Coin hopper device

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6609966
  • Patent Number
    6,609,966
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, August 10, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, August 26, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A miniaturized coin hopper device is provided so as to have a lower height. The device has an electric motor which is arranged such that the projection end of a rotated axis thereof is located at a lower side. A first gear is fixed on this projection end of rotated axis. A disk for discharging coins one by one is provided at the bottom of a hopper which stores the coins. A second gear rotates this disk. A gear train connects this second gear and the first gear. The problem of a true coin being disbursed when a pseudo-coin was in a hopper device and the return button was pushed is also addressed. A distinguishing element checks the money kind of a deposited coin. A reserve temporarily holds the coin distinguished by this distinction element. A storage for coins of same money kind and a disbursing element is provided for the the coin in this storage to return the coin reserved in the temporary reservation. A device is also provided to distribute the coin reserved in said temporary reservation to the storage.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates to a coin processor to process plural kinds of loose coins of various money types. Especially, this invention concerns a coin processor which is built in a vending machine and processes the coin thrown therein into an exchange coin. This invention also concerns a coin processor to prepare exchange money, by processing plural types of coins thrown into the vending machine, of the money type. The term “coin” in this specification includes currency. The term “coin” can also refer to pseudo-coins such as medals, tokens and so on. Further, the tern “vending machine” in this specification of course includes the medal or token vending machine. Also, the term “vending machine” refers to devices for the em change of coins or currency including machines of the game machine type.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




A comparatively small coin hopper device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application 10-254512 by this applicant.





FIG. 9

is an outlined perspective view of the coin hopper device with an escalator disclosed in Japanese Patent Application 10-254512. This hopper device H stores a lot of coins (not shown in the figure) in hopper tank T, of a fennel shape and discharges the coins above one by one. Electric motor device E with gear train is installed under base board B diagonally arranged Disk D at the bottom in hopper tank T is rotated with the electric motor device E. A penetration hole (not shown) of this disk D is rotated, the coin is pushed out along base board B and is then discharged out from hopper tank T. The coin pushed out from hopper device H is transported above with an escalator device. The escalator device has a passage P for coins providing communications to the base plate B. Frame P is provided for reinforcing the long escalator.




This hopper device H, electric motor device E with the gear train was set up under base board B, and hopper tank T was set up on base board B. Therefore, hopper device H had a problem which enlarged in the vertical direction as shown in FIG.


4


. To miniaturize the hopper device, for instance, the base board B is made horizontal, and the electric motor device E and the gear train are sideways arranged under the base board B. However, there was a limit in the miniaturization of coin hopper device with the above-mentioned arrangement.




When vending machines are used and the amount of money deposited in the machine is more than the price of commodity, the difference is automatically disbursed as change (exchange money). In addition, when the coin inserted into vending machine is a pseudo coin such as foreign country coin and so on, this coin is automatically returned or canceled. The coin inserted into the vending machine is recycled for exchange money by the coin processor built therein. Coins for exchange money are prepared beforehand in the vending machine and when the exchange coins are insufficient, the coin inserted is reused for exchange money.




A coin processor for a vending machine is discussed in Japanese Patent Application 8-214917 or Patent Disclosure 9-265561 by this applicant. As for this coin processor, a plurality of hopper devices to store a lot of coins of same money kind in lose state are vertically piled up. And, on the top part of hopper devices vertically piled up, a coin selector is provided. As for the coin inserted into the vending machine, the money kind is distinguished with the selector, and then existing the passage, the coin is stored in the hopper device of same money kind. When the exchange coin is necessary, each hopper device is operated by an electric signal and the desired exchange coin is disbursed automatically.




In the coin processor for above-mentioned prior vending machine, there was a problem that a pseudo-coin which is similar to the actual coin is not rejected with the selector and is stored in the hopper device. That is, there was a problem that another true coin was disbursed from the hopper device, when a pseudo-coin was stored in the hopper device and the return button was pushed. The coin processor for prior vending machine exchanged a pseudo-coin for a true coin. On the other hand, there was another problem that a true coin was rejected when the accuracy of coin selector was raised.




SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION




It is an object of the invention to provide a miniaturized coin hopper device. Especially, this invention is developed from a purpose to lower the height of coin hopper device as much as possible.




According to the invention a coin hopper device is provided with at least an electric motor mechanism which is arranged such that the projection end of a rotated axis thereof is located at a lower side. A first gear mechanism is fixed on this projection end of the rotated axis. A disk mechanism is provided for discharging coins one by one. The disk mechanism is provided at the bottom of a hopper which stores the coins. A second gear mechanism is provided for rotating the disk. A gear train mechanism connects this second gear mechanism and the first gear mechanism.




According to another aspect of the invention is a coin hopper device is provided with a first gear mechanism and a second gear mechanism and also a gear mechanism.flatly arranged at a lower position than a disk mechanism. The electric motor may be arranged at the side of the disk mechanism.




It is another object of the invention to provide a device in which when the inserted coin is temporarily reserved and the return button is pushed, the inserted coin is returned. That is, this invention adds the escrow function to the coin processor for vending machine and avoids the problem of exchanging a pseudo-coin for a true coin.




