JPH0772916B2 - Coin storage equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A coin storage assembly has several containers (6) each for storing a stack (10) of coins. A sensor (52) is located at the top of a container (6) near an entry (42) which is so designed that coins can only pass through the entry (42) if they are travelling edge-first. When the container (6) is nearly full, the next coin to arrive is supported on the top of the stack (10) in a predetermined position in the entry, so that it is reliably detected by the sensor (52).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a coin storage device that includes one or more coin storage containers. The invention applies in particular, but not exclusively, to a container cooperating with a mechanism for dispensing coins from itself.

Such containers are good and the coins inserted into equipment used in coin handling equipment such as found in vending machines and currency exchange machines are directed into one or more containers. There is a separate container for each type of coins to be stored, and each coin is stacked and stored in each container. With such a container, the machine can dispense coins for currency exchange operations. If coins of different types are stored in different containers, it is easy to calculate the coins when the containers become empty, and it becomes unnecessary to manually sort the coins into different types when sorting is required.

When the container becomes full, the coins that were previously destined for the container are destined for the cash box. To determine when a container is hot, it is generally equipped with a sensor that gives a signal when the stack of coins in the container exceeds a certain level. The sensor is placed at a position that gives a known signal when a pile of coins reaches that position.

For this reason, inexpensive electrically inductive sensors have been used. However, one difficulty with this device is that the coins that sometimes enter the container or storage tube do not come to a vertical stop until they are level. This can happen especially when the container is very fast and the coins do not fall with sufficient velocity. As a result, the upright coin becomes a distance from the sensor and exceeds the detection range of the sensor.

The fact that the coins are in the upright direction itself does not cause any problems because the piles of coins decrease and the coins eventually settle in the correct direction due to, for example, vibrations due to the distribution of coins, but no coins were detected. The fact is that a subsequent coin of the same kind will be pushed into the container, robbing the coin of the opportunity to settle in the correct position in the container.

Instead of an electrical induction sensor, there is an optical sensor that detects coins in an upright position. But these are especially 1
Installation is not easy because more than one light path is required in the container.

A coin storage device according to the present invention is a coin storage device including a container for storing a stack of coins and having a sensor for detecting it when the stack of coins exceeds a predetermined level. , A means for forcing the passage of coins so that the edge of the coin reaches the pile of coins first is provided at the entrance of the container, and the coins are normally stacked on the pile when entering the container from the entrance of the container. The sensor is oriented in a predetermined direction different from the direction of the coins being stowed, and when the pile exceeds a predetermined level, the sensor is supported by the top of the coin pile and the coercive means, It is characterized in that it is arranged so as to detect the presence of coins facing the direction and stopped in the area.

The present invention enables highly reliable detection of piles of coins that have reached a certain level. This is because the next coin is supposed to occupy a predetermined position and the sensor is mounted so as to detect the coin at this predetermined position.

In a special construction, which will be described in detail below, the container inlet is designed to allow only coins that are edging forward, while the sensor rests at and is located at the top of the pile. It is arranged to detect coins.

The sensor is preferably located close to the face of the coin at the container entrance.

The above device reliably detects the coin at the entrance, and as a result,
If there are piles at the level where coins stay at the entrance, the controller uses a sensor to detect this and direct the subsequent coins to another.

The sensor is preferably electrically inductive, but the advantage of high reliability of detection is achieved to some extent with other types of sensors such as optical.

1 and 2, the coin storage device 2 of the present embodiment
Is located under the coin separator (not shown). The separator accepts coins which are inspected from the identification device and confirmed to be genuine, separates them into various types, and sends them to the coin storage device through the respective supply passages 4.

The equipment of this example is multiple and in this special case 4
Includes two storage units 6. Each unit 6 has a storage space 8 for storing the pile 10 of coins received from the supply passage 4 and a second passage 12 and an additional passage 14 for receiving coins received from the supply passage 4.

