Money processing device

Abstract

To prevent customers from forgetting their coins. [Solution] A money processing device 1 is provided with a coin processing machine 30 that identifies the authenticity and denomination of deposited coins, stores coins identified as genuine coins in the corresponding coin storage compartments 40 according to their denomination, and, upon receiving a withdrawal instruction, transports coins dispensed from any coin storage compartment 40 by withdrawal transport units 42, 48 and then dispenses them into a withdrawal tray 70. The device is equipped with a withdrawal guide 60 that guides the coins transported by the withdrawal transport units 42, 48 to the withdrawal tray 70. The withdrawal guide 60 comprises a guide body 61 having an introduction port 621 for introducing coins from the withdrawal transport unit 48, a dispensing port 622 for dispensing coins into the withdrawal tray 70, and a guide path 62 connecting the introduction port 621 and the dispensing port 622; a light source 67 provided on the guide body 61 that illuminates the guide path 62 near the dispensing port 622; and a posture regulating flapper 64 that diffuses the light from the light source 67 and illuminates the withdrawal tray 70.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , ,

[0006] , , , ,

[0005] , , ,

[0003] , , ,

[0007] , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a money processing device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a coin processor of a money processing device applied as a change machine identifies coins deposited into a deposit slot, temporarily stores the coins identified as genuine coins in a temporary storage unit, then distributes them by denomination at a distribution unit, and stores them in storage bins provided for each denomination. When a withdrawal command, which is a request for change payment, is given from an external device or the like, this coin processor delivers coins corresponding to the requested amount from the corresponding storage bin, conveys them by a withdrawal conveyance unit, and pays them out to a withdrawal tray (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the coin processor of the money processing device as described above, in order to prevent forgetting to pick up the coins paid out to the withdrawal tray, light from a light source is irradiated onto the withdrawal tray at the time of withdrawal.

[0005] However, when the light amount from the light source cannot be sufficiently ensured even when irradiating the light of the light source onto the withdrawal tray, forgetting to pick up the coins still occurs.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a money processing device capable of suppressing forgetting to pick up coins in view of the above circumstances.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a coin processing device that identifies the authenticity and denomination of deposited coins, stores coins identified as genuine coins in corresponding storage compartments according to their denomination, and, upon receiving a dispensing instruction, transports coins dispensed from any storage compartment in a dispensing transport unit before dispensing them into a dispensing tray, the device further includes a dispensing guide that guides the coins transported by the dispensing transport unit to the dispensing tray, the dispensing guide comprising a guide body having an inlet for introducing coins from the dispensing transport unit, a dispensing outlet for dispensing coins into the dispensing tray, and a guide path connecting the inlet and the dispensing outlet, a light source provided on the guide body that illuminates the guide path near the dispensing outlet, and a diffusion member that diffuses the light from the light source and illuminates the dispensing tray.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned money processing device, the diffusion member is swingably provided on the guide body in a manner that moves toward and away from any bottom portion of the guide path, and is composed of a posture-regulating flapper that restricts the coin passing through the guide path from being guided to the dispensing tray in an upright position by contacting itself.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned money processing device, the dispensing guide is provided with a biasing member that biases the posture regulating flapper in such a manner that it is close to any bottom portion of the guide path.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention relates to the above-mentioned money processing device, wherein the attitude regulating flapper comprises a base portion that is pivotally supported by the guide body by a pivot shaft passing through a through hole formed therein, and an action portion that extends from the base portion in a direction away from the pivot shaft and is capable of contacting the coin, wherein the action portion is formed to be curved upward in such a manner that the central portion along the width direction of the guide path portion is separated from the bottom portion of the guide path portion.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned money processing device, the dispensing guide is formed in the guide body at a location closer to the dispensing outlet than the posture-regulating flapper, and includes a posture-regulating part that, when a coin introduced from the inlet comes into contact with the part, restricts the coin from being guided to the dispensing tray in an upright position through the dispensing outlet.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned money processing device, the posture regulating unit has a contact surface that gradually inclins downward as it approaches the inlet, and when the coin comes into contact with the contact surface, it restricts the coin from becoming upright and being guided through the payout opening to the payout tray. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, a dispensing guide that guides coins transported by a dispensing transport unit to a dispensing tray comprises a guide body having an inlet for introducing coins from the dispensing transport unit, an outlet for dispensing coins into the dispensing tray, and a guide path connecting the inlet and the outlet. A light source provided on the guide body illuminates the guide path near the outlet, and a diffusion member diffuses the light from the light source and illuminates the dispensing tray. As a result, not only the guide path but also the dispensing tray can be illuminated with sufficient light, which has the effect of suppressing the loss of coins in the dispensing tray. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a money processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a money processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal structure of the banknote processing machine shown in Figure 2, etc. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal structure of the coin processing machine shown in Figure 2, etc. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the withdrawal guide shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the withdrawal guide shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the withdrawal guide shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the posture regulating flapper shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the posture regulating flapper. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the posture regulating flapper. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the posture regulating flapper.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the money processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the external configuration of a money processing apparatus which is an embodiment of the present invention. The money processing apparatus 1 illustrated here is connected to a host device (not shown) such as a POS (Point Of Sales) register in a store such as a supermarket or a convenience store, and includes a device main body 2.

