Coin processing device

Abstract

Provided is a coin processing device (100) comprising: a handling unit (110) for accepting coins (10) and feeding out the coins one by one; a sorting unit (120) that receives the coins one by one from the handling unit, determines the coin type or the medal type while moving the coins along an arc, and guides the coins to type-specific paths; a common drive motor (106) that applies a drive force to the handling unit and the sorting unit; and a computer (190) that rotates the motor backward when the rotation of the handling unit is stopped. The sorting unit stops while the separating unit is rotated backward.

Description

Coin processing device

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

[0002] Conventionally, a device for receiving coins and sorting them for each type has been known. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024-067367 (Patent Document 1) discloses a coin processing device. According to Patent Document 1, a handling unit for receiving coins or medals and sending them out one by one at intervals, and a sorting unit for receiving coins or medals one by one from the handling unit and judging the types of coins or medals while moving the coins or medals along an arc and guiding them to the paths for each type are provided.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024-067367

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device that can smoothly recover the handling unit and the sorting unit even when coins are jammed.

[0005] According to an aspect of this invention, a coin processing device is provided, which includes a handling unit for receiving coins and sending them out one by one, a sorting unit for receiving coins one by one from the handling unit, judging the types of coins or medals while moving the coins along an arc, and guiding them to the paths for each type, a common motor for applying a driving force to the handling unit and the sorting unit, and a computer for reversely rotating the motor when the rotation of the handling unit stops. The sorting unit stops while the handling unit is reversely rotating.

[0006] As described above, according to the present invention, a coin processing device that can smoothly recover the handling unit and the sorting unit even when coins are jammed is provided.

[0007] This is an image diagram showing the overall appearance of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment. This is a right side cross-sectional view showing the bucket in the raised position, illustrating the overall configuration of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment. This is a right side cross-sectional view showing the bucket in the lowered position, illustrating the overall configuration of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment. This is an upper perspective view showing the identification and sorting unit according to the first embodiment. This is a plan view showing the identification and sorting unit according to the first embodiment. This is a left side cross-sectional view showing the front of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment, with the bucket in the lowered position. This is a front perspective view showing the front of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment, with the tray and front wall removed and the bucket in the lowered position. This is a left side cross-sectional view showing the front of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment, with the bucket in the raised position. This is a front perspective view showing the front of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment, with the tray and front wall removed and the bucket in the raised position. This is a front perspective view showing the front of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment, with the front wall removed and the bucket in the raised position. This is an enlarged perspective view showing the area around the bucket when the bucket is raised, with the front wall removed, illustrating the front of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment. This is an upper right perspective view of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment. This is a perspective view showing the drive mechanism of the sorting and separating section according to the first embodiment. This is a perspective view showing the drive mechanism of the sorting and separating section during forward rotation according to the first embodiment. This is a perspective view showing the drive mechanism of the sorting and separating section during reverse rotation according to the first embodiment. This is a perspective view showing the ratchet mechanism during forward rotation according to the first embodiment. This is a perspective view showing the ratchet mechanism during reverse rotation according to the first embodiment. This is a plan view showing the transport rotation shaft and ratchet mechanism according to the first embodiment. This is a plan view showing the drive mechanism from the motor to the intake rotation shaft according to the first embodiment. This is a plan view showing the state transition of the middle gear and time lag gear according to the first embodiment.

[0008] [First Embodiment] <Overall Configuration of Coin Processing Device 100> First, the overall configuration of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is an external view of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 1, the coin processing device 100 is composed of a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing 101, with a coin input opening 102 on the top surface and a coin discharge opening, which will be described later, on the front surface.

[0009] Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 in the state in which the bucket 160 is raised according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 in the state in which the bucket 160 is lowered according to this embodiment. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the coin processing device 100 is provided with an identification and sorting unit 109 at the top for feeding out coins 10 one by one, identifying them, sorting them by type and feeding them out. At the bottom, there is a storage and dispensing unit 150 for accumulating and dispensing coins 10 by type.

[0010] In this embodiment, the storage and dispensing unit 150 includes an upper storage unit 151 for four denominations and a lower storage unit 152 for four denominations. In this embodiment, the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152 can be removed while the front wall of the coin processing device 100 is removed.

