Coin processing device

Abstract

This invention provides a coin processing apparatus capable of more accurately identifying the type of coin. The coin processing apparatus 100 provided by this invention comprises: a receiving unit 110 for receiving a plurality of coins and then feeding them out one by one at intervals; and a sorting unit 120 for receiving coins one by one from the receiving unit and, after identifying the type of coin, guiding the coins to a channel for each type. The sorting unit includes: a first displacement sensor 132 for measuring the vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin; and a second displacement sensor 133 for measuring the vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin. The coin processing apparatus identifies the type of coin based on the changes in the vertical displacement of the top surface and the changes in the vertical displacement of the bottom surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a coin handling device for receiving and storing coins according to their type. Prior Technology

[0002] In the past, a device for receiving coins and sorting them into different types has been known. For example, a coin handling device has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-177387 (Patent Document 1). According to Patent Document 1, a coin handling device is provided, which includes: a receiving section for receiving coins and then feeding them out one by one at intervals; and a sorting section for receiving coins one by one from the receiving section, moving the coins along an arc while determining the type of the coin and guiding it to the channel of each type. <Previous Technical Documents> <Patent Documents>

[0003] <Patent Document 1> Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-177387 Summary of the Invention

[0004] <The problem the invention aims to solve>

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a coin processing device that can more accurately identify the type of coin. <Methods for solving problems>

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a coin processing apparatus is provided, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving a plurality of coins and then discharging them one by one at intervals; and a sorting unit for receiving coins one by one from the receiving unit, identifying the type of the coins, and then guiding the coins to a sorting channel for each type. The sorting unit includes: a first displacement sensor for measuring the vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin, and a second displacement sensor for measuring the vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin. The coin processing apparatus identifies the type of coin based on the changes in the vertical displacement of the top surface and the changes in the vertical displacement of the bottom surface. <Invention Effects>

[0007] As described above, the present invention provides a coin handling apparatus that can more accurately identify the type of coin. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0008] Figure 1 is an image showing the overall coin processing apparatus related to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall structure of the coin processing device related to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a plan view of the coin identification and sorting section of the coin processing apparatus related to this embodiment. Figure 4 is an overall front cross-sectional view of the coin handling device used to show the coin insertion process related to this embodiment. Figure 5 is an overall side cross-sectional view of the coin handling device used to show the coin insertion process related to this embodiment. Figure 6 is an overall front cross-sectional view of the coin handling device used to show the coin dispensing process related to this embodiment. Figure 7 is an overall side cross-sectional view of the coin handling device used to show the coin dispensing process related to this embodiment. Figure 8 is an oblique view from above, showing the coin identification and sorting unit related to this embodiment. Figure 9 is an oblique view from above of the coin identification and sorting unit with the conveying rotating body installed, which is relevant to this embodiment. Figure 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of the receiving section related to this embodiment. Figure 11 is an upper oblique view showing the configuration of the guide pins related to this embodiment. Figure 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the receiving part used to show the state of the hole for inserting two coins in this embodiment. Figure 13 is a plan view showing the configuration of the receiving section related to this embodiment. Figure 14 is a plan view showing the dimensional configuration of the various components of the receiving section related to this embodiment. Figure 15 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the receiving part capable of discharging coins in relation to this embodiment. Figure 16 is an oblique view from above showing the sorting section and receiving section related to this embodiment. Figure 17 is a plan view of the horizontal displacement sensor of the identification section of the sorting section related to this embodiment. Figure 18 is a side perspective view showing the configuration of the identification part related to this embodiment. Figure 19 is a side view showing the configuration of the upper displacement sensor and the lower displacement sensor of the identification part related to this embodiment. Figure 20 is a graph showing the measurement results of the upper displacement sensor and the lower displacement sensor in relation to this embodiment. Implementation

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrations. In the following description, the same elements are denoted by the same symbols. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated. <Overall Structure of Coin Processing Device 100>

[0010] First, the overall structure of the coin processing device 100 of this embodiment will be explained. Figure 1 is an external view of the coin processing device 100 of this embodiment. Referring to Figure 1, the coin processing device 100 is composed of a roughly rectangular frame 101, with a coin inlet 102 at the top and a coin outlet 103 at the bottom.