[0017] The device main body 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped housing having a front opening 2a at the front and a top opening 2b at the top, and is movable with a plurality (for example, four) of casters 2d provided at the bottom 2c. The front opening 2a of the device main body 2 can be opened and closed by a door body 3, and the top opening 2b can be opened and closed by a top plate portion 4.

[0018] The door body 3 comprises a front cover 3a and a front door 3b. The front cover 3a is pivotally supported in front of the top opening 2b. By pivoting upward, the front cover 3a opens the upper portion of the front opening 2a, while by pivoting downward, it closes the upper portion of the front opening 2a.

[0019] The front door 3b is pivotably supported at the front end of the left edge of the main body 2 of the device. By swinging forward, the front door 3b opens the lower part of the front opening 2a, i.e., the part that cannot be closed by the front cover 3a, while by swinging backward, it closes the lower part of the front opening 2a.

[0020] The front door 3b is equipped with a locking mechanism 3c. When the locking mechanism 3c is locked, the front door 3b is held closed to the lower portion of the front opening 2a. When the locking mechanism 3c is unlocked, the front door 3b becomes able to swing forward. Furthermore, the front door 3b has a function to hold down a portion of the closed front cover 3a, so that when the locking mechanism 3c is locked, the front cover 3a is held closed.

[0021] The top plate 4 is slidable in the front-to-back direction. By sliding it backward, the top opening 2b is opened, while by sliding it forward, the top opening 2b is closed.

[0022] Such a money processing device 1 includes a banknote processing machine 10 and a coin processing machine 30 inside the main body 2 of the device.

[0023] The banknote processing machine 10 is housed inside the main body 2 of the device, within a banknote processing storage unit 5, which is a box-shaped body with an opening on the front. As shown in Figure 3, the banknote processing machine 10 consists of an upper banknote processing component 10a and a lower banknote processing component 10b, which are integrated vertically by a frame (not shown).

[0024] Such a banknote processing machine 10 includes a banknote transport mechanism 10d, an authentication unit 17, and a discrimination unit 18. The banknote transport mechanism 10d includes a banknote deposit unit 11, a banknote dispensing unit 12, a banknote collection unit 13, a banknote storage unit 14, and a scrutiny unit 15, which are connected by a transport path 16.

[0025] The banknote deposit section 11 is located at the front upper part of the upper banknote processing component 10a. This banknote deposit section 11 has a banknote deposit slot 11a and is for introducing banknotes inserted through the banknote deposit slot 11a into the processing machine. This banknote deposit slot 11a is exposed to the outside through a banknote deposit opening 3d formed in the front cover 3a.

[0026] The banknote dispensing section 12 is located below the banknote deposit section 11 in the upper banknote processing section 10a. This banknote dispensing section 12 has a banknote dispensing opening 12a and is for dispensing banknotes into the banknote dispensing opening 12a. This banknote dispensing opening 12a is opened and closed by a banknote dispensing door 12b and is exposed to the outside through a banknote dispensing opening 3e formed in the front cover 3a.

