JP4119141B2 - Coin dispenser - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coin dispensing device, and more particularly to a coin dispensing device suitable for use by connecting to an electronic device such as a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal or an ECR (Electronic Cash Register).
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, it has a built-in coin storage unit that stores coins of 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, 500 yen, etc. for each denomination, and stores coins by issuing change-out instructions from POS terminals and ECRs. 2. Description of the Related Art Coin dispensing devices that pay out the coins in the department to the coin dispensing outlet by the change amount are becoming widespread.
[0003]
In such a coin dispensing device, coins in a coin storage unit corresponding to each denomination are transported by a transport belt, and are connected to a shutter solenoid and can be moved forward and backward with respect to a coin transport path on each transport belt. By providing this, a desired number of coins of a desired denomination are paid out.
[0004]
FIG. 8 is a side view showing a coin shutter 100 provided in a conventional coin dispensing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 8, the coin shutter 100 is provided so as to be movable forward and backward with respect to the conveyor belt 101 by being supported so as to be rotatable about a support shaft 100a. The coin shutter 100 is biased in the direction of the transport belt 101 and is displaced in a direction away from the transport belt 101 by being driven by the shutter solenoid 102. As a result, the coin shutter 100 presses the leading coin c on the conveyor belt 101 with the tip end portion 100b and rotates around the support shaft 100a when the shutter solenoid 102 connected to the other end is driven. It is possible to pay out the coins c as many as the number.
[0005]
Moreover, the shape of the front-end | tip part 100b of the coin shutter 100 is made into the vertically long shape parallel to a coin conveyance direction.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, generally, since the space between the coins conveyed on the conveyor belt is very narrow and the space where the coin shutter can be dropped is limited, the coin shutter as described above is first placed on the last coin to be paid out. After falling and moving on the last coin, it is controlled to fall between coins.
[0007]
However, as shown to Fig.9 (a), the front-end | tip part 100b of the coin shutter 100 is parallel to a coin conveyance direction, and is a vertically long shape. As shown in FIG. 9 (b), when the leading end portion 100b of the coin shutter 100 falls on the coin c, the coin clogging is caused by the leading end portion 100b of the coin shutter 100 being caught by the irregularities on the surface of the coin c. And the coin surface is scraped by the tip 100b of the coin shutter 100, causing a problem that the tip 100b of the coin shutter 100 is loaded and the coin shutter 100 is damaged.
[0008]
Further, if the tip end portion 100b of the coin shutter 100 is brought too close to the end portion of the coin transfer surface, the tip end portion 100b of the coin shutter 100 is transferred to the side surface 103 (see FIG. 9) of the coin transfer path and the coin c being transferred. There is also a problem that coin clogging occurs due to being caught between the two.
[0009]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a coin dispensing device that can prevent coin clogging and prevent damage to a coin shutter.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides a coin dispensing device including a coin shutter that is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a dispensing belt that dispenses coins, and that allows passage of coins in the conveyance direction by retreating from the dispensing belt according to a coin dispensing instruction. The shape of the tip of the coin shutter is long in a direction orthogonal to the coin transport direction, and the tip of the coin shutter has one end positioned on the side of the coin payout path at the coin payout path. Between the one end and the inner peripheral edge of the convex portion on the side surface formed on the peripheral edge portion of the coin on the coin payout path that is transported close to the side surface, and from the one end to the coin payout path The other end located on the side away from the side surface of the coin is longer than the maximum distance from the side surface of the coin payout path to the coins conveyed in proximity to the side surface, and away from the one end. Attached location, forming the coin shutter, at least in the periphery part of the coin of the tip during the period from the fall onto the coin it is conveyed its tip by the payout belt until the coin has passed It touches only on the convex part currently formed, and it formed so that it might fall between the passed coin and the coin conveyed next after the passage of a coin.
[0011]
Therefore, since the convex part formed in the peripheral part of the coin is formed at a certain height, and the coin has no higher part than the convex part, the coin shutter is conveyed on the payout belt. When falling down, the tip of the coin shutter is not caught by the irregularities on the surface of the coin, and the surface of the coin is not scraped by the tip of the coin shutter.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The coin dispensing device of the present embodiment is a coin dispensing device that is used by being connected to a POS terminal (not shown) that is an electronic device, and is used together with various modules such as a banknote depositing and dispensing device and a money drawer. It is applied to the dispensing device.
