Coin handling device

Abstract

To reduce the possibility of clogging with a coin.SOLUTION: Provided is a coin handling device including: an input part to which coins are input; a spirally wound structure that has a groove part in which the coins input to the input part are held; a pin part that is located on the inner side of the structure and has a central axis different from a central axis of the structure; a driving part that rotates the structure and the pin part and raises the coins held in the groove part; and a flapper part that receives the coins raised to a predetermined position or more by a driving force of the driving part. A vertical distance between a leading end of the pin part and an end surface of the flapper part is more than or equal to a thickness of one of the coins and less than a thickness of two of the coins. No gap through which the coins can pass is left between an inclined surface on which the coins input to the input part slide and the end surface of the flapper part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a coin handling device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, technologies for separating a plurality of coins inserted in a batch one by one have been developed and mounted in, for example, vending machines and automatic vending machines. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which coins inserted into an insertion port are separated one by one by a rotating disk. [[ID=​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​To solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, a coin handling device is provided that includes a coin slot into which coins are inserted, a spirally wound structure having a groove into which the coins inserted into the slot are held, a pin located inside the structure and having a central axis different from the central axis of the structure, a drive unit that rotates the structure and the pin unit and raises the coins held in the groove, and a flapper unit that receives the coins raised to a predetermined position or higher by the driving force of the drive unit, wherein the vertical distance between the tip of the pin unit and the end face of the flapper unit is one or more times the thickness of the coin and less than two times the thickness of the coin, and there is no gap between the slope on which the coins inserted into the slot slide and the end face of the flapper unit through which the coins can pass.

[0007] The coins include at least two coins of different thicknesses, and the vertical distance may be a distance such that it is equal to or greater than the thickness of the thickest coin and less than two of the thicknesses of the thinnest coin.

[0008] The tip of the pin portion may be positioned so as not to be located within the range of the groove portion closest to the central axis of the pin portion, and to be in contact with the coin that has been raised above the predetermined position.

[0009] The coin slot has an opening and closing mechanism, and whether the coin slot is in the open or closed state, there does not need to be a gap between the slope on which the inserted coin slides and the end face of the flapper portion through which the coin can pass.

[0010] The opening and closing mechanism of the input section and the flapper section may be configured separately.

[0011] The slope on which the coins inserted into the input section slide and the end face of the flapper section may be fixed in place.

[0012] The fixing position between the inclined surface and the end face of the flapper portion may have a through hole through which the coin cannot pass.

[0013] The system may further include a connecting part that moves the flapper part in accordance with the opening and closing of the input section.

[0014] The height of the end face of the flapper portion may be variable depending on the opening and closing of the input portion.

[0015] The height of the flapper portion may be raised when the input section is closed and lowered when the input section is open.

[0016] When the input section is open, a panel portion that fills the gap may be attached to the slope.

[0017] A sensor for detecting the remaining coins is installed within the slope, and the panel portion does not necessarily have to be attached to the sensor installed within the slope.

[0018] When the input section is open, there may be a gap between the inclined surface and the end face of the flapper section that is less than the thickness of one of the smallest coins. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] As explained above, the present invention makes it possible to reduce the possibility of coins getting jammed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the outline of the batch input unit 1 according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows a schematic front view of the unit body 5 according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the spring unit 20. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the unit body 5 obtained by cutting the unit body 5 along line AA shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the process by which coins C are separated one by one by the main unit 5. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory drawing for explaining a specific example related to the adjustment of the position of the end face 31B of the flapper portion 30. [Figure 7] It is an explanatory drawing for explaining an example of the main body unit 5A according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] It is an explanatory drawing for explaining an example of the main body unit 5B according to the second embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[0022] <<1. Outline of the Batch Input Unit 1>> One embodiment of the present invention relates to a coin handling device that can reduce the possibility of coin jams. First, referring to FIG. 1, the outline of the batch input unit according to this embodiment will be described.

