FIG. 1 located close to the left-hand side wall 20L of the change machine housing. Therefore, in the banknote deposit and withdrawal device stored state (FIG. 2), the coin insertion slot 56 is recessed inside the change machine housing 20 and is not exposed to the outside.

[0026] [1-2. Configuration of the collection cassette] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the collection cassette 14 is configured in a rectangular parallelepiped shape overall, and is composed of a banknote storage section 22 that occupies the majority of the collection cassette 14, and a coin storage section 24 that is provided to the left of the banknote storage section 22.

[0027] The collection cassette 14 is configured to be detachable in the left-right direction from a collection cassette mounting portion (not shown) provided in the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1. That is, when the collection cassette 14 is held by a maintenance person and pushed into the collection cassette mounting portion in a mounting direction Ds (FIG. 3) from left to right, and mounted in the collection cassette mounting portion, it becomes in the collection cassette mounted state shown in FIG.

[0028] The collection cassette 14 is grasped by a maintenance person and pulled out from the collection cassette mounting portion in a removal direction Dr (FIG. 3) to the left, whereby the collection cassette 14 is removed from the collection cassette mounting portion and is in a collection cassette removed state.

[0029] [1-2-1. Configuration of the banknote storage section] A reject stage 18 is provided within the banknote storage space 15, and a rejected banknote storage space 30, which is a space for storing rejected banknotes, is formed above the reject stage 18. The reject stage 18 and the rejected banknote storage space 30 form the rejected banknote storage unit 16. The rejected banknote storage unit 16 accumulates the rejected banknotes on the reject stage 18 so that they overlap in the approximately up-and-down direction (approximately vertical direction), which is the accumulation direction.

[0030] A collection stage 32 is provided below the reject stage 18 within the banknote storage space 15, and a collected banknote storage space 34, which is a space for storing collected banknotes, is formed between the upper side of the collection stage 32 and the lower side of the reject stage 18. The collection stage 32 and the collected banknote storage space 34 form the collected banknote storage unit 17. The collected banknote storage unit 17 accumulates the collected banknotes on the collection stage 32 so that they overlap in the up-down direction (vertical direction), which is the accumulation direction.

[0031] The collection cassette 14 also has a banknote removal opening 40 formed on the entire rear side thereof, which connects the banknote storage space 15 with the outside and allows rejected banknotes and collected banknotes to be removed from the banknote storage space 15 to the outside.

[0032] The collection cassette 14 is provided with a main storage door 42, which is a plate-shaped hinged door that covers the banknote removal opening 40 and swings open to one side, so that it can be opened and closed by pivoting on a hinge provided at the right end where it hangs. When a transaction is processed between the collection cassette 14 and a customer, the main storage door 42 is closed as shown in Fig. 4 to close the banknote removal opening 40 and the coin removal opening 54 (described later), thereby protecting the various parts inside the banknote storage space 15 and the coin storage space 52 (described later), as well as rejected banknotes, collected banknotes, coins, etc. Hereinafter, this state is also referred to as the main storage door closed state. On the other hand, when a rejected banknote recovery operation is performed in which rejected banknotes are recovered from the collection cassette 14 removed from the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1, when a recovered banknote recovery operation is performed in which recovered banknotes are recovered from the collection cassette 14 removed from the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1, or when coins are removed from the coin storage unit 24, the main storage door 42 is opened rearward to open the banknote removal opening 40, thereby enabling the rejected banknotes, recovered banknotes, and coins to be removed. Hereinafter, this state will also be referred to as the main storage door open state.

[0033] [1-2-2. Coin storage section configuration] As shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8, the coin storage unit 24 is configured in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole, and its periphery is covered by a coin storage unit housing 50. The coin storage unit housing 50 has a coin storage unit housing top plate 50U, a coin storage unit housing bottom plate 50D, a coin storage unit housing right side plate 50R, a coin storage unit housing left side plate 50L, and a coin storage unit housing front side plate 50F, and has a coin storage space 52 therein for accumulating and storing coins CN. This coin storage unit 24 stores coins CN that have been erroneously inserted into the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 and then collected. In other words, when a maintenance person or the like finds a coin CN remaining in the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 during device inspection, the coin storage unit 24 temporarily and safely stores the coin CN by inserting the coin CN into the coin storage space 52 through a coin insertion slot 56.