It is still another object of the invention that when the inserted coin is temporarily reserved and the commodity purchase button is pushed, the coin is accepted within the vending machine.




According to another aspect of the invention, a coin processor is provided with at least a mechanism to distinguish the money kinds thrown-into (deposited) the device. A mechanism is provided to reserve temporarily the coin distinguished by this distinguishing mechanism. A storage facility for coins of same money kind and a mechanism to disburse the coin in the storage facility are also provided. A mechanism to return the coin reserved in the temporary reservation mechanism and a mechanism to distribute coins reserved in the temporary reservation mechanism to the storage facility are provided,




The coin processor of the invention may have a storage facility of coin of same money kind and the disbursement mechanism of the coins are piled as one body.




The storage facility of same money kind coin and the disbursement mechanism of the coin which are united are piled as a plurality and vertically.




The coin processor of the invention may have the temporary reservation mechanism of coin and the storage facility of same money coin kind in the form of hopper devices respectively.











The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.




BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




In the drawings:





FIG. 1

is an outlined perspective view in which an embodiment according to this invention is shown;





FIG. 2

shows an outlined perspective view in which the upper part of

FIG. 1

is removed;





FIG. 3

is a perspective view showing the elements shown in

FIG. 2

in a disassembled state;





FIG. 4

is a perspective view in which the whole of another embodiment according to this invention is shown in the outline;





FIG. 5

is a perspective view which expands and shows some necessary parts of the embodiment of

FIG. 4

;





FIG. 6

is a perspective view which expands and shows other necessary parts of the embodiment of

FIG. 4

;





FIG. 7

is a perspective view in which the necessary parts of the third embodiment according to this invention is shown in outline;





FIG. 8

is a partially sectional side view of the third embodiment of the invention; and





FIG. 9

is a perspective view of a known device.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




Referring to the drawings in particular, an example of the invention is shown in

FIGS. 1-3

. The device of the invention includes an almost rectangular bottom board


11


. This bottom board


11


with this complex shape is a resin molded product. Electric connector


12


is fixed on one end part of rectangular bottom board


11


by means of screws


13


. On the other end part of bottom board


11


, electric motor


15


is extends up and is fixed with screws


13


. Electric motor


15


with column shape is fixed in a head standing condition. A small gear


16


is fitted on the projected turning shaft which is located under electric motor


15


. A gear


17


at the above left in

FIG. 3

is rotatably mounted on the pivot standing up on bottom board


11


, adjacent to slider


19


. Middle gear


17


engages with small gear


16


. Moreover, small gear


21


is integrally formed on the upper surface of middle gear


17


. Gear


22


at the left center in

FIG. 3

is also rotatably mounted on the pivot which extends up from bottom board


11


, adjacent to slider


19


. Middle gear


22


engages with small gear


21


(see FIG.


2


). Small gear


23


is integrally formed under middle gear


22


. Large gear


25


at the lower left in

FIG. 3

has a central part penetrated through by rotation axis


26


at the center thereof The lower part of this rotation axis


26


is rotatably inserted into bottom board


11


, adjacent to slider


19


. Large gear


25


engages with small gear


23


(see to FIG.


2


).




At the above center in

FIG. 3

wiring


10


for the electric motor


15


is shown.

FIG. 3

also shows an electric connector


9


for a sensor.





FIG. 2

shows the assembled state of the device of the embodiment of

FIGS. 1-3

.

FIG. 1

shows the further almost rectangular base board


31


on the assembled state of the device of FIG.


2


. This further shows the arranged round disk


41


thereon.




The base board


31


consists of a resin molded product. Large metallic plate


33


, which almost becomes a circle, is fixed on the center thereof On the point part of base board


31


, ring


35


which freely penetrates through electric motor


15


is formed. Details are omitted from the drawing, but between disk


41


and ring


35


, guide splinter


36


for coins is fixed on plate


33


. Moreover, exit


37


for coins is formed near ring


35


of base board


31


. Some details were omitted, but at each side of coin exit


37


, rollers


39


are pivoted respectively. A showing of the other rollers has been omitted. Each roller


39


is moveably mounted respectively with a spring (not shown).




Also, near one of rollers


39


, a couple of pins


32


for guiding coins are provided to rise and fall freely with a spring board (not shown). As for the other pins, these have not been shown to preserve clarity in the drawing.




Disk


41


has a circle shape. Penetration holes


42


for holding coins flat are opened in the direction of surrounding and at equal intervals. Two or more small long and slender nails


43


are provided to push the coin out. These nails


43


project under the disk


41


. As shown in

FIG. 1

, big hopper


45


for coin storage having a flat rectangular funnel shape is further installed thereon. Hopper


45


shows only the size in chain lines, but it is a resin molded product. A corner part of hopper


45


is formed to store the upper part of electric motor


15


. Moreover, the hooks (not shown) formed on the under edge of hopper


45


are inserted into small holes


47


on base board


31


. A couple of nails


49


formed on base board


31


dig into hollows (not shown) formed on hopper


45


, existing spings (not shown), and the hopper


45


is fixed thereon. Further, near coin exit


37


, sensor


8


for coin calculation which has a F shape is installed.




