Patent Grant
11854332
The present invention relates to a coin distribution mechanism and an apparatus for discriminating and conveying coins equipped with the one or more coin distribution mechanisms. More particularly, the present invention relates to a coin distribution mechanism that is configured to distribute coins that are conveyed on a coin conveyance path into their denominations, and an apparatus for discriminating and conveying coins that includes the one or more coin distribution mechanisms.
In this specification, the term “coin” has a wide meaning that includes not only coins as currency but also coin equivalents such as tokens and medals other than coins as currency, in which the shape of a “coin” is not limited to a circular one and may be a polygonal or any other one.
Conventionally, apparatuses for discriminating and conveying coins that are configured to automatically conduct the separation and discrimination operations of coins which are stored in a coin storage section and the subsequent conveyance and distribution operations of the coins thus separated and discriminated have been known. For example, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 5760233 issued on Jun. 19, 2015 discloses a coin depositing/dispensing apparatus, which comprises a coin separation section using a rotary disk (a rotary plate), a denomination discrimination section using a rotary wiper (a rotor), and a coin conveyance and distribution section using an endless belt and a guide rail. The coin separation section, the denomination discrimination section, and the coin conveyance and distribution section are aligned, in other words, arranged linearly, in which coins to be processed are conveyed along an approximately straight line (in approximately the same direction) in a horizontal plane when seeing macroscopically. The coin conveyance and distribution section comprises distribution sections that are arranged along the conveyance direction of the coins, in which the total number of the distribution sections is set to be correspondent to the total number of the denominations to be processed. The coin conveyance and distribution section is configured in such a way that the respective coins are distributed according to their denominations while being successively conveyed through the distribution sections.
With the typical structure of the coin conveyance and distribution section of the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned Publication No. 5760233, coins of “one relevant denomination” are distributed in each of the distribution sections. An example of the distribution sections of this type is shown in the coin processing apparatus (the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus) disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-057269 issued on Apr. 11, 2019. For example, in the case where coins of eight denominations are processed, eight distribution sections are provided in the coin conveyance and distribution section, and coins of “one relevant denomination” are distributed in each of the eight distribution sections. The coin processing apparatus (the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus) of Publication No. 2019-057269 is configured in such a way that coins of one relevant denomination, which have been discriminated by the coin discrimination section as target coins to be counted, are conveyed to a first coin dispensing box, and coins of another relevant denomination, which have been discriminated by the coin discrimination section as non-target coins, are conveyed to a second coin dispensing box.
On the other hand, the structure for distributing coins of “two relevant denominations” in each of the distribution sections is also known. In this structure, for example, as shown in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 4997374 issued on May 25, 2012 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-198010 issued on Dec. 13, 2018, two or more gate members are provided in each of the distribution sections. The operations of the two or more gate members are individually controlled in such a way as to open or close the corresponding gates, thereby distributing the “two relevant denominations” in each of the distribution sections.
Specifically, with the coin distribution apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned Publication No. 4997374, each of the distribution sections comprises a second opening that is closable by a corresponding second gate member (a movable guide rail) in addition to a first opening that is closable by a corresponding first gate member, in which the first and second openings are disposed adjacent to each other. Coins of a relevant denomination are distributed by opening or closing the first opening using the corresponding first gate member, and coins of another relevant denomination are distributed by opening or closing the second opening using the corresponding second gate member (the movable guide rail). In this way, with the apparatus of the aforementioned Publication No. 4997374, coins of “two” relevant denominations can be distributed or sorted in each of the distribution sections.
With the coin dividing apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned Publication No. 2018-198010, there are provided with first and second dividing members (first and second gate members) that are configured to divide coins from a conveyance path, and a driving part that is configured to set each of the first and second dividing members at one of a first state where the coins are guided in the downstream direction of the conveyance path, a second state where the coins are guided in a first direction for dropping the coins from the conveyance path, and a third state where the coins are guided in a second direction which is different from the downstream direction and the first direction. By displacing the first gate member and the second gate member using the driving part, one of the first, second, and third states can be selectively formed. In this way, with the apparatus of the aforementioned Publication No. 2018-198010, coins of “two” relevant denominations can be distributed or sorted in each of the distribution sections.
As disclosed in the aforementioned Publication No. 4997374 and Publication No. 2018-198010, it is possible to distribute coins of “two relevant denominations” to sort the coins of the said two denominations during conveyance by providing two gate members in each of the distribution sections of the coin conveyance and distribution section in the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus of the aforementioned Publication No. 5760233 and by separately controlling the operations of the said two gate members. However, the two gate members are provided in each of the distribution sections and thus, two driving mechanisms need to be provided for driving the said two gate members. This means that a control program for separately controlling the operations of the two driving mechanisms is inevitably complicated. In other words, when the two gate members are provided in each of the distribution sections, not only the mechanical configuration of each distribution mechanism but also the control program therefor are complicated and therefore, providing the two gate members in each of the distribution sections is disadvantageous from the viewpoint of the fabrication cost and the maintenance.
In addition, since the total number of the distribution sections of the coin conveyance and distribution section of the aforementioned Publication No. 5760233 needs to be set in accordance with the total number (e.g., eight) of the denominations to be processed, both of the overall mechanical configuration of the coin conveyance and distribution section and the control programs therefor are complicated and therefore, the aforementioned disadvantageous situation will be conspicuous furthermore.
Furthermore, in recent years, further downsizing and/or space saving with respect to apparatuses for discriminating and conveying coins has been strongly required. Thus, it is an urgent need to simplify the mechanical configuration of the individual distribution section including a driving mechanism therefor.
The present invention was created while taking the aforementioned circumstances into consideration.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a coin distribution mechanism that makes it possible to distribute two desired denominations of coins using a single gate member.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a coin distribution mechanism that is simpler in mechanical configuration and driving mechanism than the aforementioned conventional coin distribution mechanisms where two desired denominations are distributed using two gate members, that is easy in reducing the fabrication cost and facilitating the maintenance, and that is easy in producing control program for a driving mechanism and version up thereof.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for discriminating and conveying coins that can easily meet the recent requirement for downsizing and/or space saving through the size reduction of each of the distribution sections.
The above objects together with others not specifically mentioned here will become clear to those skilled in the art from the following description.
(1) According to a first aspect of the present invention, a mechanism for distributing coins into their denominations during conveyance is provided, which comprises:
With the mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, the first gate member, which is provided below the gate in the vicinity of the coin conveyance path, is configured to be movable among the default position, the first switched position, and the second switched position. Thus, by switching the position of the first gate member among the default position, the first switched position, and the second switched position in accordance with a desired denomination using the first position switching device, it is possible to allow a coin that is conveyed on the coin conveyance path to be about to reach the gate to drop from the coin conveyance path through the gate in the first direction or the second direction, or to pass through the gate without dropping from the coin conveyance path through the gate.
Accordingly, two desired denominations of coins can be distributed by switching the position of the first gate member as a single gate member in accordance with each of the two denominations (i.e., the first and second denominations). This means that the same function as that of the conventional coin distribution mechanisms disclosed in the aforementioned Publication No. 4997374 and Publication No. 2018-198010 where two gate members are provided for distributing coins of two desired denominations can be realized using the first gate member as a single gate member.
Moreover, since the function of distributing coins of the two denominations (i.e., the first and second denominations) in the different directions (i.e., the first and second directions) is realized using the first gate member as a single gate member, the coin distribution mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention is simpler in mechanical configuration and driving mechanism than the aforementioned conventional coin distribution mechanisms disclosed in the aforementioned Publication No. 4997374 and Publication No. 2018-198010 where two desired denominations are distributed in different directions using two gate members. In addition, the coin distribution mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention is easy in reducing the fabrication cost and facilitating the maintenance and is easy in producing the control program for the driving mechanism (i.e., the first position switching device) and version up thereof.
(2) In a preferred embodiment of the mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention, at the default position, the gate is closed by the first gate member in such a way that an end of the first gate member is contacted with the gate;
With the apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, each of the one or more distribution sections comprises the mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention and therefore, each of the one or more distribution sections is smaller in size than the aforementioned conventional distribution sections disclosed in the aforementioned Publication No. 4997374 and Publication No. 2018-198010 where two denominations are distributed using two gate members. Accordingly, the recent requirement for downsizing and/or space saving of the apparatus for discriminating and conveying coins can be easily met through the size reduction of each of the one or more distribution sections.
(16) In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, in a plan view, a macroscopic moving direction of coins to be processed in the coin conveyance and distribution unit has an approximately orthogonal relationship to a macroscopic moving direction of the coins to be processed in a coin separation and discrimination section.
In order that the present invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below while referring to the drawings attached.