The coins stacked in the storage space 8 are distributed one at a time by a distribution mechanism, generally designated 16.

The coins entering through the supply passage 4 are normally carried to the storage space 8, but if this space is open, it is sent to the cash box through the second passage 12. In the present embodiment, the second passage 12 leads to a separate cash box. The gate 18 determines whether the coins from the supply passage 4 are sent to the storage space 8 or the second passage 12.

Each additional passage 14 receives coins from passage 20 of its respective separator. These coins are of the same type that the device does not need to dispense and are sent through the additional passage 14 to a separate cash box or a common cash box. Additional passages in the preferred embodiment
One of the fourteen is used to send coins rejected by the discriminator to the exit slot for modification by the user of the device.

Each unit 6 is composed of two longitudinal halves. FIG. 2 shows the left half of one unit. Each half is made by injection molding. If desired, the two halves may be configured as a one-piece, connected piece with a flexible hinge along the edge 22 so that the two halves can be easily closed after injection molding to form the storage unit 6. . The two halves are joined together by screws through holes 24.

The storage space 8 is formed between the outer wall portion 26 and the inner wall portion 28, and the additional passage 14 is formed between the wall 30 and the rear wall 32.

The storage space 8 is cylindrical and has a diameter slightly larger than the coins stored therein.

The unit 6 is intended to be able to use coins of various diameters. However, for coins of different diameters,
Use another unit 6 with a storage space 8 of another diameter.
FIG. 3 shows a portion of another unit 6 having a smaller diameter for a smaller diameter coin. This is accomplished by simply replacing the mold inserts used in forming the container unit so that wall portion 26 is the same thickness while wall portion 28 is thicker. This device keeps the left edge of the pile of coins (as seen in Figure 2) always in place regardless of the coin diameter, thus simplifying the design of the dispensing mechanism. I have to.

The container unit 6 is fixed to the mounting structure 40 by means of screws passing through the holes 38 at a fixed position on the upper end thereof. The mounting structure 40 has a similar ramp that engages the ramp of the separator wall 41. At the bottom, the container unit is secured by bosses 34 and hooks 35 which engage corresponding parts of the outer box (not shown).

Coins from the supply passage 4 pass through the inlet 42 and the storage space 8
To reach. The inlet 42 includes a narrow space 44 between the separator wall 46 and a ledge 48 at the top of the inner wall 28. space
The shape and size of 44 allows coins to pass through the space only when the edge is first.

That is, at the entrance of the container for storing a pile of coins,
Means 46, 48 are provided to force the coins through so that the edge of the coin first reaches the pile of coins.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the pile 10 reaches a certain level (it differs for coins with different diameters), the next coin 50 to be fed through the inlet 42 is at the top of the pile, above itself. It stops until it is supported by the bulging ledge 48.

The coin 50 is generally supported upright, but is inclined so that its center of gravity is above the pile. A flat upper edge 54 that slopes inwardly of the outer wall 26 helps guide the coin 50 in this direction. The electric induction sensor 52 is mounted in the separator at a position close to the surface of the coin 50.
The sensor 52 can detect the presence of coins that indicate when the storage space 8 is full, this detection being due to the shape of the entrance 42 in which the last coin entering the storage space cooperates with the pile 10. Therefore, it is highly reliable.

If coins are distributed from the pile 10, the upper part of the pile is lowered by the thickness of the distributed coin, and the upper edge of the coin 50 is disengaged from the protrusion 48 and the coin falls flat on the pile.

FIG. 4 diagrammatically shows the internal shape of the upper end of the storage space 8 in more detail. The inclined portion 54 is connected to the inner wall of the storage space 8 by the curved surface portion 56. The 56 part has a downwardly directed apex and forms part of the surface of a conceptual cone having an axis concentric with the storage space 8. If the top surface of the pile 10 is considerably lower than the entrance, the coins entering the storage space 8 will be rotated around the horizontal axis inwardly along the curved tip of the coin 56, so that the coins are placed on top of the pile. It becomes horizontal and falls.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the interengaging surfaces of the mounting structure 40 and the support wall 41 are inclined so as to be substantially parallel to the coin 50. The purpose of this device is to compensate for the possibility of changing the length of the container unit 6 due to, for example, the difference in shrinkage rate during injection molding of the container.