As for this execution example with the above mentioned configuration, when electric motor


15


is turned, small gear


16


is rotated. When small gear


16


is rotated, middle gear


17


and small gear


21


are rotated. When small gear


21


is rotated, middle gear


22


and small gear


23


are rotated (refer to FIG.


2


). When small gear


23


is rotated, large gear


25


is rotated (see FIG.


2


). When large gear


25


is rotated, disk


41


is rotated in the direction of the arrow, existing rotation axis


26


(see FIG.


1


).




As a result of the rotation of disk


41


, a plurality of coins in flat rectangular fennel-shaped hopper


45


will be one by one disbursed to exit


37


by means of disk


41


. When electric motor


15


is trued, the coins fall into either of penetration holes


42


of rotated disk


41


. The lowest coins which fall in penetration holes


42


slide on the upper surface of metal p ate


33


, by rotation of disk


41


and existing nails


43


The coin which slides on the upper surface of plate


33


with nail


43


is guided toward the exit


37


, existing inner wall of hopper


45


and guide splinter


36


. The coin guided toward the exit is pushed out from the position of penetration hole


42


to the outside, by means of nail


43


and a couple of pins


32


. The coin pushed out is further pushed outside by nail


43


, resisting the springs of a couple of rollers


39


(refer to arrows of FIG.


1


).




According to this invention as described above, only by changing the arrangement of composition, a big effect is achieved that the coin hopper device can be miniaturized. That is, according to this invention, there is a big effect in which the height of hopper device can be greatly lowered, by arranging an electric motor in an upright condition and arranging a gear train for deceleration flatly and horizontally.




The device of

FIG. 4

has a first hopper device


111


at lower side thereof, which has an almost horizontal box shape. And, a similar second hopper device


112


is arranged thereon. On the second hopper device


112


, a similar third hopper device


113


is arranged. A similar fourth hopper device


114


is arranged on the third hopper device


113


. In addition, on this fourth hopper device


114


, there is arranged a similar flat-box-shaped hopper device


115


. And, on the hopper device


115


, there is arranged a coin selector


116


which has a upright box shape.




The selector


116


distinguishes electronically the coin which was inserted into vending machine (not shown in the drawing). That is, the coin thrown into or deposited in the sending machine is guided by using natural fall and thrown in a slot


117


of selector


116


. The coin which is thrown in slot


117


and falls naturally is distinguished electronically. As for the coin which falls naturally, the diameter, the thickness, and the material are distinguished for instance with three pairs of magnetic sensors (not shown) and the money kind or type thereof is determined.




The coin, of which the money kind is determined, is guided with the solenoid (not shown) etc., falls naturally in hopper


125


of hopper device


115


, and is stored. The pseudo coin such as a foreign coin of which the money kind is not determined is rejected or returned, using natural fall and being guided by passage


118


.




In

FIG. 5

, there is shown the hopper device


115


, of which hopper


125


with rectangular tube shape is removed. Hopper device


115


has an electric motor


135


, of which the projection end of turning shaft (not shown) is located downward. On the lower end of turning shaft of electric motor


135


, a first gear (not shown) is fixed. On the other hand, at the bottom position of hopper


125


in which coins are stored, a disk


145


is provided (see FIG.


5


). This round disk


145


discharges coins one by one. On the lower end of rotation axis


155


of disk


145


, a second gear (not shown) is fixed. There is provided a gear train (not shown) for connecting the second gear and the first gear (see embodiment of FIGS.


1


-


3


). The first gear, the second gear and the gear train are located within a case


165


for flat driving device. This case


165


is constituted by a rectangular bottom board and a base board which becomes a lid. Moreover, the case


165


is a resin molded product and, at the center of upper surface thereof a metallic big plate


175


with almost circular shape is fixed. Between disk


145


and electric motor


135


, a coin guide splinter (not shown) is fixed. Moreover, at the coin discharge entrance near the electric motor


135


, a sensor


195


for coin detection is arranged. Sensor


195


includes a magnetic sensor for instance and detects the money kind of the coin by the diameter etc. of the discharged coin. On both sides of sensor


195


, a roller (not shown) is pivoted, respectively. Each roller is freely moved with a spring (not shown), respectively Near the one roller, a couple of pins for coin guide (not show) are provided to rise and fall in fee, existing spring board. Further, in the disk


145


, a penetration holes


5


for holding coins in a flat state are opened in surrounding direction and at equal intervals. At the under surface of disk


145


, a plurality of small slender nails or pins (protruding elements)


185


project for pushing coins.