[0023] FIG. 1 is an explanatory drawing for explaining the outline of the batch input unit 1 according to this embodiment. The batch input unit 1 according to this embodiment is an example of a coin handling device, and is a device that separates and discharges a plurality of coins one by one when a plurality of coins are inserted by a user. In FIG. 1, the batch input unit 1 is shown from the front.

[0024] For example, the coins C discharged from the batch input unit 1 are discharged to a coin sorting unit (coin mech) not shown. Then, the coin sorting unit (coin mech) executes a process of counting the total number of coins discharged from the batch input unit 1.

[0025] Also, the batch input unit 1 may be mounted on various cash handling devices such as, for example, a vending machine or a vending machine. [[ID=X]] [[ID=Y]]

[0026] [[ID=Z]] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the batch input unit 1 includes a coin input tray 3 and a unit body 5.

[0027] <Coin slot 3> The coin tray 3 according to this embodiment is a tray into which multiple coins C are inserted by a user and temporarily held. For example, multiple coins C are inserted into the coin tray 3 by a user. In addition, multiple coins C of different denominations may be inserted into the coin tray 3 by a user.

[0028] Here, different denominations of coins include, for example, various coins that circulate in Japan, such as 100 yen coins, 1 yen coins, 5 yen coins, 10 yen coins, 50 yen coins, or 500 yen coins. Furthermore, different denominations of coins may also include various coins that circulate in other countries (i.e., outside of Japan), such as 1 cent coins.

[0029] <Unit body 5> The unit body 5 according to this embodiment is a main body that separates and discharges multiple coins C inserted into the coin tray 3 one by one.

[0030] The overview of the batch insertion unit 1 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the configuration of the unit body 5 and the flow of coins separated one by one by the unit body 5 will be described.

[0031] <<2. Configuration of Unit Body 5>> Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the unit body 5 according to this embodiment. The schematic front view of the unit body in Figure 2 is a schematic cross-section of the area surrounding the path L through which the coin C inserted into the unit body 5 passes. Note that the size of the coin C shown in Figure 2 is larger than the actual size of the coin for the sake of explanation.

[0032] The unit body 5 according to this embodiment includes an input port 10, a spring unit 20, a flapper section 30, a gear 40, and an inclined section 50.

[0033] <Inlet port 10> The coin slot 10 according to this embodiment is an example of a coin slot into which coins C are inserted. For example, coins C are inserted into the coin slot 10 via the coin tray 3. Once inserted into the coin slot 10, the coins C slide down along the slope of the inclined section 50 shown in Figure 2 due to their own weight and move to the position of the spring unit 20.

[0034] Furthermore, the coin slot 10 has a shutter 110, as shown in Figure 2. The shutter 110 according to this embodiment is an example of an opening and closing mechanism that can change the coin slot 10 to either an open or closed state. For example, when the shutter 110 is closed, the shutter 110 prevents the multiple coins C from moving to the inclined section 50, and they remain in the coin tray 3. When the shutter 110 opens, the multiple coins C remaining in the coin tray 3 move to the inclined section 50 due to their own weight and slide down along the slope of the inclined section 50.

[0035] <Spring Unit 20> The spring unit 20 according to this embodiment is a unit that raises the coin C to a height greater than or equal to the end face 31 of the flapper portion 30.

[0036] The spring unit 20 may be positioned at an angle corresponding to the direction in which the coin C inserted into the slot 10 slides. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the spring unit 20 may be positioned such that the groove formed in the spring portion of the spring unit 20 is substantially parallel to the direction in which the coin C inserted into the slot 10 slides. This allows the coin C sliding inside the unit body 5 to be more easily caught in the groove of the spring portion. Now, with reference to Figure 3, an example of the configuration of the spring unit 20 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0037] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the spring unit 20. As shown in Figure 3, the spring unit 20 comprises a spring portion 21, a gear portion 23, and a pin portion 25.

[0038] (Spring section 21) The spring portion 21 according to this embodiment is an example of a spirally wound structure having a groove portion 21A into which a coin inserted into the slot 10 is caught. Note that the structure according to the present invention is not limited to an elastic body such as a spring. For example, the structure according to the present invention may be formed from a non-elastic body.