[0013]
Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the coin dispensing device 1, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the coin dispensing device 1, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal side view showing the internal structure of the coin dispensing device 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a coin insertion slot 3 that opens upward is provided in front of the right side of a housing 2 that is a housing of the coin dispensing apparatus 1. The coin insertion slot 3 is provided with a plurality of sets of insertion sensors 4 for photoelectrically detecting the presence or absence of coins.
[0014]
A coin dispensing mechanism A is built in the housing 2. Hereinafter, the coin dispensing mechanism A will be described in detail.
[0015]
The coin slot 3 is provided with a slot belt 5 that is connected to and driven by a motor M (see FIG. 6) and conveys the inserted coins toward the back. On the insertion slot belt 5, there is provided an insertion slot roller 6 that is positioned at one end of the coin insertion slot 3 and that feeds out irregularly inserted coins one by one. Further, the insertion belt 5 is driven by being connected to a motor M (see FIG. 6), and the conveying speed is increased so that the coin feeding speed can be increased to feed each coin through a predetermined gap. Further, the conveyor belt 7 is continuously provided. Further, the end portion of the transport belt 7 is provided with a coin guide portion 50 that bends the transport direction substantially at a right angle and substantially parallel to the width direction of the coin dispensing device 1, and the coin guide portion 50 causes the transport direction to be approximately a right angle. A transport mechanism 8 for transporting the bent coin C to a coin sorting position (a coin sorting unit 11 described later) is provided.
[0016]
Therefore, the coins inserted into the coin slot 3 are transported by forming the coin transport path to the coin sorting position by the slot belt 5, the slot roller 6, the transport belt 7, the coin guide 50 and the transport mechanism 8. A coin transport unit 9 is configured.
[0017]
Below the transport mechanism 8, a sorting hole 10 for each denomination whose hole width dimension is sequentially increased along the transport mechanism 8 is provided, which is located at the coin sorting position, and the transported coin is denominated A coin sorting unit 11 is formed for sorting. In FIG. 2, six sorting holes 10 having a size corresponding to each denomination are provided in the order of 1 yen, 50 yen, 5 yen, 100 yen, 10 yen, and 500 yen from the right side. Each sorting hole 10 is provided with a counting sensor 12 for counting the number of coins for each denomination.
[0018]
Here, FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the sorting hole 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the sorting hole 10 is a plate-like member in which holes for each denomination whose hole width dimension is sequentially increased, and is an upper opening coin partitioned by the denomination plate 13 for each denomination. It communicates with the storage portion 14 (14a to 14f). Although the coin dispensing device of the present embodiment will be described in detail later, since the downsizing is realized by narrowing the width of each of the coin storage units 14a to 14f, it is placed on each of the coin storage units 14a to 14f. The respective sorting holes 10 to be provided are necessarily provided close to each other. In such a sorting hole 10, an inclined guide 10 a for guiding the coin C falling from the sorting hole 10 into the inside of the coin storage portion 14 is provided. These inclined guides 10a are inclined downwardly toward the end farther from the end closer to the reference surface 10b of the sorting hole 10, and the coins C that have been sorted and dropped by the sorting hole 10 are tilted downward. Drop towards In addition, the reference surface 10b of the sorting hole 10 is a coin guide surface for obtaining a coin C conveyance reference necessary for correctly dropping the corresponding coin C from the sorting hole 10 provided for each denomination.
[0019]
Next, the coin storage unit 14, the coin standby unit 19 and the like will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, a payout belt 15, which is a conveying belt that is driven by being connected to a motor M (see FIG. 6), is driven by a driving roller 16 and a follower at the bottom of each denomination of the coin storage unit 14. It is provided so as to span the roller 17.
[0020]
Here, the width of the bottom surface of the coin storage portions 14a to 14f is wider than the diameter of the coin C stored in each coin storage portion 14a to 14f, and the coin C stored in each coin storage portion 14a to 14f. Is set to be narrower than the width obtained by adding the thickness of the coin C to the diameter. The width of each of the coin storage portions 14a to 14f is defined in this way because the coin C stored in the coin storage portions 14a to 14f in a state parallel to the payout belt 15 and the partition plate 13 of the coin storage portions 14a to 14f. This is to prevent the coin C in an upright state from entering the gap between the two and the coin C stored in the coin storage portions 14a to 14f.
[0021]
The payout belt 15 is an endless belt, and is inclined so as to form an ascending slope whose height increases toward the downstream side in the coin conveyance direction. A separation roller 18 that separates the coins one by one is disposed at the exit of the coin storage unit 14 with an interval through which one coin can pass with respect to the payout belt 15, and all It arrange | positions so that the exit part of a money type may be crossed for every money type.
