Coin processing device

Abstract

Provided is a coin processing device (100) that comprises: a handling unit (110) for receiving a plurality of coins and discharging the coins one by one at an interval; and a selection unit (120) for receiving the coins one by one from the handling unit, identifying the types of the coins, and guiding the coins down paths by type. The selection unit includes: a first displacement sensor (132) for measuring displacement in the vertical direction for an upper surface of the coins; and a second displacement sensor (133) for measuring displacement in the vertical direction for a lower surface of the coins. The coin processing device identifies the types of the coins on the basis of the trend in the displacement in the vertical direction for the upper surface of the coins and the trend in the displacement in the vertical direction for the lower surface of the coins.

Description

Coin Processing Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for a coin processing device for receiving coins and storing them by type.

[0002] Conventionally, devices for receiving and sorting coins by type have been known. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2022-177387 (Patent Document 1) discloses a coin processing device. Patent Document 1 provides a coin processing device including a sorting unit that receives coins and sends them out one by one at intervals, and a sorting unit that receives coins one by one from the sorting unit, moves the coins along an arc, determines the type of coin, and guides the coins to a path for each type.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-177387

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device that can more accurately distinguish the type of coin.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coin processing device including a sorting unit that receives a plurality of coins and sends them out one by one at intervals, and a sorting unit that receives coins one by one from the sorting unit, identifies the type of coin, and guides the coin to a path for each type. The sorting unit includes a first displacement sensor that measures the vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin, and a second displacement sensor that measures the vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin. The coin processing device identifies the type of coin based on the transition of the vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin and the transition of the vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin.

[0006] As described above, the present invention provides a coin processing device that can more accurately determine the type of coin.

[0007] 1 is an image diagram showing the entire coin processing device according to the present embodiment; a side sectional view showing the overall configuration of the coin processing device according to the present embodiment; a plan view showing the coin identifying and sorting unit of the coin processing device according to the present embodiment; an overall front sectional view of the coin processing device according to the present embodiment showing the flow of coins when depositing; an overall side sectional view of the coin processing device according to the present embodiment showing the flow of coins when depositing; an overall front sectional view of the coin processing device according to the present embodiment showing the flow of coins when dispensing; an overall side sectional view of the coin processing device according to the present embodiment showing the flow of coins when dispensing; an upper perspective view showing the coin identifying and sorting unit according to the present embodiment; an upper perspective view showing the coin identifying and sorting unit in a state where the conveying rotor according to the present embodiment has been removed; a plan view showing the configuration of the sorting unit according to the present embodiment; an upper perspective view showing the configuration of the guide pin according to the present embodiment; a side sectional view showing the configuration of the sorting unit in a state where two coins have entered the hole according to the present embodiment; a plan view showing the configuration of the sorting unit according to the present embodiment; a plan view showing the size configuration of each component of the sorting unit according to the present embodiment; a side sectional view showing the configuration of the sorting unit when dispensing coins according to the present embodiment. Fig. 1 is a top perspective view showing a sorting unit and a separating unit according to the present embodiment; Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a horizontal displacement sensor of a recognition unit of the sorting unit according to the present embodiment; Fig. 3 is a side perspective view showing the configuration of the recognition unit according to the present embodiment; Fig. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of an upper surface displacement sensor and a lower surface displacement sensor of the recognition unit according to the present embodiment; Fig. 5 is a graph showing measurement results by an upper surface displacement sensor and a lower surface displacement sensor according to the present embodiment.

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. <Overall configuration of the coin processing device 100>

[0009] First, the overall configuration of a coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is an external view of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment. Referring to Fig. 1, the coin processing device 100 is composed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 101, and is provided with a coin insertion slot 102 at the top and a coin ejection slot 103 at the bottom.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, the coin processing device 100 has a coin identifying and sorting unit 105 at its upper portion for sorting and sending out coins by type, a coin dispensing unit 150 at its middle portion for storing and dispensing coins by type, and a control unit 190 at its lower portion. In this embodiment, the coin dispensing unit 150 is made up of an upper dispensing unit 151 for four denominations and a lower dispensing unit 152 for four denominations. The control unit 190 includes a microcomputer 191 for controlling each unit of the coin processing device 100, other communication interfaces, and the like. The microcomputer 191 includes, for example, a CPU and various memories.