[0034] The coin storage section housing top plate 50U, coin storage section housing bottom plate 50D, coin storage section housing right side plate 50R, coin storage section housing left side plate 50L and coin storage section housing front side plate 50F are each flat plate-shaped members formed with a uniform thickness over their entire surface.

[0035] The coin storage unit housing top plate 50U extends horizontally above the coin storage space 52, and a coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US having a flat surface shape extending horizontally is formed on its lower surface facing the coin storage space 52. The coin storage unit housing bottom plate 50D extends horizontally below the coin storage space 52, and a coin storage unit floor surface 50DS having a flat surface shape extending horizontally that is parallel to the coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US and faces the coin storage space 52 in the up-down direction is formed on its upper surface facing the coin storage space 52.

[0036] The coin storage unit housing right side plate 50R is aligned in the vertical direction on the right side of the coin storage space 52, and a flat slot-side inner surface 50RS is formed on the left side facing the coin storage space 52. The coin storage unit housing left side plate 50L is aligned in the vertical direction on the left side of the coin storage space 52, and a flat slot-side inner surface 50LS is formed on the right side facing the coin storage space 52, and is parallel to the slot-side inner surface 50RS and aligned in the vertical direction facing the left-right direction.

[0037] The coin storage unit housing front side plate 50F is aligned vertically in front of the coin storage space 52, and a coin storage unit front inner surface 50FS having a flat surface shape aligned vertically is formed on its rear surface facing the coin storage space 52. When the main storage door 42 is in the closed state, a coin storage unit rear inner surface 50BS aligned vertically is formed on the front surface facing the coin storage space 52. Hereinafter, as shown in Fig. 7, the left-right distance between the coin storage unit front inner surface 50FS and the coin storage unit rear inner surface 50BS is referred to as the coin storage space width W.

[0038] The coin storage unit housing 50 has a coin removal opening 54 formed on the entire rear side thereof, which connects the coin storage space 52 with the outside and allows coins CN to be removed from the coin storage space 52 to the outside. The coin removal opening 54 is opened and closed by the end of the front door (left end) of the main storage door 42.

[0039] [1-2-3. Coin slot configuration] A coin insertion port 56, which is a slit-shaped opening that connects the inside of the coin storage space 52 to the outside and allows coins CN to be inserted from the outside into the coin storage space 52, is drilled near the underside of the coin storage space top plate 50U on the left side plate 50L of the coin storage space.

[0040] The coin insertion slot 56 has a rectangular shape extending horizontally in parallel with the coin storage unit housing top plate 50U and the coin storage unit housing bottom plate 50D when viewed from the left side (FIG. 7) along the insertion direction, which is the direction of movement (left-right direction) of the coin CN when the coin CN is inserted into the coin insertion slot 56. As shown in FIG. 8, the upper and lower inner wall surfaces of this coin insertion slot 56 extend horizontally.

[0041] 9, the upper edge of the outer end (left end) of the coin slot 56 is referred to as the coin slot outer upper edge 56a, and the lower edge of the inner end (right end) of the coin slot 56 is referred to as the coin slot inner lower edge 56b. The coin slot 56 has a thickness direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the inserted coin CN and a width direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, which are aligned horizontally and parallel to the coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US and the coin storage unit floor surface 50DS. The coin storage unit 24 accumulates the coins CN inserted from the coin slot 56 on the coin storage unit housing bottom plate 50D so that they overlap in the up-down direction (vertical direction), which is the accumulation direction.

[0042] [1-2-4. Rib configuration] As shown in Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9, a single rib 60 protrudes downward in the vertical direction perpendicular to the coin storage ceiling surface 50US from the coin storage ceiling surface 50US near the coin storage housing left side plate 50L (toward the left side). The rib 60 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is thin in the left-right direction and extends in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, the rib 60 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front (cross section) and from the left side. The lower end of the rib 60, which is the tip of the rib 60, has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The rib 60 extends continuously in the front-to-rear direction from the coin storage rear inner surface 50BS to the coin storage front inner surface 50FS, and its lower end is linear from the front end to the rear end, extending horizontally parallel to the coin storage ceiling surface 50US.