The schematic overall structure of an apparatus 1 for discriminating and conveying coins according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in
As shown in
In the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60, as shown in
The coin storage unit 10 comprises a head 24 which is detachably attached to the surface of an upper wall 22a (see
The coin separation and discrimination unit 20 comprises the coin separation section that is configured to separate coins C which are stored in the coin storage unit 10 from each other one by one and to deliver the coins C thus separated to the coin discrimination section in a predetermined inclined attitude, and the coin discrimination section that is configured to discriminate the denomination and authenticity of the respective coins C which are delivered from the coin separation section and to deliver the coins C thus discriminated to the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60. In this embodiment, as seen from
A first depressed part 22b, a second depressed part 22c, a through hole 22d, and a guide wall 22e are formed on the upper wall 22a of the casing 22 (see
Since the first depressed part 22b is formed to receive the rotary disk 26 for coin separation, this part 22b has a circular shape whose diameter is slightly larger than the disk 26 and whose depth is enough for receiving the entirety of the disk 26.
Since the second depressed part 22c is formed to receive the rotary wiper 27 for denomination discrimination and authentication discrimination of coins C, this part 22c has an approximately circular shape whose diameter is slightly larger than the wiper 27 and whose depth is enough for receiving the entirety of the wiper 27. This is similar to the first depressed part 22b. However, the second depressed part 22c is necessarily formed in such a way that coins C pass through the upper areas of the discrimination sensors 46 for denomination discrimination and authentication discrimination while being rotated and moved by the rotary wiper 27 and therefore, the plan shape of the second depressed part 22c is slightly deformed from a perfect circle (see
The through hole 22d is formed to enable the coins C which have been subjected to the denomination discrimination and the authenticity discrimination on the upper wall 22a to arrive at the entrance of the coin conveyance path 76 which is disposed on the back side of the upper wall 22a. The through hole 22d is placed at the top of the second depressed part 22c, in other words, at the uppermost position to which the coins C can be moved to reach by the rotation of the wiper 27. Since the coins C of all the target denominations to be processed (i.e., eight denominations here) need to pass through the upper wall 22a, the size of the through hole 22d is set in such a way as to be larger than the coins C having the largest diameter among all the target denominations to be processed.
The guide wall 22e is formed to define the second depressed part 22c and to guide the coins C which are rotated and moved by the rotation of the wiper 27 for discriminating their denomination and authenticity.
As clearly shown in
There is no restriction to the overall thickness of the disk 26; however, the thickness of the pushing part 26a is set so as not to be larger than the thickness of the thinnest coin C among all the target denominations to be processed. This is because if the thickness of the pushing part 26a is set so as to be larger than the thickness of the thinnest coin C, there is a possibility that two or more of the coins C whose thicknesses are smaller than the thickness thus set are pushed simultaneously.
Coins C stored in the coin storage unit 10 are likely to enter the three engaging recesses 26c of the rotary disk 26 at random and to move along with the rotation of the disk 26. Since a coin dropping member 30 is fixed onto the upper wall 22a of the casing 22 in the vicinity of the first depressed part 22b, coins C which are raised wastefully by the rotation of the disk 26 drop naturally and as a result, the coins C are entered the respective engaging recesses 26c one by one and rotated along with the rotating disk 26 around the center of the disk 26. For this reason, the coins C stored in the coin storage unit 10 are separated from each other and entered the respective engaging recesses 26c one by one and thereafter, they are delivered successively toward the rotary wiper 27. In this way, the “coin separation operation” for the coins C which are taken out of the coin storage unit 10 is carried out.
In the aforementioned coin separation process, each coin C which is entered and engaged with one of the three engaging recesses 26c is pushed by the pushing part 26a. Since the relevant pushing member 26b is configured to push out the coin C from the corresponding engaging recess 26c immediately before the said coin C passes through the first delivery region P1, the said coin C can be delivered smoothly to the coin discrimination section by way of the first delivery region P1. This pushing action of the relevant pushing member 26b is realized by a grooved cam 28 which is formed on the casing 22 at the position right below the disk 26 and three cam followers 29 which are fixed to the back of the disk 26. Specifically, as shown in
Since a delivery direction regulation or control member 31 is fixed near the first delivery region P1 (see
As clearly shown in
The through hole 22d is formed in the upper wall 22a of the casing 22 at the corresponding position to the second delivery region P2, and an opening 21a is formed on the top end of the base plate 21 which is placed on the back side of the casing 22. The opening 21a, which is formed by a cutout part of the base plate 21 here, is disposed at the position overlapped with the through hole 22d. Therefore, the coins C whose denomination and authenticity have been discriminated can pass successively through the through hole 22d and the opening 21a, which are disposed in the second delivery region P2, to reach the coin conveyance path 76 of the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60. This means that the said coins C can penetrate successively through the casing 22 and the base plate 21 to reach the path 76 of the unit 60. The overall thickness of the rotary wiper 27 (which is approximately equal to the height of the guide wall 22e) is approximately the same as the thickness of the thickest coin C among all the target denominations to be processed.
The coins C that have been sent to the second depressed part 22c in the coin discrimination section from the coin separation section due to the rotation of the rotary disk 26 are entered and engaged with the respective engaging holes of the rotary wiper 27 while keeping their attitude (in which one side face of each coin C is supported by the inclined surface of the upper wall 22a of the casing 22) and then, moved in the second depressed part 22c along the guide wall 22e in accordance with the rotation of the rotary wiper 27. The moving path of the coins C in the coin discrimination section (in the second depressed part 22c) is extended to the second delivery region P2 from the first delivery region P1. However, the coin discrimination region P3 is formed between these two delivery regions P2 and P1 and therefore, discrimination of the denomination and authenticity of the coins C can be automatically carried out when the respective coins C pass through the coin discrimination region P3. The shape of the guide wall 22e (i.e., the shape of the moving path of the coins C) is determined in such a way that a desired denomination and authenticity discrimination operation of the coins C is automatically carried out in the coin discrimination region P3. For this reason, the “denomination discrimination and authenticity discrimination” of the coins C that have been delivered to the coin discrimination section from the coin separation section is conducted only by the motion of the coins C along the guide wall 22e in the second depressed part 22c using the rotary wiper 27.
The rotary disk 26 and the rotary wiper 27 that perform the above-described operations are rotationally driven using the rotational driving force of a single electric motor 41 in the following way:
The electric motor 41 is fixed to the back of the base plate 21. The rotational shaft of this motor 41 is protruded from the surface of the base plate 21 through the same (see
The discrimination sensors 46 are fixed to the surface of the base plate 12 in the coin discrimination region P3. Any known sensors may be used as the discrimination sensors 46 and therefore, detailed explanation about the sensors 46 are omitted here. In addition, the reference numeral 46a shown in
A wiper rotation detection sensor 47 is provided on the surface of the base plate 21 for the purpose of detecting whether or not the rotary wiper 27 keeps rotating at a predetermined rotational frequency (see
A residual quantity detection sensor 25, which is mounted on the side face of the head 24, is provided for detecting the residual quantity of coins C which are waiting for processing, i.e., the total number of coins C retained in the coin storage unit 10 to wait for processing (see
A linking part 48, which is formed to protrude from the surface of the base plate 21, is a part for linking a solenoid 40 which is provided on the back side of the base plate 21 with the movable part 24a of the head 24 (see
Next, the structure of the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60 will be explained below with reference to
In this embodiment, as shown in
In addition, coins C which are judged not to be the aforementioned eight denominations (i.e., non-target coins) are designated as a rejective denomination or denominations (rejective coins). The coins C thus designated as the rejective denomination or denominations are distributed by the first distribution section D1 and to be sent to a dispensing tray (not shown). This means that the coins C of this type are not stored in the hoppers 83 and 84 but discharged to the outside of the apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.
As shown in
In the endless belt receiving section of the main body 61, a pair of driven gears 64 and 65 which are arranged at a predetermined distance, an endless belt 63 which is stretched between the driven gears 64 and 65, and the distribution flap driving solenoids 72 are provided (see
In the sensor and solenoid mounting section of the main body 61, an incoming coin sensor 67, four moving coin sensors 68, four dropping coin sensors 69, the eight distribution flap driving solenoids 72, and four rejection flap driving solenoids 73 are provided. The upper opening of the sensor and solenoid mounting section is covered with a front cover 78. An inclined portion 78a is formed as the rear part of the front cover 78. The inclined portion 78a of the front cover 78 is overlapped with the inclined portion 77a of the rear cover 77 (see
Here, the inclined portions 77a and 78a of the rear and front covers 77 and 78 have the same inclination angle of approximately 45° with respect to the bottom surface of the main body 61. An inclined edge 61a of the main body 61, which is disposed at the opposite end of the main body 61 (in other words, at the opposite end to the coin separation and discrimination unit 20), has an inclination angle of approximately 30° with respect to the bottom surface of the main body 61. Accordingly, when (the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60 of) the apparatus 1 is placed horizontally, each coin C is conveyed on the coin conveyance path 76 in the inclined state at approximately 45° with respect to the horizontal plane along the coin conveyance direction shown in
As described above, the guide rail 66 constitutes the bottom part of the coin conveyance path 76 to support the rim of a coin C, the inclined portion 77a of the rear cover 77 constitutes the back part of the path 76 to support the rear side face of the coin C, and the inclined portion 78a of the front cover 78 constitutes the front part of the path 76 to cover the front side face of the coin C (see
Engaging pins 63a are fixed at equal intervals to the endless belt 63 that extends along the guide rail 66 so as to be adjacent to the same (see
Since the front side of the guide rail 66 is covered with the inclined portion 78a of the front cover 78, a coin C is moved on the guide rail 66 or the coin conveyance path 76 in such a state as to be sandwiched by the two inclined portions 77a and 78a. For this reason, there is no danger that the coin C is dropped from the guide rail 66 or the coin conveyance path 76 even if vibration or the like is applied during conveyance.