[0011] 3 is a plan view of the coin identifying and sorting unit 105 according to this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of inserted coins are sent one by one to the sorting unit 120 by the handling unit 110. The sorting unit 120 identifies the type of coin for each coin and sends it to a reject conveying path 1510 formed outside the sorting unit, a first conveying path 1511 formed outside the sorting unit, a second conveying path 1512 formed inside the sorting unit, a third conveying path 1513 formed outside the sorting unit, a fourth conveying path 1514 formed inside the sorting unit, a fifth conveying path 1515 formed outside the sorting unit, a sixth conveying path 1516 formed inside the sorting unit, a seventh conveying path 1517 formed outside the sorting unit, an eighth conveying path 1518 formed inside the sorting unit, or an overflow conveying path 1519 formed outside the sorting unit.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment, particularly showing the process of sorting and storing inserted coins. FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment, particularly showing the process of sorting and storing inserted coins. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 , coins sent to the reject transport path 1510 are at the right end in a front view and move downward at their front ends in a side view, and are rejected from the coin discharge port 103. Coins sent to the overflow transport path 1519 are at the left end in a front view and move downward at their front ends in a side view, and are sent to a container located below the coin processing device 100. Coins sent to the first transport path 1511, the third transport path 1513, the fifth transport path 1515, and the seventh transport path 1517 outside the sorting unit 120 are accumulated in predetermined storage units of the upper dispensing unit 151 according to their denominations. Coins sent to the second conveying path 1512, fourth conveying path 1514, sixth conveying path 1516, and eighth conveying path 1518 inside the sorting section 120 are accumulated in designated storage sections of the lower dispensing section 152 by denomination.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment, particularly showing the flow when coins are dispensed or collected into a collection box (not shown). FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment, particularly showing the flow when coins are dispensed or collected. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 , coins accumulated from the outside of the sorting unit 120 via the first, third, fifth, and seventh paths are sent forward through the upper dispensing unit 151 and then descend to be discharged from the discharge port 103 or sent to the collection box from the collection port 104 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 190. Coins accumulated from the lower side of the sorting unit 120 via the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth paths are sent forward through the lower dispensing unit 152 and then descend to be discharged from the discharge port 103 or sent to the collection box from the collection port 104 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 190. <Configuration of coin recognition and sorting unit 105>

[0014] Next, the configuration of the coin identifying and sorting unit 105 at the top of the coin processing device 100 will be described. With reference to Figures 8 and 9, the coin identifying and sorting unit 105 mainly includes a sorting unit 110 and a sorting unit 120. The sorting unit 110 is arranged on the front side, i.e., the front part, of the coin processing device 100, and is used to send coins inserted one after another through the coin insertion slot 102 to the sorting unit 120 one by one. The sorting unit 120 is arranged on the back side, i.e., the rear part, of the coin processing device 100, and is used to identify the type of coin sent from the sorting unit 110 and send it to a transport path according to its type. <Configuration of the sorting unit 110>

[0015] The separating unit 110 will be described below. With reference to FIGS. 8 to 10 , the separating unit 110 is provided with a circular base 111 and a cylindrical side wall 112. An intake turntable 113 is disposed on the upper surface of the base 111. The intake turntable 113 has a plurality of holes 113X formed therein into which coins fit. In this embodiment, three holes 113X are formed. That is, the holes 113X are formed at 120° intervals around the drive shaft. The intake turntable 113 is driven by a motor (not shown) to push coins that have fit into the holes 113X outward one by one from an outlet at the rear of the side wall 112 and send them to the separating unit 120.