[0043] [1-2-5. About location] 8, the slot side inner surface rib spacing C1 as the slot side inner surface attitude inclined portion spacing, which is the left-right distance between the slot side inner surface 50LS and the left side surface of the rib 60 facing the slot side inner surface 50LS, is shorter than the radius of the smallest diameter coin, which is the coin CN with the smallest diameter among the coins CN handled in the coin storage unit 24. Also, the slot side inner surface rib spacing C2 as the left-right distance between the slot side inner surface 50RS and the right side surface of the rib 60 facing the slot side inner surface 50RS posture The inclined portion interval C2 of the inner rib on the side facing the insertion slot is shorter than the diameter of the smallest coin.

[0044] 9, the plate thickness (length of depth in the left-right direction) of the coin slot 56 portion of the coin storage unit housing left side plate 50L is defined as the slot plate thickness T, the vertical height of the coin slot 56 is defined as the slot opening height H1, and the vertical distance from the coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US to the upper edge of the coin slot 56 is defined as the slot upper edge-to-ceiling surface distance H2. In addition, the angle of the thickest coin CNt, which is the thickest coin CN among the coins CN handled in the coin storage unit 24, relative to the horizontal direction (coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US) when the thickest coin CNt is inserted into the coin slot 56 while abutting against the coin slot outer upper edge 56a and the coin slot inner lower edge 56b is defined as the thickest coin insertion angle θ. This angle θ when the thickest coin is inserted is the angle of the surface of the thickest coin CNt relative to the ceiling surface 50US of the coin storage section when the thickest coin CNt is inserted into the coin insertion slot 56 with its right end tilted as far downward as possible relative to the ceiling surface 50US of the coin storage section (as far downward as possible).

[0045] At this time, the rib height H3 as the height of the posture inclination part, which is the height in the vertical direction from the coin storage part ceiling surface 50US to the tip of the rib 60, satisfies the following formula (1).

[0046] H3≦H2+(T+C1)tanθ……(1)

[0047] For this reason, the rib height H3 is arranged so as to retreat above the insertion path of the coin CN when the coin CN is inserted through the coin insertion slot 56, and is set at a height that will not hit the coin CN. For this reason, the rib 60 is set at a height that does not restrict the movement of the coin CN when the coin CN is inserted and does not get in the way.

[0048] 10 and 11 show an inverted state in which the upright collection cassette 14 shown in FIG. 7 is turned 180°. The inverted state here means that the collection cassette 14 is rotated 180° with respect to the accumulation direction of the coins CN stored in the coin storage space 52 (the up-and-down direction in FIG. 6). As described above, the rib spacing C1 on the inner surface on the slot side is shorter than the radius of the smallest-diameter coin, and the rib spacing C2 on the inner surface on the slot-opposing side is shorter than the diameter of the smallest-diameter coin. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the coin CN does not get between the slot-opposing side inner surface 50RS and the rib 60. Furthermore, the rib 60 abuts against the underside of the coin CN on the coin slot 56 side relative to its center, lifting the coin slot 56 side, and the coin CN is accumulated on the coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US and the rib 60.

[0049] 11 shows a state in which coin CN is resting on rib 60 and in contact with coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US and slot-side inner surface 50LS. If the angle of the coin CN's surface relative to the horizontal direction (coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US) is defined as the inverted coin accumulation angle θ2, then slot-side inner surface contact height H4, which is the vertical height from coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US to the point where coin CN is in contact with slot-side inner surface 50LS, can be calculated using the following formula (2):

[0050] H4 = H3 + C1 × tanθ2……(2)

[0051] 9, the distance H5 between the lower edge of the coin slot and the ceiling surface, which is the vertical distance from the coin storage section ceiling surface 50US to the lower edge of the coin slot 56, is the distance H2 between the upper edge of the coin slot and the ceiling surface + the height H1 of the coin slot opening. The height H4 of contact with the inner surface of the coin slot is set to be higher than the distance H5 between the lower edge of the coin slot and the ceiling surface (the distance H2 between the upper edge of the coin slot and the ceiling surface + the height H1 of the coin slot opening), as shown in the following formula (3).