Since the unit 6 is fixed at its bottom, any change in length will cause a slight change in the height of the top of the unit. However, the change in the height of the upper end of the unit 6 causes a slight change in the horizontal position of the upper end due to the inclination of the engaging surface between the mounting structure 40 and the support wall 41. The overall effect is to ensure that the distance between the sensor 52 and the face of the coin 50 is constant despite a slight change in length of the unit 6.

Even if both the mounting structure 40 and the engaging surface of the support wall 41 are inclined so as to be parallel to the coin 50, the same effect can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 1, the gates 18 of the four storage units 6 are mechanically connected to each other and are actually made in one piece. All gates have a common solenoid 60 actuator.

The gates all rotate about a common axis 62 near the top of the gate. When the power to the solenoid 60 is cut off, the gate 18 is in the second position.
Take the position shown by the dotted line in the figure. At this position, the gate does not block the passage of coins entering from the supply passage 4, and thus all the coins fall into the second passage 12 respectively.

When the solenoid is energized, the gates all move to the positions shown by the solid line in FIG. Accordingly, the coins entering from the supply passage 4 are bent by the gate 18 toward the inlet 42 of the storage space 8.

The solenoid 60 is controlled by a signal from the discriminator indicating the type of coin received from the discriminator and a signal from the sensor 52. If the coin is of the same type stored in one of the storage units 6, the solenoid 60 is energized so that the coin is bent by the corresponding gate 18,
Unless the sensor 52 indicates when the unit is hot, it will fall into the associated storage space 8. When the sensor 52 indicates that the unit is full, the gate 18 is at the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 2 and coins fall into the second passage 12.

Many coins sent to the separator are far enough apart,
By the time each coin arrives, the gates should be properly positioned to suit each case.

However, if precautions are not taken and coins are rapidly fed to the separator, problems will eventually arise if there is not enough time for gate 18 to reposition before the next coin arrives. . The following measures are taken to avoid such problems without reducing the rate of handling coins.

(A) The controller is set so that the gate 18 preferentially takes one specific position. In this embodiment, the priority position is the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 2, and the coin is the second passage 12
Fall down to. Even with this, the first coin is the second
When the second coin reaches one gate 18 immediately after falling into the passage, the gate 18 normally stays in the position to send the second coin to the second passage regardless of whether the coin goes to the storage space 8. It is connected. On the contrary, when the controller decides to send the first coin to the storage space 8 and the second coin immediately follows and wants to send it to the second passage, the gate 18 allows the passage of the first coin. It is controlled to be suitable for the second coin even if it is blocked. With this device, coins may be mistakenly sent to the second passage 12 instead of the storage space 8. However, this is not a practical inconvenience, and an apparatus of this type prevents excessive entry into the storage space 8.

(B) If this measure (A) is used, the coin may reach the gate 18 when the gate is in the intermediate position and is moving to the priority position. Gate 18 is designed to not jam under such circumstances. This is gate 18
Is arranged so that it is out of the coin passage when it is in the priority position, and the rotation axis of the gate is located upstream of the coin turning surface.

Therefore, the above-mentioned device can be operated by one common actuator without jamming two or more gates or overfilling the coin storage space, and also allows continuous rapid arrival of coins. It provides a simple and effective way.

The distribution mechanism 16 is shown in detail in FIG.