[0011] In this embodiment, the coin processing device 100 has a control unit 190 located at the lower end of the identification and sorting unit 109. The control unit 190 is equipped with a microcomputer and various communication interfaces for controlling each part of the coin processing device 100. The microcomputer includes a CPU and various types of memory.

[0012] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the identification and sorting unit 109 with the upper cover 101A removed according to this embodiment. Figure 5 is a plan view of the identification and sorting unit 109 with the upper cover 101A removed according to this embodiment. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the multiple coins 10 that are inserted are sent one by one to the sorting unit 120 by the processing unit 110. For each coin 10, the sorting unit 120 identifies the type of coin 10 with the identification unit 1330 and sends it to the first transport path 1311 formed outside the sorting unit 120, the second transport path 1312 formed inside the sorting unit 120, the third transport path 1313 formed outside the sorting unit 120, the fourth transport path 1314 formed inside the sorting unit 120, or the fifth transport path formed outside the sorting unit 120. The materials are sent to the transport path 1315, the sixth transport path 1316 formed inside the sorting section 120, the seventh transport path 1317 formed outside the sorting section 120, the eighth transport path 1318 formed inside the sorting section 120, the overflow transport path 1319 formed outside the sorting section 120, or the reject transport path 1320 formed outside the sorting section 120.

[0013] Referring to Figures 2 to 5, the coins 10 sent to the first transport path 1311, the third transport path 1313, the fifth transport path 1315, and the seventh transport path 1317 outside the sorting unit 120 are accumulated in predetermined storage spaces in the lower storage unit 152 according to their denomination. More specifically, the coins 10 sent to the first transport path 1311 are sent to the rightmost storage space in the lower storage unit 152 when viewed from the front. The coins 10 sent to the third transport path 1313 are sent to the second storage space from the right in the lower storage unit 152. The coins 10 sent to the fifth transport path 1315 are sent to the second storage space from the left in the lower storage unit 152. The coins 10 sent to the seventh transport path 1317 are sent to the leftmost storage space in the lower storage unit 152.

[0014] Furthermore, the coins 10 sent to the second transport path 1312, the fourth transport path 1314, the sixth transport path 1316, and the eighth transport path 1318 inside the sorting section 120 are accumulated in predetermined storage spaces in the upper storage unit 151 according to their denomination. More specifically, the coins 10 sent to the second transport path 1312 are sent to the rightmost storage space of the upper storage unit 151 when viewed from the front. The coins 10 sent to the fourth transport path 1314 are sent to the second storage space from the right of the upper storage unit 151. The coins 10 sent to the sixth transport path 1316 are sent to the second storage space from the left of the upper storage unit 151. The coins 10 sent to the eighth transport path 1318 are sent to the leftmost storage space of the upper storage unit 151.

[0015] Figure 6 is a left side cross-sectional view of the front of the coin processing device 100 in the lowered state according to this embodiment. Figure 7 is a front perspective view of the coin processing device 100 showing the lowered state of the bucket 160. Note that Figure 7 shows the device with the bucket cover 103 and discharge tray 165 removed for illustrative purposes. Figure 8 is a left side cross-sectional view of the front of the coin processing device 100 in the raised state according to this embodiment. Figure 9 is a front perspective view of the coin processing device 100 showing the raised state of the bucket 160. Note that Figure 9 shows the device with the bucket cover 103 and discharge tray 165 removed for illustrative purposes. Figure 10 is also a front perspective view of the coin processing device 100 showing the raised state of the bucket 160. However, in Figure 10, the discharge tray 165 is shown for illustrative purposes.

[0016] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, in the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment, when dispensing coins 10, the bucket 160 lowers to its lower end in accordance with a command from the control unit 190. Then, in accordance with the command from the control unit 190, a specified number of coins 10 stored in each storage space are discharged forward and discharged into the discharge tray 165 by the bucket 160.