[0016] More specifically, the coin rotates clockwise in a plan view in accordance with the movement of the hole 113X of the intake turntable 113, and when it hits the guide pins 114, 114, 114, it is pushed backward along the alignment of the guide pins 114, 114, 114, i.e., outward from the side wall 112. The guide pins 114, 114, 114 are configured as shown in Figure 11 and are biased upward.

[0017] Here, a mechanism for sending coins one by one from the handling unit 110 to the sorting unit 120 will be described. The coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment is equipped with a mechanism for outputting only one coin from one hole 113X through the outlet 113Y of the handling unit 110, even when multiple coins remain stacked in one hole 113X and the coins start to be transported by the intake turntable 113. This configuration will be described below.

[0018] 10 to 13, the handling unit 110 according to this embodiment is provided with a circular base 111 and a cylindrical side wall 112. An intake turntable 113 is disposed on the upper surface of the base 111. A plurality of holes 113X into which coins fit are formed in the intake turntable 113. In this embodiment, three holes 113X are formed. That is, the holes 113X are formed at 120° intervals around the drive shaft.

[0019] Each of the three holes 113X has an outlet 113Y for one coin formed diagonally rearward and toward the outside. A scraper 115 is provided in each of the outlets 113Y. The scraper 115 is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction and is biased downward by a spring or the like. The scraper 115 according to this embodiment is configured so that when pushed upward, it stops at a position that is +α mm higher than the expected thickness of the coin C1. When the scraper 115 is closed downward, a gap of approximately 1 mm to 1.5 mm is formed between the bottom end of the scraper 115 and the base 111.

[0020] In this embodiment, in plan view, the surface at the tip of the scraper 115 is formed into a curved shape with the same curvature as the inner periphery of the hole 113X of the intake turntable 113. In other words, in plan view, the hole 113X and the scraper 115 form one smooth circle.

[0021] In particular, in this embodiment, a base guide 119 is disposed below the intake turntable 113. More specifically, below the side wall 112, a rib 119X is provided that stands upright from the base guide 119 and extends around the periphery of the circular base 111.

[0022] The rib 119X is not provided in the area where the coin C1 is transferred to and from the sorting unit 120. In other words, the rib 119X protrudes upward near the outer periphery of the inside of the holes 113X, 113X, 113X in a location other than the area where the coin C1 is transferred to and from the sorting unit 120.

[0023] This keeps the outer portions of one or more coins that have entered holes 113X, 113X, 113X in a state where they are raised above base 111. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that two or more coins that have entered holes 113X will both lie completely on the upper surface of base 111, and it is possible to reduce the possibility that two or more coins will be discharged from discharge port 113Y at the same time.

[0024] As described above, in the sorting section 110 of this embodiment, as the intake turntable 113 rotates, the coins C1 that fall into the hole 113X are pushed by the scraper 115 and the side of the hole 113X, and are pushed outward one by one from the discharge outlet 113Y of the hole 113X and the discharge outlet 112X at the rear of the side wall 112, and are sent to the sorting section 120.

[0025] 14, in this embodiment, the height of the guide pins 114, 114, 114 that protrude above the surface of the base 111 is set to be even lower than the thinnest coin that the device is designed for, for example, about 1 mm.

[0026] Furthermore, because the height (gap) of the coin discharge port 113Y from the base 111 of the intake turntable 113 is the thickness of the target maximum coin plus α mm, if the smallest coin of a type whose maximum thickness is about twice the minimum thickness is inserted, there is a possibility that they will be transported overlapping each other. However, because the height of the feed guide pins 114, 114... is set even lower than the target minimum thinnest coin, even if two thin coins are placed overlapping in the hole 113X of the intake turntable 113, the upper coin C2 will not collide with the guide pins 114, 114... and will be pushed back into the side wall 112 and hole 113X.