[0027] The banknote collection box 13 is located below the banknote dispensing section 12 in the upper banknote processing unit 10a, and is used to store banknotes when they are collected.

[0028] The banknote storage compartment 14 is located in the lower banknote processing component 10b and has a 1,000 yen storage compartment 141 and a mixed compartment 142. The 1,000 yen storage compartment 141 stores 1,000 yen banknotes (banknotes of a single denomination) which are frequently used. The mixed compartment 142 stores banknotes other than 1,000 yen banknotes, namely 2,000 yen banknotes, 5,000 yen banknotes and 10,000 yen banknotes mixed together.

[0029] The scrutiny compartment 15 is located behind the banknote dispensing section 12 and the banknote collection compartment 13 in the upper banknote processing unit 10a. This scrutiny compartment 15 is used as a temporary holding compartment during scrutiny operations, etc.

[0030] The authentication unit 17 is located in the transport path 16 behind the banknote deposit unit 11 in the upper banknote processing unit 10a. This authentication unit 17 authenticates the authenticity and denomination of the banknotes passing through.

[0031] The discrimination unit 18 is located in the transport path 16 between the scrutiny compartment 15 and the 1,000 yen storage compartment 141 in the lower banknote processing component 10b. This discrimination unit 18 is responsible for determining the denomination of the banknotes.

[0032] In the above-described banknote processing machine 10, the upper banknote processing component 10a has a banknote deposit section 11, a banknote dispensing section 12, a banknote collection box 13, a scrutiny box 15, and an authentication section 17, while the lower banknote processing component 10b has a banknote storage box 14 (a 1,000 yen storage box 141 and a mixing box 142) and a discrimination section 18.

[0033] Let's briefly explain the operation of the banknote processing machine 10. First, let's explain the deposit operation. When banknotes are deposited into the banknote deposit slot 11a, the banknotes are transported to the authentication unit 17 by the banknote transport mechanism 10d. If the banknotes get jammed during transport, the banknote transport mechanism 10d returns the banknotes to the banknote deposit slot 11a via the banknote deposit unit 11.

[0034] Banknotes that the authentication unit 17 determines are not legal tender are transported to the banknote dispensing unit 12 by the banknote transport mechanism 10d and dispensed from the banknote dispensing slot 12a. On the other hand, banknotes that the authentication unit 17 determines to be legal tender are stored by the banknote transport mechanism 10d in either the 1,000 yen storage compartment 141 or the mixing compartment 142, depending on the denomination.

[0035] Next, the dispensing operation will be explained. When a dispensing command is given, the banknote transport mechanism 10d dispenses banknotes of the corresponding denomination from the 1,000 yen storage compartment 141 or mixing compartment 142, transports them to the banknote dispensing section 12, and dispenses them from the banknote dispensing slot 12a.

[0036] Let's further explain the inspection process. Here, we will explain the inspection process for 1,000 yen banknotes stored in the 1,000 yen storage compartment 141. The banknote transport mechanism 10d feeds the 1,000 yen banknotes stored in the 1,000 yen storage compartment 141 onto the transport path 16 and transports them backward. During transport, the identification unit 18 identifies the denomination and number of 1,000 yen banknotes, and the identified 1,000 yen banknotes are stored in the inspection compartment 15. This allows the number of 1,000 yen banknotes to be measured and confirmed. After the 1,000 yen banknotes are stored in the inspection compartment 15, the banknote transport mechanism 10d feeds the 1,000 yen banknotes temporarily held in the inspection compartment 15 onto the transport path 16 and stores them back in the original 1,000 yen storage compartment 141.

[0037] In the above-described banknote processing machine 10, the scrutiny compartment 15 is positioned on the banknote transport path 16 closer to the banknote dispensing section 12 than the banknote storage compartment 14, and the 1,000 yen storage compartment 141 is positioned upstream of the mixing compartment 142 on the banknote transport path 16.

