JP7055002B2 - Medium feeding device, medium processing machine and medium feeding method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a medium feeding device and a medium feeding method for feeding a disk-shaped medium such as a coin, and a medium processing machine having such a medium feeding device.

Conventionally, as a device for feeding a disk-shaped medium (for example, a coin), an endless conveyor belt, a pair of side walls provided on both sides of the conveyor belt to form a coin storage area, and a conveyor belt. A coin feeding device having a solenoid or the like arranged inside the coin is used. Further, by driving a solenoid arranged inside the transport belt, the transport belt can be swung in a direction orthogonal to, for example, a coin transport direction. According to such a coin processing device, the coins in contact with the transport belt can be swung by driving the solenoid, so that the coins stored in the storage area can be agitated. ing.

Further, as a transport belt used in the coin feeding device, for example, those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are also known. More specifically, FIG. 2 and the like of Patent Document 1 disclose a transport belt provided with a coin engaging protrusion having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Further, paragraph 0021 and the like of Patent Document 2 disclose that the coin engaging protrusion provided on the transport belt is a protrusion for more reliably transporting coins.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 08-221641 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-39773

In the conventional coin feeding device having a solenoid, when a coin feeding failure due to a coin jam is detected, the solenoid is driven to swing the coin, so that there is a space for arranging the solenoid or the like. There was a problem that it became necessary and the cost of these parts was high.

Further, the coin feeding device disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 discloses a configuration in which a substantially rectangular parallelepiped coin engaging protrusion is provided on a transport belt as described above. However, this coin engaging protrusion is for more reliably transporting the coin on the transport belt, and has a problem that it is not suitable for swinging the coin stored in the coin storage area. there were.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such a point, and the disk-shaped medium stored in the storage area can be swung by using the convex portion provided on the transport belt. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medium feeding device, a medium processing machine, and a medium feeding method having various configurations.

The medium feeding device of the present invention includes a transport belt for transporting a disk-shaped medium and a storage area forming member for forming a storage area for storing the disk-shaped medium. , The bottom of the storage area is provided, and the surface of the transport belt is provided with a convex portion for lifting and swinging the disk-shaped medium stored in the storage area from below.
In the cross section of the convex portion along the transport direction of the disk-shaped medium by the transport belt, the portion that contacts the side surface of the disk-shaped medium transported by the transport belt is on the transport surface of the transport belt. The convex portion is formed so as not to be perpendicular to the vertical direction, and is characterized in that the convex portion has a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape in a cross section along the transport direction of the disk-shaped medium by the transport belt .

According to such a medium feeding device, the disk-shaped medium stored in the storage area is swung by using the convex portion provided on the transport belt, so that the disk-shaped medium is stored in the storage area. The medium can be agitated.

The medium feeding device of the present invention is further provided with a reversing roller provided above the transport belt and rotating in the direction opposite to the transport direction of the disk-shaped medium by the transport belt. The disk-shaped medium to be stored in the storage area may be installed at a position upwardly separated from the transport belt by a distance larger than the thickness of one sheet and smaller than the thickness of the two sheets.

In this case, the convex portion is sandwiched between the first disk-shaped medium and the reversing roller by passing under the first disk-shaped medium in contact with the transport belt. The frictional force between the second disk-shaped medium and the reversing roller may be changed.

Further, in the medium feeding device of the present invention, a concave portion may be provided at a position facing the convex portion on the back surface of the transport belt.

Further, the convex portion is a substantially triangular side located on the downstream side of the disk-shaped medium in the transport direction in the cross section along the transport direction of the disk-shaped medium by the transport belt, and the transport surface of the transport belt. The outer angle formed by the side of the substantially triangular shape located upstream in the transport direction of the disk-shaped medium and the transport surface of the transport belt may be smaller than the outer angle formed by the joint.

In the medium feeding device of the present invention, a plurality of the convex portions may be provided on the surface of the transport belt at intervals wider than the diameter of the disk-shaped medium stored in the storage area.

The medium processing machine of the present invention includes a housing, a receiving unit for receiving a disk-shaped medium inside the housing, a transport unit for transporting the disk-shaped medium inside the housing, and the above-mentioned A storage unit for storing a disk-shaped medium conveyed by the transport unit and a discharge unit for discharging the disk-shaped medium stored in the storage unit to the outside of the storage unit are provided. The receiving unit or the storage unit is provided with the above-mentioned medium feeding device.

According to such a medium processing machine, since the above-mentioned medium feeding device is provided in the receiving unit or the storage unit, the disk-shaped medium received in the receiving unit or the disk-shaped storage unit is stored in the storage unit. By swinging the medium, the disk-shaped medium stored in the storage area can be agitated.

Further, the medium processing method of the present invention is based on a medium feeding device including a transport belt provided with a convex portion on the surface and a storage area forming member for forming a storage area for storing a disk-shaped medium. In the medium feeding method, the step of moving the transport belt in the transport direction of the disk-shaped medium and the storage area due to the convex portion of the transport belt when the disk-shaped medium is transported by the transport belt. The step includes a step of swinging the disk-shaped medium stored in the storage area by lifting the disk-shaped medium stored in the storage area from below, and the convex portion has a disk shape formed by the transport belt. In the cross section along the transport direction of the medium, the portion that comes into contact with the side surface of the disk-shaped medium transported by the transport belt is formed so as not to be perpendicular to the transport surface of the transport belt, and is convex. The portion is characterized by having a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape in a cross section along the transport direction of the disk-shaped medium by the transport belt .

According to such a medium feeding method, the disk-shaped medium stored in the storage area is swung by using the convex portion provided on the transport belt, so that the disk-shaped medium is stored in the storage area. The medium can be agitated.