[0027] As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, even if two thin coins are stacked in the hole 113X of the take-in turntable 113, only the bottom coin C1 is pushed by the guide pins 114, 114, 114, and pushes the inclined surface 115X of the scraper 115 rearward and upward. In other words, the scraper 115 is lifted upward against the biasing force. On the other hand, the upper coin C2 does not collide with the guide pin 114, but is stopped by the scraper 115 and pushed back toward the inside of the side wall 112 and the hole 113X. As a result, only the bottom coin C1 passes through the discharge port 113Y and the discharge port 112X of the side wall 112 and is discharged to the sorting unit 120. <Configuration of the sorting unit 120>

[0028] Next, the sorting unit 120 will be described. With reference to FIGS. 8, 9, and 16, the sorting unit 120 is provided with a circular base 121 and a side wall 122 provided on the outer periphery of the base 121. A conveying rotor 123 is disposed above the base 121. A plurality of conveying pins 123X, 123X... are formed on the conveying rotor 123 for pushing coins forward from behind. In this embodiment, five conveying pins 123X, 123X... are formed. That is, the conveying pins 123X, 123X... are attached at 72° intervals around the axis of the conveying rotor 123. The conveying rotor 123 is driven by the drive motor 106 to slide coins one by one counterclockwise in a plan view along the passage between the side wall 122 and the conveying guide 139. That is, in this embodiment, the sorting unit 120 can simultaneously transport and send out to the transport path up to five coins.

[0029] More specifically, the front end of the side wall 122 of the sorting unit 120, i.e., the wall surface on the sorting unit 110 side, is opened, and coins are sent in from the sorting unit 110. The received coins are pushed by the transport pins 123X and move to the right between the side wall 122 and the transport guide 139. That is, in a plan view, the coins move counterclockwise around the circular base 121.

[0030] The recognition unit 130 uses a displacement sensor, a magnetic sensor, etc. to determine whether the coins sent by the conveying pins 123X are genuine or counterfeit, and to identify the type of coin. The configuration of the recognition unit 130 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0031] 16, 17 and 18, the recognition unit 130 includes a horizontal displacement sensor 131, a front surface displacement sensor 132, a rear surface displacement sensor 133, and a magnetic sensor 134.

[0032] The horizontal displacement sensor 131 is used to measure the width and diameter of the coin C1 sent from the separating section 110. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 17, a horizontal detection lever 131X is directly or indirectly connected to the horizontal displacement sensor 131. The horizontal detection lever 131X is configured to be rotatable in the horizontal direction and is biased toward the side wall 122. When the coin C1 comes into contact with the detection lever 131X, the detection lever 131X is pushed inward, and the horizontal displacement sensor 131 detects the amount by which the horizontal detection lever 131X is pushed in, thereby measuring the width and diameter of the coin C1.

[0033] The surface displacement sensor 132 is used to measure the height of the front side of the coin C1. More specifically, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, a surface detection lever 132X is directly or indirectly connected to the surface displacement sensor 132. The surface detection lever 132X is configured to be rotatable in the vertical direction and is biased toward the conveyance surface below. When the coin C1 comes into contact with the surface detection lever 132X, the surface detection lever 132X is pushed upward, and the surface displacement sensor 132 detects the amount by which the surface detection lever 132X is pushed up, thereby measuring the change in the height of the surface of the coin C1.

[0034] The back surface displacement sensor 133 is used to measure the height of the back surface of the coin C1. More specifically, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, a back surface detection lever 133X is directly or indirectly connected to the back surface displacement sensor 133. The back surface detection lever 133X is configured to be rotatable in the vertical direction and is biased toward the upper conveyance surface. When the coin C1 comes into contact with the back surface detection lever 133X, the back surface detection lever 133X is pushed downward, and the back surface displacement sensor 133 detects the amount by which the back surface detection lever 133X is pushed down, thereby measuring the change in the height of the back surface of the coin C1.

[0035] The magnetic sensor 134 uses a coil to identify the material of the coin C1. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 18, the magnetic sensor 134 is disposed below the conveying surface.

[0036] The horizontal displacement sensor 131 of the recognition unit 130 sends the amount of horizontal displacement to the microcomputer 191 of the control unit 190. The microcomputer 191 identifies the diameter of the coin C1 based on the transition of the amount of change.