In each of the first to fourth distribution sections D1 to D4, the gate 76a is formed for allowing coins C of two or three designated denominations to drop downward, in which the gate 76a is formed by a corresponding one of the openings 66a of the guide rail 66 that forms the bottom part of the coin conveyance path 76 (see
In the first distribution section D1, the distribution flap 70 serving as a first gate member and the rejection flap 71 serving as a second gate member are provided in a location just below the relevant gate 76a of the coin conveyance path 76 in such a way as to be adjacent to the said gate 76a, as shown in
The distribution flap 70 provided in the first distribution section D1 (see
(a) When the denomination of a coin C that drops through the relevant gate 76a is equal to one of the aforementioned two designated or target denominations for the first distribution section D1, the distribution flap 70 is pivoted upward to the first switched position from the default position, thereby closing the dropping path of the coin C. As a result, the dropping direction of the said coin C is changed to the obliquely backward and downward direction from the obliquely forward and downward direction due to contact with the distribution flap 70. Subsequently, the said coin C is guided backward by a first chute 80 which is provided below the distribution flap 70 in the main body 61. Finally, the said coin C is stored in the relevant rear hopper 83 which is provided just below the main body 61 (see
(b) When the denomination of a coin C that drops through the relevant gate 76a is equal to the other of the aforementioned two designated or target denominations for the first distribution section D1, the distribution flap 70 is pivoted downward to the second switched position from the default position, in which the dropping path of the said coin C is not closed. As a result, the dropping direction of the said coin C is not changed and thus, the said coin C can be moved in the obliquely forward and downward direction while being supported by the distribution flap 70. In this case, the rejection flap 71, which is kept at the default position, closes the entrance of a third chute 82 which is provided below the rejection flap 71 in the main body 61, thereby making the third chute 82 unpassable. At the same time, the rejection flap 71 is inclined in the obliquely forward and downward direction similar to the distribution flap 70. Thus, the said coin C is moved on the distribution flap 70 and the rejection flap 71 which are connected to each other in the obliquely forward and downward direction. Finally, the said coin C is stored in the relevant front hopper 84 which is provided at an obliquely forward and downward position with respect to the main body 61 (see
(c) When the denomination of a coin C that drops through the relevant gate 76a is equal to the aforementioned rejective denomination, similar to the case where the said coin C is equal to the other of the aforementioned two designated or target denominations for the first distribution section D1, the distribution flap 70 is pivoted downward to the second switched position from the default position, in which the dropping path of the said coin C is not closed. As a result, the dropping direction of the said coin C is not changed and thus, the said coin C can be moved in the obliquely forward and downward direction while being supported by the distribution flap 70. In this case, however, the rejection flap 71 is pivoted upward to the switched position from the default position at this stage, and the entrance of the third chute 82 is opened, thereby making the third chute 82 passable. Thus, the said coin C is moved in the obliquely forward and downward direction while being supported by the distribution flap 70 and sent to the third chute 82 without being supported by the rejection flap 71. Subsequently, the said coin C is dropped in an approximately vertical direction while being guided by the third chute 82, thereby reaching the surface of a dispensing belt (not shown) which is provided just below the third chute 82 (see
(d) When the denomination of a coin C that is conveyed on the coin conveyance path 76 is not equal to both of the aforementioned two designated or target denominations for the first distribution section D1 nor the aforementioned rejective denomination, the relevant gate 76a is kept closed by the distribution flap 70 which is located at the default position. For this reason, the coin C that is conveyed on the coin conveyance path 76 does not drop through the relevant gate 76a but passes through the same gate 76a to move toward the second distribution section D2.
The distribution flap 70 provided in each of the second, third, and fourth distribution sections D2, D3, and D4 (see
(e) When the denomination of a coin C that drops through the relevant gate 76a is equal to one of the two designated or target denominations for the corresponding one of the sections D2, D3, and D4, the distribution flap 70 is pivoted upward to the first switched position from the default position, thereby closing the dropping path of the said coin C. As a result, the dropping direction of the said coin C is changed to the obliquely backward and downward direction from the obliquely forward and downward direction due to contact with the distribution flap 70. Subsequently, the said coin C is guided to be sent backward by the first chute 80 which is provided below the distribution flap 70 in the main body 61. Finally, the said coin C is stored in the relevant rear hopper 83 which is provided just below the main body 61 (see
(f) When the denomination of a coin C that drops through the relevant gate 76a is equal to the other of the two designated or target denominations for the corresponding one of the sections D2, D3, and D4, the distribution flap 70 is pivoted downward to the second switched position from the default position, in which the dropping path of the said coin C is not closed. As a result, the dropping direction of the said coin C is not changed and thus, the said coin C can be moved on the distribution flap 70 in the obliquely forward and downward direction while being supported by the distribution flap 70. In this case, in each of the second, third, and fourth sections D2, D3, and D4, a second chute 81 inclined in the obliquely forward and downward direction, which is similar to the rejection flap 71 located at the default position where the entrance of the third chute 82 is closed, is provided at the same position as that where the rejection flap 71 is provided in the first distribution section D1. Thus, the said coin C is sent in the obliquely forward and downward direction while being supported by the distribution flap 70 and the second chute 81. Finally, the said coin C is stored in the relevant front hopper 84 which is provided at an obliquely forward and downward position with respect to the main body 61 (see
(g) When the denomination of a coin C that is conveyed on the coin conveyance path 76 is not equal to both of the two designated or target denominations for the corresponding one of the sections D2, D3, and D4, the relevant gate 76a is kept closed by the distribution flap 70. For this reason, the coin C that is conveyed on the coin conveyance path 76 does not drop through the relevant gate 76a but passes through the same gate 76a to move toward the overflow path 75.
The distribution flaps 70 provided respectively in the second, third, and fourth distribution sections D2, D3, and D4 have the same structure and the same driving mechanism. An example of the distribution flap 70 and the driving mechanism thereof are shown in
As clearly seen from
Specifically, in the case where a coin C is sent toward the relevant front hopper 84 in such a manner as shown in
A cavity whose lower end is opened is formed in the second side face 70b of the distribution flap 70, the reason of which is to surely change the original moving direction of a coin C.
Specifically, in the case where a coin C is sent toward the relevant rear hopper 83 in such a manner as shown in
As described above, the distribution flap 70 serves as the role of a distribution member for a coin C and the role of a guide member for the coin C.
In addition, an upper end 70c of the distribution flap 70 is used to close the corresponding gate 76a of the coin conveyance path 76 in each of the first to fourth distribution sections D1, D2, D3, and D4.
The driving mechanism for the distribution flap 70 as the position switching device for the flap 70, i.e., the distribution flap driving mechanism, comprises the two distribution flap driving solenoids 72, a driving member 86 disposed between these two solenoids 72, a linking member 87 for linking the distribution flap 70 with the driving member 86, and a pair of pivoting shafts 88 for pivotably supporting the distribution flap 70. One end of each pivoting shaft 88 is fixed to an opposing end of the flap 70 and the other end thereof is pivotably supported at a predetermined position in the main body 61. The pair of pivoting shafts 88 is held in the main body 61 in such a way as to be parallel to the bottom surface of the main body 61. Thus, when the apparatus 1 is placed on a horizontal surface, the distribution flap 70 can be pivoted around the pair of pivoting shafts 88 which is held to be approximately horizontal. The pair of pivoting shafts 88 is extended along the conveyance direction of coins C in a horizontal plane.
The driving member 86 has a shape like a hollow rectangular parallelepiped whose upper and front walls are removed. Two engaging parts 86a, each of which has an approximately U-shaped opening, are respectively formed at left and right sidewalls of the driving member 86. Each of the engaging parts 86a is engaged with a circular engaging groove 72aa which is formed at the top end of a plunger (a movable core) 72a of a corresponding one of the solenoids 72. Because of these engagement structures of the engaging parts 86a and the corresponding engaging grooves 72aa, the driving member 86 can be moved linearly (i.e., reciprocated) as desired by the protruding and retracting actions of the two plungers 72a.