[0039] (Gear section 23) The gear portion 23 in this embodiment is an example of a drive unit that rotates the spring portion 21 and the pin portion 25, which will be described later.

[0040] Furthermore, the gear section 23 rotates the spring section 21 and the pin section 25, thereby raising the coin C that is caught in the groove 21A of the spring section 21.

[0041] In other words, the gear section 23 rotates the spring section 21 and the pin section 25 in a direction that raises the coin C. For example, if the winding direction of the spring section 21 is as shown in Figure 3, the gear section 23 may rotate the spring section 21 and the pin section 25 clockwise. However, the direction in which the coin C is raised is not limited to clockwise. The gear section 23 may change the direction in which it rotates the spring section 21 and the pin section 25 depending on the winding direction of the spring section 21.

[0042] (Pin section 25) The pin portion 25 in this embodiment is a pin that is attached to the gear portion 23. For example, the pin portion 25 may be attached to the gear portion 23 by being inserted into a hole in the gear portion 23 that has a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the pin portion 25.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the pin portion 25 is located inside the spring portion 21 and has a different central axis from the central axis of the spring portion 21.

[0044] Furthermore, the pin portion 25 may be, for example, a spring pin. However, the pin portion 25 is not limited to a spring pin. The pin portion 25 may be any pin that can be attached to the gear portion 23.

[0045] The above describes one example of the configuration of the spring unit 20. Now, referring again to Figure 2, we will continue to explain the configuration of the unit body 5.

[0046] <Flapper section 30> In this embodiment, the flapper section 30 receives coins C that have been raised to a predetermined position or higher by the driving force of the gear section 23. For example, the predetermined position may be the height of the end face 31 of the flapper section 30. The end face 31 of the flapper section 30 is the side surface of the flapper section 30 on the inclined section 50 side.

[0047] Furthermore, the flapper section 30 may be positioned at an angle corresponding to the direction in which the coin C inserted into the slot 10 slides. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the flapper section 30 may be positioned such that its inclination is approximately parallel to the direction in which the coin C inserted into the slot 10 slides (i.e., the direction along the slope of the inclined section 50).

[0048] <Gear 40> The gear 40 according to this embodiment is a rotating body having at least one projection. This specification mainly describes an example in which the gear 40 has four projections.

[0049] For example, the gear 40 is positioned so that its projection contacts coins C inserted into the slot 10 that are above the height of the end face 31 of the flapper section 30, before reaching the spring unit 20. This reduces the possibility that coins C inserted into the slot 10 may pass through the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 without going through the spring unit 20.

[0050] Furthermore, the gear 40 may rotate in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the gear portion 23 and the pin portion 25. For example, if the gear portion 23 rotates the spring portion 21 and the pin portion 25 clockwise, the gear 40 may rotate counterclockwise. This allows the gear 40 to deflect coins C that are in front of the spring unit 20, or near the spring unit 20, that are not caught in the groove portion 21A, with greater precision.

[0051] The schematic front view of the unit body 5 has been described above. Next, referring to Figure 4, the flow from when a coin C is inserted until it is ejected will be explained using the schematic cross-sectional view of the unit body 5 obtained by cutting the unit body 5 along line AA shown in Figure 2.

[0052] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the unit body 5 obtained by cutting the unit body 5 along line AA shown in Figure 2. The path L shown in Figure 4 is an example of the movement of coins C from when they are inserted into the slot 10 until they are discharged into the coin sorting section (coin mechanism).

[0053] First, the user inserts coin C into the slot 10. At this time, the user may insert multiple coins into the slot 10.

[0054] Next, the coin C slides down along the slope of the inclined portion 50 of the unit body 5 to the position of the spring unit 20 due to its own weight.

[0055] Then, the coin C, which has slid down to the position of the spring unit 20, gets caught in the groove 21A of the spring portion 21 of the spring unit 20.

[0056] The coin C, caught in the groove 21A, is raised by the driving force of the gear 23 to a predetermined position (for example, the height of the end face 31 of the flapper section 30), crosses over the end face 31 of the flapper section 30, and falls onto the flapper section 30. Until the coin C exceeds the predetermined position (the height of the end face 31 of the flapper section 30), the coin C is pressed against the end face of the flapper section 30 by its own weight.