[0038] Such a banknote processing machine 10 can be pulled out of the main body 2 by a sliding mechanism (not shown) interposed between the frame and the banknote processing storage section 5, which causes the door body 3 (front cover 3a and front door 3b) to open the front opening 2a, so that the upper banknote processing component 10a and the lower banknote processing component 10b slide forward as a single unit vertically.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned banknote processing machine 10, the lower banknote processing component 10b is capable of swinging vertically in a manner that moves closer to and away from the upper banknote processing component 10a. The lower banknote processing component 10b's maximum downward swing range is restricted by a swing restriction component (not shown).

[0040] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal structure of the coin processing machine 30 shown in Figure 2. The coin processing machine 30 illustrated here is retractable from the front opening 2a of the main body 2 by a pull-out mechanism (not shown) and is equipped with a coin transport mechanism 30a.

[0041] The coin transport mechanism 30a includes a deposit transport unit 32, a deposit temporary holding unit 34, a verification temporary holding unit 36, a sorting unit 38, a coin storage unit 40, a first withdrawal transport unit 42, a withdrawal temporary holding unit 44, a direction change unit 46, a second withdrawal transport unit 48, and a switching gate group 50.

[0042] The deposit and transport unit 32 transports coins that are inserted through the coin deposit slot 31 and detected by a coin deposit detection sensor (not shown). The coin deposit slot 31 is an opening for inserting coins and is exposed to the outside through a coin deposit opening 3f formed in the front cover 3a. The deposit and transport unit 32 is equipped with a coin inspection unit 32a. The coin inspection unit 32a identifies the authenticity and denomination of the coins.

[0043] The deposit temporary holding section 34 is located below the deposit transport section 32 and is connected to the deposit transport section 32 via the deposit chute 33a. The scrutiny temporary holding section 36 is located below the deposit temporary holding section 34 and is connected to the deposit temporary holding section 34 via the connecting chute 35a. This scrutiny temporary holding section 36 temporarily holds coins that have fallen through the connecting chute 35a.

[0044] The sorting unit 38 sorts the coins that have been held in the scrutiny and temporary holding unit 36 ​​and then transported, according to their denomination. Coin storage units 40 are provided for each denomination and store the coins sorted by the sorting unit 38. More specifically, there are six coin storage units 40, from the rear: a 1-yen coin storage unit 40a, a 50-yen coin storage unit 40b, a 5-yen coin storage unit 40c, a 100-yen coin storage unit 40d, a 10-yen coin storage unit 40e, and a 500-yen coin storage unit 40f. Each coin storage unit 40 also has a dispensing unit 401 that dispenses the stored coins to the first dispensing and transporting unit 42, and this dispensing unit 401 is equipped with a coin discrimination unit 402 that discriminates predetermined discrimination elements of the coins to be dispensed, such as the denomination and number.

[0045] The first dispensing and transporting unit 42 is located to the right of the coin storage unit 40. This first dispensing and transporting unit 42 transports the coins dispensed from the coin storage unit 40 toward the rear.

[0046] The temporary withdrawal holding section 44 is located to the rear right of the first withdrawal transport section 42 and below the temporary deposit holding section 34. This temporary withdrawal holding section 44 temporarily stores coins to be withdrawn from the coin withdrawal section 51, which will be described later. The direction changing section 46 is located in front of the temporary withdrawal holding section 44. This direction changing section 46 receives the coins held in the temporary withdrawal holding section 44 one by one and transports them to the second withdrawal transport section 48.

[0047] The second coin dispensing and transporting unit 48 is located in front of the direction changing unit 46. This second coin dispensing and transporting unit 48 extends in a manner that gradually inclines upward as it moves forward, transporting coins from rear to front, that is, transporting coins upward so that they can be dispensed into the coin dispensing unit 51.

[0048] The coin dispensing section 51 is located above the deposit temporary holding section 34 and below the coin deposit slot 31, and as shown in Figure 2, it is equipped with a dispensing guide 60 and a dispensing tray 70. These dispensing guide 60 and dispensing tray 70 will be described later.