According to the medium feeding device, the medium processing machine, and the medium feeding method of the present invention, the disk-shaped medium stored in the storage area can be swung by using the convex portion provided on the transport belt.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the money processing system including the coin processing machine provided with the coin feeding device by embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration when the inside of the coin processing machine shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from above in the vertical direction and downward. It is a side view which shows the structure of the coin feeding device and the coin storage part in the coin processing machine shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a transport belt in the coin feeding device shown in FIG. 3. It is a side view which shows the state when the bite of a coin is released by lifting a coin from the lower part by the convex part provided in the transport belt shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows the structure of the convex part provided in the transport belt shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows the other example of the structure of the convex part provided in the transport belt shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows still another example of the structure of the convex part provided in the transport belt shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a guide member of the coin feeding device shown in FIG. 3 when viewed from the side. It is a vertical cross-sectional view which shows the structure when the guide member of the coin feeding device shown in FIG. 3 is seen from the front.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 10 are views showing a coin processing system including a coin feeding device according to the present embodiment and a coin processing machine provided with such a coin feeding device. Of these, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a money processing system including a coin processing machine provided with a coin feeding device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an upward view of the inside of the coin processing machine shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure when viewed from the vertical direction downward. Further, FIG. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the coin feeding device and the coin storage unit in the coin processing machine shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 schematically shows the configuration of the transport belt in the coin feeding device shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows, and FIG. 5 is a side view which shows the state at the time of releasing the biting of a coin by lifting a coin from the lower part by the convex part provided in the transport belt shown in FIG. 6 to 8 are side views showing various configurations of the convex portion provided on the transport belt shown in FIG. 4. 9 and 10 are vertical cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the guide member of the coin feeding device shown in FIG. 3 when viewed from the side or the front. In addition, in FIG. 4, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, etc., the coin processed by the coin processing apparatus according to this embodiment is indicated by reference numeral C. Further, in FIG. 5, the first coin in contact with the transport belt is indicated by reference numeral C1, and the second coin sandwiched between the first coin and the reversing roller is indicated by reference numeral C2. ing.

In stores of commercial facilities such as convenience stores and supermarkets, product shelves displaying various products are installed in the front area where customers can enter, and the checkout counter in this front area is shown in Fig. 1. Such a money processing system 1 (money change machine) and a POS register (not shown) are installed. When the customer performs the settlement processing at such a settlement place, the clerk deposits the money as the price of the goods received from the customer into the currency processing system 1 as the currency change machine, or the currency as the change is processed. Withdrawal from system 1 and returned to the customer. In addition, the POS register manages information related to goods purchased by the customer, information related to money stored in the money processing system 1, and the like. Details of such a money processing system 1, a coin processing machine 2 constituting the money processing system 1, and a coin feeding device 32 provided in the coin processing machine 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the coin processing system 1 according to the present embodiment is arranged side by side with the outer housing 1a having a substantially rectangular shape, and can be pulled out from the outer housing 1a toward the front side. The coin processing machine 2 and the bill processing machine 3 are provided, and a POS register is placed above the coin processing machine 2 and the bill processing machine 3. The coin processing machine 2 and the bill processing machine 3 are adapted to perform deposit processing and withdrawal processing of coins and banknotes, respectively. Hereinafter, the details of the configuration of the coin processing machine 2 will be described. The details of the banknote processing machine 3 will be omitted. Further, the money processing system 1 is provided with an operation display unit 11 including, for example, a touch panel, and the operator gives a command to a control unit (not shown) of the money processing system 1 via the operation display unit 11. Can be done. Further, the control unit controls each component of the money processing system 1. Further, the operation display unit 11 can display the processing status of money by the money processing system 1 and display information such as an error generated in the money processing system 1.

As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the coin processing machine 2 is provided on the inner housing 10 having a substantially rectangular shape and the front side of the inner housing 10, and is inserted by an operator when coins are deposited. A coin receiving unit 12 for receiving coins, a deposit transport unit 16 for transporting coins inside the inner housing 10, and a plurality of coin storage units for storing coins for each denomination inside the inner housing 10. 30 and a coin payout unit 36 (that is, a discharge unit) provided on the front side of the inner housing 10 and from which coins are to be paid out from each coin storage unit 30 when coin withdrawal processing is performed. Further, the plurality of coin storage portions 30 are arranged so as to be arranged in parallel along the depth direction (that is, the vertical direction in FIG. 2) of the inner housing 10.

The coin receiving unit 12 is driven when it detects the inserted coins, and takes in the accepted coins one by one into the inner housing 10 in a one-layer, one-row state. As shown in FIG. 2, the coin receiving section 12 is connected to a deposit transport section 16 that transports coins taken into the inner housing 10 by the coin receiving section 12. In addition, the same configuration as the coin feeding device 32 described later may be applied to such a coin receiving unit 12.

Further, in the middle of the deposit transport unit 16, an identification unit 18 for identifying coins and a branch unit 25 are provided, respectively. The branching unit 25 guides (transports) the coins to be paid out from the coin payout unit 36, such as reject coins, to the withdrawal transfer unit 19 based on the coin identification result by the identification unit 18. On the other hand, coins to be stored in the machine such as normal coins are conveyed to each coin storage unit 30 by the deposit transfer unit 16. Each coin storage unit 30 is designed to store coins by denomination, for example, coins are stored in descending order from the upstream side of the deposit transport unit 16.