[0052] H4>H2+H1……(3)

[0053] Substituting H3+C1×tanθ2 from equation (2) above into the inlet side inner surface contact height H4 in equation (3) gives equation (4).

[0054] H3+C1×tanθ2>H2+H1……(4)

[0055] Equation (4) is solved for the rib height H3 to obtain equation (5).

[0056] H3>H2+H1-C1×tanθ2……(5)

[0057] In this way, by the rib height H3 satisfying the formula (5), the abutment height H4 of the slot-side inner surface becomes higher than the distance H5 between the lower edge of the slot and the ceiling surface (the distance H2 between the upper edge of the slot and the ceiling surface + the slot opening height H1). Therefore, when a coin CN stored in the inverted coin storage unit 24 is about to come out of the coin slot 56 and abuts against the slot-side inner surface 50LS, the end of the lower surface of the coin CN on the slot-side inner surface 50LS side is positioned higher than the upper edge of the coin slot 56 of the inverted coin storage unit 24.

[0058] [1-3. Effects, etc.] In the above configuration, the collection cassette 14 has a rib height H3 set so that when a coin CN stored in the coin storage section 24 in an inverted state (Figures 10 and 11) abuts against the inner surface 50LS on the inlet side, the end of the lower surface of the coin CN on the inner surface 50LS on the inlet side is positioned above the upper edge of the coin storage section 24 in the inverted state at the coin inlet 56.

[0059] Therefore, when the collection cassette 14 is turned upside down from its upright position and an attempt is made to remove a coin CN from the coin storage space 52 through the coin insertion slot 56, the coin CN is accumulated at an angle with the coin insertion slot 56 side higher due to the rib 60, and the part of the underside of the coin CN that abuts against the insertion slot side inner surface 50LS is higher than the upper edge of the coin insertion slot 56.

[0060] Therefore, even if the collection cassette 14 is maliciously shaken while in the inverted state, the coins CN will not reach the coin slot 56, and therefore will not go out of the coin storage space 52 and will not be taken out. This improves the security of the collection cassette 14.

[0061] 11 shows the coin CN that is located at the bottom among the coins CN when the collection cassette 14 is in the inverted state, assuming that multiple coins CN are stacked in the coin storage space 52. Therefore, when multiple coins CN are stacked in the coin storage space 52, these coins CN are stacked on top of the coin CN that is located at the bottom when the collection cassette 14 is in the inverted state. Therefore, the end of the lower surface of the coin CN that faces the slot-side inner surface 50LS of the coin CN is located at a higher position than the upper edge of the coin slot 56, compared to the lowest coin CN. As a result, even when multiple coins CN are stacked in the coin storage space 52, the coins CN stacked above the coin CN that is located at the bottom when the collection cassette 14 is in the inverted state are even less likely to come out of the coin slot 56.

[0062] Furthermore, the collection cassette 14 is configured so that the rib height H3 is set to retract upward from the insertion path of the thickest coin CNt when the thickest coin CNt is inserted into the coin insertion slot 56 in the coin storage section 24 in the upright state (FIGS. 7, 8, and 9). This prevents the rib 60 from restricting the movement of the coin CN when the coin CN is inserted into the collection cassette 14.

[0063] In addition, when the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 is in the banknote deposit and withdrawal device storage state (Figure 2), the collection cassette 14 is stored inside the change machine housing 20, making it inaccessible from the outside, and the collection cassette 14 is close to the left side wall 20L of the change machine housing, making it incapable of moving in the removal direction Dr and making it impossible to insert coins CN into the coin insertion slot 56.

[0064] On the other hand, when the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 is in a banknote deposit and withdrawal device withdrawn state (Figure 3) in which the collection cassette 14 can be removed from the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1, the coin insertion port 56 in the collection cassette 14 is exposed to the outside on the left side of the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1, making it possible to insert coins CN into the coin insertion port 56 from the outside.

[0065] According to the above-described configuration, the collection cassette 14 is a coin storage unit 24 having a coin storage unit housing 50 in which a coin storage space 52 for storing coins CN is formed, and a coin insertion port 56 formed in a coin storage unit housing left side plate 50L as an insertion port side plate of the coin storage unit housing 50, which communicates the coin storage space 52 with the outside of the coin storage unit housing 50. 0US, and a rib 60 extending downward from the coin storage section ceiling surface 50US toward the coin storage space 52, which, when the coin storage section 24 is in an inverted state, positions the coin CN stored in the coin storage space 52 so that the end of the coin CN on the coin insertion port 56 side is positioned higher on the side farther away from the coin storage section ceiling surface 50US than the upper edge of the coin insertion port 56 on the side farther away from the coin storage section ceiling surface 50US.