[0017] More specifically, the coins 10 accumulated in the upper storage unit 151 are sent forward by a conveyor belt driven according to a command from the control unit 190 and fall onto the top surface of the bucket 160. Similarly, the coins 10 accumulated in the lower storage unit 152 are also sent forward by a conveyor belt 154 driven according to a command from the control unit 190 and fall onto the top surface of the bucket 160.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the lower front of the housing 101 and the right and left front sides of the housing 101 are covered with a resin bucket cover 103. Then, as shown in Figures 8 to 10, the coins 10 are held by the bucket 160 body and the inner surface of the bucket cover 103 and lifted up to the discharge tray 165. More specifically, the bucket 160 is mainly composed of an inclined surface 160X that is lower at the front and higher at the rear. The coins 10 are held by this inclined surface 160X and the back surface of the bucket cover 103 of the coin processing device 100. More specifically, the coins 10 discharged from the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152 are held by the inclined surface 160X of the bucket 160, the back surface of the front portion of the housing 101 that forms the outer surface of the coin processing device 100, the left side of the front of the right side of the housing 101 of the coin processing device 100, and the right side of the front of the left side of the housing 101 of the coin processing device 100.

[0019] The bucket cover 103 has an opening above and behind the discharge tray 165. The bucket 160 rises to this opening according to instructions from the control unit 190. That is, it rises to a position above and behind the discharge tray 165. As a result, the coins 10 on the bucket 160 slide down and forward along the inclined surface 160X. That is, they slide down from the opening in the bucket cover 103 into the discharge tray 165.

[0020] Here, Figure 11 is an enlarged view showing the structure around the bucket 160 in the raised state according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, referring to Figures 5 and 11, coins that fail to be identified are sent to the reject transport path 1320 at the left end of the front of the sorting unit 120 and slide down forward and downward. Then they slide down the upper surface of the inclined surface 160X of the bucket 160 and slide into the discharge tray 165 from above the bucket cover 103. It is preferable that the inclination of the bottom surface of the reject transport path 1320 and the inclination of the inclined surface 160X of the bucket 160 are at the same angle.

[0021] Returning to Figures 6 and 8, in this embodiment, a coin slot 102 is provided above the bucket 160. An opening / closing shutter 104 is provided on the coin slot 102. In addition, an inclined surface 105 of the same size as the bucket 160 is formed above the bucket 160 and below the opening / closing shutter 104.

[0022] When accepting a coin 10, that is, when receiving, sorting, or storing the coin 10, the opening / closing shutter 104 is lowered according to a signal from the control unit 190, guiding the coin 10 to the processing unit 110. On the other hand, when not accepting a coin 10, the opening / closing shutter 104 is raised according to a signal from the control unit 190, causing the inserted coin 10 to be discharged as is, that is, dropped onto the inclined surface 105.

[0023] As a result, even if a coin 10 is inserted into the coin slot 102 when it is not intended to accept coins 10, the coin 10 will be smoothly discharged into the discharge tray 165 by the inclined surface 105. For example, even if the bucket 160 is lowered when the opening / closing shutter 104 is raised, the coin 10 inserted into the coin slot 102 will hit the inclined surface 105 and flow directly into the discharge tray 165, thus preventing it from falling to the position of the bucket 160.

[0024] Furthermore, referring to Figures 5 and 12, the coins 10 sent to the overflow transport path 1319 are configured to fall from the discharge port on the front right of the sorting unit 120 down to the bottom along the right side of the housing 101 of the coin processing device 100. <Configuration of the identification and sorting unit 109>

[0025] Next, the configuration of the identification and sorting unit 109 at the top of the coin processing device 100 will be described in detail. Referring to Figures 4, 5, and 13, as described above, the identification and sorting unit 109 mainly includes a processing unit 110 and a sorting unit 120. The processing unit 110 is located on the front side, i.e., the front part, of the coin processing device 100 and is for sending the coins that are successively inserted from the coin slot 102 to the sorting unit 120 one by one. The sorting unit 120 is located on the back side, i.e., the rear part, of the coin processing device 100 and identifies the type of coin sent from the processing unit 110 and sends it to the transport path according to the type. <Configuration of the processing unit 110>

[0026] The sorting section 110 will be described first. Referring to Figure 5, the sorting section 110 is provided with a circular base 111 and cylindrical side walls 112. A coin-receiving rotating disc 113 is positioned on the upper surface of the base 111. Multiple holes 113X into which coins are fitted are formed in the coin-receiving rotating disc 113. In this embodiment, three holes 113X are formed. That is, holes 113X are formed at 120° intervals around the drive shaft. The coin-receiving rotating disc 113 is driven by a motor, which will be described later, and pushes the coins fitted into the holes 113X outwards one by one through the discharge port 112X at the rear of the side wall 112 and sends them to the sorting section 120. More specifically, the coins rotate clockwise in a plan view in accordance with the movement of the holes 113X in the receiving turntable 113, and when they hit the guide pins 114, they are pushed backward along the alignment of the guide pins 114, that is, outwards from the side wall 112. <Configuration of the sorting section 120>