As shown in FIG. 3, each coin storage unit 30 has a coin feeding device 32 for feeding coins from the inside to the outside of the coin storage unit 30. Further, each coin feeding device 32 includes a pair of side walls 33 (see FIG. 10), and a coin storage area 30 m for storing coins is formed between the pair of side walls 33. In FIG. 10, only the right side wall 33 of the coin storage area 30 m is shown, and the left side wall 33 of the coin storage area 30 m is not shown. Details of the configuration of each of these coin storage units 30 and the coin feeding device 32 will be described later. Further, the coins drawn out from the coin storage area 30 m by the coin payout device 32 are sent to the coin payout unit 36 and collected in the coin payout unit 36. Further, the coin payout unit 36 is exposed to the outside of the inner housing 10, so that the operator can grasp the coins accumulated in the coin payout unit 36 by hand and take them out to the outside of the inner housing 10. It has become.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the coin feeding device 32 is provided at the bottom of the coin storage area 30 m formed between the pair of side walls 33, and is stretched by a plurality of (specifically, two) pulleys 44. It has an endless strip-shaped transport belt 42 that is hung. Further, the width of the transport belt 42 is substantially the same as the width of the coin storage area 30 m, and the surface of the transport belt 42 (that is, the surface on the side not in contact with each pulley 44). Is provided with a plurality of convex portions 42a (described later). Further, the coin feeding device 32 is connected to one of the plurality of pulleys 44, the pulley 44, and the drive motor 44a for rotating the pulley 44 in both forward and reverse directions, and the reverse roller 46 provided above the conveyor belt 42. And have. Further, the reversing roller 46 is larger than the thickness of one coin to be conveyed by the transfer belt 42 (that is, the thickness of the coin to be stored in the coin storage area 30 m) from the surface of the transfer belt 42. It is provided at a position separated upward by a distance smaller than the thickness of the sheet. Further, the coins stored in the coin storage area 30 m are placed on the transport belt 42.

Further, when the pulley 44 connected to the drive motor 44a is rotated by the drive motor 44a in the coin feeding direction, the transport belt 42 circulates in the clockwise direction (that is, the normal rotation direction) in FIG. The coin placed on the transport belt 42 is conveyed to the right in FIG. 3 in a substantially horizontal posture, and is sent to the coin payout unit 36 through a gap formed between the reversing roller 46 and the transport belt 42. It will be like. Here, the reversing roller 46 rotates in a direction opposite to the coin feeding direction by the transport belt 42 (that is, in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 3 to 5). As a result, when the coins unwound by the transport belt 42 pass through the gap formed between the reversing roller 46 and the transport belt 42, the coins are aligned in a one-layer, one-row state. The coins are sent to the coin payout unit 36 by the transport belt 42. Further, in the present embodiment, the drive motor 44a rotates the pulley 44 in the direction opposite to the coin feeding direction, so that the transport belt 42 circulates and moves in the direction opposite to the coin feeding direction (that is, in the reverse direction). You can do it.

On the downstream side of the reversing roller 46 in the coin transporting direction, a rod-shaped coin for temporarily stopping the coins unwound from the gap between the reversing roller 46 and the transport belt 42 on the transport belt 42. A plurality of stop pins 48 made of members are provided. Further, the stop pins 48 are arranged so as to be lined up along the width direction of the transport belt 42. Further, each stop pin 48 is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat between a stop position for stopping the coin (see FIG. 3) and a payout position for paying out the coin (not shown). More specifically, the lower end of each stop pin 48 located at the stop position is located at a position separated upward by a predetermined distance from the transport belt 42, and each stop pin 48 has a thickness at the stop position. The coin is stopped by contacting a part of the upper side of the coin in the direction. On the other hand, at the feeding position where the coin is paid out, each stop pin 48 is located at a position above the stop position so as not to come into contact with the coin. Further, the position of the lower end portion of each stop pin 48 at the stop position is positioned above the height of the upper end portion of each convex portion 42a provided on the transport belt 42. This makes it possible to prevent the stop pins 48 and the convex portions 42a from coming into contact with each other even when the convex portions 42a pass directly under the stop pins 48.

Further, a sensor 49 for detecting the coins drawn by the coin feeding device 32 is provided on the downstream side of the reversing roller 46 in the coin transport direction. More specifically, the sensor 49 has, for example, a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and the optical axis of the light emitted from the light emitting element toward the light receiving element is blocked by the coin, so that the presence of the coin is present. It is designed to be detected. Further, based on the coin detection result by the sensor 49, whether or not the coin is normally drawn out from the coin storage area 30 m by the coin feeding device 32 (that is, a transport defect due to the biting of the coin or the like occurs). Whether or not) can be detected. For example, when the coin is not detected by the sensor 49 described above after a predetermined time has elapsed compared to the time interval when the coin is normally drawn out from the coin storage area 30 m by the coin feeding device 32. In addition, it becomes possible to determine that the coin has been bitten in the coin feeding device 32.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 and the like, a plurality of convex portions 42a are provided on the surface of the transport belt 42 in the coin feeding device 32 of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the convex portion 42a will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

As shown in FIG. 4, each convex portion 42a of the transport belt 42 has an interval wider than the diameter of the coin (indicated by reference numerals C, C1 and C2 in FIGS. 4 and 5) stored in the coin storage area 30 m. It is provided on the surface. Therefore, the coin transported by the transport belt 42 has a smooth surface of the transport belt 42 (that is, a surface parallel to the transport surface of the belt) existing between a certain convex portion 42a and the convex portion 42a located next to the convex portion 42a. ) Is placed on it for transportation. Further, each convex portion 42a is formed so as to extend over the entire width direction of the transport belt 42 (that is, the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 4). Further, each convex portion 42a has a portion in contact with the side surface of the coin having a disk shape in a cross section along the transport direction of the coin by the transport belt 42 (that is, a plane parallel to the paper surface in FIG. 4). It is formed so as not to be perpendicular to the transport surface of 42. More specifically, in each of the convex portions 42a having the shape shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the shape in the cross section along the transport direction of the coin by the transport belt 42 is substantially triangular. As described above, since the portion in contact with the side surface of the coin is formed so as not to be perpendicular to the transport surface of the transport belt 42, each convex portion 42a can be easily provided below the coin transported by the transport belt 42. You will be able to pass it. In other words, the coin easily rides on each convex portion 42a of the transport belt 42. Further, the height of each convex portion 42a is preferably smaller than 1/2 of the thickness of the coin transported by the transport belt 42, and smaller than 1/4 of the thickness of the coin transported by the transport belt 42. Is more preferable. In this way, by making the height of each convex portion 42a smaller than the thickness of the coin conveyed by the transport belt 42, the convex portion 42a can pass under the coin more easily. Become.