[0011] Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 2, the coin processing apparatus 100 has a coin identification and sorting unit 105 at the top for sorting and distributing coins according to type; a coin dispensing unit 150 in the middle for accumulating and dispensing coins according to each type; and a control unit 190 at the bottom. In this embodiment, the coin dispensing unit 150 is composed of an upper dispensing unit 151 for four types of coins and a lower dispensing unit 152 for four types of coins. The control unit 190 is equipped with a microcomputer 191 for controlling various parts of the coin processing apparatus 100, or other communication interfaces. The microcomputer 191 includes, for example, a CPU or various types of memory.

[0012] Figure 3 is a plan view of the coin recognition and sorting unit 105 related to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 3, the inserted coins are sequentially sent one by one to the sorting unit 120 via the receiving unit 110. The sorting unit 120 identifies the type of coin according to each coin and conveys the coin to the following paths: a rejection conveying path 1510 formed on the outside of the sorting unit; a first conveying path 1511 formed on the outside of the sorting unit; a second conveying path 1512 formed on the inside of the sorting unit; a third conveying path 1513 formed on the outside of the sorting unit; a fourth conveying path 1514 formed on the inside of the sorting unit; a fifth conveying path 1515 formed on the outside of the sorting unit; a sixth conveying path 1516 formed on the inside of the sorting unit; a seventh conveying path 1517 formed on the outside of the sorting unit; an eighth conveying path 1518 formed on the inside of the sorting unit; and an overflow conveying path 1519 formed on the outside of the sorting unit.

[0013] Figure 4 shows the overall internal structure of the coin processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, and in particular shows a front cross-sectional view of the process of sorting and collecting the inserted coins. Figure 5 shows the overall internal structure of the coin processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, and in particular shows a side cross-sectional view of the process of sorting and collecting the inserted coins. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, coins sent to the rejection conveying passage 1510 are at the right end when viewed from the front and move downwards along the front end when viewed from the side, and are rejected from the coin discharge outlet 103. Coins sent to the overflow conveying passage 1519 are at the left end when viewed from the front and move downwards along the front end when viewed from the side, and are sent to the container located below the coin processing apparatus 100. Coins sent to the first conveying passage 1511, the third conveying passage 1513, the fifth conveying passage 1515, and the seventh conveying passage 1517 outside the sorting section 120 are accumulated in a predetermined receiving section of the upper dispensing section 151 according to each coin type. The coins sent to the second transport path 1512, the fourth transport path 1514, the sixth transport path 1516, and the eighth transport path 1518 inside the sorting section 120 are stored in the predetermined receiving section of the lower distribution section 152 according to each coin type.

[0014] Figure 6 shows the overall internal structure of the coin processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, and in particular shows a front cross-sectional view of the process of issuing or collecting coins in a collection box (not shown). Figure 7 shows the overall internal structure of the coin processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, and in particular shows a side cross-sectional view of the process of issuing or collecting coins. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, coins accumulated from the outside of the sorting section 120 via the first, third, fifth, and seventh passages are sent forward along the upper dispensing section 151 and descended according to the command from the control section 190, discharged from the discharge port 103, and sent to the collection box from the collection port 104. Coins accumulated from the lower side of the sorting section 120 via the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth passages are sent forward along the lower dispensing section 152 and descended according to the command from the control section 190, discharged from the discharge port 103, and sent to the collection box from the collection port 104. <Composition of Coin Recognition and Sorting Unit 105>

[0015] Next, the configuration of the coin identification and sorting unit 105 at the upper part of the coin processing device 100 will be explained. Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the coin identification and sorting unit 105 mainly includes a receiving unit 110 and a sorting unit 120. The receiving unit 110 is located on the front side of the coin processing device 100, that is, the front part, and is used to send the coins inserted one by one from the coin insertion slot 102 to the sorting unit 120. The sorting unit 120 is located on the back side of the coin processing device 100, that is, the rear part, and is used to identify the type of coin sent from the receiving unit 110 and send it to the transport path according to the type. <Composition of Receiving Unit 110>

[0016] The receiving section 110 will now be described. Referring to Figures 8 to 10, the receiving section 110 is provided with a circular base 111 and a cylindrical sidewall 112. An introducing rotating disk 113 is disposed on the top of the base 111. A plurality of coin insertion holes 113X are formed on the introducing rotating disk 113. In this embodiment, three holes 113X are formed. That is, the holes 113X are formed at 120° intervals around the center of the drive shaft. The introducing rotating disk 113, driven by a motor (not shown), pushes the coins inserted into the holes 113X one by one from the discharge port at the rear of the sidewall 112 outward and into the sorting section 120.