[0057] Then, the coin C that falls into the flapper section 30 slides down again along the slope of the flapper section 30 due to its own weight and is discharged into the coin sorting section (coin mechanism).

[0058] Next, referring to Figure 5, the process by which the coins C are separated one by one by the internal structure of the unit body 5 according to this embodiment will be explained. Note that the internal structure of the unit body 5 shown in Figure 5 is viewed from the coin slot 10 into which the coins C are inserted, showing each component of the unit body 5 (for example, the spring unit 20 and the gear 40, etc.).

[0059] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the process by which the unit body 5 separates the coins C one by one. First, the coins C1 that are inserted into the input opening 10 and caught in the groove 21A of the spring part 21 are raised as the spring part 21 rotates due to the driving force of the gear part 23, as described above.

[0060] Then, the coin C, having risen to the height of the end face 31 of the flapper section 30, falls onto the flapper section 30 due to its own weight, crossing over the end face 31 of the flapper section 30.

[0061] Furthermore, even if the coin exceeds the height of the end face 31A of the flapper portion 30, some coins C may not fall due to their own weight, depending on whether they are stuck in the groove 21A or the surrounding environment. Such coins C will rise above the height of the end face 31, reach the position of the tip 25A of the pin portion 25, and then fall into the flapper portion 30 upon contact with the pin portion 25.

[0062] Furthermore, as described above, the pin portion 25 is located inside the spring portion 21 and has a central axis A2 that is different from the central axis A1 of the spring portion 21.

[0063] Here, if the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 is located within the groove 21A of the spring portion 21 that is closest to the central axis A2 of the pin portion 25, depending on the size of the coin C or the angle at which the coin C is inserted, the coin C may get caught between the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 and the spring portion 21.

[0064] Furthermore, if a coin C gets caught on the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 and the spring portion 21, the opposite side of where it got caught on the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 may lift up, potentially causing it to get caught on the gear 40. As a result, the coin C may not fall into the flapper portion 30 but instead become jammed inside the unit body 5.

[0065] Therefore, the batch insertion unit 1 according to this embodiment may have a structure that eliminates the cause of coins C getting stuck inside the unit body 5 by getting caught on the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 and the gear 40.

[0066] For example, the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 according to this embodiment may be positioned so as not to be located within the range of the groove 21A of the spring portion 21 that is closest to the central axis A2 of the pin portion 25, as shown in Figure 5. In other words, the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 may be positioned so as to be hidden by the physical portion of the spring portion 21 shown in Figure 5.

[0067] For example, the length of the pin portion 25 may be changed, or the depth of the hole in the gear portion 23 into which the pin portion 25 is inserted may be changed, so that the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 is not located within the range of the groove portion 21A.

[0068] This reduces the probability that the coin C will get stuck between the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 and the spring portion 21. Furthermore, the unit body 5 according to this embodiment can improve the functionality related to separating the coin C by eliminating the cause of the coin C getting stuck inside the unit body 5.

[0069] Furthermore, in order to further improve the functionality related to the separation of coin C, the structure of the unit body 5 will be further improved with additional ingenuity.

[0070] For example, by adjusting the position (height) of the end face 31 of the flapper portion 30, it is possible to further improve the functionality related to separating the coin C. Coins C that do not fall due to their own weight even if they exceed the height of the end face 31 of the flapper portion 30 will, as described above, rise above the height of the end face 31 to the position of the tip 25A of the pin portion 25, and then fall into the flapper portion 30 after coming into contact with the pin portion 25.

[0071] Therefore, if the vertical distance between the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 and the end face 31A of the flapper portion 30 is two or more times the thickness of a coin, as shown in the end face 31A of Figure 5, there is a risk that two coins C may fall into the flapper portion 30 at the same time.

[0072] Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, the position of the end face 31B of the flapper portion 30 may be adjusted so that the vertical distance between the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 and the end face 31B of the flapper portion 30 is at least the thickness of one coin C and less than the thickness of two coins C.