Here, when a coin engaging protrusion is used such that the portion in contact with the side surface of the coin extends perpendicularly to the transport surface of the transport belt, such as the coin engaging protrusion in the prior art, each coin is engaged. The protrusions mainly give the coin a force that sends the coin in the transport direction. On the other hand, when each convex portion 42a in the present embodiment is formed so that the portion in contact with the side surface of the coin is not perpendicular to the transport surface of the coin by the transport belt 42, each convex portion 42a Will mainly give the coin a force that lifts it from below. Further, by lifting the coin from below and swinging the coin on the transport belt 42, each convex portion 42a changes the accumulated state of the coin deposited in the coin storage area 30 m, so that the coin is agitated. It will be like. That is, each convex portion 42a provided on the transport belt 42 is not formed for the purpose of more reliably transporting coins, but passes below the coins stored in the coin storage area 30 m. It was formed for the purpose of lifting and rocking coins.

Further, since the coin can be lifted from below by each convex portion 42a, the coin feeding device 32 of the present embodiment bites the coin between the reversing roller 46, which is the coin handling portion, and the transport belt 42. The bite of this coin can be automatically released even when the coin is caught. Here, the biting of coins means that, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of (for example, two) coins are sandwiched between the reversing roller 46 and the transport belt 42, so that the coins are normally bitten. Refers to the state in which it is no longer possible to pay out.

More specifically, even when a coin is bitten in the coin feeding device 32, the transport belt 42 is simply circulated and moved in the forward rotation direction (that is, the transport belt 42 is circulated in the direction in which the coin is fed out). By simply moving it), it is possible to eliminate the biting of this coin. This will be described with reference to FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first coin in contact with the transport belt 42 is indicated by the reference numeral C1, and the second coin sandwiched between the first coin and the reversing roller 46 is displayed. It is indicated by the reference code C2. More specifically, as described above, the first coin C1 in contact with the transport belt 42 is lifted from below by each of the convex portions 42a provided on the transport belt 42. Further, when the first coin C1 is lifted upward, the second coin C2 sandwiched between the first coin C1 and the reversing roller 46 is also lifted upward. In this way, when the first coin C1 and the second coin C2 are lifted by the convex portion 42a, the second coin C2 is pressed more strongly against the reversing roller 46. Therefore, the frictional force acting between the first coin C1 and the transport belt 42 (that is, the force for transporting the coin in the transport direction) and the frictional force acting between the second coin C2 and the reversing roller 46 (that is, the frictional force acting between the second coin C2 and the reversing roller 46). Specifically, these frictional forces can be changed so that the force acting in the direction of the arrow indicated by the reference numeral F in FIG. 5) becomes larger than each. As a result, the force conveyed in the transport direction acts more on the first coin C1 located on the transport belt 42 side. On the other hand, the force returned to the coin storage area 30 m (that is, the force acting in the direction of the arrow indicated by the reference numeral F in FIG. 5) acts more on the second coin C2 located on the reversing roller 46 side. become. As described above, in the coin feeding device 32 of the present embodiment, the biting of coins can be eliminated by circulating and moving the transport belt 42 in the coin feeding direction.

On the other hand, even with the configuration as described above, if the coin is strongly caught between the transport belt 42 and the reversing roller 46, the transport belt 42 is circulated and moved in the forward rotation direction as described above. However, there are cases where it is not possible to successfully eliminate the biting of coins. In order to eliminate such a problem, each concave portion 42b is provided at a position facing each convex portion 42a on the back surface of the transport belt 42 (see FIG. 5 and the like). More specifically, when the coin is strongly caught between the reversing roller 46 and the transport belt 42, the coin cannot be lifted upward when each convex portion 42a passes below the coin. On the contrary, each convex portion 42a may be pushed downward by the coin caught between the reversing roller 46 and the transport belt 42. Here, when the concave portions 42b are not provided in the conveyor belt 42, the distance between the surface of the conveyor belt 42 and the lower end portion of the reversing roller 46 is reduced when the convex portions 42a are pushed downward. The conveyor belt 42 is greatly deformed so as to be larger, and a large force is applied to them, which may cause wear or breakage of the conveyor belt 42 or the reversing roller 46. On the other hand, when each concave portion 42b is provided at a position facing each convex portion 42a on the back surface of the transport belt 42 as in the present embodiment, each convex portion 42a moves toward each facing concave portion 42b. Since the conveyor belt 42 is locally deformed (that is, the conveyor belt 42 is deformed so that each convex portion 42a escapes to each concave portion 42b), a large force is applied to the conveyor belt 42 and the reversing roller 46. It is possible to prevent the conveyor belt 42 and the reversing roller 46 from being worn or damaged.