[0017] More specifically, when the coin, in conjunction with the operation of the hole 113X in the rotating disk 113, rotates clockwise in plan view, it is pushed backward along the arrangement direction of the guide pins 114, 114, 114 when it collides with them, that is, squeezed outward toward the side wall 112. Furthermore, the guide pins 114, 114, 114 are configured as shown in Figure 11, and are given potential energy from above.

[0018] Here, we will explain the mechanism for feeding coins one by one from the receiving unit 110 to the sorting unit 120. Regarding the coin handling apparatus 100 of this embodiment, it is equipped with a mechanism that, even when multiple coins are stacked in one hole 113X, feeds only one coin from the discharge port 113Y of the receiving unit 110 directly from the rotating disk 113 to the coin discharge, even when the coin is being transported directly from one hole 113X. The configuration of this mechanism will be explained below.

[0019] Referring to Figures 10 to 13, the receiving part 110 in this embodiment is provided with a circular base 111 and a cylindrical sidewall 112. An introduction rotating disk 113 is disposed on the top of the base 111. A plurality of coin insertion holes 113X are formed on the introduction rotating disk 113. In this embodiment, three holes 113X are formed. That is, holes 113X are formed every 120° around the drive shaft.

[0020] Secondly, for each of the three holes 113X, a discharge port 113Y for one coin weight is formed on the outer rear side. A scraper 115 is provided on each of the discharge ports 113Y. The scraper 115 is configured to slide vertically and can be applied downwards by a spring or the like. In this embodiment, the scraper 115 is configured such that it is pushed upwards until it reaches a position only +α mm higher than the expected thickness of the coin C1. Furthermore, when the scraper 115 is closed from the bottom, a gap of approximately 1 mm to 1.5 mm is formed between the lower end of the scraper 115 and the base 111.

[0021] In this embodiment, in plan view, the front end of the scraper 115 is formed as a curved surface with the same curvature as the inner circumference of the hole 113X into which the rotating disk 113 is introduced. That is, in plan view, the hole 113X and the scraper 115 constitute a smooth circle.

[0022] Secondly, particularly in this embodiment, a base guide 119 is provided below the introduced rotating disk 113. More specifically, below the side wall 112, a rib 119X is provided around the circular base 111, vertically erected from the base guide 119.

[0023] Rib 119X is not located in the receiving and dispatching area of ​​coin C1 between the sorting section 120 and the sorting section 120. That is, outside the receiving and dispatching area between the sorting section 120 and the sorting section 120, rib 119X protrudes upward near the outer periphery of the inner side of holes 113X, 113X, 113X.

[0024] In this way, the outer portion of one or more coins entering holes 113X, 113X, and 113X will remain floating above the base 111. As a result, the possibility that even if two or more coins enter hole 113X, they will lie completely horizontally on top of the base 111 will be reduced, and the possibility that two or more coins will be discharged from the discharge outlet 113Y will also be reduced.

[0025] As described above, regarding the receiving section 110 of this embodiment, because the rotating disk 113 is rotated, the coins C1 that fall into the hole 113X are pushed one by one from the discharge port 113Y of the hole 113X and the discharge port 112X at the rear of the side wall 112 while being pushed by the scraper 115 or the side of the hole 113X, and are sent to the sorting section 120.

[0026] Secondly, as shown in Figure 14, in this embodiment, the height of the portion protruding above the surface of the base 111 of the guide pins 114, 114, 114 is set to be lower than the thinnest coin of the device object. For example, about 1 mm.

[0027] Furthermore, since the height (gap) of the coin outlet 113Y from the base 111 of the rotating disk 113 is the thickness of the coin with the maximum thickness + α mm, when a certain type of coin with a maximum thickness and minimum thinness difference of about twice is inserted, there is a possibility that they will be overlapped and transported. However, since the height of the guide pins 114, 114, 144 for rolling out is set to be lower than the coin with the minimum thinness, even if two thin coins overlap in the hole 113X of the rotating disk 113, the upper coin C2 will not be pushed back to the side wall 112 and the inside of the hole 113X by the guide pins 114, 114, 144.