[0022]
Furthermore, a coin standby unit 19 is provided for each denomination at the outlet of the coin storage unit 14 to place a predetermined number of coins in a line and wait. Note that the coin standby unit 19 includes a payout belt 15 and also functions as a coin payout path.
[0023]
Each coin standby unit 19 is provided with a coin shutter 20 which is connected to a shutter solenoid 21 and whose operation is controlled so as to temporarily stop coins and send out a required number of coins. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the coin shutter 20 is connected to a shutter solenoid 21, and is provided so as to advance and retreat with respect to the payout belt 15 as the shutter solenoid 21 is driven. That is, the coin shutter 20 is displaced in the direction of retreating from the payout belt 15 when the shutter solenoid 21 is driven. As a result, the coin shutter 20 presses the leading coin C (see FIG. 3) on the payout belt 15 at the front end portion 20b, but the number of sheets specified by being retracted from the payout belt 15 as the shutter solenoid 21 is driven. Only coin C can be paid out.
[0024]
Here, FIG. 6A shows a state in which the front end 20b of the coin shutter 20 is dropped on the coin C1 being conveyed by the payout belt 15, and FIG. 6B shows the front end 20b of the coin shutter 20. FIG. 6C shows a state in which the coin C2 that has been transported next is stopped by the tip 20b of the coin shutter 20. FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the shape of the tip 20b of the coin shutter 20 is long in the direction orthogonal to the coin transport direction. More specifically, the tip end portion 20b of the coin shutter 20 has its one end Y1 conveyed from the side surface 19a of the coin standby portion 19 which is a coin payout path to the side surface 19a, and is conveyed by the payout belt 15. The other end Y2 is positioned from the side surface 19a of the coin standby portion 19 to this side surface 19a. Is positioned at a position that is longer than one end Y1 longer than the maximum distance to the coin C that is conveyed in the vicinity. In the present embodiment, the shape of the tip 20b of the coin shutter 20 is an ellipse, and the thickness in the coin transport direction is about 2 mm.
[0025]
The reason why the shape of the tip portion 20b of the coin shutter 20 is the above-described shape (elliptical shape) will be described. Since the space between the coins C conveyed on the payout belt 15 is very narrow and the space in which the coin shutter 20 can be dropped is limited, the coin shutter 20 first falls onto the last coin C1 to be paid out (FIG. 6). (See (a).) After moving on the last coin C1, it is controlled so as to fall between the coin C1 and the next coin C2 (see FIG. 6B). Here, one end Y1 of the front end portion 20b of the coin shutter 20 is transferred from the side surface 19a of the coin standby portion 19 serving as a coin payout path to the side surface 19a and conveyed by the payout belt 15 on the coin standby portion 19. It is positioned between the peripheral edge (edge) of C (C1, C2) and the inner peripheral edge x of the convex part X on the side surface 19a side. Moreover, the other end Y2 of the front end portion 20b of the coin shutter 20 is longer than the one end Y1 longer than the maximum interval from the side surface 19a of the coin standby unit 19 to the coin C (C1, C2) conveyed in proximity to the side surface 19a. It is located at a distant position.
[0026]
Therefore, when the tip 20b of the coin shutter 20 falls on the coin C1 conveyed on the payout belt 15, it always comes into contact with the convex portion X that is a peripheral edge (edge) formed on the coin C1. Since the convex portion X of the coin C1 is formed at a certain height and there is no portion higher than the convex portion X in the coin C1, the tip portion 20b of the coin shutter 20 is uneven on the surface of the coin C1. Since the surface of the coin C is not scraped by the tip portion 20b of the coin shutter 20, it is possible to prevent clogging of coins and damage of the coin shutter 20.
[0027]
Further, since the tip 20b of the coin shutter 20 is not sandwiched between the side 19a of the coin standby 19 and the coin C2 that has been conveyed, the tip 20b of the coin shutter 20 and the side 19a of the coin standby 19 are used. It is possible to prevent clogging of coins due to being pinched between the conveyed coins C2. Then, after the passage of the coin C1, the tip 20b of the coin shutter 20 that has been reliably dropped between the passed coin C1 and the next transported coin C2 ensures that the next transported coin C2 is secured. It can be stopped (see FIG. 6C).
[0028]
Immediately after the coin shutter 20, a payout sensor 22 which is an optical sensor for counting the number of coins paid out for each denomination and a material sensor 27 which is an oscillation coil for detecting the material of the coin are provided. ing.