On the other hand, even with the above configuration, coins may be strongly caught between the transport belt 42 and the reversing roller 46. In such a case, the transport belt 42 is circulated and moved in the reverse direction opposite to the coin transport direction to eliminate the biting of the coin. Further, in the coin feeding device 32 of the present embodiment, in order to further enhance the effect of eliminating such coin biting, each convex portion 42a is provided in a cross section along the coin transporting direction by the transport belt 42. It is formed so as to have a substantially triangular shape. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, each convex portion 42a has an outer angle formed by a substantially triangular side located on the downstream side in the coin transport direction (arrow direction in FIG. 6) and the transport surface of the transport belt 42. The outer angle (indicated by reference numeral θ2) formed by the side of the substantially triangular shape located upstream in the direction of transporting coins and the transport surface of the transport belt 42 is formed to be smaller than (indicated by reference numeral θ1). There is. As a result, when the transport belt 42 is circulated and moved in the reverse direction opposite to the coin transport direction, the biting of the coin can be more easily eliminated. Explaining with reference to FIG. 5, since each convex portion 42a has the above-mentioned shape, the apex of the substantially triangular shape of each convex portion 42a when the transport belt 42 is circulated and moved in the reverse direction. The portion acts to scrape out the coins caught between the transport belt 42 and the reversing roller 46. This makes it possible to more easily eliminate the biting of coins.

The shape of each convex portion provided on the transport belt 42 is not limited to a substantially triangular shape having different outer angles, such as the above-mentioned convex portions 42a. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the convex portion 42c having a substantially equilateral triangular shape (that is, θ1 and θ2 are at the same angle) in the cross section along the transport direction of the coin by the transport belt 42 lifts the coin from below. It may be used as a convex portion of. Further, even if the convex portion 42d having a substantially semicircular shape in the cross section along the transport direction of the coin by the transport belt 42 as shown in FIG. 8 is used as the convex portion for lifting the coin from below. good. Alternatively, a convex portion having a stepped shape or a convex portion having a substantially trapezoidal shape (not shown) may be used as a convex portion for lifting a coin from below. Even when each of these convex portions 42c, 42d, etc. is used, the coins stored in the coin storage area 30 m can be lifted from below.

Next, in the coin processing machine 2 having such a configuration, when coins are bitten between the reversing roller 46 and the transport belt 42, the operation for eliminating the biting of the coins is performed. The flow of is explained.

First, a case where the biting of coins is immediately eliminated will be described. As described above, each of the convex portions 42a provided on the transport belt 42 of the present embodiment can eliminate the biting of the coin even when the transport belt 42 is rotated in the direction of feeding the coin. It has become. Therefore, when a coin is bitten between the reversing roller 46 and the transport belt 42, the biting of the coin may be released immediately. In this case, the coins will be paid out normally immediately, and the coins will not be stopped. Even in such a case, the sensor 49 detects that the coin has not been paid out even after a longer time than the predetermined time interval (for example, the time when the coin is normally paid out) has elapsed. At that time, although a transfer defect such as coin biting occurred, the control unit may determine that the transfer defect has been resolved by each of the convex portions 42a of the transfer belt 42. Further, this may be stored in a storage unit (not shown).

Further, if the coin is strongly bitten between the reversing roller 46 and the transport belt 42, and the bite of the coin is not eliminated even after a lapse of a predetermined time, for example, the coin is normalized by the coin feeding device 32. This will be detected by the sensor 49 located on the downstream side of the reversing roller 46. Further, at this time, the control unit determines that the coin has been bitten. In this case, by displaying this on the operation display unit 11 described above, the operator is notified that the coin has been bitten. Further, along with such a display, a screen for allowing the operator to select whether or not to circulate and move the transport belt 42 in the reverse direction is displayed. Then, when the operator selects to circulate and move the transport belt 42 in the reverse direction, the transport belt 42 circulates and moves in the reverse direction, and at this time, the biting of coins is eliminated. .. As described above, in the coin feeding device 32 according to the present embodiment, each convex portion 42a can more easily eliminate the biting of coins when the transport belt 42 is circulated and moved in the reverse direction. It has a shape like this. Therefore, even if the coins cannot be eliminated when the transport belt 42 is circulated and moved in the forward rotation direction, the coins are eliminated by circulating and moving the conveyor belt 42 in the reverse direction. You can do it. Further, when the coin feeding device 32 determines that the coin has been bitten, the transport belt 42 may be automatically circulated and moved in the reverse direction.

Even when the transport belt 42 having the convex portions 42c and 42d having symmetrical cross-sectional shapes along the transport direction of the coins by the transport belt 42 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is used. Similar effects can be expected. More specifically, although the shapes of the convex portions 42c and 42d in the cross section along the coin transport direction by the transport belt 42 are symmetrical, the coin is bitten as shown in FIG. As the convex portions 42c and 42d pass under the first coin C1, the first coin C1 is lifted from below. Further, when the first coin is lifted upward, the second coin C2 sandwiched between the first coin and the reversing roller 46 is also lifted upward. In this way, when the first coin C1 and the second coin C2 are lifted by the convex portions 42c and 42d, the second coin C2 is pressed more strongly against the reversing roller 46. Therefore, the frictional force acting between the first coin C1 and the conveying belt 42 (that is, the force conveyed in the conveying direction) and the frictional force acting between the second coin C2 and the reversing roller 46 (specifically). In the meantime, these frictional forces can be changed so that the forces acting in the direction of the arrow indicated by the reference numeral F in FIG. 5) become larger. As a result, the force conveyed in the transport direction acts more on the first coin C1 located on the transport belt 42 side. On the other hand, the force returned to the coin storage area 30 m (that is, the force acting in the direction of the arrow indicated by the reference numeral F in FIG. 5) acts more on the second coin C2 located on the reversing roller 46 side. become.

Further, in a state where the coin is bitten more strongly, the transport belt 42 is circulated and moved in the reverse direction opposite to the coin transport direction to eliminate the problem, but the convex portions 42c and 42d convey the coin. Even when the shape is symmetrical in the cross section along the direction, the effect of eliminating the biting of coins as described above can be expected for each convex portion 42a. That is, when a transport belt 42 provided with each convex portion 42c or a square convex portion 42d is used, the apex portion of the substantially triangular shape in each convex portion 42c and the side surface of each convex portion 42d are reversed from the transport belt 42. It acts to scrape out the coin bitten between the roller 46 and the roller 46.

