The invention relates to a sorting device according to the preamble of the main claim.
Sorting devices are generally connected to coin testers and guide a coin exiting from the coin tester into a suitable channel or coin path. Deflection elements are provided for the guiding which may be actuated by a control via electromagnets. Such a sorting device for example is disclosed in EP 0 511 150 B1. With this, the deflection elements are moved linearly, i.e. perpendicular to the plane in which the running direction of the respective coin lies, by way of an electromagnet with a tension rod. Such a sorting device has the disadvantage that the thickness of the sorting device is quite noticeable due to the tension rod. Furthermore, electromagnets with tension rods with regard to the cost of manufacture are very much more expensive for example compared to flap armature (electro)magnets. Furthermore the movement of the tension rod must be effected in a very quick manner, wherein this is only the case if the operating voltage is correct. This means that with fluctuations in voltage, an error-free manner of functioning is not ensured since the coins may become clamped-in due to the delayed movement of the deflection elements.
It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a sorting device according to the preamble of the main claim which allows a more reliable manner of functioning of the sorting and classification of the coins and whose manufacture is more economical.
According to the invention, the characterising features of the main claim in combination with the features of the preamble achieve this object.
By way of the fact that the moving elements are designed as deflection levers pivotable in the plane of the running direction of the coins and are articulated at a distance to one another transversely to the running direction and are guided in arch-like guides, a reliable deflection becomes possible, since an arriving coin encourages the movement of the respective deflection lever in the sorting direction. A coin may not become clamped since the pivoting movement takes place in the plane of the running direction.
Advantageous further designs and improvements are possible by way of the measures specified in the dependent claims.
Since the deflection levers at their one end are engaged with a multiplication lever, the pivoting path may be increased, by which means flap armature (electro)magnets which carry out only a small movement may be used, these being much less expensive. The multiplication levers are dimensioned such that for example a pivot movement of the flap armature of 1 mm corresponds to a pivot movement of the deflection lever of 30°.
Preferably knob-like projections which run in guide paths are integrally formed on the deflection levers. These knob-like projections simultaneously serve as abutments and accommodate forces when the deflection lever is hit by a coin, by which means the rotation arbor of the deflection lever is treated gently.
One embodiment example of the invention is represented in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the subsequent description. There are shown in:
The arrangement of a sorting device represented in
Openings 3, 4 are provided between the frame 1 and the sorting unit 2 which serve for leading the coins which exit the coin tester further to the sorting unit. A curved, downwardly directed coin path 30 is located below the opening 3 and guides a coin which has not been accepted into the return provided on a narrow side of the sorting unit 2.
The view of the deflection levers 5, 6 is to be seen in
Basically three coin channels or coin paths are provided in the region of the deflection levers 5, 6. A first coin channel 19 which is also in connection with the coin opening 3, a second coin channel which is limited by the two roughly vertical deflection levers 5, 6 and a third coin channel 21, wherein all coin exits of these channels 19, 20, 21 lie next to one another in the longitudinal direction of the sorting device.
The deflection levers 5, 6 in the vicinity of their ends which are guided in the arch-like openings 7, 8 are pivotably mounted in the side walls 22, 23 of the sorting device via the pivot points 24, 25. Guides 26, 27 are machined into these side walls, which are designed in an arch-like manner and together form a wide-open V-shape or have the contour of a flying swallow. Knob-like projections 28, 29 engage into these guides 26, 27 and these projections are integrally formed on the deflection levers 5, 6 on both sides. These knob-like projections 28, 29 simultaneously serve as abutments at the ends of the guides 26, 27.
The front side of the sorting device unit 2 according to
The manner of functioning of the sorting device is as follows. When the electromagnets 15, 16 are not subjected to current or excited, the flap armatures 13, 14 are in their rest position and the restoring springs 17, 18 via the multiplication levers 11, 12 press the flap armatures indeed into this rest position, and the deflection levers 5, 6 into the vertical direction according to
If the electromagnet 15 is subjected to current or activated, the flap armature 13 pivots away from the magnet and presses against the multiplication lever 11 which presses against the restoring spring 17, and displaces the end of the deflection lever 6 in the arch-like opening 8 as well as in the elongate hole 9, by which means the deflection lever 6 pivots in the guide 27. The coin channel 20 is closed by way of this and a coin which comes through the coin opening 4 is guided into the third coin channel 21. If the movement of the deflection lever 6 in the guide has not yet been completely when the coin drips, the coin additionally presses the lever into the end position as is shown in
The other electromagnet 16 may be activated in a corresponding manner, wherein the deflection lever 6 is in the vertical direction, and the deflection lever 5 is pivoted according to the guide path 26 in the same manner, as described above, by which means the coin path 20 is closed but the coin path 19 is released. Here too the movement of the coin supports the movement of the deflection lever 5 into the position closing the coin path 20.
In the described embodiment example restoring springs 17, 18 are allocated to the deflection or multiplication levers. However a tension spring may also be provided between the multiplication levers 11, 12 which presses the deflection levers 5, 6 into the rest position.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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102004041673.755 | Aug 2004 | DE | national |