[0029]
Further, a coin payout position where the coins are dropped into denominations by the payout belt 15, and a housing-like coin payout opening 23 having an open top surface is disposed in front of the left side of the housing 2. The coin payout outlet 23 is provided to be shifted to the left side. A display 24 and various operation keys 26 are provided above the coin payout opening 23.
[0030]
Next, the electrical connection of each part built in the coin dispensing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The coin dispensing device 1 includes a control unit 30 that controls each unit, and a POS terminal is connected to the control unit 30 via an interface (I / F) 31. Although not specifically illustrated here, the control unit 30 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that centrally controls each unit, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores fixed data such as a control program in advance, and a coin C of denomination It is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like that stores variable data such as the number of sheets in a rewritable manner. The control unit 30 is also connected with a display 24 and operation keys 26.
[0031]
Furthermore, the control unit 30 is connected to a sensor 32 such as a closing sensor 4, a counting sensor 12, a payout sensor 22, a material sensor 27, a shutter solenoid 21, each motor M, and the like. Here, the sensors 32 such as the insertion sensor 4, the counting sensor 12, the payout sensor 22, and the material sensor 27 transmit, for example, a signal obtained by optically detecting the coin C, a fluctuation in coil voltage, and the like to the control unit 30. Based on this detection signal, the control unit 30 drives and controls each motor M. The shutter solenoid 21 is driven and controlled based on a signal output from the control unit 30 and is energized (ON) to displace the coin shutter 20 in the direction away from the payout belt 15, and the designated number of coins C is paid out. Although only one shutter solenoid 21 is shown here, in actuality, the control unit 30 individually controls each denomination.
[0032]
In such a configuration, when a coin C is inserted into the coin insertion slot 3, the insertion sensor 4 detects the coin C, and this detection signal detects the insertion slot belt 5, the insertion slot roller 6, the conveyance belt 7, and the conveyance belt. 63 is driven. The coins C inserted into the coin insertion slot 3 are separated and conveyed one by one between the insertion slot belt 5 and the insertion slot roller 6. Thereafter, the coin C transported by the transport belt 7 is bent at a substantially right angle by the coin guide unit 50 and transferred from the transport belt 7 to the transport belt 63, and the coin sorting unit 11 performs sorting for each denomination. Made. That is, the coin C falls from the sorting hole 10 according to the denomination and is stored in the coin storage units 14a to 14f in denominations. Then, the number of coins C falling from the sorting hole 10 is counted by the counting sensor 12.
[0033]
Further, when there is no coin C in the coin standby unit 19, the operation is controlled so that the payout belt 15 is driven and a predetermined number of coins C are always present in the coin standby unit 19.
[0034]
Next, a tightening process is performed at the POS terminal, and when a payout command for coins C is issued from the POS terminal, the payout belt 15 is driven and the coin shutter 20 is driven by the shutter solenoid 21 for each denomination. The required number of coins C is sent out. At this time, when the tip 20b of the coin shutter 20 falls on the coin C being conveyed by the payout belt 15, the tip 20b always comes into contact with the convex portion X which is the peripheral edge (edge) of the coin C, and the coin C Is formed between the coin C that has passed and the coin C that has been transported next, so that the convex portion X that is the peripheral edge of the coin C has a constant height. Since the formed coin C does not have a portion higher than the convex portion X, when the coin shutter 20 falls on the coin C conveyed on the payout belt 15, the tip end portion 20 b of the coin shutter 20. Is not caught by the irregularities on the surface of the coin C, and the surface of the coin C is not scraped by the tip 20b of the coin shutter 20. The coin C sent out in this way is paid out to the coin payout exit 23.
[0035]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the coin is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the payout belt 15 for paying out coins, and allows the coin C to pass in the transport direction by retreating from the payout belt 15 in accordance with a coin payout command. At least a part of the tip 20b of the shutter 20 from the time when the tip 20b is dropped onto the coin C being conveyed by the payout belt 15 until the coin C passes through the peripheral edge (edge) of the coin C. ) That is always in contact with the convex portion X, and is formed so as to fall between the passed coin C and the next transported coin C after passing the coin C. The convex portion X which is a (edge) is formed at a constant height, and there is no portion higher than the convex portion X in the coin C. Therefore, the coin C in which the coin shutter 20 is transported on the payout belt 15. Falling on In this case, the tip 20b of the coin shutter 20 is not caught by the irregularities on the surface of the coin C, and the surface of the coin C is not scraped by the tip 20b of the coin shutter 20, thereby preventing coin clogging. The coin shutter 20 can be prevented from being damaged.