Here, in a conventional coin feeding device having a conventional solenoid, a solenoid or the like is arranged because the solenoid is driven to swing the coin when a coin feeding failure due to a coin jam is detected. There is a problem that a space is required for these parts and the cost of these parts is high. Further, the substantially rectangular parallelepiped coin engaging protrusion provided in the conventional coin feeding device is for pushing and transporting the side surface of the coin, and has a problem that it cannot be used for swinging the coin. rice field. On the other hand, the coin feeding device 32 of the present embodiment includes a transport belt 42 for transporting coins and a side wall 33 forming a coin storage area 30 m for storing coins, and the transport belt 42 is provided. , A convex portion 42a or a convex portion 42c for lifting and swinging a coin stored in the coin storage area 30 m from below on the surface of the transport belt 42, which is provided at the bottom of the coin storage area 30 m. Or, since the convex portion 42d is provided, it is possible to omit the installation of the drive mechanism of the solenoid, and by circulating the transport belt 42, the coins are conveyed and at the same time, the convex portions 42a, 42c, respectively. The 42d makes it possible to swing the coins stored in the coin storage area 30 m.

Further, the coin feeding device 32 according to the present embodiment is provided with an entry prevention mechanism 43 for preventing coins from entering the back surface side (that is, the side in contact with the pulley 44) of the transport belt 42. ing. Hereinafter, the intrusion prevention mechanism 43 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. Here, FIGS. 9 and 10 are vertical cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the guide member 43a of the coin feeding device 32 when viewed from the side or the front. In FIG. 10, only the side wall 33 located on the right side of the coin storage area 30 m is shown, and the side wall 33 located on the left side of the coin storage area 30 m is not shown.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, an entry prevention mechanism 43 is provided in the vicinity of the transfer belt 42, and the entry prevention mechanism 43 has a pair of guide members 43a for guiding the transfer of coins and the like. are doing. Further, each guide member 43a is formed with a concave groove 43b having a width slightly wider than the thickness of the coin stored in the coin storage area 30m. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the groove 43b is formed so that the depth of the groove 43b gradually becomes shallow in the vicinity of both ends of each guide member 43a in the coin transport direction. By providing such a groove 43b in each guide member 43a, it is possible to prevent the coins stored in the coin storage area 30 m from slipping into the back surface side of the transport belt 42. There is. More specifically, in the coin feeding device 32 according to the present embodiment, when the coins stored in the coin storage area 30 m are transported by the transport belt 42, the coins stored in the coin storage area 30 m are transported by the transport belt. It may try to enter the back side of 42. More specifically, a plurality of coins are stored in the coin storage area 30 m so as to be stacked, but when the coins stored in the coin storage area 30 m are agitated, some of the coins are stored, for example, on the side wall. It may be in a standing position such that it tilts toward 33 (see FIG. 10). Further, when such a standing coin is conveyed by the transport belt 42, the standing coin may try to invade the back side of the transport belt 42 as shown in FIG.

Here, if the above-mentioned groove 43b is not provided in each guide member 43a as in the conventional coin feeding device, coins may enter the back side of the transport belt 42, which causes a coin transport failure. There was a problem that it could end up. In addition, the operator cannot confirm at a glance the coins that have slipped into the back side of the transport belt 42, and cannot immediately identify the cause of the transport defect when trying to eliminate the transport defect. There was a problem that there was. On the other hand, when a groove 43b for receiving a standing coin is formed in each guide member 43a as in the guide member 43a of the present embodiment, the groove 43b accepts the standing coin. This makes it possible to prevent coins from entering the back side of the transport belt 42. Further, as described above, the depth of each groove 43b is shallow in the vicinity of the reversing roller 46. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the coin received in the groove 43b in the standing position and transported to the reverse roller 46 side (that is, the downstream side in the transport direction) in the standing state comes into contact with the reverse roller 46. Then, the coin is returned to the upstream side (that is, the left side in FIG. 9) in the coin transport direction inside the coin storage area 30 m. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an error or the like due to the coin in the standing position invading the back side of the transport belt 42. Further, even when it is not possible to prevent the occurrence of transport defects due to the coins in the standing position (that is, when the transport defects occur due to the coins received in the groove 43b), the coins are also conveyed by the transport belt. Since it does not invade the back side of the 42, the operator can confirm at a glance the coin that caused such a transport defect, and thus the transport defect can be easily eliminated. Further, a plurality of discharge holes (not shown) are provided on the bottom surface of each groove 43b having a concave shape so that the internal space and the external space of the coin storage area 30 m are communicated with each discharge hole. It has become. Further, when the coin is conveyed along each groove 43b, dust such as coin powder adhering to the coin falls from each discharge hole and is discharged to the outside of the coin storage area 30 m. There is.

The coin feeding device 32 having the above configuration includes a transport belt 42 for transporting coins and a side wall 33 forming a coin storage area 30 m for storing coins, and the transport belt 42 includes coins. It is provided at the bottom of the storage area 30 m, and on the surface of the transport belt 42, a convex portion 42a, a convex portion 42c, or a convex portion for lifting and swinging a coin stored in the coin storage area 30 m from below. Since the portion 42d is provided, the coins stored in the coin storage area 30 m can be swung by using the convex portion 42a, the convex portion 42c, or the convex portion 42d provided on the transport belt 42. The coins stored in the storage area 30 m can be agitated. Further, the coin feeding device 32 is provided above the transport belt 42 and further includes a reversing roller 46 that rotates in the direction opposite to the coin transporting direction by the transport belt 42, and the reversing roller 46 is a coin storage area. Since it is installed at a position upwardly separated from the transport belt 42 by a distance larger than the thickness of one coin stored in 30 m and smaller than the thickness of two coins, it is downstream from the reversing roller 46 in the coin transport direction. On the side, the coins can be separated into a single row.