Hopper


125


is a resin molded product and one corner part thereof is formed to store the upper side part of electric motor


135


This hopper


125


is fixed on case


165


, for instance, nails or retention latches


105


being formed on case


165


and inserted into holes with a sparing (not shown). When the electric motor


135


turns, as for hopper device


115


, disk


145


rotate s in the arrow direction, with rotation of the gear train and rotation axis


155


. As a result, different money kinds of coins in hopper


125


will be disbursed one by one from discharge entrance near electric motor


135


, by disk


145


. When electric motor


135


is turns, the coin falls into either of penetration holes


5


of rotated disk


145


. The lowest coin falls into penetration holes


5


and slides on the upper surface of metal plate


175


, by rotation of disk


145


and existing nails


185


. The coin which slides on the upper surface of plate


175


is guided in the direction of sensor


195


, positioned along the inner wall of hopper


125


and by the guide splinter (not shown), The coin which was guided toward the sensor position


195


is pushed out, outside from the position of penetration hole


5


, by nail


185


and a couple of pins (not shown), The coin pushed out, outside, is further pushed out on sensor


195


and discharged, by nail


18


S and resisting the spring of couple rollers (not shown). When the pushed out and discharged coin passes sensor


195


, the money kind thereof is judged electronically.





FIG. 6

, the most lowest hopper device


111


shown in

FIG. 1

is shown The hopper device


111


is similar to hopper device


115


of FIG.


2


. That is, disk


141


which discharges coins one by one, is set at the bottom position of hopper


121


for storing coins. Similarly, at the bottom of rotation axis


151


of disk


141


, a gear (not shown) is fixed (see embodiment of FIGS.


1


-


3


). A plurality of gears (not shown) including this gear are set in flat case


161


for driving device In a similar way, case


161


is a resin molded product and, at the center of upper surface thereof, there is fixed a metallic and big plate


171


which has an almost circular configuration. Moreover, at the coin discharge entrance near electric motor


131


, a sensor


191


for coin detection is arranged (see the lower part of FIG.


4


).




The sensor


191


is formed of a magnetic sensor for instance and detects the discharged coin. Therefore, sensor


191


concerned is used for the calculation of the discharged coin. In the same way, on both sides of sensor


191


, a roller (not shown) is pivoted respectively. Moreover with a spring (not shown), each roller can be moved freely, respectively. Similarly, near the one roller, a couple of pins (not shown) for coin guiding are provided to rise and fall in free, existing spring board. Also, in disk


141


, penetration holes


101


for holding the coin flat are opened in surrounding direction and at equal intervals. In the same way, on the under surface of disk


141


, a plurality of small slender nails (not shown) to push coin out project. Hopper


121


is also a resin molded product




As for the above-mentioned hopper device


111


, when electric motor


131


is turned, existing gear train (not shown) and rotation axis


151


and disk


141


are rotated along the arrow direction as well as the above-mentioned. As a result, the coins of same money kind in hopper


121


will be disbursed one by one from the discharge entrance near electric motor


131


, by rotation of disk


141


. That is, when electric motor


131


is turned, the coin falls in either of penetration holes


101


of rotated disk


141


. The lowest coin which has fallen in penetration hole


101


slides on the upper surface of metal plate


171


, by the rotation of disk


141


and the nail. The coin which slides on upper surface of plate


171


is guided toward the sensor


191


, along the inner wall of hopper


141


and by the guide splinter (not shown). The coin guided toward the sensor


191


is pushed out from the position of penetration hole


101


, by the nail and couple of pins (not shown). The coin pushed out, outside, is further pushed out on the sensor


191


and is discharged outside, by the nail and resisting the springs of couple of rollers (not shown). The coin which is pushed out and discharged is detected in an electronic-engineering manner, when the sensor


191


is passed.




The similar second hopper device


112


is arranged on the first hopper device


111


. The similar third hopper device


113


is arranged also on the second hopper device


112


. The similar fourth hopper device


114


is arranged further on the third hopper device


113


. Therefore, in

FIG. 5

, reference numerals have been described only as to the corresponding parts of these hopper device


111


-


114


.




With the configuration mentioned with reference to

FIGS. 4-6

, when the coin is thrown into the vending machine (not shown), the coin is guided and is inserted in slot


117


of elector


116


. The coin inserted in slot


117


is distinguished according to a type of money by the selector


116


in an electronic manner. The coin of which the money type is not distinguished is guided into passage


118


and rejected by natural falling (see FIG.


4


). That is, the coin of which the money type is not distinguished is canceled and sent to the return entrance of vending machine (not shown). The coin of which the money kind or type is distinguished with selector


116


is stored in the hopper device


115


based on the operation of a solenoid (not shown). It other words, the coin of which the money kind or type is distinguished is reserved temporarily in the hopper device


115


. In this situation, when the return button of vending machine (not shown) is pushed, the electric motor


135


is driven and then the coin is discharged into passage


118


. That is, the coin reserved temporarily in hopper device


115


is canceled to the return entrance of vending machine.