[0049] The switching gate group 50 comprises a first switching gate 50a, a second switching gate 50b, and a third switching gate 50c. The first switching gate 50a is located on the rear side (downstream side in the transport direction) of the deposit transport unit 32. This first switching gate 50a can selectively switch between a state in which coins that are being transported by the deposit transport unit 32 and identified as genuine coins by the inspection unit 32a are transported to the deposit chute 33a, and a state in which coins that are being transported by the deposit transport unit 32 and identified as counterfeit coins by the inspection unit 32a are transported to the first refund chute 33b. Here, the first refund chute 33b guides the coins from the deposit transport unit 32 to the temporary withdrawal holding unit 44.

[0050] The second switching gate 50b is located behind the deposit temporary holding section 34 (downstream in the transport direction). This second switching gate 50b can selectively switch between a state in which the coins held in the deposit temporary holding section 34 are transported to the connecting chute 35a, and a state in which the coins are transported to the second refund chute 35b. The second refund chute 35b guides the coins from the deposit transport section 32 to the withdrawal temporary holding section 44.

[0051] The third switching gate 50c is located on the rear side (downstream side in the transport direction) of the first dispensing transport unit 42. This third switching gate 50c can selectively switch between a transport state in which the coins transported by the first dispensing transport unit 42 are transported to the dispensing temporary holding unit 44, and a circulating state in which the coins are transported to the scrutiny temporary holding unit 36. Under normal circumstances, this third switching gate 50c is in the transport state.

[0052] The operation of the coin transport mechanism 30a described above will be briefly explained. First, the deposit operation will be explained. When a deposit permission command is given from a higher-level device, the coins inserted into the coin deposit slot 31 are detected by the deposit detection sensor, then transported by the deposit transport unit 32, and the authenticity and denomination are identified by the coin inspection unit 32a. If the coins are genuine coins, they are held in the deposit temporary holding unit 34 via the deposit chute 33a.

[0053] On the other hand, if the coin is not legal tender, it is transported to the temporary withdrawal holding section 44 via the first switching gate 50a and the first refund chute 33b. After that, the coin is transported from the temporary withdrawal holding section 44 and the direction change section 46 to the second withdrawal transport section 48, and from the second withdrawal transport section 48 to the coin withdrawal section 51 for withdrawal (return).

[0054] Furthermore, if a refund command is issued from a higher-level device for coins held in the deposit temporary holding unit 34, the coins are transported to the withdrawal temporary holding unit 44 via the second switching gate 50b and the second refund chute 35b. Subsequently, the coins are transported from the withdrawal temporary holding unit 44 and the direction change unit 46 to the second withdrawal transport unit 48, and from the second withdrawal transport unit 48 to the coin withdrawal unit 51 for withdrawal (return).

[0055] When a deposit command is issued from a higher-level device for coins held in the deposit temporary holding unit 34, the coins held in the deposit temporary holding unit 34 are held in the scrutiny temporary holding unit 36, and then the coins held in the scrutiny temporary holding unit 36 ​​are transported to the sorting unit 38, where they are transported forward and sorted by denomination. The coins sorted by the sorting unit 38 are stored in the coin storage unit 40 according to their denomination, and then the deposit operation is terminated by notifying the higher-level device that the deposit is complete.

[0056] Next, the dispensing operation will be explained. When a dispensing command is issued from a higher-level device, coins of the corresponding denomination are dispensed from the coin storage unit 40 to the first dispensing transport unit 42. The coins dispensed to the first dispensing transport unit 42 are transported backward and sent to the dispensing temporary holding unit 44 via the third switching gate 50c, which is in a transport state. Subsequently, the coins are transported from the dispensing temporary holding unit 44 and the direction changing unit 46 to the second dispensing transport unit 48, where they are transported to the coin dispensing unit 51 and dispensed into the dispensing tray 70. After dispensing the predetermined number of coins to the outside in this manner, the dispensing operation is terminated by notifying the higher-level device that the dispensing is complete.