Further, as described above, in the coin feeding device 32 according to the present embodiment, the convex portions 42a, 42c, and 42d are under the first coin (indicated by reference numeral C1 in FIG. 5) in contact with the transport belt 42. By passing the side, the frictional force between the second coin (indicated by reference numeral C2 in FIG. 5) sandwiched between the first coin and the reversing roller 46 and the reversing roller 46 is changed. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the biting of coins without using a drive mechanism such as a solenoid. Further, since the concave portions 42b are provided on the back surface of the transport belt 42 so as to face the convex portions 42a, 42c, and 42d, a plurality of coins are caught between the transport belt 42 and the reversing roller 46. In this case as well, the downward pushing force can be released by the concave portions 42b located at the positions facing the convex portions 42a, 42c, and 42d. As a result, an excessively large force is not applied between the reversing roller 46 and the reversing roller 42, preventing the occurrence of stronger biting, and parts such as the reversing belt 42 and the reversing roller 46 are worn. It is possible to prevent it from being damaged or damaged.

Further, as described above, in the coin feeding device 32 according to the present embodiment, the convex portions 42a, 42c, 42d are the coins transported by the transport belt 42 in the cross section along the transport direction of the coins by the transport belt 42. Since the portion in contact with the side surface of the coin is formed so as not to be perpendicular to the transport surface of the transport belt 42, the convex portions 42a, 42c, and 42d can be easily passed under the coin. .. For example, as such a convex portion, a convex portion 42d having a substantially semicircular cross-sectional shape in a cross section along the coin transport direction by the transport belt 42, or a convex portion 42d along the coin transport direction by the transport belt 42. The convex portions 42a and 42c having a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape may be used. Further, the convex portion 42a has a cross section along the coin transporting direction by the transport belt 42, rather than the outer angle formed by the substantially triangular side located on the downstream side in the coin transport direction and the transport surface of the transport belt 42. Since the outer angle formed by the side of the substantially triangular shape located on the upstream side of the transport direction and the transport surface of the transport belt 42 is smaller, when the transport belt 42 is circulated and moved in the reverse direction opposite to the coin transport direction. In addition, the biting of coins can be eliminated more easily.

Further, as described above, in the coin feeding device 32 according to the present embodiment, the convex portions 42a, 42c, 42d are placed on the surface of the transport belt 42 at intervals wider than the diameter of the coins stored in the coin storage area 30 m. Since a plurality of coins are provided, coins can be conveyed by the smooth surface of the belt. Alternatively, a plurality of convex portions 42a, 42c, 42d may be provided on the surface of the transport belt 42 at intervals of 1/2 or more and less than the diameter of the coin stored in the coin storage area 30 m. , The coin can be swung more efficiently.

Further, in the coin processing machine 2 having the above configuration, in order to convey the coins inside the inner housing 10, the coin receiving portion 12 for receiving the coins inside the inner housing 10, and the inner housing 10. The coin storage unit 16 and the like, the coin storage unit 30 for storing the disc-shaped medium coins transported by the deposit transportation unit 16 and the like, and the coins stored in each coin storage unit 30 are stored in the coin storage unit 30. A coin payout unit 36 for discharging coins to the outside of the coin is provided, and since the coin feeding device 32 described above is provided in each coin storage unit 30, the coins stored in each coin storage unit 30 can be swung. By allowing the coins to be stored, the coins stored in the coin storage area can be agitated. The coin feeding device 32 may be provided in the coin receiving unit 12 instead of being provided in each coin storage unit 30.

Further, the coin feeding method using the coin feeding device 32 having the above configuration includes a step of moving the transport belt 42 in the coin transporting direction and a convex portion 42a of the transport belt 42 when the coins are transported by the transport belt 42. , 42c, 42d provide a step of swinging the coins stored in the coin storage area 30m by lifting the coins stored in the coin storage area 30m from below. The portions 42a, 42c, and 42d can stir the coins stored in the coin storage area 30 m by swinging the disk-shaped medium stored in the storage area.

The coin feeding device 32 according to the present embodiment and the coin processing machine 2 provided with such a coin feeding device 32 are not limited to the above-described aspects, and various changes can be made.

For example, the medium processed by the coin feeding device 32 and the coin processing machine 2 described above is not limited to coins. The principle of the above-described invention may be applied to another disk-shaped medium, for example, a medium feeding device or a medium processing machine for processing a medal or the like. Alternatively, the above-mentioned principle of the invention has come to be applied to a medium feeding device or a medium processing machine for processing a disk-shaped medium made of a material other than metal, for example, a disk-shaped medium formed of plastic or the like. May be. Even in such a case, by using the convex portions 42a, 42c, 42d provided on the transport belt 42, the disk-shaped medium stored in the medium storage area is swung to be stored in the medium storage area. A disk-shaped medium can be agitated.

Further, as described above, the lower end portion of each stop pin 48 located at the stop position is above the upper end portion of the convex portions 42a, 42c, 42d so as not to come into contact with the upper end portions of the convex portions 42a, 42c, 42d. It is designed to be located in. Here, when the transport belt as described in the above-mentioned publicly known document is provided with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped coin engaging protrusion, the coin engaging protrusion more reliably conveys the coin on the transport belt. Act to do. Therefore, when the transport belt is circulated and moved, the coins transported by the coin engaging protrusions or the coin engaging protrusions themselves may give a large load to the stop pin. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the convex portions 42a, 42c, and 42d are conveyed so that the portion in contact with the side surface of the coin conveyed by the transfer belt 42 is not perpendicular to the transfer surface of the transfer belt 42. It is formed on the transport surface of the belt 42. In such a case, since the convex portions 42a, 42c, and 42d enter the lower side of the coin, the load applied to each stop pin 48 can be reduced.

