Patent Application
20120255830
The present subject matter relates to a mechanical coin checking device for checking and detecting coins introduced into an insertion slot.
Mechanical coin checking devices are generally known and their construction consists of a basic body in which a coin running channel is disposed and which abuts against a coin slot. A plurality of checking sensors is disposed on the coin running channel, i.e. in the walls thereof, which check for example the dimensions of the coin and the metallic properties. If a coin has been detected as genuine, it is conducted from the coin channel into an acceptance channel which is connected to a cash box and at which a confirmation photoelectric barrier is disposed, which detects the passage of a coin to be conducted into the cash box and emits a so-called credit signal to an automatic machine control, i.e. to a control which controls the course of the processes in an automatic machine, such as a vending machine or for example an automatic washing machine in which the coin checking device is disposed. If a coin has been detected as not being genuine by the checking devices, is conducted into a return channel.
In order to avoid manipulation and interventions by foreign objects, blocking elements are disposed in the region of the coin channel and prevent the introduction of foreign objects, such as wire elements, cardboard strips or the like, which are intended to affect the confirmation photoelectric barrier. However, it has been shown that the blocking elements present do not suffice for all fraudulent possibilities, it has been shown for example that manipulation is possible, despite the blocking elements, with soft flexible objects.
Accordingly, certain examples provide a measure on mechanical coin checking devices which makes available an “intelligent lock” and reduces manipulation on the coin checking device.
This is achieved according to various examples by a mechanical coin checking device which, in the known manner, includes a blocking element which is pivoted into the acceptance shaft for coins if no coin is present and which, due to the weight thereof, pivots, after entry of a coin into the acceptance shaft, out of the channel and releases the acceptance shaft and thereby blocks the coin channel at the same time. This normally represents a lock for the coin. Furthermore, a confirmation photoelectric barrier is provided, Which is disposed in the acceptance channel and detects the passage of a coin by breaking the photoelectric barrier. According to various examples, a further optical sensor which cooperates with the blocking element and detects the position of the blocking element is provided in the region of the acceptance channel. Finally, a control unit which is connected. to the confirmation photoelectric barrier and to the optical sensor is disposed in the region of the acceptance shaft, the control unit, as a function of the signals of the confirmation photoelectric barrier and of the optical sensor, producing a credit signal for acceptance of the coin which has fallen through the acceptance shaft. It is possible by means of these described measures to make available an “intelligent lock” in which a credit signal for passage of a coin is produced only when the temporal sequence of pivoting of the blocking element is followed.
According to the present subject matter, the control unit, the confirmation photoelectric barrier and the optical sensor which can be configured as a photoelectric barrier or as reflex coupler are disposed on a carrier part which is connected to the wall of the acceptance shaft. Hence retrofitting for the mechanical coin checking devices which are present can be undertaken since merely the confirmation photoelectric barrier which is respectively present and mounted on a carrier part can be replaced by the confirmation photoelectric barrier with control unit and optical sensor for position detection according to the present subject matter.
Preferably, the elements control unit, confirmation photoelectric barrier and optical position sensor are mounted on a printed circuit board which is connected electrically to the automatic machine control and forms a component of the carrier part. Thus the dimensions of the carrier part are kept small and reliable electrical contacting of the electrical elements is ensured.
One embodiment of the present subject matter is represented in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the subsequent description. There are shown
a) to 1c) a perspective schematic partial view of the coin running channel having blocking element and confirmation photoelectric barrier on the acceptance shaft if a coin is inserted into the coin channel,
a) to 2d) a perspective schematic partial view of the coin running channel having blocking element and confirmation photoelectric barrier on the acceptance shaft if a coin is conducted from the coin channel into the acceptance shaft, and
a) and 3b) a view of the carrier part having confirmation photoelectric barrier, optical sensor and control unit in side view and in plan view.
In
In order to reduce manipulation, a pivotable blocking element 9 is mounted on the wall 1, as can be detected readily in
As can be detected in more detail in
In
In summary, the course is intended to be described once again.
A coin 5 is inserted in the coin channel 3 of the coin checking device and is intended to be confirmed upon exit or entry into the acceptance shaft 6 since it is a genuine coin. The coin 5 rolls in the direction of the acceptance shaft 6 and falls, due to its gravity, onto the lever-like end 11 of the blocking element 9 which is situated above the bifurcated photoelectric barrier 8. The blocking element 9 pivots out of the acceptance shaft 6, moves away from the vertically situated positioning photoelectric barrier, i.e. the vane 15 pivots out, and closes with the arm 13 or with its end the coin channel 3 and hence the acceptance shaft 6. The coin 5 falls through the bifurcated photoelectrical barrier 8. Due to the weight 12 disposed on the blocking element 9, the blocking element pivots back into its non-operative state and interrupts the vertical detection stretch of the positioning photoelectric barrier.
The blocking element has the function of a “lock” for coins. As soon as a coin 5 is situated in the acceptance shaft 6, it blocks the passage to the acceptance shaft 6 and to the confirmation photoelectric barrier. Without the blocking element 9, the confirmation photoelectric barrier 8 could be actuated with a wire or the like. Since however it was established, that manipulation with soft flexible objects was possible despite this “lock” formed by the blocking element 9, the additional positioning photoelectric barrier 14 and the microprocessor are provided, by means of which an “intelligent lock” can be produced. A credit signal is hence only produced if the following rule is followed:
If an object is situated in the “lock”, this time is in any case exceeded and no credit signal is produced by the microprocessor 17. If the blocking element moves into the non-operative position in the prescribed time, such a credit signal is produced.
This patent application claims the benefit of priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/472,907, entitled “MECHANICAL COIN TESTER WITH TAMPER-PROOF PHOTO BARRIER,” filed on Apr. 7, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. 3037.044PRV), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61472907 | Apr 2011 | US |