[0027] Next, the sorting unit 120 will be described. Referring to Figures 5 and 13, the sorting unit 120 is provided with a circular base 121. Above the base 121 is a conveying rotating body 123, which is driven by a motor described later. Multiple conveying pins 123X, 123X... are formed on the conveying rotating body 123 to push the coins forward from the rear. 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 rotating body 123. The conveying rotating body 123 is driven by a drive motor 106, which slides the coins one by one along the circumference of the base 121 in a counterclockwise direction in a plan view. In other words, in this embodiment, the sorting unit 120 can convey up to five coins simultaneously or send them to the conveying path.

[0028] The identification unit 1330 uses a magnetic sensor or the like to determine the authenticity of coins sent by the transport pins 123X and to identify the type of coin. The identification unit 1330 sends the determination result and identification result to the microcontroller of the control unit 190. In this embodiment, the microcontroller's memory stores the transport path or storage case location for each type of coin. Based on the determination result and identification result, the control unit 190 drives motors and solenoids on the base 121 to transport the coins to the reject path or to the transport path or storage location according to the type of coin. As described above, the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment transports four types of coins toward the outside of the circular sorting unit 120 and four types of coins toward the bottom of the circular sorting unit 120, making it possible to compactly sort and transport multiple types of coins. <Drive mechanism of the sorting unit 110 and sorting unit 120>

[0029] Next, the drive mechanisms of the processing unit 110 and the sorting unit 120 will be described. As shown in Figure 13, the driving force of the drive motor 106 is transmitted to the intake rotating shaft 1131 of the intake rotating disc 113 of the processing unit 110 via a plurality of gear groups 107, i.e., a gear reduction unit. In this embodiment, the driving force of the drive motor 106 is also provided to the conveying rotating body 123 between the gear groups 107 and the intake rotating shaft 1131. More specifically, the driving force of the drive motor 106 is also transmitted to the conveying rotating shaft 1231 of the conveying rotating body 123 via a first pulley 1084 having the same axis as the common shaft 1081 of the middle gear 1082 located at the rear of the gear group 107, and a timing belt 1239.

[0030] In other words, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 14, the driving force of a single drive motor 106 is used to simultaneously drive the intake rotating disc 113 of the processing unit 110 and the conveying rotating body 123 of the sorting unit 120.

[0031] More specifically, a central gear 1082 is fixed to the middle of the common shaft 1081 to receive driving force from the gear group 107. A first pulley 1084 is fixed to the upper part of the common shaft 1081. The driving force transmitted to the first pulley 1084 is transmitted to the second pulley 1284 via the timing belt 1239, and then to the conveying rotating shaft 1231. Meanwhile, a time lag gear 1083 is loosely fitted to the lower part of the common shaft 1081. The driving force from the central gear 1082 is transmitted to the time lag gear 1083, thereby transmitting driving force to the handling gear 1135 and the intake rotating shaft 1131.

[0032] In particular, in this embodiment, the timing of the coins being fed out by the rotation of the receiving turntable 113 of the sorting unit 110 corresponds to the timing of the conveying pins 123X of the conveying rotating body 123 of the sorting unit 120 starting to feed out coins. As described above, the receiving turntable 113 of the sorting unit 110 has three holes 113X, 113X, 113X, and the conveying rotating body 123 of the sorting unit 120 has five conveying pins 123X, 123X, 123X, 123X, 123X. Therefore, the number of teeth on the middle gear 1082 and time lag gear 1083 of the common shaft 1081, the diameter of the first pulley 1084, the number of teeth on the sorting gear 1135 of the intake rotating shaft 1131, and the diameter of the second pulley 1284 of the conveying rotating shaft 1231 are set so that the transport rotating body 123 of the sorting section 120 rotates by 72° while the intake rotating disc 113 of the sorting section 110 rotates by 120°.