[0073] Furthermore, as mentioned above, coin C may include multiple denominations. And coins of different denominations may have different thicknesses. Specifically, a 500 yen coin is thicker than a 1 yen coin.

[0074] Taking into account the differences in the thickness of coins C depending on the denomination, the position of the end face 31B of the flapper portion 30 may be adjusted so that the vertical distance between the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 and the end face 31B of the flapper portion 30 is at least one thickness of the thickest coin C, and less than two thicknesses of the thinnest coin C. In the following, the thickest coin C may be referred to as the "thickest coin," and the thinnest coin may be referred to as the "thinnest coin."

[0075] Next, with reference to Figure 6, an example of a method for adjusting the position of the end face 31B of the flapper portion 30 will be described.

[0076] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of adjusting the position of the end face 31 of the flapper section 30. In the following explanation, the state of the input port 10 when the shutter 110 is open will be referred to as the open state, and the state of the input port 10 when the shutter 110 is closed will be referred to as the closed state.

[0077] The unit body 5 may further include a crank section 11 that moves the flapper section 30 in accordance with the opening and closing of the input port 10. The crank section 11 is an example of a connecting section.

[0078] Furthermore, the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 may be variable in accordance with the opening and closing of the input port 10.

[0079] More specifically, the crank section 11 has an opening 12, as shown in Figure 6. A shaft 13 is inserted into the opening 12, which is connected to a pivot point 14 that moves the flapper section 30. For example, the shaft 13 moves along the opening 12 in accordance with the opening and closing of the input port 10. As the shaft 13 moves along the opening 12, the height of the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 is changed via the pivot point 14 that connects the shaft 13 to the flapper section 30.

[0080] For example, the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 is at its lowest point when the input port 10 is open. Conversely, the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 is at its highest point when the input port 10 is closed.

[0081] As a result, for example, when the input port 10 is closed, any objects (such as dust or water droplets) inside the unit body 5 can be discharged from the outlet at the bottom of the flapper section 30 due to the weight of the objects themselves.

[0082] With this connecting mechanism between the shutter 110 and the flapper portion 30, the position of the end face 31B of the flapper portion 30 can be adjusted by narrowing the width of the opening 12. More specifically, the width of the opening 12 may be narrowed so that the vertical distance between the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 and the end face 31B of the flapper portion 30 is at least the thickness of one of the thickest coins C, and less than the thickness of two of the thinnest coins C.

[0083] As an example, we will explain a method of adjusting the position of the end face 31 of the flapper portion 30 so that the vertical distance between the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 and the end face 31 of the flapper portion 30 is the distance of one coin C.

[0084] For example, when the slot 10 is open, the height of the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 is at the position of end face 31A shown in Figure 5. In such a case, as described above, there is a risk that two coins C may fall into the flapper section 30 at the same time.

[0085] Therefore, there is an adjustment method to narrow the width of the opening 12 shown in Figure 6 so that the vertical distance between the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 and the end face 31 of the flapper portion 30 is the distance of one coin C (that is, the position of the end face 31A of the flapper portion 30 shown in Figure 5 becomes the position of the end face 31B).

[0086] More specifically, since the height of the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 is lowest when the input port 10 is open, there is an adjustment method to narrow the width of the opening 12 so that the height of the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 decreases. In other words, by narrowing the width of the opening 12 so that the degree to which the shutter 110 is open decreases when the input port 10 is open, it is also possible to reduce the amount by which the height of the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 decreases. This makes it possible to adjust the position of the end face 31A of the flapper section 30 to the position of the end face 31B shown in Figure 5.

[0087] However, using this method of adjusting the position of the end face 31 by narrowing the width of the opening 12 has the effect of raising the height of the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 from end face 31A to 31B. On the other hand, there is a risk that a gap G will be created between the slope of the inclined section 50 on which the coin C inserted into the slot 10 slides, and the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 (i.e., the side of the flapper section 30 on the inclined section 50 side) through which the coin C can pass.