[0057] Next, the scrutiny operation will be explained. The scrutiny operation is the operation of measuring the number of coins stored in each coin storage compartment 40. When a scrutiny command is given from a higher-level device, the dispensing unit 401 in the corresponding coin storage compartment 40 is driven to dispense coins from the coin storage compartment 40 to the first dispensing and transporting unit 42, and the coin discrimination unit 402 is made to discriminate predetermined discrimination elements. The coins are then transported to the rear by the first dispensing and transporting unit 42 and temporarily held in the scrutiny temporary holding unit 36. After that, the coins held in the scrutiny temporary holding unit 36 ​​are transported to the sorting unit 38, where they are sorted by denomination, the number of coins is detected, and the scrutiny operation is completed by storing them in the designated coin storage compartment 40.

[0058] As shown in Figure 2, the banknote processing machine 10 is housed in the main body of the device 2 so as to be positioned above the coin storage compartment 40, which is part of the coin processing machine 30. As a result, the banknote processing machine 10 and the coin processing machine 30 are housed in the main body of the device 2 so that at least a portion of them overlap each other vertically.

[0059] Figures 5 to 7 show the withdrawal guide 60 shown in Figure 2, respectively. Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views, and Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the withdrawal guide 60 includes a guide body 61.

[0060] The guide body 61 is a box-shaped body made of, for example, a resin material, and has a guide path section 62 and a posture regulating section 63, as well as a posture regulating flapper 64. The guide path section 62 is formed inside the guide body 61 and is a passage connecting the inlet 621 and the outlet 622. The inlet 621 is an opening formed at the upper rear of the guide body 61, and the outlet 622 is an opening formed at the lower left of the guide body 61.

[0061] The guide body 61 is detachably attached to the device body 2 such that its inlet 621 communicates with the outlet of the second dispensing transport section 48. Coins introduced through the inlet 621 pass through the guide path 62 and are dispensed from the dispensing outlet 622 into the dispensing tray 70. The dispensing tray 70 is a concave body with an opening on its upper surface and receives the coins guided by the guide body 61 (dispensing guide 60). The dispensing tray 70 is exposed to the outside through a tray opening 3g formed in the front cover 3a.

[0062] The posture regulating section 63 is integrally formed with the front part of the guide body 61 and has a contact surface 63a that gradually inclins downward as it approaches the inlet 621, that is, as it approaches the second payout conveying section 48.

[0063] This attitude regulating section 63 is formed above the inclined surface 623 that forms the bottom portion of the guide path section 62, that is, the inclined surface 623 that is continuous with the lower end opening edge of the discharge port 622. Furthermore, the attitude regulating section 63 is formed such that the minimum dimension between the rear end portion of the contact surface 63a and the opening edge of the inlet port 621 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the largest coin (500 yen coin).

[0064] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the attitude-regulating flapper 64 shown in Figures 5 to 7. As shown in Figure 8, the attitude-regulating flapper 64 is formed from, for example, a translucent resin material, and is constructed by integrally molding a base portion 64a and an operating portion 64b.

[0065] The base portion 64a is the part on which the support piece portion 641, the clamping portion 642, and the restricting piece portion 643 are formed. The support piece portion 641 is a pair of front and rear support pieces formed to protrude upward to the left from both front and rear ends of the base portion 64a, and has a through hole 641a. The clamping portion 642 is a bifurcated portion that protrudes upward to the left between the pair of front and rear support pieces 641. This clamping portion 642 clamps the pivot shaft 65 that passes through the through hole 641a. The restricting piece portion 643 is a tongue-shaped portion that protrudes upward from the upper end portion of the base portion 64a.

[0066] Such a base portion 64a is pivotally supported by the guide body 61 when a pivot shaft 65, which passes through the through hole 641a and is clamped by the clamping portion 642, is attached to the guide body 61.

[0067] The working portion 64b is a part that is continuous with the lower end portion of the base portion 64a and extends away from the pivot axis 65. This working portion 64b is curved in such a way that its central portion in the front-rear direction protrudes the most upward.

[0068] Such a posture-regulating flapper 64 is provided on the guide body 61 so as to be able to swing around the pivot axis 65 in a manner that moves toward and away from the inclined surface 623, i.e., any bottom portion of the guide path portion 62, near the upper opening edge of the discharge outlet 622, by being clamped by the clamping portion 642 while passing through the through hole 641a. Furthermore, because the width direction of the inclined surface 623 is in the front-rear direction, the working portion 64b is formed to curve upward such that the central portion along the width direction of the guide path portion 62 is separated from the bottom portion of the guide path portion 62.