The linking member 87 is formed by an approximately linear bar-shaped material having a circular opening at its one end and a protrusion 87a at its other end. The circular opening of the linking member 87 is pivotably engaged with a corresponding one of the two pivotable shafts 88. The protrusion 87a of the linking member 87 is rotatably engaged with a circular opening formed in the rear wall of the driving member 86. The linking member 87, which is pivotably engaged with the relevant pivotable shaft 88 and the driving member 86, constitutes “a crank mechanism” for converting the horizontal linear motion (horizontal reciprocation) generated by the two distribution flap driving solenoids 72 to the pivoting motion of the pivotable shafts 88 or the distribution flap 70.
One of the two distribution flap driving solenoids 72 is placed in the sensor and solenoid mounting section of the main body 61 and the other of the solenoids 72 is placed at a suitable position below the endless belt 63 and the guide rail 66 in the endless belt receiving section of the body 61 (see
Specifically, when each of the two solenoids 72 is energized by applying a positive voltage, a corresponding one of the plungers 72a is protruded or moved to the side of the distribution flap 70 to be located at the “protruded position”. When each of the solenoids 72 is energized by applying a negative voltage, the corresponding one of the plungers 72a is retracted or moved to the opposite side to the distribution flap 70 to be located at the “retracted position”. When each of the solenoids 72 is not energized, in other words, neither the positive voltage nor the negative voltage is applied to each of the solenoids 72, the corresponding one of the plungers 72a is kept at the “middle position”.
The polarity of the application voltages to the two solenoids 72 is controlled in such a way that one of the solenoids 72 is located at the “protruded position” and at the same time, the other is located at the “retracted position”. This means that the driving member 86 is controlled by the two solenoids 72 in such a way as to be surely displaced from the “default position” to the “first switched position” or the “second switched position”. For example, when one of the two solenoids 72 is applied with the positive voltage, the other is surely applied with the negative voltage. Moreover, when one of the two solenoids 72 is applied with none of the positive and negative voltages, i.e., deenergized, the other is also surely applied with none of the positive and negative voltages, i.e., deenergized.
As described above, by synchronously energizing or deenergizing the two solenoids 72 while alternately changing the polarity of the application voltages to the said solenoids 72, the state or attitude of the distribution flap 70 can be selectively set at any one of the “default position A0” shown in
As shown in
When the distribution flap 70 is displaced to the first switched position A1 (see
On the other hand, when the distribution flap 70 is displaced to the second switched position A2 (see
The structure of the distribution flap 70 and that of its driving mechanism are not limited to those described here, and it is needless to say that any other structures may be used for this purpose. Moreover, any other driving device such as an electric motor may be used instead of the distribution flap driving solenoid 72. The driving mechanism also is not limited to that including the driving member 86 and the linking member 87; any other structure may be used for this purpose. In summary, any other structure may be used for this purpose if the distribution flap 70 can be selectively located at any one of the “default position A0”, the “first switched position A1”, and the “second switched position A2” according to the necessity.
An example of the rejection flap 71 and the driving mechanism thereof, which are provided in the first distribution section D1 only, is shown in
As clearly seen from
Specifically, when the entrance of the third chute 82 is closed by contacting the top end 71a of the rejection flap 71 with the upper end of the third chute 82 (at the default position), a coin C that is dropped through the relevant gate 76a which is provided in the first distribution section D1 to move in the obliquely forward and downward direction and that is moved on the first side face 70a of the distribution flap 70 can be smoothly transferred to the surface 71b of the rejection flap 71 to be slid forward due to the top end 71a. During this moving action of the coin C, the surface 71b of the rejection flap 71 serves as a guide surface or member for sending the said coin C toward the relevant front hopper 84.
The driving mechanism for the rejection flap 71 as the position switching device for the flap 71, i.e., the rejection flap driving mechanism, comprises the rejection flap driving solenoid 73, a driving member 89 which is engaged with a plunger (a movable core) 73a of the solenoid 73, a linking member 90 for linking the rejection flap 71 with the driving member 89, and a pair of pivoting shafts 91 for pivotably supporting the rejection flap 71. One end of each pivoting shaft 91 is fixed to an opposing end of the flap 71 and the other end thereof is pivotably supported at a predetermined position in the sensor and solenoid mounting section of the main body 61. The pair of pivoting shafts 91 is held in the main body 61 in such a way as to be parallel to the bottom surface of the main body 61. Thus, when the apparatus 1 is placed on a horizontal surface, the rejection flap 71 can be pivoted around the pair of pivoting shafts 91 which is held to be approximately horizontal. The pair of pivoting shafts 91 is extended along the conveyance direction of coins C in a horizontal plane.
The driving member 89 is formed by an approximately linear bar-shaped material. An engaging part 89a, which has an approximately U-shaped opening, is formed near the base end of the driving member 89. The engaging part 89a is engaged with a circular engaging groove 73aa formed at the top end of the plunger 73a of the solenoid 73. Because of the engagement structure of the engaging part 89a and the engaging groove 73aa, the driving member 89 can be moved linearly (i.e., reciprocated) as desired by the protruding and retracting action of the plunger 73a.
The linking member 90 is formed by an approximately linear bar-shaped material having a circular opening at its one end and a protrusion 90a at its other end. The circular opening of the linking member 90 is engaged with an opposing one of the two pivotable shafts 91. The protrusion 90a of the linking member 90 is rotatably engaged with a circular opening formed at the end of the driving member 89. The linking member 90, which is engaged with the relevant pivotable shaft 91 and the driving member 89, constitutes “a crank mechanism” for converting the horizontal linear motion (horizontal reciprocation) of the driving member 89 generated by the plunger 73a of the solenoid 73 to the pivoting motion of the pivotable shafts 91 or the rejection flap 71.
The rejection flap driving solenoid 73 is placed outside the sensor and solenoid mounting section of the main body 61 and is located at a position which is slightly shifted forward horizontally from this section (see
Specifically, when the solenoid 73 is energized by applying a positive (or negative) voltage, the plunger 73a is protruded to be located at the “protruded position”. When the solenoid 73 is not energized, in other words, the positive (or the negative) voltage is not applied to the solenoid 73, the plunger 73a is kept at the “retracted position”. As a result, the state or attitude of the rejection flap 71 can be selectively set at any one of the “default position B0” shown in
As shown in
When the rejection flap 71 is displaced to the switched position B1 (see
The structure of the rejection flap 71 and that of its driving mechanism are not limited to those described here, and it is needless to say that any other structures may be used for this purpose. Moreover, any other driving device such as an electric motor may be used instead of the rejection flap driving solenoids 73. The driving mechanism also is not limited to that including the driving member 89 and the linking member 90; any other structure may be used for this purpose. In summary, any other structure may be used for this purpose if the rejection flap 71 can be selectively located at any one of the “default position B0” and the “switched position B1” according to the necessity.
Next, the constituent elements of the coin conveyance and distributing section 60 other than the main body 61, the guide rail 66, and the first to fourth distribution sections D1 to D4 will be described below.
The endless belt 63, which is provided in the endless belt receiving section of the main body 61, comprises gear teeth and is stretched between the two driven gears 64 and 65 which are fixed at the predetermined distance. The driven gears 64 and 65 are respectively supported by rotational axes 62a and 62b and are respectively rotated around these axes 62a and 62b. The belt 63 is placed to be approximately horizontal. Since the driven gear 64 disposed near the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 is connected to the driven gear 45 disposed in the same unit 20 by way of a linking gear 64a (see
The sensors provided in the sensor and solenoid mounting section of the main body 61 are the incoming coin sensor 67, the moving coin sensors 68, and the dropping coin sensors 69 (see
The incoming coin sensor 67 is disposed on the inclined portion 78a of the front cover 78 at the starting end of the coin conveyance path 76, which is at a position immediately before the first distribution section D1. This sensor 67 detects the presence or absence of the introduction of a coin C into the coin conveyance path 76 and the introduction timing thereof when the introduction of the coin C is present. By the output signal of the incoming coin sensor 67, a control device (a control program) of the apparatus 1 for discriminating and conveying coins, which is mounted on a control substrate 32 (see
The four moving coin sensors 68, which are arranged on the inclined portion 78a of the front cover 78 along the coin conveyance path 76 at the predetermined distances (here, at equal distances), are respectively disposed at positions immediately after the four relevant gates 76a of the first to fourth distribution sections D1, D2, D3, and D4. Each of these sensors 68 detects the presence or absence of arrival of a moving coin C that is conveyed on the coin conveyance path 76 at a corresponding one of the gates 76a in the first, second, third, or fourth distribution section D1, D2, D3, or D4, and the arrival timing thereof when the arrival of a moving coin C is present. By the output signal of each moving coin sensor 68, the control device (the control program) of the apparatus 1, which is mounted on the control substrate 32, can know or find the presence or absence of the arrival of a moving coin C at the position immediately after the corresponding gate 76a to the first, second, third, or fourth distribution section D1, D2, D3, or D4, and the arrival timing thereof when the arrival of a moving coin C is present.