[0066] This allows the collection cassette 14 to prevent the coins CN from reaching the coin slot 56 when the collection cassette 14 is in an upside-down state.

[0067] 2. Second Embodiment [2-1. Configuration of the collection cassette] As shown in Figure 12, in which the same symbols are used for components corresponding to those in Figure 7, Figure 13, in which the same symbols are used for components corresponding to those in Figure 10, and Figure 14, in which the same symbols are used for components corresponding to those in Figure 11, the collection cassette 114 according to the second embodiment differs from the collection cassette 14 according to the first embodiment in that it has a coin storage section 124 instead of the coin storage section 24, but is otherwise configured in the same way.

[0068] [2-2. Coin storage section configuration] The coin storage unit 124 according to the second embodiment differs from the coin storage unit 24 according to the first embodiment in that it has a coin insertion port 156 instead of the coin insertion port 56, but is otherwise configured in the same manner.

[0069] The coin slot 156 is inclined at an inclination angle θ3 in the width direction of the slot relative to the coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US and the coin storage unit floor surface 50DS so that the front is raised (the rear is lowered). In this case, the rib height H103, which is the vertical height of the rib 60 from the coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US, is set to a height that, like the rib height H3, retracts above the insertion path of the coin CN when the coin CN is inserted through the coin slot 156.

[0070] 14, the rib height H103 is set so that the slot-side inner surface abutment height H4, which is the vertical height from the coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US to the point where the coin CN abuts against the slot-side inner surface 50LS, is longer than the slot lower edge ceiling surface distance H105, which is the vertical distance from the coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US to the lower edge of the coin slot 156 in the upright state. Therefore, when a coin CN stored in the inverted coin storage unit 124 is about to come out of the coin slot 156 and abuts against the slot-side inner surface 50LS, the end of the lower surface of the coin CN on the slot-side inner surface 50LS side will be positioned above the upper edge of the coin slot 156 of the inverted coin storage unit 124.

[0071] In the collection cassette 114 according to the second embodiment, the width direction of the coin slot 156 is inclined by an inclination angle θ3 with respect to the direction along the plate surface of the coins CN accumulated in the coin storage space 52 when viewed along the coin insertion direction. Therefore, even if the collection cassette 114 is maliciously shaken in an inverted state and a part of a coin CN gets caught in the coin slot 156, it is difficult for the coin CN to escape to the outside of the coin storage space 52. This allows the collection cassette 114 to have even greater security than the collection cassette 14 according to the first embodiment.

[0072] In addition, the collection cassette 114 according to the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the collection cassette 14 according to the first embodiment.

[0073] 3. Other Embodiments In the above-described first and second embodiments, the lower end of the rib 60 is formed in a linear shape extending horizontally from the front end to the rear end in parallel with the ceiling surface 50US of the coin storage unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the lower end of the rib 260 may be formed in a linear shape inclined with respect to the ceiling surface 50US of the coin storage unit from the front end to the rear end, as in the coin storage unit 224 of the collection cassette 214 shown in FIG. 15, in which the same reference numerals are used for the components corresponding to those in FIG. 7.

[0074] In this case, in the second embodiment, for example, the direction along which the lower end of the rib 260 runs horizontally in the left side view may be made to intersect with the width direction of the coin slot 156, such as by making the lower end of the rib 260 slope downward in front and the coin slot 156 slope upward in front in the left side view. In this case, it is possible to make it even more difficult for coins CN to come out of the coin slot 156 compared to the second embodiment.

[0075] Furthermore, the lower end of the rib 60 may have a deformed shape, such as a concave or convex shape, extending from the front end to the rear end in the horizontal direction along the coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US. Alternatively, the lower end of the rib 60 may have a curved shape, such that the center portion in the front-to-rear direction protrudes downward, or a V-shape, etc. In this case, in the inverted state, the coin CN is inclined with respect to the width direction of the coin slot 56 when viewed from the left side, making it even more difficult for the coin CN to fall out of the coin slot 56. Furthermore, the lower end of the rib 60 may have a curved shape, such that the center portion in the front-to-rear direction is concave upward, or a V-shape, etc.