[0088] When such a gap G occurs, a coin C may get stuck in the gap G, and the end face 31 of the flapper portion 30 may be pushed up as a result of the coin C getting stuck in the gap G. As a result, the vertical distance between the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 and the end face 31 of the flapper portion 30 becomes less than the distance of one coin C, and a coin jam may occur as the coin C cannot pass through the end face 31 of the flapper portion 30.

[0089] Therefore, the unit body 5 according to this embodiment has a structure that eliminates coin jams that may occur when the vertical distance between the tip 25A of the pin portion 25 and the end face 31 of the flapper portion 30 is adjusted to be a distance of one or more coins C thickness and less than two coins C thickness.

[0090] Specifically, the unit body 5 according to this embodiment is further characterized in that, regardless of whether the input slot 10 is in an open or closed state, there is no gap G between the inclined surface of the inclined portion 50 on which the coin C inserted into the input slot 10 slides and the end face 31 of the flapper portion 30 through which the coin C can pass.

[0091] The following sections will sequentially describe specific examples of structures that do not have a gap G through which a coin C can pass.

[0092] <<3. Examples>> <3.1. First Example> Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the main unit 5A according to the first embodiment. For example, in the main unit 5A according to the first embodiment, a panel P may be attached to the inclined portion 50 on which the coins C inserted into the slot 10 slide. Note that panel P is an example of a panel portion.

[0093] For example, panel P may be attached to the inclined portion 50 using double-sided tape (hereinafter simply referred to as tape) or adhesive. In this case, panel P may be attached with a tape that is thicker in the region T near the end face 31 of the flapper portion 30 (i.e., near the gap G) compared to other regions different from region T.

[0094] However, the panel P does not necessarily have to be attached to the inclined portion 50 with multiple tapes of different thicknesses. For example, the outer frame or the entire surface of the panel P may be attached with a single tape of a thickness that can fill the gap G. Alternatively, the thickness of the panel may be changed instead of the thickness of the tape.

[0095] Furthermore, while Figure 7 shows an example in which panel P is attached with tape along the shape of the inclined portion 50, panel P may also have a shape that extends beyond the inclined portion 50. Specifically, panel P may have a shape that fits into the lower part of the end face 31 of the flapper portion 30. This allows panel P to suppress the downward movement of the end face 31 of the flapper portion 30, which may occur when a coin C falls into the flapper portion 30, and also reduces the possibility of multiple coins C falling into the flapper portion 30 when the end face 31 does move downward.

[0096] Furthermore, a sensor S for detecting residual coins C may be installed within the inclined surface of the inclined section 50 of the main unit 5A. In such cases, the panel P does not need to be attached to the sensor S installed within the inclined surface of the inclined section 50. This makes it possible to maintain the accuracy of residual coin detection by the sensor S while reducing the possibility of coins C getting stuck in the gap G.

[0097] Furthermore, when the input port 10 is open, the main unit 5A may have a gap less than the thickness of one of the thinnest coins between the inclined surface of the inclined section 50 and the end face 31 of the flapper section 30. This reduces the possibility of coins C getting stuck in the gap, while allowing water droplets or dust and other objects present inside the main unit 5A (more specifically, on the inclined section 50) to pass through the gap at the bottom of the flapper section 30 and be discharged from the outlet. Note that the object is just one example of residual material.

[0098] <3.2. Second Example> Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the main unit 5B according to the second embodiment. The main unit 5B according to the second embodiment may have a structure in which the shutter 110 of the input port 10 and the flapper section 30 are separated. In other words, the main unit 5B does not need to connect the crank section 11 to the flapper section 30. As a result, the position of the flapper section 30 does not move even when the shutter 110 is opened and closed.

[0099] Therefore, by adjusting the position of the flapper section 30 in advance so that there is no gap between the slope of the inclined section 50 and the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 through which a coin C can pass, the possibility of a coin C getting stuck in the gap can be reduced.

[0100] Furthermore, the inclined surface of the inclined section 50 and the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 may be fixed together. For example, the inclined surface of the inclined section 50 and the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 may be fixed together by inserting a fixing material into the gap that fills the gap between them. Alternatively, the inclined section 50 and the flapper section 30 may be integrated rather than being separate components. The fixing material may include objects made of any material or various solid materials such as adhesives.