[0028] Thus, as shown in Figure 15, even if two thin coins overlap within the hole 113X of the rotating disk 113, only the bottom coin C1 is pushed upwards and backwards by the guide pins 114, 114, 114, along the inclined surface 115X of the scraper 115. That is, the scraper 115 is lifted upwards against the applied force. On the other hand, the upper coin C2 does not contact the guide pins 114 and is stopped by the scraper 115, thus being pushed back to the inside of the side wall 112 or the hole 113X. As a result, only the bottom coin C1 is discharged into the sorting section 120 through the discharge port 113Y and the discharge port 112X of the side wall 112. <The Composition of the Sorting Section 120>

[0029] Next, the sorting unit 120 will be described. Referring to Figures 8, 9, and 16, the sorting unit 120 includes a circular base 121 and a side wall 122 on the outer periphery of the base 121. A conveying rotating body 123 is disposed above the base 121. The conveying rotating body 123 has a plurality of conveying pins 123X, 123X... for pushing the coins forward from the rear. In this embodiment, five conveying pins 123X, 123X... are formed. That is, conveying pins 123X, 123X... are installed at 72° intervals around the axis of the conveying rotating body 123. The conveying rotating body 123 is driven by a drive motor 106, causing the coins to rotate counterclockwise one by one in planar view and slide in the passage between the side wall 122 and the conveying guide 139. That is, in this embodiment, the sorting unit 120 can simultaneously transport up to 5 coins to the transport path.

[0030] More specifically, the front end of the side wall 122 of the sorting section 120 is opened, that is, the wall side of the receiving section 110 is opened, and a coin is fed into the receiving section 110. The received coin is pushed by the conveying pin 123X and moves to the right along the side wall 122 and the conveying guide 139. That is, in plan view, the coin moves forward counterclockwise around the circular base 121.

[0031] The identification unit 130 uses a displacement sensor or a magnetic sensor to determine the authenticity of coins delivered via the conveying pin 123X and to identify the type of coin. The configuration of the identification unit 130 in this embodiment will be described below.

[0032] Referring to Figures 16, 17, and 18, the identification unit 130 includes: a horizontal displacement sensor 131, a first displacement sensor 132, a second displacement sensor 133, and a magnetic sensor 134.

[0033] The horizontal displacement sensor 131 is used to measure the width and diameter of the coin C1 sent from the receiving unit 110. More specifically, as shown in FIG17, the horizontal displacement sensor 131 is directly or indirectly connected to the horizontal detection lever 131X. The horizontal detection lever 131X is configured to rotate in the horizontal direction and apply potential energy to the side wall 122. When the coin C1 touches the detection lever 131X, the detection lever 131X is pushed inward, and the width or diameter of the coin C1 is determined by detecting the amount by which the horizontal displacement sensor 131 detects the horizontal detection lever 131X being pushed inward.

[0034] The first displacement sensor 132 is an object used to measure the height of the surface side of the coin C1. More specifically, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, the first displacement sensor 132 is directly or indirectly connected to the surface detection rod 132X. The surface detection rod 132X is configured to rotate vertically and apply potential energy downwards. When the coin C1 contacts the surface detection rod 132X, the surface detection rod 132X is pushed upwards, and the change in the height (shift) of the surface of the coin C1 is determined by detecting the amount by which the surface detection rod 132X is pushed upwards.

[0035] The second displacement sensor 133 is an object used to measure the height of the inside of coin C1. More specifically, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, the second displacement sensor 133 is directly or indirectly connected to the inside detection rod 133X. The inside detection rod 133X is configured to rotate vertically and apply potential energy to the upward conveying surface. When coin C1 contacts the inside detection rod 133X, the inside detection rod 133X is pushed downward, and the second displacement sensor 133 detects the amount of downward push of the inside detection rod 133X to determine the change (shift) in the height of the inside of coin C1.

[0036] The magnetic sensor 134 is an object that uses a coil to identify the material of the coin C1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG18, the magnetic sensor 134 is disposed below the conveying surface.

[0037] The horizontal displacement sensor 131 of the identification unit 130 sends the horizontal displacement amount to the microcomputer 191 of the control unit 190. The microcomputer 191 identifies the diameter of the coin C1 based on the change (shift) of this amount.

[0038] The first displacement sensor 132 of the identification unit 130 sends the upward displacement amount to the microcomputer 191 of the control unit 190. The microcomputer 191 obtains the change in height of the surface side of the coin C1 based on the change in displacement amount, as shown in FIG20.

[0039] The second displacement sensor 133 of the identification unit 130 sends the downward displacement amount to the microcomputer 191 of the control unit 190. The microcomputer 191 obtains the change in height of the inner side of the coin C1 based on the change in displacement amount, as shown in FIG20.

[0040] The magnetic sensor 134 of the identification unit 130 sends the magnetic change to the microcomputer 191 of the control unit 190. The microcomputer 191 identifies the material of the coin C1 based on the change.