Usually, when the coin of which the money kind is distinguished is reserved in the hopper device


115


, the commodity purchase button of vending machine (not shown) is pushed. The electric motor


135


is driven at this time and the coin is discharged in passage


118


. The coin discharged from the hopper device


115


passes the sensor


195


and falls naturally in the passage


118


. The money kind of the coin is judged when the coin passes sensor


195


and, for instance, solenoid S


1


is operated by this judgment signal. Guide board G


1


projects into passage


118


when solenoid S


1


is operated, and the falling coin will be taken into hopper device


111


. Therefore, when the return button of vending machine is pushed, it is preferable that electric motor


135


is driven at the high speed. Moreover, when the commodity purchase button of vending machine is pushed, it is preferable that electric motor


135


is driven in the low speed. For instance, the most upper hopper device


114


is used for e.g., 500 yen coins and the below hopper device


113


is used for e.g., 100 yen coins. And, the lowest hopper device


111


is used for e.g., ten yen coins and the above hopper device


112


is used for e.g., 50 yen coin. The yen coins represent an example only and various denominations of U.S. currency may also be provided for. It is of course good that the height of hopper


124


for the 500 yen coins (the coin with the largest diameter) is enlarged to have a big capacity. Matching to this, it is of course good that the height of hopper


122


for the 50 yen coin with the smallest diameter is reduced to have a small capacity. For instance, such as the above-mentioned, it is now assumed that 500 yen coins, which are thrown into the vending machine and of which the money kind is distinguished, is reserved in hopper device


115


. When the purchase Button of the 300 yen commodity of the vending machine is pushed at this time, electric motor


135


is driven and a 500 yen coin is discharged into passage


118


. The 500 yen coin is discharged from the hopper device


115


passes sensor


195


and falls naturally in passage


18


. When the 500 yen coin passes sensor


195


, the money kind is judged and solenoid S


4


is operated by the 500 yen judgment signal. Guide board G


4


is projected into passage


118


when the solenoid S


4


is operated and the falling 500 yen coin is taken in hopper device


114


. On the other hand, the 300 yen commodity is disbursed from the vending machine by means of a signal processor such as CPU and so on, which are omitted from the drawings.




At the same time, an exchange money signal which means 500 yen minus 300 yen equals 200 yen is output to the electric motor(not shown) of the third hopper device


113


. When this electric motor is driven, one 100 yen coin is discharged from the hopper device


113


into passage


119


. One 100 yen coin discharged from the hopper device


113


passes the sensor (not shown) and falls naturally in passage


119


. This sensor detects one 100 yen coin and transmits the detection signal to the signal processor. One 100 yen coin discharged in passage


119


falls naturally and is disbursed to the return entrance of vending machine as exchange money. On the other hand, electric motor


133


is driven further and another 100 yen coin from the hopper device


113


is discharged into passage


119


. As well as the above-mentioned, the sensor detects another 100 yen coin and transmits the detection signal to the signal processor. This signal processor confirms the completion of exchange money of the 200 yen and stops the electric motor of the third hopper device


113


. Therefore, two 100 yen coins total will be disbursed to the return entrance of the vending machine as exchange money Further, as not shown, it is of course that a solenoid and so on are provided at the lower side of passage


118


. For instance, when either of guide boards G


1


-G


4


is not operated, the purpose of the solenoid is to stare the coin within the vending machine, preventing the coin from being returned. Moreover, the purpose of solenoid is to store the coin in the vending machine preventing the coin from being returned, when either of the hopper devices


111


-


114


is nearly full, for instance.




In

FIG. 7

, a hopper device


110


is shown in the outline. This is still another embodiment of the invention. Hopper device


110


is formed almost similarly to hopper device


115


in FIG.


4


. That is, hopper device


110


has arranged electric motor


130


, which locates the projection end of turning shaft downward. Electric motor


130


provides positive and reverse rotations. A first gear (not shown) is fixed on the lower end of turning shaft of electric motor


130


. Similarly, a disk


140


is prepared for at the bottom position of hopper


120


in which coins are stored. Also, with the disk


140


, positive and reverse rotations are possible.




This round disk


140


discharges coins one by one. A second gear (not shown) is fixed on the lower end of the rotation axis of disk


140


. A gear train (not shown) connects the second gear and the first gear. The first gear, the second gear, and the gear train are set in a flat case


160


for the driving device. This case


160


is composed of a rectangular bottom board and a base board which becomes a lid. Similarly, the case


160


is a resin molded product, and on the center of the upper surface thereof, a metallic big plate


170


which is nearly circular is fixed.




Discharge entrance


6


of coin is formed near electric motor


130


and further discharge entrance


7


for the coin is formed on the opposite side. Also, sensor


190


for coin detection is arranged at coin discharge entrance


7


. This sensor


190


consists of a magnetic sensor for instance and detects the money kind of coin by the diameter etc. of discharged coin. Rollers (not shown) are pivoted at both side of each of coin discharge entrances


6


and


7


respectively. Four rollers in total are arranged respectively. Moreover, each roller thereof moves freely via a spring (not shown) respectively. Also, near each of the another rollers, a couple of pins to guide the coin (not show) are provided to freely rise and fall with a spring board, respectively. In other words, four guide pins which become two pairs in total are provided.