[0101] The fixing material fills the gap, or the inclined portion 50 and the flapper portion 30 are integrated, thereby eliminating the problem of coins C getting stuck in the gap.

[0102] Furthermore, when multiple coins C are inserted, vibrations may be transmitted to the flapper section 30, which may cause the height of the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 to decrease. In this case, a problem may occur in which multiple coins C pass over the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 at the same time and fall into the flapper section 30. According to the second embodiment, since the flapper section 30 and the inclined section 50 are fixed by a fixing material, the risk of the flapper section 30 decreasing due to such vibrations can be eliminated.

[0103] Furthermore, the end face 31 of the flapper section 30 and the fixed position of the inclined surface of the inclined section 50 may have through holes that prevent coins C from passing through. The through holes are holes that connect the fixed position to the discharge port and may be any shape, such as cylindrical or prismatic, and may be straight or curved. By having such through holes at the fixed position, the risk of coins C getting stuck in the gap is reduced, and objects such as water droplets or dust present inside the main unit 5B (more specifically, on the inclined section 50) can pass through the gap at the bottom of the flapper section 30 and be discharged from the discharge port.

[0104] <<4. Supplement>> Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are also understood to fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0105] 1. Batch feeding unit 3 Coin tray 5 Unit body 10 Inlet 110 Shutter 20 spring units 21 Spring section 23 Gear section 25 Pin section 30 Flapper section 31 End face 40 gears 50 Slope

Claims

1. The slot into which coins are inserted, A spirally wound structure having a groove into which the coin inserted into the insertion section is held, A pin portion located inside the aforementioned structure and having a central axis different from the central axis of the aforementioned structure, A drive unit that rotates the structure and the pin portion to raise the coin that is stuck in the groove, A flapper section that receives the coin which has been raised to a predetermined position or higher by the driving force of the drive unit, It has, The vertical distance between the tip of the pin portion and the end face of the flapper portion is at least the thickness of one coin and less than the thickness of two coins. There is no gap between the inclined surface on which the inserted coin slides and the end face of the flapper portion through which the coin can pass. Coin handling device.

2. The aforementioned coins include at least two coins of different thicknesses. The aforementioned vertical distance is such that the distance is equal to or greater than the thickness of the thickest coin (one coin) and less than the thickness of the thinnest coin (two coins). The coin handling device according to claim 1.

3. The tip of the pin portion is not located within the range of the groove portion closest to the central axis of the pin portion, and is positioned to contact the coin when it has been raised above the predetermined position. The coin handling device according to claim 2.

4. The input section has an opening and closing mechanism. Regardless of whether the input section is in an open or closed state, there is no gap between the slope on which the inserted coin slides and the end face of the flapper section through which the coin can pass. The coin handling device according to claim 3.

5. The opening and closing mechanism of the input section and the flapper section are configured separately. The coin handling device according to claim 4.

6. The slope on which the coin inserted into the input section slides and the end face of the flapper section are fixed together. The coin handling device according to claim 5.

7. The fixing position between the aforementioned slope and the end face of the flapper portion is, Having a through hole through which the aforementioned coin cannot pass, The coin handling device according to claim 6.

8. A connecting part moves the flapper part in accordance with the opening and closing of the input section. The coin handling device according to claim 4, further comprising the following:

9. The height of the end face of the flapper section is variable according to the opening and closing of the input section. The coin handling device according to claim 8.

10. The height of the flapper section is raised when the input section is closed and lowered when the input section is open. The coin handling device according to claim 9.

11. The aforementioned slope is, When the input section is in the open position, the panel section that fills the gap is attached. The coin handling device according to claim 10.

12. A sensor for detecting the remaining coins is installed within the slope. The aforementioned panel section is The sensor installed within the slope cannot be attached to the sensor, The coin handling device according to claim 11.

13. When the insertion section is open, there is a gap between the inclined surface and the end face of the flapper section that is less than the thickness of one of the smallest coins. The coin handling device according to claim 12.

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