[0076] In the first and second embodiments described above, the rib 60 has a rectangular shape in front view and a rectangular lower end. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the coin storage unit 324 shown in FIG. 16 , in which the same reference numerals are used for components corresponding to those in FIG. 9 , the lower end of the rib 360 may be tapered into a triangular shape, with the slot-side inner surface 50LS inclined toward the right as it extends downward, relative to the vertical direction, which is perpendicular to the ceiling surface 50US of the coin storage unit. If the rib height H3 of the rib 360 is the same as that of the rib 60, the coin storage unit 324 can maintain the same function of lifting the slot-side inner surface 50LS of the coin CN in the inverted state as the coin storage unit 24, while the rib 360 can be retracted further from the insertion path of the coin CN than the rib 60 in the upright state, thereby improving ease of insertion of coins CN. Alternatively, when the rib height H3 of the coin storage unit 324 is made higher than that of the rib 60, the function of lifting the slot-side inner surface 50LS of the coin CN by the rib 360 in the inverted state is enhanced compared to the coin storage unit 24, while the rib 360 can be retracted from the insertion path of the coin CN in the upright state in the same way as the rib 60, thereby maintaining ease of insertion of the coin CN. Furthermore, the lower end of the rib 60 may have various other shapes, such as a curved shape when viewed from the front.

[0077] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the rib 60 has been described as having a rectangular shape when viewed from the left side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rib 60 may have various shapes, such as a trapezoid or a triangle, when viewed from the left side.

[0078] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the rib 60 is continuously formed along the front-rear direction from the rear inner surface 50BS of the coin storage portion to the front inner surface 50FS of the coin storage portion in a left side view has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and a gap may be formed between the rib 60 and at least one of the rear inner surface 50BS of the coin storage portion or the front inner surface 50FS of the coin storage portion. Alternatively, the rib 60 may be discretely formed between the rear inner surface 50BS of the coin storage portion and the front inner surface 50FS of the coin storage portion. In that case, it is preferable that the gap between adjacent ribs 60 is made narrower than the diameter of the minimum diameter coin.

[0079] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the case where one rib 60 is formed has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and any number of two or more ribs 60 may be formed, and the heights of the plurality of ribs 60 may be made different from each other.

[0080] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the rib 60 is linearly formed along the front-rear direction from the front end portion to the rear end portion has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the rib 60 may be formed to be inclined with respect to the front-rear direction, or may be formed by being deformed such as being concave and convex with respect to the front-rear direction.

[0081] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the formula (1) may be set as H3 < H2 + (T + C1)tanθ. In this case, although there is a possibility that the coin CN moves while contacting the rib 60, the coin CN can be inserted from the coin insertion port 56.

[0082] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the rib 60 protrudes so as to be connected to the ceiling surface 5 US of the coin storage portion toward the downward coin storage space 52 from the ceiling surface 5 US of the coin storage portion has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the rib 60 may protrude toward the coin storage space 52 from any one surface or a plurality of surfaces of the front inner surface 50FS of the coin storage portion, the rear inner surface 50BS of the coin storage portion, the inner surface 50RS on the side opposite to the insertion port, or the inner surface 50LS on the insertion port side.