The disk


140


has penetration holes for holding coins flat. These holes are opened in a surrounding direction and at equal intervals. Under disk


140


, two or more nails project (not shown) to push the coin out. Similarly, hopper


120


is a resin molded product and is formed to store the upper side part of electric motor


130


in the corner part thereof For instance, The nails similarly formed on case


160


cut into holes of hopper


120


, existing spring (not shown), and the hopper


120


is fixed. As for above-mentioned hopper device


110


, when electric motor


130


is reversely turned, existing the gear train (not shown) and rotation axis, disk


140


is rotated counterclockwise. As a result, by means of disk


140


, the coins in hopper


120


will be disbursed one by one from discharge entrance


6


near electric motor


130


. That is, when electric motor


130


is reversely turned, the coin falls into either of penetration holes of rotated disk


140


. By further rotation of disk


140


, the lowest coin which has fallen in penetration hole slides on the upper surface of metal plate


170


and the nail. The coin which slides on upper surface of plate


170


is guided toward the discharge entrance


6


, along the inner wall of hopper


120


and by the guide splinter (not shown).




The coin guided toward discharge entrance


6


is pushed out from the position of penetration hole, by the nail and a couple of pins (not shown). The coin pushed out, outside, is further pushed out to discharge entrance


6


by the nail and discharged outside, resisting the spring of a couple of rollers (not shown). Similarly, when electric motor


130


is positively turned, disk


140


is rotated clockwise. As a result, the coins of various money kinds in hopper


120


will be disbursed one by one from the other discharge entrance


7


by means of disk


140


. That is, when electric motor


130


is positively turned, the coins fall into either of penetration holes of rotated disk


140


. The most bottom coin falls in the penetration hole and slides on the upper surface of metric plate


170


, by the rotation of disk


140


and existing the nail. In the same way, the coin guided toward the discharge entrance is pushed out from the position of penetration hole, by the nail and a couple of pins (not shown). The coin pushed out is further pushed out to the discharge entrance


7


by the nail, and discharged resisting the spring of a couple of rollers (not shown). The coin which is pushed out and discharged is judged the money kind thereof electronically, when the sensor


190


is passed.




The embodiment shown in

FIG. 7

has the above mentioned composition and is operated almost similar to the embodiment of FIG.


4


. When the coin is thrown into the vending machine (not shown), the coin is inserted in the slot


117


of selector


116


. For the coin inserted in slot


117


, the money kind thereof is distinguished with the selector


116


. The coin of which the money kind is not distinguished is guided in passage


119


and rejected by natural fall. That is, the coin of which the money kind is not distinguished is canceled at the return entrance of vending machine (not shown). As for the coin of which the money kind is distinguished with selector


116


, it is stored in hopper device


110


, properly based on the operation of solenoid not shown). In other words, the coin of which money kind is judged is reserved temporarily in hopper device


110


In this state and when the return button of vending machine (not shown) is pushed, electric motor


130


is reversely turned and the coin is discharged in passage


119


. The coin reserved temporarily in hopper device


10


is canceled at the return entrance of vending machine. When the coin of which money kind is known is reserved in hopper device


110


, the commodity purchase button of vending machine (not shown) is pushed. At this time, electric motor


135


is positively turned and the said coin is discharged in passage


118


The coin discharged from hopper device


110


passes sensor


190


and falls naturally in passage


118


. When the coin passes sensor


190


, the money kind of the coin is judged and, for instance, solenoid S


1


is operated by this judgment signal. The explanation and drawing were omitted, but four hopper devices and solenoids S


1


-S


4


are piled up under hopper device


110


as well as is shown in FIG.


1


. When solenoid Si is operated, guide board G


1


is projected in passage


118


and the said falling coin will be taken into hopper device


111


. For instance, the most upper hopper device


114


is used for e.g., 500 yen coins as well as FIG.


4


and the hopper device


113


below is used for e.g., 100 yen coins. The lowest hopper device


11


is used for 10 yen coins and the hopper device


112


above is used for 50 yen coins. Thus, 500 yen coins which are thrown into the vending machine and the money kind thereof is judged and reserved in hopper device


111


). And, when the purchase button of 300 yen commodity of vending machine is pushed, electric motor


130


is positively turned and the 500 yen coin is discharged in passage


118


. The 500 yen coin discharged from the hopper device


110


passes sensor


190


and falls naturally in passage


118


. When the 500 yen coin passes sensor


190


, the money kind thereof is judged, and solenoid S


4


is operated by the 500 yen judgment signal. When solenoid S


4


is operated, guide board G


4


is projected into passage


118


, and the falling 500 yen coin is taken into hopper device


14


. On the other hand, the 300 yen commodity is disbursed from the vending machine by means of the signal processor such as CPU. At the same time, the exchange coin signal which means 500 yen minus 300 yen equals 200 yen is outputted to electric motor (not show) of hopper device


113


. When this electric motor is driven, one 100 yen coin is discharged from the hopper device


113


to passage


119


One 100 yen coin discharged from the hopper device


113


passes the sensor (not shown) and falls naturally in passage


119


. This sensor detects one 100 yen coin and transmits the detection signal to the signal processor. One 100 yen coin discharged in passage


119


falls naturally and is disbursed to the return entrance of vending machine as exchange money. On the other hand, the said electric motor is driven further and another 100 yen coin from the hopper device


113


is discharged in passage


119


. As well as the above-mentioned, the said sensor detects the 100 yen coin of another piece and transmits the.detection signal to the signal processor. This signal processor confirms the completion of exchange money of said 200 yen and stops the electric motor of third hopper device


113


. Therefore, as exchange money, two 100 yen coins of total will be disbursed at the return entrance of vending machine.