The four dropping coin sensors 69 are arranged on the flat portion of the front cover 78 along the coin conveyance path 76 at the predetermined distances (here, at equal distances) to be slightly apart forward from the path 76. These four sensors 69 are respectively disposed at the positions right above two distribution paths 79a and two distribution paths 79b (see
The overflow path 75 is disposed at the terminal end of the coin conveyance path 67 (see
As shown in
Specifically, the coin conveyance path 76, which is formed by the guide rail 66, the inclined portion 77a of the rear cover 77, and the inclined portion 78a of the front cover 78, is extended in the Y direction shown in
The coins C thus thrown in this way will drop gradually in the obliquely forward and downward direction due to the gravity through the vicinity of the back of the base plate 21 of the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 and thereafter, the said coins C will move away from the back of the base plate 21 gradually and at the same time, will approach gradually the starting end of the coin conveyance path 76. However, even in the vicinity of the starting end of the path 76, the moving direction of the said coins C has a large difference (e.g., approximately 45° to 50°) from the opening direction of the starting end (i.e., the entrance) of the path 76. This means that it is difficult for the said coins C to enter the entrance of the path 76 surely and smoothly from the exit of the second delivery region P2 without changing the moving direction of the said coins C.
Accordingly, by mounting or providing the direction changing member 74 in the intermediate part (or the connecting part) between the exit of the second delivery region P2 and the entrance of the coin conveyance path 76 so as to be located at an appropriate position on the moving path of the said coins C which have been thrown from the exit of the second delivery region P2, as shown in
In this way, the coins C that have been thrown from the second delivery region P2 can be introduced into the entrance of the coin conveyance path 76 surely and smoothly and as a result, the coins C can be successively conveyed by the endless belt 63 in the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60 in spite of the moving direction of the coins C being changed by approximately 90° in a horizontal plane.
Next, the relationship between the moving direction of coins C in the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 and that in the coin conveyance distributing unit 60 will be explained below.
As clearly understood from the aforementioned explanation, the coin separation section using the rotary disk 26 and the coin discrimination section using the rotary wiper 27, which are combined together to form the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 in this embodiment, are mounted on the flat surface of the upper wall 22a of the casing 22. Coins C are separated from each other one by one while being rotated by the rotary disk 26 in the coin separation section and thereafter, the coins C thus separated are delivered to the coin discrimination section by way of the first delivery region P1 in their predetermined attitude, in other words, in the standing state which is inclined along the upper wall 22a. In the coin discrimination section, the coins C thus delivered are subject to denomination discrimination and authenticity denomination while being rotated by the rotary wiper 27 and thereafter, the coins C thus discriminated are delivered to the coin conveyance and distributing unit 60 by way of the second delivery region P2. Accordingly, it is apparent that these two processes, i.e., the separation process and the discrimination process, are carried out on the flat surface of the upper wall 22a while rotating the coins C to be processed on the same surface. Moreover, it is also apparent that the delivery action of the coins C to the coin discrimination section from the coin separation section by way of the first delivery region P1 is carried out on the upper wall 22a in an approximately horizontal direction. Accordingly, it is understood that the aforementioned two processes of the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 are carried out while moving the coins C along a plane which contains the flat surface of the upper wall 22a in a horizontal direction.
Here, the apparatus 1 of this embodiment is mounted on a horizontal surface. Thus, when seeing the moving state or flow of the coins C in the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 macroscopically from an upper viewpoint, in other words, when seeing it macroscopically in a plan view, it can be said that the aforementioned two processes of the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 are carried out while moving the coins C in the X direction which is indicated by an up arrow in
On the other hand, in the coin conveyance and distributing unit 60, the apparatus 1 of this embodiment is mounted on the horizontal surface and therefore, the coin conveyance path 76, which is formed by the combination of the guide rail 66 and the inclined portions 77a and 78a of the rear and front covers 77 and 78, is extended along the longitudinal axis of the elongated main body 61 in an approximately horizontal plane. Coins C to be processed are subjected to the distribution process according to the predetermined denominations and inappropriate coins C to be rejected are subjected to the discharging process while being conveyed on the coin conveyance path 76 and then, the coins C thus distributed in this way are stored in any one of the eight hoppers 83 and 84.
Accordingly, when seeing the moving state or flow of the coins C in the coin conveyance and distributing unit 60 macroscopically from an upper viewpoint, it can be said that the two processes of the coin distribution and the rejection coin discharge in the unit 60 are carried out while moving the coins C in the Y direction which is indicated by a rightward arrow in
Since the aforementioned X and Y directions are perpendicular in the horizontal plane, as shown in
Specifically, in the coin separation and discrimination unit 20, the rotary disk 26 is used for coin separation and the rotary wiper 27 is used for coin discrimination and furthermore, the processing surface of the coin separation section and that of the coin discrimination section are disposed to be adjacent to each other on the flat surface of the upper wall 22a. Accordingly, the length Lx20 of the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 in the X direction in
Accordingly, with the apparatus 1 according to this embodiment where the macroscopic moving direction of coins C in the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 and that in the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60 are perpendicular to each other, it is apparent that the overall length Ly1 of the apparatus 1 in the Y direction can be considerably reduced compared with the conventional one disclosed in the aforementioned Publication No. 5760233 where the macroscopic moving direction of the coins C in the coin separation and discrimination unit and that in the coin conveyance and distributing unit are the same. This contributes the downsizing and/or space saving of the apparatus 1.
In addition, with the apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the overall length Lx20 of the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 in the X direction is slightly larger than the conventional one disclosed in the aforementioned Publication No. 5760233 where the macroscopic moving direction of the coins C in the coin separation and discrimination unit and that in the coin conveyance and distributing unit are the same. This means that the overall length Lx1 of the apparatus 1 in the X direction is slightly larger than the conventional one disclosed in the aforementioned Publication No. 5760233. However, the manufacturer can easily cope or deal with such the slight enlargement of the overall length Lx1 of the apparatus 1 as described here in the main apparatus (e.g., the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus) into which the apparatus 1 of this embodiment is incorporated. Accordingly, there arises no problem due to the slight enlargement of the overall length Lx1.
Next, the operation of the apparatus 1 for discriminating and conveying coins according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained below with reference to
First, as shown in
When the rotary disk 26 is further rotated from the state in
Following this, as shown in
The first coin C which is received by the closest-positioned arm of the wiper 27 is moved downward along with the relevant arm by the clockwise rotation of the wiper 27. This state is shown in
Because of the further rotation of the wiper 27, the downstream-side edge of the next arm is contacted with the first coin C which is temporarily stopped at the lowest position of the guide wall 22e, thereby raising the first coin C using the said arm. At this stage, as shown in
Because of the further rotation of the wiper 27, the first coin C which has been subjected to the denomination and authenticity discrimination is further raised by the relevant arm, as shown in
Because of the further rotation of the wiper 27, the first coin C which has been subjected to the denomination and authenticity discrimination arrives at the second delivery region P2, as shown in
Because of the further rotation of the wiper 27, the first coin C, which has arrived at the second delivery region P2, passes through this region P2, in other words, passes through the through hole 22d of the upper wall 22a and the opening 21a of the base plate 21. As a result, the leading end of the first coin C arrives at the back side of the base plate 21 (in other words, the back side of the coin discrimination section), as shown in
Because of the further rotation of the wiper 27, the first coin C, which has passed through the second delivery region P2 and whose leading end has arrived at the back side of the base plate 21, starts to move downward due to the gravity and starts to change the moving direction gradually, as shown in
Because of the further rotation of the wiper 27, the first coin C whose leading end has arrived at the back side of the base plate 21 is kept moving toward the starting end or entrance of the coin conveyance path 76 while the moving direction of the first coin C is being changed due to the gravity and the direction changing member 74, as shown in
The first coin C whose leading end has arrived at the back side of the base plate 21 is kept moving toward the starting end or entrance of the coin conveyance path 76, as shown in
The entirety of the first coin C arrives at the back side of the base plate 21 and the leading end of the said coin C is entered the entrance of the coin conveyance path 76, as shown in
Through the aforementioned processes, the first coin C, which has been separated from the remaining coins C in the coin separation section having the rotary disk 26, is delivered to the coin discrimination section from the coin separation section by way of the first delivery region P1. After the first coin C is subjected to the predetermined denomination and authenticity discrimination in the coin discrimination region P3 in the coin discrimination section, the first coin C is delivered to the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60 by way of the second delivery region P2.