The unit 6 is located under a pile of coins and has a base plate 70 having an opening 72 at a position offset from the lower end of the storage space 8. The slide 74 slides horizontally between the bottom of the pile 10 and the top of the base plate 70. Scorpio 74
Has an opening 76 and is pressed to the left end by a spring 78 as shown in FIG.
Overlaps. Solenoids when distributing coins
Energize 79, move the slide 74 to the right, and place the opening 76 under the pile of coins. The coin at the bottom of the pile enters the opening 76, and is slightly above the upper surface of the opening. When the current to the solenoid is turned off, the seat is returned to the left and opened.
The top coin is moved over the opening 72 and dropped and dispensed through the two openings. The second coin from the bottom of the pile is engaged by the spring 78 with the lower end of the indicating member 80, which is held at the lower end of the wall 26, and is prevented from being moved by the sliding seat. The indicating member 80 is selected within the range of the member according to the thickness of coins to be dispensed.

Although the equipment quoted above has been described on the assumption that coins are used, it is of course possible to use other shapes and sizes similar to coins, such as substitute coins used in entertainment machines. And the word "coin" is meant to include all of them.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a coin storage device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a part of the container of the storage device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial view of another container of the device. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the inside of the upper end of the container. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the distribution mechanism of the container. [Explanation of symbols of main parts] 2 …… Coin storage device 4 …… Supply passage 6 …… Storage unit 8 …… Storage space 10 …… Stack of coins 12 …… Second passage 16 …… Distribution mechanism 18 …… … Gate 28,30 …… Inner wall 32 …… Rear wall 41 …… Wall slope 42 …… Inlet 46 …… Separator wall 48 …… Outgoing tension 50 …… Coins 52 …… Inductive sensor 70 …… Base plate 72,76 …… Opening 74 …… Slip seat 78 …… Spring 80 …… Indicator

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Peter Maurice Stallwood United Kingdom. Buckinghamshire, Mallow Bottom, Mountain Esch 7 (56) References: Opening Sho 57-24668 (JP, U) Opening Sho 52-146194 (JP, U)

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A coin storage device comprising a container for storing a stack of coins and having a sensor for detecting when the stack of coins exceeds a predetermined level. Is provided with means for forcing the passage of the coin so that the edge of the coin reaches the pile of coins first,
When entering the container from the entrance of the container, the coin is oriented in a predetermined direction different from the direction of the coins normally stacked in the pile, and the sensor indicates that the coin when the pile exceeds a predetermined level. A coin storage device, which is supported by the top of the mountain and the coercive means, and is arranged to detect the presence of a coin that faces the predetermined direction and is parked in the area. 2. A coin storage device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor can detect the presence of coins without physically touching them. 3. The coin storage device according to claim 2, wherein the sensor is an electric induction type that detects the action of the coin on the magnetic field. 4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor is positioned so as to be close to the surface of the stopped coin. Coin storage equipment. 5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stationary coins are arranged so as to be supported in a direction displaced from substantially horizontal. A coin storage device characterized by the above. 6. The coin storage device according to claim 5, wherein the center of the stopped coin is arranged so as to be supported above the pile of coins. . 7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the container has an inner surface of at least one inlet, the inner surface of the inlet being a coin that enters the container. A coin storage device having a curved surface such that the tip of the coin moves along the inner surface of the entrance to rotate the coin around a horizontal axis. 8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the container has a surface with which a support base engages, and the engagement surface stops. A coin storage device characterized by being substantially parallel to a coin. 9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein there are a plurality of said containers, and coins from the passage are respectively directed to either the container or another passage. Coin storage device including a plurality of gates arranged in the same manner. 10. The coin storage device according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of gates have a common operator. 11. The device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the receiving passage is provided unless the sensor of the container supports that the pile of coins in the container exceeds the predetermined level. A coin storage device including control means for controlling the gate to direct coins from 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said control means is operable to control said common actuator to give priority to coins directed to said separate receiving passage. Is a coin storage device. 13. A device as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12 in which the gate rotates about an axis upstream from the deflecting surface of the coin of the gate. Coin storage equipment.