A coin processor, which is the fourth example, is shown in

FIG. 8

in the outline. The most top hopper device V


10


is about the same as hopper device


110


of FIG.


7


. The bottom position of tank V


1


where coins are stored has a disk V


2


. This disk V


2


can make positive and reverse rotations. Moreover, the discharge entrance V


6


for cancellation is formed, and discharge entrance V


7


for coin acceptance is formed on the opposite side. Sensor V


9


for money kind detection is arranged at coin discharge entrance V


7


. When an electric motor (not shown) is reversely rotated, as for the hopper device V


10


, disk V


2


is rotated counterclockwise, existing gears etc. As a result, the coin in tank V


1


will be disbursed one by one from discharge entrance V


6


by means of disk V


2


. Similarly, when electric motor is positively rotated, disk V


2


is rotated clockwise. As a result, the coin in tank V


1


will be disbursed one by one from the other discharge entrance V


7


by means of disk V


2


. The money kind of disbursed coin C


5


is judged electronically upon passing the sensor V


9


. The embodiment in

FIG. 8

operates in a manner similar to that described for the embodiment of FIG.


7


.




When coin C


1


is deposited into the vending machine (not shown), the coin is inserted in the slot


117


of selector


116


. As for coin C


2


inserted in slot


117


, the money kind thereof is distinguished with selector


116


. Still, the coin (not shown) of which money kind is not distinguished is guided into passage


119


to be canceled. Coin C


2


of which the money kind is distinguished with selector


116


is stored in hopper device V


10


. In another way, coin C


3


of which the money kind is known is reserved temporarily in hopper device V


10


. When the return button (not shown) is pushed at this state, disk V


2


is reversely rotated. Therefore, the coin in tank V


1


is discharged into cancellation passage


119


. At the above-mentioned time, that is, when coin C


3


of which the money kind is known is reserved in hopper device V


1


, the commodity purchase button (not shown) is pushed. At this time, disk V


2


is positively rotated and coin C


3


is discharged into passage


118


for coin processing. Coin C


5


discharged from hopper device V


10


passes sensor V


9


and falls naturally in passage


118


. When coin C


5


passes sensor V


9


, the money kind thereof is judged and the judgment signal is sent By this judgment signal, for instance, solenoid VS


4


of rotation type (described later) is operated Four hopper devices V


11


-V


14


are piled up under hopper device V


10


in a manner as in the embodiment of FIG.


7


. Each solenoid VS


1


-VS


4


is built in each hopper device V


11


-V


14


respectively. For instance, when solenoid VS


4


is operated, guide board VG


4


is rotated into passage


118


. In this case, falling coin CS is taken into hopper device V


14


, by means of guide board VG


4


in passage


118


. For explanation in

FIG. 8

, the most upper hopper device V


14


is used for a larger coin e.g., 500 yen coin. The hopper device V


13


below is used for eg., a 100 yen coin. This, one 500 yen coin, which is thrown into the vending machine and of which money and is known, is reserved in hopper device V


10


. And, when the purchase button of 300 yen commodity of vending machine is pushed, disk V


2


is positively rotated and the 500 yen coin is discharged in passage


118


. The 500 yen coin C


5


discharged from hopper device V


10


passes sensor V


9


and falls naturally in passage


118


. When the 500 yen coin passes sensor V


9


, the money kind thereof is judged and solenoid VS


4


is operated by the 500 yen signal. When solenoid VS


4


is operated, the guide board VG


4


is rotated in the passage


118


. Thus, the falling 500 yen coin C


5


is taken into hopper device V


14


On the other hand, 300 yen commodity is disbursed from the vending machine by means of the signal processor such as CPU. At the same time, exchange money signal which means 500 yen minus 300 yen equal 200 yen is outputted to electric motor (not show). When this electric motor is driven, one 100 yen coin is discharged from hopper device V


13


into passage


119


. One discharged 100 yen coin passes the sensor V


9


of hopper device V


13


and falls naturally in passage


19


. This sensor V


9


detects one 100 yen cain and transmits the detection signal to the signal processor. One 100 yen coin discharged in passage


119


falls naturally and is disbursed at the return entrance of vending machine as exchange money. On the other hand, the electric motor is driven further, and another 100 yen coin is discharged from hopper device V


13


into passage


119


. As well as the above-mentioned, the sensor V


9


detects another 100 yen coin and transmits the detection signal to the signal processor. This signal processor confirms the completion of exchange money of the 200 yen and stops the electric motor of third hopper device


113


. As a result, two 100 yen coin of total will be disbursed at the return entrance of vending machine as exchange money.