Further, the configuration of each stop pin and each convex portion is not limited to the configuration as described above. For example, it may be configured such that the upper end portions of the convex portions 42a, 42c, 42d and the lower end portions of the stop pins located at the stop positions are in contact with each other. Also in this case, since the side surfaces of the convex portions 42a, 42c, 42d are formed so as not to be perpendicular to the transport surface of the transport belt 42, the convex portions 42a, 42c, 42d are formed as described above for the coin. Each stop pin in contact with the convex portion 42a, 42c, 42d rides on the convex portion 42a, 42c, 42d. Therefore, when the transport belt 42 is circulated and moved, it is possible to prevent a load or the like from being applied to the transport belt 42 or each stop pin located at the stop position.

Further, when the upper end portions of the convex portions 42a, 42c, 42d and the lower end portions of the stop pins located at the stop positions are in contact with each other, the convex portions 42a, 42c, 42d Is formed so as to have substantially the same cross-sectional shape along the width direction of the transport belt 42, but a recess (not shown) is provided at a position corresponding to the position of each stop pin in the width direction of the transport belt 42. This may prevent the convex portions 42a, 42c, 42d from coming into contact with the stop pins located at the stop positions. Also in this case, when the transport belt 42 is circulated and moved, it is possible to prevent the transport belt 42 and each stop pin located at the stop position from being loaded.

Further, although each of the convex portions 42a, 42c, and 42d described in the present embodiment is formed so that the portion in contact with the side surface of the coin is not perpendicular to the transport surface of the transport belt 42, each convex portion is formed. The shape of the portion is not limited to this. Other shapes may be used as long as each convex portion can easily pass under the coin and the shape and size can swing the coin. For example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped convex portion that is sufficiently small with respect to the thickness of the coin, or a convex portion that has a portion perpendicular to a part of a portion that comes into contact with the side surface of the coin may be used.

1 Money processing system 1a Outer housing 2 Coin processing machine 3 Banknote processing machine 10 Inner housing 11 Operation display unit 12 Coin receiving unit 16 Deposit transport unit 18 Identification unit 19 Withdrawal transport unit 30 Coin storage unit 30m Coin storage area 32 Coin Feeding device 33 Side wall 36 Coin payout part 42 Conveyance belt 42a, 42c, 42d Convex part 42b Concave part 43 Intrusion prevention mechanism 43a Guide member 43b Groove 44 Pulley 44a Drive motor 46 Reverse roller 48 Stop pin 49 Sensor

Claims (8)

A transport belt for transporting a disk-shaped medium,
A storage area forming member that forms a storage area for storing a disk-shaped medium,
Equipped with
The transport belt is provided at the bottom of the storage area, and a convex portion for lifting and swinging the disk-shaped medium stored in the storage area from below is provided on the surface of the transport belt. Has been
In the cross section of the convex portion along the transport direction of the disk-shaped medium by the transport belt, a portion of contact with the side surface of the disk-shaped medium transported by the transport belt is located on the transport surface of the transport belt. It is formed so that it is not vertical to the other ,
The convex portion is a medium feeding device having a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape in a cross section along a disk-shaped medium transport direction by the transport belt . Further, a reversing roller provided above the transport belt and rotating in the direction opposite to the transport direction of the disk-shaped medium by the transport belt is provided.
The reversing roller is installed at a position upwardly separated from the transport belt by a distance larger than the thickness of one disk-shaped medium to be stored in the storage area and smaller than the thickness of two sheets. Item 1. The medium feeding device according to item 1. The convex portion is sandwiched between the first disk-shaped medium and the reversing roller by passing under the first disk-shaped medium in contact with the transport belt. The medium feeding device according to claim 2, wherein the frictional force between the disk-shaped medium and the reversing roller is changed. The medium feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a concave portion is provided on the back surface of the transport belt so as to face the convex portion. The convex portion has a substantially triangular side located on the downstream side of the disk-shaped medium in the transport direction and a transport surface of the transport belt in a cross section along the transport direction of the disk-shaped medium by the transport belt. According to any one of claims 1 to 5 , the outer angle formed by the substantially triangular side located on the upstream side of the disk-shaped medium in the transport direction and the transport surface of the transport belt is smaller than the outer angle formed by the disk. The medium feeding device according to the description. The medium according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein a plurality of the convex portions are provided on the surface of the transport belt at intervals wider than the diameter of the disk-shaped medium stored in the storage area. Feeding device. With the housing
A receiving part for receiving a disk-shaped medium inside the housing,
A transport unit for transporting a disk-shaped medium inside the housing,
A storage unit for storing a disk-shaped medium transported by the transport unit, and a storage unit.
A discharge unit for discharging the disk-shaped medium stored in the storage unit to the outside of the storage unit, and a discharge unit.
Equipped with
A medium processing machine provided with the medium feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in the receiving unit or the storage unit. A medium feeding method using a medium feeding device including a transport belt provided with a convex portion on the surface and a storage area forming member for forming a storage area for storing a disk-shaped medium.
The process of moving the transport belt in the transport direction of the disk-shaped medium, and
When the disk-shaped medium is conveyed by the transfer belt, the disk-shaped medium stored in the storage area is lifted from below by the convex portion of the transfer belt, so that the disk-shaped medium is stored in the storage area. The process of rocking the medium and
Equipped with
In the cross section of the convex portion along the transport direction of the disk-shaped medium by the transport belt, a portion of contact with the side surface of the disk-shaped medium transported by the transport belt is located on the transport surface of the transport belt. It is formed so that it is not vertical to the other ,
A method of feeding a medium, wherein the convex portion has a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape in a cross section along a transport direction of a disk-shaped medium by the transport belt .

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