In the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60, the coins C which have been delivered from the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 by way of the second delivery region P2 are successively conveyed on the coin conveyance path 76 using the pins 63a fixed onto the endless belt 63. During the conveyance, the four gates 76a, which are formed in the coin conveyance path 76 and respectively assigned to the first, second, third, and fourth distribution sections D1, D2, D3, and D4, are opened or closed according to the necessity based on the result of the denomination and authenticity discrimination carried out in the coin discrimination section of the unit 20, thereby distributing the coins C of the predetermined eight denominations into the corresponding hoppers 83 and 84 and stored therein. The opening/closing operation of each of the four gates 76a is realized by driving or pivoting the corresponding distribution flap 70 (which serves as the first gate member) using the corresponding distribution flap driving solenoids 72.
Moreover, during the conveyance of coins C on the coin conveyance path 76, the entrance of the third chute 82 (as the gate for rejection) which is provided in the first distribution section D1 is opened or closed based on the result of the authenticity discrimination which is carried out in the coin discrimination section of the coin separation and discrimination unit 20, thereby discharging selectively the coins C to be judged rejective (e.g., counterfeit coins) into a dedicated storage container (not shown) and stored therein. The opening/closing operation of the entrance of the third chute 82 is realized by opening or closing the rejection flap 71 (which serves as the second gate member) which is provided in the first distribution section D1 using the rejection flap driving solenoid 73.
The aforementioned operation of the distribution flap 70 provided in each of the first to fourth distribution sections D1 to D4 and that of the rejection flap 71 provided in the first distribution section D1 are controlled by the control device (the control program) mounted on the aforementioned main apparatus (e.g., a coin depositing/dispensing apparatus) into which the apparatus 1 of this embodiment is incorporated, not by the control device (the control program) mounted on the control substrate 32 in the substrate box 23 of the apparatus 1.
Next, the coin distribution operation of the aforementioned first to fourth distribution sections D1 to D4 which are arranged along the coin conveyance path 76 in this order will be explained in detail with reference to
Since the coin distribution mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated into the first distribution section D1, and the coin distribution mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention is incorporated into each of the second, third, and fourth distribution sections D2, D3, and D4. Thus, the operation of the coin distribution mechanism provided in each of the first to fourth distribution sections D1 to D4 also will be explained below.
First, a coin C that has been delivered to the coin conveyance path 76 by way of its starting end arrives at the entrance of the first distribution section D1. This arrival of the coin C is detected by the operation of the incoming coin sensor 67 which is disposed at the position immediately before the first distribution section D1.
When the denomination of the coin C thus arrived is not equal to any of the three designated or target denominations (e.g., 1 euro, 2 euros, and non-target) for the first distribution section D1, the distribution flap 70 provided in this section D1 is kept at the default position A0 (see
The fact that the said coin C does not drop through the said gate 76a in the first distribution section D1 is detected by the non-operation of the dropping coin sensor 69 which is provided in this section D1. The fact that the said coin C has been conveyed on the path 76 toward the second distribution section D2 is detected by the operation of the moving coin sensor 68 which is disposed at the position immediately after the first distribution section D1. These two facts thus detected are notified to the control device (the control program) of the aforementioned main apparatus (e.g., the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus).
When the denomination of the coin C that has arrived at the first distribution section D1 is equal to one of the three designated or target denominations (e.g., 2 euros) for the first distribution section D1, the distribution flap 70 provided in this section D1 is pivoted upward by the relevant solenoid 72 to the first switched position A1 (see
The fact that the said coin C has dropped through the said gate 76a to pass through the first chute 80 in the first distribution section D1 is detected by the operation of the dropping coin sensor 69 provided in this section D1. The fact that the said coin C has not been conveyed on the path 76 toward the second distribution section D2 is detected by the non-operation of the moving coin sensor 68 which is disposed at the position immediately after the first distribution section D1. These two facts thus detected are notified to the control device (the control program) of the aforementioned main apparatus (e.g., the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus).
When the denomination of the coin C that has arrived at the first distribution section D1 is equal to another of the three designated or target denominations (e.g., 1 euro) for the first distribution section D1, the distribution flap 70 provided in this section D1 is pivoted downward by the relevant solenoid 72 to the second switched position A2 (see
The fact that the said coin C has dropped through the said gate 76a to move on the surface 71a of the rejection flap 71 in the first distribution section D1 is detected by the operation of the dropping coin sensor 69 provided in this section D1. The fact that the said coin C has not been conveyed on the path 76 toward the second distribution section D2 is detected by the non-operation of the moving coin sensor 68 which is disposed at the position immediately after the first distribution section D1. These two facts thus detected are notified to the control device (the control program) of the aforementioned main apparatus (e.g., the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus).
When the denomination of the coin C that has arrived at the first distribution section D1 is equal to the remaining one of the three designated or target denominations (e.g., non-target) for the first distribution section D1, the distribution flap 70 provided in this section D1 is pivoted downward by the relevant solenoid 72 to the second switched position A2 (see
The fact that the said coin C has dropped through the said gate 76a to pass through the third chute 82 in the first distribution section D1 is detected by the operation of the dropping coin sensor 69 provided in this section D1. The fact that the said coin C has not been conveyed on the path 76 toward the second distribution section D2 is detected by the non-operation of the moving coin sensor 68 which is disposed at the position immediately after the first distribution section D1. These two facts thus detected are notified to the control device (the control program) of the aforementioned main apparatus (e.g., the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus).
A coin C that has passed through the first distribution section D1 on the coin conveyance path 76 arrives at the entrance of the second distribution section D2. This arrival of the coin C is detected by the operation of the moving coin sensor 68 which is disposed at the position immediately before the second distribution section D2.
When the denomination of the coin C thus arrived is not equal to any of the two designated or target denominations (e.g., 50 cents and 20 cents) for the second distribution section D2, the distribution flap 70 provided in this section D2 is kept at the default position A0 (see
The fact that the said coin C does not drop through the said gate 76a in the second distribution section D2 is detected by the non-operation of the dropping coin sensor 69 which is provided in this section D2. The fact that the said coin C has been conveyed on the path 76 toward the third distribution section D3 is detected by the operation of the moving coin sensor 68 which is disposed at the position immediately after the second distribution section D2. These two facts thus detected are notified to the control device (the control program) of the aforementioned main apparatus (e.g., the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus).
When the denomination of the coin C that has arrived at the second distribution section D2 is equal to one of the two designated or target denominations (e.g., 20 cents) for the second distribution section D2, the distribution flap 70 provided in this section D2 is pivoted upward by the relevant solenoid 72 to the first switched position A1 (see
The fact that the said coin C has dropped through the said gate 76a to pass through the first chute 80 in the second distribution section D2 is detected by the operation of the dropping coin sensor 69 provided in this section D2. The fact that the said coin C has not been conveyed on the path 76 toward the third distribution section D3 is detected by the non-operation of the moving coin sensor 68 which is disposed at the position immediately after the second distribution section D2. These two facts thus detected are notified to the control device (the control program) of the aforementioned main apparatus (e.g., the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus).
When the denomination of the coin C that has arrived at the second distribution section D2 is equal to the other of the two designated or target denominations (e.g., 50 cents) for the second distribution section D2, the distribution flap 70 provided in this section D2 is pivoted downward by the relevant solenoid 72 to the second switched position A2 (see
The fact that the said coin C has dropped through the said gate 76a to pass through the second chute 81 in the second distribution section D2 is detected by the operation of the dropping coin sensor 69 provided in this section D2. The fact that the said coin C has not been conveyed on the path 76 toward the third distribution section D3 is detected by the non-operation of the moving coin sensor 68 which is disposed at the position immediately after the second distribution section D2. These two facts thus detected are notified to the control device (the control program) of the aforementioned main apparatus (e.g., the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus).
A coin C that has passed through the second distribution section D2 on the coin conveyance path 76 arrives at the entrance of the third distribution section D3. This arrival of the coin C is detected by the operation of the moving coin sensor 68 which is disposed at the position immediately before the third distribution section D3.
When the denomination of the coin C thus arrived is not equal to any of the two designated or target denominations (e.g., 5 cents and 10 cents) for the third distribution section D3, the distribution flap 70 provided in this section D3 is kept at the default position A0 (see
The fact that the said coin C does not drop through the said gate 76a in the third distribution section D3 is detected by the non-operation of the dropping coin sensor 69 which is provided in this section D3. The fact that the said coin C has been conveyed on the path 76 toward the fourth distribution section D4 is detected by the operation of the moving coin sensor 68 which is disposed at the position immediately after the third distribution section D3. These two facts thus detected are notified to the control device (the control program) of the aforementioned main apparatus (e.g., the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus).