[0033] As described above, in the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment, coins inserted through the coin slot 102 are sorted one by one in the sorting unit 110 and sent to the sorting unit 120. The three holes 113X, 113X, 113X of the intake turntable 113 and the five transport pins 123X, 123X, 123X, 123X, 123X of the transport rotating body 123 of the sorting unit 120 rotate synchronously with each other to transfer coins. The coins sent to the sorting unit 120 are then judged for authenticity, denomination, etc., in the identification unit 1330, and transported to their respective transport paths based on the result. <Mechanism for clearing jams>

[0034] The following describes the mechanism for restoring the coin-receiving rotating disc 113 of the sorting unit 110 when it stops due to a coin jam or other reasons. In this embodiment, when the coin-receiving rotating disc 113 stops, as shown in Figure 15, the drive of the conveying rotating body 123 of the sorting unit 120 is stopped for a certain period of time, while only the coin-receiving rotating shaft 1131 is rotated in the reverse direction.

[0035] More specifically, in this embodiment, if coins get jammed at the outlet of the sorting section 110, the driving force of the drive motor 106 is transmitted to the central gear 1082, the time lag gear 1083, and the intake rotating shaft 1131, but the transmission of driving force to the conveying rotating body 123 is cut off.

[0036] Specifically, as shown in Figure 16, a second pulley 1284 around which a timing belt 1239 is wound is rotatably loosely fitted onto the conveying rotating shaft 1231. A ratchet gear 1235 that meshes with the lower surface of the second pulley 1284 is fixed to the conveying rotating shaft 1231. The ratchet gear 1235 is biased upward by a lower compression spring 1234. The ratchet gear 1235 is configured to transmit only the positive driving force from the second pulley 1284 to the conveying rotating shaft 1231 when the teeth 1235X of the ratchet gear 1235 and the teeth 1284X of the second pulley 1284 are meshed.

[0037] As a result, when the drive motor 106 rotates in reverse, as shown in Figure 17, the driving force of the reverse rotation is transmitted to the common shaft 1081, the first pulley 1084, the timing belt 1239, and the second pulley 1284, but the teeth 1235X of the ratchet gear 1235 do not engage with the teeth 1284X of the second pulley 1284, causing it to spin freely and preventing the force from being transmitted to the conveying rotating body 123. In other words, the conveying rotating body 123 is stopped when the reverse rotation has started. In this embodiment, the conveying rotating shaft 1232 is provided with a brake 1236 having a predetermined resistance force.

[0038] Conversely, when the drive motor 106 starts rotating in the forward direction, as shown in Figure 16, this forward rotation is transmitted to the conveying rotating shaft 1231, the conveying rotating body 123, and the conveying pins 123X, 123X, 123X via the common shaft 1081, the first pulley 1084, the timing belt 1239, the second pulley 1284, and the ratchet gear 1235.

[0039] As shown in Figures 16 to 18, in this embodiment, the circumference of the ratchet ring is divided into five sections. That is, the number of divisions of the circumference matches the number of transport pins 123X, 123X, etc., so that regardless of the degree of reverse rotation of the drive motor 106, when the drive motor 106 resumes forward rotation, the synchronization of the start timing of forward rotation of the transport rotation shaft 1231 and the transport rotating body 123 can be maintained in relation to the common shaft 1081, etc.

[0040] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 19, regarding the drive mechanism of the handling unit 110, a time lag gear 1083 is loosely fitted below the central gear 1082 on the common shaft 1081. The forward rotational driving force and the reverse rotational driving force of the central gear 1082 are transmitted to the time lag gear 1083, causing the handling unit 110 to rotate in either the forward or reverse direction.

[0041] In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 19 and 20, two protrusions 1082X, 1082X are formed on the lower surface of the central gear 1082. Then, on the upper surface of the time lag gear 1083, two recesses 1083X, 1083X are formed, into which the two protrusions 1082X, 1082X fit. The radial length of the two recesses 1083X, 1083X is longer than the radial length of the two protrusions 1082X, 1082X.

[0042] As a result, even if the drive motor 106 starts rotating in reverse, the processing unit 110 does not immediately start rotating in reverse, and even if the drive motor 106 starts rotating in the forward direction again, the processing unit 110 does not immediately start rotating in the forward direction. In this embodiment, the intake rotating shaft 1131 is also provided with a brake 1136 having a predetermined resistance force.