[0041] In this embodiment, the microcomputer 191 is used to memorize: the diameter of each type of coin, the change (shift) of the surface height, the change (shift) of the interior height, and the material. Secondly, the microcomputer 191 is used to identify: the type of coin that matches the diameter, the change (shift) of the surface height, the change (shift) of the interior height, and the material of the coin C1 measured. In this embodiment, since the type of coin C1 is identified based on four factors, the coin can be identified more accurately.

[0042] In this embodiment, the memory of the microcomputer 191 is used to remember the location of each transport path or storage box for each type of coin. Based on the judgment or identification result, the microcomputer 191 moves the coin C1 that fails to be identified to the rejection path, and moves the coin C1 that can be identified to the corresponding transport path or storage location for that type.

[0043] For example, as shown in FIG3, the coin processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment is used to transport four types of coins to the outside of the circular sorting section and to transport four types of coins to the downward side. Conclusion

[0044] The above-described embodiment provides a coin processing apparatus comprising: a receiving section for receiving a plurality of coins and dispensing them one by one at intervals; and a sorting section for receiving coins one by one from the receiving section, identifying the type of the coins, and guiding the coins to a channel for each type. The sorting section includes: a first displacement sensor for measuring the vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin, and a second displacement sensor for measuring the vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin. The coin processing apparatus identifies the type of coin based on the changes in the vertical displacement of the top surface and the changes in the vertical displacement of the bottom surface.

[0045] Preferably, the sorting unit further includes: a magnetic sensor for identifying the material of the coin and a displacement sensor for measuring the diameter of the coin. The coin handling device identifies the type of coin based on: the vertical displacement (shift) of the top and bottom of the coin, the material of the coin, and the diameter of the coin.

[0046] All the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. The scope of this invention is not limited to the foregoing description, but should be as indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications in the same sense and scope as the claims.

[0047] 100: Coin handling device 101: Frame 102: Coin slot 103: Coin outlet 104: Recycling Port 105: Coin Identification and Sorting Department 106: Drive motor 110: Receiving Department 111: Base 112: Sidewall 112X: Discharge outlet 113: Introducing a rotating disk 113X: Coin storage hole 113Y: Coin outlet 114: Guide Pin 115: Scraper 115X: Bevel 119: Base Guidance 119X: Ribs 120: Sorting Department 121: Base 122: Sidewall 123: Transporting rotating bodies 123X: Transport pin 130: Identification Department 131: Horizontal displacement sensor 131X: Leveling rod 132: First displacement sensor 132X: Surface Inspection Rod 133: Second displacement sensor 133X: Inside the detection rod 134: Magnetic sensor 139:Transportation guidance 150: Coin Distributor 151: Distribution Department 152: Distributed to lower levels 190: Control Department 191: Microcomputer 1510: Deny delivery path 1511: First transport path 1512: Second transport path 1513: Third transport path 1514: Fourth transport path 1515: Fifth transport path 1516: Sixth transport path 1517: 7th transport path 1518: 8th transport path 1519: Overflow transport path C1: Coin C2: Coin

Claims

1. A coin processing apparatus comprising: a receiving unit for receiving a plurality of coins and dispensing them one by one at intervals; and a sorting unit for receiving the coins one by one from the receiving unit, identifying the types of the coins while handling them, and guiding the coins to channels for each type; wherein the sorting unit includes: A first displacement sensor measures the shift in the height of the top of the transported coin, and a second displacement sensor measures the shift in the height of the bottom of the transported coin. The first displacement sensor includes a first push rod that rotates upwards via the coin's upward movement about an upstream side of the coin's transport path. The portion of the first push rod that contacts the coin is convex downwards in a mountain shape. The second displacement sensor includes a second push rod that rotates downwards via the coin's downward movement about an upstream side of the coin's transport path. The portion of the second push rod that contacts the coin is convex upwards in a mountain shape. The type of coin is identified based on the shifts in the height of the top and bottom of the coin.

2. The coin processing apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the aforementioned sorting unit further includes: A magnetic sensor is used to identify the material of the aforementioned coin; a displacement sensor is used to measure the diameter of the aforementioned coin; and the type of the aforementioned coin is identified based on: the change in the height of the top of the aforementioned coin, the change in the height of the bottom of the aforementioned coin, the material of the aforementioned coin, and the diameter of the aforementioned coin.

Images