When the denomination of the coin C that has arrived at the third distribution section D3 is equal to one of the two designated or target denominations (e.g., 10 cents) for the third distribution section D3, the distribution flap 70 provided in this section D3 is pivoted upward by the relevant solenoid 72 to the first switched position A1 (see
The fact that the said coin C has dropped through the said gate 76a to pass through the first chute 80 in the third distribution section D3 is detected by the operation of the dropping coin sensor 69 provided in this section D3. The fact that the said coin C has not been conveyed on the path 76 toward the fourth distribution section D4 is detected by the non-operation of the moving coin sensor 68 which is disposed at the position immediately after the third distribution section D3. These two facts thus detected are notified to the control device (the control program) of the aforementioned main apparatus (e.g., the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus).
When the denomination of the coin C that has arrived at the third distribution section D3 is equal to the other of the two designated or target denominations (e.g., 5 cents) for the third distribution section D3, the distribution flap 70 provided in this section D3 is pivoted downward by the relevant solenoid 72 to the second switched position A2 (see
The fact that the said coin C has dropped through the said gate 76a to pass through the second chute 81 in the third distribution section D3 is detected by the operation of the dropping coin sensor 69 provided in this section D3. The fact that the said coin C has not been conveyed on the path 76 toward the fourth distribution section D4 is detected by the non-operation of the moving coin sensor 68 which is disposed at the position immediately after the third distribution section D3. These two facts thus detected are notified to the control device (the control program) of the aforementioned main apparatus (e.g., the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus).
A coin C that has passed through the third distribution section D3 on the coin conveyance path 76 arrives at the entrance of the fourth distribution section D4. This arrival of the coin C is detected by the operation of the moving coin sensor 68 which is disposed at the position immediately before the fourth distribution section D4. The denomination of the coin C thus arrived is equal to any one of the remaining two designated or target denominations (e.g., 1 cent and 2 cents).
When the denomination of the coin C that has arrived at the fourth distribution section D4 is equal to one of the two designated or target denominations (e.g., 2 cents) for the fourth distribution section D4, the distribution flap 70 provided in this section D4 is pivoted upward by the relevant solenoid 72 to the first switched position A1 (see
The fact that the said coin C has dropped through the said gate 76a to pass through the first chute 80 in the fourth distribution section D4 is detected by the operation of the dropping coin sensor 69 provided in this section D4. The fact that the said coin C has not been conveyed on the path 76 toward the overflow path 75 is detected by the non-operation of the moving coin sensor 68 which is disposed at the position immediately after the fourth distribution section D4. These two facts thus detected are notified to the control device (the control program) of the aforementioned main apparatus (e.g., the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus).
When the denomination of the coin C that has arrived at the fourth distribution section D4 is equal to the other of the two designated or target denominations (e.g., 1 cent) for the fourth distribution section D4, the distribution flap 70 provided in this section D4 is pivoted downward by the relevant solenoid 72 to the second switched position A2 (see
The fact that the said coin C has dropped through the said gate 76a to pass through the second chute 81 in the fourth distribution section D4 is detected by the operation of the dropping coin sensor 69 provided in this section D4. The fact that the said coin C has not been conveyed on the path 76 toward the overflow path 75 is detected by the non-operation of the moving coin sensor 68 which is disposed at the position immediately after the fourth distribution section D4. These two facts thus detected are notified to the control device (the control program) of the aforementioned main apparatus (e.g., the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus).
When the quantity of coins C that have been thrown into the apparatus 1 of this embodiment exceed the processable quantity (the process limitation) of the apparatus 1, it is judged that the apparatus 1 is in the overflow state. In this case, regarding the coins C (which are termed “overflown coins”) that arrive at the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60 after the processable quantity is reached, all the gates 76a provided in the first to fourth distribution sections D1 to D4 of the unit 60 are kept in the closed state by the upper ends 70c of the corresponding distribution flaps 70. For this reason, the overflown coins C do not drop respectively through the relevant gates 76a which are respectively provided in the sections D1 to D4 but passes through the same and then, are conveyed on the coin conveyance path 76 to the overflow path 75 which is provided at the terminal end of the path 76. Subsequently, the overflown coins C drop toward the overflown coin collecting container 85 which is provided below the overflow path 75 and stored therein, as shown in
The fact that the overflown coins C do not drop through the gate 76a provided in the fourth distribution section D4 to pass through the same is detected by the non-operation of the dropping coin sensor 69 provided in this section D4. The fact that the said overflown coins C have been conveyed on the path 76 toward the overflow path 75 is detected by the operation of the moving coin sensor 68 which is disposed at the position immediately after the fourth distribution section D4. These two facts thus detected are notified to the control device (the control program) of the aforementioned main apparatus (e.g., the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus).
With the apparatus 1 for discriminating and conveying coins according to the embodiment of the present invention, as explained above in detail, the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 comprises the coin separation section that is configured to separate coins C stored in the coin storage unit 10 from each other to deliver the coins C thus separated in the predetermined attitude; and the coin discrimination section, which is mounted on the upper wall 22a of the casing 22 having the through hole 22d, that is configured to discriminate the denomination and authenticity of the coins C sent from the coin separation section to deliver the coins C thus discriminated. The coin conveyance and distribution unit 60 is configured to distribute the coins C which have been subjected to the denomination and authenticity discrimination in the coin discrimination section according to the respective denominations during conveyance. Moreover, when seeing the moving state or flow of the coins C macroscopically, the coins C separated in the coin separation section of the unit 20 are moved in the X direction shown in
In the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60, each of the second, third, and fourth distribution sections D2, D3, and D4 is configured to distribute coins C into their corresponding two denominations using the distribution flap 70 which serves as the single gate member and which is driven by the distribution flap driving solenoids 72. Thus, the size of each of the second to fourth distribution sections D2 to D4 is smaller than that of the conventional distribution section disclosed in the aforementioned Publication No. 4997374 and Publication No. 2018-198010 where coins are distributed into their two denominations using two gate members.
Moreover, the first distribution section D1 is configured to distribute coins C into their three denominations using the rejection flap 71 which serves as the second gate member and which is driven by the rejection flap driving solenoid 73 in addition to the distribution flap 70 which serves as the first gate member and which is driven by the distribution flap driving solenoids 72. Thus, the size of the first distribution section D1 is larger than that of each of the second to fourth distribution sections D2 to D4. However, even so, the size of the first distribution section D1 is smaller than that of the conventional distribution section disclosed in the aforementioned Publication No. 4997374 and Publication No. 2018-198010 where the rejection flap 71 which serves as the second gate member and which is driven by the rejection flap driving solenoid 73 is added to the aforementioned two gate members.
Accordingly, the length Lx60 of the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60 in the X direction in
Furthermore, with the apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, as already described in “RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOVING DIRECTIONS OF COINS IN TWO UNITS”, the X-direction length Lx20 of the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 is expressed as Lx20÷D26+D27 and the Y-direction length Ly20 of the same unit 20 is expressed as Ly20÷0.7×D27 using the diameter D26 of the rotary disk 26 and the diameter D27 of the rotary wiper 27. Thus, the Y-direction length Ly20 of the unit 20 is smaller than a half (½) of the X-direction length Lx20 thereof. Accordingly, with the apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the Y-direction length Ly20 of the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 can be made considerably smaller than that of the conventional structure disclosed in the aforementioned Publication No. 5760233 where the macroscopic moving direction of coins in the coin separation and discrimination unit and that in the coin conveyance and distribution unit are the same. This means that the Y-direction length of the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 can be reduced in addition to the overall size reduction of the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60 in the apparatus 1, which arises an advantageous effect that further downsizing and/or space saving of the overall size (i.e., the X-direction length Lx1 and the Y-direction length Ly1) of the apparatus 1 can be realized.
In addition, the necessity for arranging the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60 so as to be perpendicular to the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 in a horizontal plane is (i) to change the moving direction of coins C to the Y direction from the X direction by way of the through hole 22d of the upper wall 22a and the opening 21a of the base plate 21 in the second delivery region P2, and (ii) to additionally provide the direction changing member 74 between the coin discrimination section of the unit 20 and the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60 only. Thus, it is unnecessary to change the basic structure of the coin discrimination section. Accordingly, the aforementioned downsizing and/or space saving of the apparatus 1 can be realized with a simple and low-cost structure.
Further in addition, with the apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the X-direction length Lx20 of the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 is slightly larger than the case where the coin separation and discrimination unit 20 and the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60 are aligned in the Y direction. Thus, the X-direction length Lx1 of the apparatus 1 also is slightly larger than the said case. However, the manufacturer can effectively and easily cope or deal with the said slight enlargement of the X-direction length Lx1 of the apparatus 1 through an appropriate modification to the main apparatus (e.g., the coin depositing/dispensing apparatus) into which the apparatus 1 is incorporated. Accordingly, there arises no problem due to the said slight enlargement of the X-direction length Lx1.
Next, the advantageous effects of the coin distribution mechanism according to the embodiments of the present invention, which is provided in each of the first to fourth distribution sections D1 to D4 in the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60 of the apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, will be described below.