[0069] In other words, the attitude regulating flapper 64 is located downstream of the attitude regulating section 63 in the direction in which the coin is guided by the guide path section 62. To put it another way, the attitude regulating section 63 is formed in the guide body 61 at a location closer to the dispensing outlet 622 than the attitude regulating flapper 64.

[0070] A flapper spring 66 is interposed between the attitude-regulating flapper 64 and the guide body 61. The flapper spring 66 is interposed between the attitude-regulating flapper 64 and the guide body 61 in a manner that winds around a part of the pivot shaft 65, and is a biasing member that biases the attitude-regulating flapper 64 toward the right in a manner that brings it close to the inclined surface 623. Due to this flapper spring 66, the attitude-regulating flapper 64 is positioned in a standby position where the regulating piece 643 abuts against the guide body 61, as shown in Figure 7, etc.

[0071] When the attitude-regulating flapper 64 is positioned in standby, the distance between the central part of the operating part 64b in the front-rear direction (width direction of the guide path part 62) and the inclined surface 623 of the guide path part 62 is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the smallest diameter coin among the coins being handled (for example, a 1 yen coin).

[0072] Furthermore, the biasing force of the flapper spring 66 is such that, when the smallest diameter coin comes into contact with the attitude-regulating flapper 64 positioned in the standby position, it restricts the attitude-regulating flapper 64 from swinging to the left in a manner that separates it from the inclined surface 623.

[0073] Here, we will explain why the biasing force of the flapper spring 66 is large enough to restrict the attitude-regulating flapper 64 from swinging to the left when the smallest diameter coin comes into contact with the attitude-regulating flapper 64, which is positioned in standby.

[0074] The smallest diameter coin has a significantly smaller mass than the other coins (hereinafter also referred to as "non-smallest diameter coins"). Therefore, if the attitude regulating flapper 64 swings to the left when it comes into contact with the smallest diameter coin, the attitude regulating flapper 64 will also easily swing to the left when it comes into contact with a non-smallest diameter coin. This makes it difficult to apply sufficient reaction force to the non-smallest diameter coins, and thus difficult to control the attitude of the non-smallest diameter coins.

[0075] Next, we will explain why the distance between the central part of the working portion 64b in the front-rear direction of the attitude-regulating flapper 64, which is positioned in the standby position, and the inclined surface 623 of the guide path portion 62 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the smallest diameter coin.

[0076] Coins passing through the inclined surface 623 do not automatically assume an upright position by contacting the contact surface 63a of the attitude regulating section 63, etc., but they may assume an upright position by contacting other coins in the guide path section 62. However, since the smallest diameter coin has a sufficiently small mass compared to the other coins, there is no risk of it flying out of the dispensing tray 70 even if it is dispensed from the dispensing opening 622 in an upright position.

[0077] In a dispensing guide 60 having such a configuration, as shown in Figure 9, when the smallest diameter coin K1 rolls in an upright position along the side of the inclined surface 623 (the rear side in the illustrated example), or more specifically, when the smallest diameter coin K1 that has come into contact with other coins rolls in an upright position along the side of the inclined surface 623, it will come into contact with the posture-regulating flapper 64 located in the standby position. As described above, even when it comes into contact with the smallest diameter coin K1, the posture-regulating flapper 64 does not swing due to the biasing force of the flapper spring 66. In this case, since the working part 64b of the posture-regulating flapper 64 is curved, the smallest diameter coin K1 falls towards the center of the inclined surface 623 (guide path part 62) and is dispensed from the dispensing opening 622 into the dispensing tray 70 in a sideways position.

[0078] On the other hand, in the above-mentioned dispensing guide 60, as shown in Figure 10, when a coin K2 other than the smallest diameter rolls on the inclined surface 623 in an upright position, or more specifically, when a coin K2 other than the smallest diameter that has come into contact with other coins rolls on the inclined surface 623 in an upright position, it will come into contact with the posture-regulating flapper 64 which is positioned in standby. In this case, as shown in Figure 11, the posture-regulating flapper 64 swings to the left against the biasing force of the flapper spring 66, and the coin K2 other than the smallest diameter falls towards the center of the inclined surface 623 (guide path section 62), and is dispensed from the dispensing opening 622 into the dispensing tray 70 in a sideways position.