[0037] The surface displacement sensor 132 of the recognition unit 130 sends the amount of upward displacement to the microcomputer 191 of the control unit 190. Based on the change in the amount of change, the microcomputer 191 obtains the change in the height of the obverse side of the coin C1, as shown in FIG.

[0038] The back surface displacement sensor 133 of the recognition unit 130 sends the downward displacement amount to the microcomputer 191 of the control unit 190. Based on the change in the amount of change, the microcomputer 191 obtains the change in the height of the back surface of the coin C1, as shown in FIG.

[0039] The magnetic sensor 134 of the recognition unit 130 sends the amount of change in magnetism to the microcomputer 191 of the control unit 190. The microcomputer 191 identifies the material of the coin C1 based on the amount of change.

[0040] The microcomputer 191 according to this embodiment stores the diameter, the transition of the height of the front surface, the transition of the height of the back surface, and the material for each type of coin. The microcomputer 191 then identifies the type of coin that matches the diameter, the transition of the height of the front surface, the transition of the height of the back surface, and the material of the coin C1 measured this time. In this embodiment, the type of coin C1 is identified based on four elements, allowing for more accurate coin identification.

[0041] In this embodiment, the memory of the microcomputer 191 stores the transport path or the location of the storage case for each type of coin. Based on the judgment result and the identification result, the microcomputer 191 transports the coin C1 that could not be identified to the reject path, and transports the coin C1 whose type could be identified to the transport path or storage location corresponding to the type.

[0042] For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment transports four types of coins toward the outside of the circular sorting unit, and transports four types of coins toward the bottom.

[0043] In the above embodiment, a coin processing device is provided that includes a sorting unit that receives a plurality of coins and sends them out one by one at intervals, and a sorting unit that receives coins one by one from the sorting unit, identifies the type of coin, and guides the coin to a path for each type. The sorting unit includes a first displacement sensor that measures the vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin, and a second displacement sensor that measures the vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin. The coin processing device identifies the type of coin based on the progress of the vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin and the progress of the vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin.

[0044] 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 processing device identifies the type of coin based on the transition of vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin, the transition of vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin, the coin material, and the coin diameter.

[0045] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0046] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100: Coin processing device 101: Housing 102: Coin insertion slot 103: Coin discharge slot 104: Recovery slot 105: Coin identification and sorting section 106: Drive motor 110: Separation section 111: Base 112: Side wall 112X: Discharge slot 113: Intake turntable 113X: Coin storage hole 113Y: Coin discharge slot 114: Guide pin 115: Scraper 115X: Inclined surface 119: Base guide 120: Sorting section 121: Base 122: Side wall 123: Conveying rotor 123X: Conveying pin 130: Identification section 131: Horizontal displacement sensor 131X: Horizontal detection lever 132: Surface displacement sensor 132X: Front surface detection lever 133: Back surface displacement sensor 133X: Back surface detection lever 134: Magnetic sensor 139: Conveyance guide 150: Coin dispensing section 151: Upper dispensing section 152: Lower dispensing section 190: Control section 191: Microcomputer 1510: Reject conveyance path 1511: First conveyance path 1512: Second conveyance path 1513: Third conveyance path 1514: Fourth conveyance path 1515: Fifth conveyance path 1516: Sixth conveyance path 1517: Seventh conveyance path 1518: Eighth conveyance path 1519: Overflow conveyance path C1: Coin C2: Coin

Claims

1. A coin processing device comprising: a handling unit for receiving a plurality of coins and sending them out one by one at intervals; and a sorting unit for receiving the coins one by one from the handling unit, identifying the type of coin, and guiding the coin to a path for each type of coin, wherein 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, and identifies the type of coin based on the progression of the vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin and the progression of the vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin.

2. The coin processing device of claim 1, wherein 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, and identifies the type of the coin based on the progression of the vertical displacement of the top surface of the coin, the progression of the vertical displacement of the bottom surface of the coin, the material of the coin, and the diameter of the coin.

Images