[0083] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the coin storage compartment ceiling surface 50US has been described as having a flat surface shape that is aligned with the horizontal direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the coin storage compartment ceiling surface 50US may have a flat surface shape that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction when viewed from the left side. Furthermore, the coin storage compartment ceiling surface 50US may have a deformed shape, such as being uneven with respect to a flat surface.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to the coin storage unit 24 or 124 provided integrally with the banknote storage unit 22 in the collection cassette 14 or 114. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a coin storage unit that stores coins CN provided independently. Alternatively, the present invention may be applied to various other devices, such as a money box, in which coins CN can be inserted from the outside into a coin storage space through a coin insertion slot.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which one banknote storage vault 12 is provided in the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1 may be provided with any number of banknote storage vaults 12, two or more.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a description has been given of a case where the banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 6, which integrates a banknote deposit unit that takes in inserted banknotes and feeds them to the transport unit, and a banknote withdrawal unit that accumulates banknotes to be withdrawn, is provided in the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the banknote deposit unit and the banknote withdrawal unit may be provided separately in the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 1.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to the banknote deposit and dispensing device 1 of a change dispenser, which is a settlement machine operated by a cashier. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may also be applied to a banknote deposit and dispensing device of a self-service settlement machine or semi-self-service settlement machine operated by the customer themselves.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to the banknote deposit and dispensing device 1 of a change dispenser that is connected to a POS register used in checkout areas of supermarkets, convenience stores, etc. and performs banknote deposit and dispensing processes. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may also be applied to various devices such as automated teller machines (counter terminals) used in banks, which are terminals used by bank staff.

[0089] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and other embodiments. That is, the scope of application of the present invention also extends to embodiments in which the above-described embodiments are combined in part or in whole with any of the above-described other embodiments. Furthermore, the scope of application of the present invention also extends to cases in which part of the configuration described in any of the above-described embodiments and other embodiments is extracted and replaced or diverted with part of the configuration of any of the above-described embodiments and other embodiments, or where part of the extracted configuration is added to any of the above-described embodiments.

[0090] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, a case has been described in which the coin storage unit 24 as a money storage vault is configured by the coin storage unit housing 50 as a coin storage housing, the coin insertion port 56 as a coin insertion port, the coin storage unit ceiling surface 50US as a coin storage unit ceiling surface, and the rib 60 as a posture tilting portion. The present invention is not limited to this, and the money storage vault may be configured by a coin storage housing, a coin insertion port, a coin storage unit ceiling surface, and a posture tilting portion having various other configurations. [Industrial Applicability]

[0091] The present invention can be used in various conveying devices that convey and discriminate media such as banknotes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1...Banknote deposit and withdrawal device, 2...Banknote deposit and withdrawal port, 4...Change control unit, 6...Banknote deposit and withdrawal unit, 10...Validation unit, 12...Banknote storage cabinet, 14, 114...Collection cassette, 15...Banknote storage space, 16...Rejected banknote storage unit, 17...Collected banknote storage unit, 18...Reject stage, 19...Slide rail, 20...Change machine housing, 20L...Left side wall of the change machine housing, 22...Banknote collection Storage section, 24, 124, 224, 324... Coin storage section, 30... Rejected bill storage space, 32... Collection stage, 34... Recovered bill storage space, 40... Bill removal opening, 42... Main storage door, 50... Coin storage section housing, 50U... Coin storage section housing top plate, 50D... Coin storage section housing bottom plate, 50R... Coin storage section housing right side plate, 50L... Coin storage section housing left side plate, 50F... Coin storage Front side plate of the coin storage unit, 50US...coin storage unit ceiling surface, 50DS...coin storage unit floor surface, 50RS...inner surface opposite the coin slot, 50LS...inner surface on the coin slot side, 50FS...front inner surface of the coin storage unit, 50BS...rear inner surface of the coin storage unit, 52...coin storage space, 54...coin removal opening, 56, 156...coin slot, 56a...outer upper edge of the coin slot, 56b...inner lower edge of the coin slot, 60... Rib, W...coin storage space width, C1...rib spacing on the inner surface of the coin slot side, C2...rib spacing on the inner surface of the opposite side of the coin slot, T...coin slot plate thickness, H1...coin slot opening height, H2...distance between the upper edge of the coin slot and the ceiling surface, θ...angle when the thickest coin is inserted, H3, H103...rib height, θ2...coin accumulation angle when upside down, H4...contact height on the inner surface of the coin slot side, H5...distance between the lower edge of the coin slot and the ceiling surface, θ3...coin slot inclination angle.