[0079] In such a withdrawal guide 60, a light source 67 is provided, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The light source 67 is located outside the guide body 61 and illuminates the guide path 62 near the payout opening 622 through a window 61a formed in the guide body 61. A portion of the light emitted from the light source 67 is diffused by the attitude regulating flapper 64 and illuminates the withdrawal tray 70. In other words, the attitude regulating flapper 64 constitutes a diffusing member that diffuses the light from the light source 67 and illuminates the withdrawal tray 70.

[0080] As described above, according to the money processing device 1, which is an embodiment of the present invention, the light source 67 provided on the guide body 61 illuminates the guide path portion 62 near the payout opening 622 on the guide body 61, and the attitude regulating flapper 64 provided on the guide body 61 diffuses the light from the light source 67 and illuminates the payout tray 70. As a result, not only the guide path portion 62 but also the payout tray 70 can be illuminated with sufficient light, and the possibility of forgetting to take coins from the payout tray 70 can be suppressed.

[0081] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made.

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, the attitude-regulating flapper 64 diffused the light from the light source 67. However, in the present invention, a member other than the attitude-regulating flapper 64 may constitute a diffusion member that diffuses the light from the light source and irradiates the cash tray. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1...Cash processing device, 2...Device body, 2a...Front opening, 3...Door body, 10...Banknote processing machine, 30...Coin processing machine, 51...Coin dispensing section, 60...Dispensing guide, 61...Guide body, 61a...Window section, 62...Guiding path section, 621...Inlet, 622...Dispensing outlet, 623...Inclined surface, 63...Position regulating section, 63a...Contact surface, 64...Position regulating flapper, 67...Light source, 70...Dispensing tray.

Claims

1. A coin processing device equipped with a coin handling machine that identifies the authenticity and denomination of deposited coins, stores coins identified as genuine coins in the corresponding storage compartments according to their denomination, and, upon receiving a withdrawal instruction, transports coins from any storage compartment in a withdrawal transport unit before dispensing them into a withdrawal tray, The system includes a withdrawal guide that guides the coins transported by the withdrawal transport unit to the withdrawal tray, The aforementioned withdrawal guide is, A guide body having an inlet for introducing coins from the aforementioned coin transport section, an outlet for dispensing coins into the coin tray, and a guide path section connecting the inlet and the outlet, A light source provided on the guide body and illuminating the guide path portion near the discharge outlet, A diffusing member that diffuses the light from the light source and irradiates the cash tray. A money processing device characterized by having the following features.

2. The money processing device according to claim 1, wherein the diffusion member is pivotably provided on the guide body in a manner that moves toward and away from any bottom portion of the guide path, and is configured as a posture restricting flapper that restricts coins passing through the guide path from being guided to the dispensing tray through the dispensing opening in an upright position by contacting itself.

3. The cash processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the dispensing guide includes a biasing member that biases the attitude regulating flapper in such a manner that it is close to any bottom portion of the guide path.

4. The aforementioned attitude regulating flapper is A base that is pivotally supported by the guide body by a pivot shaft passing through a through hole formed therein, An action portion extending from the base in a direction away from the pivot axis and capable of contacting the coin Equipped with, The money processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the working portion is formed such that the central portion along the width direction of the guide path portion is curved upward so as to be separated from the bottom portion of the guide path portion.

5. The cash processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the dispensing guide is formed in the guide body at a location closer to the dispensing outlet than the posture-regulating flapper, and includes a posture-regulating part that prevents the coin introduced from the inlet from coming into contact with the part, thereby preventing the coin from being guided to the dispensing tray through the dispensing outlet in an upright position.

6. The money processing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the posture regulating part has a contact surface that is gradually inclined downward as it approaches the inlet, and the coin comes into contact with the contact surface, thereby regulating the coin from being guided to the dispensing tray through the dispensing outlet in an upright position.

Images