[0043] In particular, in the present embodiment, the value obtained by subtracting the radial angle corresponding to the convex portion 1082X of the intermediate gear 1082 from the radial angle corresponding to the concave portion 1083X of the time lag gear 1083 is larger than the radial angle corresponding to one tooth of the ratchet gear 1235. As a result, when the drive motor 106 starts to resume normal rotation, the second pulley 1284 and the ratchet gear 1235 engage with each other first, and after the transport rotating body 123 starts to be driven, the sorting unit 110 starts to rotate forward. Therefore, the sorting process can be smoothly resumed without two or more coins overlapping with respect to the transport pins 123X of the transport rotating body 123.

[0044] That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to quickly remove coin jams while reducing the time for stopping or reversely rotating the sorting unit 110 and the sorting unit 120, and to resume the sorting process and the sorting process.

[0045] In the present embodiment, a sorting sensor 1133 for detecting the rotation of the intake rotating shaft 1131, which is the drive shaft of the intake turntable 113, is provided. Thereby, the microcomputer 191 according to the present embodiment can detect, via the sorting sensor 1133, that the intake turntable 113 is rotating forward, stopped, or rotating reversely.

[0046] And, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20(A), the microcomputer 191 normally rotates the drive motor 106 forward to rotate the sorting unit 110 and the sorting unit 120 forward. At this time, the tips of the convex portions 1082X and 1082X of the intermediate gear 1082 are in contact with the tips of the concave portions 1083X and 1083X of the time lag gear 1083. Also, the ratchet gear 1235 of the sorting unit 120 is also engaged.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 20(B), when coins are jammed in the sorting unit 110, the sorting unit 110 may stop. At this time, the drive motor 106 and the sorting unit 120 also stop. Note that the microcomputer 191 may detect that the sorting unit 110 has stopped based on a signal from the sorting sensor 1133, the rotation speed of the drive motor 106, or the like.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 20(C), the microcomputer 191 reversely rotates the drive motor 106. At this time, the convex portions 1082X, 1082X of the middle gear 1082 start to slide within the concave portions 1083X, 1083X of the time lag gear 1083. That is, the middle gear 1082 idles in the reverse direction for 85°. Regarding the sorting unit 120, the second pulley 1284 starts to slide in the reverse direction on the upper surface of the ratchet gear 1235. That is, the second pulley 1284 also idles.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 20(D), when the rear ends of the convex portions 1082X, 1082X of the middle gear 1082 contact the rear ends of the concave portions 1083X, 1083X of the time lag gear 1083, the time lag gear 1083 starts to rotate reversely. That is, the discharging portion 110 rotates reversely to eliminate the coin jam. Regarding the sorting unit 120, since the second pulley 1284 continues to slide on the upper surface of the ratchet gear 1235, the sorting unit 120 remains stopped.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 20(E), when the microcomputer 191 reversely rotates the drive motor 106 for a predetermined time, the microcomputer 191 stops the drive motor 106. Alternatively, when the microcomputer 191 reversely rotates the drive motor 106 by a predetermined angle, for example, 360°, etc., the microcomputer 191 stops the drive motor 106.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 20(F), the microcomputer 191 rotates the drive motor 106 forward. As a result, the convex portions 1082X, 1082X of the middle gear 1082 start to slide within the concave portions 1083X, 1083X of the time lag gear 1083. That is, the middle gear 1082 idles in the forward direction for 85°. Regarding the sorting unit 120, the second pulley 1284 starts to slide in the forward direction on the upper surface of the ratchet gear 1235. That is, the second pulley 1284 also idles.

[0052] However, in this embodiment, since the free rotation interval of the ratchet gear 1235 is shorter than the free rotation interval of the time lag gear 1083, the second pulley 1284 engages with the ratchet gear 1235 first. In other words, the conveying rotating body 123 and the conveying pins 123X, 123X... begin to rotate in the forward direction first. To put it another way, the sorting unit 120 is configured to rotate before the processing unit 110 by at least the distance between the conveying pins 123X.