As mentioned above, according to this invention, the coin thrown into the vending machine is temporarily reserved, and it is effective that the thrown-into coin can be returned as it is, by adding the simple composition. That is, this invention has the effect that there is no exchange of a pseudo coin for a true coin. The escrow function is added to the coin processor for vending machine. In other words, this invention has the effect that thrown-into coin is temporarily reserved, and the said coin can be received into the vending machine only when the commodity purchase button is pushed.




While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.



Claims
  • 1. A coin processor comprising at least:a selector for distinguishing a kind of inserted coins, and for guiding an un-distinguished coin in a passage for return; a hopper provided under the selector for reserving temporarily and loosely the coins which are distinguished by the selector; a rotate-able disk provided at a bottom of the hopper for discharging the distinguished coins one by one; a discharge port in the hopper for passing the distinguished coins into the passage when the disk is rotated; and a sensor for detecting a kind of money arranged at the discharge port; a plurality of storage hoppers selectively connectable to said passage and selectively receivable of a coin from said temporary hopper depending on the type of coin detected by said sensor, each said storage hopper being holdable of coins as a group; a discharge port in said each storage hopper and connected to said passage; a rotatable disk in said each storage hopper and dischargeable of coins in respective said storage hoppers through respective said discharge ports to said passage; a sensor arranged at each of said discharge ports of said storage hoppers and detectable of a type of coin passing through respective said discharge ports.
  • 2. A coin processor comprising at least:a selector for distinguishing a kind of inserted coins, and for guiding an un-distinguished coin in a first passage for return; a tank for reserving temporarily and loosely the coins which are distinguished by the selector; a rotate-able disk provided at a bottom of the tank for discharging the distinguished coins one by one; a first discharge for passing the distinguished coins into the first passage when the disk is rotated counterclockwise; a second discharge for passing the distinguished coins into a second passage when the disk is rotated clockwise; and a sensor for detecting a kind of money arranged at the second discharge.
  • 3. A coin processor comprising;a selector for receiving a coin and determining a coin type of the coin, said selector selectively processing the coin depending on the coin type; a passage connected to said selector and receivable of a coin from said selector; a temporary hopper connected to said selector and receivable of a plurality of coins from said selector, said temporary hopper being holdable of the coins as a group, said temporary hopper including a discharge port connected to said passage; a rotatable disk in said temporary hopper and dischargeable of coins in said temporary hopper through said discharge port to said passage; a sensor arranged at said discharge port of said temporary hopper and detectable of a type of coin passing through said discharge port.
  • 4. A coin processor in accordance with claim 3, further comprising:a plurality of storage hoppers selectively connectable to said passage and selectively receivable of a coin from said temporary hopper depending on the type of coin detected by said sensor, each said storage hopper being holdable of coins as a group.
  • 5. A coin processor in accordance with claim 4, further comprising:a discharge port in said each storage hopper and connected to said passage; a rotatable disk in said each storage hopper and dischargeable of coins in respective said storage hoppers through respective said discharge ports to said passage; a sensor arranged at each of said discharge ports of said storage hoppers and detectable of a type of coin passing through respective said discharge ports.
  • 6. A coin processor in accordance with claim 4, wherein:said plurality of storage hoppers are connectable to said passage by selectively moving said each storage hopper into and out of said passage.
  • 7. A coin processor in accordance with claim 3, further comprising:another passage connected to said selector, said selector detecting a category of a coin and selectively passing the coin to one of said passage and said another passage depending on the category; another discharge port arranged in said temporary hopper, said rotatable disk selectively passing coins in said temporary hopper to one of said discharge port and said another discharge port.
  • 8. A coin processor in accordance with claim 7, further comprising:a plurality of storage hoppers selectively connectable to said passage and receivable of a coin from said temporary hopper depending on the type of coin detected by said sensor; each said storage hopper being holdable of coins as a group.
  • 9. A coin processor in accordance with claim 8, further comprising:a discharge port in each of said storage hoppers and connected to said passage; a rotatable disk in each of said storage hoppers and dischargeable of coins in respective said storage hoppers through said discharge ports into said passage; a sensor arranged at each of said discharge ports of said storage hoppers and de eatable of a type of coin passing through respective said discharge ports.
  • 10. A coin processor in accordance with claim 4, wherein:said plurality of storage hoppers are connectable to said passage by selectively moving a guide board into and out of said passage.
  • 11. A coin processor in accordance with claim 3, wherein:said temporary hopper holds the coins as a random interned singe group.
  • 12. A coin processor in accordance with claim 4, wherein:each of said storage hoppers holds the coins as a random intermixed single group.
  • 13. A coin processor in accordance with claim 9, wherein:each of said storage hoppers holds the coins as a random intermixed single group.
Priority Claims (2)
Number Date Country Kind
10-333332 Oct 1998 JP
10-368438 Nov 1998 JP
Parent Case Info

This is a division of application Ser. No. 09/405,760 filed Sep. 29, 1999,

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