The coin distribution mechanism incorporated into each of the first to fourth distribution sections D1 to D4 comprises
The distribution flap 70 is configured to be movable among (i) the default position A0 where the gate 76a is closed, (ii) the first switched position A1 where the gate 76a is opened to allow a coin C to drop from the coin conveyance path 76 through the gate 76a, thereby moving the dropped coin C in the direction toward the relevant rear hopper 83 (i.e., the first direction), and (iii) the second switched position A2 where the gate 76a is opened to allow a coin C to drop from the coin conveyance path 76 through the gate 76a, thereby moving the dropped coin C in the direction toward the relevant front hopper 84 (i.e., the second direction).
Moreover, (a) when a coin C that is conveyed on the coin conveyance path 76 to be about to reach the gate 76a has a denomination equal to one of the relevant two denominations (i.e., the first denomination), the distribution flap 70 is moved from the default position A0 to be located at the first switched position A1 by the solenoids 72 of the distribution flap driving mechanism, thereby allowing the coin C to drop from the coin conveyance path 76 through the gate 76a in the first direction toward the relevant rear hopper 83. (b) When a coin C that is conveyed on the coin conveyance path 76 to be about to reach the gate 76a has a denomination equal to the other of the relevant two denominations (i.e., the second denomination), the distribution flap 70 is moved from the default position A0 to be located at the second switched position A2 by the solenoids 72 of the distribution flap driving mechanism, thereby allowing the coin C to drop from the coin conveyance path 76 through the gate 76a in the second direction toward the relevant front hopper 84. (c) When a coin C that is conveyed on the coin conveyance path 76 to be about to reach the gate 76a does not have a denomination equal to any one of the relevant two denominations (unequal to the first denomination nor the second denomination), the solenoids 72 are kept at the default position A0, thereby allowing the coin C to pass through the gate 76a without dropping from the coin conveyance path 76 through the gate 76a.
In this way, with the coin distribution mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention, the distribution flap 70, which is placed below the gate 76a in the vicinity of the coin conveyance path 76, is configured to be movable by the solenoids 72 of the distribution flap driving mechanism among the default position A0, the first switched position A1, and the second switched position A2. Thus, by switching the position of the distribution flap 70 (i.e., the first gate member) as a single member according to a desired denomination, the moving direction of the coin C that is conveyed on the coin conveyance path 76 to be about to reach the gate 76a can be set to drop through the gate 76a in the direction toward the relevant rear hopper 83 (i.e., in the first direction), to drop through the gate 76a in the direction toward the relevant front hopper 84 (i.e., in the second direction), or to pass through the gate 76a without dropping through the gate 76a.
Accordingly, two desired denominations of coins C can be distributed by providing the distribution flap 70 as a single gate member and by switching the position of the distribution flap 70 in accordance with the denominations. This means that the same function as that of the conventional coin distribution mechanisms disclosed in the aforementioned Publication No. 4997374 and Publication No. 2018-198010 can be realized using the distribution flap 70 as a single gate member.
Moreover, since the function of distributing coins C of two denominations to move in different directions is realized using the distribution flap 70 as a single gate member, the coin distribution mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention is simpler in mechanical configuration and driving mechanism than the aforementioned conventional coin distribution mechanisms disclosed in the aforementioned Publication No. 4997374 and Publication No. 2018-198010 where two desired denominations are distributed using two gate members, is easy in reducing the fabrication cost and facilitating the maintenance, and is easy in producing the control program for controlling the solenoids 72 which are included in the distribution flap driving mechanism (i.e., the first position switching device) and version up thereof.
Furthermore, the coin distribution mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention incorporated into the first distribution section D1 further comprises the rejection flap 71 (i.e., the second gate member) which is provided in a vicinity of the distribution flap 70 and which is movable around the pivotable shafts 91 in addition to the distribution flap 70 (i.e., the first gate member) which is movable around the pivotable shafts 88. Moreover, when the distribution flap 70 is located at the second switched position A2, the rejection flap 71 is configured to allow a coin C that is dropped from the coin conveyance path 76 through the gate 76a to move in the third direction (i.e., the direction toward the dispensing belt) which is different from the first direction toward the relevant rear hopper 83 and the second direction toward the relevant front hopper 84. For this reason, there arises an advantageous effect that coins C of three denominations in total (e.g., relevant two denominations and one rejective denomination) can be distributed in this coin distribution mechanism.
In addition, the third denomination is not limited to the rejective denomination. It is needless to say that the third denomination may be any one of authorized denominations other than the denominations to be processed (i.e., the target denominations). In this case, the total number of the target denominations is increased by one and as a result, nine denominations in total can be distributed in the apparatus 1.
The aforementioned embodiments are exemplary embodied examples of the present invention. Thus, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and any other modification is applicable to the embodiments without departing the spirit of the invention.
For example, in the aforementioned embodiment of the apparatus 1, the rotary disk 26 is used in the coin separation section and the rotary wiper 27 is used in the coin discrimination section; however, the present invention is not limited to this. Any other structure may be used for the coin separation section if it is capable of separating coins C as desired. Any other structure may be used for the coin discrimination section if it is capable of discriminating the denomination and authenticity of coins C as desired.
Moreover, in the aforementioned embodiment of the apparatus 1, (i) the coin conveyance path 76 which is formed by the guide rail 66, the inclined portion 77a of the rear cover 77, and the inclined portion 78a of the front cover 78, (ii) the endless belt 63 having the pins 63a attached thereto at predetermined distances, and (iii) the gates 76a formed on the coin conveyance path 76 are used in the coin conveyance and distribution unit 60. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any other structure may be used for this purpose if it is capable of distributing coins C as desired while being conveyed.
In addition, with the coin distribution according to the aforementioned embodiments, which are respectively incorporated into the first distribution section D1 and each of the second to fourth distribution sections D2 to D4, the distribution flap 70 which is movable around the pivotable shafts 88 and which is driven by the distribution flap driving solenoids 72 is used as the first gate member. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is needless to say that any other member having a different shape and/or structure from the distribution flap 70 may be used as the first gate member if it is capable of performing the same function as the distribution flap 70. In addition, the means for driving the first gate member also may be optionally modified in accordance with the change applied to the distribution flap 70.
Further in addition, with the coin distribution mechanism according to the aforementioned embodiment which is incorporated into the first distribution section D1, the rejection flap 71 which is movable around the pivotable shafts 91 and which is driven by the rejection flap driving solenoid 73 is used as the second gate member, in addition to the distribution flap 70 as the first gate member and the distribution flap driving solenoids 72 therefor. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is needless to say that any other member having a different shape and/or structure from the rejection flap 71 may be used as the second gate member if it is capable of performing the same function as the rejection flap 71. In addition, the means for driving the second gate member also may be optionally modified in accordance with the change applied to the rejection flap 71.
The coin distribution mechanism and the apparatus for discriminating and conveying coins according to the present invention are applicable not only to coins as currency but also to coin equivalents such as token and medals. Moreover, the coin distribution mechanism and the apparatus for discriminating and conveying coins according to the present invention are applicable not only to any coin depositing/dispensing apparatus but also to any coin processing apparatus that necessitates selective conveyance and distribution of coins of desired denominations.
While the preferred forms of the present invention have been described, it is to be understood that modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-235310 | Dec 2019 | JP | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3978962 | Gregory, Jr. | Sep 1976 | A |
| 4413718 | Dean | Nov 1983 | A |
| 5042635 | Bell | Aug 1991 | A |
| 5167314 | Levasseur | Dec 1992 | A |
| 5496212 | Meyer-Weingartner | Mar 1996 | A |
| 5813509 | Boxall | Sep 1998 | A |
| 20210201615 | Enomoto | Jul 2021 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 101714269 | May 2010 | CN |
| 9306231 | Jul 1993 | DE |
| 9306231 | Aug 1993 | DE |
| 3407311 | Nov 2018 | EP |
| 3407711 | Dec 2018 | EP |
| 5-114066 | May 1993 | JP |
| 2007328660 | Dec 2007 | JP |
| 4997374 | May 2012 | JP |
| 4997374 | Aug 2012 | JP |
| 5760233 | Jun 2015 | JP |
| 5760233 | Aug 2015 | JP |
| 2016042333 | Mar 2016 | JP |
| 2018-198010 | Dec 2018 | JP |
| 2018198010 | Dec 2018 | JP |
| 2019-057269 | Apr 2019 | JP |
| 2019057269 | Apr 2019 | JP |
| Entry |
|---|
| Official communication received in European Patent Application No. 20213261.9, dated May 26, 2021. |
| Official communication received in Chinese Patent Application No. 202011560626.X, dated Jun. 29, 2022, with an English translation thereof. |
| Official communication received in Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-235310, dated Jun. 28, 2022, with an English translation thereof. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20210201615 A1 | Jul 2021 | US |