[0053] Then, when the sorting unit 120 has advanced by at least the distance of the transport pins 123X, as shown in Figure 20(G), the tips of the protrusions 1082X, 1082X of the middle gear 1082 come into contact with the tips of the recesses 1083X, 1083X of the time lag gear 1083, causing the time lag gear 1083 to start rotating in the forward direction. In other words, the processing unit 110 starts rotating in the forward direction. The sorting unit 120 continues to rotate in the forward direction. <Summary>

[0054] In the above embodiment, a coin processing device is provided that includes a sorting unit for receiving coins and dispensing them one by one, a sorting unit that receives coins one by one from the sorting unit, moves the coins along an arc, determines the type of coin or medal, and guides them to a path for each type, a common motor that provides driving force to the sorting unit and the sorting unit, and a computer that reverses the rotation of the motor when the rotation of the sorting unit stops. The sorting unit stops while the sorting unit is rotating in reverse.

[0055] Preferably, when the motor resumes forward rotation, the sorting and processing sections also resume forward rotation.

[0056] Preferably, a ratchet mechanism is provided on the drive shaft of the sorting unit so that the sorting unit is stopped while the cutting unit is rotating in reverse, and the forward rotation of the sorting unit resumes when the motor resumes forward rotation.

[0057] Preferably, the spacing at which the ratchet mechanism engages is configured to match the spacing at which the coins are transported in the sorting section.

[0058] Preferably, a time lag mechanism is provided in the transmission path from the motor to the drive shaft of the sorting unit, so that when the motor resumes forward rotation, the sorting unit starts forward rotation first, and then the sorting unit starts forward rotation later.

[0059] Preferably, a time lag mechanism is used so that when the motor resumes forward rotation, the sorting section rotates forward for a longer period than the conveying interval before the processing section begins to rotate forward.

[0060] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included.

[0061] 10: Coins 100: Coin processing device 101: Housing 101A: Top cover 102: Coin slot 103: Bucket cover 104: Opening / closing shutter 105: Inclined surface 106: Motor 107: Gear group 109: Identification and sorting unit 110: Processing unit 111: Base 112: Side wall 112X: Discharge port 113: Intake rotating disc 113X: Hole 114: Guide pin 120: Sorting unit 121: Base 123: Conveying rotating body 123X: Conveying pin 150: Storage and dispensing unit 151: Upper storage unit 152: Lower storage unit 160: Bucket 160X: Inclined surface 165: Discharge tray 190: Control unit 191: Microcontroller 1081: Common shaft 1082: Middle gear 1082X: Protrusion 1083: Time lag gear 1083X: Recess 1084: First pulley 1131: Take-in rotating shaft 1133: Handling sensor 1135: Handling gear 1231: Conveying rotating shaft 1234: Compression spring 1235: Ratchet gear 1239: Timing belt 1284: Second pulley 1311: First conveying path 1312: Second conveying path 1313: Third conveying path 1314: Fourth conveying path 1315: Fifth conveying path 1316: Sixth conveying path 1317: Seventh conveying path 1318 : Eighth transport path 1319 : Overflow transport path 1320 : Reject transport path 1330 : Identification unit

Claims

1. A coin processing device comprising: a sorting unit for receiving coins and dispensing them one by one; a sorting unit that receives the coins one by one from the sorting unit, moves the coins along an arc, determines the type of coin or medal, and guides them to a path for each type; a common motor that provides driving force to the sorting unit and the sorting unit; and a computer that reverses the rotation of the motor when the rotation of the sorting unit stops, wherein the sorting unit stops while the sorting unit is rotating in reverse.

2. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the motor resumes forward rotation, the sorting unit and the processing unit resume forward rotation.

3. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a ratchet mechanism is provided on the drive shaft of the sorting unit, so that the sorting unit is stopped while the sorting unit is rotating in reverse, and the forward rotation of the sorting unit is resumed when the motor resumes forward rotation.

4. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the interval at which the ratchet mechanism engages is configured to match the interval at which the coins are transported in the sorting section.

5. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a time lag mechanism is provided in the transmission path from the motor to the drive shaft of the sorting unit, so that when the motor resumes forward rotation, the sorting unit starts forward rotation first, and then the sorting unit starts forward rotation later.

6. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the time lag mechanism is configured such that when the motor resumes forward rotation, the sorting unit rotates forward for a longer period than the transport interval before the processing unit begins to rotate forward.

Images