[0036]
Moreover, in this Embodiment, the front-end | tip part 20b of the coin shutter 20 is a shape long in the direction orthogonal to a coin conveyance direction, Therefore The front-end | tip part 20b of the coin shutter 20 is the coin waiting | standby part 19 of FIG. Coin clogging caused by being caught between the side surface 19a and the conveyed coin C is prevented, and the tip 20b of the coin shutter 20 is conveyed next to the coin C that has passed after the coin C has passed. It can be reliably dropped between coins C.
[0037]
Further, in the present embodiment, it is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the payout belt 15 constituting the coin payout path 19, and allows the coin C to pass in the transport direction by retreating from the payout belt 15 in accordance with a coin payout command. The tip portion 20b of the coin shutter 20 is long in the direction orthogonal to the coin transport direction, and the tip portion 20b of the coin shutter 20 has a side surface of the coin standby portion 19 whose one end Y1 is a coin payout path. From 19a to the inner peripheral edge x of the convex portion X on the side surface 19a formed on the peripheral edge (edge) of the coin C on the coin standby portion 19 conveyed by the payout belt 15 in the vicinity of the side surface 19a. Positioned in the middle, the other end Y2 is separated from one end Y1 longer than the maximum distance from the side surface 19a of the coin standby unit 19 to the coin C conveyed in proximity to the side surface 19a. By being positioned at the position, the leading end 20b of the coin shutter 20 is a convex that is a peripheral edge (edge) formed on the coin C when it falls onto the coin C being conveyed on the payout belt 15. The protrusion X of the coin C is always in contact with the portion X, and the coin C is formed at a certain height, and the coin C has no portion higher than the protrusion X. Is not caught by the irregularities on the surface of the coin C, and the surface of the coin C is not scraped by the tip portion 20b of the coin shutter 20, so that it is possible to prevent clogging of coins and to prevent damage to the coin shutter 20. can do. Further, since the tip 20b of the coin shutter 20 is not sandwiched between the side 19a of the coin standby 19 and the coin C that has been conveyed, the tip 20b of the coin shutter 20 and the side 19a of the coin standby 19 are used. Coin clogging caused by being pinched between the conveyed coins C is prevented, and after passing the coins C, the coins C that have passed the coins C and the coins C that have been conveyed next are prevented. Can fall between.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while being able to prevent a coin clogging, damage to a coin shutter can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a coin dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an internal structure of the coin dispensing device.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal side view showing the internal structure of the coin dispensing device.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a sorting hole.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing the overall structure of the coin shutter.
6A is an explanatory view showing a state in which the tip end portion of the coin shutter is dropped on the coin C1 being conveyed by the payout belt, and FIG. 6B is a view in which the coin C1 passes through the tip end portion of the coin shutter. FIG. 6C is an explanatory view showing a state in which the coin C2 conveyed next by the front end portion of the coin shutter is stopped.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection of each part built in the coin dispensing device.
FIG. 8 is a side view showing a coin shutter provided in a conventional coin dispensing device.
9A is an explanatory diagram showing the shape of the tip of the coin shutter, and FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the tip of the coin shutter is dropped on the coin.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Coin delivery apparatus, 15 ... Delivery belt, 19 ... Coin delivery path, 19a ... Side surface of coin delivery path, 20 ... Coin shutter, 20b ... Tip part of coin shutter, C ... Coin, X ... Coin convex part, Y1 ... one end of the tip of the coin shutter, Y2 ... the other end of the tip of the coin shutter

Claims (1)

In a coin dispensing apparatus provided with a coin shutter that is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a dispensing belt that dispenses coins, and that allows passage of coins in the conveyance direction by retreating from the dispensing belt according to a coin dispensing instruction.
The shape of the tip of the coin shutter is a shape that is long in a direction orthogonal to the coin conveyance direction,
The tip portion of the coin shutter is formed at a peripheral edge portion of the coin on the coin dispensing path in which one end located on the side surface side of the coin dispensing path is conveyed close to the side surface from the side surface of the coin dispensing path. The other end located between the one end and the inner peripheral edge of the convex portion on the side face, and located on the side away from the side face of the coin payout path from the one end is transported close to the side face from the side face of the coin payout path. Positioned at a position away from the one end longer than the maximum distance to the coin to be
The coin shutter has a convex portion in which at least a part of its tip is formed on the peripheral edge of the coin after the tip of the coin shutter falls on the coin being conveyed by the payout belt. A coin dispensing apparatus, wherein the coin dispensing apparatus is formed so as to be in contact with only a part and fall between a coin that has been passed and a coin that has been transported next after the coin has passed.

Images