Claims

1. a coin storage housing having a coin storage space formed therein for storing coins; a coin insertion port formed in an insertion port side plate of the coin storage housing, which connects the coin storage space with the outside of the coin storage housing; In a currency depository having a coin storage section ceiling surface provided above the coin storage space when the currency storage vault is in an upright position; a posture inclination section that is provided to extend in a direction from the ceiling surface of the coin storage section toward the coin storage space, and that, when the coin storage vault is in an inverted state, causes the coins stored in the coin storage space to be in a posture in which the end of the coin on the coin insertion port side is positioned on a side farther away from the ceiling surface of the coin storage section than an edge of the coin insertion port on a side farther away from the ceiling surface of the coin storage section; and The inlet side inner surface posture inclined portion interval, which is the interval between the inlet side inner surface, which is the inner wall surface of the inlet side plate, and the posture inclined portion, is shorter than the radius of the smallest diameter coin, which is the coin with the smallest diameter among the coins handled in the currency storage vault. Money storage.

2. An inner surface facing the inlet that faces the inner surface of the inlet and The distance between the inner surface of the side facing the slot and the inclined portion is shorter than the diameter of the smallest coin. The currency storage facility according to claim 1.

3. The inlet side inner surface attitude inclined portion interval is set to inlet side inner surface attitude inclined portion interval C1, The distance in the vertical direction from the ceiling surface of the coin storage unit to the edge of the coin insertion slot on the ceiling surface side of the coin storage unit is defined as an insertion slot upper edge to ceiling surface distance H2, The height of the coin slot is defined as a slot opening height H1, When the coin is placed on the tilting portion and comes into contact with the inner surface of the coin slot side in the inverted state of the coin storage vault, the angle of the coin surface with respect to the ceiling surface of the coin storage unit is defined as an inverted coin stacking angle θ2. The height H3 of the tilting portion, which is the height from the ceiling surface of the coin storage portion to the tip of the tilting portion, satisfies the following formula: H3>H2+H1-C1×tanθ2 The currency storage facility according to claim 2.

4. The posture inclination unit is A thickest coin, which is the coin with the thickest thickness among the coins handled in the coin storage vault, is retracted toward the ceiling surface of the coin storage unit from the insertion path when the coin is inserted from the outside of the coin storage housing through the coin insertion port into the coin storage space. A currency storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A distance between the inlet side inner surface, which is the inner wall surface of the inlet side plate, and the attitude inclined portion is defined as an inlet side inner surface attitude inclined portion distance C1, The thickness of the coin slot at the coin slot side plate is defined as a coin slot plate thickness T, The distance in the vertical direction from the ceiling surface of the coin storage unit to the edge of the coin insertion slot on the ceiling surface side of the coin storage unit is defined as an insertion slot upper edge to ceiling surface distance H2, When the thickest coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot in a state where it is most inclined relative to the ceiling surface of the coin storage unit, the angle of the plate surface of the thickest coin relative to the ceiling surface of the coin storage unit is defined as a thickest coin insertion angle θ. The height H3 of the tilting portion, which is the height from the ceiling surface of the coin storage portion to the tip of the tilting portion, satisfies the following formula: H3≦H2+(T+C1)tanθ The currency storage facility according to claim 4.

6. The end of the posture inclination portion on the coin storage space side is inclined so that the coin insertion opening side is retracted from the coin insertion path in a direction perpendicular to the ceiling surface of the coin storage portion. The currency storage facility according to claim 4.

7. The coin insertion slot is parallel to the ceiling surface of the coin storage section. The currency storage facility according to claim 1.

8. The coin insertion port is inclined with respect to the ceiling surface of the coin storage section. The currency storage facility according to claim 1.

9. The end of the posture inclination portion on the coin storage space side is parallel to the ceiling surface of the coin storage portion. The currency storage facility according to claim 1.

10. The end of the posture inclination portion on the coin storage space side includes a portion that is inclined with respect to a ceiling surface of the coin storage portion. The currency storage facility according to claim 1.

11. The posture inclination portion protrudes from a ceiling surface of the coin storage portion toward the coin storage space. The currency storage facility according to claim 1.

12. The coin insertion slot is provided on a side surface exposed to the outside from the bill unit when the coin storage vault is provided in the bill unit. The currency storage facility according to claim 1.

13. the currency storage is detachably provided with respect to the banknote unit, the bill unit is provided so as to be able to be stored in or drawn out from the housing; the currency storage vault is detachable from the banknote unit when the banknote unit is pulled out from the housing; The coin slot is exposed to the outside when the bill unit is pulled out from the housing. The currency storage facility of claim 12.

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